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Potential Democrat gubernatorial candidate Joe Hoeffel comes out for higher state taxes. No, I’m not kidding.

Writing about the current budget impasse he says…

To close a $3.3 billion deficit in the budget caused by the recession, Governor Rendell has proposed a combination of significant cuts in government programs and a temporary 16% increase in the state income tax. The Governor is seeking a balanced solution that protects essential services with a modest increase in revenue.

Emphasis mine.

Does anyone seriously think it’s going to be temporary?

I’d bet money on it.

Responding with their usual mix of rigid ideology and raw partisanship, House and Senate Republicans have refused to support any tax increase at all. Accordingly, with revenues in steep decline, their budget proposals cut deeply – too deeply – into the core functions of government.

Steep decline in revenue should equate to a steep decline in expenses. How do you run your household Joe?

Actually, we know the answer to that.

He and Jim Matthews have gone on a spending binge in Montgomery County, and are going to claim to be forced to hike county taxes to make up for the state cutting funds to the county.

He and his “Republican” enabler are going to have to borrow wheelbarrows full of money and leave it to future Commissioners to pay back.

Don’t be fooled.

Whole email after the break…

(more…)

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Another log for the “Thanks Jim Matthews” fire.

Hoeffel Considering Gubernatorial Bid

For those who haven’t been keeping score, minority county commissioner Joe Hoeffel doesn’t get this chance. “Special Arrangement Commissioner” Joe Hoeffel is the most important Democrat in the Southeast… (except for new Democrat Arlen Specter)

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Let me be clear.

Those guys are douchebags, collosally. There is no need for a government action here, because the market is working. The Valley Swim Club is a national disgrace. OK, maybe a lawsuit.

That being said, they are perfectly in their rights to be racist assholes… a club is a club because there is some modicum of exclusivity.

But, back to the douchebags.

The head douchebag, President of the Club John Duesler, is an Obama supporter.

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First off, my wife insists it is "Bleep", not "Beep"

Evil Irv, as he was playfully known, was a fun guy on the radio. If maddening, sometimes. An early influence on me, as well.

His passing, I think, somewhat highlights a problem in media culture I think conservatives need to grapple with.

The conglomeration of media companies has made something like the old WWDB impossible. Why make a go of it with local talent, who you have to pay and manage, when you can make a buck just paying for syndicated content?

Don’t get me wrong. I am a fan of some of the syndicated talent, especially Hewitt and Prager. But on WPHT, the only guy I really dig is Giordano, who is local. I used to like Smerconish, but not since syndication. And not because of the Obama thing. Oh, I also like Sid, of course.

A homogenization of voice is part of what killed newspapers, I think. They stopped speaking in a unique way in a regional voice to a particular geography, and instead tried to import syndicated content along with the style and tone of the Columbia J-School for original content. And a different type of homogenization on the radio seems to make some people money, but I don’t think it’s doing conservatives any favors.

It’s not that you can’t make money, I bet, crafting a station speaking the vernacular of a particular area. You can just make MORE money, while working less, avoiding that path.

What to do about it, if anything, is a thornier question. But I think we should all admit it is a problem. Where are our next Irv Homers, Herb Dennenbergs, or Dominic Quinns? I am afraid, instead, we are going to get a batch of Alicia Lanes, Cecily Tynans, and…who, exactly, on the radio? Can’t even name one, can you?

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A handy email from the Montgomery County Republican Committee:

Montgomery County Republican Committee Chairman Bob Kerns has been in discussion with party leaders from the Pennsylvania Senate, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery County Republican Committees about the pending vacancy in 24th Senatorial District.

Kerns took time to acknowledge the service Senator Robert Wonderling offered to the citizens of the 24th District.
&nb sp;
“Rob Wonderling has been a tireless advocate for Pennsylvanians since his election to the Senate in 2002. Montgomery County has been fortunate to have him represent us for the last seven years and I’m certain he’ll continue his success as the new head of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. I wish him the best of luck,” Kerns said.

Kerns announced that three candidates have contacted him and asked to be considered for the position. County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr., State Representative Robert Mensch and former State Representative Jay Moyer.

County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr. served two terms as Montgomery County District Attorney and a total of 23 years in the District Attorney’s office as an ADA and First Assistant D.A. He was elected County Commissioner as the top vote getter in 2007 and continues to serve in that capacity. He is an attor ney in private practice with the Blue Bell, PA based Elliott Greenleaf law firm.

