Mr. Howell:

The NCA has become a laughing stock and your videos show just who you are.

You may think this is over – it is not. There will be an accounting.

You have behaved recklessly and your actions have been detrimental to the Northwood Community.

You have used your position as a Civic “leader” to only benefit in lining the pockets of your personal attorney by paying him for unsubstantiated & unnecessary work on projects taking place outside the Northwood community; by covering for your treasurer’s illegal boarding house – while holding others to a higher standard; also St. James Church is now hosting Two weekly NA or AA meetings.

This started after Reverend Paul Andell left the Church. Did you bully him too?

You may have watched too many “Rockey Movies” and taken too many punches and you may not comprehend this, but here is a little history –

like the true story of the mutiny on the Ship HMS Bounty –

You forcibly took control of a vessel.

The vessel (Northward Civic Association) was not my vessel; it belongs to the State of Pennsylvania.

It’s Charter is guided by their Laws; they ones that you (collectively) have chosen to ignore.

But like the mutiny on the Bounty – there was a Court-martial – three men were convicted, and hanged.

Since I have never gotten an accounting (during my tenure) and I know I never would after I left the NCA; over the last Five years I have allowed you the latitude and rope to hang yourself.

You did not disappoint.

It is very interesting Mr. Howell, that you know an exact (number) in a dollar amount of what may have been in the NCA Treasury in September 2007; in contradistinction – you have recently stated that there was about Eleven Thousand Dollars remaining of Fifteen Thousand Dollars presently in the NCA treasury – but no one have ever seen an accounting.

Why Not?

Why not just say the NCA has a million dollars? Everyone would just believe you.

The Northwood Civic Association stands accused of violating their State of Pennsylvania Charter & By-Laws also Pennsylvania’s Laws for Solicitation of Public Money – as the NCA is not a 501c-3 Corporation and any donations received by the NCA are not Tax deductible.

So Mr. Howell, when can the PUBLIC see your books? When will We have an Audit of the NCA?

By the way Barry, when asking for an audit of other organizations – Rev. Paul Andell’s book on St James Church should be Audited now that you are involved in the parish.

One more thing – Andell was the President of the Historical of Frankford up until the time he abruptly left town and he would know about any grant money – so ask him.

Have a nice audit – Mr. Howell

BTW here is a FYI:

There are a lot of e-mails passing back & forth right now, as that “bunch of little old ladies who don’t live in the neighborhood drinking tea” at this very moment are looking for a recipe for “tiddy-bits.”

J.M.

Friday, September 14, 2007 11:41 AM
Message body

Dear Joe,

This is my personal answer to Gina.

Yours should be much shorter.  I will work on that next.

Know you will love the ending of my rant.  However, think it is WRONG.  Barry may have been talking about my 2007 dues.  Don’t know, will have to check. 

This part I will have to check again before sending. 

Ha.

Peace,

LEONARD WILLIAMS

DRAFT     DRAFT     DRAFT

September 14, 2007

To:
Gina Panchella,
President, Northwood Civic Association

Re: Return (“surrender”) of NWCA materials,

Your letter of September 11, 2007

President Panchella,

This letter is written to you as a courtesy of a reply.  I do not believe it is neither necessary nor required under the circum-stances.

Both President Joseph Menkevich and I informed Thomas Guinan, Esquire, Howland and Hess et al, that a request made by Attorney Alexander X. Talmadge for our return of any Northwood Civic Association property in our possession was overly broad, vague and ambiguous.  It constituted little more than a “fishing trip.”

We made the suggestion to Attorney Guinan that he ask Attorney Talmadge to provide a list of all specific civic property which the directors and he may believe is our possession.  We have heard nothing further on this matter.  We believe it was closed.

However, for the record, I advise you that I believe I do not possess any property belonging to the association. 

While I do have extensive files and documents relating to the affairs and activities of the NWCA which go back to the year 1998, they are my property, represent my work product and will remain personal and confidential.  They include documents on the COMHAR group house and legal briefs on the Burk Deed Restriction which I was given by the Honorable Judge Edward R. Becker long before I was elected a director of the association.  

