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Thursday, May 8, 2008
Another Surveillance Photo
Our intrepid mole inside the unnamed security agency has obtained another classified photo that should not be shared with anyone.
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Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Crossposting to Kate Fratti
Kate recently updated her blog with entries on the hiring of Mike Fitzpatrick as solicitor, and the lack of quorum for the school board retreat. Please check it out and leave her some comments to let her know that we appreciate her hard work in keeping us all informed about what is happening here in the borough.
Stockham Strip Club Followup
The BCCT carries a story about the Stockham Building zoning board hearings: Denied on two counts.
Board denies building plans
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
A property owner in Morrisville proposed two ideas for the largely vacant Stockham building in the borough: a burlesque themed strip club or a 1,000-square-foot billboard.
Morrisville’s zoning hearing board, though, unanimously denied both proposals Monday night at a hearing.
Stockham Interests LLC originally proposed a first floor French-themed restaurant and a gentleman’s club on the second floor, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
The land owner was asking the zoning board for variances to allow adult entertainment in the building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street and variances from sign regulations.
But more than an hour into the hearing, Todd Colarusso, a principal with Stockham Interests, said he would kill plans for the “less-than-popular” strip club if the zoning board would allow a 1,000-square foot “soft” vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1.
“This alternative variance request will allow us to bring in the fitness center on the third and fourth floor … [and] it may very well help us attract a restaurant.”
Many residents spoke out against the gentleman’s club yet seemed to favor the billboard — or at least favor it more than a gentleman’s club.
But resident Barbara Runner said she was wary of the billboard alternative.
“I believe Mr. Colarusso, in my opinion, has threatened this board: Take Option 1 or the lesser of two evils. And I hope you gentlemen will not fall for that,” Runner said.
Stockham Interests denied the charge: “The sign alternative was brought to our attention and we brought it here in good faith as a method to make this building economically viable,” Colarusso said.
The zoning hearing board has 45 days from Monday to give a written decision on the matter, and the applicant has 30 days after that to appeal the decision.
Board denies building plans
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
A property owner in Morrisville proposed two ideas for the largely vacant Stockham building in the borough: a burlesque themed strip club or a 1,000-square-foot billboard.
Morrisville’s zoning hearing board, though, unanimously denied both proposals Monday night at a hearing.
Stockham Interests LLC originally proposed a first floor French-themed restaurant and a gentleman’s club on the second floor, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
The land owner was asking the zoning board for variances to allow adult entertainment in the building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street and variances from sign regulations.
But more than an hour into the hearing, Todd Colarusso, a principal with Stockham Interests, said he would kill plans for the “less-than-popular” strip club if the zoning board would allow a 1,000-square foot “soft” vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1.
“This alternative variance request will allow us to bring in the fitness center on the third and fourth floor … [and] it may very well help us attract a restaurant.”
Many residents spoke out against the gentleman’s club yet seemed to favor the billboard — or at least favor it more than a gentleman’s club.
But resident Barbara Runner said she was wary of the billboard alternative.
“I believe Mr. Colarusso, in my opinion, has threatened this board: Take Option 1 or the lesser of two evils. And I hope you gentlemen will not fall for that,” Runner said.
Stockham Interests denied the charge: “The sign alternative was brought to our attention and we brought it here in good faith as a method to make this building economically viable,” Colarusso said.
The zoning hearing board has 45 days from Monday to give a written decision on the matter, and the applicant has 30 days after that to appeal the decision.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Retreat!
I received a message from Joe Kemp reporting on the Cinco de Mayo School Board Director's retreat last night. The forecast for the greater Morrisville area: continuing cloudy, thunderstorms likely with intermittent snarkiness.
[UPDATED May 7, 2008 3:30 P.M.: Thanks for the blog mention.]
Retreat was attended last night (Cinco de Mayo) by directors Radosti, Farrell, Kemp and Reithmeyer and administrators Yonson and Dunford. Dr. Barry Gallosso and Joanne Perotti of the BCIU (for free) put together a PowerPoint and had the big easels out. The goal of the retreat was to find common ground and put together a short list of short-term goals we could all agree on for the district. Since we were several apples short of a consensus tree, we amended the goal to trying to figure out if there can be any trust built up between board members and administrators. Outlook gloomy, but we're going to try to do it again with full participation. Corner me sometime for comments.
Kudos to members Radosti, Farrell, Kemp and Reithmeyer, and Yonson and Dunford. Frankenfield remains on the injured reserve list. Assign an incomplete to members Mihok, Heater, Worob, and the big enchilada himself, the Emperor.
I hereby renew the open invitation to any of the nine school board members who want to comment or contribute.
[UPDATED May 7, 2008 3:30 P.M.: Thanks for the blog mention.]
Retreat was attended last night (Cinco de Mayo) by directors Radosti, Farrell, Kemp and Reithmeyer and administrators Yonson and Dunford. Dr. Barry Gallosso and Joanne Perotti of the BCIU (for free) put together a PowerPoint and had the big easels out. The goal of the retreat was to find common ground and put together a short list of short-term goals we could all agree on for the district. Since we were several apples short of a consensus tree, we amended the goal to trying to figure out if there can be any trust built up between board members and administrators. Outlook gloomy, but we're going to try to do it again with full participation. Corner me sometime for comments.
Kudos to members Radosti, Farrell, Kemp and Reithmeyer, and Yonson and Dunford. Frankenfield remains on the injured reserve list. Assign an incomplete to members Mihok, Heater, Worob, and the big enchilada himself, the Emperor.
I hereby renew the open invitation to any of the nine school board members who want to comment or contribute.
Strip Club Plans Dropped?
From the looks of things last night, it seemed like the strip club in the Stockham building was going to be a reality. The owner of the building brought in a professional urban planner who produced ten or twelve studies showing that adult entertainment does not have a negative effect on the area. I thought the coup de grâce was when he stated that there was nothing in the current Morrisville ordinance that prevented an adult bookstore from being put in a certain square footage of the Stockham building, right now!
Then the owner presented a second plan: give us a larger square footage signage variance and we'll drop the strip club variance request. The side of the Stockham Building would have a large "wallscape" nylon mesh advertising panel. The wallscape would showcase the building's tenants at first, and then generic advertising later, minus alcohol, tobacco, and condoms.
I'm appreciative of the willingness for compromise that the owner is showing. It's not a completely black and white issue here. I'm mindful of the difficulties in renting out the Stockham Building. Part is location, part is the borough's (lack of?) maintenance of the parking lot area and downtown maintenance in general, but part is the condition of the building. Any homeowner checks for the building's condition and their ability (or inability) to upgrade the purchase before buying. When the elevator in a four story building doesn't work, let's get it fixed.
This is not an issue where the owner is completely at fault for an inability to rent/sell the floor space. This is not an issue where the borough is completely at fault for making it difficult to rent/sell the floor space. There's room to work together...WITHOUT THE STRIP CLUB...
Owner offers to scrap plans for strip club
The owner of the Stockham building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street offered an alternative zoning request that would eliminate a controversial proposal to bring a burlesque-style gentleman’s club to Morrisville.
Todd Colarusso, a principal with Stockham Interests LLC, said Monday night he would scrap plans for the strip club if the zoning hearing board allowed him to put a 1,000-square-foot vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1.
More than 70 residents crowded Monday’s zoning hearing, most of whom seemed to be against the proposed gentleman’s club. As of late Monday, the zoning hearing board did not make a decision.
The original proposal called for an “upscale” French-style restaurant on the first floor and the gentleman’s club on the second floor, as well as the fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
Then the owner presented a second plan: give us a larger square footage signage variance and we'll drop the strip club variance request. The side of the Stockham Building would have a large "wallscape" nylon mesh advertising panel. The wallscape would showcase the building's tenants at first, and then generic advertising later, minus alcohol, tobacco, and condoms.
I'm appreciative of the willingness for compromise that the owner is showing. It's not a completely black and white issue here. I'm mindful of the difficulties in renting out the Stockham Building. Part is location, part is the borough's (lack of?) maintenance of the parking lot area and downtown maintenance in general, but part is the condition of the building. Any homeowner checks for the building's condition and their ability (or inability) to upgrade the purchase before buying. When the elevator in a four story building doesn't work, let's get it fixed.
