New And Improved

Great news Neighbors,
ALL of the audio files have been compressed to half of their original size. And guess what else, we think the sound quality was enhanced in the process.

You be the judge.

Your Neighbors

MY APOLOGIES

I owe everyone who has posted comments to posts a HUGE APOLOGY!!!


I changed a setting and had your comments hanging in Blog-Limbo.
Fixed it. There's like seven or eight new comments posted to be read. Happy comment hunting :)

SORRY,

Your Neighbor

Mcall.com: Bill White : Joe Must Stay

Once again I will gush all over Bill White...

As a person trying to influence people with words I am ALWAYS looking for "it". And I truly believe Mr White has "it".

I write to affect Easton social/political issues, but I read out of pure interest. I am not the biggest fan of the Morning Call, and that is simply because they really don't carry much Easton news. But two of my favorite writers are Call hacks, Tracy Jordan & Bill White.

Now, I like them for two entirely different reasons.

Tracy seems to dig deeper than most and gives good background and qualifying information in her stories. It also helps that she writes on my side of the opinion, and she smiles and looks you in the eye when chatting.

Now Bill, that's a horse of a different color... This guy sucks me in with catchy rarely biased wit. He gets me every time. I rarely read an author's name before I dig into articles beyond the front page. But it seems that every time I'm engaged in an entertaining piece I look up halfway through to see this cheesy head shot and the words "Bill White".

This guy is a teacher; a quasi-guru.

When he can write about the most benign disassociated subject and at the end give me a life lesson; I know he has "It".

I'm not much of a Penn State fan, but his blog piece was about a little more than fandom to me. Bill White IS A MAN. He reaffirms values. He serves us up big ole helpings of "Good Neighbor" hidden in stories. He even says I'm sorry, I was wrong with a smile and a handshake. Like a man should.

A lot of his topics I don't even care much about. I don't over-like dogs, But the phrase "Dog Pinata" was too much bait for me. I'm a sucker for over or misused cliches so "Dog and Pony Show" was a no brainer. "Bring me the Head of John Karoly"... Are you joking me!!! Never stood a chance.

He always sucks me in and when I'm finished I ask myself,
"So SemiAnonymousBlogger, What have you learned?"

House of Crayons,
Your Grateful Neighbor

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/3753331

Holy Hand Grenade

Two Blocks Past Wawa: Blogging

Here is some topical reference reading. The author has some good blogging references listed.

Your Neighbors

The Pledge of Apathy

I pledge allegiance, to the apathy,
That keeps me in my place,
And to the unwillingness, to take a stand,
Don’t count on me,
I will not help.
My opinion,
Means nothing,
At all.

Move, or They'll Make You Move.

The attempt by the Redevelopment Authority to use the threat of eminent domain to take a property at 223N Third Street is perverse. The plan would take a building that is in relatively good condition, while 30 or 40 other blighted buildings in our neighborhoods will continue to disrupt our quality of life. The question is why?
It is interesting that Lafayette College has its sights set on that property. They have been unable to negotiate a deal. So they have somehow enlisted the City of Easton to become their jack-booted real estate agent. Eminent Domain is a precarious tool at best. The ability to force the sale of private property should not be frivolous or preferential. Is taking a man’s property “to reestablish a view of the creek” not frivolous? Is providing continuity for Lafayette College’s string of real estate, while the armory at 7th & Northampton Sts continues to blighten our days, not preferential? This is what I consider abuse of authority.

Kudos to Mrs. Panto for getting action on the blight list. It is unfortunate that we stand to negate her hard work by diverting the funds and effort needed to fight the real blight that threatens public safety, endangers neighboring properties, lowers property values, and disrupts the quality of life.

This proposal might have been palatable if it increased tax revenue or created jobs. But to see the creek better!? And all of this while the taxpayer gets another tax increase via the removal of another building from the tax roles. I call it theft by deception.

This leads me to my theory of conspiracy. Let’s watch the Bushkill Creek Corridor project. Yes, it seems altruistic for Lafayette College to help finance the project study, but it smells to me. I believe the City will again act as the College’s agent by using eminent domain to secure properties along Bushkill Drive, improving them with State and Federal Grants, then selling them to the College and removing them from the tax roles.
Are more tax increases and service cuts looming thanks to Lafayette College?

I have a better idea… let’s buy the College, turn it into a business park, and return it to the tax roles.

Michael Krill

It's Gonna Sting for a Week or Two

Word's spreading around town fast. I heard the same story from two different and unrelated sources today. There's a pretty embarrassing incident set to hit the fish-wraps tomorrow. And the worst part is that IT INVOLVES COPS.

Tomorrow is a very big day in our community, and it's a very tough one to work when you're a police officer or fire fighter. PLEASE, channel any feelings of anger and embarrassment at the ACTUAL offender(s).

They have a tough job, and it just got tougher.

As Raw as it Gets

Audio from Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 6pm Public budget meeting. (32Mb)

This was one head spinning hour of public discussion. This is why meetings have rules. Do a few of these a month if you want to develop a drinking problem.

