When we last left the Q, they were sitting contentedly at the table of power and basking in the afterglow of victory. They trumpeted their victory to the right wing no-tax fringe. They even got their Vice President, Ed Bailey, self-appointed to a position as a shadow board member.
Now it seems that there's a new group in town to challenge their propaganda. I've heard rumors of something for a while now, but nothing that I could point to. Apparently the Q have heard this too, and have decided to make this group the new target of their propaganda.
Let's take a look at this flyer. If I am wrong on any of these items, please let me know and I will correct them.
A-Field sale: I have not heard any board members state outright that the A-Field will not be sold. What is your source? Who said this and when?
Sell the Magic Cottage: Perhaps, but you mean that you are NOT open to selling assets when we need to raise money? You would prefer to hold onto the Magic Cottage (and I do not know the particulars of this deal anyway, so if anyone would care to fill in the details...) and have extra taxation rather than selling an under-performing asset and bringing back the money to help the budget?
No names: This group is probably in its infancy and still organizing. I'm in no position to argue about anonymity, but I would imagine that when they are ready, they will appear.
You stand behind what you say? Great. Let me go over your flyers to see, but the big thing that strikes me is your opposition to school uniforms. Uniforms were evil under Sandy Gibson, according to one of your flyers, but now suddenly they're OK with Emperor William Hellmann CPA?
You do not have to pay off the $23 million: What a crock! Yes you do! The money is borrowed. We have to pay on it. What you mean to say is that the money is being taken out of its current parking place, placed in a series of investment instruments designed to pay off the bondholders every six months as scheduled. Allegedly your tax millage will go down. Why don't YOU ask the Emperor to show us how much the taxes will go down? He doesn't respond to anyone who is not slavishly dedicated to his ego.
There will be 7 million dollars to rehab our schools: While that is a slightly inflated figure (even the Emperor is using six million as the figure), how far will that go, especially when the 2005 feasibility study suggested that $14 million was needed just for the high school alone?
They kept their promise and stopped the school: Yes. They did.
First time a town has been able to hold back a project: Yes. You did. And Morrisville is the worse off for you having done so.
The best education possible: Sure. In Pennsbury, Bristol, or wherever you can auction our kids off to. Don't you get it? The small school district is exactly what brings people to Morrisville.
Input from all the residents: So do we speak at the secret executive sessions or speak really fast in the 45 minute timeframe allowed by our benevolent dictator?
Isn't it interesting that the Emperor and Hellmann's Heroes hide behind these people rather than stating things openly and clearly at board meetings or even in answering resident emails and questions?
Anyone else?
12 comments:
It is actually pretty darn sad that the QSRE is the mouthpiece for the board, simply because they can say anything they want, and are not accountable for it.
For example: "Did you know that ... this school board said all options would be on the table in order that Morrisville students receive the best education possible."
'This school board" might have said all options were on the table, but they certainly have not said that they were looking to give the students the best education possible. But never mind that, the QSRE said they said it, so it will look as though the board said it (when really they didn't), and the QSRE is not accountable for what they write in their flyers. They don't have to back up their words.
If you look up QSRE on the PA Department of State page, you find that it its registered address is:
308 Hillcrest Ave
Morrisville Pa 19067
And a reverse look-up in the White Pages shows that address as:
Robin S Reithmeyer
home:
308 Hillcrest Ave
Morrisville, PA 19067-2207
(215) 428-0794
So maybe the QSRE and the School Board are one in the same.
Of course, state law prohibits Robin from making any binding statement as an individual school board member, but under the guise of QSRE (and behind the anonymous mouthpiece of these types of flyers) she can say anything she wants to. (Such as claim the school board has stated something when it hasn't.)
To quote the very same flyer: "Do you believe someone who will not sign their name so you can ask them questions?"
"Input from all the residents: So do we speak at the secret executive sessions or speak really fast in the 45 minute timeframe allowed by our benevolent dictator?"
Good point. I'm pretty sure that School Board Member Ed Bailey said that they only have to speak to the residents who voted for them. My feelings are a little hurt too, we didn't get a love letter from QSRE.
Here's the scoop on Magic Cottage.
Many years ago, in a land far, far away, the woman who owns Magic Cottage made a deal with that Board to purchase the property. There were some major renovations necessary and she agreed to pay for those as a part of the deal. While the deal was being structured a lease (with several 5 year extensions) was apparently drafted up so she'd be paying a token rent until the deal closed. I'm not sure if I can divulge the rent but lets just say it is in the mid 2-figures per month. It's not clear why, but the deal never did close.
Fast forward 10+ years and the woman again comes looking to purchase the property. It was either that or another 5 year extension would be executed. Remember, technically it had been sold. So the Board considered the options. Again there were much needed renovations and estimates were gotten for serious money.
