Oct 16, 2013 2 min read

Cecil Township supervisors unanimously approved the resignations of Al DePaoli and Jean Ann Gardner from the parks and recreation board during an Oct. 7 legislative meeting, but further discussion on the topic was not permitted.

The official vote came a week after the two parks board members announced they would be resigning because of disagreements surrounding the controversial Concerned Citizens of the 46th District” booth at the township’s Fall Festival. Board of supervisors Vice Chairman Andy Schrader asked parks board Vice Chairwoman Kathy Mikulsi during her report if she knew about the booth before the start of the festival, but he was cut off by Chairman Tom Casciola. He said they would not discuss political issues during the meeting. Schrader argued it was an important matter because it set precedent, but Casciola insisted it would not be addressed. Casciola’s comments were met with applause from several township residents and Supervisor Elizabeth Cowden.

Resident Darlene Barni also brought up the booth, which she helped organize. But, she, too, was cut off from her public comment when she started talking about state Rep. Jesse White.

“Just to remind everyone, this is a township business meeting and we will not discuss political issues,” Casciola said at the start of the meeting. “If you did have an issue here with a political personality, you’re going to have to take it outside.”