The lawsuit against the district continues to be a problem for the school board.
In September 2006, a judge threw out the district’s case because it did not have merit. In his opinion, the board should abide by their contract with the contractor to arbitrate disputes rather than trying to shift the case to court.
The board appeals this ruling. The school directors told citizens since the beginning of this year this information was not available to the public. Yet the documents were reviewable September 2005.
This case began in October 2004, and the legal tab is growing to a point where the community deserves some answers. We have every right to ask questions. The board does not have to answer them, but the for the sake of transparency, they should.
Amthor Steel wants over $1,400,000 in payments and damages. There is only $1,200,000 in the Capital Project Funds to cover this claim. The district cannot ask the state for over $1,000,000 in refunds regarding the Middle School project until the case concludes. In addition, there was $810,541.00 of cost overruns for the new building.
The board aggravates the issue when they appear to violate the state Sunshine Law by not voting publicly on the appeal. The law says a governing body can deliberate litigation in private, but any official action resulting from those conversations must be at a public meeting. The board admits they had no public vote on the appeal.
The board’s stonewalling of questions or the flaunting of Sunshine Laws do not garner confidence or trust.
The district pins their hopes on the subterfuge that the contractor violated the Pennsylvania Steel Procurement Act. The judge did not buy this at the hearing, and it is doubtful the result will be any different in the Court of Common Pleas.
The money wasted on litigation could be more beneficial for educational needs. The burden then is on the board to win this case. Otherwise, the voters will render their verdict next election.
Posts
128 comments:
Once again, thank you, Al Jacobs, for providing us with yet another example of how some of you make fools of yourselves while attempting to make fools of the board. They are taking the matter to appeal, so they would be unwise to discuss it. How can you not understand that? You can ask questions for an hour, and if they have any common sense at all, they will continue to remain silent until the matter goes through the appeal. ...and you use the newspaper association to get your legal information!?! Please!
"The school directors told citizens since the beginning of this year this information was not available to the public. Yet the documents were reviewable September 2005."
So if the documents were reviewable, go review them and stop griping!
Hey, if the board can save a bundle of cash in court or by appeal or even delay the payment of such, the legal expense is worth it. And is it conceivable that the board might be correct on this one?
PS: What law school did you graduate from Mr. Jacobs?
The lawsuit is running up a tab that we can be using for education and even football, volleyball and the new track. Hey pro-football, volleyball and tract folks start coming to budget meetings. Next one is this Wednesday at 6pm. The public has the right to ask questions regarding this lawsuit and the people in the above blogs cannot stand that we ask questions. We will not go away. The board must be held accountable for wasteful spending. We need all the money we have for the children. This lawsuit was dismissed by the judge. End of story.
That's a GOOD question! I wondered the same thing.
"This lawsuit was dismissed by the judge. End of story."
If it was the end of the story, it wouldn't be going to appeal. Looks like you need to open the storybook and take a second look.
Hey Cappa maybe you should go to law school along with JS your so called lawyer. I have spoken to my lawyer in NY and they cannot understand what the heck you people are doing. Maybe I'll have to invite him down for a visit. What a eye opener it would be for him. I like him too much to make him suffer through a board meeting. You would probably treat him the same way you treat us. I guess you can't help yourself.
Our lovely board started the appeal process. No one told them they had too.
The judge dismissed the lawsuit, why is the board wanting to appeal this. Why can't they just pay the bill and get over it. It is going to cost the taxpayers way more then the bill we owe to the steel company. Another stupid thing this board is doing.
why can't they pay it, because they want that money for the football, track, or swimming pool. Or that darned Oley cruise to the Bermuda Triangle....toot..tooot..toooot...hurry up, and don't forget your sunblock!
Ooh, the Bermuda triangle! Are you guys going? I hear it's cheap!
We want you guys to go on vacation. We will give you a one way ticket. Time to tell the truth with what you are doing to this district. We have the right to know.
4:15 PM,4:18 PM,5:03 PM
Anonymous armchair lawyers, where did you get your law degrees, Matchbook University?
Thanks for the latest video, Al. Pictures don't lie, and neither do the LACK of responses.
If this lawsuit is like they say it is and it sounds like it this will make my taxes go up.
I will pay for books not lawsuits.
Same with me books not lawsuits! Enough already board. People other than the 5 are talking now.
I miss seeing the big picture of Dr. Cappa.
At least he looked like he shaved in the last picture. This video makes him look like Fred Flintstone's skinny brother. All that 5:00 shadow looks kind of funky. What next? Highlights and a big diamond stud earring?
Well, just the same, it's not about looks, it's about ACTS. And these are some bad actors. No awards here, all stay seated.
Wow, throw a video on the screen, and the pro boarders will come out of the woodwork. Mention retired teachers by name, and they show up, too. Isn't nature wonderful?
Hey...seems like everyone skillfully skipped right past that blog last night...about the background check...and the TEACHER that must not have had one....
