Montgomery Co.
Vereb calls for jail time for Sunshine Act violators
December 30, 2010 |
NORRISTOWN — State Rep. Mike Vereb (R-150th of
Montgomery County) has announced plans to
introduce legislation aimed at strengthening the
state’s Sunshine Act — even as far as calling for
jail time for the most egregious offenders. News
in recent weeks has revealed a troubling reality
for some lawmakers — that the act has no teeth,
giving way to disregard and even abuse by
politicians.
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Sunshine law accusations have tainted commissioners' reputations
December 24, 2010 |
NORRISTOWN — In the wake of the leak surrounding
Montgomery County commissioners and alleged
Sunshine law violations, as a year-end wrap-up,
The Times Herald looks back at the outcomes such
news has had on the public persona, and of the
men in question. It all started from a tip, and
the reporter from The Times Herald, who followed
that tip, knew it would lead her right to Joe
Hoeffel and Jim Matthews, the media’s now-dubbed
“Breakfast Club.” Read
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Montco commissioner subpoenaed for possible violation of Sunshine Act
December 11, 2010 |
Montgomery County officials have been subpoenaed
to appear before a grand jury investigating
accusations that two commissioners violated the
state Sunshine Act, according to anonymous
sources. The District Attorney’s Office declined
to comment on grand jury involvement in the case
or whether prosecutors were looking into
pay-to-play allegations that have dogged
Republican Commissioner Chairman James R.
Matthews for nearly a year. Read
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County party leaders blast Hoeffel, Matthews
December 08, 2010 |
NORRISTOWN — The chairmen of both of Montgomery
County’s political affiliates rarely agree on
much, but they found common ground Wednesday in
rebuking the so-called “Breakfast Club” meetings
recently uncovered by The Times Herald. Asked to
opine on whether the secret meetings of
Montgomery County commissioners Joe Hoeffel and
Jim Matthews at the Jem Restaurant on Tuesday
mornings stood the test of legality, Montgomery
County GOP Chairman Bob Kerns said these meetings
only reiterated doubts he had years ago.
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Sources: Hoeffel subpoenaed
December 08, 2010 |
COURTHOUSE — Montgomery County officials have
been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury
investigating accusations that two commissioners
violated the state Sunshine Act, according to
anonymous sources. The District Attorney’s Office
declined to comment on grand jury involvement in
the case or whether prosecutors were looking into
pay-to-play allegations that have dogged
Republican Commissioner Chairman James R.
Matthews for nearly a year. Read
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Castor: Overheard remarks correspond to matters addressed at meetings
December 02, 2010 |
NORRISTOWN — Two of three Montgomery County
commissioners have been meeting on Tuesdays
before the regular 10 a.m. county commissioners
regular agenda meeting, a Times Herald reporter
recently observed. The Jem Restaurant, located
across the street from the Hillcrest Plaza
Shopping Center at Swede Street and Germantown
Pike, is typically bustling at 8:45 a.m. Some
regular faces can be seen during that time,
namely those of Montgomery County Commissioners’
Chairman Jim Matthews and Vice Chairman Joe
Hoeffel.
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Commissioners questioned about breakfast meetings
December 01, 2010 |
COURTHOUSE — Two Montgomery County Commissioners
denied discussing county business together in an
East Norriton restaurant on two separate
occasions recently, though a woman reportedly
overheard them talking about official government
matters and took notes. Read
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Eyewitness: Matthews and Hoeffel talk county business on the sly
December 01, 2010 |
NORRISTOWN – The `Breakfast Club,’ as they’ve
been dubbed, usually meet Tuesday mornings before
the regular 10 a.m. county commissioners meeting,
a Times Herald reporter recently observed. As
coffee cups swing in waitresses’ hands, the buzz
of morning chatter often drowns out the diner doo
wop, but every so often the nature of things
allows for a break in the babble, and a sampling
of conversations can be heard. Some regular faces
can be seen during that time, namely those of
Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Jim
Matthews and Vice Chairman Joe Hoeffel.
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Ex-official: Show me the money
March 01, 2010 |
In light of recent accusations about undue
political influence in Montgomery County
government, a former county official has asked
the Board of Elections for details about the
commissioners’ campaign finance spending over the
past two years. Read
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Montgomery County requests more time
February 24, 2010 |
Montgomery County has stated it will require
another month to provide the county’s
professional services contracts and related
documents requested earlier this month by The
Times Herald. Read
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