State Representative Robert Mensch worked for AT&T for 28 years. In 1997 he left AT&T for ARBROS Communications as Sales Director and General Manager. He served as a Marlborough Township Supervisor prior to his election to the House in 2006. In his initial campaign Mensch received the largest margin of victory for any Freshman House member in Montgomery County. He was reelected in 2008 with 63.4% of the vote.

State Representative Jay Moyer served in the PA House from 2007-2008. Governor Tom Ridge appointed Jay to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue as Regional Director and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as Deputy Secretary. Jay Moyer was twice elected Montgomery County Treasurer, where he brought innovation and technological advancement to the office. Locally Jay was elected as Chairman of the Lower Salford Township Board of Supervisors. He also worked in the private sector as Vice-Pre sident and Partner of Moyer’s Electric, Inc.

Kerns explained the process by which a nominee for a Special Election would be selected is governed by Pennsylvania Republican State Committee bylaws and overseen by PA GOP Chairman Robert Gleason.

The Pennsylvania GOP bylaws allocate each of the four counties one conferee for every 1000 votes that John McCain received in the 2008 election in the portion of the county that includes the 24th Senate District. Unofficial calculations break down as follows based on vote totals for the GOP Presidential Nominee in 2008:

Montgomery County – 22 Conferees
Bucks County – 12 Conferees
Lehigh County – 14 Conferees
Northampton County – 14 Conferees

The chairman from each county submits to Chairman Gleason the names of the appointed conferees. The conferees must be registered Republican voters who live in the 24th Senate District.

Leaders in all four counties will be conferring in the coming weeks with the candidates and with each other. Chairman Gleason will decide when a nominating convention will be held with the designated conferees.

Lieutenant Governor Joseph Scarnati will determine when a Special Election will be held.

“We are fortunate to have three strong candidates who bring a lot to the table for citizens of the 24th Senate District,” Kerns concluded.

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There’s a new buzz in Montgomery County politics. Senator Wonderling’s departure to join the private sector has opened the door for his seat in the 24th PA Senatorial district to become a hotbed of activity over the past few days. Three well-known local pols have been mentioned by the big three local papers, The Times Herald, The Inquirer and the Intelligencer.

The “three” possible candidates? State Rep Bob Mensch has declared, democrat Jim Maza is considering the possibility, and lastly, none other than Republican County Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr. has shown some interest in running for the open seat. This all hinges on whether or not Senate President Pro-Tempore, Joseph Scarnati III decides whether to hold a special election or leave the seat vacant until the 2011 election.

Amongst all of the hoopla concerning the “race” for the vacant Wonderling seat is one underlying factor…who will replace Bruce Castor in Norristown, if he decides to run and wins? We’ll get to that later…

Castor had this to say to Keith Phucas in today’s Times Herald:

“I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and that’s why I worked in the district attorney’s office,” he said. “I’m most satisfied when I’m solving people’s problems, but I’m unable to have an effect because of my minority commissioner status.”

With a Republican majority in the state Senate, Castor thinks his fiscally conservative views would find favor. He called the current Senate the “last bastion” against Gov. Rendell and the growing number of Democrats in the state Legislature.

“I’d like to be a part of the Senate, if the (Republican) party deems me the appropriate candidate,” he said.

As for Castor’s replacement (should he run and win) I’m sure Matthews and Hoeffel are looking for a doormat, but who does the party choose?

Unfortunately, that’s putting the cart before the horse and I’ll cover that in a later post. Of course, Matthews is totally behind Castor (officially) entering the race. He is quoted in today’s Inquirer (at Philly.com):

Yesterday, Matthews said he believed Castor would have “an excellent chance” of maintaining Republican control of Wonderling’s Senate seat.

“That would be very, very good for the party,” Matthews said.

Should Castor leave for the Senate, Matthews said, he likely would continue his bipartisan agreement with Hoeffel.

“There’s a greater potential for more unanimous votes,” Matthews said.

Right. Matthews backing Castor. And I have some swampland in Florida and a bridge in Brooklyn that I’d like to sell you…

But would this give Jimbo the opportunity to strengthen his ties with Hoeffel and garner more “unanimous votes”? I doubt it. Of course, that depends on two things…that Bruce Castor is actually running and who the nod goes to to replace Commissioner Castor.

Thus far, Castor hasn’t tipped his hand as to whether or not he’s running for the seat. He’s “considering the possibility” but hasn’t made a firm decision as of this post.

So, who else is vying for this seat? The first to declare was State Representative Bob Mensch, who represents the 147th district here in Montgomery County. Also interested is Democrat Jim Maza, who now holds the post of deputy chief operating officer, a position that gives him great power in Montgomery County, thanks to Jimbo’s alliance with Hoeffle.

