Mayor faces challenge in Abbottstown

For anyone that knows Perry Shearer, they know that this is just another way to have his wife Debbie further entrenched as dictator of Abbottstown. The guy is her puppet and speaks when given permission. Perry may have the title, but trust me, Debbie will be the Mayor and she is as clueless as they come.

This will be an interesting election, as I suspect that the town is on to Debbie's agenda, so hopefully the whole Shearer household is sent packing. Otherwise, we'll soon be told where we can grocery shop, buy a car, or eat, much like when our right to choose our garbage removal was taken from us.

Or, like with the Beautification Committee, Debbie can be a part of the "team" and then go around outside of the committee and belittle the project to anyone who will listen. Can you say two-faced?

Do away Debbie. We don't need your meddling, backstabbing ways in our town any more.

WOW, you are right on target

The business owners in Atown can't stand Debbie. I know most of them hate Debbie and, those that tolerate her, think she is totally clueless. We have some great businesses in Abbottstown and great leaders. L+M Tires is the best known tire dealer in the region, Moul Enterprise is a great company, the Riggs & Collins agency won county's best insurance
agency, and the Altland house is among the best around. These are just a few of our great businesses.

These businesses are great because they have smart leaders. These people look at a troll like Debbie Shearer and laugh. The Shearer's will never have the respect of these people and yet Debbie acts as if she knows more than everyone. You are spot on WOW. Abbottstown could do without them.

get rid of the circle

farmhand wrote:

get rid of the circle

No one in Abbottstown has the authority to do that. Try talking to PennDOT....and good luck with that, LOL.

observer wrote:

<quoted text>
No one in Abbottstown has the authority to do that. Try talking to PennDOT....and good luck with that, LOL.

The "town circle" has been a part of Abbottstown for as long as I can remember and I have lived in the area nearly all of my life. True, the cement circle looks pitiful now, but in it's day, the circle had grass, trees and decorations for all seasons. That is one of the reasons Abbottstown's Square Revitalization Committee is working to raise money - to bring back the quaint appearance and small hometown feel. The other reasons money is being raised for this project is to provide safe cross walks, street lighting, and landscaping. It is a proven fact, that when a physical area is changed, the atmosphere and perceived environment changes along with it. Abbottstown is trying to ensure the residents' safety, while attracting new business and visitors to the town.

So... get rid of the circle? I don't think so. It may be better if you go find a place to live that doesn't have a circle.

I found the article about the mayor's race to be commical. Mayor Shuff did a great job researching and quoting FACTS. On the other hand, Mr. Shearer tried to be glorified in his approach. If you have ever attended any of the many meetings that Mr. Shearer claims to participate in, you know that his participation consists of sitting at the meeting, bringing pictures, offering comments about what "should" be done and never offering a solution of volunteering to work on the problem he brought up.

Mr. Shearer is a mirror image of his companion, Debbie. She says bark, he wags. The two of them travel around the town and peak in people's windows. In fact, I know of one instance where Mrs. Shearer complained because a tree was in the way of her being able to look in someone's window.

Here's the problem folks: Mrs. Shearer has been on the counsil for nearly four years. What has she done other than compalin and roll her eyes at her co-council members when she does not agree with what the say or she doesn't get her way. How is this acting like an adult? She, too, comes up with all sorts of issues that need to be addressed, but never, ever offers up a solution. When she does volunteer to work on something and is asked for a report at the public meetings, she claims she was never told to work on the issue.

In addition, let's look at the three secretaries who have left while under her tenure. Non of them felt they could continue to be whined at, hear falsified stories about other council members or towns people, or deal with her lack of knowledge regarding financial statements or borough ordinances. I distinctly remember being in the audience when Mrs. Shearer acused one of these secretaries of changing the books around because the financial statement never had the same balance (the council was looking at the financial statement for the borough checking account).

Mayor Shuff, who is made out to be the bad guy because he has a hard time controlling his anger when Mrs. Shearer and Mr. Shearer are disrespectful to him), has put countless hours into the Square Revitalization Project, the community yard sale, the community picnic and is always one to offer up a solution and then offer to help implement that solution.

For pete's sake people. A husband and wife team running for council and mayor is certainly not illegal, but is it ethical? Can you imagine how the tie votes would go? When someone disagrees with Mrs. Shearer, they are written off as a horrible person and then put on the "I am going to talk about this person around town and tell stroies I make up until I can get everyone in my corner" list. Did you know that the Shearers used to be friends with Mayor Shuff and his wife until Mayor Shuff, then councilman, talked to fellow council members and found out they were not at all what Mrs. Shearer had portrayed them to be? Yup... I bet you can picture just how fast he was moved to the list I talked about and NOW look how she treats him in the public meetings.

Seeing the Shearers in action for several years now, I cannot see how Mr. Shearer will be able to vote against his wife and be allowed to go home to the same house.

You are spot on Lifer. It goes like this.

Debby- Perry you're going to run for mayor
Perry- But I don't want to be mayor
Debby- You'll be mayor and you will like it.
Perry- Yes mam. Can I have some iced tea now?
Debby- No. It's too close to your bedtime. Go read a book until then.
Perry- Yes mam

Sad but oh so true.

