Abington Cracking Down On 'Disruptive' Resident At Meetings

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — They are the three residents who speak out the most at Abington Township Board of Commissioners meetings.

There's Joseph Rooney, who has run for several offices and is running for an Abington Township School Board seat. There's Lora Lehman, who appears at each meeting on Zoom and has her comments cut off regularly.

But one resident is considered a constant nuisance by township officials.

Adele Kubel is one of the first to speak, usually repeating similar issues of blight in the township, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and government decisions. She's often armed with pictures, maps, petitions, and statistics about what she believes are various township issues that commissioners are not addressing.

Abington Township Commissioners allow three minutes for the public to speak on agenda matters at the beginning of their monthly meetings and public comment at the end of the meetings.

Commissioners have even added a countdown clock at the meetings and put up a black barrier to prevent the public from approaching the commissioners following the meeting.

Kubel often receives the gavel from Hecker before her three minutes expire and is warned by township officials, sometimes with police officers approaching toward her in case the situation escalates.

But now the township has taken the next steps to put the kabosh on Kubel.

Kubel told Patch that she received a letter from the Abington Township Police Department after two police officers knocked on her door one day.

The letter, on official township stationery, is from Police Chief Patrick Malloy, who states that he wants to address her "persistent, disruptive conduct" at the July 10th commissioners meeting.

See the details of the letter below

Kubel is being charged with violating Section 5508 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code — Disrupting Meetings and Processions.

"While we recognize and will always protect your First Amendment right to free speech, we also have a responsibility to address disruptive behavior," Malloy said. "Regrettably, your behavior has become increasingly more disruptive over the past several weeks, and despite repeated warnings, you continued with disruptive outbursts."

Kubel sent an email to Malloy seeking clarification. She said Malloy did not respond.

"I very much appreciate the efforts of the Abington Police. I also realize that your position can be difficult," Kubel said in her email sent to Patch. "However, I did not engage in 'persistent disruptive conduct' at the board meeting on July 10.

"Abington Township officials have established a history of not answering any questions, email, phone calls etc.," Kubel said. "I am monitored and blocked from conversations with everyone at board meetings. Videos demonstrate that I am treated with scorn. Deception is the accepted practice. I am a hinderance to orchestrated board meetings that are designed to flatter commissioners. Abington commissioners do not value, and encourage public engagement or free speech."

Patch reached out to Abington Township Commissioners Chairman Thomas Hecker, Township Manager Christopher Christman, and Assistant Township Manager Ashley McIlvaine seeking comment.

"We have three people of all of our residents who disrupt our meetings," Hecker told Patch before a prior commissioners meeting.

Rooney, who ran for state representative last year, responded to the "excessive" treatment of Kubel.

"Part of this is intended intimidation," Rooney said. "When people see how the board treats speakers who are passionate, most people do not want to put up with that public abuse and don't get involved. Other commissioners should speak up in defense of our residents. They don't, to their discredit."

Rooney said the police department should not be involved with the public comment portion of commissioners meetings.

"APD is there to provide safety," Rooney said. "I admire Adele. She is passionate and acts for the improvement of our community. We need more neighbors like Adele. She is not afraid to hold our elected officials and township staff accountable."

(Adele Kubel)