What Are YOU Doing Saturday?

Would you like to join our NSN board members on a tour behind the scenes at the Morrisville schools? Marlys Mihok, who apparently skipped a meeting with the buildings committee last week, has made an open invitation to the community and local contractors to tour the buildings.

After two years of contention between Morrisville school board members who were on opposite sides concerning a proposed $30 million consolidated school, the matter might be settled at tonight's meeting.

The new school would replace the existing high school/middle school and the two elementary schools.

The tug of war escalated in September when the school board majority filed an appeal in county court of a borough council decision rejecting preliminary development plans for the pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade school. Several school board members at the time said it was necessary to replace the three ailing school buildings and millions already spent in lawyer and engineering fees in planning for the new school.

“There will be a motion tomorrow to stop the appeal,” said William Hellmann, the new school board president, when contacted on Tuesday.

All four of the board's new members, as well as some existing board members, have spoken out against the new school project. They say it has become too expensive and has been poorly handled by former school board members.

“It's been 25 months since November of 2005 when the plan was rammed down our throats,” said new board member Marlys Mihok on Tuesday. “[The appeal] will be stopped tomorrow night and I anticipate that it will pass, that the board majority will stop it.”

When the plan was first proposed, most of the board members were proponents of building a new school. However, several community members such as Mihok felt that board members ignored the wishes of taxpayers.

The proposed new school would create a tax increase of more than $646 annually. This amount is based on the median assessed property value of $18,000, district business manager Reba Dunford said in May.

New school opponents — Hellmann, Mihok, Robin Reithmeyer and William Farrell — won in the Nov. 6 general election, altering the board's balance of power from a majority who supported the school project to one who didn't.

Mihok said the agenda also includes a motion to look for a law firm the district would hire “on a contingency basis, to see what we can do about money we've given to the architect and engineer.”

At 9 a.m. Jan. 12, the school board plans to hold a walk-through of all three schools to look at structural and mechanical problems in hopes of coming up with a cheaper alternative.

“It will be open to heating and [air conditioning] people, plumbers, electricians or anyone with an interest in helping us with the buildings,” said Mihok. It will also be open to the public.

Arrangements for where to meet for the walk-through are forthcoming, she added.

One of the first things you learn as a lawyer is to NEVER ask a witness in open court a question that you do not already know the answer to. (I'm a proud graduate of Perry Mason University and the Matlock School of Law.) And the NSNs want us to walk through the buildings and see what's going on? Why would they campaign on a platform of STOP THE SCHOOL and then a week after taking office, walk through the areas, inviting people to come out and see the conditions for themselves? Unless our miracle-trained custodial staff found some sort of magic wand stuffed in an abandoned locker and have drained the magic out of it busily repairing past neglect, I predict a rude awakening.

This is an open plea to everyone: If you didn't support the new school, come and see for yourself where our kids learn. If you did support the new school, come and see what's changed.

Schooltime for the New Members

So did any of our readers know about the classes that the new board members should be attending sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association? (OK, OK, yes, I know some of our readers are former school board members and probably attended themselves.) However, I was unaware of such a thing and pose an open question to all nine of the current school board members. Have you attended already or when are the dates set for you to attend?

"Fast Track sessions [were] held over two days in King of Prussia at the start of December. Topics were varied, giving board members the opportunity to choose from classes such as “Budget Basics for School Boards,” “The Board's Role in Promoting Student Growth and Achievement” and “I'm a new school board member, now what?”

There's quite a large number of items that this website covers. Gee, I thought all school board members did was create controversy and/or do nothing while in office. They have responsibilities and everything. Since there's only seven members participating in the Morrisville school board committee discussions, I hope the three more experienced members can keep the four newbies in line.

Look at the stuff you can learn about!

Initiatives for Effective School Governance
Funding Issues and Concerns
School Design and Construction Conference

Maybe tomorrow night at the inaugural regular school board meeting, we can find out how many attended and what they thought about the classes. And if they didn't attend, why not?

Saturday Afternoon in Morrisville

I hate shopping during weekend daytimes. I especially hate shopping during the holiday season. Shopping during holiday weekend days tops the scale of retail thou shall-nots for me.

However, a nice sunny holiday shopping weekend brings out a lot of your neighbors, and a lot of meeting and greeting gets done. It's amazing what you find out. For example:

1) The school district is required to have a strategic plan created every six years, and there was a meeting for it this past Tuesday evening. A lot of school administration members and community members were there, including former PSP members Johanny Manning and Greta O'Keefe; current PSP member Joe Kemp; and current NSN member Robin Reithmeyer. Kudos and thumbs up to all of them. No matter what your thoughts on the schools, if you're out there fighting the fight, it shows your level of commitment. A pending thumbs down to current NSN member Marlys Mihok who was a no-show. Life can intrude and we hope that Marlys is safe and well, but if she just blew it off because she's on the buildings committee and she might find out something that was against her NSN leanings, well, let's let the voters decide.

2) Grandview was closed Wednesday because of a water main break and the high school was closed Thursday for a gas leak. Thank God the buildings are safe and we don't need this building project. Kudos to the Big Guy Upstairs for an awesome sense of humor and timing. First week in power for the NSNs and the walls are tumbling down. **Attention K-Mart shoppers! Cleanup of egg on face for seven!**

3) Less connected to the schools directly, is a rather astounding piece of news I picked up...the Democrats are retaliating against any Democrats who supported the Community Party candidates. A comment in a previous post alluded to this, but this is confirmed. So the "Stop The School" candidates who proudly crowed their lack of partisan labels are dusting off those labels again.

Who are the Stop the School Platform?

Six like minded individuals who will work for affordable school taxes to finance a quality education for our children. We are young and old, 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats, 3 men and 3 women, representing all 4 wards, hard working residents, with and without children, who all share a passion that our students excel.

People registered as Independent can only vote in the Primary Election on Questions, they cannot vote for individual candidates. You may change your affiliation to either the Democratic or Republican Party so you can help choose who will run for School Board or any elected position.
You can easily change back to Independent, if you so choose. Forms can be gotten at the Morrisville Library, or call 215 295-2900 and a form will be delivered to you.

So when we want and need your vote, your party affiliation is a liquid thing that is rather meaningless and we won't scrutinize things too much. But now...now that we are "In Power!", it is time to purge the tepid, the weak, and the non-true-believers from our ranks! Begone! And pay your dues before you leave..billboards like the one we had are REALLY expensive.

4) A big, big, big thumbs down to Bill Hellmann, CPA, newly elected President of the Morrisville Board of School Directors. He saw that both Ed Frankenfield and Joe Kemp were overworked from the past few years on the board and needed a rest from all that committee type work. Shutting off dissent is a rather poor first impression to make, Billy-Boy. I'm going to have to rate you "needs improvement" on "works and plays well with others" and we will have to have to set up a conference with your mother.

