Revitalization Does Not Grow On Wishes

For too long the leaders of Easton have equated assets to buildings. All of our economic development projects have been tied to specific buildings, and our resources have been spent on those buildings in anticipation of attracting a business to it. This flawed thinking has not been successful. Artificial intervention with tax dollars may attract development, but it won't sustain it.

For too long our economic development plan was based on our hopes and wishes instead of being market driven. If a business recognizes untapped consumer spending potential it will not hesitate to make an investment. Businesses don't migrate to buildings; they migrate to consumers. If risk is mitigated by consumer potential a business will have incentive to use its own capital to improve real estate.

A retail business should be located at a site with a good local consumer base. Very few businesses can count on consumers to flock to them. Businesses can not count on seasonal day tourists to make money; they need a full time consumer base, everyday, year round. And we need to make Easton more than just a tourist destination.

We need to keep Easton a living destination. We need local government to focus on the basics-- Essential services. We need a clean, crime-free city that provides services that are competitive with those of our neighbors. We need to improve the quality of life for the residents of our community so that people will come here, be happy, and stay for a lifetime. A pleasant by-product will be an environment that tourists desire. We need visitors to say, "I would like to live here."

It is ironic that many suburban malls are selecting "Urban Streetscape" designs. They are recreating what we already have. The investors want a clean crime-free environment near an new untapped consumer market. We have the "Urban Streetscape" now; we just need to mitigate the crime, keep it clean, and improve our consumer base. Economic development will take care of itself.

My suggestions to Easton's elected officials are focus on the basics, give economic development to groups or agencies more suited to deal with it, keep the city clean, reduce crime, maintain a safe environment, and reinvest in the infrastructure. This will improve the quality of life for residents (present and future) and attract businesses to serve resident consumers as well as day tourists.

BadApple

Joe Blackburn's Demands. oops! I Mean, Christmas List

10. A son in Hawaii and a daughter in Bermuda.
9. A tax-free luxury box at the State Theatre.
8. A boat for trips to New Jersey.
7. Bachman Publik House “special massage package”.
6. Reopen Eddyside swimming pool. (for my exclusive use)
5. An officer to drive my wife to the grocery store.
4. The title “Beatific Immaculate Glorious Almighty Stately Supreme Divine Illustrious Commissioner King
3. Have the Peace Candle moved to my front yard.
2. A $1,000,000.00 loan.
1. A clue.

Greed and Disdain

This is the transcript to Mr Reilly's Greed and Disdain speech from December 15, 2005

Madam President;
"Last night there was discussion about employee health care cost and that will continue tonight under item 18 of tonight agenda. In the discussion last night the Administration talked about cost reductions. Their suggestion is to add premium co-payments. This in and of itself is not a bad idea. But in there is an underlying motive. As you know there has been discussions on how to cut health care costs and several have focused on ways to encourage employees to drop the City’s coverage when another family member also has health care coverage. The Administration stated last night that their approach to obtain this goal is to introduce premium co-payments in such a fashion that it is a “disincentive” to continue with the City’s health care plan. This is called negative reinforcement. Others have argued from the opposite approach and proposed a sharing of the cost savings by offering a percentage of the savings to the employee who chooses to drop the City’s health care and is picked up by the spouse plan. This is call positive reinforcement.

"Anyone who has taken a High School or College psychology course knows the negative reinforcement is the least effective or desirable way to achieve an outcome. Likewise; such a person would know that positive reinforcement is the most effective and desirable way to achieve an outcome. This basic principle is taught in classes ranging from child rearing to business management to leadership training. Last night it became apparent to me that members of the Administration do not believe in this basic principle, nor sees any reason to follow it. This management tactic does nothing to foster the type of work environment which is needed to bring the level of City services up to the expectations of the public, or that which is required to promote economic development.