Lots of ideas were tossed about, but in the end it was "just a bitch session".

There's this funny phenomenon happening as a result of the Mayor's budget proposal. Instead of blaming mismanagement & the failure to raise money outside of taxes. Some people are getting angry at the city's workers. And not just the union employees. It seems that increased taxes makes all workers look greedy-- from the under-compensated over-stressed part-time council people to the brave and always-there fire fighters. This phenomenon makes people more agreeable to cutting their jobs and benefits. But some how the consultants, the commuter department heads, and the consultants they hire to augment their jobs walk away unscathed. This is LAZY thinking fits right into the LAZY budgeting effort.

You think our services stink now... Wait till you see next year's crime, rescue response, leaves, snow removal, and codes enforcement. I'm sure they'll be managed a whole lot better when they become even more unmanageable than they are now. hmmm Maybe the Mayor's just trying to challenge himself?!?

Do the hard work of marketing our services to other communities, regionalizing, enforcing codes, and taxing equally. Spend our money on things that will make us money. Make the streets cleaner and safer. It works other places.

The Explanations The Administration Will Offer With The Next Residential Tax And Fee Increases.

1. Council President says, “Somehow were going to end up about a quarter of a million dollars short over the next two years.” - House of Crayons
2. This is just a draft budget, I will be forming a blue ribbon committee to reveiw it. - Badapple
3. The dog ate my spreadsheet - Badapple
4. Stu ain't cheap! - Da Mare
5. My neighbors on Ferry Street needed an outlet for their disposable income. - Bill Gloveguy
6. If it cost more, it has to be better. - BigManFromFerryStreet
7. That green paint to cover-up graffiti is expensive. - Trimmer McGrady
8. It wasn't me, Tom set me up! - Anonymous
9. The college was a few dollars short on Mitman Hall. - Deconomic Envelopment
10. We always raise taxes!. - The Administration
11. You don't know what you're talking about. - The Administration

Submit more answers by email—let’s make the winners a surprise.
!!!Email Us!!!

Let Us Not Forget Officer Jesse Sollman.

On March 25th of this year a civil servant went to work and didn’t return home. It is as simple as that.

Officer Sollman died in his workplace. Officer Sollman did not kill himself. Officer Sollman was working for us.

We celebrated Officer Jesse Sollman’s life at a PUBLIC ceremony befitting a fallen servant of the people. It should not be the burden of his survivors to pay for our display. The city government needs to pay for Officer Sollman’s ceremony.

Any personal feelings of disappointment any of us may have with the police department HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH OFFICER JESSE SOLLMAN’S LIFE ENDING. Please, let’s all separate our feelings and take care of our human obligations.

This needs to be done.

Balanced... Maybe - Unfair... Definately

PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO (16Mb)


Balanced… Maybe – Unfair… Definitely

Michael P. Fleck, Councilman

The 2006 City of Easton budget has been presented by Mayor Mitman and the Administration. The proposed budget calls for over a 3 mill tax increase and another water/sewer increase; while cutting public safety and recreation services. Wow! I think the Mayor is really out of touch with residents about their wishes and what they can afford.

As a resident of Easton, the last thing I want cut when taxes are going up is the number of police officers on the street. As the Chair of the City Finance Committee, I also know this will be a long term financial disaster as less officers equals higher overtime costs.

Here is the problem and the solution.

Problem: The Mayor has had two years to come up with enhanced revenue, new revenue sources and increased economic development. The residents of Easton have seen very little result. There has not been any regionalization of purchases. The only new revenue source presented was the Amusement/Mechanical Devices Tax which was done by Council without leadership or direction from the Mayor.

Solution: Mayor Mitman needs to stop forming committees and hiring consultants and take action. This is not a time in Easton’s history when we can afford a passive leader. Mr. Mayor, think outside the box to create new revenue, look for creative ways to enhance City services, not cut them, and use your economic development staff to create tangible development. For two years now the Mayor has promised and has yet to deliver. Mr. Mayor, stand and deliver, lead Easton.

In the meantime, we may have a balanced budget but one that is completely unfair to the residents. One of two things must happen real soon…either the Mayor changes or the residents change Mayor’s.

I sincerely hope the Mayor changes and leads in his next two years. I hope he becomes the Mayor that the people elected. I want this because I would rather participate outside of City Hall in an Easton moving in the right direction than inside City Hall in two years in an Easton that still lacks leadership and is moving in the wrong direction.

Why? You ask. Because I am a life long resident and put Easton’s future above my own.

Que Sera, Sera...

Who Works for Whom?

"3. Two representatives of the City of Easton shall become and remain members of the Board of Directors of the State Theatre until the $1,000,000 plus interest is repaid in its entirety."

That statement was signed and attested to by the Council President and the Mayor of the City of Easton on June 14, 1989 by resolution and again on November 21, 1989 in agreement. It reads very plainly, but really wasn't worth the paper it was printed on.

I'll have the documents posted tomorrow.

