Dear Fred,

I have been asked by Michele Hazel to reach out to you regarding the Williamsport School Board’s recent meeting in which they tried to appoint a member of the community to the School Board without having the appointment or a discussion of the vacancy on the agenda.  It is my understanding that Williamsport Area School District has a Board Policy on how to fill vacancies on the Board.  It would appear that the Board violated the Sunshine Act and their own Policy at their recent meeting.  In light of Star Poole’s due process hearing, which took several meetings, it appears that the Board is trying to fill her vacancy in one meeting.

The purpose of this email is to request that the Williamsport School Board immediately open the board position for applications and allow individuals, like Michele, to apply for the School Board along with any other qualified candidates over the next ten days, or until January 28^th.  It is my further understanding that there will be a school board meeting on February 1, 2022, at which time the applicant’s names could be placed on the agenda and discussed at the meeting in accordance with Board Policy and the Sunshine Act.  This would afford applicants, like Mrs. Hazel, an opportunity to address the board and the number of write-in votes that she received in the last election in an effort to fulfill the School Code which provides a model of government that resembles our representative republic.

Please review this email with your client and advise me of their position on this matter at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
Greg Stapp

Gregory A. Stapp, Esquire 

 

EXCLUSIVE: Star Poole voted off WASD school board 7-1 on January 4, 2022.

 

On the Williamsport Area School Board meeting agenda tonight listed under 4.1 BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT –Ms. Lori A. Baer:

A. Consider ratifying the appointment of Scott R. Williams to the Board seat formerly held by Star Poole which was declared vacant at the meeting that occurred on January 4, 2022.

 

Another agenda item under consideration for tonight:

At this writing, WASD Solicitor and the Williamsport Area School District have not yet responded to the e-mail.

 

This is an exclusive developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Images: Carol Fausnaught, Board Chair of Dwell Orphan Care (top left)

Jennifer Lake, Executive Director of Dwell Orphan Care (middle)

Fred Holland, WASD Solicitor (top right), Dwell Orphan Care Logo (bottom left)

WASD Logo (bottom right)

DWELL ORPHAN CARE PROVIDED THE PROOF IN THEIR TAX RETURNS

AND ON THEIR WEBSITE

The following is an opinion editorial authored by Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com, news@talkwilliamsport.com.

Adoptive Families are not the main beneficiaries from Dwell Orphan Care, Jennifer Lake is.

So on this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 17, 2022 it seems appropriate to revisit the words of the late civil rights leader.

 

Let us now explore the “unarmed truth” Dr. King outlined as it relates to WASD school board member Jennifer Lake and Executive Director of Dwell Orphan Care.

Based upon the publicly filed and posted Dwell Orphan Care Internal Revenue Service tax returns; the “unarmed truth” is – Jennifer Lake as Executive Director received a salary of $37,095 in 2020.

The “unarmed truth” is that salary is 25.26% of the 2020 total revenue $146,874 generated by Dwell Orphan Care.

The “unarmed truth” is that salary is 49.71% of the 2020 Total expenses $74,621 of Dwell Orphan Care.

The “unarmed truth” is the $37,095 salary is 144% of the 2020 total of $25,719

Dwell Orphan Care claims it provided

to help support Foster and Adoptive Families in the Greater Lycoming County Area.

 

The “unarmed truth” is the $37,095 salary is 144% of the 2020 total of $25,719 Dwell Orphan Care claims it provided to help support Foster and Adoptive Families in the Greater Lycoming County Area; fundamentally contradicts the

“Dwell Orphan Care

CORE VALUE of GENEROSITY

We share resources.

(2 Corinthians 9:6)

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: So it takes an annual salary 144% greater than the amount given away from funds raised; while keeping monetary support in the bank?

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Dwell Orphan Care Board of Directors “meeting minutes” are not publicly posted and are being requested through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?

 

Dwell Orphan Care has a stated goal to fund $20,000 annually for “waiting families”.

“Dwell offers Adoption Assistance Grants to qualified waiting families. 

It is our goal to award four families per year a grant in the amount of $5000.

This is always contingent on available funding.”

 

The “unarmed truth” is the 2020, $37,095 salary on an annualized basis received by Jennifer Lake is more than double that of 2019 when she received a salary of $1,500 per month, for 5 months for a total of $7,500.

From the 2020 Dwell Orphan Care IRS Tax Return:

DWELL HAS HELPED TO SUPPORT FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

IN THE GREATER LYCOMING COUNTY AREA IN 2019.