In an interview with The Intelligencer’s Margaret Gibbons, Maza had this to say:

I have always been interested in the state Senate and will continue with the discussions but I really like the job I have now,” said Maza. “I have always wanted to be a public servant who makes a difference and both of these jobs allow me to do that.

Boring. (State Rep Robert Freeman of Easton has also expressed interest, so Maza may have a challenge on the “d” side)

Of the three papers reporting this morning, only Keith Phucas (of the Times Herald) reported on Mensch this morning:

Mensch, 63, is serving his third term in the state House. The Pennsburg native has lived in Marlborough Township since 1975. He worked at AT&T for 28 years before entering politics.

For more than 25 years he’s been a member of the Upper Montgomery Republican Club, which he served as chairman.

Mensch believes becoming a senator would help advance his legislative priorities of job creation, economic development, health care reform and tax code simplification.

“I see an opportunity to expand on what I’ve done,” he said.

In the past, the state politician supported Castor, but is now ready to take him on in the 24th District race.

“I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t expect to win,” Mensch said.

So, the questions that are left hanging are this…will Castor run, will Maza run, and will there be a contested Republican race for this seat? I’m sure that all three questions will be answered before this week comes to a close.

I, for one, am excited that another dimension has been added to the ballot for November’s general election. Judges, municipal races and now this special election…We’ll sure be a busy lot over the next few months.

Gentlemen, enjoy the ride. Friends, judicial races notwithstanding, this’ll be the one to watch. (Cross-posted at writemarsh!)

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In the inbox.

Pennsylvania Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24th) announced today he will not be seeking a third term as Senator of the 24th district and has agreed to serve as the new President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

“After much prayer and careful deliberation with my family, I have accepted this unique opportunity to serve the greater Philadelphia region. I have spent more than half of my adult life serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, most recently as a Senator to the citizens of the 24th district. Each day has been an honor and pleasure to do so.”

“It has always been my belief that our democracy is best served by citizens who enter into public service for a period of time and then return to the private sector giving an opportunity for another citizen with fresh ideas and new thinking to take up the mantle of public service. Moving forward, I have no doubt, that there will be a citizen of the 24th district who will serve with distinction in the Pennsylvania Senate,” said Senator Wonderling.

Senator Wonderling presently works for Bentley Systems, Inc. Prior to serving in the Pennsylvania Senate, Senator Wonderling served as Governor Tom Ridge’s Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Before joining the Ridge Administration, he worked for Air products and Chemicals, Inc., and was President of the PENJERDEL Council, where he worked closely with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce on issues involving the Delaware Valley’s economic and environmental prosperity.

Rob received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Allegheny College and a Master’s degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1997, he was selected by Governor Tom Ridge to attend the program for Senior Executives in State Government at Harvard University.

The departure leaves an open seat in the Senate this fall for Republicans to defend… and potentially more, if presumed front runner State Rep Bob Mensch decides to run for Wonderling’s seat.

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Thank you Jim Matthews, for making this all possible.

The county commissioners Thursday were prepared to hire Delaware County resident Kenneth L. Klothen, a deputy secretary with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, for the $131,454-a-year job.

There’s no one capable in Montgomery County? A resident? We do have a lot of smart people.

I guess just not the right smart people.

Read on….

However, before the vote could take place, Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. requested and received a two-week delay.

Castor explained that because of treatment for his bad back, he has not had an opportunity to meet with Klothen.

Even after this meeting between the pair, it is unlikely that Klothen will have Castor’s support.

Castor in the past has made it clear that, while he supports economic growth and development in the county, he is opposed to funding this new initiative during current economic times. He voted against the county’s capital budget earlier this month because it earmarked $20 million for the economic development program.

The commissioners last December voted 2-1, with Castor the lone “no” vote, to implement a seven-year $105 million economic development program to bring and keep businesses in the county, particularly in its older struggling communities. The program was put together by a task force of business, community and municipal leaders.

Also, the fact that Klothen worked side by side with Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III, a Democrat who is spearheading the development of the economic development program, is not likely to endear him to Castor.

Was that the job Commissioner Hoeffel got from the Governor as part of his quid pro quo deal…. “you dont run against Catherine Baker Knoll for Lt Gov?”

I think it is.

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Just got back adding up all the numbers and sending them.

No big surprises….

But in my township in Montco, Republicans took four of the seven Democrat ballot positions. Awesome, but probably wont hold countywide.

