HomeMy WebLinkAbout574 MontemayorMr. Robert J. Montemayor
Sweetbrier Circle
King Of Prussia, PA 19406
Re: 85 -065 -C
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
Order No. 574
DATE DECIDED: July 21, 1987
DATE MAILED: July 28, 1987
Dear Mr. Montemayor:
The Ethics Commission has received a complaint regarding you and a
possible violation of Act 170 of 1978. The Commission has now completed its
investigation. The individual allegations, conclusions, and findings on
which those conclusions are based are as follows:
I. Allegation:
That you, a Supervisor in Upper Merion Township, violated Section 3(b) of
the Pennsylvania Ethics Act which prohibits a public official from accepting
or soliciting anything of value with the understanding that his official
action will be influenced when you participated in a trip to New York City
paid for by the Developer of the Rebel Hill and Port Henley land tracts while
participating in the township's consideration of development plans for these
tracts.
A. Findings:
1. You served as an Upper Merion Township Supervisor from January 1984 to
December 1985.
2. John S. Trinsey, Jr. is a land developer and also served as an Upper
Merion Township Supervisor from 1965 to 1970.
Mr. Robert Jo Montemayor
Page 2
3. John S. Trinsey. Jr., is involved in the following entities:
a. Belfont Corporation - Sole incorporator; incorporated in Pennsylvania
on August 6, 1980.
b. Upper Merion Regatta, Inc. - Sole incorporator; incorporated in
Pennsylvania on May 4, 1984.
c. Tri -Kell, Inc. - Trinsey was listed as one of three incorporators;
incorporated in Pennsylvania on July 9, 1985.
d. Gulph Woods, Inc. - Sole incorporator; incorporated in Pennsylvania
on July 12, 1982.
e. .Port Henley, Inc. - Sole incorporator; incorporated in Pennsylvania
on July 12, 1982.
f. Rebel Hill Builders, Inc. - Sole incorporator; incorporated in
Pennsylvania on May 25, 1984.
g. East Redley, Inc. - Sole incorporator; incorporated in Pennsylvania
on August 23, 1977.
h. River Park Development, Inc. - Listed incorporators and Trust
Directors were Edward Fackenthal, John F. Solomon, Jr., and Joseph F.
Keener, Jr.; incorporated in Pennsylvania on October 17, 1968.
i. Upper Merion Rowing Association, Inc. - No record of incorporators or
- Trust Directors was obtained. However, the corporation address was
listed as 216 Gypsy Hill Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, which
was a former residence of John S. Trinsey, Jr. No date of
incorporation was available.
4. Mr. Trinsey has been involved in the following development projects in
Upper Merion Township:
a. Rebel Hill. He has submitted numerous applications over the last
twenty -five to thirty years to develop this area. This project was
to consist of a combination of apartments, townhomes and
single- family detached units.
b. Port Henle . An on going project involving seventeen (17) plus acres
w is are contiguous to the Upper Merion Boathouse Areas; 1.7
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 3
acres. This project was to consist of a senior citizens' highrise
complex along a river front property in the township.
5. The township supervisors, the township engineering division plus six
township planning commissioners, and the township zoning hearing board were
presented with various applications and other items for review and decision in
relation to the Rebel Hill and Port Henley projects.
6. Minutes of the meetings of the township supervisors disclose the
following actions and discussions concerning the Rebel Hill project:
a. December 15, 1975. At this time
Inc. (May 30, 1984 - The Rebel
to Gulph Woods Corporation). At
O'Donnell made a motion that the
rezoned from R -2 residential to
seconded by Township Supervisor
Kellett and Keim voted affirmati
rezoning the Rebel Hill property
Supervisor Smith and the motion
, Rebel Hill was owned by Tri -Kell,
Hill tract was sold by Tri -Kell Inc.,
this meeting, Township Supervisor
tract, known as Rebel Hill, be
UR residential. This motion was
Kellett. Supervisors O'Donnell,
vely, adopting Ordinance #75 -353
. You voted nay as did Township
was passed on a three to two vote.