WE SUPPORT THEM WITH GUIDANCE, RESOURCES AND MONETARY SUPPORT.

In 2020, reflected on line 28 is a total of $25,719

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Was “IN 2019” a typo on behalf of Dwell Orphan Care in their 2020 IRS tax return filing?

 

The 2020 Dwell Orphan Care IRS Tax Return continues:

2020 Total assets Line L: 159,408

2020 Contributions Line 1: 77,599

2020 Net Income or (loss) from gaming and fundraising events Line 6d: 68,546

2020 Total revenue: 146,874

2020 Total expenses: 74,621

2020 Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year: 71,518

2020 Net assets or fund balances at end of year: 146,271

Carol Fausnaught, Board Chair of Dwell Orphan Care signed the 2020 tax return on 9-30-21.

Carol Fausnaught, Board Chair of Dwell Orphan Care signed the 2020 tax return cover page on 10-4-21.

 

Stephanie Budman, CPA signed the 2020 tax return 10-4-21

PART II Section A. Public Support

(d) 2019 $59,373

(e) 2020 $77,599

(f) Total $136,972

Line 5 The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) $15,022

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage – $121,950

Line 14 89.03%

 

Dwell Orphan Care began 2020 with (Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year) of $71,518.

Dwell Orphan Care obtained a Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) Loan from the Small Business Administration.

From the 2020 Dwell Orphan Care IRS Tax Return:

SCHEDULE O

FORM 990EZ LINE ON 20 PG 1 INCLUDES $2500 IN PAYROLL PROTECTION LOAN FUNDS PAID FROM SBA TO DWELL ORPHAN CARE DURING THE PANDEMIC IN 2020. THE FUNDS WERE USED FOR PAYROLL EXPENSES AND THEN WE APPLIED FOR FORGIVENESS OF THE LOAN THROUGH WOODLANDS BANK AND WERE GRANTED 100% FORGIVENESS FOR THE $2500 LOAN. IT SHOWS UP ON LINE 20 PG 1 ON FORM 990EZ  AS AN ADJUSTMENT TO OUR NET FUND BALANCE AT 12/31/2020.

 

In reviewing the 2019 Dwell Orphan Care IRS Tax Return:

Jennifer Lake as Dwell Orphan Care;  Executive Director received a salary of 7,500 in 2019 (as noted above).

 

DWELL HAS HELPED TO SUPPORT FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

IN THE GREATER LYCOMING COUNTY AREA IN 2019.

WE SUPPORT THEM WITH GUIDANCE, RESOURCES AND MONETARY SUPPORT.

In 2019, reflected on FORM 990EZ, PART III – Statement of Program Service Accomplishments

Line 29a is a total of $20,807

 

The “unarmed truth” is – Jennifer Lake as Executive Director received a salary of $7,500 in 2019.

The “unarmed truth” is that salary is 7.14% of the 2019 total revenue of $104,981 generated by Dwell Orphan Care.

The “unarmed truth” is that salary is 22.41% of the 2019 Total expenses of $33,463 of Dwell Orphan Care.

The “unarmed truth” is the $7,500 salary is 36% of the 2019 total of $20,807

Dwell Orphan Care claims it provided

to help support Foster and Adoptive Families in the Greater Lycoming County Area.

 

2019 Total assets Line L: 113,824

2019 Contributions Line 1: 59,373

2019 Net Income or (loss) from gaming and fundraising events Line 6d: 44,116

2019 Total revenue: 104,981

2019 Total expenses: 33,463

2019 Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year (Line 27): 0

2019 Net assets or fund balances at end of year: 71,518

Jennifer Lake signed the 2019 tax return on 7-1-20

 

PART II Section A. Public Support

(e) 2019 59,373

(f) Total 59,373

Line 5 The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) (Blank total)

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Line 14 (Blank total)

 

From OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART V

DWELL ORPHAN CARE FOUNDING DOCUMENTS

On November 26, 2018, Dwell Orphan Care filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit.

The incorporators were Jennifer Lake and Heidi Mnkandhla.

Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit were signed by Lake and Mnkandhla on November 14, 2018.

The Articles of Incorporation were filed by attorney Fred Holland.

The same Fred Holland who is the solicitor for the Williamsport Area School District.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: WASD Solicitor Fred Holland is leaving Murphy, Butterfield & Holland, P.C. and joining McNerney, Page, Vanderlin & Hall in February 2022.

