Resident Calls for Butler Councilman to Step Down

A resident called for Councilman Robert Meier to step down at Tuesday's public meeting, citing what she believes to be his involvement in a "conflict of interest" as it pertains to his son last month.

Sherry Bednarz-Mosier, of Arch Street, read aloud a prepared statement that generalized what she said is behavior she has noticed from council members over the past several years.

"I believe there are many times when there is a conflict of interest and council members make decisions and they are not in the best interest of the people in this town," she said.

The only council member she named in her statement was Meier.

"As a community advocate, I would like the mayor and council to consider asking Councilman Meier to step down because of involvement in certain matters involving the police and fire departments," she said.

Mayor Bob Alviene asked Bednarz-Mosier to elaborate on what matters she was speaking of, at which time she described how she felt it was not right that Meier's son, William R. Meier, attended the fire while he was s on charges he allegedly burglarized the Carey Avenue firehouse.

"His son was suspended, he shouldn't have been at the fire," she said.

Bednarz-Mosier also alleged that the councilman brought his son there, but he disputed that claim and told her to check her facts.

"I did not bring my son to that fire. I brought my wife to the fire only because we were at and I'm the one who called it in," he said.

Alviene said the discussion would not be fair without Chief Jim Neill being present to explain the situation. Neill declined comment to Tri-Boro Patch after the meeting but said on May 2 that Meier was

Council members seemed to agree that the discussion should continue in the company of the chief. Councilman Bob Fox also commented in response to Bednarz-Mosier's question about what would happen if an incident occurred while a suspended firefighter was on the scene.

"Liability is a big thing and it should be straightened out either way," he said.