Five minutes at the podium is all Mel Gildner had to allege corruption in the Slatington Borough Council at the monthly meeting Monday night.

Gildner called into question the qualifications of councilman Joe Wechsler.In order to be a qualified member of the borough council, one must be at least 18, a resident of Slatington and a registered voter. At the time of being appointed to council Wechsler's registration had lapsed. Voter registration can lapse after a period of being inactive in a number of elections.Gildner feels that someone who serves on the board should not be exempt from an act "Americans have fought for," he told council.Wechsler's voter registration status has since been updated.Thecouncil meeting is held at 7 p.m. every second Monday of the month in the borough building on Walnut Street. Fewer residents than council members were in attendance when Gildner stood to air his grievances.After the roll call the floor was opened up for the public's comments.Gildner seized his chance to address council."If you know a wrong and don't publicize it, you're as guilty as if you did the wrong," he said.Gildner views the meetings as a chance for the community to act as watchdog for the council. He and his wife attend and record every monthly meeting."As long as I live in this borough I have to be here, it's a matter of trust," Gildner said.Gildner is no stranger to the podium. In March he questioned citations for "small issues" when bigger issues are overlooked.Gildner's time to speak was derailed by a heated exchange with borough council members.Gildner started by pointing out Wechsler's inability to meet the proper qualifications at the time of his appointment to council.As Gildner started to deliver his speech, he was asked directly by Councilman Galen Freed, "Are you calling us liars? Is this an accusation?"Gildner was not deterred and continued to say that he had asked several "upright citizens" to be on the council, but that those people "don't want to be a part of corruption."Freed continued to press Gildner about his choice of words, "Are you calling us liars?" Freed asked several times before Gildner replied, "Take it as you will."Freed was not satisfied with this answer and yet again asked if Gildner was accusing the council of being liars. Gildner again dodged the direct question.Council President Gwyneth Neff interjected to ask Gildner, "Are you not answering because you are afraid we will do something?""Is that a threat?" Gildner asked."No," answered Neff. Freed said he wanted the record to show that Gildner refused to answer the question.As the next community member took the podium Gildner left the room. The rest of the public comments ended with sidewalk repair concerns from a long time resident.Council member David Schnaars took a few minutes to address the Wechsler qualification issue.Schnaars assured the residents in attendance that when Wechsler was nominated he passed the usual background checks.Schnaars said that the whole incident has been "blown way out of proportion" and that Wechsler has saved the borough thousands of dollars while being on the council.He said Wechsler has "worked to make things better."Schnaars followed up by criticizing Wechsler's detractors, asking why they did not volunteer themselves when the position was vacant. "We are proud to serve with Wechsler; he makes a positive difference," Schnaars said.Gildner returned to the room after the comments were made. Gildner left and re-entered the room several times before packing up his tripod and leaving the meeting.