This is not an issue where the owner is completely at fault for an inability to rent/sell the floor space. This is not an issue where the borough is completely at fault for making it difficult to rent/sell the floor space. There's room to work together...WITHOUT THE STRIP CLUB...
Owner offers to scrap plans for strip club
The owner of the Stockham building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street offered an alternative zoning request that would eliminate a controversial proposal to bring a burlesque-style gentleman’s club to Morrisville.
Todd Colarusso, a principal with Stockham Interests LLC, said Monday night he would scrap plans for the strip club if the zoning hearing board allowed him to put a 1,000-square-foot vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1.
More than 70 residents crowded Monday’s zoning hearing, most of whom seemed to be against the proposed gentleman’s club. As of late Monday, the zoning hearing board did not make a decision.
The original proposal called for an “upscale” French-style restaurant on the first floor and the gentleman’s club on the second floor, as well as the fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Stockham Interests Burlesque Hearing Tonight
The burlesque club application for the second floor of the Stockham building will have its zoning board variance hearing tonight at 7:30 P.M. at borough hall.
We've mentioned this project and the hearing in several places on the blog.
This sounds like a great project...until you get to the second floor plans. We do not need another R or X rated business in town.
Please come out and show your Bulldog pride and principles. Come out and let the zoning board know to reject any proposal that has any R or X rated references
We've mentioned this project and the hearing in several places on the blog.
This sounds like a great project...until you get to the second floor plans. We do not need another R or X rated business in town.
Please come out and show your Bulldog pride and principles. Come out and let the zoning board know to reject any proposal that has any R or X rated references
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Inexperienced Board Members?
We've had the members of the school board referred to as "inexperienced" recently. Is that really the case?
The Emperor: School board, zero. Former Morrisville controller.
Al Radosti: Second term
Maryls Mihok: Second tour on board.
Gloria Heater: Second term
Brenda Worob: Second term
Joe Kemp: Completing first term
Ed Frankenfield: Completing first term
Bill Farrell: Newcomer
Robin Reithmeyer: Newcomer
Let's keep in mind the board president is the inexperienced one. He also hates rules and regulations that apply to him. Combined with his natural arrogance, this is a bad way for a leader to operate.
His accomplices on the board have plenty of experience. They're the ones not doing the job to educate and guide the newbie.
Did you notice that for a newcomer, Robin Reithmeyer seems to be doing just fine?
The Emperor: School board, zero. Former Morrisville controller.
Al Radosti: Second term
Maryls Mihok: Second tour on board.
Gloria Heater: Second term
Brenda Worob: Second term
Joe Kemp: Completing first term
Ed Frankenfield: Completing first term
Bill Farrell: Newcomer
Robin Reithmeyer: Newcomer
Let's keep in mind the board president is the inexperienced one. He also hates rules and regulations that apply to him. Combined with his natural arrogance, this is a bad way for a leader to operate.
His accomplices on the board have plenty of experience. They're the ones not doing the job to educate and guide the newbie.
Did you notice that for a newcomer, Robin Reithmeyer seems to be doing just fine?
Mike Fitzpatrick is New Solicitor
Fitzpatrick named school board solicitor
[UPDATED May 7, 2008 3:30 P.M. Kate Fratti mentions this in her blog. I don't really agree with the sentiment, but I agree it's unfortunately a real and viable option. I still prefer the smaller district. That's what brought me and my family here in the first place.]
Former Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, an attorney with Begley Carlin and Mandio in Middletown, is the newest solicitor for the Morrisville School Board.
Fitzpatrick, a Middletown resident and former county commissioner, will replace Thomas Kelly of Media.
Kelly represented a prior school board, which had begun moving forward with plans to construct a new high school despite public outcry. The new board majority, which took office in December nixed that plan and recently defeased the bond lined up to pay for it.
Although this will be Fitzpatrick’s first time as a school board solicitor, the firm has a long tradition in that arena. Currently, it represents Bristol, Neshaminy, Bensalem, Centennial and Central Bucks school districts.
In 2006, Fitzpatrick lost his 8th district congressional seat to Democrat Patrick Murphy, and was expected to challenge Murphy to regain it this year. Instead, Fitzpatrick expressed interest in running against Democratic State Rep. Chris King. Not long after his announcement, Fitzpatrick declined saying a family health consideration demanded he stay closer to home. He returned to practice law full time after 12 years.
Other candidates for the solicitorship included Karen Quinn of Steif Gross Sagoskin Gilman and Classetti and Harry Glosser, a Morrisville attorney and former school board director.
Board members said they were counting on Fitzpatrick’s political connections and legislative experience to guide their way as they decide how to maintain or reorganize the small and financially beleaguered school system.
The law firm Curtin and Heefner recently finished its review of the district’s contract with school Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson. Some board members have expressed interest in reducing the duration of that 5-year agreement. No details of the Curtin and Heefner review have been released to the public yet.
[UPDATED May 7, 2008 3:30 P.M. Kate Fratti mentions this in her blog. I don't really agree with the sentiment, but I agree it's unfortunately a real and viable option. I still prefer the smaller district. That's what brought me and my family here in the first place.]
Former Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, an attorney with Begley Carlin and Mandio in Middletown, is the newest solicitor for the Morrisville School Board.
Fitzpatrick, a Middletown resident and former county commissioner, will replace Thomas Kelly of Media.
Kelly represented a prior school board, which had begun moving forward with plans to construct a new high school despite public outcry. The new board majority, which took office in December nixed that plan and recently defeased the bond lined up to pay for it.
Although this will be Fitzpatrick’s first time as a school board solicitor, the firm has a long tradition in that arena. Currently, it represents Bristol, Neshaminy, Bensalem, Centennial and Central Bucks school districts.
In 2006, Fitzpatrick lost his 8th district congressional seat to Democrat Patrick Murphy, and was expected to challenge Murphy to regain it this year. Instead, Fitzpatrick expressed interest in running against Democratic State Rep. Chris King. Not long after his announcement, Fitzpatrick declined saying a family health consideration demanded he stay closer to home. He returned to practice law full time after 12 years.
Other candidates for the solicitorship included Karen Quinn of Steif Gross Sagoskin Gilman and Classetti and Harry Glosser, a Morrisville attorney and former school board director.
Board members said they were counting on Fitzpatrick’s political connections and legislative experience to guide their way as they decide how to maintain or reorganize the small and financially beleaguered school system.
The law firm Curtin and Heefner recently finished its review of the district’s contract with school Superintendent Elizabeth Yonson. Some board members have expressed interest in reducing the duration of that 5-year agreement. No details of the Curtin and Heefner review have been released to the public yet.
Schools News Around the Blogosphere
An Initiative on Reading Is Rated Ineffective
New York Times
By SAM DILLON
President Bush's $1 billion a year effort to teach reading to low-income children has not helped improve their reading comprehension, according to a Department of Education.
In 123-page guide, state offers schools tips on stopping bullies
Boston Globe
The goal is to dispel myths: that bullies have low self-esteem, that bullying is just a part of childhood, and that victims often overreact to taunts. The advice is often simple: Increase supervision where students get on and off buses and in the lunchroom, where some of the worst bullying can take place.
Californians divided over new taxes for schools, poll finds
Los Angeles Times
By Mitchell Landsberg
Californians want their public schools protected from state budget cuts and are willing to tax the rich to make that happen. But despite the threat of schools taking a beating in next year's state budget, residents are sharply divided over whether they would support higher taxes for themselves, according to a statewide poll released late Wednesday.
New York Times
By SAM DILLON
President Bush's $1 billion a year effort to teach reading to low-income children has not helped improve their reading comprehension, according to a Department of Education.
In 123-page guide, state offers schools tips on stopping bullies
Boston Globe
The goal is to dispel myths: that bullies have low self-esteem, that bullying is just a part of childhood, and that victims often overreact to taunts. The advice is often simple: Increase supervision where students get on and off buses and in the lunchroom, where some of the worst bullying can take place.
