| Lawrence Park Township Ends Court Case With Firefighters
"After nearly $85,000 in taxpayers' money spent on this battle, Judge Dunlavey has dismissed this court battle," said Tom Loftus, now president of the township commissioners. "Lawrence Park Board of Township Commissioners now will continue the legal and ethical practice of financially supporting the Lawrence Park Fire Department through budgeting taxpayer monies in line items of the Lawrence Park Township budget," Loftus said. Loftus voted against the petition. Dunlavey in late December appointed Randy Kreider, a certified public accountant in Meadville, to review the Fire Department's finances for 90 days beginning Jan. His review centered on the Fire Department's filing of an annual IRS Form 990, Loftus said. Under the court order, the township commissioners also agreed to repeal an ordinance that was central to the dispute, in which previous commissioners questioned the firefighters' bookkeeping practices. Loftus and fire department officials discussed the court order during a news conference Thursday at the department. The township paid for Kreider's work and for computers, Loftus said. "I'm extremely glad Dunlavey came with that ruling," said Dave Crotty, vice president of the Fire Department. "There were no legitimate findings of mismanaging of taxpayers' dollars concerning the Lawrence Park Fire Department," Loftus said. As part of the order, Kreider will file the proper forms with the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of the nonprofit department. Lawrence Park Township commissioners voted 3-2 in July to petition a judge for an appointed custodian. The firefighters said they did nothing wrong. Kreider's review of the finances focused on guaranteeing the department did not run afoul of the Internal Revenue Service. " . "Because of the controversy, people have backed off in their donations," said Marion Armstrong, the Fire Department's commissioner of safety. |
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Lawrence Park Township Ends Court Case With Firefighters