"It is also a punitive act towards the employees who do not have the option to drop out of the City’s health care plan because a spouse dose not have health care which could be used to avoid the premium co-payment being used as a disincentive towards those who can. The City should also consider the option to pay an employee a percentage of the City’s cost to seek heath care on their own and share the savings

"One could conclude that it is only greed and distain to the City’s workforce that’s drives such an approach which causes the Administration act in such a callas way. I urge City Council to keep this in mind when this discussion comes up tonight."


To clarify what the City Administration wants to do; they what to add health care premium co-payments to employee plans to: 1. defray some of the rising health care costs by having the employee contribute, which is acceptable in today's environment of rising health care costs; 2. have the co-payments so high that the few employees that can opt out, because another family member has coverage, do opt out because it is just to expensive to keep. They call this a "disincentive".

But City's Administration forgets is there is more than one way to skin a cat. According to statements the Administration made on 14 Dec 05, it costs the City $8,000.00 for a single employee, $12,000.00 for an employee and their spouse, and $16,000.00 for family health care coverage. If the City charged an employee $50.00 per pay they would collect $1,300.00 per year per employee. But if the Administration had an incentive plan for health care such as offering $4,000.00 for an employee for joining their spouse's plan, the City would have $8,000.00 in shared cost saving; which is the equivalent of 6.35 employees paying a premium co-pay. If they offer $5,000.00 for a employee's family to join the spouse's plan, the City would have $11,000.00 in shared cost savings, which is equivalent of 8.47 employees paying a premium co-pay. If the City offered single employee's $4,000.00 to drop from the City's plan either because they feel they don't need it or because they only want major medical coverage from another insurance company that the employee contracts with themselves, there is even more shared cost savings. But for some reason, the City does not want to share. Even if the sharing would eliminate the need for a premium co-pay, or reduced the City's total health care costs if enough employees participate in a shared cost savings plan, they run from giving anything that would possibly make the work environment more friendly.

T. D. Reilly

The Writing's On the Wall (EDITED)

Some of us are more than a little frustrated. Last week's tenative settlement of the budget was quite the display. There was a lot said, but very little was done for the people. No one stood up for the people. Well, not with any direct act. Here are our budget season highlights.

One of the most telling acts that preceded the budget was the release of the "draft" Early Intervention Program (EIP) report. The simple act of presenting the report THE DAY AFTER elections stunk of politics, And the stink stuck to both parties. The republican administration did not want to muddy any chances of getting a little party help by having angry voters. And the dems didn't want extra issues clouding their "friend of the people" rhetoric. So waiting to provide information served every one's interest EXCEPT the voters.

Even though the Administration clearly lost its bid for support; it succeeded in backing Council and taxpayers into a corner. They presented a hefty and controversial budget to Council and walked away. Council put on "The People's Song and Dance" as they returned the budget to the Mayor for adjustments (audio). Two weeks passed and the Administration tossed the same budget, but a little worse, on Council's desk. In the two weeks that passed we were kept busy-- and kept divided-- trying to save our own little special items. We fell for the same trick twice. Just a couple of months ago the EIP pirates created a panic, stole our money, and slipped out of town while we fussed over our interest. The Administration did the same thing; they spit out the most convenient budget possible, a tax increase with job and service cuts, and sat back as we scrambled and whined.

Twice during the budget proceedings I was disappointed by Ms Heffley. When she supported giving away parking revenue for the Christmas shopping days (audio), and when she protected Peace Candle money from being shared with the Heil Fieldhouse project (audio). Giving free parking (remember "every nickel and dime is gonna help?) while cutting jobs and services because of short funds is like giving away public money to the State Theatre. And sheltering a plywood facade from a children's cause is just plain special-interest selfish. Christmas will still come to Easton, no matter what we do to prepare or what we say to express it. Some ideas are better left as thoughts.

