OP-ED: The Vanity of Jennifer Lake is Her Undoing

Images: Jennifer Lake, Executive Director of Dwell Orphan Care (left)

and WASD Logo (right)

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

Oxford Languages defines vanity in two ways: (noun)

“excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements.”

Vanity, is also defined as “the quality of being worthless or futile.”

As Jennifer Lake has demonstrated over the past several years her ambition knows no bounds; as a current Williamsport Area School Board member she has served along side now former board members:

Nancy Somers – March 16, 2021, Nancy Somers resigns from WASD school board.

Dr. Jane Penman – decided not to seek reelection in the 2021 election cycle.

Marc Schefsky – March 31, 2021, Schefsky WASD School Board Resignation Letter obtained

Marc Schefsky, former WASD school board member given ARD sentence in voter fraud case

Criminal “false swearing” charge filed against Marc Schefsky, former WASD School Board member

Marc Schefsky, WASD School Board member announces intention to resign

WASD School Board major changes are forthcoming

WASD solicitor Fred Holland wants $20,000 retainer and a raise for ’21-’22

BREAKING NEWS: Resignations to be announced at the WASD School Board meeting tonight

Nancy Somers resigns from WASD school board

Residents circulate petition for immediate removal of Marc Schefsky from WASD school board

Lycoming County District Attorney office confirms receipt of Marc Schefsky non-WASD residency complaint

WASD School Board to discuss vacant board seat tonight

WASD School Board candidate petitions obtained, connections run deep

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

Star Poole, WASD school board member fails to appear in court again – 5 new Warrants Issued

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

Count them, four WASD school board members have resigned or not sought reelection as a direct result of the exclusive reporting of this media outlet and yet Jennifer Lake and her vanity have not resigned.

Jennifer Lake had a front row seat to Marc Schefsky not living within the WASD boundaries and did nothing to address the situation.

Jennifer Lake had a front row seat to Star Poole struggling to attend meetings and putting a roof over her head and that of her 5 children.

Yet, Lake as Executive Director of Dwell Orphan Care sat on a war chest of six figure resources that could easily be dispersed to assist a family in need – yet on reason and belief – she did nothing to address the situation.

From the Dwell Orphan Care website:

“WHAT WE DO: God never intended for us to make this journey alone. We were created for community, and we believe that everyone can do something for the cause of caring for kids from hard places.”

Lake states: “everyone can do something for the cause of caring for kids from hard places.”; but her vanity got in the way again, those funds are reserved for “foster and adoptive families.”

Was it mentioned Star Poole is black and Jennifer Lake is white?

As Star Poole struggled, the “unarmed truth” is Jennifer Lake in 2020 brought home a salary of $37,095 which 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.

Indeed, Jennifer Lake has told the world where she stands on the “Black Lives Matter” movement and all things “WASD Systemic Racism” and the “Racism has No Home Here” movement.

Her “excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements” on these topics include volunteering to read into the record at a WASD school board meeting a mere 28 days after the tragic death of George Floyd – WASD School Board Adopts Anti-Racist Resolution.

From the TalkWilliamsport.com OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone on June 24, 2020

WASD School Board Adopts Anti-Racist Resolution

On June 23, 2020, in light of recent national events, the Williamsport Area School Board adopted the following anti-racist resolution:

WHEREAS, we are deeply saddened and outraged by the recent killing of George Floyd and violence against black men and women. The subsequent protests have shined a spotlight on the harmful effects of racism and inequality.

Furthermore, the public response has highlighted the racial trauma that our black students, families, staff, and communities have not only endured for centuries but continue to face today.

WHEREAS, we must recognize that racism and hate have no place in our schools and society.

However, we must understand that racism is systemic, and it is unconsciously and consciously rooted into our institutions, policies, and practices.

Consequently, we acknowledge that we must look at our own school policies and practices through an anti-racist and equity lens to address traces of racism and inequity that still exist within our own school community.

WHEREAS, we must center the voices of staff, students, families, and communities who have historically endured discrimination and marginalization.

Their lived experiences and stories require attention, require respect, require empathy, and most importantly require action.

Therefore, it is essential that we establish an expectation that a diversity of students, families, and community members, specifically those that have been ignored, discriminated against, and marginalized, are heard and included on substantive school and district issues.

