01 LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Minutes of the meeting held on March 11, 2025 A workshop meeting ofthe Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:59 p.m. by Chairman Navarro on the above date at the Lower Paxton Township Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Supervisors present, in addition to Mr. Navarro, were Pamela Thompson and Allen J. McCormack. Also in attendance were Bradley Gotshall, Township Manager, and Morgan M. Madden, Solicitor. Pledge of Allegiance Mr. McCormack led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment William Miller, 4311 Crestview Dr, advised the Supervisors that he had called PennDOT about some tree branches overhanging the roads and was told it was not their responsibility; however, they are responsible for the white lines on the road and the edge ofthe berm, and they excavate the embankments. He identified the locations and offered to supply parcel numbers of the places where tree branches were hanging over. He also called Verizon about some branches hanging over the Verizon lines and was told he must call the homeowner. He suggested that someone from the Township call the homeowner. He mentioned a dead deer lying on Colonial Road, and again, he called PennDOT and was told they wouldn't pick it up because it was diseased. However, he called the PA Game Commission, and they agreed to remove the dead deer. Lastly, he attended the Central Dauphin School District's Board meeting to talk about the sidewalk near Central Dauphin East High School. 1 02 Mr. Gotshall explained that the Township's Public Works Department would address the issue if there was immediate public safety concern. Still, the Township does not have a formal agreement with PennDOT, nor is it a standard practice to address that arrangement. PennDOT has been exploring more local cooperation through their agility program to share services, and he would look into it. Mr. Navarro asked Mr. Miller to send the notes and pictures to the Township. Vincent Gaeta, 3215 Vanessa Dr., stated that a Township Police Officer notified him that they would be installing no-parking signs in the cul-de-sac where he lives; he resides in the new development, Blue Ridge Village. First, none of the residents were informed oft the no-parking signs, but he was told that Triple Crown was aware and had spoken to the Board members, fighting for the right to put the signs up. He went around the neighborhood and was able to obtain 20 signatures from residents in the cul-de-sac. He read the petition from the residents of Blue Ridge Village, specifically Benjamin Court and Vanessa Drive, requesting modification to the parking restrictions currently scheduled for signage installation and enforcement in the cul- de-sac. Mr. Navarro stated that the request to modify the parking restrictions to prohibit parking on trash pickup days and snow operation days is a reasonable compromise. The signage may be for the for-fire engines and EMS to get back there or trash. He asked Mr. Gotshall to determine the origin ofthe signage from the Public Safety Director or whoever had made the decision. Chairman and Board Members' Comments Mr. McCormack commented about a resident who came before the Supervisors with a complaint about the air quality near the compost facility. He met with the resident once and visited the home this past Friday when the noise was supposed to be louder because the grinder was in use. 2 03 Mr. McCormack complimented Officer Shifflet for being professional while at the site taking decibel readings. The resident was also pleased with the officer and that the Township Supervisors were paying attention to his complaint. While there's S still more to investigate, the decibel reading at the resident' S home was 65 decibels, which is the loudness of a normal, everyday conversation between two people. The decibel reading at the grinder was 70 decibels. It was louder than two people having a conversation, but not extraordinary. However, he agreed to revisit the resident. He said Officer Shifflet was an outstanding representative of Lower Paxton Township. Announcements Mr. Navarro announced that the Supervisors had met in an executive session before the meeting to discuss personnel issues and Township business, and they would not be meeting afterward. Elder Dr. Lyle V. Gaines, Human Resource Manager, stated that a couple ofhis employees came to him, and they seemed to be kind of disturbed by the most recent events that have occurred. He said, to be honest, it's been a little bit of a disruption, and he decided to take a look at the videos, going back at least a year, just to get a feel for or try to determine whether the information that was communicated to him was even worth looking into. He was a little disturbed, SO he wrote to his boss, Bradley Gotshall. Mr. Gaines said that, based on his communication, he'll read the letter SO that the Supervisors understand how he feels about his boss as well as the climate in the workplace due to these events. He'll be honest that they were disturbing to him. He doesn't hide in corners; he's aj person who believes in integrity, and the message today is one of unity. 