Schuylkill Center responds to Byko

IN YESTERDAY'S column regarding legal disputes between the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and former employee Mark Tinneny, Stu Bykofsky has cast the issue in a surprising light. Since these disputes began in 2014, the Schuylkill Center has pursued appropriate legal channels to resolve Tinneny's complaints, treating him with respect. Mr. Tinneny, however, has not treated us, our families and the young children who come here with that same respect. His picketing has targeted those children and their families, instilling fear and anxiety. To date, we have incurred more than $100,000 in expenses and lost revenue, even while, at each stage, courts have ruled in our favor. Mr. Tinneny has turned to the media, evidently hoping to win favor there when he cannot in court.

Regarding his allegations against the Schuylkill Center, we took them very seriously and looked into each one. Stu Bykofsky neglected to mention that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission did in fact respond to the complaint, by declining to pursue action. Furthermore, Mr. Tinneny's report of a supposed drug deal lacked credibility because he has alleged the event took place on the very day when he was told his lease would not be renewed, and then waited for four days to report the incident. Regarding the condition of Weil House, which Bykofsky remarked on more than once, at Mr. Tinneny's suggestion, the Center agreed to a discount in rent in exchange for him providing repairs to the house. Despite the fact that he's not paid rent since July 2014, we've continued to provide necessary utilities at our own expense, as well as clearing his driveway and repairing his water well.

While Mr. Tinneny has been accorded all his rights, his legal losses have caused him to turn to other hostile measures, seemingly intent on destroying the reputation of a 50-year-old nonprofit. We look forward to resolving these disputes soon so that our community can heal and return to our mission of connecting people and nature.

Mike Weilbacher

Executive director

Schuylkill Center for

Environmental Education