Californians divided over new taxes for schools, poll finds
Los Angeles Times
By Mitchell Landsberg
Californians want their public schools protected from state budget cuts and are willing to tax the rich to make that happen. But despite the threat of schools taking a beating in next year's state budget, residents are sharply divided over whether they would support higher taxes for themselves, according to a statewide poll released late Wednesday.
Ancient Chinese Secret?
Once the moo goo gai pan, fried rice, and the General's chicken are finished, the bill is delivered along with the fortune cookie. Rare bits of wisdom are dispensed along with the all too frequent Gil Grissom-esque zingers, lottery numbers, and the Chinese pronunciations of words.
Well now. That was rather relevant considering the past few days. Prophetic even.
I am not well versed in the tenets and teachings of other faiths, but I know where I can find Christian teaching on this topic.
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence”and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings (James 3:1-13).
Words for all of us to consider.
Well now. That was rather relevant considering the past few days. Prophetic even.
I am not well versed in the tenets and teachings of other faiths, but I know where I can find Christian teaching on this topic.
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence”and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings (James 3:1-13).
Words for all of us to consider.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Conspiracy?
There's almost always a grain of truth inside of the conspiracy theories. That puff of smoke on the grassy knoll and an inexperienced and harassed pathology team combined to provide us with forty five years of entertaining JFK conspiracy theories. There's even a great link for the Ten Wackiest Conspiracy Theories. (Numbers 5 and 9 were new to me.)Boldly ignoring the cyberspace "STOP" sign, Steve Worob has heedlessly plunged into the four way intersection of Fact and Fiction Lanes toward the ultimate destination of Wassup Dude?
The latest Insults instead of answers post is rather misspelled and awkwardly phrased. I find it entertaining that some of the people who most desperately want school standards would not be able to cut it in a ninth grade English class at Morrisville.
Why for God's sake would he ever use the name "Gould" in a written text? Ever? I wouldn't talk about Elliot Gould, Stephen Jay Gould, Gulden's Mustard, or the Gould Coast of Antarctica. Taking up his challenge to "Here’s a hint, just like here he never finished out his contract as superintendent. You can google his name with Allentown Morning Call if you feel my statement is leaking water.", I did just that.
On Monday [Feb 25, 2007], a new superintendent will take charge of the Northwestern Lehigh School District.
The Board of Education on Tuesday appointed Assistant Superintendent Susanne Meixsell to replace John Gould, who will assume a newly created position as the district's director of strategic initiatives. Meixsell will have a five-year contract.
A press release issued by the board said Gould, whose employment agreement would have expired June 30, 2008, will retire Jan. 16, 2008.
Wow. That was hard hitting, um, conclusive proof...of...what exactly? The only outrageous thing I saw was the fact that the new superintendent got a five year contract! That's scandalous! FIVE YEARS!! What school district would ever give a five year contract to a superintendent?
Oh. Sorry. My bad. [Shout-out to EHY: Keep up the good work!]
The whole statement itself is also a bit out there. I believe he's confusing one Jon for another for one thing. [Oh dear, I always get this mixed up. It's slander when it's spoken, and libel when it's written, right?] But,
28: First of all, high public offical is just an accurate description of the position and nothing more. No concete intended. And common people are regular hard working people. I put myself above no one. I’m about as blue collar as you can get. Some people will twist anything.
Kate, I didn’t think you’d have the courage to interview me. Nice excuses. But at least you get to keep your job now. Although I don’t usually read your colum, (It’s boring) it will be good to see your picture three times a week. Nice job defending your newspaper but you’re wrong again. You really should do some research before before spouting off about things you don’t know. You are a waste of time.
And Jon, oh my gosh it’s former school director Jon Franklin. I should have known but to tell the truth, I forgot all about you. You were quiet and went with the flow when you were on the board. Glad to see you’re finally speaking up 7 years later on the blog. Interesting how in one breath you believe I was guilty of malice but then you say “I believe that you believe it.” You contradict yourself Jon. Then you say “you describe things a lot differently than I remember.” Why don’t you say what these things are? Because you can’t. You don’t know anything about what happened and I didn’t see you in court. You my friend, were a self server enabler. You had blinders on and neglected to see the double billing, triple billing, and altered contracts. In fact, you enabled the thugs to spread like a cancer and wreak fiscal havoc elsewhere. Then, the students school store was even plundered. All this while the school lawyer was embellishing himself to the tune of $78,000 per year.And what about the wonderful Einstein Cyber Charter School that you favored? How many thousands of dollars were we out on that deal. Am I the only one who read the Nihill and Riedley forensic audit report on Einstein? Am I the only one who read the SEC report on the Dolphin and Bradbury Bond Company? Why do I torture myself like this? I guess it must be because I hold myself high above the common people, right Jon? You were an ardent supporter and enabler to the former superintendent. (The good doctor) Do you recall after he was Morrisville’s superintendent for over 4 years that “74% of the middle-senior high school and Grandview Elementary students performed at basic or below basic levels in math and 63% scored at basic or below basic in reading.” Do you think this could have been because the good doctor was to busy jetting around the country performing private/paid services for Classroom Conect and Interlink? You should know Jon, you approved the taxpayers paying for that. Do you remember in fact that the test results were so poor that even you became angry? I cite Courier Times news article of January 24, 2002, titled “Board hesitant to support project.” The project was the Rivers Bays and Ocean project that the good doctor and his gooooood friend Dawn wanted you to approve. I quote, “Board member Jon Franklin demanded a plan. “I think there needs to be a plan laid out for our kids to score better on tests. Is there a plan in place where administrators and teachers directly attack central elements that are leading to weaker scores?” Franklin said. “The district is in the process of developing a plan, Gould said. That was the one time i remember you speaking out. It was a flash in the pan Jon. Sorry, not good enough to make my book. Finally Jon, you were critical of the people who allegedly drove the good doctor out of Morrisville but did you happen to see how he performed at his next school district? Here’s a hint, just like here he never finished out his contract as superintendent. You can google his name with Allentown Morning Call if you feel my statement is leaking water. I could go on for hours telling things but that would spoil the book so finally Jon, keep up your good blog work for I believe you found your calling in life but do me one favor, when you criticize me and state that you “saw things differently,” please have the courage to state the examples IF YOU CAN.
Comment by:
Steve - 5.2.2008 at 12:26 am
First Act for Act I
From the BCCT this morning:
Taxpayers to reap Act 1 benefits
Bucks property owners will get an average of $236 in property tax relief next year, according to state estimates.
By BRIAN SCHEID STAFF WRITER
For the first time, Bucks County property owners will receive an average of nearly $236 next year in property tax relief from gaming revenue, according to estimates released by the state Thursday.
The amount of tax relief varies by each of the county’s 13 school districts. Bristol Township property owners will receive $289, the most of any district in the county, while property owners in the Centennial School District will receive $166, the lowest amount in Bucks. Overall, districts in Bucks will receive nearly $33.6 million in property tax relief from the state, just more than 5 percent of the $613 million in gaming revenue that will be given out to the more than 500 districts throughout Pennsylvania.
The funding is part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006, also known as Act 1, and is taken from state revenues collected from Pennsylvania’s seven slot machine casinos, including Philadelphia Park Casino in Bensalem, which opened in December 2006. Gov. Ed Rendell signed the act into law in June 2006.
As of April 27, those casinos had made gross revenue of more than $1.1 billion during the current fiscal year, including a 34 percent state tax that has climbed to more than $376.6 million as of late last month, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
According to Michael Race, a spokesman for the state Department of Education, the amount each district will receive is based on a complex formula he said benefits high property tax, low wealth districts. Based on the formula, districts with high property tax bills and low income residents will benefit most, he said.
The funding will be given directly to the school districts and the relief will be reflected in each property owner’s tax bill, Race said.
The money will cover only a small portion of most property owners’ tax bills, but likely will offset many of the proposed budget increases area school boards could approve this year, several school administrators said Thursday.
“They’re certainly not going to use this money to go on an extended vacation, but I’m sure every bit helps,” said James Lombardo, superintendent of the Bensalem School District, where an estimated 11,170 property owners are expected to receive about $203 in property tax relief from gaming revenues. “It’s nice to see some reduction.”
Lombardo said the district’s school board will consider a preliminary budget next week that calls for a $175 increase for the owner of a median assessed home.