During the two and one half years I served as a director I received, as many others did, certain handouts both as a director and a member of the association.  These documents are hardly an issue, they are my personal directors’ files.

I served only as a director and never as an officer.  As such I was never in possession of either the legal or financial files entrusted to the treasurer and secretary of the association.  Any copies of reports or documents distributed, either physically at meetings or by email, by these two officers were distributed to all directors and I hardly consider them to be anything but my personal files.

In addition, in my capacity as a director I did only that level of extensive research on zoning matters and/or community issues equal to that of my other co-directors.  Nothing less!  Anything above that common directors’ level I did as a private individual.  Therefore, such work product is my personal property.

I am unaware of any payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred by me as a director made by the association which could, possibly, provide the basis of a claim to any of my personal property.  If you believe that any such payment was made, please provide the documentation necessary to support such a claim.

One other important item is worth bringing to your attention in closing.  In reviewing my personal files I have found a carbon copy of a receipt issued to me for the payment of “… $10.00, dues for year 2006.”  The handwritten and inserted numbers “2006″ and signature appear to be yours.  I later dated this receipt “10/15/05″ before filing it as a paid bill in my general 2005 file.  I would appreciate your confirming this receipt to be in conformity with the original record your retain in the receipt book. 

In addition, I would appreciate your bringing this to the attention of all officers and directors at your next meeting and correcting the false statement made in past minutes by Director Barry Howell that I had failed to pay my 2006 dues. 

Trust this is satisfactory.

Peace,

LEONARD WILLIAMS

LW/jm
               
NW07NCAFILMAT.L40

DRAFT     DRAFT     DRAFT

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 10:29 AM

Dear Joe,

Let the fault lie where it wants, but realize you are not responsible for it.

Believe the By-Laws, the “ruptured” and “fractured” editions which some may swear by and other may swear at, may still require AN AUDIT COMMITTEE to review and approve the books and records of the treasurer of the association.

Obviously, we ain’t got no such committee.  So, what’s an overworked (and underpayed) association president to do?

Hire a C. P. A. to audit and opine upon the financial books and records?  And, more important, for how many years back?

I came on the scene of the NWCA’s monthly circus with the advent of the COMHAR application for a variance to establish their group house for twenty-six refugees (inmates) from Norristown State Hospital.  At that time, Sue Byer was the treasurer and I never recall any annual report from any “audit committee” and/or outside auditors.

Why?  Well it may just be that there was so little money involved that no one ever thought it was worth spending the money for an audit — certified or a simple “compiliation of management.”

Good reason and an independent C. P. A. would probably bill at the rate of only $1,000 per day.  Ain’t cheap but he might carry some insurance in the event the association ever decided to bring suit against the auditor for negligence or malfeasance.  Doesn’t make no difference, we can’t afford it.

However, after last night, something must be done.

If the annual dues are paid — and I am convinced that I paid the 2006 dues — and the credits never appear on Rodebaugh’s journals, the internal procedures AND CONTROLS must be examined and changed.

You said you know of several people who paid their dues in the pass including Jackie Childs and Al Stuhl.  This list now includes Len Williams.  Since “the corporate act” of contacting these two individuals to verify payment must be performed by an officer — other than the treasurer — that leaves the chore to either Gina or you.

Of course, if you trust Kathleen and her busy workday, she could do it as secretary, though such a responsibility falls outside the “job description” of her office.

Guess you do not have your receipt book, the one with the carbon copies, back in your possession.  Wonder if the “new keeper of the receipt book” bothers to bring it to each and every general meeting or has the association reverted back to writing receipts on scraps of paper?

Saw receipts on scraps of paper in the past, it is a dismal and poor method of cash receipts.  But, to be fair, after the general meetings break up into a general free for all, the keeper of the receipt book is terribly busy exchanging greetings and discussing the important international news of the day with the membership including the thrilling one man reading of the stage play “Marat de Sade.”

They are as busy as the drivers entering the parking lot of the Acme or ShopRite with a cell phone in their ears or the many unconscious ones with cells phones in their ears while walking across the street against the traffic light.

Suggest you attempt to determine the present location of the duplicate receipt book.  Believe I paid my dues in September or October, not sure.  Take a look, should be about that time because I was aware that the nominations and elections would be forthcoming and did not want to embarrass either you or me.