 

With the increase in support Dwell Orphan Care is now seeking a Marketing and Development Coordinator. An online public posting lists the following:

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: With all of these tasks being handled by the Marketing and Development Coordinator; what will Jennifer Lake be doing for the stated 2020 salary of $37,095 – being 144% of the 2020 total of $25,719 Dwell Orphan Care claims it provided to help support Foster and Adoptive Families in the Greater Lycoming County Area?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Was Star Poole, now former WASD school board member who is seeking employment, offered the  the Marketing and Development Coordinator job by fellow WASD school board member Jennifer Lake?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Is the “unarmed truth”: as the public discussion to remove Star Poole, from the WASD school board was ongoing; why did fellow WASD school board member Jennifer Lake remain silent?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Is the “unarmed truth”: when fellow WASD school board member Adam Welteroth brought forth a motion to discuss the WASD handling of the 2018 Williamsport High School baseball/Myrtle Beach “criminal sexual misconduct incident”; why did Jennifer Lake remain as silent as she did when Star Poole was being removed from the WASD school board.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Is the “unarmed truth”;

Jennifer Lake only raises her voice to deal with “systemic racism”

when it benefits her politically?

 

OP-ED: The Vanity of Jennifer Lake is her Undoing – is forthcoming.

 

Previous installments of this series:

OP-ED: Adoptive Families are not the main beneficiaries from Dwell Orphan Care, Jennifer Lake is

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART V

ENDGAME

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART IV

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART III

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART II

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone

 

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Fred Keller (PA-12) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision halting Biden’s vaccine mandate on businesses with more than 100 employees:

“The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to stop President Biden from implementing his authoritarian vaccine mandate on American workers. This is the outcome we expected—with the Court asserting that President Biden lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally dictate federal law.

While the case now returns to the lower courts, I will continue my efforts to permanently eliminate this unconstitutional mandate under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Our CRA resolution has the unanimous support of the entire House Republican Conference, and our team has held productive conversations with House Democrats who recognize how disastrous President Biden’s mandate would be if enacted.

I am hopeful that this ruling will inspire more House Democrats to join us to force a vote on the Floor and eliminate this egregious mandate once and for all.”

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Ms. Star Poole, former WASD school board member (left)

Millionaire Way T-Shirt (right)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On Tuesday evening the Williamsport Area School District School Board held their first meeting of 2022. Prior to the regularly scheduled meeting a “due process hearing” was held in “executive session” or “in private”; according to the publicly posted meeting agenda “for Star Poole.”

The agenda makes no mention of the purpose of the “due process hearing”.

That information was noted in the Board Agenda from December 7, 2021.

4.1 BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT –

A. Consider whether to set a date for a due process hearing to remove Star Poole

from her position as a Board member.

 

Previously when given the opportunity to second a motion to begin a discussion on a third party investigation into the WASD handling of the 2018 WAHS baseball/Myrtle Beach case; Poole sat silent.

A black WAHS baseball player was “criminally sexually assaulted” by a white teammate on the trip.

The white teammate was criminally charged in South Carolina last year.

 

Prior to the vote being taken, WASD school board member, Mrs. Cody Derr stated “She (Star Poole) has missed 13 meetings since I got here last year. That’s half the meetings.”

Mr. Jamie Sanders, added there were at least three occasions where; “She (Star Poole) missed 3 consecutive meetings with no communication with the board.”

After multiple board members spoke in the public portion of the meeting a vote was taken to remove Star Poole from her position as a Board member.

The vote to remove Poole was nearly unanimous with the exception of Mrs. Barbara Reeves, Vice President who voted against removing her.

Those WASD school board members who voted to remove Poole were; Ms. Lori Baer, President, Mrs. Cody Derr, Mrs. Michelle Deavor, Mr. Patrick Dixon, Mrs. Jennifer Lake, Mr. Jamie Sanders and Mr. Adam Welteroth.

Ms. Star Poole, by state law was not permitted to cast a vote.

Once voted off the board, Ms. Lori Baer, President, asked WASD Solicitor if indeed Ms. Poole needed to leave since she was no longer a member of the board?

Holland concurred and Baer then asked Poole to leave the stage.

At which time Poole exited stage left.

At this writing Star Poole is still listed as a “Board Member” on the WASD website. Under drop down links both “Education” and “Positions” remain blank.

