King James I

Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews has been acting "odd" ever since the November 2006 election. Although he was elected on a Republican ticket headed by Bruce L. Castor Jr., Matthews made a power-sharing deal with Democrat Joe Hoeffel and turned over much control of county government to Hoeffel.

Despite being shunned by Republican Party officials and scolded by voters, Matthews continues along his merry way helping to destroy the once-dominant Republican Party.

Now comes this gem from veteran Montgomery County reporter Margaret Gibbons

Someone should tell Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews that he was elected commissioner, not monarch. During one of Matthews's ongoing dust-ups with fellow Republican Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., Matthews said that county Solicitor Barry M. Miller, Matthews's good bud, "works for me. I appoint him." Whatever happened to government of the people, by the people and for the people?

Read her full column at the Norristown Times Herald Web site.