In Bristol Township, homeowners’ tax bills could be less next year than they were this year, according to Gerry Barcik, the district’s business manager. The school board is considering a preliminary budget that calls for a $111 increase for the average homeowner while the state estimates that each of the township’s 11,729 eligible homeowners will receive $289 in tax relief.
In the Neshaminy School District, where the board will consider a preliminary budget in two weeks that calls for a $358 increase for the average homeowner, the property tax relief is a welcome and unexpected bonus for Joe Paradise, the district’s business administrator.
“The fact that we’re getting any gaming revenue at this point is great,” Paradise said. “It’s good news for taxpayers.”
Throughout the Neshaminy district, 16,602 property owners will receive an estimated $216 in property tax relief.
State Rep. John Galloway, D-140, whose district includes the Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts, said the tax relief “couldn’t come at a better time.”
“Prices for fuel, utilities and food continue going up so it gives me great pleasure to let my constituents know that at least their school property tax bill is going down,” Galloway said.
Taxpayers to reap Act 1 benefits
Bucks property owners will get an average of $236 in property tax relief next year, according to state estimates.
By BRIAN SCHEID STAFF WRITER
For the first time, Bucks County property owners will receive an average of nearly $236 next year in property tax relief from gaming revenue, according to estimates released by the state Thursday.
The amount of tax relief varies by each of the county’s 13 school districts. Bristol Township property owners will receive $289, the most of any district in the county, while property owners in the Centennial School District will receive $166, the lowest amount in Bucks. Overall, districts in Bucks will receive nearly $33.6 million in property tax relief from the state, just more than 5 percent of the $613 million in gaming revenue that will be given out to the more than 500 districts throughout Pennsylvania.
The funding is part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006, also known as Act 1, and is taken from state revenues collected from Pennsylvania’s seven slot machine casinos, including Philadelphia Park Casino in Bensalem, which opened in December 2006. Gov. Ed Rendell signed the act into law in June 2006.
As of April 27, those casinos had made gross revenue of more than $1.1 billion during the current fiscal year, including a 34 percent state tax that has climbed to more than $376.6 million as of late last month, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
According to Michael Race, a spokesman for the state Department of Education, the amount each district will receive is based on a complex formula he said benefits high property tax, low wealth districts. Based on the formula, districts with high property tax bills and low income residents will benefit most, he said.
The funding will be given directly to the school districts and the relief will be reflected in each property owner’s tax bill, Race said.
The money will cover only a small portion of most property owners’ tax bills, but likely will offset many of the proposed budget increases area school boards could approve this year, several school administrators said Thursday.
“They’re certainly not going to use this money to go on an extended vacation, but I’m sure every bit helps,” said James Lombardo, superintendent of the Bensalem School District, where an estimated 11,170 property owners are expected to receive about $203 in property tax relief from gaming revenues. “It’s nice to see some reduction.”
Lombardo said the district’s school board will consider a preliminary budget next week that calls for a $175 increase for the owner of a median assessed home.
In Bristol Township, homeowners’ tax bills could be less next year than they were this year, according to Gerry Barcik, the district’s business manager. The school board is considering a preliminary budget that calls for a $111 increase for the average homeowner while the state estimates that each of the township’s 11,729 eligible homeowners will receive $289 in tax relief.
In the Neshaminy School District, where the board will consider a preliminary budget in two weeks that calls for a $358 increase for the average homeowner, the property tax relief is a welcome and unexpected bonus for Joe Paradise, the district’s business administrator.
“The fact that we’re getting any gaming revenue at this point is great,” Paradise said. “It’s good news for taxpayers.”
Throughout the Neshaminy district, 16,602 property owners will receive an estimated $216 in property tax relief.
State Rep. John Galloway, D-140, whose district includes the Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts, said the tax relief “couldn’t come at a better time.”
“Prices for fuel, utilities and food continue going up so it gives me great pleasure to let my constituents know that at least their school property tax bill is going down,” Galloway said.
Shoes too small? Too bad.
Here's an article about a district that has rejected the SECOND citywide referendum to expand the school facilities. Note to the Emperor and friends: Imagine sending multiple referenda out to the people for repairs and they keep rejecting the expenditures. That's a safety issue too. Tell me what you'll do then. Who would you find to do the cursory repairs report then to cover your butt?
School district wrestles with expansion
By Will Hobson
For The Inquirer
Administrators and school board members in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District are again asking "What's next?" after another failed referendum proposal.
Voters last week rejected the district's proposal to borrow $30 million to pay for a renovation and expansion of Unionville High School. This was the second try for the district, as voters rejected a proposal in November to borrow $62.5 million for the high school project.
In response to the second failed referendum proposal, the district and the school board called a facilities committee meeting of the whole for Monday night, gathering the entire school board, Superintendent Sharon Parker, and a few other administrators to discuss the district's next move.
The result of the meeting, though, is that the next move is still up in the air.
The administration did have a plan C (the two referendums were for plans A and B) that was discussed Monday night.
Plan C, with a price tag of about $5 million, would add 12 modular classrooms to alleviate overcrowding in the high school, where enrollment is expected to be near 1,400 next school year, but capacity is only 1,135. Unionville already has 12 modular classrooms.
Parker said in a phone interview Tuesday that she felt the board did not not support moving forward with plan C, because most of the $5 million would be in stopgap measures - like the modular classrooms - that would be rendered useless if the proposed renovation is ever done.
Monday's meeting, attended by about 40 community members, ended around 9:15, with a board decision to continue discussion of the issue at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker said Tuesday that, if more modular classrooms are not the answer, perhaps the next step could include starting construction to add more rooms, with the district trying to fund the project itself.
In looking over responses given to a survey posted on the district's Web site last week, Parker concluded that voters still objected to the scope of the proposed renovation, which was not scaled down from November (only the funding was changed).
"That's a great concern to me, because the planned proposal was based on a needs assessment, and the needs still exist," Parker said.
Two former school board members, Jeff Hellrung and Keith Knauss, started Citizens for Efficient Education last year to oppose both referendum proposals. Despite their win on Election Day, Hellrung was less than celebratory.
"We know that we need a renovation, we know that we need an expansion, we just want to see one done with a lower scope or cost," Hellrung said.
Whatever the next step is, both sides agree that something needs to be done, and soon.
"It's not a good feeling to see the need continue," Hellrung said.
The Unionville-Chadds Ford District has tentatively scheduled another facilities committee meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school library.
Check the district Web site - www.ucfsd.org/ - for confirmation on the date.
School district wrestles with expansion
By Will Hobson
For The Inquirer
Administrators and school board members in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District are again asking "What's next?" after another failed referendum proposal.
Voters last week rejected the district's proposal to borrow $30 million to pay for a renovation and expansion of Unionville High School. This was the second try for the district, as voters rejected a proposal in November to borrow $62.5 million for the high school project.
In response to the second failed referendum proposal, the district and the school board called a facilities committee meeting of the whole for Monday night, gathering the entire school board, Superintendent Sharon Parker, and a few other administrators to discuss the district's next move.
The result of the meeting, though, is that the next move is still up in the air.
The administration did have a plan C (the two referendums were for plans A and B) that was discussed Monday night.
Plan C, with a price tag of about $5 million, would add 12 modular classrooms to alleviate overcrowding in the high school, where enrollment is expected to be near 1,400 next school year, but capacity is only 1,135. Unionville already has 12 modular classrooms.
Parker said in a phone interview Tuesday that she felt the board did not not support moving forward with plan C, because most of the $5 million would be in stopgap measures - like the modular classrooms - that would be rendered useless if the proposed renovation is ever done.
Monday's meeting, attended by about 40 community members, ended around 9:15, with a board decision to continue discussion of the issue at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker said Tuesday that, if more modular classrooms are not the answer, perhaps the next step could include starting construction to add more rooms, with the district trying to fund the project itself.
In looking over responses given to a survey posted on the district's Web site last week, Parker concluded that voters still objected to the scope of the proposed renovation, which was not scaled down from November (only the funding was changed).
"That's a great concern to me, because the planned proposal was based on a needs assessment, and the needs still exist," Parker said.