Spot On wrote:

You are spot on Lifer. It goes like this.
Debby- Perry you're going to run for mayor
Perry- But I don't want to be mayor
Debby- You'll be mayor and you will like it.
Perry- Yes mam. Can I have some iced tea now?
Debby- No. It's too close to your bedtime. Go read a book until then.
Perry- Yes mam
Sad but oh so true.

I laughed so hard I am crying right now. Funny and oh so true

When she says jump, his feet are in the air, he knows not to even think of asking "how high"

Mrs Shearer has not been able to get along with the last 3 councils or the last 4 Secretaries, I wonder where the problem lies?

Spot On wrote:

You are spot on Lifer. It goes like this.
Debby- Perry you're going to run for mayor
Perry- But I don't want to be mayor
Debby- You'll be mayor and you will like it.
Perry- Yes mam. Can I have some iced tea now?
Debby- No. It's too close to your bedtime. Go read a book until then.
Perry- Yes mam
Sad but oh so true.

True comedy is so often based in fact. This is funny but this is so true. Good job.

Dale Reichert wrote:

Mrs Shearer has not been able to get along with the last 3 councils or the last 4 Secretaries, I wonder where the problem lies?

Dale I admire your putting your name to your comment and as such am following suit. First I want to say it was an honor and a pleasure to work with all of the members of council and borough employees during my time as secretary and I truly enjoyed serving the residents of the borough. The only exception to that statement as everyone is well aware is Mrs. Shearer. The problem with her "not getting along with" should not be construed to mean it is simply a personality conflict although she certainly has issues there. The heart of the problem with this woman is her lack of ABILITY and her lack of committment to obtain the KNOWLEGE to perform the duties of her position. Although she may have had two good suggestions for improvements within the borough I never witnessed her place any EFFORT into any project nor follow through on a promise to do so. What she was tremendously good at was badmouthing anyone who did not share her opinion and complaining without offering a solution and wasting taxpayer dollars by monopolizing borough staff time for trivial matters she could have attended to on her own. She is not only of no value in her position but dangerous in that her comments and actions cost the borough time and money that could be much better put to other purposes. As for Mr. Shearer I can honestly say that he was never once disrespectful to me but I also never witnessed a contribution of value to the workings of the borough from him. Hopefully the day will come when the operation of the borough will not be impeded by Mrs. Shearer and the atmosphere of shared committment and drive that was present before her introduction to Council will return. I will pray for all of you on this. My last thought is that Mr. Shuff is the best man for the job-havent seen the results-hope he won!!!

Toni Fenker wrote:

<quoted text>Dale I admire your putting your name to your comment and as such am following suit. First I want to say it was an honor and a pleasure to work with all of the members of council and borough employees during my time as secretary and I truly enjoyed serving the residents of the borough. The only exception to that statement as everyone is well aware is Mrs. Shearer. The problem with her "not getting along with" should not be construed to mean it is simply a personality conflict although she certainly has issues there. The heart of the problem with this woman is her lack of ABILITY and her lack of committment to obtain the KNOWLEGE to perform the duties of her position. Although she may have had two good suggestions for improvements within the borough I never witnessed her place any EFFORT into any project nor follow through on a promise to do so. What she was tremendously good at was badmouthing anyone who did not share her opinion and complaining without offering a solution and wasting taxpayer dollars by monopolizing borough staff time for trivial matters she could have attended to on her own. She is not only of no value in her position but dangerous in that her comments and actions cost the borough time and money that could be much better put to other purposes. As for Mr. Shearer I can honestly say that he was never once disrespectful to me but I also never witnessed a contribution of value to the workings of the borough from him. Hopefully the day will come when the operation of the borough will not be impeded by Mrs. Shearer and the atmosphere of shared committment and drive that was present before her introduction to Council will return. I will pray for all of you on this. My last thought is that Mr. Shuff is the best man for the job-havent seen the results-hope he won!!!

Upon seeing the results of the primary, I realize that many people don't understand what is actually going on within the borough. Please, before the fall election, write actual letters to the editor, talk to your neighbors, and let other borough residents without internet access know these facts. Too few people are on this forum to make a differance.

WOW wrote:

For anyone that knows Perry Shearer, they know that this is just another way to have his wife Debbie further entrenched as dictator of Abbottstown. The guy is her puppet and speaks when given permission. Perry may have the title, but trust me, Debbie will be the Mayor and she is as clueless as they come.
This will be an interesting election, as I suspect that the town is on to Debbie's agenda, so hopefully the whole Shearer household is sent packing. Otherwise, we'll soon be told where we can grocery shop, buy a car, or eat, much like when our right to choose our garbage removal was taken from us.
Or, like with the Beautification Committee, Debbie can be a part of the "team" and then go around outside of the committee and belittle the project to anyone who will listen. Can you say two-faced?
Do away Debbie. We don't need your meddling, backstabbing ways in our town any more.

I triple what WOW states; I know from being a resident and attending meetings.. since the Shearer's hit town, I have never seen such twoface politics up and close. Where are our original borough council members, the ones from 10 years ago.. the ones who cared about the citizens of Abbottstown, its heritage and its future. WHY DONT MORE RESIDENTS ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETINGS.. IF YOU WOULD ALL JUST GO TO THE MEETINGS" you could see for yourself the 'shearers" are not only clueless but very much selfish self righteous individuals who are trying to run a town any town.. We as citizens need to step up to the plate or we only have ourselves to blame. God Help Us All !!!

We dont need them . Debbie and her husband.They act like they own the town already. Can not stand them.