Sure of it, it would not have skipped my mind.

Any event, why is there no procedure to advise the members that their dues remain unpaid?  Reasonable assumption AND A VERY IMPORTANT AUDITING FUNCTION of any responsible business entity or association. 

What is Rodebaugh running here, The Philadelphia Gas Company or the phone or electric company?  Nope, they are supposed to send bills.

Let me know what you plan to do to bring this to the attention of the membership. 

Might be embarrassing to ask Al Stuhl for a statement that he paid his dues, you recall him handing $10.00 to you and you just passed it over to someone with the receipt book. 

Who or when we know not!

This is NOT a situation of “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”  It is broke.

Also, to be fair, maybe it is time for Marquis Howell to approach Al Stuhl and CONFRONT him with the charge that he has not paid up for 2006 or 2007.  Same for Jackie Childs, huh?

Peace,

LEONARD WILLIAMS

It was confidential between me and a dead men, when the NCA was still a legitimate organization.

I posted it because it proves that you have been masquerading as the president of a Civic Association, when in fact you have been involved in a conspiracy & cover-up to run a corrupt organization, soliciting Public money – not for the benefit of the community – but to benefit your own board of directors, the treasurer and your attorney.

The NCA books have not been looked into – even from the time before my tenure – not even today – Not Ever!

I mention your attorney as he (having represented you personally), should have known better than to take money from the NCA.

That is a conflict of interest.

Furthermore – in furthering a coverup – you never provided an accounting to show how many hours of service Mr. T provided, what he provided, or how much he was paid.

Every dollar that the NCA paid to your attorney, Mr. T – was part of a pay-off, as you had a debt owed to him for representing you in Walls etal vs Howell for Libel, Slander, Misrepresentation.

Now I would have sued you myself for Libel, Slander, & Misrepresentation for all the years of cheap shots I have endured from you, but my personal attorney advised me not to waste my money on someone like you.

How ironic is it that it was my my attorney’s advise that ended up saving the faux Civic several thousands of dollars in legal fees.

So how about it – You put up or shut up and show the Books!

Audit your own corrupt organization.

J.M.

This was a very entertaining article – but Mr Howell has been out of touch with reality.

At an NCA meeting of May 15, 2007 after an explosive outburst of anger by Mr howell that disrupted the meeting: “Mr. Howell apologized; explaining that his years of boxing have caused him to have “pugilistic dementia.”

Pleas do an audit of the Northwood Civic Association’s Books or perhaps finish the audit I called for back in 2006. I put Howell in charge of it.

Instead of getting the finances straight they tried to impeach Mr. Williams & myself in order to protect the treasurer who is running an illegal & unlicensed boarding house:

DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ANYONE!

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE NORTHWOOD CIVIC ASSOCIATION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006 – 7:00 P.M.

• The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
•
• In attendance: Joe Menkevich, Gina Panchella, Bill Rodebaugh, Lou Kubik, Renee Hudson, Michael Bane, Leonard Williams, Barry Howell and Kathleen Fitzpatrick.

In attendance: Directors Joe Menkevich, Gina Panchella, ….

Bill Rodebaugh was present as treasurer and Kathleen Fitzpatrick as recording secretary.
•
• The meeting began with a reading of the minutes from the last meeting. Hard copies of the minutes were distributed to Board Members.
•
• There was some discussion about the offer of Kevin O’Shea and Brian Gardner to duplicate and distribute the notices for the monthly meetings of the NWC. Joe is presently paying those costs. Many Board members felt that we should take them up on their offer. Others objected due to the fact that it would require the students, who are disciplinary problems, to be walking around the neighborhood. No decision was made on the matter.