I’m wating on the Philly DA’s race the most, looked like Seth Williams was over Dan McCaffery 40 – 30 with 80% counted.

6ABC calls it for Williams 42% – 30% with 90% counted.

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It’s that time of year again: Yard sign wars have started up again in anticipation of next Tuesday’s primary:

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit today on behalf of a candidate running for East Norriton Township Supervisor alleging that the township has an unconstitutional ordinance restricting the placement of political campaign signs that it has been selectively enforcing to favor incumbent candidates. The ACLU has asked the court to issue an emergency injunction ordering the Montgomery County municipality to halt enforcement of the ordinance and to return confiscated signs to the candidate immediately.

“One of the greatest threats to democracy occurs when government uses its power selectively to censor candidates challenging incumbents,” said Witold Walczak, the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s Legal Director. “When it comes to freedom of speech, the government cannot play favorites.”

The First Amendment lawsuit, filed in U. S. District Court in Philadelphia earlier today, is brought on behalf of Barry Papiernik, a resident of and business owner in East Norriton Township who is running for township supervisor in next Tuesday’s Republican primary election. Since last month, Papiernik’s signs have been removed from rights of way and even people’s front lawns, while signs of incumbent candidates in the same locations remain undisturbed. Papiernik has seen his signs in the back of township trucks and piled in a heap behind the township’s municipal building.

Besides the discriminatory enforcement problem, the ACLU alleges that the township’s ordinance unduly restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment in many ways. For instance, the ordinance restricts when private homeowners can display political signs on their own property, effectively prohibiting political speech for eight months out of the year; it requires candidates to get a township permit in order to post any signs, which means that a property owner could not post a sign in his or her own yard if the candidate hasn’t secured a permit; it limits homeowners to one political sign per property, which means a husband and wife couldn’t show support for different candidates; and it applies more restrictive rules to political signs than it does to commercial signs, which the First Amendment forbids.

Vernon Francis, an attorney with the Philadelphia law firm Dechert LLP, who is handling the case pro bono for the ACLU and Papiernik, noted that political signs are an irreplaceable, low-cost way for poorly financed candidates to promote their candidacy: “If you’re not an incumbent or backed by powerful and wealthy benefactors, lawns signs are often the only affordable vehicle to communicate with the voters.”

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Papiernik at an event a few weeks ago. My journey there was guided by an unbroken path of yellow yard signs on White Hall Road supporting his candidacy.

No wonder the East Norriton Old Guard is running scared.

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The former principal of my alma mater and convicted felon, Jay C. Smith has died. Smith, who did time for posing as a security guard and robbing the Sears in St. David’s at gunpoint, was convicted of the murders of Upper Merion English teacher Susan Reinert and her two children Karen, 11 and Michael, 10. In 1992, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction and released himm on the public after it ruled that “egregious prosecutorial misconduct” had concealed evidence.

Inky:

Fellow Upper Merion English teacher William Bradfield was also convicted of the murders. Bradfield died in Graterford prison in 1998 of a heart attack.

Reinert’s abused corpse was found stuffed in the trunk of her car near Harrisburg, where Smith was late to a court appearance that day. Authorities said they had found a Philadelphia Museum of Art pin and other evidence in Smith’s car and home linking Reinert to Smith. The bodies of her children, Karen, 11, and Michael, 10, were never found.

Reinert died of a massive morphine overdose.

Though Bradfield was the teacher romantically involved with Reinert, and was also the beneficiary of the $730,000 life insurance policy that paid out on Reinert’s death, Bradfield had a well constructed alibi for the night of the murder: he was at the Jersey Shore with several other English teachers. Smith was implicated by Bradfield, and also by the convenient discovery of a plastic comb with Smith’s Reserve Unit imprinted on it in the trunk of the car where Reinert’s body was found.

Southeastern PA’s OJ has maintained his innocence over the years and even wrote a book countering Joseph Wambaugh’s best selling “Echoes in the Darkness” which was made into a TV miniseries. Smith’s memoir, “Joseph Wambaugh and the Jay Smith Case” was a self-published, meandering 439-page tome that was reminiscent of his rambling PA announcements at Upper Merion High School that would drone on for hours at random times throughout the school day.

With Smith’s death, any hopes of ever discovering the final resting place for Michael and Karen Reinert go with him. Smith’s daughter, Stephanie Hunsberger and her husband Eddie, have also not been seen since 1978. It has long been speculated that Stephanie and Eddie met the same fate that Michael and Karen did. Smith took the truth to his grave.