 

In a break from previous precedent, due process for the tax paying public and board policy; Ms. Lori Baer, President, undertook an effort to name Scott Williams who garnered the sixth highest vote tally in the November 2021 election.

Mr. Jamie Sanders made a motion which was seconded to contact Williams to see his interest level to fill the now vacated seat left by Star Poole.

Another example of the “The Millionaire Way”?

TalkWilliamsport.com had already done deep dive research on each WASD school board candidate on the ballot and publicly announced write-in candidates prior to the November 2021 election and those findings are set to be released over the next few weeks.

Some of the findings have previously been reported on and can be found here.

Currently, Lycoming County District Attorney, Ryan Gardner has a petition and complaint signed by at least 10-voters in the WASD to hold the entire board accountable for “malfeasance in office” and “dereliction of duty.”

According to public comments made Tuesday evening and memorialized on video by TalkWilliamsport.com both Mrs. Barbara Reeves, Vice President and Mr. Jamie Sanders ; they acknowledged “the board was complicit in allowing the (Poole) situation (repeated absences with no repercussions).”

When reached this evening, Lycoming County District Attorney, Ryan Gardner declined comment for this story.

Star Poole still faces a myriad issues related to open warrants with multiple local Lycoming County Courts as first reported by TalkWilliamsport.com.

This is an exclusive and developing story as first reported on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photo from April 13, 2021: Lycoming Commissioners Rick Mirabito, Scott Metzger, Tony Mussare, Administrative Manager Lycoming County Commissioners, Eileen Ebner and Lycoming County Controller, Krista Rogers.

Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

On Friday afternoon Krista Rogers, Lycoming County Controller through her legal counsel filed a lawsuit against the Lycoming County Commissioners in order to return function and authority of County fiscal operations to her office.

The following is the press release from Krista Rogers, Lycoming County Controller outlining the case.

“In April 2021, the Lycoming County Commissioners illegally transferred four positions out of the Controller’s office moving them into their office of Budget and Finance.

In doing so, the Commissioners unilaterally transferred the duties of the County Controller enumerated in Pennsylvania law to their own office of Budget and Finance eliminating Lycoming County taxpayers independent fiscal oversight of their spending by the elected Controller.

Adding further insult to the taxpayers, the Commissioners filed a lawsuit and an emergency injunction, and contempt charges, against the Controller for refusing to honor the Commissioners unlawful transactions.

The case was assigned to Sr. Judge Leete and after several evidentiary hearings, and briefs of law filed on both sides, the judge ruled against the Commissioners on all counts.

The Commissioners legal interpretation of Pennsylvania law is an absolute overreach for power, without merit. Lycoming County taxpayers are left with no checks and balances allowing the Commissioners to create a financial system ripe for fraud, theft, and misuse of county tax dollars.

Despite losing in Court, the Commissioners have yet to return payroll, accounts payable and reporting positions to the Controller’s office –WHERETHEY BELONG.

“After repeated attempts made by me and by my attorneys, and after exhausting all my administrative remedies, I have no choice but to file this lawsuit to return the positions and duties to my office”, Rogers said.

Without these critical positions, the Controller is unable to fully perform the fiscal oversight role required of a County Controller i.e., to review, scrutinize, approve, and report on County spending and fiscal transactions on behalf of County taxpayers.

Rogers said, “as of today the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) report, a major state financial reporting requirement, has not been filed for 2020 (original due date 7/1/2021), major mistakes have been made on accounts payable and payroll and most financial transactions are being processed unlawfully, and with without my approval”.

The Commissioners actions illegally eliminate a critical separation of county powers that the Pennsylvania legislature wrote into the law outlining the authority and responsibilities of Pennsylvania County Controllers. This separation of powers was put in place to protect the taxpayers of this county.

“I cannot stand by and allow the Commissioners to eliminate checks and balances –fiscal oversight -in Lycoming County government. I am doing everything I can to restore Lycoming County fiscal independent oversight according to Pennsylvania law.” Krista Rogers, Lycoming County Controller stated.Krista Rogers, Controller”

The case as it was filed this afternoon with the Lycoming County Prothonotary is provided in its entirety here 12-10-2021 court filing.

At this writing, there is an opening for an accountant (open since July 2021) and a financial technician (open since early April 2021), both positions are in the Office of Budget and Finance.

This is an exclusive, developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photos: Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle (left) Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole (right)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Star Poole, WASD school board member, failed to appear in court for the second consecutive day.

