Letter to the Editor: PBAA Executive Board Breaks Silence

Dear Editor,

The Plum Borough Athletic Association has been in the local headlines frequently. The positive PBAA news bites seem to go undelivered while the continued rhetoric of our opposition’s position is conveyed. The PBAA has remained fairly silent up to this point. Unfortunately, we now feel that our silence has become deafening and we are hoping the below points will clarify our position.

Field Lease is the Issue: This is not about (former president Richard) Claypoole's . Some reasons Plum
Council cited for : Construction of a batting cage, sheds and rebuilding of a dug-out; some of these improvements were over 10-years ago and directly across the street from the borough building. In addition, borough workers participated in construction efforts.

Rescheduling of the : The PBAA attorney had a previously scheduled commitment on the scheduled hearing date. The attorney's schedule has opened up earlier in January and he also has inquired for an earlier date for hearing. The intention of the PBAA board is to, if necessary, delay registration a couple of weeks.

Pennsylvania DCNR Grant: The audit for the $135,000 grant was under way and inspectors from the DCNR have visited the fields and verified expenditures. To our understanding, there are no problems with the financial portion of the grant audit. Unfortunately, the auditor who has been working on this for a couple of months has backed out of completing the audit citing negative media attention. The agency understands our situation and is willing to work with us to resolve the audit.

Financial Liabilities of the PBAA: The organization has consulted with a CPA who specializes in non-profit organizations, and has been assured that the situation with Mr. Claypoole's investigation is not unusual for non-profit associations and is able to be resolved and explained to the IRS if required.

Investigation by IRS, and District Attorney: The organization has not been contacted by any agencies regarding any investigations into the PBAA to definitively compromise the security of our non-profit status. PBAA has reached out to these organizations and awaits response to inquiry of status. In the past, the Red Cross had issues and the individuals were dealt with, the organization was not dissolved.

Communications with Plum Baseball and Softball Association: The PBAA has been communicating with representatives of the PBSA. Discussions included possible generation of a new non-profit without ties to Mr. Claypoole or the borough officials (other than required lease). The PBAA drafted a few minimum conditions on Jan. 3 to continue discussions and just received response today. Both teams have vested interests and agree that resolve via magistrate may be the only solution.

In closing, the PBAA has complied with council requests and has provided a . Mr. Claypoole is under investigation, NOT all the people that are the PBAA. Ask yourself, what is wrong and "tainted" with the PBAA people now? Please note that the PBSA has former PBAA board members; so parallels could be drawn.

Sincerely,
PBAA Executive Board