The newsletter has been printed by Copy Systems and distributed by Joe Menkevich, his sons and neighborhood boys with Joe paying the distribution costs out of his own pocket, never seeking reimbursement. Michael Bane, too, has distributed the letter as a volunteer in the past.
•
• Joe mentioned that he would like to review the current contract we have with our Internet Service Provider who hosts our website next time it comes up for renewal.
•
• Motion was made and carried to go over the By-Laws at some future date and make appropriate amendments. Everyone agreed that it has been some time since the By-Laws were revised. Once the By-Laws are updated, they will be brought before the general membership for approval.
•
• Bill Rodebaugh submitted a Cash Flow report to the Board, a copy of which is attached hereto.
•
• There was some discussion about school awards – Bill reported that two were awarded to Edmunds and two were awarded to St. Martins for a total of $100.00.
•
• There was extensive discussion about the house at the corner of Large and Arrott Streets, which is owned by Bill Rodebaugh. Questions were posed to Bill regarding the home being legally zoned, having appropriate variances, business privilege license, leases, etc. Bill was also questioned as to whether or not he has complied with the Landlord Tenant legislation introduced by Councilman Mariano.

An open and ranging discussion of the house located at 4702 Large Street was initiated when Joe Menkevich questioned Treasurer Rodebaugh as to the actual and beneficial ownership of the property. The Urban Imperative Church (“UI”) on its website has claimed sole ownership (see “Welcome to Urban Imperative” home page presentation attached.

Rodebaugh, a member and Operations Director of UI repeatedly claimed he is the sole, individual owner of the property, having purchased it in May 2006.

Other pointed questions were directed to Rodebaugh including whether the house, located in a zoning “R-9” Classification which does permit apartments has been granted the appropriate variance, possesses a valid City of Philadelphia Business Privilege License (“BPT”), inspection certificates and is duly registered, certified and in compliance with Philadelphia’s “Landlord/Tenant Certification Act,” a city Ordinance introduced and sponsored by ex-Councilman Richard T. Mariano, voted upon and passed by City Council, signed by Mayor Street and became law on September 6, 2006.

This Ordinance requires Landlord compliance before any rental property can be legally occupied by tenants.

• Bill responded that he has spoken to the realtor (Exit Real Estate) and “whatever he needs to do he will do” in order to bring the property into compliance. He presently has a BPL but he “needs to transfer it to the property on Large Street.”

(Note: It is believed that Exit Real Estate was the listing or selling broker. Ms. Grace Muller, the former President of the NWCA, a broker with Realtor Mike Galdi, Century 21 Real Estate, was the buyer’s broker.)

This answer indicates that the obligation of bringing the property into compliance with the requirements of the Philadelphia Zoning Code and Landlord/Tenant Certification Ordinance has not been met by Rodebaugh and that he is in violation of these provisions and, therefore, illegally renting either apartments or rooms.

Director Williams asked repeatedly whether Rodebaugh has a BPT, not at his home, but a BPT issued specifically for 4702 Large Street, the specific, individual rental property which is the requirement of the Board of Revision of Taxes (“BRT”). Williams stated that this BPL is issued after payment for one and only one specific property and cannot be transferred willy-nilly.

In addition Williams declared that Rodebaugh could neither transfer the BPL nor transfer, as the claimed actual owner, the obligation of compliance of the Zoning Code to the selling broker or anyone else.

• There are currently 5 signed leases for the tenants of that property.

Suggest this sentence be cut and pasted below where it now appears.

• The property is a duplex with one bath, one kitchen and 3 bedrooms on the first floor and two baths, one kitchen and four bedrooms on the second floor. One renter is a school teacher, another works at the Cancer Treatment Center, another is a CPA, another works at Starbucks and another works at Smokey Bones on the Boulevard.

The property is supposedly a duplex with one bath …. An inspection and review will be made by Director Menkevich of the L & I file before the next directors meeting to determine the legality of the claimed two apartments. At present the five renters include …. Rodebaugh did state that these five individual renters, all from out state from Massachusetts to Georgia, attend seminary school together in the evenings or on the weekends.

• The topic was before the Board because it is the first time that a Board Member has a rental business in the neighborhood, and the Board wanted to be sure that the property is not being used as a ministry or missionary home, or a group home. The Board also wanted to be assured that the property is correctly zoned and variances have been obtained.

