The "animosity" between two Coplay Borough councilmen is causing too much bad press, according to a Coplay resident.

In a brief statement to council at the Nov. 4 workshop meeting, resident Dan Smith said it was his personal opinion that Bill Leiner Jr. and Carl Luckenbach should just let the issue drop.

Leiner filed a private criminal complaint against Luckenbach for threats made at the Aug. 3 St. Peter's picnic. Luckenbach pleaded guilty and paid the $25 fine plus costs.

However, when Leiner called for his resignation from council and made known his intent to continue spreading the word about what happened, Luckenbach said he should have pleaded not guilty and gone to a hearing instead. He called Leiner's complaint "exaggerated."

An article on the situation appeared in the Oct 23 issue of The Press and elsewhere in the media. Leiner has made it known he is writing letters to other elected officials throughout the Lehigh Valley.

"I think the borough is a good borough," Smith said. "I think [Luckenbach] does good and [Leiner] does good for the borough and I hope they can work together and overcome their differences."

Leiner did not attend the meeting.