Joseph Wambaugh says it best:

“I do not celebrate the death of any man, but Satan does,” Wambaugh said. “A number-one draft pick has finally arrived.”

Cross posted at Bluftooni

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Joining Sheriff John Durante, DA Risa Ferman is suing Montgomery County over it’s Democrat Election Policy.

It’s the second lawsuit filed by a row officer claiming the board is overstepping its bounds and interfering with the operation of independently elected row offices. The policy singles out 180 employees who are prohibited from taking part in certain political activities such as running for office and political fundraising.

DA Risa Ferman (in file photo) believes the ethics policy specifically targets her office:

“When you look at the numbers, and you see that the district attorney’s office is 82-percent of all the row office employees affected, you have to wonder what the motivation was.”

County solicitor Barry Miller disputes that saying the policy includes employees who are required by state law to sign ethics statements, and he says that’s all of the assistant district attorneys.

He went on to say that the county commissioners have always had the authority to regulate and determine conduct by county employees.

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Yes, my friends, the drama has not ended yet. This time, it’s much more local, from the King’s dominion of Lower Merion.

It seems that Former RINO Arlen Specter’s daughter-in-law, Tracey, is adding to the drama that is Benedict Arlen.

You see, it is rumored that Senator Specter decided to switch parties and run in the next Senatorial race as a democrat after a lengthy discussion at his son and daughter-in-law’s dinner table the night before his big announcement.

Mrs. Specter is the current Republican Area Leader for the Lower Merion and Narberth voting districts. After first conceding that she should probably step down, Specter switched gears and now plans to hold on to her position until the 2010 primary and local reorganization.

According to Bradley Vasoli, reporter for the Bulletin, Tracey Specter had this to say:

“I remain a Republican and remain chair of the Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth,” she said via e-mail. “The election for the U.S. Senate is a year and half away and currently I am focused on our important local elections this year. The feedback I have received from my committee and many in the community is very supportive of my remaining as chair.

Of course, the Republican Party, most of us who held our collective noses when voting for Mr. “I invoked Scottish Law”, doesn’t agree with Mrs. Specter.

Chairman of the Republican Party of Montgomery County, Bob Kerns, said to Vasoli:

…he (Kerns) thinks the Senate race “will begin in earnest after this primary”, and, “I think it puts Tracey Specter in an uncomfortable position when that happens.”

When asked his position, Republican County Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr., surmised:

“It would be very hard to convince party leaders that Tracy would be working for the party candidate,”…He said his own “grave concerns” led him to believe she should step down. (Other county committee members who did not wish to be named, made similar comments about Mrs. Specter.)

Well, I, Frankly have my own ideas as to what really went on…I know people think he’s my bogeyman, but word out of Lower Merion is Tracey Specter reversed gears after being implored to do so by GOP turncoat Commissioner Jim Matthews. [Lower Merion's leadership (though not their committee) has remained firmly supportive of Matthews despite his deal w/ Democrat Joe Hoeffel (go figure).]

Lets face facts…everybody whose ever dealt with Tracey knows that her sole overriding interest in GOP politics was her father in law’s political well being.
and for her to ask the rest of the county organization and her own committepeople to believe that she can suddenly switch that off is not only unreasonable but it’s not fair to the committee members in Lower Merion.

In true Matthews form she’s going to hurt our party while insisting that she’s not…and expect everyone to swallow this garbage, all the while setting up her own committee as a divisive presence pitting Lower Merion against the rest of the county organization. This is happening at the precise time where Bob Kerns has managed to pull the entire county organization together.

Specter’s last Republican supporter wants to splinter it apart for her own self interest.

Do the right thing Tracey, and resign.

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Tiny Bridgeport, PA, is a square mile sandwiched between King of Prussia and Norristown. It doesn’t make news often, but when it does, it’s usually a doozy of a story. Today, Bridgeport not only lays claim to Pennsylvania’s only case of **gasp!** Swine Flu (by the way, are we still calling it that?) but is also home to this story of sheer stupidity:

One man is dead and another behind bars in Montgomery County, Pa., after prosecutors say a drinking game turned deadly over the weekend.

Police say a group of people were playing “beer pong” inside a house on West Second Street in Bridgeport late Friday night. Witnesses told police an argument inside the house between two men spilled into a nearby alley, where one shot was fired.

District attorney Risa Ferman says 24-year-old Joseph Jimenez (above) of Bridgeport shot 25-year-old Scott Riley in the neck:

“And it seems like this was just some alcohol-infused machismo, one guy talking it up to another and talking trash to each other.”