Maybe it IS time to have a few interested citizens attend these meetings. Could you imagine some PSP type fighting and complaining like Bill Hellmann, CPA and board CANDIDATE used to? Love the way that Karma wheel turns and turns...

If any of this is inaccurate, let me know and I will set the record straight. All of these items were confirmed multiple times by unconnected persons. There's a lot more that is unconfirmed and I will not post until then.

Morrisville MS/HS Closed Due to Maintenance Issues??

According to the school emergency information hotline, the Middle/Senior High School is closed due to "maintenance issues" today December 6, while the elementary schools are open. Anyone with more or better information?

Morrisville School Board: The Next Generation

According to the Courier Times, it appears that President Bill Hellmann and Vice President Al Radosti will lead the crew of the Starship Enterprise-NSN for the next two years. So much for my guess that Radosti would emerge as the new Jean-Luc Picard.

MORRISVILLE

The Morrisville school board welcomed new members, including William Hellmann, who was elected president. Alfred Radosti, who has served on the board since 2003, was elected to serve as vice president.

Other members joining the board were Robin Reithmeyer, Marlys Mihok and William Farrell.

Hellmann and Radosti were elected by votes of 7-2, with Edward Frankenfield and Joseph Kemp voting to elect Kemp as president and Frankenfield as vice president.

Mihok was unanimously elected to serve as school district representative to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit Board.

Power has an interesting dynamic all its own, and I admit that I am somewhat surprised that Radosti, Heater, and Worob (oh my!) having survived so many years of silent second banana-hood under the alleged dictatorial iron thumb of Dr. Gibson would decline an opportunity to gloriously lead this board. May their golden tongues be loosened.

The next two years are also going to be tough on Ed Frankenfield and Joe Kemp. In much the same way the Republicans have found that minorityhood in Congress is not fun (and they are retiring in record numbers for the 2008 election cycle), they will be largely ignored by the NSNs unless they maintain strident and loud dissent or moderate their positions to more closely match the NSN positions. I remember reading about Richard Nixon's first few days as a private citizen following his resignation, and he wanted to send a letter to a supporter. They looked and looked, and the only stationery available was the apple green letterhead reserved for the President of the United States. An aide took a pair of scissors, cut off the presidential seal, and handed the remains of the page to the former president remarking, "This is the new reality."

Any thoughts about the power dynamic with the former borough controller now president of the board? How about board member Mrs. Worob and councilman Mr. Worob? Is Vice-President Radosti running for a second shot at Mayor Wisnosky's job? And how about relations between the borough council and the board of education? Who runs who? Any other thoughts?

Wish I Had Thought of This.....

In a spirit of cooperation with the new board members, (I couldn't attend last night's meeting. How did the re-org meeting go?), here's a nifty idea for thought. Imagine using the schools as quasi-community centers.

New equipment might pay for itself
By CHRIS ENGLISH
Bucks County Courier Times

A $27,000 investment in new technology for the township meeting room could end up paying for itself, one Middletown supervisor said.

Robert McMonagle said planned installation of equipment for Power Point presentations and other things designed to make the room more user-friendly could make it attractive to outside organizations for meetings and conferences. That would mean rental income for the township, he said.

“By adding all these technological accoutrements, we should be able to offer the room for other functions and events,” he said. “Those kinds of things should be happening more often. We have this excellent resource we're not using enough.”

The $27,000 for new equipment in the meeting room is allocated in the 2008 proposed budget. A vote to finalize the budget is scheduled for the supervisors' Dec. 11 meeting.

One of the pieces of equipment is a large screen that would allow the supervisors and audience to more easily view plans, blueprints and other images shown during meetings. The screen also could be used by outside organizations renting the room.

“I think it will make things much better,” said township resident Phil Schieber, who frequently attends supervisor meetings. “It's often very difficult to see what some of the developers and engineers are trying to present, particularly on housing and water runoff type issues. Water runoff is a particularly sensitive issue and the more residents know about it the better off they are.”

However, he doubts the wisdom of allowing the new equipment to turn the meeting room into a money maker.

“I have a little concern with that,” Schieber said. “The purpose of that room should be to benefit and serve the residents and homeowners of Middletown, as far as I'm concerned.”

But with expenses constantly rising, the board must always look for new sources of revenue, said Supervisor Jasper Caro. The proposed 2008 budget has a property tax increase of 1.5 mills, or $43.50 for the average property owner.

“We were originally talking about $100,000 worth of new equipment and I started favoring it when we cut it way down,” Caro said. “I think trying to get outside groups into the room is a good idea, provided it's not used for political purposes. If we're allowed to do it and it can help the budget, it's a good idea.”

McMonagle also would like to see other events in addition to the supervisor meetings televised over the township's cable TV government access channel.

“A good example is the global warming conference we had in the meeting room a few weeks ago, more things like that,” he said. “We could televise cultural events, music events and maybe work in conjunction with the Neshaminy School District to bring in student functions.”

December 3, 2007 7:36 AM

Fair Play

Herbert Block, who drew under the pen name of Herblock, was the Washington Post's resident editorial cartoonist for well over fifty years. He lampooned the high and mighty and deflated their ego balloons with a flick of his pen.

One of the politicians that he loved to hate was Richard Nixon. Through Nixon's house, senate and vice presidential career, Herblock refused to show Nixon as anything but an unshaven shady character (back in the day when manly chin stubble was not sexy, but declasse) who would use any means, fair or foul, to achieve his ends.

Then the incredible happened! Nixon was elected President of the United States of America. And so Herblock gave Nixon one free shave and never again portrayed him as a sinister dark jowled character.

In the end, Nixon threw away Herblock's generous gesture in a little thing known collectively as Watergate, but that's another story.

Which brings us to Morrisville 2007, where for better or for worse, a new school board is being seated. I oppose them and their ideas. Their narrow-mindedness truly makes me despair at the future of this town. I find their refusal to discuss their plans to have been a slap in the face of voters. Their tactics have been suspect to say the least. I find grave character flaws in them that make me wonder what anyone was thinking when they voted for these people. Then again, Hitler was elected too.

My dear departed grandmother was a sweetheart, but she was also no pushover either, and did her teaching in aphorisms. Among her memorable teachings were to forgive, but never forget; that birds of a feather flock together; and that iron needs fire to strengthen it properly.

So using the wisdom I acquired in my grandmother's classroom of human experience, I hereby award one virtual shave to the incoming Morrisville school board. It's the right thing to do. As I said before, for better for for worse, they are now the deciders. That doesn't mean I forget all that has transpired. I also believe that like minded people tend to band together, and that somewhere down the line, their Watergate will probably arrive right on time. They also have not submitted their plans to the annealing oven of public scrutiny, and only time will tell on that score. But for now, I welcome our new board, and I am willing to give them the opportunity to let us in on their secret plans.

