Bristol Twp. Reorganization Meeting Leads to Veteran Outrage

What should have been a standard reorganization meeting became much more Monday night at the Bristol Township Municipal Building.

The reelected and reappointed Bristol Township Council President Bob Lewis Jr. ran the meeting seamlessly, allowing the appointment of himself, Cynthia Murphy, Craig Bowen, and John Monahan to be presided over.

Within thirty minutes the audience grew restless for the inevitable public apology by Bristol Township Manager Bill McCauley, who called members of various organizations in the township, including children, senior citizens and veterans “freeloaders” in a December 23 email to council.

McCauley, who seemed unstressed, read from a crafted speech and apologized to the council for stealing their moment.

“I sincerely regret if I offended anyone with my poor choice of words. It was certainly not my intention,” McCauley stated.

McCauley said his email distracted from the real issue – that while he respects veterans, he does not have respect for public tax dollars being used for personal or political gain.

“This is good old-fashioned Bristol Township politics,” McCauley said.

While most of the council seemed satisfied and content with his apology, newly appointed Councilman John Monahan was not.

“If they accept your apology that’s fine, but I don’t, I resent it,” he said with powerful emotion. The audience sounded in agreement with Monahan.

A group of Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans chose to speak with McCauley after the meeting was adjourned, stressing their disapproval of him and his politics.

Councilman Craig Bowen said the issue lies in a bigger arena. “Look I can’t be worried about personality conflicts, the township is going bankrupt. Next year we are going to be upside down, that is my concern.”