b. December 12, 1983. A vote was taken by the Upper Merion Township
Supervisors to approve the preliminary development plan of Rebel
Hill -Gulph Mills Inc., with enumerated conditions set forth. At this
time, you along with Township Supervisors Kellett and Robinson voted
aye and Smith and Supervisor Gulati voted nay. Smith stated that he
opposed this plan because he thought the development of Rebel Hill
would be difficult to handle and also because he did not approve of
the preliminary sketch development plan requirement, and he believed
that the applicant should come in with a finished development plan
for approval or denial. Smith stated that he did not believe this
was the proper way to handle this matter. This plan was passed
subject to the following conditions:
1) That the developer provide two access roads with a minimum of 30
feet wide - and will include the widening of the eastern end of
Rebel Hill Road and, if requested to by the board, will complete
all of the road system in its entirety and not in phases.
2) That the developer would pay the cost incurred in upgrading the
pumping station for the sewage system.
3) That the developer provide that portion of the funds necessary to
complete the storm water system that the township would normally
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 4
provide, in conjunction with the county, so that the Rebel Hill
storm water project can be completed. If the county funds were
not available, then the developer would have to complete the
system with entirely his funds.
That this approval is not the approval of the 238 unit density;
that this approval of the preliminary development plan is not a
final approval of the storm water controls and basins that have
been presented.
5) That, if necessary, the entrance roads to the premises be
relocated.
c. December 3, 1984. A final development plan for Rebel Hill passed
with almost the same conditions approved as those that were approved
on December 12, 1983, to wit; the conditions which were agreed to by
Developer Trinsey including the stipulation that no building permit
be issued in any case where the township engineer is not satisfied
with the performance of the agreement. Township Supervisor Robinson
made this motion, Supervisor Smith seconded the motion, and Smith,
Robinson and Township Supervisor Volpe vote aye but you and Township
Supervisor Gulati voted nay. Therefore, the plan was approved on a
3 -2 vote.
7. Minutes of the meetings of .the Upper Merion Township Planning Commission
reflect the following pertinent information with regard to the Rebel Hill
Development:
a. February 25, 1981 - John Trinsey, President of Gulph Mills Townhouse,
Inc., the successor of Tri -Kel in this project, presented a tentative
sketch revision of the approved rezoning plan for the Rebel Hill
Development. This plan, dated January 16, 1981, showed a proposed
238 unit development of residential units of 183 feasible lots, and
53 condo /apartments. Township Supervisor Smith, as a member of the
planning commission, moved to take the matter under advisement for
further consultation with the township solicitor and the receipt of
engineering studies. Planning commission member Kunda, seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously. Minutes of a planning commission
meeting of March 25, 1981, also reflect that Supervisor Smith, as a
member of the planning commission, made a motion to have the
commission take the matter under advisement again. Planning
commission member Kunda also seconded this motion and it passed
unanimously.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 5
b. April 8, 1981 - The Upper Merion Planning Commission again reviewed
Trinsey's application for Gulph -Mills Townhouse Village, Inc. At
this time, planning commission member Weiss moved that the
application be recommended for denial. Supervisor Smith seconded
this motion and it passed unanimously.
8. Review of the Upper Merion Engineering Division Records revealed the
following concerning the Rebel Hill Development.
a. December 1, 1982 - A development plan application for Rebel Hill was
received by the Engineering Division and was designated as a final
plan. The plan submitted was found to be inadequate as a final plan,
and on January 20, 1983, the applicant chose to provide a waiver of
the review time expiration in order to provide further provisions.
b. March 15, 1983 - A general review meeting, requested by Trinsey, was
held. Ten people attended the meeting to include Trinsey, his
engineer, architect, attorney, and the counsel for the Tri -Kell
bankruptcy proceedings.
c. On April 20, 1983 and May 19, 1983, Trinsey met with the Upper Merion
Engineering Staff.