Check out this exchange from last nights Council Meeting. LINK

Money... We hardly even knew ya.

...until the $1,000,000 plus interest is repaid
in its entirety.

Council Meeting Audio 11/16

Here are links to download the audio from the November 16th City Council Public Meeting. The 1st 3 files are about 30 minutes the last about 13 mins.

Your Neighbors


Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1 (14Mb)
Part 2(14Mb)
Part 3(14Mb)
Part 4(13Mb)

Or... If you prefer you can subscribe to our podcast of Easton public meetings using this button. Just drag the button into your podcast player, and your subscription will be set. After that, anytime you open your podcast player (we prefer itunes-- it's free and works GREAT!) you will download any new meetings we post AUTOMATICALLY. There's another podcast button in our sidebar. ENJOY.

I am Starstruck

As usual Bill White is brilliant. Read Dog and Pony Show.
Kinda reminds me of that story of the family budget I heard last week.

How’d he put it…? “…more pizzazz than substance”.

It’s true genius; dangling a topic, diverting us, only to make his point truly entertaining.
Bravo BW.

Pregame Warm-up & Short List (EDITED)

Hello Neighbors,

Tonight is council meeting night. Big goings on are happening. The biggest of which is the Mayor’s budget proposal. We’ll reserve all comment for this evening and tomorrow.
The audio will be available, at the latest, noon tomorrow.

It looks like we’ll be getting some guest writers and interviews soon. We also want to put the next top ten list up for bid. We will present the topic, and you will email us suggestions for the list. The top ten (duh) submissions will be printed as the list (authors will be credited by whatever name they choose).

The topic is:

The top ten explanations the administration will offer with the next residential tax and fee increases.

I’ll submit the 1st answer.
Council President says, “Somehow were going to end up about a quarter of a million dollars short over the next two years.”

Submit your answers by email—let’s make the winners a surprise.
Email EU@eastonundressed.org

Here’s our ***EDITED*** current shortlist for interviews.

Peter Koehler, Bill White, Tracy Jordan, Sandra Vulcano, Pam Panto, Carole Heffley, Ken Brown, Bob Freeman, Mayor Mitman, John Morganelli, Wayne Grube, John Stoffa, Sheldon Smith, the next police chief, Ed Sieger, Tony Bassil, Sal Panto, Tom Goldsmith, Dave Hopkins, Governor Rendell, oh yeah and Mike Fleck.

Any help in getting the person(s) cooperation will be greatly appreciated.


See you this evening…

Your Neighbors

Footprints on the sidewalk

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along Northampton Street with the Mayor. Across the sky flashed scenes from the past two years.

For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints on the sidewalk: one belonging to him, and the other to the Mayor. When the last scene of the last two years flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints on the sidewalk. He noticed that many times along the path of the last two years; there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very toughest and most challenging times of the last two years.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Mayor about it. "Mister Mayor, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of the last two years, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The Mayor replied,"My son, my precious constituent, I respect you, I appreciate your vote, and Iwould never leave you.

During those times of social trial and economicc suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I hired consultants.

And we were waiting on their reports"

City Council Meeting Audio

Here are links to download the audio from the November 9th City Council Public Meeting. These four audio files cover the Early Intervention Program presentation and Q&A session. The 1st 3 files are about 30 minutes the last about 15 mins.

Your Neighbors


Right Click and choose "save target as" to download file
Part 1 (14Mb)
Part 2(14Mb)
Part 3(14Mb)
Part 4(9Mb)

Or... If you prefer you can subscribe to our podcast of Easton public meetings using this button. Just drag the button into your podcast player, and your subscription will be set. After that, anytime you open your podcast player (we prefer itunes-- it's free and works GREAT!) you will download any new meetings we post AUTOMATICALLY. There's another podcast button in our sidebar. ENJOY.

NOTE: the term podcast does NOT mean you need an ipod. longstory... look it up.

10 Recommendations to Save the City Money

10. Apply for a transportation grant to build a high-speed rail line between Easton and Lower Mount Bethel. This way the Mayor’s Chief of Staff will have a more relaxing commute as he comes into town to tell us how we should live. And he will get home a lot faster.

9. Reduce the city’s liability by removing playground equipment, not sponsoring youth athletics, disbanding the SWAT team, and draining the Delaware River.

8. Outsource tax collection to Birkheimer & Associates.

7. Require prostitutes and drug dealers to purchase business permits. (Everyone knows who they are anyway)

6. Open “massage” parlors in more of the city’s historic buildings to bolster tourism and amusement tax revenue.

5. Shut off traffic signals on days with statistically lower traffic.

4. Shut off street lights on evenings with statistically less crime.

3. Reduce the demand for city services by encouraging so much economic development that tax payers will be too discouraged to live here.

2. Place John Karoly on retainer.

1. Outsource the Mayor’s position. (An outsider like Roy Afflerbach is just the kind of new blood we need to turn things around)

NOTE: This consultation has been provided FREE OF CHARGE to the taxpayers of the City of Easton.