Two former school board members, Jeff Hellrung and Keith Knauss, started Citizens for Efficient Education last year to oppose both referendum proposals. Despite their win on Election Day, Hellrung was less than celebratory.
"We know that we need a renovation, we know that we need an expansion, we just want to see one done with a lower scope or cost," Hellrung said.
Whatever the next step is, both sides agree that something needs to be done, and soon.
"It's not a good feeling to see the need continue," Hellrung said.
The Unionville-Chadds Ford District has tentatively scheduled another facilities committee meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school library.
Check the district Web site - www.ucfsd.org/ - for confirmation on the date.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
So, what’s next?
Good luck Kate! I've been asking that question for months now.
Here's hoping you have better luck.
So, what’s next
Word is the Morrisville School Board is considering hiring a new person to serve as facilities director for the district. It’s unclear whether the current maintenance supervisor would keep his job.
Friday the board will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the high school to hire a new solicitor. And then, there’s the superintendent’s job. Beth Yonson’s contract was sent out for review to the law firm of Curtin and Heefner last month. No official word on whether that review has been completed. Yonson has a five-year deal with the district. School board majority members have indicated they’d like that changed.
Thoughts?
Posted by Kate Fratti at 3:02 pm |
Here's hoping you have better luck.
So, what’s next
Word is the Morrisville School Board is considering hiring a new person to serve as facilities director for the district. It’s unclear whether the current maintenance supervisor would keep his job.
Friday the board will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the high school to hire a new solicitor. And then, there’s the superintendent’s job. Beth Yonson’s contract was sent out for review to the law firm of Curtin and Heefner last month. No official word on whether that review has been completed. Yonson has a five-year deal with the district. School board majority members have indicated they’d like that changed.
Thoughts?
Posted by Kate Fratti at 3:02 pm |
Accountability and Involvement
Let's put Steve Worob and his specific issues off to the side for now. No matter what, the people in his district elected him. The same goes for the rest of the borough council as well as the Emperor and his merry band of sycophantic sheep.
I've been driving this point home for quite a while now: Those people sitting up on the dais work for YOU. They are no different than a plumber, car mechanic, doctor, contractor, or other professional service provider. You engaged them to perform a service by voting for them on election day.
Your responsibility does not stop there once you exit the polling place. Just like watching over the pot on the stove or the kids while they're crayoning, you need to provide oversight for the activities of these officials. This means you need to hold them accountable for their past, present, and future performance.
Accountability takes many forms. At the lower end, it means being educated on the issues and being involved with the process. Watch cable channels 22 and 28 to at least see the meetings. Attend in person if possible. Know what they are discussing, debating, evaluating, and/or voting on, and be knowledgeable enough to know if they are doing the job correctly or pulling a fast one on you.
Moving toward the more advanced end of the spectrum, send them letters or emails (or call, especially for those who do not have computer access.)
Maybe you would want to speak up at a meeting. (BTW, would the borough council consider voting to remove the Christmastime poinsettias from the council chamber? It is May, you know.) Let your elected officials and your neighbors know what you're thinking. Start the debate and get engaged in the process.
Let's make one thing clear: This is CIVIL debate. The name calling crap is a clear sign of the weakness in your own position. If you can't point out the merits of your plan with reasoned argument, then why are you supporting it? Morrisville has been unable to sustain a civil debate for many, many years. Stop it. There's nothing beneficial about the name calling and tattling. Let's graduate out of elementary school.
Maybe you're smarter and better than the person on the dais representing you. We all think that from time to time, and it might even be true. Are you ready to replace them and do the hard work of governing yourself? Get started now.
"I don't have the time." Perhaps so. In all our lives, time becomes a premium commodity at some points, and more freely available at others. Some people just don't have the time. I can understand that.
"Who cares what they do? They're all corrupt or liars. They don't listen anyway." Perhaps so again. But who let them get that way? You did. Without accountability, every human becomes irresponsible. Our politicians can lie, cheat, steal, and perform as they desire without you there to tell them it's unacceptable.
Please don't write in to say, "But I know XXXXX is doing a great job!" There are several council and board members who are doing the hard work of governing. There are several who are not. We know who they are just by taking a few minutes to observe what they do. It isn't about how they voted on particular issues, because opinions change on a daily basis depending on how the wind is blowing and our current vantage point. Promising the world on Election Day is easy. Following through on those promises is the hard part.
Remember the last time you wrote that check to the mechanic for the car repairs? Did you ensure that the work was performed correctly and within the agreed upon standards? Of course you did! You probably hated writing the check, but you know it was a fair exchange of labor for cash.
So now ask yourself, did your elected official do what they needed to do? Are they deserving of your support in the next election? If the answer is no, then why are you reaching for the button to re-elect them?
I've been driving this point home for quite a while now: Those people sitting up on the dais work for YOU. They are no different than a plumber, car mechanic, doctor, contractor, or other professional service provider. You engaged them to perform a service by voting for them on election day.
Your responsibility does not stop there once you exit the polling place. Just like watching over the pot on the stove or the kids while they're crayoning, you need to provide oversight for the activities of these officials. This means you need to hold them accountable for their past, present, and future performance.
Accountability takes many forms. At the lower end, it means being educated on the issues and being involved with the process. Watch cable channels 22 and 28 to at least see the meetings. Attend in person if possible. Know what they are discussing, debating, evaluating, and/or voting on, and be knowledgeable enough to know if they are doing the job correctly or pulling a fast one on you.
Moving toward the more advanced end of the spectrum, send them letters or emails (or call, especially for those who do not have computer access.)
Maybe you would want to speak up at a meeting. (BTW, would the borough council consider voting to remove the Christmastime poinsettias from the council chamber? It is May, you know.) Let your elected officials and your neighbors know what you're thinking. Start the debate and get engaged in the process.
Let's make one thing clear: This is CIVIL debate. The name calling crap is a clear sign of the weakness in your own position. If you can't point out the merits of your plan with reasoned argument, then why are you supporting it? Morrisville has been unable to sustain a civil debate for many, many years. Stop it. There's nothing beneficial about the name calling and tattling. Let's graduate out of elementary school.
Maybe you're smarter and better than the person on the dais representing you. We all think that from time to time, and it might even be true. Are you ready to replace them and do the hard work of governing yourself? Get started now.
"I don't have the time." Perhaps so. In all our lives, time becomes a premium commodity at some points, and more freely available at others. Some people just don't have the time. I can understand that.
"Who cares what they do? They're all corrupt or liars. They don't listen anyway." Perhaps so again. But who let them get that way? You did. Without accountability, every human becomes irresponsible. Our politicians can lie, cheat, steal, and perform as they desire without you there to tell them it's unacceptable.
Please don't write in to say, "But I know XXXXX is doing a great job!" There are several council and board members who are doing the hard work of governing. There are several who are not. We know who they are just by taking a few minutes to observe what they do. It isn't about how they voted on particular issues, because opinions change on a daily basis depending on how the wind is blowing and our current vantage point. Promising the world on Election Day is easy. Following through on those promises is the hard part.
Remember the last time you wrote that check to the mechanic for the car repairs? Did you ensure that the work was performed correctly and within the agreed upon standards? Of course you did! You probably hated writing the check, but you know it was a fair exchange of labor for cash.
So now ask yourself, did your elected official do what they needed to do? Are they deserving of your support in the next election? If the answer is no, then why are you reaching for the button to re-elect them?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
More Frattiness
Take a look at the recent blog posts made by BCCT columnist Kate Fratti. We talked about the Insults instead of answers entry [STS] [BCCT] previously. Now, she has two new entries, one complete with tin foil hat. I'm ruthlessly appropriating the photo because it's too good to pass up. I hope Kate, Mr. Fratti [possiprobably?], and the feline will approve. The furry one looks ticked off. Who would want to known as Le Chat Au Chapeau?
Kate: Thanks for keeping up with this. Morrisville really needs a change from the politics of fear.
Call me crazy: I’ve been at this job a very long time and I’ve been called a lot of names, accused of a lot of things. But never wide ranging conspiracy. Until now. Weird. Very weird.