What do you think?

Quacks from Across the Boro

While reviewing some previous postings, I ran across the comments that are being posted to the Courier Times website under Marlys Mihok's letter. I found them rather distasteful and if they are any indication of the caliber of people supporting the NSNs, Morrisville is in real trouble.

These are all posted anonymously and anyone can say anything. Keeping that in mind, a former board member is advocating book banning, someone else want to know where the good graft is for people on school boards, a third wishes Sandy Gibson well, and a fourth wants to know why a small school district has a small graduating class. I would like to think that these are made up, but....

Comments To This Article:
Overall Rating For This Article: ••••••••••

• phillyBurbs Reader - Marlys Mihok
  (11/27/2007 , Ratings: ••••• )
  Marlys - your election to the board is long overdue - congratulations!I know you will do your best, but keep your eyes open and review those textbooks- remember "The Bluest Eye?" Best wishes from a former board member.

• phillyBurbs Reader - That's where the money is
  (11/27/2007 )
  When I screened to run for the office of Township Supervisor as a slow growth advocate, I was advised by my committeeman to run for School Director because that's where the real money was. I told him I wasn't running to enrich myself, but to slow down the unrestricted growth that was occurring. I wonder if building a new school in Morrisville is where the real money is? BTW, a couple of years later several school board members and their solicitor went to jail for shaking down school developers and their engineers etc. G. Roger

• phillyBurbs Reader - Morrisville Majority Rules
  (11/27/2007 , Ratings: ••••• )
  Gibson and Company are in denial and they fail to accept the will of the people. The pro-new school people lost fair and square. Her false accusations of voter intimidation and vandalism are crap. She was desperate to justify a bad idea - an unwanted new school. Good riddance, Sandy, now leave the board and move to Yardley .

• phillyBurbs Reader - The people have spoken
  (11/27/2007 , Ratings: ••••• )
  Ever hear a politician say that? Apparently it is only appropriate when the people speak the way that the politician wanted them to speak. The Governor of New Jersey just claimed that the people who voted against his stem cell borrowing of 490 million dollars were misinformed and he would find another way to accomplish his goal. So much for "the people have spoken". BTW, how do you have a school district that graduates less than 50 High School Seniors?

QUACK!

Appreciation to our guest blogger today, courtesy of the Bucks County Courier Times.

Can you hear them now?

The Morrisville School Board said the exit survey taken at November 2006 Election Day polling places was not credible due to pro-new-school voters being intimidated by the pollsters and choosing not to voice their view. That silent majority, which is said to favor a new pre-K-through-12 school, apparently shared this with the school board president and the mayor.

The next occasion for the pro-new-school crowd to show their mandate was the May 2007 primary election. The six Stop the School candidates won the Republican slots by 74 percent of the vote and the Democrat nod by 77 percent. Still, the school board president insisted that the no-party, independents, Green Party and Libertarian voters who were turned away from the primary polling places would have carried the pro-school candidates to victory.

At the October school board meeting the board president stated that more independent voters were turned away from the primary than the total number of people who voted. This is true if voter turnout was 100 percent of registered voters.

And, finally, we arrived at the Nov. 6, 2007 general election to await the deciding vote for the three pro-new-school “Community Party” candidates.

The votes have been tallied and the overwhelming majority of voters have spoken again. The Stop the School candidates won by even more votes, 90 percent!

Madame school board president, have you heard the voters now?

Marlys Mihok

Morrisville

The Verdict of History

When he left the White House in 1953, Harry Truman was hated by the American public. I'm not sure "hated" is the correct word. "Loathed" or "despised" might even be better.

Today things are very different. If you want a quotation, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, or Harry Truman probably said it. If you want to look for an example of someone who saw "right" and did just that, Truman is the textbook example. The group "Chicago" even found a way in post-Watergate 1975 to plead with Harry to come home.

So what does HST have to do with the Morrisville schools? Two words: Sandy Gibson

Here is a woman who was elected initially as a NSN, along with Angry Al et al four years ago, and was ready to change the school board. But a funny thing happened along the way. She took a look at the evidence. And because she is a thoughtful and analytical person, the new evidence got her thinking. First mistake: thinking and considering.

In a world where "flip-flopping" is a national disgrace and consideration of an item later on with new information and rational thought is labeled as failure, Sandy truly is a flip-flopping failure. But only mindless Republibot-like apologists actually believe that. And maybe die-hard NSN supporters too.

So she went with her amended convictions. There was her second mistake: Action. But be comforted by the words of that noted shrinking violet, Theodore Roosevelt

"...the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic-the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done." (1891)

Leadership is an art form. It has been likened to working with cooked spaghetti: You can only push it, not pull it, because pulling will break it. Did she make some mistakes in the way she handled the school board. She certainly did. So did a lot of other board members. So do a lot of other living, breathing humans. Teddy mentioned that as well

"The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything."

So now, all of those who find it easier to criticize proposed solutions to tough problems than to offer up solutions of their own for criticism are now lining up to give Sandy one more uninformed swift kick before her departure. Let's be happy for Sandy...it's her Independence Day from Angry Al, Ducky, and the rest of the No Sports League. Now they can all line up and gossip about the house she's selling, and why she's leaving town, and how she's just like (insert name of other excoriated ex-Morrisvillian who diasgreed with the NSN's - Ken Junkins comes to mind), she moved into town just long enough to mess things up, then left town with us holding the bag.

What it comes down to is that a very talented, articulate, and dedicated, person gave her all for the children of Morrisville, and we are losing a valuable public servant. She is not the first board member to have received threats against herself and her family. I hope that she is the last.

And what of the NSNs? Our second president, John Adams had a thought about that...

On March 4, 1797, America's first orderly transferal of power occurred in Philadelphia when George Washington stepped down and John Adams took the oath as the second president of the United States. Many spectators were moved to tears during this emotional affair, not only because Washington's departure brought an era to a close, but because the ceremony represented a triumph for the republic. ...He also noted Washington's joy at surrendering the burdens of the presidency. In fact, Adams believed that Washington's countenance seemed to say: "Ay! I am fairly out and you fairly in! See which of us will be the happiest."

Accountability, Part II

How can the NSNs claim with a straight face that the schools are structurally sound and well maintained. They vote against repairs. How is this being accountable or responsible?

Issue: Capital reserve expenditures for maintenance costs for air conditioning, electrical panel and related equipment at M.R. Reiter Elementary School's upper level, school property sidewalks and for bid to air condition multi-purpose room at Grandview Elementary School

Vote: Approved 6-3 with Heater, Radosti and Worob opposed

Impact: Air conditioning, electrical panel cost: $22,500; sidewalk repair: $16,500

Comments! Get Your Comments Here!

