`Commissioners vow to send bill until it’s paid`

By Hal Johnson
Herald Writer

Mercer County commissioners will send the Ku Klux Klan a bill for $5,446 and they will keep sending the bill until the Klan pays the tab for the security it requested for Saturday’s rally at the courthouse.

Commissioner Chairman Richard Stevenson Wednesday reported the tab for overtime pay for the county sheriff deputies and jail personnel and for county maintenance workers, who set up and tore down barriers.

The American Knights Realm of Pennsylvania may get another bill from Mercer council. Council Tuesday referred to its solicitor, Robert Kochems, the question of what kind of services council can bill the Klan, said Debbie Scruci, borough secretary.

Although he has not yet report the figure to council, Mercer Police Chief Frank Detelich said the rally cost borough police and borough maintenance department $5,476. That brings the total to $10,922, which falls short of original estimates.

Both county commissioners and borough council will contact state Sen. Robert D. Robbins, Salem Township, R-17th District, for financial help.

The Klan requested the security, but county commissioners determined the tight level of security, Stevenson said.

When asked if county commissioners seriously expect the Klan to pay its tab, Commissioner Cloyd “Gene” Brenneman responded, “We’ll send them a bill.”

Brenneman repeated the answer when asked what would happen if the Klan does not pay up. Commissioners have asked their solicitor, Lewis McEwen, to draft an ordinance requiring groups planning demonstrations at the courthouse to pay for security and related expenses.

McEwen said he is checking with other counties for examples of similar ordinances.

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Updated August 13, 1998
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