Earlier today, she was scheduled to appear in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle at 2 p.m. to set-up a payment plan on outstanding fines and costs in previously filed traffic cases she pled guilty in.

Poole had been properly served and provided her due process rights for a hearing to set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs on multiple warrants previously issued as noted.

By failing to appear, five additional “failure to appear” warrants are being issued by Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle.

These new warrants are in addition to the five “failure to appear” warrants being filed by Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman who Poole failed to appear before yesterday.

According to PA State Law; the warrants could carry some type of jail time with them.

Last night, Poole showed up 20 minutes late as an existing board member to the Williamsport Area School District school board meeting which she serves as a board member.

Poole is slated for a “due process” hearing dealing with her potential removal as a board member on Williamsport Area School District school board on January 4, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.

Full disclosure: 

Star Poole was a WASD school board member when the WASD school tax office attempted to have this author criminally charged on the basis of failing to pay WASD school taxes.

On reason and belief; it was the first criminal case of unpaid school taxes brought against a business or individual in the history of the WASD.

The case was subsequently withdrawn by the WASD school tax office. WASD Solicitor Fred Holland represented the WASD school tax office in the case.

This is an exclusive and developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Additional Stories on this topic:

New Warrants Issued for Star Poole, WASD school board member for failing to appear in court

 

Star Poole, WASD school board member set for court appearances on warrants

Star Poole, WASD school board member legal troubles mount, DA Gardner awaits complaint to review

Photos: Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole (left) Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman (right)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Star Poole, WASD school board member, failed to appear in court this afternoon in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman.

Poole was properly served and provided her due process rights for a hearing to set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs on multiple warrants previously issued due to unpaid court costs and fines related to multiple traffic citations from cases in June 2021.

By failing to appear, five additional “failure to appear” warrants are being issued by Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman which according to PA State Law; could carry some type of jail time with them.

Additional warrants have been served upon Star Poole and she also has a court appearance scheduled in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle tomorrow at 2 p.m. to also set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs in a separate case.

Within the hour of publication of this story; Poole is scheduled to be sworn in as an existing board member during the Williamsport Area School District school board meeting.

It is unknown at this writing if the new warrants have been issued or if they could be served upon Star Poole at the WASD school board meeting tonight by a local Constable.

As exclusively reported by TalkWilliamsport.com earlier today; Poole is already on the WASD school board agenda tonight with an item “to discuss setting a date for a “due process” hearing since she is facing removal.”

If Poole fails to show up to WASD school board meeting tonight, the vote to remove her could occur in her absence.

The legal analysis provided by the Scaringi Law Firm for such a vote can be found here.

Full disclosure: 

Star Poole was a WASD school board member when the WASD school tax office attempted to have this author criminally charged on the basis of failing to pay WASD school taxes.

On reason and belief; it was the first criminal case of unpaid school taxes brought against a business or individual in the history of the WASD.

The case was subsequently withdrawn by the WASD school tax office. WASD Solicitor Fred Holland represented the WASD school tax office in the case.

This is an exclusive and developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photos: Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole (right) Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner (left)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Later today and tomorrow Star Poole, WASD school board member is set for court appearances on warrants issued resulting in her failure to pay court costs and fines.

Tonight, she is set to be sworn in as a WASD school board member to serve another year of her expiring term.

On the WASD school board agenda tonight is an item to discuss setting a date for a “due process” hearing since she is facing removal.

On background and legal analysis provided by Scaringi Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania:

Issue 1:

Is a school board member owed a “due process” hearing when facing removal by the Board for failing to attend two consecutive Board meetings?

Proposed Answer: Yes

Rule: Yes. The PA School Code does not provide the right to a due process hearing.

However, case law does. Keating v. Jordan , 181 Pa. 168, 37 A. 199 (1897).

Case facts: A current school board member is often absent from meetings. During open session of a recent meeting, the Solicitor interjected and noted that a due process hearing was likely the proper procedure moving forward.

Applicable law: 24 P.S. §3-319: If any person having qualified as school director…shall neglect or refuse to attend two successive regular meetings of the school board…, unless detained by sickness, or prevented by necessary absence from the district…, the remaining members of the board may declare his office as director vacant. His office shall be filled from the qualified electors of the district. (emphasis added).

This statute provides a course of action for board members to remove other members. If any member fails to attend two successive regular meetings, the Board may remove that Director.

This language is repeated in the School Board Policy Manual for the Williamsport Area School District.

