Township Approves Luxury Housing Project After Developer Says It “Feels Right”
After a brief discussion marked by nodding, quiet agreement, and several references to intuition, the Maple Hollow Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday night to approve a proposed luxury housing development following assurances from the project’s developer that the plan “just feels right.” The approval came despite lingering questions about traffic, water usage, environmental […]
Public Comment Period Ends Immediately After Public Begins Commenting
Residents attending Monday night’s City Council meeting were given the opportunity to speak during public comment for just under three minutes before officials announced the period had concluded, citing time constraints, agenda priorities, and the need to “keep things moving.” The public comment period officially opened at 7:42 p.m. and closed at 7:45 p.m., shortly […]
Report Concludes No One Responsible, Recommends Moving Forward
An official investigative report released this week concluded that no individual or entity bears responsibility for the matter under review, while recommending that all parties move forward without further discussion. The report, which spans 18 pages and includes multiple appendices, summarizes months of internal review and analysis before arriving at its central finding: responsibility could […]
Township Launches “Listening Tour,” Assures Residents Nothing Will Change
Township officials announced the launch of a new “listening tour” this week aimed at gathering resident feedback on a range of municipal issues, while simultaneously assuring the public that no policy changes are expected to result from the effort. The tour, which will consist of a series of informal community meetings held over the next […]
Local Government Assures Residents Process Is Working as Intended
Local officials assured residents this week that the municipal process is functioning exactly as designed, following a series of public complaints questioning recent decisions, timelines, and outcomes. The reassurance came during a regularly scheduled council meeting in which residents raised concerns about transparency, responsiveness, and the perceived disconnect between public input and final actions. Officials […]
Donor “Has No Input” Despite Being in Every Meeting
Local officials confirmed this week that a prominent political donor has “no input whatsoever” in municipal decision-making, despite appearing in nearly every meeting where those decisions are discussed. The donor, a regional business executive who has contributed consistently to multiple campaigns over the past decade, was present for recent discussions involving zoning changes, procurement approvals, […]
It’s Time We Had a Serious Conversation About This
There comes a moment in every community when it becomes clear that avoiding a difficult conversation is no longer an option. We believe Buck County has reached that moment, whether it is ready for it or not. This is not about assigning blame, nor is it about relitigating past decisions. It is about acknowledging that […]
This Is Bigger Than Any One Issue, Which Is Why It’s Hard to Explain
Some situations resist easy explanation not because they lack substance, but because they extend beyond any single cause or event. When issues become layered, interconnected, and persistent, clarity often gives way to general unease. That unease is difficult to articulate, but no less real. Beyond Individual Incidents Focusing on individual moments can be comforting, as […]
Quiet Meeting Results in Significant Outcome No One Claims Credit For
A significant municipal outcome emerged this week following a quiet meeting attended by a small group of officials and advisors, none of whom have publicly claimed responsibility for the decision. The meeting, which was not listed on the public calendar and produced no formal minutes, preceded the announcement of a policy shift with long-term financial […]
The Community Deserves Answers, Even If We Don’t Have Them
Communities function on trust, and trust depends on a shared understanding of what is happening and why. When questions arise and answers remain elusive, frustration is not only natural, it is justified. We believe Buck County has reached such a moment. The Expectation of Clarity Residents are not unreasonable in expecting explanations when decisions affect […]
Planning Board Asks No Questions, Cites “Trust” in Man With Very Large Truck
Township officials assured concerned residents Tuesday night that traffic issues stemming from a recently approved development project would “sort itself out,” citing patience, adaptation, and the passage of time as primary mitigation strategies. The assurance came during a standing-room-only public meeting in Brookfield Township, where residents gathered to voice concerns about congestion along Route 19, […]
Council Forms Committee to Study Issue Already Decided
City Council members voted Monday night to form a special committee tasked with studying an issue the council has already resolved, citing the importance of due process, public confidence, and “making sure we did this the right way, even if it’s already done.” The committee, officially titled the Ad Hoc Review Committee on Future Considerations, […]