Qualify this paragraph with something such as:

The NWCA’s Board of Directors decided to pursue this matter with Rodebaugh because any future NWCA’s objection and opposition to any third party illegal renting of property could be placed in jeopardy and dismissed in the event the ZBA or the attorneys for such third parties were to cite NWCA’s selective prosecution of the Zoning or Housing Codes by permitting Rodebaugh immunity to operate openly. It is not simply a matter of the association being cast as “a bunch of hypocrites, it is an issue of fairness, threatened alleged “undue favoritism” and selective persecution.

The concern of the directors has nothing to do with Rodebaugh personally and should never be viewed or considered as such. This is the burden and fulfillment of the fiduciary obligations of each and every director placed upon them by the past and present By-Laws of the association in seeking harmonious land uses and the preservation of the quality of life of our community regardless of the identity of the offenders.

• There are currently 5 signed leases for the tenants of that property.

Director Williams tried several times to press an important question to Rodebaugh during active and heated discussions with various members of the board and Rodebaugh. Williams persisted and on the sixth or seventh try asked, “Bill, Joe and your emails mention “leases,” how many leases do you have?”

Rodebaugh replied that he had five, individual leases, one signed by each of the renters.

This answer satisfied Williams who declared that the five leases closes the inquiry for him. Williams later declared that Rodebaugh, despite the claim of two apartments, is renting “rooms.”

• There was alot of discussion about the fact that the house is advertised on the website for Urban Imperative as part and parcel of their ministry. (See attached excerpts from the Urban Imperative home page.)

Suggest the word “much” as in “much discussion.”

Believe the thrust and implications of the UI website came during the meeting after Rodebaugh left or “was dismissed.”

Director Williams has great concern for the statements made on the UI website on behalf of the church. Either the statements made are to be deemed false and misleading and, therefore, fraudulent or Rodebaugh is a liar.

To wit, from the official UI website:

“We have a House!

God has led a Christian brother with the UI vision to provide the downpayment for purchasing a property that functions as UI’s headquarters in Philadelphia. This summer the UI house … has housed all of our guy summer participants (5), a mission team, and an uncountable number of drop-in visitors, all being exposed and inoculated with the UI vision to spread a passion for the glory of God through the gospel by planting churches in the city. …”

And toward the ending of the next paragraph:

“…. Please pray for God’s provision and please consider how God might use you to invest your resources in this property for his kingdom.”

Should be fitted in somewhere above, your stenograph notes may indicate the timeline location:

During the time that Rodebaugh was present, Williams has directly, “Bill, have you syndicated this property?” The term “syndicated” may have mystified Rodebaugh and other directors; however, it was followed up with, “Have you other investors in this property?” Rodebaugh claimed he didn’t understand and when the question was rephrased and added to with, “Have you solicited investors, solicited funds or solicited contributions from anyone?”

Each time the adamant question from Rodebaugh was, “No,” a defiant “No.”

• Bill said that the house was independent of the ministry and that he only rented to those who were a part of the ministry because he preferred to have people he knows as tenants as opposed to strangers.
•
• Joe made a motion to have Bill removed from the email list, however Barry Howell objected, stating how long Bill has been on the email distribution list and how long he has been Treasurer for NWC.
•
• It was agreed that an ongoing investigation will be conducted as to whether or not Bill should be removed from the Board even though Barry Howell made a motion for him to be removed, which motion was seconded by Leonard.
•
• Michael Bane voiced the concern that perhaps the Board is too confrontational (e.g., Bill Rodebaugh, John Snowden). He also expressed the concern that we have an “image problem” with our problem solving.
•
• The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

COMMENT:

BIG PROBLEM!

As a director I must acknowledge that the questions asked of Rodebaugh and the answers given by him coupled with the statements made on the church’s website appear to be contradictory. Total contradictory, maybe a charitable fraud.

Either some of the statements are true and others false or some of the statements are false and others true.

The questions and answers are facts, some are true, others false.

We were all there, now the burden upon us is determining the elusive TRUTH!

I take this seriously. Let us talk before passing this along to Kathleen.

Respectfully submitted,

/S/
LEONARD WILLIAMS,
DIRECTOR,
NORTHWOOD CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

Distribution limited to: Joe Menkevich
Kathleen Fitzpatrick

DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL – NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ANYONE
_________________________

Thank You Mr. Leonard Williams for you excellent notes & comments.

The NCA exists no more.

J.M.