Removal

Whenever a Board member is no longer a resident of Williamsport Area School District, his/her membership on the Board shall cease.[15][21]

The removal of a Board member who resigns shall become effective upon the presentation of the resignation to the Board President and upon the date specified.

A Board member who neglects or refuses to attend two (2) successive regular meetings of the Board, unless detained by sickness or prevented by necessary absence from the district, or if in attendance at any meeting neglects or refuses to act in his/her official capacity as a school director, may be removed from his/her office on the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board.[22][23]

If a person elected or appointed as a Board member, having been notified, shall refuse or neglect to qualify as such director, the remaining members may, within ten (10) days following the beginning of his/her term of office, declare said office vacant on the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board.[22][23]”

Back to Scaringi Law analysis:

Under 24 P.S. §3-319, the Directors cannot declare vacant the seat of a Director who neglects to attend two successive regular meetings of the Board until after the adjournment of the second meeting. Zulich v. Bowman, 42 Pa. 83 (1862).

Furthermore, a Director can only be removed on notice to him or her, and an opportunity to show sickness or absence from the district as an excuse. Keating v. Jordan , 181 Pa. 168, 37 A. 199 (1897).

(See also Commonwealth v. Gibbons , 196 Pa. 97, 100, 46 A. 313, 314 (1900) “The act does not make absence from two regular meetings necessarily a cause for ouster, but only ‘unless detained by sickness or prevented by absence from the district.’  Conceding that the burden of showing such excuse would be upon the absent member, he would nevertheless be entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard to present it and this could not be afforded without a subsequent meeting.”)

This requirement for notice and an opportunity to show excuse is what is referred to as “due process.”

 

STAR POOLE WARRANTS AND COURT APPEARANCES

At this writing WASD school board member Star Poole has warrants issued in multiple Lycoming County Magisterial District Courts against her. Since she has agreed to appear in court a stay has been placed on the warrants pending adjudication of the cases.

Poole plead guilty and is set to appear before Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman today at 2:45 p.m. to set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs.

Another of the warrants has been served upon Star Poole and she has a court appearance scheduled in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle tomorrow at 2 p.m. to also set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs.

With these undisputed facts in the record; has Star Poole further disqualified herself from serving on the WASD school board based again on the School Board Policy Manual for the Williamsport Area School District?

Qualifications

Each member of the Board shall meet the following qualifications:

1. Be of good moral character, be eighteen (18) years of age, shall have been a resident of the district for at least one (1) year prior to the date of his/her election or appointment, and shall not be a holder of any office or position as specified in Section 322 of the School Code; nor shall the individual be a member of the municipal council.[4]

 

Why did WASD Solicitor Fred Holland bring up to the WASD school board the fact board member Star Poole had missed three consecutive meetings and would be eligible for removal?

Instead, once a formal petition and complaint was filed with Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner to remove Star Poole as a WASD school board member; Holland came up with the “due process” hearing idea which does not exist in the School Board Policy Manual for the Williamsport Area School District.

By the time Holland got around to offering Poole a “due process” hearing date discussion; Poole had missed 9 out of 10 board meetings.

The WASD school board meeting is tonight at 6 p.m. where Lycoming County President Judge Nancy Butts will perform the oath of office ceremony for the new board members. The newly sworn in school board will then vote on officers for the next year.

 

Full disclosure: 

Star Poole was a WASD school board member when the WASD school tax office attempted to have this author criminally charged on the basis of failing to pay WASD school taxes.

On reason and belief; it was the first criminal case of unpaid school taxes brought against a business or individual in the history of the WASD.

The case was subsequently withdrawn by the WASD school tax office. WASD Solicitor Fred Holland represented the WASD school tax office in the case.

This is an exclusive and developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photos: WBP Logo, (top left) Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter (top right),

Peter Herdic Transportation Museum (bottom)

 

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

 

As Mayor Slaughter continues to navigate the waters of multiple audits of the city finances, a public corruption criminal case being looked into by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the day-to-day obligations of running a municipality; did he miss a critical sentence on a property deed when he allowed the Williamsport Bureau of Police to relocate to the former Peter Herdic Transportation Museum – he also falsely claimed to be instructed to close by PENNDOT?

