FRACKVILLE - The actions of a Gilberton Borough Council member were criticized as part of Tuesday's press conference involving video-ranting police chief Mark Kessler and his attorney, Joseph P. Nahas.
Nahas said he had "alarming information" that councilman Eric Boxer went door-to-door the day of the July 31 meeting where Kessler was suspended for 30 days "trying to garnish a vote to terminate Mr. Kessler." Boxer that night seconded the motion for the suspension, which passed 5-1.
"This is a councilman who is supposed to be objective, hear evidence and make a decision as a council member," Nahas said. "In my professional opinion, Mr. Boxer, if he has any animosity toward Mr. Kessler, and could not be objective, should not have been a part of the voting process and should have abstained."
Gilberton Mayor MaryLou Hannon, who voted for Kessler's suspension but also initially defended his video rants as free speech, said Boxer did nothing wrong.
"I know what Mark had said about Eric, but it's not true," she said Tuesday evening when contacted for reaction to the press conference. "Eric acted as a councilman and was talking with his constituents to see how they feel."
Boxer's phone number is unlisted. Hannon said she had his number and would contact him and provide a number to contact a reporter, but he has not done so.
Kessler was suspended for allegedly using department weapons and ammunition without permission. He fires the guns, including automatic weapons with large "drum" magazines, repeatedly in the videos, which are posted on YouTube.
His profanity-laced rants criticize Secretary of State John Kerry for supporting a U.N. arms treaty and he refers to liberals as "libtards."
Nahas has been representing Kessler since his videos began drawing national and international attention. They've cited the First and Second Amendments in saying he did nothing wrong. But others have been critical of Kessler for showing such outward bias and vulgar language considering his role as a police chief, and his position as a member of the North Schuylkill School Board.
Hannon said Kessler has been a borough police officer for 14 years and chief for about seven years.
Residents tell of visit
Nahas had three residents of Maizeville, a section of Gilberton, come to his office Tuesday for the media to verify that Boxer had gone door-to-door to encourage their opposition to Kessler. None of the residents were in the room where the press conference was held, but listened from a waiting room.
Walter Kuczynski said there was no problem with Boxer getting his opinion and said he didn't feel pressured by him. But he also supports Kessler.
"I like Mark; he does a good job," said Kuczynski. "I'm here to support the man. He takes care of the borough."
Margaret Dean echoed Kuczynski's comments.
"I got a visit from Boxer and I told him that Mark didn't do anything to anybody in the town," said Dean. "This has nothing to do with him being a policeman in Gilberton. I think he's a great cop. We have troubles down there and when we call he always comes right over. I think all this is about is they (council) just want a part-time policeman."
William Weikel said when he was approached by Boxer and another person at his home, he was asked about siding with those who want to remove Kessler as chief.
"I just told them to get off my property," said Weikel.
"We were under the full assumption and belief that Chief Kessler had the support of his mayor and that he would have a fair hearing that day when they met in executive session," Nahas said. "We didn't know it was going to be a kangaroo court."
Nahas said he believes the suspension will eventually become a termination.
The night of the meeting, much of the vocal crowd outside the borough building were members of Kessler's Constitutional Security Force, although a few people opposing the chief were present, too.
As part of the meeting itself, there were a few comments from the public supporting both Kessler and the borough's suspension.