Marv Miller Shakes Down Businessman?

Five Police Cars Called out to prevent 5thEstate.com from getting Ethics Forms!

March 30, 2006

Lancaster Airport Authority Chairman Marv Miller Jr. during the occasion of a public meeting on March 13, boldly told a businessman that he could hire him for $225 an hour and that doing so would help in getting a deal through the authority!

When 5thEstate.com editor Ron Harper Jr. went to ask for public documents from the authority, it resulted in not one - but FIVE Manheim Township Police cars dispatched to the authority office! (The Manheim Township police - victims of an employee abusing their authority - were professional, polite and courteous - with the exception of one of the five cops!)

The great thing about it? The entire exchange is captured on video! Troy Martin is attempting to get a new business off the ground and has plans of leasing airport authority land for the building. (Click to view the company's website which includes business plans) All decisions of leasing the airport ground are made by the public authority board including the Chairman, Marv Miller.

So how do you get the authority to approve of leasing you land? After talking with the airport authority executive director Dave Eberly for months, Martin went to an airport authority meeting to ask some questions - they took a crew along to document on video what happened!

5thEstate.com is excited to give our readers the first shot at seeing an edited version of the events.

Before the meeting began, Troy asked Miller, "To what extent does the airport authority help a business person get PETA money or other economic development aide?"

Incredibly, Miller answers the question about how the authority helping a business with how HE helps people with business! "We don't have any formal contacts, but just by coincidence in my business I have a number of informal ones that I try and steer people in the right way. For example, the fellow doing the Penn Cinema deal wanted a little advice on what outside investors to go to , I knew a few and hooked him up - type of thing. "

So Miller begins his sales pitch by saying that he has money contacts and by the way - the project currently going through the airport authority - I helped that guy!

Martin than asked Miller, "So when do we get together?"

Miller responds with a pitch for his private services, "I am not an expert in the industry, but I do know what a business plan looks like...I charge two and a quarter ($225) an hour, that's my billable rate." (…) "I will be glad to give you a courtesy meeting but if I am going to sit down and usurp my staff and give you business advice and council..."

Amazingly, after the initial pitch for his business, the public declaration for his $225 an hour fee, Miller after the meeting, huddled with Martin and his crew, Miller leaned into Martin and told him what would happen when the authority has to make a decision, "that could be cut either way"!

"Remember in the back of my mind, every time there is a deal here where it could be that could cut either way that's going to bother me in the back of my mind"

The inference? Hire Miller and everything will be fine! Miller

When 5thEstate.com editor Ron Harper Jr. showed up at the authority's office to ask for the authority's Pennsylvania State Ethics Form, Administrative Assistant Cheryl L. Melhorn declared that the State Ethics Commission has them. When challenged, she said the county has them. Harper said, "According to the state Ethics Law, they are to be filed with the authority in question." Melhorn left to talk with Joyce Opp and Dave Eberly. Eberly came out and said that they are busy and they couldn't get the forms now. "Give us a request in writing" they said, and they would get them.

Harper left the office and called the airport solicitor and discussed the ethics law which states very clearly that the forms are to be available for inspection and copying during business hours! The solicitor called back in a few minutes and said the forms would be available.

Upon arriving, the staff didn't greet Harper, but rather, scurried about shuffling papers, answering phones etc. When Melhorn finally said something, Harper gave her a lecture on public records etc. and Joyce Opp, Finance & Marketing Director, came out of the office next door and yelled at Harper for "being rude." Harper responded that if the authority would follow the law this conversation wouldn't be happening. Finally, after a few exchanges, Harper said, "Just get me the forms I asked for!"

While silently waiting for the copies to be made, Harper, overheard the nearby, almost 46 year old, Kim Huber giving a description of Harper over the phone. Later, a 5thEstate.com reader informed us that county 911 said that "Ron Harper is threatening everyone in the airport terminal. He just left the building on foot!"

Shortly after getting into his car, a Manheim Township Police car pulled up and an officer hurried toward the door. Harper, not wanting to appear to be "fleeing" exited the car and waited at the airport terminal and watched as not one but FIVE Manheim Township Police cars pull up! With the exception of one plain clothes officer, all the officers were professional and polite. After a short conversation, the friendly and smiling sergeant asked Harper if he got everything he wanted and if so, Harper was free to go!

So how can the chairman of a public authority publicly solicit work from people that want to do business with the authority? How long will it take for Miller to resign? How long will it take for authorities to follow up with the clear violations of the law? 5thEstate.com will be there!