According to property records which were publicly filed on June 3, 2008 4564-340 and obtainable by anyone at the Lycoming County Courthouse; the deed to the property the Peter Herdic Transportation Museum sits on states the following:

 

UNDER AND SUBJECT to the covenants and restrictions which shall run with the title to the land and form a part of the consideration thereafter. Said covenant is as follows:

The use of this property shall be used only for only a transportation museum, open space, recreational land from the boundary with E.V.B. LLC land westward to the extension of the western boundary line of the Thomas Taber Museum property.

From this extension line west, the use can be all of the foregoing, plus one-family dwellings and commercial from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

 

The documents also note “Deed in lieu of condemnation” dated May 14, 2003.

 

On background, E.V.B. LLC which listed an address of The Park Home, 800 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA in 2008 previously showed ALLEN ERTEL, MANAGER was the previous owner of the property.

In 2003 a sale for $349,000 from E.V.B. LLC to the City of Williamsport was recorded in Lycoming County property records.

The Lycoming County Housing Authority sold the property again to the City of Williamsport in 2006.

On the same day in 2006 the City of Williamsport transferred the property to LCHA Finance for $1.

The City of Williamsport reacquired the Peter Herdic Museum and the 2.5 acres it sits on in 2008 for $1.

 

The deed was then further amended on July 24, 2008, and the last sentence from the 2003 deed noted above 6370-224, Covenants was removed.

From this extension line west, the use can be all of the foregoing, plus one-family dwellings and commercial from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

 

On background regarding former Congressman Allen Ertel, obtained from open internet source Wikipedia:

Allen Edward Ertel (November 7, 1937 – November 19, 2015) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district from 1977 to 1983.

Allen Ertel was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He graduated with an AB from Dartmouth College in 1958, an MS from the Thayer School of Engineering and MBA from the Tuck School of Business in 1959, and a LL.B. Yale Law School in 1965. He served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1962.

He clerked for Chief Judge Caleb Wright of the Federal District Court of Delaware from 1965 to 1966, and was the Lycoming County district attorney from 1967 to 1977. He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention in 1972.

Ertel was elected in 1976 as a Democrat to the 95th, 96th, and 97th Congresses. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1982, but was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. After his unsuccessful run for governor, he unsuccessfully sought the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General in 1984, before returning to the practice of law in Williamsport.

Ertel died on November 19, 2015 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania after suddenly collapsing, aged 78. He was survived by his wife Catherine and their two children.

 

If the former Peter Herdic Transportation Museum can only be used as a museum; how is the Williamsport Bureau of Police occupying the property?

Is Mayor Slaughter receiving ineffective counsel from the City Solicitors?

Current City Solicitor Norm Lubin is a signer on multiple property documents noted above in his capacity as Solicitor for the City of Williamsport.

This is an exclusive story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole(left)

Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner (right)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

The days of Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole serving on the Williamsport Area School District School Board may soon be coming to an end.

TalkWilliamsport.com has exclusively obtained a Civil Complaint filed by the former landlord of Star Poole in which more than $12,000 worth of damage was done to the apartment at 844 High Street in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

According to sources the damage was extensive.

Poole lived in the apartment with her 5 children.

Based on information obtained for this story; Poole had a lease that expired at the end of May 2021 and was still residing at the apartment on June 11, 2021 when the landlord showed up to inform Poole it was time to vacate the premises.

During that process, Lycoming Children and Youth Services was contacted and arrived within the hour.

Upon arrival, CYS “condemned the property as uninhabitable”.

Matt Wood of Lycoming Children and Youth Services did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

Poole subsequently vacated the property.

At this writing Star Poole has custody of her five children.

 

The Civil Complaint filed on August 18, 2021 with Lycoming County District Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle was served via hand delivery on Star Poole at 38 Bower Street, Montgomery, PA 17752 which at the time is where she resided along with her 5 children.

 

According to the WASD website; the Williamsport Area School District School Board held regularly scheduled meetings on the following dates and the attendance of each director is noted in the meeting minutes:

• June 1 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Patrick A. Dixon, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Jennifer Lake, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves.
• June 15 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Cody L. Derr, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves.
• July 20 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Star Poole,
  Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Patrick A. Dixon, Jane L. Penman,
• August 3 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Patrick A. Dixon, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves.
• August 17 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Cody L. Derr, Star Poole. 
• September 7 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT:  Jane L. Penman, Star Poole. 
• September 21 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible,
  Jane L. Penman, Barbara D. Reeves. ABSENT: Cody L. Derr, Star Poole, Adam C. Welteroth
• October 5 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Patrick A. Dixon, Star Poole.
• October 19 – The Minutes have not been publicly posted to the WASD website.