At the request of several readers, I have changed the commenting from requiring a Blogger ID to being anonymous. This means that anyone can post a comment. However, I have placed all comments on moderate pending review and approval for publication with the usual rules of cyber-posting applying. So sharpen up those keyboards and comment away!

Accountability

Yesterday, while we were going over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house for a gigantic turkey dinner, my children began fighting with each other. As this is a rare (daily) occurrence, we took very little notice of the commotion and name calling. Until one of them broke the cardinal rule. The response to something one said was, "That's stupid!"

To explain, we have instituted a pretty rigid rule in our family. We especially encourage debate of ideas and we require opinions. Critical thinking is a required course, and since I have not yet received a passing grade from MY parents, why would my kids even dream that they could obtain one from me? Within reason, you can say pretty much what you want, but uninformed opinion, without some sort of backup, is not tolerated. Something can be stupid, but you better be ready to show where the stupidity is. No one has a monopoly on truth or virtue.

My spouse's radar screen went wild when "That's stupid!" was uttered and looked at me with rolling eyes, knowing full well what was coming next, while wishing there was a place inside the car to duck and cover. "Why is that stupid?" What evidence do you have to support that view?" The questions started rolling off my tongue. After a few stammering half hearted attempts at blustering past the point, I obtained a full confession and apology from the offending offspring. Needless to say, there was a sulky silence from the offending offspring for the remainder of the drive.

All attempts at obtaining accountability from the NSNs through the primaries and election have been successfully beaten back and/or deflected, mainly because there is no one in charge threatening to pull the car over and demand explanations. And, indeed, as a candidate, while there was some moral imperative to providing campaign promises with specifics, there was no real obligation to provide anything more than a successful case to "Vote for Me!"

On December 3, 2007, that grace period ends. For better or for worse, the NSNs are no longer candidates: they are board members, with the responsibility to answer to all of the citizens of Morrisville, not just the ones who voted for them. Since Biblical times, it has been the practice for leaders, as well as other citizens, to be accountable to each other. Indeed, the framers even wrote this into the US Constitution in the checks and balances between the three branches of government, requiring interdependent accountability.

Think for a moment about the service you require from your employees. Before you protest you don't have employees, think about your plumber, contractor, mechanic, and even your doctor. Haven't you employed them by engaging their services? Don't you have strict expectations and requirements for their performance? And don't you hold them to that standard?

I encourage all Morrisville citizens, yes, even those who supported the NSNs, to require accountable progress from these elected servants of the people. They are now our employees. Ask them what they are doing. And think about the response you get. Evaluate for yourself if progress is being made.

And Now For Something Completely Different..

Many, many thanks to the person who emailed this to me. Laughter is a wonderful thing, even while standing on the deck of the Titanic.

WARNING: The link does contain some mild NSFW language.

Town Hall Meeting

Perhaps the writer lives in Morrisville. They have apparently been at some of the public meeetngs.

It's Deja Vu All Over Again!

I have to admit, I'm not sure how I feel about this particular idea, but reading this writer's commentary, all I could hear pounding inside my head was "Morrisville...Morrisville.." I underlined the lines that I thought most resembled what the NSNs did.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- Score one for the knee-jerk naysayers. You know the type: those who find it easier to criticize proposed solutions to tough problems than to propose solutions of their own, which then could be criticized.

Faced with the problem of what to do with thousands of illegal immigrants who drive on state roadways every day to go to work for people who insist with a straight face that they want nothing to do with illegal immigrants, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed a controversial, yet terribly sensible, plan to give the undocumented a state-issued driver's license that would be easily discernible from licenses carried by U.S. citizens and legal residents.

The plan hit roadblocks with the extremes, on the right and the left -- which is always a good sign. But the criticism kept mounting. And now Spitzer has put the brakes on the plan after a brief but intense debate.

Correction. It wasn't really a debate. It was the rhetorical equivalent of a food fight in which pragmatism and common sense took a back seat to name-calling, fear-mongering and misrepresentation of fact -- with a dash of racism.

Yes, racism. That word is sometimes overused in the immigration debate. And yet the concept isn't exactly obsolete. Sometimes the sheet fits.

In this case, racism is the word that Spitzer used to describe some of the more toxic feedback his office received from angry constituents and onlookers from around the country after the driver's license plan was pilloried by everyone from presidential candidates to cable talk-show hosts.

Here's the problem. The naysayers once again let their fear of what could happen blind them to the fact that, well, it already has happened.

When lawmakers proposed a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants, the naysayers reflexively called it "amnesty" -- which is, in essence, what we have now.

When lawmakers proposed offering that path to young people who pursue higher education, the naysayers called it -- wait for it -- "amnesty" -- and imagined a scenario where illegal immigrants would attend U.S. colleges and universities, which is what happens now.

And when a handful of governors, including Spitzer, proposed giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, the naysayers objected lest we end up with a situation where motorists share the highways with illegal immigrants, which is what happens now.

These folks have a simple approach to problems: Ignore them, and they'll go away. Or better yet, portray those who come up with solutions as the problem. That's the game that GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was playing recently when he told CNN Headline News host Glenn Beck that he would punish states that give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

When it comes to the immigration issue, we really are two Americas. There are those who sometimes have to make unpleasant choices because they live in states that are home to illegal immigrants, and then there are those who are just as comfortable living in a state of denial.

Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune and a nationally syndicated columnist.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.

At least, it's nice to see it ain't just us.

You Don't Know Morrisville

Thank you to our recently joining readers. I appreciate the good wishes as much as I laugh at and subsequently delete the flame emails.

I've seen a recurring theme coming through recently, "You Don't Know Morrisville", and perhaps it might be a good idea to explore it.

My parents recently moved from our hometown after 45 years of living there. They were STILL outsiders, because they were not part of the intermarried Polish and Italian immigrant families of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that are still represented there today. I remember being absolutely amazed to find out how *incestuously* intermarried the town was and that everyone was related to everyone else, with only two or three degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon. You could walk through the town cemetery and see the names of the founding families were the same names on the street signs, and were the same names in the phone book. THEY were the town, and everyone else was an outsider.

So what is different here in Morrisville? Not much apparently. Different names, but apparently similar thinking. Even after the decades I've spent here, I'm still finding out that X is related to Y who is related to Z and being amazed by the connections. The only minor difference is that I'm amazed to find out that A was a classmate of B at the high school and that both their kids are in the same class today. You especially find out items like that at Gym Night, another long tradition.