3 04 Mr. Gaines read the following: Mr. Gotshall, with all you go through for all the employees at the Township, I believe this moment and time, you deserve some support. wanted you to know how muchIappreciate) your leadership, and 11 thought it was important to let the rest of the leadership know and understand the person I interact with each day and have come to know. IfI asked your permission to write this letter, you would have tried to stop me. This one's on me, Brad. As the manager ofHR, it is my responsibility to make sure that we have a climate where all individuals are accepted and appreciated Brad is one of those individuals, and SO is Sam. These gentlemen have been upstanding toward me and the employees, and I appreciate their leadership. The most recent events to the Board of Supervisors meetings have caused great stress on our staff and for the most part it's a great distraction to the work we are called to perform for our residents. These events have resonated and I'm calling for unity and decency toward each other, this discord must stop. Whether it's politically motivated or racially motivated, it still must stop. Our employees deserve better, and our residents deserve even more. I will continue to pray for unity as an ordained and licensed Minister, my letter to Brad on March 6, 2025. See attached. Mr. Gaines said, I'm not going to share with you the scriptures that I gave Mr. Gotshall becausel I understand in an ecumenical sense: not everybody believes what I believe, and out of respect for those who don't, I want to use this letter as my character witness in any job action against you Mr. Gotshall and I will take this stand and affirm to anyone about your character. I've seen it firsthand; it's not hearsay it's something I've witnessed for almost three years now, and I will continue to stand by your side because you've always stood by mine, no matter what the color ofmy skin looks like. Ijust want to share a real quick story. I walked in here, and lintroduced myself to one of the doctors in this room. When I told him I was the HR manager, I said, You didn't see that coming, did you?' and he just smiled at me, couldn't believe it, probably. Still, I'm here to tell you I enjoy working for this man, and if he leaves, guess what? I'll probably be right behind him. That's the kind ofleadership he and Sam have shown me. I've been investigated by this Board, accused just like everybody else of stealing time, and you know what, I had a five-page questionnaire for those who investigated me, and there was no there, there. It was embarrassing, and one of the questions they asked me was, 'Do you telework? Seriously, I'm an exempt employee, "I said." Absolutely, every single day, they looked at me like I was crazy. I said, 'Yeah, I telework every day. As soon as I get up in the morning, I'm teleworking. Tm on my computer; I'm on my phone. I'm the only one who does HR who else is going to do it. Then, some days when Ijust ain't up to it, yeah, I stay home, and I telework. I got the same equipment at home as I do at my job. I'm not robbing anybody; actually, I'm giving you more time than you pay me fori ifwe're going to keep it real. And to Ms. Kurtz, lapologize because Iwent back a few years to seel how people were sworn in, and this was the first time since I've been in this Township that she had to endure the chaos and how she was treated. You have my apology if anyone has not apologized to you yet. And I'm not going to name any names, and Mr. Lowman and I didn't always agree on politics, but I can tell you one thing: he engaged in the peaceful transfer of power. He was kicked out because he lost an election, and he went gracefully. Now, the rest of the story, you can all figure it out, but this time was different. I yield to the chair; thank you all. Mr. Navarro thanked Mr. Gaines for having the courage to get up and speak. He said the Board members agree, and they are trying to work through everything. They agree that the staff and Township deserve better, and they appreciate Mr. Gaines for his thoughts and prayers. 4 05 Dr. Charles Stuart, 1440 Karen Drive, pointed out that he was the doctor the gentleman referred to, and he smiled because he was showing respect, not because he agreed with the gentleman. He said everybody has a choice to form their own opinions on this matter, and he made his perfectly clear, but there are always two or three sides to a coin. Presentation of An Update on Commonwealth Legislation Pertaining to Shopping Malls and Other Municipal Affairs Justin Fleming, State Representative, announced that he is honored and privileged to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which has just concluded budget hearings. There were 23 hearings with different state departments in 12 days, which was quite rigorous, and they heard many hours of testimony about the state budget. He reported that the Shapiro Administration proposed a General Fund Budget of$51.47 billion, projecting a $1.6 billion deficit that is balanced by funds in the Budget Stabilization or "rainy-day" fund. The new spending initiatives total $1.33 billion, with the main drivers of the cost increase being Human Services (Medicaid) at 55%, education at 25%, Treasury and Debt Service at 9%, and Corrections and State Police at 4%. New revenue sources are proposed, including the adult use of cannabis, which is projected to generate $536.5 million if passed by the General Assembly, and Gaming Expansion (skill games). The Governor's proposed tax rate is 54% on skill games, and it's assumed to bring in $368.9 million in revenue. The Corporate Net Income Tax Reform is a quicker process for lowering the Corporate Income Tax from 9.99% down to 4.99%, which is expected to generate $264 million in revenue and an increase in the minimum wage of15 dollars an hour across the Board is expected to generate $51.5 million in tax revenue. Representative Fleming announced that he supports all three ofthe municipalities he represents, especially Lower Paxton Township, as he has been instrumental in the recent submission of grant applications. 