d. June 27, 1983 - New drawings on Rebel Hill were received, which were
transmitted to the Montgomery County Planning Commission for their
review.
e. July 15, 1983 -.Mr. Trinsey and a new engineer for his development
- met with the Upper Merion Engineering Staff. New information was
submitted by Trinsey for their review.
f. July 25, 1983 - A letter was received by the Upper Merion Engineering
Division from the Montgomery County Planning Commission indicating
that among other things, Mr. Trinsey had submitted two plans and had
not indicated which plan he wanted to have reviewed by this
Commission. Thus, the MCPC was unable to log in Trinsey's
application. Additionally, no hydrology or traffic report was
submitted.
g. August 9, 1983 - Mr. Trinsey's engineer met with the Upper Merion
Engineering Staff. At this time, new information was submitted for
review. It was indicated that a tentative sketch will be submitted
for review at a later date.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 6
h. The Upper Merion Engineering Division was informed by Trinsey's
engineer, that he intends to submit a sketched development plan by
the end of the month. An extension to November 15, 1983 was later
received from Trinsey's attorney, Richard S. Watt.
i. September 28, 1983 - Trinsey's engineer met with the Upper Merion
Engineering Staff. New information was submitted for review. It was
noted that a preliminary plan was to be submitted at a later date.
j. September 29, 1983 - A report from the Montgomery County Planning
Commission strongly recommended denial of this plan. This Commission
found that there were serious problems which centered around the
proposed density of the development. Additionally, this Commission
found that the design and location of the entrance drive does not
recognize the curve grade and radius requirements of the township
road specifications.
k. October 6, 1983 - New drawings, which were labeled sketched
development plan were received from Trinsey's new engineer. These
drawings were transmitted to the Montgomery County Planning
Commission for their review.
1. Mr. Trinsey met with the Upper Merion Engineering Staff and Township
Manager Ronald Wagenmann. These meetings occurred on November 1 & 2,
1983.
m. November 4, 1983 - Trinsey's attorney requested that this submission
_currently held by the Upper Merion Engineering Division he revised to
a sketched /preliminary plan. As a result of this letter, the
expiration date of the application was extended until December 15,
1983. Additional drawings were submitted at this time.
n. November 7, 1983 - Mr. Trinsey delivered, to the Upper Merion
Engineering Division, additional and revised traffic analysis data.
o. November 11, 1983 - an application was received from Trinsey for the
final development plan for phase 1 of the project. The Upper Merion
Engineering Division responded that submission was essentially the
same single drawing as was previously submitted for the
sketch /preliminary development plan and that it was not a final
plan.
. November 18, 1983 - The Upper Merion Engineering Staff met with
Trinsey, his design engineer and his soils engineer.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 7
q. November 22, 1983 - The Montgomery County Planning Commission
submitted their review on the revised drawings. This Commission
still recommended denial of Trinsey's plan. However, on November 1,
1984, this Commission reviewed a final plan submitted by Trinsey on
August 13, 1984. Review of this final plan as a new submittal was
completed; it was not considered to be a continuation of the
previously approved preliminary plan. At this time, the MCPC offered
suggestions and stated that it had no objection to the Rebel Hill
Development moving forward.
r. November 28, 1983 - Mr. Trinsey, his engineer, and architect met with
the Upper Merion Engineering Staff and presented a single copy of a
revised drawing for the Rebel Hill Project. This drawing did not
include all of the additions and revisions which were requested at
the meeting on November 18, 1983.
9. The minutes of the meetings of the township board of supervisors disclose
the following information and action relating to the Port Henley project.
a. September 12, 1983. A motion was taken by the Upper Merion Township
Supervisors to approve the rezoning of the Port Henley property.
Township Supervisor Kellett made the motion to rezone the property
from HR to HR -1. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Volpe with
all voting aye and the motion passed 4 -0.
10. Review of the Upper Merion Engineering records revealed the following
information concerning the Port Henley Development:
a. August 18, 1982 - The Port Henley Corporation forwarded an
application to the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors for rezoning of
a tract of land from HI (Heavy Industrial) to HR -I (Residential).