So just what is the YDKM mindset? And could Morrisville potentially be a wonderful successor to Castle Rock, Maine for Stephen King's next set of intricately interwoven small town horror stories? I've come up with two opposing but similar themes:

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons. You're not one of the power families, and you are crunchy and delicious with ketchup".
"Morrisville is a dreary unchanging place and the sooner you outsiders leave and let us return to our dreary unchanging lifestyle, we'll all be happier. Pass the ketchup".

Do you have another view? And what are some of the stories that someone who says YDKM would know? How would this understanding help us to better understand how Angry Al, Captain Algebra, the No Sports League, and Ducky were able to pull this off?

Resignation Scuttlebutt, Part II

While discussing this rumored resignation ballet with some friends, two interesting points were brought up. Realizing that this is all speculation:

1) If either Mr. Radosti or Mrs. Heater are resigning, could they be accused of having run false campaigns, thereby defrauding the voting public, or

2) If they take the oath of office and then resign, could they be accused of taking a false oath?

I mean, if the accursed one, Sandy Gibson, were going to be doing something like this, wouldn't the NSNs already be sharpening up the pitchforks and lighting the torches for the midnight raid to drive the infidel from our midst?

Resignation Scuttlebutt

Two separate sources tell me that two current NSN school board members are contemplating resigning once the new majority is seated. Can anyone confirm anything along these lines?

Look into the Crystal Ball

One of the things I love about history is how it repeats. George Santayana said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Bernard Shaw wryly noted in his corollary, "We learn from history that we learn nothing from history."

We see that it's not the exact occurrences that keep repeating: JFK will never be president again, but there are presidents like Clinton (Bill, not Hillary) who are Kennedyesque, evoking memories of JFK. Napoleon will never again be defeated by the Russian winter, but Hitler went and tried just to be sure.

So where am I going with this? Well, I'm going to apply my crystal ball and soothsaying skills to see how the next four years are going to turn out.

A) Paging Dr. Yonson: I apologize that you came to work in a school district with erratic elected officials. Like several of your predecessors, I see the superintendent's chair again being vacant. Note for the new board: There is a reason why George Steinbrenner has not written a book on management. Repeated firing and hiring is not an accepted way to foster faith and trust. The John Gould witch hunt was farcical and I can hardly wait to see who is going to spearhead the jihad against Dr. Yonson. (BTW: Anyone know the outcome of the John Gould lawsuit against Councilman and school board spouse Worob?) UPDATED Nov 25: Sorry for the delay, but this was obtained from a cracked crystal ball. Dr Yonson received a new five year contract, despite the opposition from the NSNs.

Issue: Superintendent's new contract

Vote: Approved 6-3 with Heater, Radosti and Worob opposed

Impact: Salary will be $130,000 for the first year of the new, five-year contract, effective July 1.

B) Karma: What goes around, comes around. You reap what you sow. Do you remember how Sandy Gibson ran on a ticket with the NSNs four years ago? When she looked at the facts and the studies, and came to the realization that building a new school was a regrettable, but necessary move, the NSNs began a virtual jihad against her. And now the bogey-woman is gone. She and all her "minions" have been removed. (Sounds like all the Jedi Knights have just been killed, doesn't it? Should we cue the Vader march?)

But let's look six months down the line. What happens to one of the more thoughtful NSNs (I'm assuming a lot, but work with me, OK?) when they reach the realization that Sandy was right! After recovering from the faint on the floor, how will they approach the Evil Empire? What happens when the promised tax savings do not materialize and the people revolt? How will the "new" board react when someone hands THEM stuffed lame ducks? (I imagine the duck woman will be the first to speak out against it!) The reprehensible tactics used by the QSRE group and the Stop the School people against opponents will come back to haunt them. Can you imagine these board NSNs month after month being harangued from the floor by the people who elected them? How long before Angry Al cracks under pressure?

C) The Hubbert Peak: What does something about oil depletion have to do with the school board? Plenty. Simply stated, this theory charts oil depletion saying that the first 50% of oil extracted from the ground is the easiest to take and the best quality available. We can debate the merits of the argument of oil reserves, but the theory itself is fairly reasonable.

I am sure that they can find something to cut that will be able to be endured and/or accepted without major hardship to students, staff, or physical plant. I'm guesstimating that most of the cuts that can be made "painlessly" have been made, or will be made shortly by the new regime. That's the first 50%, the "easy" 50%...But then comes the question:

"What's Next?" ™

Here is where Captain Algebra and the No Sports League come to the rescue, slashing the math department, gutting the history department, eradicating the athletics department, doubling the price of lunches, and whatever else they can do to cut costs and raise money. Maybe charge the kids for each hall pass? "Sorry, Bobby. You were absent yesterday. Thank you for your note, but you forgot the five dollar fee to process it." Yes, this is an absurd list of things, but let's ask what actually IS on their list?

I have this fantasy wish, that I could be in the room when the seven NSN board members are sitting there and the Oh-No Second hits. That's been variously described as the infinitesimal fraction of time between slamming the door and remembering the car keys are inside, or the time you hit "send" on the private message but realise you really hit "reply all." This will be the time that they realise that governing is harder than campaigning and that they are in a very deep swamp of doo-doo. Which leads to...

D) Depletion. Before the year 2008 is over, at least one of these NSNs will resign because they couldn't take it. It will mean nothing because a willing lackey will be put in their place. But it's on my list of predictions.

Anyone out there care to add to the list?

Anger Management Control Classes ARE Available

It's really interesting to see how the internet has changes the world. In the old days, you had to trudge down to the office to obtain a copy of the minutes opf previous meetings. Now...all you do is press a button and they appear.

Apparently Mr. Radosti has anger problems and the Morrisville Police refused to act, citing Mr. Radosti's involvement with the department. Aren't you NSNs proud of this?

Check out the minutes from the October 24 2007 meeting.