5 06 Representative Fleming announced that Penn Vest has unspent funds. For communities like the Township that have robust stormwater programs, that's a plus. He suggested that the Township spend some oft those funds. He added that one of the hallmarks here in Dauphin County is that they've always worked well together, regardless of party, and that's something he's proud of. Before being elected to serve as a State Representative, he served as a Township Commissioner for eight years in Susquehanna Township, where he chaired the Public Safety Committee and also served on the budget and pension committees. So, these were significant responsibilities, and the nice part about it was that it didn't matter what his party registration was. The disagreements and 5-4 votes were never along party lines. Unfortunately, here in Lower Paxton Township, we are experiencing turmoil, and it's disappointing to see. The bottom line is that people want a local government that works, not one that fights against them. When it doesn't, unfortunately, there are real-world implications for that turmoil. So, part ofhis reason for attending the meeting was that he had seen the Colonial Park Mall was up for sale again. Last year, during the budget process, he secured a valuable piece oflanguage in the state's fiscal code that established a $10 million program to renovate shopping malls across the Commonwealth. The intent was to get some of that funding for the Colonial Park Mall. They are still in the early stages ofthe program, and it's now in the public comment phase, which will be conducted through the Commonwealth Finance Agency. This marks a significant win for Lower Paxton Township. Hopefully, this win will be the start of something bigger. This year, it's $10 million; next year, $25 million; and the year after, $50 million because the need is great statewide. Just a few months ago, he attended a meeting with Chair Robin Lindsey, during which they discussed the implications ofletting the shopping mall go. It's a blight on the community, a public safety hazard, and a public health hazard, especially given the Township's current setup. 6 07 Representative Fleming said that the Colonial Park Mall is almost like the centerpiece of the entire Township, and it occupies a significant amount of real estate. For this community, residents, and his district, we can't afford to see it die on the vine. He read the quote from the story in PennLive: Thomas Ryan, the attorney representing 4600 Jonestown Road, LLC, stated that Mr. Jiang, the former owner, ultimately decided to put the mall up for sale because Jiang's vision differed from that oft the Township. He also contended that communication with Lower Paxton Township officials has been frustrating. Ryan did give Lower Paxton credit for creating the new Zoning District that could help someone succeed at that location. Still, he also said that communication with Township officials had not been great and that they were receiving different responses about how to proceed. Representative Fleming stated that he understands Mr. Sherzer indicated there were some issues with the Township's characterization, and it's completely understandable. He also wanted to respect that aspect. He pointed out that it gives him no joy to reinforce the difficulties that are happening in the Township. Still, as a citizen, he cannot help but connect the dots between the turmoil taking place and one of the biggest pieces of real estate being put up for sale, once again, because of the actions that are unfolding. There may or may not be a link, and it might come up for sale if nothing happens, but it doesn't help. When three people resign in succession who have more than two decades of combined municipal experience, it should give us pause, and we must figure out what is going on. He said that he would continue to support the Township through the difficulties. Still, everyone can help by appointing the best people to serve, people who have the best interests of the Township in mind and not dealing with partisan politics and hyper- partisanship, because at this level, and that is one ofthe things he liked best about serving local government, at this level, it did not matter at all, the fact that he is a registered Democrat, had no bearing. He voted on what he thought was the best interest ofthe Township. 