Morrisville Councilman Stephen Worob first used this Web site to mock my full figure last week, (hey, I’m big boned!) and now claims in a post on this blog that this columnist was presented by him information and documents pertaining to questionable bond issues related to several school districts including Morrisville. AND that I’ve not reported on them because the banks, the newspaper, a beat reporter, a judge, lawyers, state and federal officials and the state school board association and I were in cahoots. The ultimate corruption. His theory is that we all risked our reputations, our careers, our personal integrity and credibility to block information Mr. Worob had about financing that was bad for schools and for kids.
Say what? How do you have a rational conversation about change in the borough with guys like this at the helm? No wonder regular people are so discouraged. Speak out and you can find yourself mocked (really, seriously I am big boned) or in the middle of a fictional book outline. I can speak about that now, first hand.
Posted by Kate Fratti at 3:20 pm |
Can’t get anything past this guy: Morrisville Councilman Stephen Worob, husband to school board director Brenda Worob professes to loathe this newspaper, but reads it and its phillyburbs.com bloggers faithfully, even contributes regularly to its op-ed pages.
His latest contribution was to its electronic pages in which he comments on my figure. This counts for discourse these days.
“Chubby cheeks” he calls me. Doesn’t mention which cheeks, but I have to concede, alas, that all of them fit the description. Guess his weight watching is easier than addressing issues that plague the school board and the borough. Not the least of which are gatherings of school officials at the Worobs’ home out of the eye of voters.
Worob accuses me and my chubby cheeks of digging up dirt in the borough. I haven’t really. The dirt I’ve reported on was surface dirt or dirt called in. But now he’s made me curious. What’s he so afraid I’ll find that he tries to embarrass me out of school board meetings? I’ll think more about it over my next cookie.
Posted by Kate Fratti at 4:05 pm |
Insults Instead of Answers Update
Kate Fratti certainly has stirred up the pot, judging from the responses she has received on the Insults Instead of Answers column that we mentioned here .
UPDATED April 29, 2008, 6:20 P.M. (see below comment #8)
Steve Worob is posting his explanations directly. I don't think Steve cleared his responses with Mrs. Worob, because while School Board Brenda ran against a K-12 school, Borough Councilman Steve says maybe we need to consider it. Check answer number 6. I bolded it for easy reading.
Anyone want to listen in to THAT secret meeting?
8 Responses to “Insults instead of answers”
1.Hooray for Kate!
It is refreshing to see a journalist trying on our shoes, and using her power of the press to voice the same complaints that have rattled around Morrisville for years.
Namely: for one “Stephen Worob”, all rules and labels apply, except to him.
Going back through the “Worob years” if you could imagine any other school board doing the same things (Nelson, Nestor, Junkins, Gibson) claims of impropriety would dominate the public comment session, and everyone from the State AG to the County Commissioners would be called on to investigate. And if they didnt’ they too would be complicit.
The shoe is on the other foot this time.
Comment by:
Borows - 4.24.2008 at 3:29 pm
2.This is why we need experienced reporters like you to cover Morrisville. A “rookie” reporter would not be able to handle the bullying from Worob.
It’s amazing that the very same things that Worob and the new board complained about, i.e. “You don’t listen” “You are having secret meetings”, are being done by the new board. At least the old board didn’t limit the time for public comment to 45 minutes.
Keep up the good work up the good work Kate. I think that most, if not all, people have accepted that the new school is dead. Now it’s time to move forward and find ways to improve our schools without farming our kids out and/or firing our wonderful administrators.
Comment by:
Cori - 4.24.2008 at 10:03 pm
3.Yes, please keep up the good work. I agree with Cori. Thanks for covering.
Comment by:
Kevin - 4.25.2008 at 7:00 am
4.I regret any insults and am sorry. Anger is counter productive and only serves to taint the message. However, When Ms. Fratti writes about my bias (Anger) towards her newapaper, she’s knows why but isn’t telling you. I worked with the Courier Times and school board members from three different counties where we uncovered a pervasive trail of corruption that involved at least four school districts. I’m not going to get to deep into this other than to say we uncovered a trail of illecit long term bond issues to school districts that were not for the good of the children.(Including Morrisville)
We gave this information to the proper authorities including the media only to have it all buried. I suspect the reason for this was that it involved major banks and we only scratched the surface.
I sent this information to Kate Fratti and she ignored it. I will gladly grant her an interview with documents in hand if she’ll have the courage to print it. I don’t think she will. You see, the people who investigated and lied, and did nothing, now hold some of the higher positions in county, state and federal government. Now back to the Courier Times. Because of my devoted efforts to honor my oath of public office, I was sued in a frivalous lawsuit that if you ask Sandy Gibson, was financed by the Superintendent’s Assoc. of PA. Because I am considered a high public offical, I am granted a high level of immunity for speaking at public meetings on public concerns. However, if I go to the press and talk, I then open myself up to a defamation lawsuit. In Oct. 2003, one week after I was sued, The Courier Times called me as I was enjoying lunch with my wife. The reporter lied and told me she was doing a profile story on the superintendent. Truth is she was setting me up in the lawsuit. She asked for my opinion if the new school board should fire the superintendent. My answer was “I hope they help him to work harder for the children of Morrisville.” The next day, I was quoted to have said “the superintendent is a criminal masquarading as a superintendent.” This misquote came out against me in legal depositions. It didn’t take long for me to learn that the attorney of party who sued me did legal work for the Courier Times. I was then dragged for over two years through the lawsuit only to appear before a member of the good old Republicans club in county court. There, I was given an unfair trial(You’ll have to read the book for details) and the judge took away a big piece of mine and my wife’s future before growling in open court,”if you appeal my decision, I will do everything in my power to stop you.” Odd how this remark failed to appear in the offical court trancript.
I hope now that people will at least understand my anger which I will try to control. I’m humbly awaiting your interview Kate.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.26.2008 at 6:44 am
5.Mr. Worob,
I’ve never received information from you, or even discussed the scenario you describe. What gives? From your writings, I know how dearly you value honesty. Must be an honest mistake.
In the meantime, do you have any comment on the recent Sunday school board gathering at your home?… Or on why the school board is asking for specific information about children requiring special education services. Do you support that? Or would you comment on whether, as a town leader, you support the consolidation of K-12 in the high school building, so the district can let go of the care of the two elementary buildings.
Not as interesting stuff as the weird conspiracy you allege, but no less is important.
Comment by Burbs Blogger:
Kate Fratti - 4.28.2008 at 12:53 pm
6.Ok Kate, thank you for responding. I’ll do my best. Sunday meeting- I am currently restoring a fifty year old termite eaten house in the borough to a much better than new condition. Therefore, I work on Sundays. I did stop home briefly though to get a drink and saw three friends drinking coffee and chatting. I didn’t stay long.
Special education- I can only assume that the concern here is the high cost of special education and the increasing number of students entering that catagory. I believe that number is almost at 20% of the student body. You know that the state sets the mandates here and then fails to fund them. It is especially difficult for a tiny district like Morrisville to keep up with special ed. costs. I guess that board members are educating themselves about special ed. so hopefully they can figure out a way to cope.
K-12 school- I’m not happy about all the students in one building however, this is something that should be explored in the name of survival. You know about the high school taxes in Morrisville and almost five million dollars was just spent for nothing. Yes, a K-12 school may be the only affordable option that we have.
Finally, I did send to you via US mail, a 200 page overview potraying corruption that is hurting public education. Sorry you never received it. I’ll be glad to give you another copy if you’ll give a response to it. I also gave a copy of the document to your co-columist but he never responded. Finally-finally Kate, why didn’t you mention for me to elaborate about when the CT published malicious lies for no other reason than to set me up in a lawsuit. I know I was stepping on some big toes but my wife didn’t deserve that. I’ll never forget when reporter DC explained to me that “Mr. Worob, the quote wasn’t my idea and my editor was the one who put the quotation marks around the word “CRIMINAL.” I believe she was referring to your chief editor. By the way, let her know that when she told me on the telephone that a certain attorney “never performed legal work for the CT,” she was speaking the untruth. Ask Pat W. or attorney Herschinson for the truth about that one. Please let PW know that she made my book.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.28.2008 at 10:52 pm
7.What happened to your comments that were on this page yesterday and mysteriously disappeared, Ms. Fratti? Perhaps you would like to post those again.
