Infighting among Robeson Township officials and residents reached a boiling point during meetings in March amid disputes over some supervisors’ approach to choosing, retaining and managing township employees.
Much of the criticism surrounded Supervisor Timothy Bitler, whom some residents and supervisors accused of creating a hostile work environment that has contributed to a high turnover of township office workers.
Several residents said they’ve tried to visit the office during regular hours, but no one appeared to be there.
At a meeting March 12, Bitler declined to comment on personnel issues and deferred to solicitor Mark Merolla, who said an investigation into personnel issues is underway.
Bitler said at a meeting March 19 that the situation wouldn’t be as dire if supervisors would pay more attention to issues in the township.
“We inherited the biggest mess,” Bitler said. “Failure (by previous boards) to get the proper people in proper places is why we’re here now.”
Bitler was elected in 2021. Supervisors Margaret Fix and Harold Steve Jr. won seats on the board in November.
Former employee speaks out
Gail Evans said she worked in the township office for 3 1/2 years before resigning in March because she no longer felt safe in the office.
“I observed our previous manager and staff being subjected to micromanagement and verbal attacks by Mr. Bitler,” Evans said at the March 19 meeting.
She noted that Bitler wasn’t the sole reason for the high turnover but said his tirades created a toxic atmosphere.
She said the township has been through five administrative assistants in 10 months and is seeking its fifth township manager since she started.
Robeson has been seeking a new manager for nine months, according to Evans, with the position of interim manager being filled by Supervisor Harold Steve in the meantime.
Bitler and Steve said the office has been open regular hours. Both indicated they had been staffing it.
Bitler said the township has hired a labor attorney to address several issues.
Officials said the township recently hired a new part-time fiscal administrative assistant.
After supervisors met in a closed-door session March 19, Bitler said they have reviewed applications and plan to extend an employment offer to a new township manager and full-time fiscal assistant.
Supervisor Scott Gullo accused Bitler of dishonesty and said Bitler and Steve have driven employees away.
“The only people staffing the office are Mr. Bitler and Mr. Steve,” Gullo said.
Gullo called for Bitler to resign as supervisor.
“We’re seeing a consistent failure to meet even basic expectations of the position (of supervisor),” Gullo said. “It reflects poorly on the entire township.”
Bitler declined to resign and didn’t respond directly to Gullo’s accusations.
Fix said the township needs more personnel.
“We need to hire a manager and that will relieve a lot of this pain,” she said.
Controversy over open police chief position
Many residents voiced support for acting Police Chief Jason Rimby to win the role permanently.
Former Chief Dennis Cassel Jr. retired in 2024. Rimby has been filling in since then while the township has collected applications.
On March 12 supervisors voted 4-1 to establish a council to interview chief applicants. Cassel, Steve and Supervisor Jeffrey Rhoads are on the council. Gullo voted no.
“Acting chief Rimby isn’t just a name on a resume,” resident Cassie Ketterer said at the March 19 meeting. “He’s someone people know, trust and rely on. We already have someone who knows this community and has proven himself in it.”
About 10 other residents echoed Ketterer’s comments, contending that Rimby should be offered the position.
One resident said she was a victim of domestic violence and that Rimby went above and beyond not just to hold the abuser responsible but to ensure she and her daughter stayed safe.
Ketterer started a change.org petition in support of making Rimby police chief. It had nearly 350 signatures as of late March.
Many residents said they worried that even if Rimby were chosen for the position, he would be employed at the whim of some supervisors due to the nature of the police chief contract, which is reviewed and renewed annually.
Officials noted the chief’s contract was separate from the police department’s collective bargaining agreement.
Some said a contract with Rimby should contain protections — such as requiring that just cause be given before ending the contract — that they said would prevent him from being ousted by supervisors for personal reasons.
Bitler said he had no problem with Rimby or his job performance.
He said he was pleasantly surprised the acting chief applied for the position since he never expressed to officials that he wanted the job permanently.
He and Steve said the previous board didn’t take any steps in choosing a new chief since Cassel’s retirement, and the goal of seeking applicants is to continue the process and find the best candidate. Fifteen candidates applied before the deadline.
“Let the process play out,” Rimby said. “I have no personal ill will toward any (applicant).”
Bitler said the new police chief would have employment protections even outside of a collective bargaining agreement.
“No one just willy-nilly fires police,” Bitler said.
Steve said Rimby previously told him that he didn’t want the job but changed his mind and applied at the last minute.
“We weren’t going to just stop (the interview) process when he didn’t want to commit (in the first place),” Steve said.
Fix also said she wouldn’t plan to fire Rimby.
“We owe it to the other applicants to go through the interview process,” Fix said. “Rimby is a candidate, and he’ll get an interview. I certainly don’t intend to hire him just to fire him.”
A few residents at the meeting March 19 said they approved of Rimby but thought it made sense to collect other applications to ensure the most qualified candidate gets the job.
“The hiring process is not a popularity contest,” resident Rob Horst said. “I used to hire people, too. I hired people I really didn’t care for because they could do the job.”
Rimby’s response
In a statement March 12, Rimby thanked residents for their support.
He said everything he’s done has been with the goal of making the department something residents can be proud of.
“One of the goals that is important to me is being present at our elementary school every day,” Rimby said. “I believe it’s important that our children see their police officers not just in difficult moments, but as people they can trust and talk to.”
Rimby said that regardless of what happens with the chief position his focus would remain on doing what is best for residents and ensuring officers have the support they need.
“I believe it’s important that we continue to build a strong working relationship between the police department and the board,” he said. “Our shared goal should always be the safety and well-being of this community.”
Bitler noted the average police chief earns $100,000 to $150,000 and that Rimby’s last annual salary was $187,000 with overtime.
He said a new police chief wouldn’t be making that much, according to his vote.
The board took no action on the police chief matter March 19, but officials noted the applicants are being reviewed.