Mixed Bag of Events

The past week and next have been and will be a number of meetings each of which have dealt and will deal with the means to tax the citizens of Octorara school district and the expenditures of those monies.

LAST WEEK'S MEETINGS

On Monday, 9 NOV 09, I met with Dr. Tom Newcomb, the district superintendent. I had not been officially notified if I had won a seat on the school board. I was not sure if the notification should come from the school district or the voting offices in Chester and Lancaster counties. Dr. Newcomb stated that the notification should come from the county offices. He went on to say that he felt that I will indeed be seated and that there will be a ceremony on 7 DEC 09. I asked if he had set that particular date. He replied that, "It just worked out that way". I later spoke with Paul of the Lancaster office of voting who stated that, "The votes would be tabulated by 23 NOV and sent to Harrisburg. You should expect to receive a certificate soon thereafter".

I attended a meeting of the school board later in the evening and was introduced to the other board members. I met Mr. Dan Carsley, the financial officer of the district, who has replaced Mr. Lee. The open meeting followed a meeting of the Facility committee. At that meeting, the supervisor of the company executing the rebuilding of the high school gave a report on the time line of the job (on schedule) and the items that still remain to be completed. Given that I was not yet an official member of the board, I acted strictly as an observer.

I was told by a resident of Christiana that a rumor was circulating concerning the cost of a statue of an American Indian which now resides in front of the high school. The resident stated he heard that, "The statue cost $30,000"! I told the resident that I would obtain some details on the matter. On Thursday, 12 NOV, I met with Mr. Carsley and told him of the report of the "rumor". He stated that, "The statue did in fact cost $29,000 but that it did not come from district funds. It came from booster monies".

In the evening of 12 NOV, I attended a meeting in Oxford, PA at the Senior Citizens Center. The meeting's principal speaker was State Representative Tom Houghton from Chester county. He spoke of a number of issues in the townships in his area but the main topic he presented was the House Bill he introduced that will change the State constitution so as to allow another bill to be introduced by another politician. That bill he stated, "Will result in the abolishment of property / school taxes"!! As you may imagine, there was great interest in his presentation from the packed house. Unfortunately, in addition to describing the details of his bill and the bill to be introduced, he also talked about yet another bill that was introduced last year by Sam Rohrer, a State Representative from Berks county. That bill is House Bill 1275 and is designed to abolish property / school taxes. Mr. Rohrer had to attach HB 1275 as an amendment to HB 1600 last year just to get his bill out of committee so that it could be discussed on the floor of the House. In that form, it was defeated but still remained intact but in committee. Mr Rohrer re-introduced the bill on 29 OCT 09 and at this time it is in committee once again.

As a result of the details of all the bills discussed, I can only imagine that a significant number of folks were somewhat confused or at the very least, felt that they could do nothing about the process that would be required to effect some degree of influence on the decision making process in Harrisburg. At this point, I will refer you back to the previous blogs I have posted that detail what we all can and need to do to "light a fire" under the politicians so that they will stop their infighting and adopt the only bill that will definitely abolish the property / school taxes. That bill is HB 1275. A comparison between HB 1275 and the bill to be introduced that purports will do the same thing is dramatic. There are too many "Could Be's" and "Maybe's" and "If's" in the bill yet to be introduced. HB 1275 is "rock solid".

NEXT WEEK"S MEETINGS

Next week's meetings start off with another school board meeting on Monday evening. Again I will be just an observer. I'll report any details I can in next week's blog.

On Tuesday evening, I will attend a Historical event at the Spring Twp. Fire Dept. in West Lawn, PA (near Reading, PA). At that location, Sam Rohrer is scheduled to announce his intention to run for the governor of our state in next year's election!!! OK everyone, it's time to step up and be counted. I have worked on behalf of this man and his mission to have HB 1275 passed for the past two years. He is a tireless advocate for our well being and deserves our utmost dedication. If you want to receive the same promises, evasions, untruths, etc. we have received from our present governor, vote for the other guy. If you want dedication and truth, work for and vote for Sam Rohrer!!! More to come relative to Sam and his quest later.

On Thursday, 19 NOV, another meeting at the Borough bldg. in Parkesburg, PA. State Representative Tom Houghton will again present his bill to those who attend. I will be at that meeting and report about it in next week's blog. Untill then -

Semper Fidelis

Nurse John