This tract consisted of 17.2677 plus acres which were owned by East
Redley Corporation and the Upper Merion Rowing Association, Inc.
The principals of Port Henley Corporation were identified as John S.
Trinsey, Jr., Michael F. Walsh and Thomas F. Ward. John S. Trinsey,
Jr. was identified as the principal of East Redley Corporation and
Upper Merion Rowing Association, Inc. and, additionally, was named as
the principal, equitable and /or legal owner of the tract in one form
or another since 1964.
b. October 4, 1982 - A rezoning hearing was held before the Upper Merion
Board of Supervisors on this matter and the supervisors, by
unanimous vote, referred the matter back to the planning commission
for additional study.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 8
c. July 25, 1983 - A continuation of the rezoning hearing was again
before the board of supervisors and, at this time, the matter was
taken under advisement.
d. September 12, 1983 - The board of supervisors approved the rezoning
of Port Henley tract by a unanimous (4 -0) vote.
e. September 16, 1983 - An application by John S. Trinsey, Jr., agent
for Port Henley Corporation, was forwarded to the zoning hearing
board for various forms of relief.
f. November 15, 1983 - The Upper Merion Zoning Hearing Board denied the
above application on the basis that no evidence was presented to show
why 6 buildings were necessary as opposed to fewer buildings of
greater heights. It was noted that three buildings had violated the
minimum height requirement of HR District.
December 15, 1983 - A notice of appeal from the decision of the
zoning hearing board was filed. Records indicated that no further
action was taken with regard to this appeal.
h. May 3, 1984 - An application was filed by the Port Henley Corporation
asking the zoning hearing board for various forms of relief.
i. July 10, 1984 - A public hearing was held by the Upper Merion Zoning
Hearing Board. The applicant promised to provide additional
information at a later date and, therefore, no decision was rendered
at this time.
g-
October 11, 1984 - An application was again filed by the First Port
Henley Corporation to the Upper Merion Zoning Hearing Board for
various forms of relief. This application described a Port Henley
tract as 15 plus acres.
k. November 8, 1984 - A public hearing was held by the Upper Merion
Zoning Hearing Board incorporating all prior testimony from the July
10th hearing.
1. December 13, 1984 - The Upper Merion Zoning Hearing Board denied the
above application.
m. December 31, 1984 - An appeal was taken by the First Port Henley
Corporation from the decision of the Upper Merion Zoning Hearing
Board. Records indicated that no action was taken concerning this
appeal.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 9
n. July 1, 1985 - An application was made to the Upper Merion Zoning
Hearing Board by the First Port Henley Corporation for various forms
of relief.
o. August 8, 1985 - A public hearing was held by the Upper Merion Zoning
Hearing Board. It was decided that additional information was
required from the applicant. At this time, the matter was taken
under advisement.
p. August 21, 1985 - The Upper Merion Zoning Hearing Board received a
letter from Conrail which denied approval of any crossing of Conrail
property.
q. October 7, 1985 - The First Port Henley Corporation requested an
amendment to the prior application to include a bridge from Valley
Forge Road to the Port Henley property.
r. December 19, 1985 - The Upper Merion Zoning Hearing Board granted
variances to the First Port Henley Corporation to allow the
construction of a freestanding structure in the flood plain, to
permit the construction of a restaurant to serve residents and their
guests, and to permit a reduction of required parking spaces to two
per unit to one and a half per unit. Also, at this time, the Upper
Merion Zoning Hearing Board granted special exceptions to the First
Port Henley Corporation to permit storm sewer construction, a
pumping station for sewerage, roads, parking lots and grading in the
flood plain area. A special exception to allow an increase in the
number of dwelling units from 17 units per - acre to 20 units per acre
was also granted. All of the above relief was subject to strict
compliance by the First Port Henley Corporation with 13 conditions
where were set forth in this Upper Merion Zoning Hearing Board
decision.