So, a decision had to be made to either renew (re-write) the lease and eat the costs of renovations or sell the property in "as-is" condition. Financially it made the most sense to sell and (at least privately) all 9 members agreed on this course of action. However, the November election was going complicate matters because [1] the contract was mostly written up but final details were not yet agreed upon, and [2] "the people had spoken" and it just made better sense to leave the final decision up to "the people's board." After all, William Hellmann is a CPA, ya know.
I have no idea whether this is still in limbo waiting for a decision/deal, or if a lease extension was put in place. I can tell you that a new rent was determined to replace the ridiculous rent that has been charged for more than a decade. It would still be a bargain, and was less than I personally think is fair market value, but it is reasonable and not a total loss to the district.
Now here's the real question: why exactly is the QSRE still campaigning against "Sandy Gibson's Board?" They *are* aware that they're no longer in power, right?
If QSRE wants input from ALL of the residents of Morrisville, why do they always skip my house when delivering flyers, but deliver to other houses around me?
Anybody else have this, er, problem?
Actually, when it comes to issues of class and lack of compassion for the struggling working people of this community--there can be no greater Right-wing fringe than your loud, gossipy, mean-spirited minority who suggest people should just get out if they can't afford a massive tax increase. In terms of what is best for the children--economically and academically--Pennsbury would be ideal. Not only does it offer greater educational opportunity- but lower taxes and increased property values as well. I have to wonder at the agenda of those who would stop at nothing, despite repeated electorial rebuke (ignoring democracy--now there is a Right-wing strategy), race-baiting sensationalization (don't think for a moment that Anne Perry's letter to the editor with thinly-veiled gangster innuendo regarding Mr. Radosti escaped the notice of other Italian-Americans) and constant drum-beating as if this was the most pressing issue of these times. Must be nice to have such a luxury. Either you are teachers worried about being unemployed (in that case the old, If-you-can't-afford-it-tough-luck argument applies,doesn't it?) Or, you are intent on snatching up properties (I believe Jon Perry mentioned just "how easy" landgrabs were)and flipping them say for 735K, huh? Or, you know, it is just infantile sour grapes because you got your asses handed to you. But, don't ever assume to speak for the Left, unless you fly that banner as a DLC appropriation.
Peter,
I seem to recall there are some other considerations with regards to the "Magic Cottage" site and the "A-Field". Specifically some Stockham deed restrictions, plus the fact that the "A-field" is a perk field for storm water drainage and other than open space cannot be used for development.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Why was it okay for you to abuse the previous board, and yet you feel that it is not acceptable for people to even question the new one? We are not going away. Plus, I hear in the rumor-mill that the 735k person you are referencing is considering taking her house off the market and staying to fight for this town. Wouldn't you just love that!
I am not aware of any deed restrictions, per se, but there is an agreement that the Stockhams would get a portion of any sale, but I don't believe it limits when or why it could be sold.
Also, I am not aware of any open space or perk issues. During my tenure we never considered selling the whole property, just the corner slice where M.C. sits, so there was no reason for us to have looked into these issues.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Funny enough that the sale of Magic Cottage is an appropriate topic for an executive session. The plans for the future of the district are not. Perhaps everyone should be reminded of these things once in a while.
I am intrigued by bill HR 1275 (School Property Tax Elimination Act of 2007) currently in committee at the PA House. Sharon Hughes mentioned it at last Wed.'s board mtg. Here's a link from 1 of the many websites on this topic:
http://ptcc.us/
It looks like it would eliminate property taxes by increasing the PA income tax by 0.85% (3.07% to 3.92%), and expanding the 6% sales tax to more goods and services. The PA Constitution would be amended to permanently bar future lawmakers from ever reintroducing the property tax again.
I conceptually agree with the notion of shifting more of the school funding burden back to the State, and towards the folks with greater ability to pay. But I'm not convinced HR 1275 isn't filled with more holes than a Swiss Cheese factory.
I saw in the BCCT today that Republican-sponsored HR 1275 was defeated by a 3 to 1 margin in the PA House (I mistakenly said Senate yesterday, I meant House).
A different property tax relief bill passed the PA House that was geared towards relief only for seniors (not the high school variety, the over 65 variety).
Anyway, HR 1275 didn't seem to get much support. One of HR 1275's detractors in the House mentioned that a problem with the bill is that it would eliminate or drastically reduce property taxes for businesses like Walmart (and Toll Bros.), as well as 2nd homes (anybody out there a landlord or own a shore home, or both?), while making up the lost revenue by increasing the PA income tax by 28%, and expanding the 6% sales tax to more goods and services, including funerals (ah, and I thought Republicans hated the Death Tax!).
It seems there really is no such thing as a free lunch, and sometimes changes have unintended consequences, especially if they're not thought through enough. It's a little long, but this link is for a cartoon I remember from my youth that somehow comes to mind, especially the part that starts about 4:45 in.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6810555160204689735&q=design+for+leaving&total=335&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Jon's Unintended Consequences Link
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