Dr. Gibson wanted to take this opportunity to respond to Mrs. Worob’s statement made last month. She
stated this was a very angry letter and she was not going to take on this anger. I don’t want to have anger at
you in my heart. I’m not going to take on your 7-page character attack. I pray that you find some goodness
in your heart so that you don’t do this to other people.
Mrs. Worob responded it was just business, Sandy. Not having a meeting was kind of serious to me.
Dr. Gibson I understand that and I am sharing my response with you.
Dr. Gibson advised that the Board met in executive session on October 3, 10, and 17 in regard to the
Superintendent’s contract. On Oct. 3 my children were in attendance. Everyone was kind, said how nice it
was to see them and welcomed them into the room. During the meeting Mrs. Heater and Mr. Radosti
became enraged talking about the school issue, which is not an executive session item and should have not
been discussed. They stood up, started screaming and personally attacking my character in front of my
children.
Mrs. Heater stated that’s not true. What happened was that Dr. Gibson jumped out of her seat and ran
toward Mr. Radosti with her hand exposed like a child.
Dr. Gibson advised she is filing charges against Mrs. Heater and Mr. Radosti for their behavior. She
verbalized examples of how terrified her children are since this incident.
Mrs. Heater stated that Dr. Gibson is not credible.
Dr. Gibson we will see what the police have to say about it. Chief Jones has decided it will be
investigated by the county detectives because of Mr. Radosti’s relationship with the local police. When the
officers arrived he told them nothing is going on; don’t worry about it. When Mrs. Manning tried to give
them her statement they told her they didn’t need it because they had Al’s and that’s all they needed. I can
not even express the trauma that was caused to my children. They are afraid that you are going to come to
our house and kill them. That is the rage that these individuals displayed in this meeting. We had to call
911 in order for us to safely leave the building. Mr. Radosti has in the past informed me that he keeps a gun
in his car. He has repeatedly told me that if I do not stop with the new school people are going to start to
attack me physically. Mrs. Heater has told me that people might kidnap my children. Mrs. Heater denied
this statement. My family has felt incredibly threatened by these behaviors. Mr. Radosti offered to fight
Mr. Kemp in the parking lot afterwards. Mrs. Heater stated that is so false. Unfortunately, this Board has
become accustomed to these types of behaviors. Mr. Radosti repeatedly has screamed in our executive
sessions. Mrs. Heater stated you shouldn’t have been screaming at us; we just defended ourselves.
She said she was repulsed at me. She attacked me first. Dr. Gibson I was repulsed by what you were doing
to my children. We live in a civilized society and I certainly hope as Board members we can behave civillaly with each other in the future.
Mr. Radosti stated what she says is not true – period.
Mr. Kemp stated what she says is true.
Mrs. Worob I was there as well and I will talk to the investigator

Let's be honest. The NSNs are going to see Heater, Worob, and Radosti as the victims, and the PSPs are going to see Gibson, Kemp, and Manning as the victims. Perception colors what we see today, but time will tell who are the real victims here. It's going to be the taxpayers of Morrisville Borough.

Don't you feel safer though knowing that a man with anger problems travels around with a gun in his car and at his advanced age is still challenging other kids to fight in the schoolyard at recess?

This blog is going away...NOT

Several people have emailed me to ask if this blog is disappearing now that the school has been given a big fat "F" by the borough council and the incoming school board.

Not on your life!

There are too many characters involved here to ignore them and their shenanigans. It would be like passing up free money.

What's Next?

Does anyone remember President Josiah Bartlet from "The West Wing"? We got to watch how the sausage was actually made from the inside. Each time this swiftly moving show reached a conclusion on one issue, Bartlet would always ask, "What's Next?"

Well, next month, Morrisville is going to be putting six new sausage makers in office, under the leadership of President-elect Radosti. (At least, that's my guesstimate.) All of these months of secret planning and late night cram sessions complete with thick briefing books will finally come to fruition. "Stop The School"™ is over. The school is stopped. The question that the PSPs have been asking should now also be the question that the NSN supporters should be asking.

"What's Next?" ™

Because we don't know what's next. You, the NSN supporters, bought a pig in a poke and didn't look the horse in the mouth and obligingly swallowed the claims of a group of snake oil salesmen. You voted very shortsightedly with your wallets without asking how the miraculous lower taxes and better schools claims could be achieved. You saw video of board member-elect Mihok dodging questions at a community forum and also saw a candidate avoiding the tough questions in a previous post here.

At least you knew what you were getting from the PSPs--they were open and up front with the need (the deteriorating buildings and the inadequate upkeep), the solution (a new school) and the cost ($30 million). The need still exists. The solution is now unknown, and the cost is anyone's guess. When the sausage grinder begins operating next month, what's going to come out? Don't blame me: I voted for Gore. I also voted for the Community Candidates.

The school is dead. Long live the school.

Congratulations to the NSNs. As I said before, they ran a great campaign. Here's the results.

School District - Morrisville SD

School Director - 2 Year		Vote for 1	View Results by District
Democrat
Bill Farrell		1004		55.3%
Republican
Bill Farrell		496		27.3%
Community
Jessica Fox		314		17.3%

School Director - 4 Year		Vote for 5	View Results by District
Democrat
Robin Reithmeyer		1080		13.2%
Bill Hellmann		1033		12.6%
Alfred A. Radosti		1016		12.4%
Marlys Mihok		1027		12.5%
Gloria Heater		985		12%
Republican
Robin Reithmeyer		486		5.9%
Bill Hellmann		467		5.7%
Alfred A. Radosti		457		5.6%
Marlys Mihok		474		5.8%
Gloria Heater		460		5.6%
Community
Felice Fava		355		4.3%
Gregory Gunzelman		345		4.2%

VOTE!!

Today's the day: Election Day! Do not take your right to vote for granted. There are veterans buried at Concord, Gettysburg, Manila Bay, Pointe du Hoc, Bataan, and Inchon, who died to keep you free. Honor their sacrifice with a sacrifice of your own. Brave the rain and VOTE.

Ward Location and Address
1st Morrisville Senior Citizens Center, 31 E Cleveland Ave
2nd Morrisville Library Building, 300 N Pennsylvania Ave
3rd Capitol View Fire Company, 528 N Pennsylvania Ave
4th Grandview Elementary School, Grandview Ave

Problems in voting?

Bucks County Board of Elections
55 E. Court St.
Doylestown, PA 18901
Board of Elections - 215-348-6154
elections@co.bucks.pa.us

Some services are also available at the
Government Services Centers:

Lower Bucks County
7321 New Falls Road
Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: 215-949-5800

Thank You!

Apparently I've been hiding my light under a bushel a little too well. I received several thank you emails from people who have stumbled over this blog. I appreciate your well wishes!

See the Stop the School people in action!

Al Radosti wants to cut sports.
Robin Reithmeyer agrees
Bill Farrell wants to eliminate algebra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCxKstSPw-g

Marlys Mihok says the Stop the Schoolers are too busy to tell what they will do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=990iDVUF8aU

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Who needs to write when there's talented people out there who see the light and see these grumpy and embittered old NSNs for what they are. See today's Courier Times for this excellent guest editorial.

Also visit the great http://www.independentleadership.com/ site to see what can be done with visionary leaders. See the footage of the NSNs in action ignoring the electorate!