11. In an information packet forwarded to the State Ethics Commission on June
21, 1985, Township Supervisor Ralph Volpe provided the following pertinent
information:
a. March 21, 1984 - Mr. John S. Trinsey, Jr. wrote to the Upper Merion
Township Supervisors requesting their support for a regatta in Upper
Merion which would be similar to the Henley Royal Regatta in London,
England.
b. April 25, 1984 - Mr. Trinsey wrote to the Upper Merion Township
Supervisors requesting to be placed on the agenda at the public
meeting of May 7, 1984.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 10
c. June 4, 1984 - Mr. Trinsey invites the Upper Merion Township
Supervisors to attend the Upper Merion Regatta.
d. June 8, 1984 - A mailgram was received from the Mayor of Henley, .
England, which invited the township supervisors to attend the Royal
Regatta in London. The township supervisors had previously declined
Trinsey's invitation but the decision not to go on the
trip, previously made by Township Supervisors Smith and Volpe was
changed following receipt of the mailgram. A mailgram was then
forwarded from Township Supervisor Volpe to the Mayor of Henley on
June 5, 1984, indicating that Supervisors Smith and Volpe will attend
the Henley Regatta. The wives of Smith and Volpe and also daughter,
Linda Volpe, were guests of Trinsey on this expense paid trip.
12. You stated you were offered an expense paid trip to attend the Henley
Regatta in London, England, during June -July 1984 by Developer John Trinsey.
a. You stated that you initially planned to go on this trip with your
wife and daughter who was involved in Upper Merion rowing activities.
At this time, the trip was scheduled to be only a four day excursion.
If you would have accepted the expense paid trip to the Henley
Regatta, it would have been with the rationalization that this was a
trip that would be beneficial to the township's rowing future.
b. You mentioned that you are a member of the township's Rowing Booster
Club.
c. You stated that when the trip was expanded to a two week itinerary,
you changed your decision. You advised Mr. Trinsey of your change of
plans about a week to ten days prior to the group's departure.
d.. You stated that you had serious reservations concerning the propriety
of yourself, as a township supervisor, taking the expanded trip. You
stated that prior to the decision to expand the trip, you believed
that the invitation from the Mayor of Henley, England, to the group
and the fact that the township solicitor advised of no legal problems
in taking the trip, convinced you that you could participate.
e. You stated that you were apprehensive about going to Europe as Mr.
Trinsey's guest on the two week trip to England, France and Italy,
and then possibly having to make decisions on his applications at a
later date.
13. You stated that during January 1985, you accompanied Mr. Trinsey on a
trip to New York City. The reason for this trip was to see an opera at
Lincoln Center. You related that your wife, Patricia Montemayor, William and
Wanda Smith and Ralph and Marie Volpe also were on this overnight trip.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 11
a. You stated that Trinsey organized this trip and made many of the
arrangements but did not solely pay for the expenses of the trip.
b. You stated that Trinsey paid for the cost of the opera tickets at
$13.00 each.
c. You stated that you paid your share of the travel expenses when you
paid directly to Trinsey an amount of $35.00. This cost involved the
use of limousines to transport the group from King of Prussia to New
York City and back.
d. You stated that the cost of $70.00 for a night at the Americana
Hotel, as well as other small miscellaneous expenses were borne by
you.
B. Discussion: As a Township Supervisor for Upper Merion Township, you are a
"public official" as that term is defined in the State Ethics Act.
Accordingly, your conduct must conform to the requirements of the Ethics Act
and the restrictions therein are applicable to you.
Section 3(a) of the Ethics Act provides:
Section 3. Restricted activities.
(a) No public official or public employee shall use his
public office or any confidential information received
through his holding public office to obtain financial gain
other than compensation provided by law for himself, a
member of his immediate family, or a business with which
he is associated. 65 P.S. §403(a).
