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Posted on Wed, Jul. 02, 2003
Chief wants to check on 50 people
He seeks background inquiries after two volunteer firefighters in Upper Pottsgrove had legal trouble.
By Larry Lewis
Inquirer Staff Writer
UPPER POTTSGROVE - The police chief's letter, just three paragraphs long, was delivered quietly to the commissioners of this township near Pottstown two weeks ago.
Police Chief Charles Maddona wrote that he had been made aware that two township workers - since identified as volunteer firefighters - had legal difficulties. He said one had a warrant for a bad check, the other had failed to pay a local tax bill.
Maddona went on to request names, addresses, birth dates, driver's license numbers, and Social Security information on at least 50 people associated with the western Montgomery County township so he could do "a thorough background investigation on them."
The commissioners took one look at the letter and deemed it a personnel matter that could not be discussed publicly.
The township's 4,000 residents, however, are talking about it, and have broken into two distinct camps - those who think blanket background checks are good and those who don't, some of whom have called the ACLU's Philadelphia offices for advice.
"There has been an effect," said Jon Downey, president of the Upper Pottsgrove Fire Company No. 1 since January. "It's not a good effect."
Downey confirmed that background checks were carried out on the volunteer firefighters "unbeknownst to them." He said the investigations turned up "something of interest."
One of the firefighters said he was seeing a lawyer yesterday to try to figure out what he can say or do now.
He said he was told he was investigated after he was appointed to a volunteer post about four months ago. He said he never authorized a background check.
Downey said the other firefighter mentioned in the letter had left the community.
"We haven't been able to find him to straighten this out," the fire company president said. "He's disappeared. His girlfriend is gone with him."
Downey said he had consulted a lawyer to make sure his rights are protected.
Maddona wrote that he wanted the private information on Upper Pottsgrove fire police, firefighters, fire marshal, fire chief, office employees, road crew, Board of Commissioners, planning commission, civil service, parks and recreation, tax collector and others.
Maddona's letter said that "we feel that it is owed to the community to have professional and reliable people associated with the township."
"We feel that anyone who has nothing to hide will be more than willing to submit to the requested information in light of the recent findings," he wrote. "Anything that is found in the investigation will be turned over to the board of commissioners for their review and decision of what action should be taken."
Maddona said in a telephone interview that he could not discuss the matter while it is under consideration.
But he clearly indicated that he still is seeking the authority to conduct widespread background checks.
David DiSabatino, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said he had gotten several calls about the issue from the township.
"The courts have been very clear that background checks on government employees must be designed to further some government interest," he said he told the callers. "They cannot be used as fishing expeditions to find out things about employees."
Township Manager David Paulsen said the municipality does background checks according to the position being filled.
Officials said candidates for the Police Department are screened, as are the volunteers for fire police, who assist at the scenes of blazes. But the township has no clearly defined background-check policy, administrators said.
Board of Commissioners Vice President Russell Noll said the matter was to be discussed at forthcoming meetings. The next board session is July 14.
"We might have something to say later," he said.
James D. Scheffey of Pottstown, the Upper Pottsgrove solicitor, did not respond to a request for comment.
"The main issue is that he requested information on individuals," said Upper Pottsgrove Commissioner Julie Lyn Gallisdorfer. "I do not support this at all."
She said she had retained a lawyer, as well.
"I do not support any background checks without a person's consent and knowledge," she said. "I do not support background checks on volunteers."
Nothing like having a little J. Edgar Hoover in charge!
The one who owed Taxes is for a local tax of $95.00
The other is for a check his ex-wife wrote in Oklahoma in 1991 when they were seperated.
Chief wants to check on 50 people
He seeks background inquiries after two volunteer firefighters in Upper Pottsgrove had legal trouble.
By Larry Lewis
Inquirer Staff Writer
UPPER POTTSGROVE - The police chief's letter, just three paragraphs long, was delivered quietly to the commissioners of this township near Pottstown two weeks ago.
Police Chief Charles Maddona wrote that he had been made aware that two township workers - since identified as volunteer firefighters - had legal difficulties. He said one had a warrant for a bad check, the other had failed to pay a local tax bill.
Maddona went on to request names, addresses, birth dates, driver's license numbers, and Social Security information on at least 50 people associated with the western Montgomery County township so he could do "a thorough background investigation on them."
The commissioners took one look at the letter and deemed it a personnel matter that could not be discussed publicly.
The township's 4,000 residents, however, are talking about it, and have broken into two distinct camps - those who think blanket background checks are good and those who don't, some of whom have called the ACLU's Philadelphia offices for advice.
"There has been an effect," said Jon Downey, president of the Upper Pottsgrove Fire Company No. 1 since January. "It's not a good effect."
Downey confirmed that background checks were carried out on the volunteer firefighters "unbeknownst to them." He said the investigations turned up "something of interest."
One of the firefighters said he was seeing a lawyer yesterday to try to figure out what he can say or do now.
He said he was told he was investigated after he was appointed to a volunteer post about four months ago. He said he never authorized a background check.
Downey said the other firefighter mentioned in the letter had left the community.
"We haven't been able to find him to straighten this out," the fire company president said. "He's disappeared. His girlfriend is gone with him."
Downey said he had consulted a lawyer to make sure his rights are protected.
Maddona wrote that he wanted the private information on Upper Pottsgrove fire police, firefighters, fire marshal, fire chief, office employees, road crew, Board of Commissioners, planning commission, civil service, parks and recreation, tax collector and others.
Maddona's letter said that "we feel that it is owed to the community to have professional and reliable people associated with the township."
"We feel that anyone who has nothing to hide will be more than willing to submit to the requested information in light of the recent findings," he wrote. "Anything that is found in the investigation will be turned over to the board of commissioners for their review and decision of what action should be taken."
Maddona said in a telephone interview that he could not discuss the matter while it is under consideration.
But he clearly indicated that he still is seeking the authority to conduct widespread background checks.
David DiSabatino, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said he had gotten several calls about the issue from the township.
"The courts have been very clear that background checks on government employees must be designed to further some government interest," he said he told the callers. "They cannot be used as fishing expeditions to find out things about employees."
Township Manager David Paulsen said the municipality does background checks according to the position being filled.
Officials said candidates for the Police Department are screened, as are the volunteers for fire police, who assist at the scenes of blazes. But the township has no clearly defined background-check policy, administrators said.
Board of Commissioners Vice President Russell Noll said the matter was to be discussed at forthcoming meetings. The next board session is July 14.
"We might have something to say later," he said.
James D. Scheffey of Pottstown, the Upper Pottsgrove solicitor, did not respond to a request for comment.
"The main issue is that he requested information on individuals," said Upper Pottsgrove Commissioner Julie Lyn Gallisdorfer. "I do not support this at all."
She said she had retained a lawyer, as well.
"I do not support any background checks without a person's consent and knowledge," she said. "I do not support background checks on volunteers."
Nothing like having a little J. Edgar Hoover in charge!
The one who owed Taxes is for a local tax of $95.00
The other is for a check his ex-wife wrote in Oklahoma in 1991 when they were seperated.
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