Investigators say Jimenez told them Riley said, “Shoot me,shoot me,” and that’s when he fired.

Police say they recovered the weapon — a silver Taurus .40-calibre handgun — in a nearby trash can. They say Jimenez did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. He now faces numerous charges including first- and third-degree murder, and weapons offenses.

As always, picture of the perp is worth a thousand words:

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Friday night Coffee Klatch with Dan McElhatton. Philly residents know him as a leading candidate for Philly’s District Attorney seat. He took time from his busy schedule visit my house and chat with guests about the issues facing this city. I want to thank Dan for making the case of why the city would benefit with him as Philly’s DA.

Coffee served was a Costa Rica medium and the desserts by Flying Monkey and Termini Bros. Delicious! I want to thank all my guests for attending this coffee talk and for all of your insightful questions for Dan.

A lively debate ensued between Dan and Patrick over topics such as gun control and crime in Philadelphia. The video does a good job of highlighting the common sense approach embraced by Dan on these issues.

Little Ava following in the footsteps of her beautiful and talented Auntie:

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You know when the Philadelphia Inquirer disagrees with a Democrat sponsored bill or law, it’s a good sign it was a bad frigging idea.

Philly.com:

If this were another county, where there were mutual respect and goodwill among officials, maybe this policy would be accepted at face value. But it isn’t. Here, as this and other issues have shown, no “good government” deed happens without first sticking it to the other guy and protecting one’s pals.

If Matthews-Hoeffel want to be in the vanguard of ethics reform, regardless of potential court challenges from the DA or the targeted employees, they should go all in.

Apply a strong, across-the-board no-politicking policy that can’t be perceived as showing favoritism to some or malice to others. It won’t stop challenges – in fact, it might invite more – but at least the commissioners will lead by example when it comes to removing politics from good governing.

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City Council is taking to heart the old adage that you have to spend money to make money.

Amid the worst economic crisis in the city’s recent history, council plans to spend an unspecified amount of money on budget and tax consultants as it picks apart Mayor Nutter’s proposed spending plan.

The move would increase council’s spending at a time when most city departments are cutting back, but it would also give council an independent, outside perspective on Mayor Nutter’s proposals.

“We have, what, 60 days in order to deal with this very large, large issue and I think we need help,” said Council President Anna Verna, whose office issued the request for proposal seeking consultant help last week.

Verna said she did not know what firm or independent consultant would be hired. LINK

I have to hand it to them. Our beloved curmudgeons in City Council believe the old saying “Go big or go home” when it comes to spending out scarce tax dollars. Council President and leader of the Mars Attacks! aliens, Anna Verna really thinks we’ll believe anything she tells us. AKK! AKK! AKK! Whatever, Madam Council-President.

It looks as if our esteemed SEVENTEEN (yes I said SEVENTEEN) member, part time city council is so overwhelmed by Mayor Nutters new budget proposal that they are going to hire outside consultants to tell them what all those pages mean. Apparently the only guy in town who has the sole cypher key is retiring and taking it with him. Duh. Now this is complicated in a number of ways. The guy in question Charles McPhearson is the city’s chief financial officer. Yeah who knew we had one? He’s retiring after 37 years (Good luck Chuck) After keeping this wreck afloat that long you’ll have no trouble finding a part time job that will pay your health benny’s.

Anyway – City Council is now in a quandary because – get this- 60 days isn’t enough time for the SEVENTEEN members in council to digest the budget. They need to HIRE CONSULTANTS to do it for them. Excuse me but I thought that’s what we were paying them for! No wonder, the only guy with a brain is retiring thus proving he is the smartest guy in the room. It’s come to the point where Philadelphia’s City Council is farming out their fundamental responsibilities to outside contractors! Can you believe this? How does this go down? Imagine the floor of council chambers:

Council President Verna- “Ok people it’s almost 9:30″. “Put the bagels down and lets get to work”.

Councilman Green- ‘I second that”. ‘Lets get to work”. “I have a 1:30 fund raiser”.

Councilman Goode- “Madam Chair, seeing that this budget the Mayor sent over is all big and complicated, I move we hire a consultant to review it and report back to us in say…59 days”.

Council President Verna- “Excellent idea” “All in favor?”

Council en mass- “AYE!”

Council President Verna- Opposed?  (SOUND OF GLASS BREAKING AND TAXPAYERS POUNDING ON THE DOORS OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS)

Council President Verna- “The AYES have it”. “Council shall be in recess for the summer”. “See you all in the Villas.”