7 08 Representative Fleming said this needs to be corrected soon, and it may be a mere coincidence in timing that the mall went up for sale again while this situation was unfolding, but it certainly caught his attention. He suggested that the turmoil end and the residents be put first. They have made a commitment to do it, and he will continue to walk with them and be as helpful as possible in any way. Mr. Navarro thanked Representative Fleming for his time and comments. He said that it could be a good situation for someone willing to purchase the mall, knowing there's assistance available and wanting to do something of substance. Mr. Gotshall announced that it would be good to put on record, to some degree, to reiterate the Township's response to Penn Live. It was an unfortunate quote regarding the lack of communication. Shortly after the mall's purchase by the current owner, he met with the Economic Development Coordinator, Mr. Sherzer, the new owner, his son, an engineering representative, and a legal representative. They hashed out, very early and clearly, what the Township's vision for the site had been, which had been crafted and established through the Zoning Ordinance within the Town Center Zoning District. Unfortunately, they had mentioned to him that they had purchased the mall without conducting much research into the Zoning District and its requirements, particularly as they related to the Master Plan requirement. There's a Master Plan requirement in the Zoning District due to the complexity ofthe site, as it has multiple owners, including the mall, Boscov's, and Sears. The Township wanted to ensure that the site, in its entirety, is developed in a manner consistent with the Board's vision. This Master Plan Requirement would require a developer to submit a conceptual plan before fulfilling any ofthe other prescribed SALDO requirements prior to an actual submission to gain an understanding of the developer's perspective on the entire site. 8 09 Mr. Gotshall explained that developing the site will take a phased approach; it's a large site, and it requires both residential and commercial development, making it a very complex project and a Master Plan is a way to ensure that it's being followed. When the new owner came to the Township, he was concerned about that requirement. He lacked both the developmental and financial wherewithal to make it happen. The Township worked with the owner to establish a separate development agreement, allowing them to initiate the process of developing the former Bonton shell into a family fun center ahead of submitting a formal Master Plan. The Township worked with them immediately to provide relief, something the Ordinance would have otherwise required. That unfortunate quote was just that: unfortunate, misdirected, and a mischaracterization. However, he was happy that PennLive reached out to the Township to get some clarification. He added that the Bill would assist the Township, which is appreciated, and noted that Representative Flemming had used Colonial Park as an example, SO they were very happy to see that in the press releases all throughout the Commonwealth. Mr. McCormack commented that he is also only interested in serving the Township residents and whatever that means. During the interviews he conducted for the replacement Supervisor, one oft the questions he asked was about Economic Development. Ifyou have some ideas about how we can mutually assist in making the Colonial Park Mall a centerpiece, he is more than happy to listen to any suggestions and help move the Board in that direction. He is available to have that conversation and acknowledges that he considers Colonial Park Mall one ofthe top five issues facing the Township today. He thanked Representative Fleming for his support. 9 10 Action to Rescind the Appointment of] Laura Kurtz to the Board of Supervisors Morgan Madden announced that she appeared via phone last week due to a personal family issue. She expressed her appreciation to the Board for allowing her to do SO, adding that due to some audio issues, she couldn't hear the beginning ofthe meeting until she was placed on speaker, at which point she could hear what was happening. She was asked the question during the vote to approve Miss Kurtz's appointment whether the Board needed to vote unanimously, meaning all three sitting members had to vote in unison to appoint. She answered that a majority was needed. The following day, there was some discourse about that guidance, and after reevaluating the case law and statutory law and talking to colleagues throughout the state, she stood firm in her initial position that only a majority was needed, given the circumstances that night. With that said, her responsibility is to represent the best interests oft the Board, which in turn means the best interests oft the Township as a whole and its residents. Given the discourse and potential looming litigation regarding her opinion, she does not want to, as her ego is not large enough to suggest that the Board spend taxpayer dollars to litigate this issue. So, her guidance to the Board has been, since mid-last week, to add an action to tonight's agenda to rescind the vote to appoint Miss Kurtz and proceed with the process of filling the vacancies as set forth in the Second-Class Township Code. Mr. McCormack motioned to rescind the appointment ofLaura Kurtz to the Board of Supervisors. Ms. Thompson seconded the motion. Mr. Navarro called for a voice vote, and a unanimous vote ofapproval followed. Ms. Thompson stated that the Board is legislatively a five-member Board with two vacancies. When there are three sitting, they must all vote unanimously, just as they did. 10 11 Ms. Thompson continued, "Why is the Board rescinding the appointment of Miss Kurtz?" because the guidance provided by the Solicitor was inaccurate and because, collectively, they are big enough to acknowledge being wrong. Mr. McCormack commented to lighten the mood; he said, "What do you call 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean; the answer is a good start.' I Mr. Navarro objected. Mr. McCormack said it was a bad joke, but he had learned a long time ago that his dad