The double pay raise... Just plain sneaky (audio). That move in itself lends to character judgment. And in the same vein Miriam Huertas and Dave Hopkins deserve commendations for selflessly refusing pay increases. That also speaks a great deal to their character. Taking a double pay raise while cutting jobs and services because of short funds is like giving away $252,700.00 of public money to the State Theatre while giving us the impression it was about $150,000.00.

Another humorous moment was the Council Secretary's little exchange with the Chief of Staff over the Chief's covert line item granting him longevity of $1080.00 (audio). "You wanna start? We'll start!"

The only thing the Administration failed to do was fire a 73 year old employee. But they used the side show that he and his wild-eyed, hair-on-fire, lawyer daughter put on to obfuscate their 3 mil tax hike. The Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Business Administrator bit their collect lip and took what amounted to a verbal pimp-slapping (audio). But after all was said and done they pretty much said, "sticks and stones" and drove home to College Hill and the suburbs.

We would not be doing our jobs if we failed to expose what one resident eloquently dubbed "the Administration's greed and disdain for the workforce". The employee health care planning that the Administration is pushing is an ugly display of selfishness and for lack of another word DISDAIN. Instead of offering employees incentives for not carrying City insurance they would rather punish people out of he plan. The plan seems to be to make the cost of health care costs so high that people who have a choice will drop the City's plan. Hear it for yourself! My god, Mr Mayor, Mr Chief of Staff, and Mr Business Administrator how can you stand your selves. All three of you spent years enjoying better benefits than you offer.

Another slap in the face was the commissioner's pay and "No-additional-benefits" package. Just call us stupid, don't let our neighbors do it after they read in the paper that "the commissioner's annual salary [will be] $78,000 with $12,000 in deferred compensation...[and] the deferred compensation will be put into a pension fund for the commissioner...[and] the city will not provide any other benefits, perks or extras. [but] a vehicle is one of the issues the administration continues to negotiate with council... Other points include vacation time, sick time, insurance and attending law enforcement conferences." (Express-times 12/15/05) We were NOT aware that a $12,000.00 bonus, vacation time, and insurance were not "benefits, perks, or extras". And we all know what "negotiate" a vehicle could turn into. Only my friend, Mr Fleck, spoke to the record on what The Commish would and would not get (audio), and we all know where he'll be when the "would nots" become additional benefits. That's like telling us that an Amusement Tax will make larger venues pay a fair amount for city services, and then proposing limits that benefit the State Theatre, while giving the organization $252,700.00 in rebates.

Well, that's the Cliff's Notes of more than 24 hours of public meetings. I started this post 3 days ago, and the city IS NOW giving away free parking until Christmas. Please make sure you really take maximum advantage of the lost city services by parking in the circle while you buy your State Theatre tickets.

Eastonians... Let them eat cake.

Council Meeting Audio 12/14/05

Here are links to download the audio from the December 14th City Council Budget Adjustments Budget Meeting. It ended at 2am!!!!

And guess what? We ended up with 5 less public works employees, 3 less cops, 3 less fire fighters, and a 3 mil (2.99) tax increase! Oh yeah, we get to keep both pools-- If I work hard enough raising money. Wow, 3 years in a row... Can we get a little more help at the council meetings???

We forecasted this! We posted the Top Ten List on the tax increase(The Explanations The Administration Will Offer With The Next Residential Tax And Fee Increases.) the day before the Mayor proposed it. And I said in the 2nd EU Podcast that we would be stuck with a 3 mil increase. (listen for yourself in this clip)

Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1 (2Mb)
Part 2 (5Mb)
Part 3 (13Mb)
Part 4 (10Mb)

Council Meeting Audio 12/13/05

Here are links to download the audio from the December 13th City Council Planning and Development Budget Meeting. 4 hours!!!!

The itunes subscription feed is always available before I post these links.

Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1 (17.4Mb)
Part 2 (10.7Mb)

Council Meeting Audio 12/12/05

Here are links to download the audio from the December 12th City Council Public Services Budget Meeting. It was a 5 hour philabuster!!!!