Factually, as Upper Merion Township Supervisor, you voted on various
phases of two development projects submitted by Mr. John Trinsey: Rebel Hill
and Port Henley. In addition to the land development projects, Mr. Trinsey
requested support from the Upper Merion Township supervisors regarding an
Upper Merion regatta. Following the receipt of a mailgram invitation from the
Mayor of Henley, England, to attend the Royal Regatta, some of the township
supervisors accepted Mr. Trinsey's offer of an expense paid trip to London,
England. Although you initially contemplated attending the trip, you state
that you changed your decision when the trip was expanded to a two week
itinerary because you were concerned about decisions you might have to make on
Mr. Trinsey's applications. Subsequently, you and two other township
supervisors accompanied Mr. Trinsey to a trip to New York City for the purpose
of attending an opera performance at Lincoln Center. Although Mr. Trinsey
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 12
made the arrangements, you state that he did not solely pay for the expenses.
You paid for your appropriate share of the travel expenses as well as your
overnight hotel lodging. Mr. Trinsey did pay for the opera tickets which
costs $13.00 each.
Based upon the foregoing facts and circumstances, this Commission finds
that there is insufficient evidence to establish a violation under Section
3(a) of the Ethics Act.
In addition to the foregoing, however, we must note that Section 1 of the
State Ethics Act provides as follows:
Section 1. Purpose.
The Legislature hereby declares that public office is a
public trust and that any effort to realize personal
financial gain through public office other than
compensation provided by law is a violation of that trust.
In order to strengthen the faith and confidence of the
people of the State in their government, the Legislature
further declares that the people have a right to be
assured that the financial interests of holders of or
candidates for public office present neither a conflict
nor the appearance of a conflict with the public trust.
Because public confidence in government can best be
sustained by assuring the people of the impartiality and
honesty of public officials, this act shall be liberally
construed to promote complete disclosure. 65 P.S. §401.
The above Section clearly sets forth that the financial interests of a
public official must neither conflict nor create the appearance of a conflict
of interests. The fact that you traveled with a developer who had been
actively seeking township action on various proposals and the fact that you
accepted opera tickets from this individual created the appearance of a
conflict of interests.
You must, in your future actions, be cognizant of public perception and
act in accordance with the provisions of the State Ethics Act.
C. Conclusion and Order:
1. You as a township supervisor are a "public official" under the State
Ethics Act and are subject to the provisions set forth therein.
Mr. Robert J. Montemayor
Page 13
2. There was no violation of Section 3(a) of the State Ethics Act by your
accompanying Mr. Trinsey on a trip to New York wherein you accepted opera
tickets but paid for your own expenses.
3. Your actions, in accompanying a developer who was seeking township
approvals did, however, create the appearance of a conflict of interests.
Our files in this case will remain confidential in accordance with Section
8(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S. 408(a). However, this Order is final and will
be made available as a public document 15 days after service (defined as
mailing) unless you file documentation with the Commission which justifies
reconsideration and /or challenges pertinent factual findings. See 51 Pa. Code
2.38. Curing this 15 -day period, no one, including the Respondent unless he
waives his right to challenge this Order, may violate this confidentiality by
releasing, discussing or circulating this Order.
Any person who violates the confidentiality of a Commission proceeding is
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned
for not more than one year or both, see 65 P.S. 409(e).
By the Commission,
G. Sieber Pancoast
Chairman
Mr. G. Sieber Pancoast, Chairman
State Ethics Commission
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Re: 85 -065 -C
Dear Mr. Pancoast:
August 6, 1987
I have received the Commission's report regarding the investigation and
findings promoted by a Complaint filed with the Ethics Commission in 1985.
I would like to state at the onset of this letter that, while I was
heretofore not aware of the provision of Act 170, which deals with "even the
perception of conflict of interest ", I nevertheless accept the Commission's
decision. This letter is not intended, nor should be taken to be an appeal
to your decision.
However, it is necessary to call attention to many facts in your report
that are not correct as they pertain to me. Ironically, these points could
easily impact public perception of your report and conclusions. Therefore,
I respectfully request this letter be made part of the public record.