had taught him that the only people who don't make mistakes are those who don't do anything. The Supervisors were trying to do what they thought was the right thing to do. He concurred with Solicitor Madden and asked some attorneys, as Miss Thompson asked the folks over at PSATS. He also asked them, and there was a great deal of conflicting opinions on whether our vote the other night was correct or not. Additionally, the Solicitor informed the supervisors, exercising caution, as they were unwilling to risk significant sums of money in litigation. Ifthe Supervisors were incorrect, and that's a possibility, in seating Miss Kurtz last week, anything they would have done during the time she was sitting on the Board had to be reviewed and changed. This statement is not an admission that the information or recommendation by Solicitor Madden was incorrect. It is an admission that, due to an abundance of caution and a concern not to put the Township in trouble in any way, they are acting and allowing normal practice. He asked Ms. Thompson if she agreed that the normal practice is to go to the Vacancy Board ifthey don't have ar normal three-person agreement. Ms. Thompson stated that she is going by the email the Supervisors received on March 10, 2025, from Solicitor Madden, and she provided Mr. McCormack and Mr. Navarro with a copy of that email. 11 12 Mr. McCormack asked the question again, noting that if the Supervisors disagree and cannot obtain three votes on one applicant, the appropriate way to handle this within the next 30 days is to move it to the Vacancy Board. Ms. Thompson stated that she sent an email to Mr. McCormack and Mr. Navarro this weekend, asking them to meet on Wednesday to try to resolve the issue, and if not on Wednesday, then on Thursday. She did not receive a response. Mr. McCormack indicated that they would not be meeting tomorrow; he and Mr. Navarro are not willing to change their votes, and Ms. Thompson isn't willing to change hers. Mr. Navarro asked the Supervisors to end the discussion, noting that it had no reflection on Miss Kurtz; her resume spoke for her, and they would discuss it later. Right now, this is the right move for the Township and its people SO that they can follow the appropriate steps and get the work done. Mr. McCormack thanked Miss Thompson for bringing the matter up now SO they could resolve this matter and move forward. As Mr. Navarro said, there's a ton of work to do. Mr. Navarro said the Board of Supervisors has tasks it needs to accomplish and numerous policies that require revision. It would be helpful to have somebody who has that niche market cornered. He thanked the Supervisors for their comments. Ms. Thompson asked Mr. Navarro and Mr. McCormack ifthey would meet with her tomorrow to have more discussion about the appointment. Mr. Navarro stated that he is unavailable to meet because he will be working and doesn't wish to change his vote. Adjournment Mr. McCormack motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Thompson seconded the motion. Mr. Navarro called for a voice vote, and the vote was unanimous. 12 Respectfully submitted, Approved by, Bhak&L laa "yf Shellie Smith, Secretary Recording Secretary 13 From: Lyle Gaines To: Shellie Smith Cc: Bradley Gotshall Subject: FW: Thanky you for all you do! Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 11:22:46 AM Attachments: Bradley Gotshall 3.6.2025.pdf Shellie Attached is the letter that you requested for the record. This is what I read under public comment. Dr. Lyle V. Gaines - Human Resource Manager 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109 (O) 717-934-8731; (F) 717-724-8311 ancsdlbsepastompass RECTED 17E From: Lyle Gaines Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:58 AM To: Bradley Gotshall dgpthieboupatmpspe Cc: Sam Miller milerebwepatopgp, Paul W. Navarro aarpebnepatopgo, Pamela Thompson pthompson@lowerpaxton-pa.gov; Al McCormack allen.mccormack@gmail.com>; Laura Kurtz Gkunebowepwonpagoe Subject: Thank you for all you do! To Brad, With all you go through for all employees at the Township I believe at this moment and time you deserve some support. I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your leadership, and I thought it was important to let the rest ofleadership know and understand the person I interact with each day and have come to know. I know if I asked your permission to write this letter you would have tried to stop me. This one is on me. To the Board, as the Manager of HR The most recent events in the BOS meetings have caused great stress on our staff and for the most part it's a great distraction to the work we are called to perform for our residents. These events have resonated, and I am calling for unity and decency toward each other. The discord must stop. Our employees deserve better, and our residents deserve better. I will continue to pray for unity. May God Bless you all. Elder Dr. Lyle V. Gaines - Human Resource Manager 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109 (0) 717-215-7849; (F) 717-724-8311 ansdoepatoIpageN ERECT TED 17E March 6, 2025 Brad, It's clear that you've been through a great deal lately, both personally and professionally, and I can only imagine the toll this has taken on you. As the HR Manager, I must admit it's been a distraction to the team for the most part. I want to express my full support as we: move forward. It's evident that you've dedicated a significant portion ofy your life