Editor's note: This is the second of three articles examining politics in Coplay. The first article covered the tactics used in the 2013 primary election campaign. This week's installment looks at debates over recent issues. The final part will focus on the goals of Coplay's political factions.

Coplay Borough Councilman Steve Burker talks to a lot of people in the course of a day.

"One thing I do hear from people is they're just sick and tired of talking about 2009, 2004," he said.

During Coplay Borough Council meetings in May and June, council debated how to address the losses at the borough swimming pool, which averaged $37,257 over the past five years.

Beverly Miller, who served on borough council until the end of 2009, challenged those numbers, saying she had different figures for the 2009 pool season than those Councilman Charles Sodl got from the borough office.

"Put that aside," said Sodl. "Let's look at what we need to do and move on."

Sodl said council was not accountable in the past on some issues. It has worked to correct some of the problems and move forward.

Miller argued the past, present and future are interconnected.

"In order to move forward you need to understand what happened in the past," she said. "But they don't want to [understand] because they would have to talk to me."

Miller said she felt council was personally attacking her because she had been in charge of the pool when she held office.

"If [Sodl] had not gone back five years I may not have brought it up," she said. "I don't know what happened with the pool in 2010, '11 and '12."

Council also pointed out that the pool expenses were highest in 2009.

"Why would I not bring that up when I have the information in front of me?" Miller said.

Sodl, Burker and Council President Lou Bodish said it's a moot point.

"It's good to vent all this but as far as I'm concerned, it's over," said Sodl.

"Progress has already been made," said Burker. Because Milander's agreed to take over running the pool concession stand, the borough is saving an estimated $10,000 on concession stand labor, utilities and supplies.

"This is headed in a very positive direction," Burker said.

Bodish referred to a piece of advice he received from a former boss who used to say, "You have to make a decision. Sometimes it's going to be right. Sometimes it's going to be wrong. But you got to stick with the decision."

"You can only do the best you can possibly do with what you have at the time," said Sodl. Once a decision is made, council must deal with it, without rehashing it.

Miller agreed, saying public service "is about the decisions that need to be made based on the information that you have at the time."

The problem, she said, is not so much politics as personal feelings.

"They're not very nice to me, so that seems like a personal emotion," she said.

Miller said she was part of the council that appointed Bodish to fill a vacancy before he ran for council the first time four years ago.

"I voted to put him on, so I don't see where they say politics are coming into play," she said. "If I had personal issues, I would have said 'no.'"

She said she would also be willing to work with Sodl who has good ideas.

"I can work with anyone," she said, adding it's not necessary to like each other to be productive.

Personal emotions are reflected in the way other councilmen treat Leiner, Miller said. Whenever Leiner tries to ask a question or bring up a point, Bodish, as council president, shuts him down, she said.

Leiner said he just keeps on talking despite efforts to keep him quiet.

Miller also pointed out Leiner does not head any of council's committees.

"Why would you not put Bill to work?" Miller said. "Oh, because he has his own opinions. And they don't want that."

Bodish said Leiner will not work as a part of a council committee because he doesn't believe in committees.

"I don't know how you're supposed to get anything done without committees," Bodish said.

Leiner said it is not true that he refuses to participate in council committees.

"I will not participate in a structure that violates the Sunshine Act," he said. "I think we solved this problem during 2012."

In October 2012, The Press told council committee meetings that are not open to the public may violate the Sunshine Act. Solicitor James Preston told council in November 2012 that committees may meet for "information gathering" purposes without being open to the public. No voting or deliberation may take place.

"If anyone, including those currently on council do not want to work with me for whatever reason to improve Coplay, they own that, not me," said Leiner.

Miller said one councilman needs to be able to question another councilman without anyone getting upset, she said.

"I wish they would listen to the tapes sometimes," she said.

Leiner said council meetings need to be geared toward solving problems and answering residents' questions.

"It is important for our council to understand that having all 7-0 votes can indicate a lack of discussion and thin deliberation," he said, adding council members need to "agree to disagree without being disagreeable."

Sodl said the reason for the problems on council always goes back to politics. He referred to the March meeting when Leiner argued politics are as important as business sense when running the borough. Without politics, Leiner said, the borough could not justify spending money on items that don't generate income.

"Mr. Leiner thought it was more important to be political," Sodl said. "Politics is not the most important. It's part of it, but it's not the most important."

Leiner said council members need to understand "politics" is part of being elected to local office.

Burker said he is just tired of the fighting.

"I just want to make a difference … instead of us wasting all that energy fighting again," he said.