Hidden Agenda at Macungie Council?

Macungie taxpayers have to wonder how much borough council really wanted to discuss the issue of “24/7” police coverage based on the placement and wording of the issue on the May 21 meeting agenda.

Though the auditorium of the Macungie Institute was fairly full by meeting time, it was only because, some said, someone had cracked the wording code of the agenda and spread the word.

At the May 7 meeting council tabled a discussion on police coverage promising to talk about it at Monday’s meeting.

But the agenda for the more recent meeting gave no hint that comprehensive coverage the Macungie Police Department provides would be examined.

Instead, the topic fell under the very last item under the agenda’s “New Business” heading: “2012 Budget, Police Part Time Wages.”

Several residents approached the podium to praise the Macungie Police Department and its chief, Edward Harry, during the Comments from the Audience segment of the meeting.

Business owner Tim Romig asked council to move the item up from its slot at the end because council has a history of advancing some topics if requested.

Council moved it up to the Unfinished Business segment of the meeting. It was discussed at length.

As the meeting wore on, several people in the audience left the meeting before the issue was discussed