to public service, and your commitment to the community and the Township has not gone unnoticed. For anyone around the age of my youngest child (33), you've spent half ofy your life serving the public you deserve better. While I understand the complexity ofl leadership and the scrutiny that comes with it, especially when people are quick to judge based on hearsay or limited perspectives, I know that these past few months have been challenging. But please know that I, along with many others, recognize your hard work and the positive impact you've made. It's easy to get lost in the noise, but the work we do together is what ultimately matters. Working closely with you has been a great pleasure and honor. I work approximately 30 feet from your office DAILY, and I've never witnessed you yelling, being a bigot, a racist, vindictive, authoritarian, personaly-enriching, acting all-powerful, or a paranoid dictator. For the first time in my life as a 65-year-old African American licensed and ordained Minister, I've never felt more respected and accepted for my accomplishments than by you. Aside from my closest friends, you are the first boss who calls me your brother. When you hired me, there were over 50 applicants, most of whom were much younger and likely fit into the "good ol' boys" model you are being accused of. When I asked you, "Why did you select a 62-year-old black man over 50+ applicants?" you simply responded, "You were the best qualified. 7 You better be careful; they may have to pull your "good ol' boy" card! (lol) I only ask this question because you always allow me to speak candidly, and you've proven that I can be comfortable sharing whatever's on my mind. Under your leadership, I've seen someone who embodies integrity, fairness, and compassion, always striving to bring out the best in others. It's rare to encounter such leadership and kindness, and I've learned SO much from your example. Thank you for the inspiration and for creating an environment where collaboration and mutual respect thrive. I truly appreciate everything you've done, and I look forward to working together to move beyond these vicious, deceptive rumors. Let's keep pushing forward, and please know that I'm here to support you and the team as we continue working toward our goals. I know ifI asked you ifI could copy the Board of Supervisors, you'd probably tell me that it's not my fight always trying to protect your team. Well, I've decided to copy the Board of Supervisors on this message anyway. One thing I've learned is that sometimes it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, especially when it's something I truly believe in. Please use this letter as my character witness in any. job action against you. I will always testify to your character. The Bible I teach and preach gives me some fundamental liberties to write: 1. Freedom in Writing and Expression: 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV): "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit ofthe Lord is, there is liberty. I This verse emphasizes the liberty we have in the presence of the Holy Spirit, which can inspire freedom in our words and writings. Galatians 5:1 (KJV): "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke ofbondage. I We are reminded of the freedom we have in Christ and encouraged not to return to the bondage of sin or restrictions, including in our expressions and writings. 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV): "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason ofthe hope that is in you with meekness and fear. " This passage encourages us to always be ready to express our faith and beliefs with gentleness and reverence, using our words freely to testify of the hope within us. 2. Addressing Discord and Division: Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV): Thesesix things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. n This passage clearly lists discord among the things the Lord hates, making it clear that causing division is an abomination in His eyes. Romans 16:17-18 (KJV): "Now. I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord. Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts ofthe simple. I Paul warns against those who cause divisions and offenses, instructing believers to avoid such individuals. Titus 3:10 (KJV): "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; I Here, the scripture directs that those who cause division or promote false teachings should be rejected after two warnings, indicating how seriously discord should be handled. James 3:16 (KJV): "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. I This verse ties envy and strife to confusion and every evil work, warning ofthe destructive nature of discord. Ephesians 4:29-32 (KJV): "Let no corrupt communication proceed out ofyour mouth, but that which is good to the use ofedifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit ofGod, whereby. ye are sealed unto the day ofredemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away, from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. I This passage encourages speech that builds up others and avoids all forms of divisive or malicious talk, promoting peace and unity. Even when Em working for you, I'm about my Father's business. Let's get to it!!! Elder Dr. Lyle V. Gaines Human Resource Manager 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109 (Cell) 717-215-7849; (F) 717-724-8311 pne@owepatoegn