Of the eight regularly scheduled meetings of the WASD school board from June 1 – October 5, 2021, Star Poole only attended the meeting on July 20, 2021.

The Civil Complaint outlines expenses incurred by the landlord as follows:

WMWA – $190.10

A-Z Pest Control – $159.00

Bower Disposal – $20.00

Dave Trice Hauling – $1,100.00

Repairs/Painting/Cleaning – $10,500.00

Beiter’s – $1,251.86

Rent – $600.00

McCormick Law – $333.00

Less Security Deposit $815.00

 

Filing Costs $140/$40.25

Service Costs $17.74

Constable ED. $5.00

Judgement – $12,000.00

Fees Total $202.99

A Civil Action hearing was scheduled in the case for October 11, 2021. Poole did not appear for the hearing. A Default Judgement was entered in favor of the landlord ABC Realty, Inc of Williamsport against Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole for $12,202.99.

 

In advance of this story, on October 21, 2021, Talkwilliamsport.com received information WASD school board member Star Poole has begun purging and scrubbing her social media presence. Sources have also said she is very close to resigning as a board member.

 

Also on, October 21, 2021 posted on its Facebook page:

“BREAKING NEWS: WASD school board member Star Poole has multiple active warrants due to her failure to pay fines and court costs in multiple traffic cases. She also recently had a city landlord obtain a civil judgement of more than $12,000 relating to her previous apartment being heavily damaged. Poole was served with the civil complaint in-person at a Montgomery address where she has been residing. #DEVELOPING”

 

Copies of the warrants referenced above were sought earlier today from Lycoming County District Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle. The request was denied on two grounds, confidential information and they have not yet been served on Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole.

Is this the primary reason Poole has been so frequently absent from WASD school board meetings?

The fear of being served with warrants on camera, in front of the public she serves?

How many fellow WASD school board members are aware of her situation?

Were fellow WASD school board members Jennifer Lake and Barbara Reeves providing Star Poole with transportation to board meetings?

 

Is the general public aware WASD school board member is not gainfully employed and also does not have a currently valid drivers license?

In the days leading up to Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole being evicted from her High Street apartment, South Williamsport Police pulled her over on June 5, 2021 and cited her for “Driving Without a License”.

She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $295.00 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

SWPD also cited her for “Driving While Operating Privilege Suspended or Revoked”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $467.34 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

Additionally, she was cited with two counts of “Restraint Systems – Child Booster Seat”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $162.00 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Vehicle Registration Suspended”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $195.00 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

 

Poole is no stranger to the Williamsport Bureau of Police which also has some of its ranks serve as School Resource Officers in the Williamsport Area School District.

On January 2, 2019, Officer Stevens charged Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole with “Driving Without a License”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $302.50.

Additionally, she was cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Required Financial Responsibility”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $355.00. 

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Driving Unregistered Vehicle”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $130.00.

Poole was also cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Valid Inspection”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $80.00. Poole was also cited for “Vehicle Registration Suspended”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $155.00.

 

On February 22, 2019, the same Officer Stevens charged Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole with “Driving While Operating Privilege Suspended or Revoked”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $255.00.

Additionally, she was cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Required Financial Responsibility”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $355.00. 

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Driving Unregistered Vehicle”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $177.50.

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Valid Inspection“. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $65.00.

After announcing her candidacy in 2019 for WASD school board she sat down with “On The Pulse” for this  Interview.

 

On October 12, 2018 Pennsylvania State Police cited Poole for “Obligation Upon Termination of Financial Responsibility”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $573.69. 

The warrants noted above are related to unpaid court fines and costs.

 

Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner was contacted for this story and asked the following; “If a petition or complaint was being prepared as in the Schefsky case to be delivered to your office tomorrow based on her (Poole) lack of district residency. Upon its receipt, what would your office then be inclined to do?

Gardner provided the following response;

“If a complaint/petition is received by the Office of District Attorney, the allegations will be reviewed and a determination will be made whether to further investigate.”

At this writing Star Poole is a WASD school board member of which Lori Baer serves as President.

Dr. Timothy Bowers serves as Superintendent of the Williamsport Area School District.

Petitions have begun circulating to have Poole as well as the rest of the WASD school board removed from their positions.

The general election is set to be held one week from tomorrow November 2, 2021 where a number of current WASD school board members appear on the ballot.

This is an exclusive developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com