Post by Venter on Aug 5, 2015 17:33:35 GMT -5
From our Facebook Forum 8/5/2015:
Gene Golden
+++ Security, Concerning ME at the Courthouse - Commissioners Meeting 7/29 +++
Now that the dust and shit-flinging has settled, I'm ready to discuss ANOTHER Issue concerning my maiden voyage into Commissioner-Land.
As I entered the Courthouse to attend the meeting last week, I went through the standard, "Empty your pockets" procedure, which for me is like "Empty your purse".
I carry a LOT of crap in my pockets, and I had already left my work-knives in the car.
Needless to say, I had a few moments to chat with one of the Guards, (Sgt?) Cliff Malloy, who I knew from his stint at Cumberland Township.
So I was laughing, and I did the 'customary' :
"What, they didn't warn you I was coming?
" routine.But then, I looked across the desk, toward where Ofc. Malloy was sitting, and noticed something odd...
There on TOP of a stack of papers, was a sheet of copy paper...
ON IT was simply a pair of Photos - One was of ME, the other was of Charles Strauss.
So, I pointed that out to Ofc. Malloy, and he said he "hadn't even seen" that, and we kinda laughed it off.
At first, I considered it harmless, funny, and a "bit flattering" that I/we could generate THAT amount of concern for the Commissioners, that would warrant our "mugshots".
Certainly, two out of three of them, know me better than that, and I can't imagine Jim being concerned enough, if they weren't.
Later in the day, while mentioning the incident to a Police Officer friend of mine, he got VERY Angry about it, and was absolutely shocked that this happened.
He made it very clear that -- "This is NOT Standard Operating Procedure" -- and he was astonished that they went through the efforts to get my picture and "post" it for identification purposes.
To say that he became "livid" at the idea, would be an understatement.
He seemed astonished at the mere thought of it.
He explained that - I should not be considered a "Security Risk", and even if there WERE "concerns" - that level of security is for those who have made specific threats, or pose a risk to the safety of others, terrorist groups, etc.
As I still tried to laugh it off - he continued to escalate how this is NOT "SOP" and definitely NOT Right!
So then, of course, as I began to let it sink in, I realized that he was probably right.
I SHOULD be insulted and Offended by the actions of the person/s involved.
So now, being the passive person that I am
, I find myself getting more and more PISSED, the longer I think about it!" 
If the Commissioners would care to "discuss" this Singular Issue with me, I'd be most happy to do so.
Depending on the responses I receive, I will determine whether to pursue the issue further.
I know that Randy Phiel and Jim Martin are currently at a convention, and Randy has his big event this weekend, so there is no real rush to get to the bottom of this... but I'm determined to find out...
AND, if this has been "buried", I suggest someone dig it up.
Primarily, I need to know:
· Who requested the "extra effort" security measures?
· Why were they deemed necessary?
· Were WE the only ones singled out - and if so, why?
· What caused the person who ordered the photos to do so (What initiated his actions, and by whose authority?)
· Where were the photos acquired from? (it was not Facebook)
· Was there ANY directive associated with the photos? (Watch; Warn; Call upstairs, etc.?)
· Why was there an "extra guard"? ... I was told that the "Extra Guard" in the courthouse was there "in training", so NOW I want to make sure that this is accurate. And now I want to know the circumstances regarding his presence, how far in advance was he scheduled to "train" that particular day, etc... (THREE Guards were there - and I'm assured that there are always TWO present as a rule, no matter what, at every Commissioner Meeting.)
So, let's see how this plays out.
Like Comment
Tom Mckenney and Karen Wahl Pearce like this.
Aubreys PopPop
They probably have my entire bio on file...lol
6 hrs · Unlike · 1
Gene Golden
I didn't see photos of anyone else who said they'd be attending... or they just couldn't stand keeping a photo of Tom Mckenney on their desk!
6 hrs · Like · 2
Charles Strauss
How did they get photos of us? DMV?
5 hrs · Edited · Like
Tom Mckenney
Gene, I just wasn't scaring rats anymore. They had to get new photos. smile emoticon
5 hrs · Like
Tom Mckenney
This does raise some very good questions that must be answered.