Councilman DiCicco to Councilman Kenny- “Whew I’m glad that’s over”. “For a minute I thought we may actually have to read that monstrosity on our own”. “Let’s get outta here”.

So while the Mayor has closed seven fire companies and threatens to close pools, libraries, rec-centers and tax the very air we breath, both his and city council’s budget’s are INCREASING! This is just another example of the out of whack liberal spending priorities that infect Philly’s government. The ONE guy who can decipher the budget is retiring so council will waste thousands on consultants despite the fact that they DEBATE the budget every year. Not to mention McPhearson has been in the D.R.O.P. program for four years and everyone knew the exact date he would retire. I guess no one thought of getting an understudy to replace him?

Anna Verna has been in City Council since the Big Bang for crying out loud! Is it too much to ask her to read a couple pages in between hair dresser appointments?At least do us like Congress did and just vote on the darn thing. Why read it anyway? At least that would save us the expensive consultants.

Out of touch doesn’t even begin to describe this psycho circus we have going on here. I fear that the only way out of this is if Mars really does attack.

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Well I finally broke down after Christmas and bought a new TV. The old one Wyatt gave us just kind of let out an electronic gasp. I guess it was trying to tell us the end was near. Rather than maintain a death vigil I gave it to Fireboat John and he whisked it off to work where it will live out it’s final days with dignity. Being a TV down left us in a difficult predicament. Difficult because I didn’t want to spend a boatload of money on a new set. (do we still call them sets?) I have dreaded this moment since I first saw a three thousand dollar TV.

Fortunately it was after Christmas and the stores were practically GIVING TVs away. I decided to take the plunge and get a new flat screen. Of course the whole family cheered me on. Dad is great! Dad is great! After a while you can start believing that stuff. So I checked the local ads and as usual Best Buy had the Best Buys! Ha! So after lengthy and often acrimonious negotiations the Oberfrau finally authorized the purchase and a spending limit. The monsters have learned to vote as a block so I had some tricky manipulating to do to get them behind me just in case mom changed her mind.

As I decided on a ballpark description (Big and flat) of what I wanted I realized there were too many variables involved in buying a TV anymore this being America and all that. First there is the size. Always remember size matters. What? Anyway- then there is the resolution 720 or 1080. Don’t forget the format LCD or Plasma. I’m getting a headache reliving this. I needed my neighbor Fire -boat John for guidance and encouragement.

So John comes over and right away tells me we need to go to Delaware. “No sales tax dude” He’s right. This can only mean one thing – road trip. So off we go, 95- south to the great state of Delaware for all the tax free plasma we can load into the back of his pickup. What started out as a 46 inch, 1080, LCD turned into a 50 inch, 720, plasma with the four year warranty (where am I going to get plasma if something goes wrong?) for the same price. After very careful observation I decided, for the price it wasn’t worth going to 1080 on the 50 inch plasma. In all reality my eyes just can’t tell the difference. America, so many choices.

Of course getting a new TV meant hooking my surround- sound stereo up, getting the upgraded Hi Def service from the satellite company, and rebuilding the basement into a first rate MAN CAVE! Hey sometimes you need a little motivation to make a change. Now you may think this post is about my kick ass theater room where I can chill out and watch a good movie or the Oberfrau can watch her “shows”. But it’s not. It’s about the difference between Delaware and Pennsylvania. Didn’t see that coming did ya? See it’s pretty simple. Pa. has a 6% sales tax. 7% for those of us lucky enough to live in Philly. Delaware doesn’t. So even though it’s a fifty minute drive each way it’s STILL worth it to save real money on a big ticket item like a plasma TV. If I lived anywhere close to the border I’d do all my shopping in Delaware.

When a state like Delaware is smart enough to not have a sales tax what does that say? They aren’t going bankrupt the last time I checked. On the other hand PA rakes in millions in sales tax and every other year the Governor is threatening to lay off state workers. Who knew that operating the DMV was that expensive? Let Delaware be an example. Governments addiction to taxes and out of control spending is going to destroy everything that Americans have worked for generations to achieve.

50 inch plasma TVs!

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You know if our major newspapers went after more stories like this, and returned to unbiased, investigative, honest to goodness journalism many of them might not be about to go under. Instead we are fed a steady diet of fluff pieces on Michelle Obamas latest fashion quagmire or hit pieces directed at anyone who dares question Barack Obamas divinity. This opinion piece comes from Philly.com and for a change I actually agree with their opinion. Then again this is a no brain-er. Disgusting waste of public funds by unelected bureaucrats, whats not to hate?

