Haverford Hoopla

What a shame... Haverford Taxpayer Alliance at vanguard of protest LOIS PUGLIONESI , Times Correspondent 06/16/2004 MEDIA COURTHOUSE -- Although a number of local political groups joined the fray, the Haverford Taxpayer Alliance was the catalyst in organizing Tuesday’s rally of about 15 protesters at the county courthouse. A mix of Republicans, Democrats and independents, the taxpayer alliance claims it’s leading a campaign for honesty, accountability and reform in local government and the judiciary, as well as an end to wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. The group was born out of protest to a covert $600,000 payment made to Haverford real-estate consultant Jeffrey Rotwitt last December. Members have also expressed criticism of current plans for developing the Haverford State Hospital site, and the majority commissioners’ controversial reapportionment plan, currently before the Board of Elections. Launched by a core membership of 10 to 12 community activists, the alliance has grown rapidly, using an extensive email list and the Haverford Blog. Tom Broido, a founding member, said he believes "people who accept the public trust should behave in the best interest of the public who elected them and not treat it like a feeding trough." Broido thinks jobs, favors, contracts and even district justice jobs are going "to people who are connected" while "a lot of the connections can usually be traced back to Clouse ..I’ve lived in the township 24 years and I’ve had it. This isn’t going to go on in Haverford anymore." Before he became a judge, Clouse was a Republican commissioner in the township and led a group of rebels who were often at war with party leaders. While Broido was dismayed by the allegations leveled at Clouse, he said he is more troubled by the judge’s silence. "In refusing to answer questions ..Clouse is putting himself above the law, beyond reproach and the need for explanations. To me that is unforgivable because of the position he’s in," Broido said. "Something’s got to be done. The president judge should be held to higher standards, said Jeff Heilmann, a Republican committeeman and taxpayers alliance founder, displaying a sign that read, "We won’t relax until Clouse pays the tax." Republican committeewoman and alliance member Pat Biswanger pointed to "the waste of tax dollars ..caused largely by a group of people who have taken hold of our government and think there’s one set of rules for them, and one set of rules for the rest of us ..When we see what appears to be a judge ..who doesn’t think he should have to pay the same taxes we all do ..we figured it was time to take action." ©The Daily Times 2004