MIDDLETOWN (Mar 4, 2004) -  Employees were surprised last week at unannounced visits by Township Supervisors John J. Kelly Jr. and Lisa Pflaumer.  Without notice to the Township Manager, Kelly & Pflaumer slipped into the Township building along with Solicitor James Downey and interviewed four employees to gather statements against Personnel Officer Paula Kearns. In a bizarre twist of irony, Kelly & Pflaumer attempted to plant statements by Kearns threatening employees with layoffs. Sources report that the interviewees, Secretary Janet Buzby, Fire Marshall Robert Buzby, Secretary Mary Steiner, and Code Inspector William Liptrot, were chosen for their high intimidation factor, i.e., they were already threatened with layoffs by the new board because they are aged 60+.
  Licenses & Inspection Manager James Peet is believed to be working in concert with the corrupt board in the targeting and termination of selected employees. Despite not being present at the time of the alleged threats by Kearns, Peet issued a statement of his own and delivered two more to Downey's office, at least one of which is suspected to be a forgery.  Upon questioning, alleged signatory Bill Liptrot has stated "I never signed anything". Authorities will be notified and a full investigation is expected.