Infighting among Robeson Township officials and residents reached a boiling point during meetings in March amid disputes over some supervisors\u2019 approach to choosing, retaining and managing township employees.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Several residents said they\u2019ve tried to visit the office during regular hours, but no one appeared to be there.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Bitler said at a meeting March 19 that the situation wouldn\u2019t be as dire if supervisors would pay more attention to issues in the township.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe inherited the biggest mess,\u201d Bitler said. \u201cFailure (by previous boards) to get the proper people in proper places is why we\u2019re here now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bitler was elected in 2021. Supervisors Margaret Fix and Harold Steve Jr. won seats on the board in November.<\/p>\n
Former employee speaks out<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI observed our previous manager and staff being subjected to micromanagement and verbal attacks by Mr. Bitler,\u201d Evans said at the March 19 meeting.<\/p>\n
She noted that Bitler wasn\u2019t the sole reason for the high turnover but said his tirades created a toxic atmosphere.<\/p>\n
She said the township has been through five administrative assistants in 10 months and is seeking its fifth township manager since she started.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Bitler and Steve said the office has been open regular hours. Both indicated they had been staffing it.<\/p>\n
Bitler said the township has hired a labor attorney to address several issues.<\/p>\n
Officials said the township recently hired a new part-time fiscal administrative assistant.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Supervisor Scott Gullo accused Bitler of dishonesty and said Bitler and Steve have driven employees away.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only people staffing the office are Mr. Bitler and Mr. Steve,\u201d Gullo said.<\/p>\n
Gullo called for Bitler to resign as supervisor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing a consistent failure to meet even basic expectations of the position (of supervisor),\u201d Gullo said. \u201cIt reflects poorly on the entire township.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bitler declined to resign and didn\u2019t respond directly to Gullo\u2019s accusations.<\/p>\n
Fix said the township needs more personnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to hire a manager and that will relieve a lot of this pain,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Controversy over open police chief position<\/p>\n
Many residents voiced support for acting Police Chief Jason Rimby to win the role permanently.<\/p>\n
Former Chief Dennis Cassel Jr. retired in 2024. Rimby has been filling in since then while the township has collected applications.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cActing chief Rimby isn\u2019t just a name on a resume,\u201d resident Cassie Ketterer said at the March 19 meeting. \u201cHe\u2019s someone people know, trust and rely on. We already have someone who knows this community and has proven himself in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
About 10 other residents echoed Ketterer\u2019s comments, contending that Rimby should be offered the position.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n