Comment by:
Houdini - 4.29.2008 at 7:46 am
8.Hey Steve:
Did Oswald kill Kennedy? Or was the assassination part of a grand conspiracy involving the CIA, Lyndon Johnson and little green men from Mars?
You, sir, need to get a grip.
Comment by:
Conan the Grammarian - 4.29.2008 at 9:42 am
UPDATED 6:20 P.M. (The comments are too good to pass up. The common people need to be led!)
It's not the Sullivan Law that Steve wants to use, but the decision in New York Times v Sullivan 1964. Here's the text of the opinion, but the conclusion of the court was:
"The Court held that the First Amendment protects the publication of all statements, even false ones, about the conduct of public officials except when statements are made with actual malice (with knowledge that they are false or in reckless disregard of their truth or falsity). Under this new standard, Sullivan's case collapsed."
Ummm....I'm thinking the immunity flows toward the newspaper and away from the elected official in this case. But I only moonlight as a lawyer. By day, I'm an accountant.
9 This idea sounds vaguely familiar but with a few differences I bet. My guess is you would take K-12 and smoosh them all in the exisiting High School with very little renovations. I’m sorry to sound pessimistic, but I don’t have much faith in the new school board or those that elected them.
Comment by:
Repeat - 4.29.2008 at 3:25 pm
10 Conan, you’re really cool. I’ll bet the people who cheat to taxpayers and students just love you.
Houdini, what were the comments that mysteriously vanished. I missed them. Sounds like possible not so divine intervention to me.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.29.2008 at 3:30 pm
11 “Because I am considered a high public offical, I am granted a high level of immunity for speaking at public meetings on public concerns. ”
I’m wondering when this became law? Is it true that high public officials (like tax collectors and councilmen) have greater immunity and can speak with impunity? I guess the Constitution or the State laws must have been redrafted to create a government “Above The People” instead of “For the People and By The People”.
Comment by:
Borows - 4.29.2008 at 3:50 pm
12 Yes Borrows, oops, Borows. Why don’t you just give your real name? I believe it is referred to as the Sullivan law and it is the law, except when a newspaper sets you up to circumvent such law. You see Borows, this law was created so that public officials can stand up with immunity,(Not impunity) and educate common people like yourself about the truth without fear of reprisals. Of course the Sullivan law is meaningless such as is honor when one is dragged before the good old Republicans club at county court.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.29.2008 at 4:08 pm
13 to stand up as a public official and educate “common people?” … Oh my.
Comment by Burbs Blogger:
Kate Fratti - 4.29.2008 at 4:53 pm
UPDATED April 29, 2008, 6:20 P.M. (see below comment #8)
Steve Worob is posting his explanations directly. I don't think Steve cleared his responses with Mrs. Worob, because while School Board Brenda ran against a K-12 school, Borough Councilman Steve says maybe we need to consider it. Check answer number 6. I bolded it for easy reading.
Anyone want to listen in to THAT secret meeting?
8 Responses to “Insults instead of answers”
1.Hooray for Kate!
It is refreshing to see a journalist trying on our shoes, and using her power of the press to voice the same complaints that have rattled around Morrisville for years.
Namely: for one “Stephen Worob”, all rules and labels apply, except to him.
Going back through the “Worob years” if you could imagine any other school board doing the same things (Nelson, Nestor, Junkins, Gibson) claims of impropriety would dominate the public comment session, and everyone from the State AG to the County Commissioners would be called on to investigate. And if they didnt’ they too would be complicit.
The shoe is on the other foot this time.
Comment by:
Borows - 4.24.2008 at 3:29 pm
2.This is why we need experienced reporters like you to cover Morrisville. A “rookie” reporter would not be able to handle the bullying from Worob.
It’s amazing that the very same things that Worob and the new board complained about, i.e. “You don’t listen” “You are having secret meetings”, are being done by the new board. At least the old board didn’t limit the time for public comment to 45 minutes.
Keep up the good work up the good work Kate. I think that most, if not all, people have accepted that the new school is dead. Now it’s time to move forward and find ways to improve our schools without farming our kids out and/or firing our wonderful administrators.
Comment by:
Cori - 4.24.2008 at 10:03 pm
3.Yes, please keep up the good work. I agree with Cori. Thanks for covering.
Comment by:
Kevin - 4.25.2008 at 7:00 am
4.I regret any insults and am sorry. Anger is counter productive and only serves to taint the message. However, When Ms. Fratti writes about my bias (Anger) towards her newapaper, she’s knows why but isn’t telling you. I worked with the Courier Times and school board members from three different counties where we uncovered a pervasive trail of corruption that involved at least four school districts. I’m not going to get to deep into this other than to say we uncovered a trail of illecit long term bond issues to school districts that were not for the good of the children.(Including Morrisville)
We gave this information to the proper authorities including the media only to have it all buried. I suspect the reason for this was that it involved major banks and we only scratched the surface.
I sent this information to Kate Fratti and she ignored it. I will gladly grant her an interview with documents in hand if she’ll have the courage to print it. I don’t think she will. You see, the people who investigated and lied, and did nothing, now hold some of the higher positions in county, state and federal government. Now back to the Courier Times. Because of my devoted efforts to honor my oath of public office, I was sued in a frivalous lawsuit that if you ask Sandy Gibson, was financed by the Superintendent’s Assoc. of PA. Because I am considered a high public offical, I am granted a high level of immunity for speaking at public meetings on public concerns. However, if I go to the press and talk, I then open myself up to a defamation lawsuit. In Oct. 2003, one week after I was sued, The Courier Times called me as I was enjoying lunch with my wife. The reporter lied and told me she was doing a profile story on the superintendent. Truth is she was setting me up in the lawsuit. She asked for my opinion if the new school board should fire the superintendent. My answer was “I hope they help him to work harder for the children of Morrisville.” The next day, I was quoted to have said “the superintendent is a criminal masquarading as a superintendent.” This misquote came out against me in legal depositions. It didn’t take long for me to learn that the attorney of party who sued me did legal work for the Courier Times. I was then dragged for over two years through the lawsuit only to appear before a member of the good old Republicans club in county court. There, I was given an unfair trial(You’ll have to read the book for details) and the judge took away a big piece of mine and my wife’s future before growling in open court,”if you appeal my decision, I will do everything in my power to stop you.” Odd how this remark failed to appear in the offical court trancript.
I hope now that people will at least understand my anger which I will try to control. I’m humbly awaiting your interview Kate.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.26.2008 at 6:44 am
5.Mr. Worob,
I’ve never received information from you, or even discussed the scenario you describe. What gives? From your writings, I know how dearly you value honesty. Must be an honest mistake.
In the meantime, do you have any comment on the recent Sunday school board gathering at your home?… Or on why the school board is asking for specific information about children requiring special education services. Do you support that? Or would you comment on whether, as a town leader, you support the consolidation of K-12 in the high school building, so the district can let go of the care of the two elementary buildings.
Not as interesting stuff as the weird conspiracy you allege, but no less is important.
Comment by Burbs Blogger:
Kate Fratti - 4.28.2008 at 12:53 pm
6.Ok Kate, thank you for responding. I’ll do my best. Sunday meeting- I am currently restoring a fifty year old termite eaten house in the borough to a much better than new condition. Therefore, I work on Sundays. I did stop home briefly though to get a drink and saw three friends drinking coffee and chatting. I didn’t stay long.
Special education- I can only assume that the concern here is the high cost of special education and the increasing number of students entering that catagory. I believe that number is almost at 20% of the student body. You know that the state sets the mandates here and then fails to fund them. It is especially difficult for a tiny district like Morrisville to keep up with special ed. costs. I guess that board members are educating themselves about special ed. so hopefully they can figure out a way to cope.
K-12 school- I’m not happy about all the students in one building however, this is something that should be explored in the name of survival. You know about the high school taxes in Morrisville and almost five million dollars was just spent for nothing. Yes, a K-12 school may be the only affordable option that we have.