5 hrs · Like · 1
Paul Kellett
I was told years ago, that the county manager requested that he be notified if I entered the building. Funny, he always seemed to be dropping in at whichever county office I was going to. I think you are lucky enough to be getting the same service and it is not that he sees you as a "security threat" but rather as a policy threat. Open government at his best.
5 hrs · Like · 1
Donna Weikert Abell
Oh they definitely owe an explanation of this. It's just wrong and scary, that they target anyone person because they don't want to deal with questions, and and the opinions of citizens in the county
5 hrs · Like
Alexandra Escalera
After many Right to know requests and some troubles with the County sending me out a BLANK CD and telling me it was 'me' who couldn't figure it out, and after they figured it was them and a blank CD I received a new CD with the information requested on it this time and a letter from the County telling me to go see Dave Sprankle in the IT office for help. I did so as they requested. Dave Sprankle was very helpful and assisted me in learning some things I needed to know about opening the documents in the future. A few months I think later with many other RTK requests and commissioners meetings attended and visiting multiple offices looking for answers to the 21st Century debacle the county did something that surprised even me. I got another letter from the county saying NOT to go into the IT Office any more for help....hmmm. Ok I filed it away not giving it much thought really and before attending one of the Wednesday morning Commissioners meetings as I regularly did I 'dropped by' the IT office to ask a question. The lady was nice and called a guy in the back room. She said to come back after the meeting and the person I was asking to see would be there. This was under the new commissioners rule and the thumb of our County Manager Mr. Al Penska that the following took place. I went back up about 45 minutes later to see the person requested and just after I got into the door the security guard steps in and demands me to leave mentioning the letter. I was told that I was not allowed in that office anymore. I was shocked and said I had a vague recollection of the note but thought it was a suggestion and that I am a taxpayer in Adams County and I am paying for that office to be in operation. I said I was NOT leaving. It was a tense few moments and I reiterated my stance that I was seeking county help that I had been instructed in the past to go to that office when I needed IT help with RTK requests. The security guard is a nice man and was just doing his job and he did not touch me tho I believe he reached out towards me and take me where??? I have not spoken of this in public at all and have strong feelings for how the County is treating the public that have in anyway Opposing Views. I think they go under the guise of Paul Kellett, Bruce Hollinger, Phil Cole , myself and others as being 'dangerous'.... well maybe to exposing the truth dangerous ...Yes! None of us have ever shown any threatening behaviors or have acted out in any violent ways towards them or anyone in the county. I am unsure why they had the photos you spoke of Gene but I am quite sure you have come under their radar and they feel threatened. I am sorry that seeking Truth and Justice in Adams County threatens those holding the above mentioned offices but it has and it does! And by the way the IT office situation that day was a set up and it appeared that they intended to at the very least intimidate a local taxpayer and concerned citizen of Adams County... I wish you the all the best.....
4 hrs · Like
Karen Wahl Pearce
This is serious, and truly merits investigation. I agree with all your questions, Gene, and am shocked to hear of this kind of combined silliness and abuse of power. This looks like an interesting topic for an investigative journalist -- if such things existed on the local level.
4 hrs · Like · 1
Donna Weikert Abell
As I have said before there are no politicians that are trustworthy, they all seem to be in someone's pocket or too good of friends. I won't name names ,but I've been in Gettysburg my whole life , worked in town for many years and have seen and heard things that are just more then shady. Money is very very important to some of these people and helping each other has been a way of life. Quiet people can learn a lot when they just are quiet and they figure you of no importance.
It's just a shame that government even at this level is not o be trusted. Too many only care about the tourist, the battlefield and the money they can make off of them. This town and county deserve so much better then we get, or have in charge.
4 hrs · Like
Aubreys PopPop
I think a RTK is in order to get the facts. It would be interesting to see who initiated it.
4 hrs · Like
Nick Myers
Gene, maybe Holly Giles warned them about you....ha
3 hrs · Like
Carol Rebert
Interesting.
2 hrs · Like
Aaron Latschar
interesting indeed