Mean-spirited tactics don’t produce healing

BY ANN PERRY

The great thing about opinions, especially in this great land of ours, is that everyone can have one. Ed Bailey wrote in his Oct. 23 letter that Morrisville’s “Stop the School” candidates don’t “hate kids,” do “care about education,” and have not used “threats and intimidation.”
While Bailey is entitled to his opinions, the above statements are not supported by fact. From personal experience, I have grave concerns about the character and ideology of the “Stop the School” candidates and their ardent supporters, such as Bailey. And as their mean-spirited antics continue, others are beginning to catch on, and wonder whether they’re the right people for the job.
My experience with the “Stop the Schoolers” has been nothing but negative: from insulting and stonewalling parents at meetings, to picketing people’s homes, to the vitriol directed at past and current school board members who voted for the new school project.
Bailey claims the “Stop the School” candidates promise to heal the community and that they speak for three quarters of the town. Fact is the number of independent and other minor voters greatly outnumber the total number of people who voted in May’s primary election. Bailey’s candidates do not speak for most parents and others concerned about the tactics of the “Stop the School” campaign.
As for our association with outgoing school board President Sandy Gibson, let’s review. Four years ago, Gibson ran with four others, two of whom (Radosti and Heater) now appear on the “Stop the School” ticket. I didn’t vote for any of them. But they, with the support of people who are now rabid “Stop the Schoolers,” prevailed and elected Sandy Gibson as board president. When their dream of merging with Pennsbury failed once again, the board commissioned yet another study on how to address deteriorated conditions in the existing school buildings, carefully weighed its options, and made a tough decision to build a new school.
Unfortunately, Bailey and the “Stop the School” candidates are masters at slamming anyone who disagrees with them, then acting like innocent victims, denying things they’ve said and done. But don’t take my word for it. Please visit the Web site www.independentleadership.com for further information.
The Community Party candidates Felice Fava, Jessica Fox, and Greg Gunzelman are running as an alternative to the egregious behavior that has characterized the “Stop the School” campaign. Like the many other registered independents in town, they weren’t able to vote for school board candidates in the May primary election. The Community Party candidates have not endorsed the new school project either. They do, however, want to move away from the extremism and negativity that have pervaded the educational debate in Morrisville, and towards reasonable and moderate leadership.
If you’re as appalled by the “Stop the School” candidates’ words and deeds as I am, please give Fava, Fox, and Gunzelman a chance on Nov. 6. Otherwise, we have no one to blame but ourselves for what’s to come.
Ann Perry, Morrisville, is the parent of a kindergartener in Morrisville Schools

Are the NSNs Losing It?????

I was forwarded this email thread and I think it's fascinating to see what is going on in Morrisville. The NSNs are imploding bit by bit as people see them for what they really are.

Warning--Here's the evidence. The NSNs are ready to contract out your child's education to a neighboring school district. If you thought being from Morrisville made you a paraiah before, imagine your Morrisville kid trying out for an activity or team as a contract outsider in Pennsbury, Bristol, or another school system. Trenton maybe?

The NSNs do not care about, and even ignore, the school safety issue. And I have it directly from one of the NSN candidates.

Here's the email chain. Other than removing the email addresses and specific identifying names, this is the actual chain. Thankfully, there's two dads out there who took on this candidate who is apparently too scared to reply. The truth hurts I guess...

----- Original Message ----
From: Candidate
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 6:02:26 PM
Subject: Lies

Dear XXXX,

It is not true that we will send students to Bristol Township Schools or cancel art, music or sports. Teachers and administration all have contracts and can not be fired by the Stop The School candidates. These are all lies made up by desperate people who are willingly to say anything to win your vote for the Community candidates.

We intend to give our children the best education that the 24,000 dollars we spend on each student will allow. And that is much more than they are getting now. Please do not believe these lies spread by people who lost in the primary election and dredged up three people to continue their agenda to build this poorly planned, inferior constucted school. They sold bonds for this project at 8 dollars a thousand when the going rate is 3.75. Why? For who's benefit? And this is just the tip of the iceberg. We have information on the architect, engineering firm and the obnoxious attorney Kaplin that we can't come out with untill after the election.

Just think about it. Bristol !? Really !? Why send our kids to the only district with test score lower than ours? Lies, lies and more lies.

XXXXX XXXXX

----- Original Message -----

From: Mom
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 9:16 PM

Subject: Re: Lies

Okay Moms Read Below

Thank you XXXXX : )

XXXXX XXXXX

----- Original Message ----
From: Dad 1
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 12:02:18 PM
Subject: Lies

THIS IS A DAD,

WHAT YOU SAY SOUNDS GOOD BUT IF ITS A LIE THEN WHY IS THERE A WITNESS TO MR XXXXX TALKING ABOUT SENDING OUR KIDS TO BRISTOL. IF THIS IS SUCH A LIE THEN WHY DID MR XXXXX SAY IT.

XXXXX XXXXX

----- Original Message ----
From: Dad 2
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 1:46 AM
Subject: Re: Lies

Hi XXXXX
Thanks for this email. However I question anything said in here. I see
conspiracy ramblings about people getting rich and alleged information that
canot be revealed until after the election. If it is all so important, why isn't
it released now to ensure a victory on election day? We are to support these
people yet they still have yet to reveal what they are going to do. Even with
seven months since the May primary they have to refute stories rather than
defending their plan. Doesn't that make you wonder?

----- Original Message ----
From: Candidate
Subject: Re: Lies
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2007 4:03:56 PM

Dear XXXXX XXXXX,

I am not aware of the alledged statement that XXXXX XXXXX made to your undisclosed person.XXXXX XXXXX wouldn't say such a thing and I am certain your information must be incorrect. If you wish to speak to XXXXX XXXXX personally I would be happy to pass along his phone number to you so you may speak to the source.

I appreciate your concerns as a Dad in our district and I can assure you we have your childs education as our highest priority. We need to hold our teachers accountable for every childs progress in the district and direct more of your tax dollars toward that goal and not a new building. You may hear about our dangerous buildings but if that were true students would not be occupying classrooms now. The current school board can point out no dangerous conditions because none exist.

If I can answer any more of your questions please feel free to e-mail me again.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

XXXXX XXXXX

----- Original Message ----
From: Dad 2
Subject:Re: FW: Re: Lies
Date:Monday, October 29, 2007 5:11:29 PM

Dear Group--

I received this reply from XXXXX,
regarding the issue that was brought up concerning the rates in bonds between
3.75 and 8 per thousand.

It would seem that this would clear up any mischaracterizations on this subject
to the satisfaction of all concerned and the tip of this "iceberg" is quickly
melting.

