Media Boro Council Rewards Poor Performance: reappoints MBA Liason Eric Stein who missed half the meetings in 2011

Many people in town aren't very familiar with the Media Business Authority and what its purpose is. They know it's involved with the local businesses and events in town, but may not realize how vital it is to the vibrancy and economic well being of Media.

Media Business Authority Mission Statement:
"The mission of the Media Business Authority is to encourage economic growth, improve positive visual impact, sustain and nurture business development, and help increase Media business patronage through activities and programs that enhance the community quality of life, while maintaining an open line of communication with business owners, citizens, and local government."

Unfortunately, the MBA has had a revolving door of appointed volunteers who have diligently given a lot to this effort, and still do;  but continue to move on or resign.  Both observers and former members have been quite outspoken about the problems claiming the dysfunction and lack of cooperation have been the main reasons for their departures.

Media Borough Councilman, Eric Stein

Their issues seem to be substantiated.  Based on the 2011 meeting minutes,  Borough council liaison, Eric Stein only attended half of the meetings in 2011.  In addition, he was absent a quarter of the year by missing meetings in October, November and December.  Oddly, Council President Brian Hall and Borough Council thought this was acceptable and recently (Jan 2012) re-appointed Councilman Stein as liaison. With borough council made up of all democrats, these types of decisions will be made with impunity.

Last week Councilman, Kent Davidson stated he would not consider re-appointments to this committee based on prior poor attendance.   He was right and followed through by voting against a few reappointments, but what about Eric Stein who has an attendance record of 50%?

Under section 8 of the the committee's bylaws, missing 3 consecutive meetings would prompt the board to remove Board members. How is the Board held to a standard when the liaison is not?  Councilman Stein even stated last week that the MBA is not a trivial group and that attendance needs to be addressed?  Did he mean his?

As liaison, Eric Stein should help set the tone, expectation and direction for the MBA.  As an elected official, showing up half the time shows a total disregard for the people who are appointed to this committee.  If the dysfunction stems from the lack of commitment and leadership from the liaison, then it's not too hard to understand why there's such a high Board turnover.