After the meeting, Commissioner President Ron Eichenberg said Schneider's "polarizing nature" was the reason for Schneider's ejection from the ZHB. - Larry has served on the Zoning hearing Board for 6.5 years and during all of that time he has been outstanding. Nothing he did on that board was polarizing.

The ploarizing presence in the twsp. is the present BOC minus Jim Lancsek.

Larry was removed because he has dared to have different opinions than the majority board. This is a case of once again blackballing a citizen volunteer for not falling in line. What a disgrace!

I was amazed last night when Reis, Eichenberg, and Conrad talked about being personally attacked. All criticism has been political. I would ask these members to provide any evidence that Larry was a polarizing figure or that these commissioners have been attacked personally. Elected leaders in a democracy should expect to be challenged. This is a much needed part of the democratic process.

"Public applicants, attorneys and contractors have complained that Schneider's methods and approach are not instrumental to people working together," Eichenberg said.

Remember what the Zoning Hearing Board does. They hear requests for zoning relief in other words exceptions to the rules. Yes, thats gonna tick off developers and lawyers sometimes.

Especially when you have someone who was as completely thorough as Larry Schneider was for 6 years. This quote shows once again who has the influence in the township. The developers and attorneys. No doubt Eichenbergs 36 acre Allen Organ project will be in front of the Zoning Board as most large greenfield development projects are. Want someone off a board? Just talk President Eichenberg!

Remember who these commissioners look out for. The lawyers and developers. This is just another example. The largest perhaps is the Jaindl memo.
Here is the "memo" where lawyers dictated a timeline for a zoning change.
http://www.ronbeitler.com/2013/01/02/jaindl-timeline-open-and-transparant-process-or-pre-determined-outcome/

I cannot wait to see those three seats changed. I personally believe Ryan Conrad for one is running with his tail between his legs and trying to cover up some of his crappy decisions. He wants another term, he won't see another term because the citizens of lower Mac won't be fooled twice

More insight..Aquila who was elevated to alternate did interview very well. He comes from service on the Public Safety commission and was great on that board. I am disappointed the BOC decided to weaken one board to appoint Scott to another as an alternate. Essentially the move took him out of the lineup to place him on the bench as an alternate of the ZHB.

Next I attended many full hearings over the last couple months that Larry presided over. Many involved homeowners and small business owners rather then developers. Larry was very patient with residents working with them. Many requests were granted with conditions. For example, Italiano Delite requested relief for it's new outdoor dining on Brookside road. In this case especially Larry did an excellent job balancing the concerns of neighbors and the rights of the business owner.

Lastly, I see Doug Brown at ZHB hearings. I know Jim Lancsek has attended more then his share through the last 6 years that Larry has been on the board. But I've never seen Eichenberg, Conrad or Reis at one that Larry presided over. The people last night who spoke in favor of Larry have seen him in action extensively. Bill Royer ZHB member, Brian Higgins ZHB member, Commissioner Lancsek, Former Commissioner Pugliese, Fmr ZHB Bob Rust..... Funny that folks who I've never seen at a ZHB hearing cite "lawyers and builders" as a reason for removing someone. I just wish they said anything, anything at all about his actual performance on the board.

When you have Eichenburg as a large commercial real estate broker(who will benefit as the broker of record to the new Allen Organ development), you take away any shame on the appearance of impropriety(official meetings at developers offices), voila, you get crony capitalism from the most polarizing board we have ever had. Talk to your neighbors about removing the incumbents in the next election, cause their side will have plenty of special interest money.

Also, Eichenberg, Ryan, and Reiss who are all up for re-election are all realtors, or married to one. Reiss, an ex-cop on pension, is also in charge of looking at a new police force. Their development zoning changes will mean new taxes for a new high school, and a new police force would probably add 50% to our taxes. The consequences of rehiring the crony capitalists is a burden of higher taxes on us and our children.

This just highlights the 'JOKE" leadership we have in Macungie. We need a clean sweep here...these folks are old, tired and dried out !!!!

LMT has been controlled by the real estate developers and power companies for decades.

Some of the names have changed, but the song remains the same.

Witness the names that were on the EPSD school board 25 years ago.

The biggest difference is that Jaindl's were big enough to wait until now.

And some who benefitted from or moved in during earlier building waves are saying NIMBY today!

Larry Schneider is polarizing. Too bad he can't get along with his fellow human beings. And apparently, Larry doesn't care!

Let me ask a simple question. The LMT Commissioners appointed Brian Higgins to the ZHB, was that a bad decision? No, that was a good decision. Here's another simple question. Was it a bad decision to elevate Thomas Sesta to the ZHB and appoint Scott Aquila as an alternate? No, that was a good decision. Larry Schneider should be commended for his service to LMT, but that doesn't negate the fact that the Commissioners appointed good people to serve on the ZHB.

When I disagree with the board I have always laid out what I would do different:

Re-appointments:
If I have reason to vote not to reappoint someone, I'll present references to actual performance issues. Without facts, decision reeks of political motivation..AKA someone not agreeing with me.

I value opinions different from mine and would value these on volunteer boards. If someone's dropping the ball, I would show during a public meeting why.. i.e. attendance, mismanagement, with ZHB for ex. not adhering to the MPC ect. If there is an issue I would also make an effort to actually attend a meeting myself not rely on anecdotal evidence.

If complaints were made I would ask for submittal in writing. "lawyers, builders and developers" have rights. But they need to put them on paper for vetting in public meeting.. not attempt to pull strings from the shadows.

Handling other good volunteers willing to serve: Can't let good people go. Why I've advocated for (to no avail, never got a reason why.. still waiting) creating Ad-hoc positions across the board on all commissions/committees. On the Pcom for example we've turned away good volunteers in the past because there wasn't space. An ad-hoc position would allow someone qualified with interest to sit on the board in a non-voting role, participating in discussion and "learning the ropes" until space opens. This is important for technical positions like the planning commission.

Ron- simply expand the PC to 7 or nine members. A municipality of our size, usually has more members which offer more smart growth ideas to each development project. I would also change the saldo to require all plans to first go through a EAC review for recommendations as well. Its time developers work with the municipalities rather than against them for better communities

Working with Larry for over a year on Citizens for Change, I never heard Larry make a "polarizing" statement (can't say that for myself), or even a partisan political statement. He is a fair and tireless worker and we are fortunate to have him as a volunteer in the township. The Commissioners have shown themselves to be political hacks, or worse, like the ones we dis-elected in 2007.