WHEREAS, we must better educate ourselves and seek to educate the community on the historical and current impact of racism and discrimination on our students, families, and communities, as well as understand our role in perpetuating such inequity.

Through continuous professional development and opportunities for honest dialogue and listening sessions, we hope to build partnerships in the community focused on overcoming racism and other barriers.

By doing so, we can create opportunities to ensure that each child has the tools and supports needed to thrive.

WHEREAS, we must advocate to advance civil rights and cultivate an anti-racist school climate necessary to meet the needs of ALL students in our care.

Our students, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language ability, disability, and other identities, deserve to feel safe, to feel seen, and to feel affirmed.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Williamsport Area School Board, unequivocally stand firm in our collective responsibility to foster an equitable and inclusive environment for every student, staff member, parent, and community member.

We commit to use our role as school board directors to recognize, respond, and speak out against injustice and racial inequity in our school community.

The Resolution is signed by WASD school board president Lori Baer and board Secretary Wanda Erb.

As noted in the June 24, 2020 meeting minutes: “Dr. Bowers will send a copy of the approved Anti-Racist School Climate Resolution to PSBA.”

Further reporting on Jennifer lake and the entire distraction campaign known as the “WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution” is listed below.

The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution – Part I

The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution – Part II

The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution – Part III

The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution – Part IV

The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution – Part V

With the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution as the backdrop; why would Jennifer Lake have failings as listed below?

Failing to second a motion to explore the WASD handing of the 2018 “criminal sexual misconduct” against JOHN DOE #1 (who is black)
Dear God in Heaven John Doe #1 is black and his attackers are white
Failing to support former WAHS head football coach Chuck Crews (who is black) in a racially charged incident with an opposing team
Failing to provide support to WASD school board member Star Poole (who is black)
OP-ED: If racism has no home here; why did Barbara Reeves (who is black) sit alone at the WASD school board meeting?

With accomplishments like this; is it any wonder the community defines Jennifer Lake as having “the quality of being worthless or futile?”

Undeterred by failing upward, Jennifer Lake believes she has the credentials and lived experience to continue to “serve the community” by approaching leadership at Lycoming Children and Youth to serve on the Human Services Advisory Board.

The following is the chronological outline of the interaction of Jennifer Lake with Lycoming County Children and Youth leadership in 2021. Calls to Matt Salvatori, CYS Administrator have not been returned at this writing.

From the January 13, 2021 Human Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes: CALL TO ORDER:

A meeting of the Human Services Advisory Board was Called To Order at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the Sharwell Building in Williamsport.

Members: William Weber; David Wright; Carol Sides; Pete Smeltz; Marwin Reeves, Jr.; Commissioner Richard Mirabito; Ben Green; Emily Powell Hodges; Carla Mitcheltree; Virginia Counsil; and Commissioner Jeffrey Snyder.

Staff: Keith Wagner – Executive Director/MH-ID Administrator; Mark Egly – CYS Administrator; Kathy Lynn – Deputy ID Administrator; Jacque Miller – HealthChoices Director; and Cathy Bennett – Administrative Assistant.

ELECTION OF HSAB OFFICERS:

Mr. Wagner noted that the Election of Officers for the calendar year is to occur at the January meeting and that the current Slate of Officers had been contacted and agreed to continue serving in their roles if nominated and approved. David Wright made a Motion and Carla Mitcheltree Seconded that:

“William Weber be reappointed as the Chairman of the Human Services Advisory Board

for calendar year 2021.”

February 15, 2021 –

BREAKING NEWS: WAHS student criminally charged by South Carolina authorities in 2018 baseball team incident

Feb 28, 2021 – OP-ED: Long past time for Dr. Bowers to resign as WASD Superintendent

April 4, 2021 Human Services Advisory Board Meeting canceled.

From the July 21, 2021, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES:

SHARWELL BUILDING, ATTENDANCE:Commissioner Richard Mirabito, President; Commissioner Jeffrey Snyder, Vice President; Commissioner Scott Metzger, Treasurer and Commissioner Tony Mussare were in attendance. Staff: Keith Wagner – Executive Director/MH-ID Administrator; Matt Salvatori – CYS Administrator; Jim Hicklin – County Mental Health Director; Rae Weber – CSI Mental Health Manager; Kelly Gordon – CASSP Coordinator; Cathy Bennett – Administrative Assistant; and Charles Greevy III, Esq. – Joinder Solicitor.

HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD (HSAB) APPOINTMENT:

Mr. Salvatori noted that Jennifer Lake, Executive Director from DWELL Orphan Care,

has expressed an interest in becoming a member of the

Human Services Advisory Board’s Children and Youth Sub-Committee.

He added that her background in the field of adoption and foster care

makes her an excellent candidate for the HSAB.

Commissioner Metzger Moved and Commissioner Mussare Seconded a Motion to: “Appoint Jennifer Lake to the Human Services Advisory Board (Children and Youth Sub-Committee) for a three year term ending 6/30/24.”

The Motion passed unanimously.

From the August 11, 2021 Human Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes:

Members: William Weber; Jennifer Lake, Linda Tokay, Carol Sides; Pete Smeltz; Commissioner Richard Mirabito; Emily Powell Hodges; Commissioner Jeffrey Snyder and Virginia Counsil.

Staff: Keith Wagner – Executive Director/MH-ID Administrator; Matt Salvatori – CYS Administrator; Mark Longenberger – CYS Support Services Director, Matt Wood – CYS Clinical Director, David Goodwin – Chief Probation Officer and Cathy Bennett – Administrative Assistant.

Mr. Wagner also introduced and welcomed Jennifer Lake as a new member to the Advisory Board. He noted that Ms. Lake was the Executive Director of Dwell Orphan Care and has been appointed to the CYS Sub-Committee.

September 28, 2021 – BREAKING NEWS: Detective Weber retires on 40th anniversary in law enforcement

October 3, 2021 – Unredacted OAG search Warrants first obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com, now available online

From the Lycoming County Children and Youth Standing Committee October 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Richard Mirabito, Commissioner Scott Metzger and Commissioner Tony Mussare we in attendance.

Staff: Keith Wagner – Executive Director/MH-ID Administrator; Cathy Bennett – Administrative Assistant and Charles Greevy, III – Joinder Solicitor.

Mr. Salvatori presented four renewal Agreements for approval:

Dwell Orphan Care for trust based relational intervention trauma informed care and care communities which are programs that support foster care and newly adoptive parents;

“Approve the following Purchase of Service Agreements with the Lycoming County Commissioners on behalf of Lycoming County Children and Youth Services for child welfare services for the period 7/1/21 – 6/30/22:

Dwell Lycoming County, d/b/a/ Dwell Orphan Care for

trust based relational intervention trauma informed care in the amount of $20,000

and care communities in the amount of $40,000;

The Motion passed unanimously.

From the November 10, 2021 Human Services Advisory Board Meeting Minutes: CALL TO ORDER:

Members: Jennifer Lake, Carol Sides; Pete Smeltz; Commissioner Richard Mirabito; Emily Powell Hodges; Virginia Counsil and Jere Hoy.

Staff: Keith Wagner – Executive Director/MH-ID Administrator; Matt Salvatori – CYS Administrator; Kathy Lynn – Deputy ID Administrator and Cathy Bennett – Administrative Assistant.

Mr. Wagner noted that William Weber, Chairman, has resigned from his position on the HSAB.

He noted that he did contact Carla Mitcheltree, Vice Chairman, to update her with his information and she is presently not interested in moving into the Chairman’s role. He wished to remind the Board the Election of Officers is scheduled to occur at the January 2022 meeting and anyone interested in running for an officer position or to nominate a fellow officer can contact the Administrative Office.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Human Services Advisory Board meeting was scheduled for January 12, 2022.

January 17, 2022 – OP-ED: Adoptive Families are not the main beneficiaries from Dwell Orphan Care, Jennifer Lake is

EDITOR’S NOTE: Does Jennifer Lake have a conflict of interest serving on the sub-committee of an organization providing funding to a non-profit she is the Executive Director of; while taking a salary equivalent to 144% of the funds being given away?

Jennifer Lake served on the same board as now retired Lycoming Detective Willie Weber who ran the “investigation” into the 2018 WAHS baseball/Myrtle Beach “criminal sexual misconduct” case (as noted above) along side Williamsport High School Head Principal Brandon Pardoe.

Weber as noted above, retired last year.

Pardoe remains employed by as Williamsport High School Head Principal.