In Part A, Findings, the following sections are incorrect or misstated:
#6, paragraphs A and B, I was not a member of the Board of
Supervisors until January, 1984; therefore, reference made to votes taken
in 1975 and 1983 regarding Rebel Hill pertain to another individual, not me.
#12, paragraph A, omitted was the fact that the Board saw a
regatta as a way to possibly develop our riverfront as an area for general
recreation, not just rowing and as leiason to the Park & Recreation Board, I
initially felt it was my responsibility to go.
#12, paragraph B, I stated I was at the time a member of the Crew
Boosters.
#12, paragraph D, Two important points to be made are that the
invitation had no impact on my opinion to initially accept the offer of the
trip, in that I was aware that the only unsolicited invitation had come from
Mr. Trinsey. And secondly, I never asked our solicitor, Mr. Dean, nor did
he offer to me an opinion regarding the propriety of accepting the trip. My
sole rationale for the initial acceptance is reflected in 12A with the
addendum I've attached. Omitted was the fact that the Board saw a regatta
as a way to possibly develop our riverfront as an area for general
recreation, not just rowing and as leiason to the Park and Recreation Board,
I initialy felt it was my responsibility to go. Conversely, it then became
impossible for me to understand why the expanded itinerary was necessary in
that it had nothing to do with my obligation as a Supervisor. Therefore, as
you correctly state, the questions of propriety and objectivity made it
necessary for me to decline the offer.
Finally, I wish to correct, for the record, a statement made in Part B,
Discussion. This particular point is the most critical point to be made in
that it serves to explain my rationale in agreeing to go on the 'Opera'
outing. In Part B, Discussion, it is stated that "as Upper Merion Township
Supervisor, I voted on various phases of two development projects submitted
by Mr. Trinsey." That statement is factually incorrect. As a Supervisor, I
voted on only one Trinsey proposal, the final development plan for Rebel
Hill. That vote came on December 3, 1984. I voted to deny the plan. The
New York outing was not even proposed until the last week in December of
that year. Finally, and most significantly, is the fact that at no time
during the year 1985 was the Board of Supervisors scheduled to take any
action or vote on any of Mr. Trinsey's projects. Port Henley was before the
Zoning Hearing Board, and their final vote came on December 19, 1985, just
12 days before my leaving office. Therefore, it was impossible for my
actions to be influenced in any way thsrcould benefit Mr. Trinsey as a
result of the outing.
Finally, after carefully reviewing the Commission report and findings,
I must call your attention to the fact that no mention is made of the
conclusion reguarding the alleged violation of Section 3B. In a telephone
conversation with Mr. Robert Caruso on August 6, 1987, Mr. Caruso indicated
that the ommission of said conclusion regarding Section 3B was an oversight,
and would be corrected in writing, this correction would then become an
addendum to the final report. A copy would be forwarded to me. I request
that this document not be made public until this oversight has been
corrected, and the addendum added to the final report. Should this required
correction alter the release date of August 13th, please advise me as soon
as possible.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I wish to reiterate that the statements
and points of clarification in this letter pertain only to me and my
involvement in this matter.
RJM /amr
Respectfully yours,
Rober 'l
Mr. Robert Montemayor
241 Sweetbrier Circle
King of Prussia, PA 19406
JJC /sfd
Me Add,ess
State Ethics Commission
308 Finance Building
P. 0. Bo:: 11470
Harrisburg, Pa. 17108 -1470
August 7, 1987
Re: Order No. 574
85 -065 -C
Dear Mr. Montemayor:
This acknowledges your letter of August 6, 1987, wherein you set forth
certain facts relating to the above referenced matter.
Initially, it should be noted that the Commission's finding that there
was no violation of the State Ethics Act encompassed both allegations
contained in Order No. 574.
Additionally, your letter of August 6, 1987, will be made part of the
public record in this matter and a copy thereof, along with this
correspondence, will be appended to Order No. 574.
Since
hn
Execu
nti o,
ve Director
State Ethics Commission • 308 Finance Building • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania