Philipsburg borough councilwoman censured, voted off committee, but won’t publicly apologize
A Philipsburg councilwoman who improperly threatened the arrest of Black Lives Matter protesters and made other controversial statements was sharply scolded Monday by her colleagues, but did not publicly apologize or resign.
Sharon Goss did, however, issue an apology in a one-on-one interview with the Centre Daily Times.
The Philipsburg Borough Council voted unanimously to remove Goss from the Recreation Committee, and adopted a censure drafted by attorneys Dan Nelson and Bobbie Rabuck.
Goss, who smirked throughout portions of the meeting, voted to remove herself.
The latter council action was largely symbolic, but formalized widespread condemnation of Goss’ attempt to stifle a protest earlier this month at a public playground near Cold Stream Dam.
Goss reached out to the protest organizers via social media and incorrectly told them the playground was private property and, if they insisted on meeting, she would have them arrested for criminal trespass.
In a Facebook post obtained by WTAJ, Goss allegedly wrote that “rioters should get coronavirus so we do not have to provide them with our tax money, free medical care and food. This is just wrong. Go back to the jungle and beat bushes.”
About 13 residents reprimanded Goss, but the most emphatic criticism came from borough Manager Joel Watson, who has worked for the borough for six years. Watson said he “doesn’t trust her one bit” and openly wondered what she accomplished in the past six years.
“What do you see in the last six years? (The borough is) actually hindered more by Ms. Goss than helped,” Watson said. “... They have not written a check out of the recreation account since August 2014. To say that ‘This is our big recreation thing’ is — excuse my language — bull----.”
The hostile meeting featured arguments among council members, among attendees and a blend of both. About three attendees, including Goss’ husband, spoke in support of Goss.
Goss’ most fiery statement Monday night came in response to protest organizer Samuel Martell, of Philipsburg, who bluntly told her he is “disgusted by her.” Goss leaned toward the blue-haired Martell and told him, “I’m disgusted by looking at you.”
About four dozen protesters joined Martell before and during the meeting, which was interrupted several times by chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, Sharon Goss has got to go.” Some held signs that read “Goss Gotta Go” and “Time to Toss Goss.”
About two dozen others watched from East Presqueisle Street and North Centre Street, while others revved their engines or honked in support.
“She was called out on some pretty abhorrent behavior and she sat and smirked the entire time,” Rabuck said. “... That should speak volumes to the community. That’s not who I want leading my community.”
Goss emerged from the meeting once most of the protesters dispersed, but was still greeted by further criticism from one woman who told Goss to “go to church this Sunday.”
She crossed East Presqueisle Street and was approached by a 6 News reporter, but the conversation quickly deteriorated. Goss used several pejorative terms directed at the reporter and said the media “sucks.”
After retreating to her vehicle for about two minutes, Goss spoke to the CDT to address the “emotional” meeting.
While Goss didn’t elaborate on what comments she was sorry for making, she said she was concerned her nearly 30 years of work and Philipsburg’s “front door” could be “ruined” if the protest turned violent.
She also apologized — something nearly every speaker asked for her to do publicly — while sitting in her vehicle during the one-on-one interview.
A public apology did not come because Goss said she “doesn’t feel like she needs to apologize to anybody.”
“I was sad that all this had to happen,” Goss said. “I can’t even explain how I feel about the meeting.”
Prior to Monday’s meeting, Centre County commissioners Michael Pipe and Mark Higgins joined other community members in condemning Goss’ “racist and threatening” comments and calling for her resignation.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 12:29 AM.