Thanks,
XXXXX
-----Original Message-----
From: XXXXX XXXXX
Subject: ANswer to your question

Hi XXXXX,
Below is the answer to your question.
The reason we were charged 8% instead of 3.5% is because of the small
amount of money we borrowed. It's like anything else - the more of
something we purchase the less we have to pay it. The people that did
our bonding have to do the same work whether they do it for $28.5
million or $200 million. They are therefore going to charge less
(percentage wise) on the $200 million bond because the cost will be
spread out over more dollars than the small issuance. Also the
districts that issue the larger $ bonds are usually the bigger districts
that have better purchasing power.
I hope this answers your question. Please feel free to contact me if you have
any additional questions. Also, please feel free to forward this response to
others who share your concern.
Regards,
XXXXX XXXXX

----- Original Message ----
From: Dad 1
Subject:Re: Lies
Date:Monday, October 29, 2007 10:15:25 PM

XXXXX,

thank you for replying to me. i would like to know what is the plan for the schools and the kids if you and those running with you are elected. it would be nice to get an email from each candidate about this issue and this issue alone. is shipping the children to another school an option or is that something that you would never consider. i am more than satisfied with the morrisville schools and i have had two girls in school here for 3 years now. i do not want them to go anywhere else. not bristol and not pennsbury. and if that means that we need to build a new school then i am fine with that but the one thing i do not want to see happen is children having to go anywhere else to school. if you send them to a worse school district then they suffer and if you send them to a better and "bigger" district then they lose out in sports and activities because most would be cut from the teams. as for my source the first was a high school student and did not mention XXXXX XXXXX just that the "new school board" was planning to ship the 9-12 grades to bristol. then when i did some checking with people that should know whether this was true one of those people named XXXXX XXXXX as having stated that the plan was to ship out the 9-12 grades to bristol. i will contact my source and ask them to come forward.

what scares me the most is who can i really believe? as candidates you can tell us whatever we want to hear to get our vote and then
once elected for the next four years you have the majority and can do whatever you like because, if i understand correctly, the school board does not need the public's permission on the decisions that they make. so the only time i have any say in what the school board does is on election day and that is once every four years. there are two questions that each candidate needs to answer for me before i can give them my vote and that is

1. what is the plan for the schools. shipping out or staying here.

2. will you agree to resign if you change your position after the election.

no political dancing around the issue answers direct and specific please. i am not interested in other issues just those two.

i know i am being a pain about all this but i have a heart for the young people of morrisville and so it is not just about my kids but all the kids in the morrisville area.

thanks,

XXXXX XXXXX

----- Original Message ----
From: Dad 2
Subject: Re: Lies
Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:41:14 AM

Dear Group--

Thank you XXXXX! I second this request. For far too long all we hear is "Stop
the School". The next question is the one that is always ignored -- "What's
Next?" I have been waiting since before the primaries to hear what their plan
is. It's easy to say no new taxes (and support no new taxes) without needing to
face the realities of life.

My kids want the Morrisville schools. That's why we bought our home here. But
I'm not going to buy a secret plan either.

At the risk of starting more unwanted conversation, I ferverently disagree with
the statement
> "You may hear about our dangerous buildings but if that were true students
would not be occupying
> classrooms now. The current school board can point out no dangerous conditions
> because none exist."

Has anyone read the buildings report, freely available from the mv.org website?

http://mv.org/files/news/School%20District%20Building%20Reports%20%2Epdf

I see quite a bit that is potentially dangerous just by using the search feature on the word "unsafe"

The air handling units and ductwork are over forty years old, are
unreliable, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are, in part,
unsafe for continued use.

Branch circuit panelboards are approximately forty years old and are in
poor condition. The ability to safely interrupt fault current upon short
circuit, or overload is highly suspect. Replacement circuit breakers are not
available for these panels. The overall condition is unsafe for future use.

The propane-fired water heater appears to be over twenty years old and
beyond its useful service life. The system may be unsafe in view of the age of
the existing system, and original safety devices now required of equipment
manufacturers.

The Electric service equipment (Federal Pacific) lost UL Certification in
1981, the existing equipment is unsafe for continued use, much less future use.

If people sue because McDonald's coffee is too hot, what will the lawsuit
responsibility be for the Stop the School people if someone gets hurt because of a defective
school electrical system or unsafe ductwork?

Frankly, if XXXXX's request and my seconding for a fuller explanation goes
unanswered, why should anyone support the Stop the School people?

Thanks,
XXXXX

Wow! So let's put this into context. Here's the NSN agenda:

• Stop the School! But don't ask us any more questions. Vote for us! And then we can ignore you.
  
• We're not sending the kids to Bristol. But don't ask us about other school districts we might send the kids to.
• LIES! LIES! LIES! Our opponents spread LIES! But don't look too closely into our wildly inaccurate statements. We want to Stop the School!
• If you're not with us, you're against us. Stop asking for our plan. That just proves you're against us.
  
• There's nothing physically unsafe about the schools. The buildings report is a LIE. And you know we would never LIE!
• The attorney is obnoxious, the current school board is obnoxious, the architect is obnoxious, and they all LIE! We know the best course. And, by the way, questioning us is obnoxious and only obnoxious people lie, so you are all LIARS!

There you are ladies and gentlemen: The American political system in action, the model for democracy around the world.

Sorry for the Lack of Posts

Hi everyone--

Sorry for the lack of posting, but I have a real job, a mortgage to pay, and kids to raise. It's been a long couple of weeks.

Here's something that was in the Courier Times on Sunday. It doesn't directly deal with the Morrisville board, but the lesson is instructive.

Dirty trick

Web of deceit

Pennsbury voters have more to consider than just the candidates’ positions on issues.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Ethan Shiller has a poster of Richard Nixon hanging in his home. Among other things, the former president was known for the “dirty tricks” that were part of his ill fated 1972 re-election campaign.
Shiller’s running for Pennsbury school board.
We refer to the dirty trick Shiller’s campaign pulled on his opponent, incumbent Gene Dolnick. Shiller’s software development company purchased the domain name reelectdolnick.com. And anybody who went to the site was directed to Shiller’s own campaign Web site, where Dolnick is bashed.
The phony Dolnick site was taken down a few hours after our reporter called Shiller, who immediately offered to donate money from the sale of the domain to the school district. But that doesn’t mean Shiller accepted responsibility for the incident. He blamed it on his “campaign” and he called it a “regrettable mistake.”
Pennsbury watchdog Simon Campbell blew the whistle on the site. He called the incident a “serious ethical and legal issue” and reported it to the county Board of Elections.
We agree the incident raises questions about ethics; the Board of Elections will determine if it violated the law, as the state election code seems to state. If so, the state attorney general could request Shiller’s removal from the ballot.
Said Dolnick of the incident: “It demonstrates the true character of my opponent.”
That assessment is among information voters should evaluate in determining who they want to represent them on the school board.

If you support the NSNs, what do YOU know about their true character? And are you really sure that you want to elect them? All they have run on is the short-sighted "No New Taxes" issue. Just take a short look at the short sighted Iraq policies of the Bush Administration and ask yourself for just a minute if you really want to go down that same type of road again.

And a half-hearted "Thumbs Up" to the BCCT for raising this issue of true character. I just wish that they would use the same benchmark when reporting on Morrisville issues. Open minded independent reporting would be a refreshing change. Stop parroting press releases and actually look into the issue of a new school with an independent view.