I almost felt sorry for the Business Administrator... Almost.
He should resign gracefully before he's made the administrative scapegoat.

Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1 (17Mb)
Part 2 (20Mb)

POOL DONATIONS!!!!

Ok Undressers, It is time for us to literally put our money where our mouths are! The pool situations have been a hot topic here and throughout the city. And the powers that be have subliminally received one of our ideas to help the pools. They seemed to have embraced the idea of soliciting donations and sponsorships.

Here’s a chance for some citizens to make a footprint. Let’s donate!

And I will be among the first. I will donate $50.00 this evening at the Council Budget meeting (PAyME, if you are there I will give you my $50.00 for the Lil’ Rovers too.) Along with my donation I will ask the city for two things. I will request that they make a method available for me to automatically donate money for the pools, and that they credit my donation as a EU referral. My plan is to give $10.00 a month for the pools until they are no longer in trouble.

If you choose, you too can reference your donations to EU. And after you donate, please sign the guestbook (YOU CAN SIGN THE GUESTBOOK ANONYMOUSLY!!!) with your donation amount and we’ll keep a tally. I will get a receipt for my donation and post it online.

So let’s get started! Make a pledge on the tagboard or to us at eu@eastonundressed.org and confirm you donation on the guest book. Let’s make a dent.

And Now a Word From Our Host

A friend pointed out to me that we haven’t written anything opinion-based since November 23. Wow, time is going by so fast that it is getting hard to focus. At the very top of the blog we state our reasons for doing this.

“What I would write if I were allowed to submit editorials at-will to the Express-Times & Morning Call.”

The past two weeks we’ve focused on content. We’ve added audio from meetings and some video to accompany the comics and opinion. Our latest feature is the Easton Undressed Audio Blog or podcast. All of this is very time consuming, but we try to stay on point. The 3 meetings in one week is the real limiter. It’s tough to do anymore than post the audio after the after meeting cocktails err debrief.

But as you can tell by the length of our podcasts there is much to talk about.
And tops among the talking points is the budget.

The “Shock-and-Awe” budget that the Mayor’s office is pushing is accomplishing one thing. And personally some of us here at EU believe this one thing is part of an agenda. The thing that the budget has done is splinter focus.

Just like the Early Intervention Program (EIP) report did last month, the budget has shot gunned us with preposterous alternatives. And as I alluded earlier, there’s method to this madness. Every one of us that gathered near to hear the reading of the budget went running back to our respective bunkers to plot our DEFENSE.

Ah the madness… Put the people on the defense. Make us backpedal, research, plan, and negotiate. Why? I’ll tell you why.

While we’re out here trying to fund the pools, save fire jobs, save police jobs, save public works jobs, save the water treatment facility, and get the budget proposals posted online the Mayor and his Cabinet are sitting back and biding their time. And they can do this because there really isn’t much time left. Council’s schedule has the budget accepted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005. We were backed against the wall well before many had a chance to take notice.

The EIP report was held and released as a DRAFT on November 9th, the day after elections. The administration used the EIP report as a crutch to support not taking all kinds of financial action. In the three weeks that followed they concocted the “pay more for a lot less” budget. And when it was given back for them to rework they came back with a higher tax increase. Laugh and spit in our faces.

Am I the only Eastonian wondering “What the Hell did they do all year long?!”

My guess is that now they are just putting in time. The Mayor, his Chief of Staff, and his Business Administrator all know that only a miracle will keep them in town past December 31, 2007.

Podcast Episode 2

The Garage band is still together.Check out the Easton Undressed Audio Blog Episode 2-- Drinkin and Thinkin. This week we have a very special guest. Hopefully, she is the first of not-the-last. It was fun.

We've decided to release the podcast on Saturdays from now on. Let us know what you think. "More beer you say?!" errr...ok

Your Neighbors

Council Meeting Audio 12/07/05

Here are links to download the audio from the December 7th City Council Public Services Budget Meeting.

Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1(12Mb)
Part 2(14Mb)

There are Other Ways to Work with the Theatre

Maybe the City stop seeking grants from the Pennsylvania. Council on the Arts (PCA) for arts projects such as the murals and begin seeking “Pass Through” grants for the State Theater. This could be in exchange for the reinstatement of the State Theater obligation to pay back their loan from the taxpayers of the City of Easton. PCA grants normally do not exceed $5,000.00 but max out at $10,000.00. Local governments must match dollar for dollar. If local government wants to grant money to the State Theater, this is the appropriate way to do so. Not in some shady backroom deal that not only makes the taxpayers dig deeper into their savings to make up for the loss of more than a quarter million dollars. A move that gutted an Entertainment Tax that would have been a good revenue stream if it was enacted as it was previously. I think giving the State Theater $10,000.00 to $20,000.00 a year in grant money would be a good thing even if the City was picking up 50% of the costs, but only if they pay back the money they borrowed from me, you, and our neighbors first.

I believe most people who go to the theater go out to eat prior to the show. The State Theater has more seating capacity than all the restaurants in the City of Easton. That means the surrounding communities are directly benefiting from this lack of restaurant seating capacity. The Boro of Wilson; the Townships of Forks, Palmer, and Williams; and the Town of Phillipsburg, NJ, are directly benefiting from increased tax revenues because theater goers are spending their money in these communities and not in the City of Easton, which is host to the State Theater. It is time for these communities start providing their fair share support to the State Theater instead of only the taxpayers of the City of Easton, that way the State Theater can afford to repay their loan to the City of Easton.

Submitted by
Grant Keystone

Budget Proposal

As promised, the budget.

Warning file 1 is 104Mb file 2 is 42MB. I'll work on ways to chop them up. But don't hold your breath. There's a lot going on. Part 1 has the first 254 or so pages part 2 is the remaining 151 pages.

It cost $111.00. Thank you Mr Humphrey.

Council Meeting Audio 12/06/05

Here are links to download the audio from the December 6th City Council Public Safety Budget Meeting.

These two audio files cover the entire 2.5 hours. About an hour and a quarter a piece. The audience questions start at 2hrs 8mins.
Your Neighbors

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Part 1 (18Mb)
Part 2(18Mb)

For the Record

Since it's public safety night.

Council Meeting Audio 12/05/05

Here are links to download the audio from the December 5th City Council Public Services Budget Meeting.

These two audio files cover the entire 2 hours. About an hour a piece.
Your Neighbors

Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1 (12.5Mb)
Part 2(16Mb)

What Did We Learn?

Gosh Darn it!!! Did I forget to save money for next year AGAIN!
...I paid the consultants their 10%, right?

Hey Stu, What's 10% of a $25 million dollar budget?
...Oh my, that's a lot of tax money!

Top Ten Reasons City Administrators Don't Live in the City.

10. Crime rate is too high.

9. Neighbors would be complaining to them about raising taxes.

8. So they would NOT have to shop at T J Barts.

7. They can leave council meetings early, because they have a long way to travel.

6. They can raise taxes without hurting their families.

5. They can be late and blame it on the commute.

4. They can run for elected office in another community, and destroy two municipalities at the same time.

3. When anyone calls to complain after 4:30, their secretaries can say that they're out of town without lying.

2. They would feel obligated to attend the candle lighting.

1. Their kids wouldn't have anywhere to go swimming.

EU's Podcast Pilot Episode

Ever play garage radio station? You know... you, a buddy, a stack of newspapers, and of course some beers.
No, Never?!!?
Well, BadApple and I did...

Check out the pilot episode of the EU podcast (17MB). It's an hour you'll never get back!

If you subcribe to the podcast feeds you will get this through the same feed.

Enjoy & Please comment.

Christmas in Easton