Pennsylvania lawmakers who want to stop the Delaware River Port Authority from lavishly spending toll revenues on dubious economic-development projects have the right intention.

You want to know what’s wrong with this country and our economy? Read on. The Delaware River Port Authority is one of those pseudo- quasi- almost legitimate government bureaucracies that make you want to reach for your pitch fork.

Over the last decade, the DRPA has shelled out $375 million for development projects that include local sports stadiums, museums, concert venues, and, most recently, a memorial to the President’s House near Independence Hall.

Those projects might be deserving of some public funding. But granting them cash from the DRPA seems a long way from the agency’s core mission to operate and maintain its four bridges and the PATCO High-Speed Line, or to help develop the port on both sides of the river.

A long way? That’s a bit of an understatement. This unelected board controls the bridges and ports along the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Now most of the peasants think that bridge tolls are a necessary evil. In all reality they are a good idea. You pay a toll when you use the bridge and the money collected goes to the upkeep of the bridge. Simple no? Not really. In a new reality where “Shovel ready” and “Infrastructure” are the days buzz words du jour, financial responsibility takes a detour. The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) charged with the maintenance of the bridges decided years ago that mission wasn’t “sexy” enough for them. So they had their mission expanded into economic development. Uh oh.

Now everyone is for economic development right? I mean who doesn’t want that especially when times are tough? Well DRPA seized upon that sentiment and branched off into other more stimulating projects. Projects other than what their mandate called for. Along the way you’ll never guess what happened. Bridge tolls went up, maintenance went down and they borrowed millions and millions while never having to answer to the taxpayers. Deep, slow, breaths. You’ll never guess who thinks spending endless piles of taxpayer money by unelected fat cat politicos is just peachy. None other than our beloved Governor Fast Eddy Rendell. Can anyone think of another, recently convicted, fat cat pol who had the same attitude when it came to taxpayer dollars? *COUGH* Vince Fumo *COUGH* Imagine that.

Gov. Rendell, who serves as DRPA chairman, and Gov. Corzine have supported spending DRPA money on economic development. They argue that the projects are crucial for the region’s growth, will help lure business and tourists, and ultimately increase DRPA’s customer base.

Can you believe this arrogance? What Rendell really is saying: WE think these projects are great big ideas so we are going to use the money that is SUPPOSED to be used fixing the bridges and spend it on our pet projects. You serfs and drones shut up and go along with what we say, it’s for your own good. Ultimately increase DRPA’s base? They are bridges for crying out loud! Everyone who needs to get to the other side is going to be DRPA’s customer no matter what!

Since then, the DRPA has overstepped its boundaries at times with harebrained projects such as the plan to build a tram across the Delaware.

With its unchecked spending authority, DRPA finds itself $1.2 billion in debt. The agency also says it needs about $1 billion over the next five years to pay for bridge repairs and other maintenance.LINK

Look if the taxpayers wanted these projects funded they would have asked for them like they do when you ignore our requests for a new fire station or playground for the kids.

What we see here in DRPA is a concrete example of a government that has become too big, too insulated, too arrogant, to amoral, too self absorbed, too greedy, did I mention arrogant?

It is going on at all levels from our local city council expanding their budget while closing fire stations to the federal governments enormous juggernaut that now threatens to consume every aspect of our lives.

The public wants LOW TOLLS, low taxes and corrupt politicians in jail. We are sick of salesmen peddling bridges to nowhere.

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Philly.com

Montgomery County commissioners this afternoon restricted more than 100 county employees, including dozens from the District Attorney’s office, from running for office, managing campaigns or raising money.

Otherwise known as the “Keep Jim Matthews Elected Act.”

By a 2-1 vote, Commissioners James R. Matthews and Joseph M. Hoeffel III added the controversial restrictions on political activity to the county’s ethics policy, even though other county elected officials protested the move.

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Thomas J. Speers, the solicitor for Sheriff John Durante, said they were considering legal action over the commissioners’ attempt to implement restrictions on what employees in their county row offices can do.

Damned right. How in the hell do you run an experienced candidate for DA or Sheriff, if they can’t be in the office! I don’t know the histories for the offices, but I would be shocked if some RAHOTS* got into those top elected positions.

Experience is bred in those offices, and Commissioners Matthews & Hoeffel are worried that they’re potential targets.

Or, in other words, “Jim Matthews and Joe Hoeffel Support Rookies in Public Safety.”

Astute readers will remember that it’s not the first time Hoeffel & Matthews have played partisan with public safety.

* RAHOTS = “random asshole off the streets”

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