Finally, I did send to you via US mail, a 200 page overview potraying corruption that is hurting public education. Sorry you never received it. I’ll be glad to give you another copy if you’ll give a response to it. I also gave a copy of the document to your co-columist but he never responded. Finally-finally Kate, why didn’t you mention for me to elaborate about when the CT published malicious lies for no other reason than to set me up in a lawsuit. I know I was stepping on some big toes but my wife didn’t deserve that. I’ll never forget when reporter DC explained to me that “Mr. Worob, the quote wasn’t my idea and my editor was the one who put the quotation marks around the word “CRIMINAL.” I believe she was referring to your chief editor. By the way, let her know that when she told me on the telephone that a certain attorney “never performed legal work for the CT,” she was speaking the untruth. Ask Pat W. or attorney Herschinson for the truth about that one. Please let PW know that she made my book.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.28.2008 at 10:52 pm
7.What happened to your comments that were on this page yesterday and mysteriously disappeared, Ms. Fratti? Perhaps you would like to post those again.
Comment by:
Houdini - 4.29.2008 at 7:46 am
8.Hey Steve:
Did Oswald kill Kennedy? Or was the assassination part of a grand conspiracy involving the CIA, Lyndon Johnson and little green men from Mars?
You, sir, need to get a grip.
Comment by:
Conan the Grammarian - 4.29.2008 at 9:42 am
UPDATED 6:20 P.M. (The comments are too good to pass up. The common people need to be led!)
It's not the Sullivan Law that Steve wants to use, but the decision in New York Times v Sullivan 1964. Here's the text of the opinion, but the conclusion of the court was:
"The Court held that the First Amendment protects the publication of all statements, even false ones, about the conduct of public officials except when statements are made with actual malice (with knowledge that they are false or in reckless disregard of their truth or falsity). Under this new standard, Sullivan's case collapsed."
Ummm....I'm thinking the immunity flows toward the newspaper and away from the elected official in this case. But I only moonlight as a lawyer. By day, I'm an accountant.
9 This idea sounds vaguely familiar but with a few differences I bet. My guess is you would take K-12 and smoosh them all in the exisiting High School with very little renovations. I’m sorry to sound pessimistic, but I don’t have much faith in the new school board or those that elected them.
Comment by:
Repeat - 4.29.2008 at 3:25 pm
10 Conan, you’re really cool. I’ll bet the people who cheat to taxpayers and students just love you.
Houdini, what were the comments that mysteriously vanished. I missed them. Sounds like possible not so divine intervention to me.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.29.2008 at 3:30 pm
11 “Because I am considered a high public offical, I am granted a high level of immunity for speaking at public meetings on public concerns. ”
I’m wondering when this became law? Is it true that high public officials (like tax collectors and councilmen) have greater immunity and can speak with impunity? I guess the Constitution or the State laws must have been redrafted to create a government “Above The People” instead of “For the People and By The People”.
Comment by:
Borows - 4.29.2008 at 3:50 pm
12 Yes Borrows, oops, Borows. Why don’t you just give your real name? I believe it is referred to as the Sullivan law and it is the law, except when a newspaper sets you up to circumvent such law. You see Borows, this law was created so that public officials can stand up with immunity,(Not impunity) and educate common people like yourself about the truth without fear of reprisals. Of course the Sullivan law is meaningless such as is honor when one is dragged before the good old Republicans club at county court.
Comment by:
Steve - 4.29.2008 at 4:08 pm
13 to stand up as a public official and educate “common people?” … Oh my.
Comment by Burbs Blogger:
Kate Fratti - 4.29.2008 at 4:53 pm
BCTHS Funding Formula Discussion
I saw this in the BCCT this morning.
So the auto shop is as expensive as special education? Who knew?
BUCKS COUNTY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Officials to discuss funding formula
Not just special education costs should be considered, but other expenses like the automotive section, a Neshaminy school board member said.
By JOAN HELLYER STAFF WRITER
Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or jhellyer@phillyBurbs.com.
Bucks County Technical High School’s governing body will meet in May to decide how it wants to proceed with considering a change to the comprehensive high school’s funding formula.
At issue is whether to separate special education costs, which are often more expensive than mainstream expenses, out of the tech school’s current funding formula. If that happens, the expenses would be paid on an actual usage basis instead of being split among the six sending districts as they are now.
The change could have saved Bristol Township about $500,000 this school year, and cost Neshaminy about $450,000 more than it paid in 2007-2008, according to official estimations. In addition, Bensalem could have saved about $65,000 and Pennsbury would have had to shell out about $110,000 more to cover the special education costs for students from its district.
The BCTHS joint board committee, made up of Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury board members, agreed Monday night to discuss the funding situation during a program implementation assessment meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 20.
The move comes a week after the Bristol Township school board declined to approve the tech school’s 2008-2009 budget because it felt there was a lack of movement on the funding formula issue.
Neshaminy is the only one of the tech school’s six sending districts that has indicated it is not in favor of the funding formula revision.
“If you single out special education, then you should also single out the automotive section, because it’s very expensive,” said Ritchie Webb, a Neshaminy board member, after the joint board committee’s meeting Monday night.
The committee will decide what it wants to look at in terms of school expenses before it considers changing the special education portion of the funding formula.
Officials have suggested phasing in the revised formula over a fouryear period beginning in 2009-2010.
So the auto shop is as expensive as special education? Who knew?
BUCKS COUNTY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Officials to discuss funding formula
Not just special education costs should be considered, but other expenses like the automotive section, a Neshaminy school board member said.
By JOAN HELLYER STAFF WRITER
Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or jhellyer@phillyBurbs.com.
Bucks County Technical High School’s governing body will meet in May to decide how it wants to proceed with considering a change to the comprehensive high school’s funding formula.
At issue is whether to separate special education costs, which are often more expensive than mainstream expenses, out of the tech school’s current funding formula. If that happens, the expenses would be paid on an actual usage basis instead of being split among the six sending districts as they are now.
The change could have saved Bristol Township about $500,000 this school year, and cost Neshaminy about $450,000 more than it paid in 2007-2008, according to official estimations. In addition, Bensalem could have saved about $65,000 and Pennsbury would have had to shell out about $110,000 more to cover the special education costs for students from its district.
The BCTHS joint board committee, made up of Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury board members, agreed Monday night to discuss the funding situation during a program implementation assessment meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 20.
The move comes a week after the Bristol Township school board declined to approve the tech school’s 2008-2009 budget because it felt there was a lack of movement on the funding formula issue.
Neshaminy is the only one of the tech school’s six sending districts that has indicated it is not in favor of the funding formula revision.
“If you single out special education, then you should also single out the automotive section, because it’s very expensive,” said Ritchie Webb, a Neshaminy board member, after the joint board committee’s meeting Monday night.
The committee will decide what it wants to look at in terms of school expenses before it considers changing the special education portion of the funding formula.
Officials have suggested phasing in the revised formula over a fouryear period beginning in 2009-2010.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Special Board Meeting this Friday May 2
Thanks to the emailer who found this on the mv.org website. Anyone know what the subject is?
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
The Board of School Directors of Borough of Morrisville will hold a special board meeting at 6:30 pm on Friday, May 2, 2008 in the LGI room located in the Morrisville Middle/Sr. High School, 550 W. Palmer St., Morrisville, PA.
UPDATED: MAY 1, 2008
Confirmation it is for the new solicitor.
N O T I C E
Notice is hereby given that the School District of Borough of Morrisville, Morrisville, PA, will hold a special meeting on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St., Morrisville, PA. Purpose of the meeting is to hire a new Solicitor.
Marlys Mihok, Secretary
Appeared in: Bucks County Courier Times on Wednesday, 04/30/2008
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
The Board of School Directors of Borough of Morrisville will hold a special board meeting at 6:30 pm on Friday, May 2, 2008 in the LGI room located in the Morrisville Middle/Sr. High School, 550 W. Palmer St., Morrisville, PA.
UPDATED: MAY 1, 2008
Confirmation it is for the new solicitor.
N O T I C E
Notice is hereby given that the School District of Borough of Morrisville, Morrisville, PA, will hold a special meeting on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St., Morrisville, PA. Purpose of the meeting is to hire a new Solicitor.
Marlys Mihok, Secretary
Appeared in: Bucks County Courier Times on Wednesday, 04/30/2008
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