One supervisor singled out

To the Editor:

Although the issue of the insurance perk for part-time employees was thoughtfully handled by the Intelligencer editorial published on 3/4, it still fails to address that the original Riley Yates article was written at the instigation of Plumstead Township Supervisor -- and Tom Alvaré antagonist -- Vince Formica. Mr. Formica contacted the Intelligencer, made his pitch, gave his "It’s just unconscionable that anyone would seek to shift their health care costs onto the back of the community" quote and then let the Intell go look for a story.

 

That there exists a genuine issue about such perks for so-called "part-time" employees does not excuse the fact that Tom Alvaré, alone among the three of five Plumstead supervisors who take the insurance, was singled out for criticism by name and that he alone had his picture prominently displayed at the top of the fold in your paper.

 

It also leaves to Tom Alvaré to point out that Vince Formica has had many years to eliminate this insurance provision for township supervisors. Before Mr. Alvaré took office three supervisors took the insurance and two did not. After Mr. Alvaré took office three supervisors took the insurance, two did not. If this issue so offends Mr. Formica, why did it not offend him last year or the year before that? That Mr. Formica never complained about this perk until now clearly demonstrates that Mr. Formica's real contempt is not with the health insurance but with Tom Alvaré.

 

Additionally your editorial fails to address that when Mr. Yates contacted Mr. Alvaré he misrepresented the nature of the article that he was writing. Mr. Alvaré was told that the article was an overview of such practices throughout the county; Mr. Alvaré was not told that he himself would be the scaffolding upon which the rest of the article would hang. When Mr. Yates misrepresents himself and the purpose of his article he also misrepresents the good name of the Intelligencer.

 

Your editorial does conclude that perhaps some modifications to the health insurance provision could be made to include the retired and self-employed. The category self-employed curiously would include Tom Alvaré as well as Supervisor Housley Carr. The third supervisor who took the insurance is Frank Froio, who was until recently between jobs and without health insurance. How anyone with a conscience would want to deny Mr. Froio, who has given our township many years of selfless dedication, access to health insurance is beyond me. But Mr. Formica's hatred of Tom Alvaré makes him so irrational he doesn't know -- or care -- who else he's throwing under the bus.

 

Daniel Deagler

Plumstead Township

 

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/320-03092008-1500586.html