Thank you Oley Concerned Citizens for the video. Now we can all see for ourselves how Al attempts to "cross examine" the board with questions he knows they are not at liberty to answer.
Three times the district's attorney disagreed with Al's facts from that "highly esteemed" PA Newspaper Association (not to mention MS's New York lawyer friend). If you look hard enough you can always get someone to corroborate your stance.
Thanks again, the video is illuminating.
The board and their yo-yo lawyer do not know what they are talking about. Yes they can talk about this lawsuit right now at a board meeting. They refuse to do so. So Al is right again. By asking questions and seeing this board sit there like puppets is again showing us their ill breeding.
We thought the video was quite informative, indeed. However, what we noticed, again, was that the board members all look as if they are wired to electric chairs and have been instructed to keep quite or they get zapped!
Liberty not with Cappa on the board. They have taken our liberty of speaking more than 3 minutes away from everyone.
What's Heckman looking at in that video? Does he have one of those ties that squirts water at the victim of the day?
Whats up Heckman your jacket too small. It looks like your having trouble with it in the video!
Larry, Moe, and Heckman?
Does not matter what questions Al asks the board. Does not matter what questions anyone asks the board. The whole meeting may as well be closed session, because it already is.
"Three times the district's attorney disagreed with Al's facts from that highly esteemed Pa. Newspaper Association."
And three times the district's attorney was dead wrong. He was disagreeing with Al's (and the P.N.A.) contention that the vote taken to appeal the court's ruling must be done at an open meeting.
Section 708b (Executive Sessions) of the Sunshine Law clearly states:
OFFICIAL ACTION ON DISCUSSIONS SHALL BE TAKEN IN OPEN MEETING.
Yet some people on here insist on bashing those who just want the board to uphold the laws of this Commonwealth. After all, they did take an oath to do so when they were sworn in.
Thank you for the video, Al. It shows the board members politely refraining from answering your relentless questions that you know they have been advised by the district lawyer not to answer. Where is the arrogance? Where is the rudeness? I see board members acting civil and professional while they are being badgered purely for the purpose of creating a video tape. You certainly knew they would not answer your questions ( a wise legal decision). These tapes are true eye openers, but apparently not in the way you had hoped they would appear. My sympathies go to the board members for having to put up with this ongoing nonsense.
Start putting your money where your mouths are. Get rid of these scumbags. After reading this blog, we all know they are low lives who do nothing for society and nothing for their families. You are all so much better than them. In fact, some of you are so sure that you are always correct that you must surely be perfect. So quit complaining and run for school board. Get rid of those horrible worthless scumbags. I can't believe these horrible scum dwellers even live in our community. Surely they must be horrible fathers/mothers/community members/Christians... I would never have known how horrible these people were had you not enlightened me. Now I know that if I see one of them, I should surely run!
I hear Daniel Boone School District is doing a lot better in the past few years. Years ago they had to deal with some people who seemed bent on destroying the district. You wouldn't happen to know any of them would you?
Okay Attorney RS, we will certainly believe you over an actual attorney!
Wow the pro-boarders are having a bad day. RS is right again so is Al. And Daniel Boone still has the board members that Al got on when he lived there, thats why you assume they are doing fine. They have their own problems. I know one man on the board there, very nice and he has seen our board in action and cannot believe what he witnessed. Daniel Boone is not Oley. We care about Oley and we have enough problems here. Stick to the issues will you.
I expected that kind of response. Even when it it clearly written in plain English you choose to ignore it. It might come as a shock to you but attorneys are not always right. How many hundred attorneys do we have representing us in Harrisburg and Washington? Are you telling me you blindly follow everything they say and do? I don't know who you are but I do know you are smarter than that.
OK, then, suppose you tell me which part of section 708b isn't clear and open to interpretation. I don't care if you are pro-board or even a board member but there is no way that you can not see that they were wrong to not take the vote in an open meeting. But I'm a board hater (not true) for pointing this out. So be it...
Hi Russ you are right, who cares what they think of us. Keep your spirit's up. You know that you are doing the right thing by writing this information on this blog. Thank you for your concern and honesty.
yadda, yadda...where's you smiling pickle now?
Run, run, Rudolph!
So let's get this straight, Al is responsible for getting certain individuals elected to the Daniel Boone School Board. Probably because he found things there that he disagreed with too.
Then he sells his home after his children are grown and intentionally moves to the Oley Valley School District. I'm sure he did plenty of research before making such an important decision. There must have been something that drew him here. Apparently that "something" has changed and now he's dissatisfied with his decision.
Where will he go next? Maybe back to Daniel Boone where he has cronies on the board. Or does he plan to get Cindy and Mary elected here? He has that power ya know.
Get a life!
You have the power to be an idiot! Gripe this!
Dear Abby says:
I've received many a letter over the years, each special in it's own way. Often, the letters are written by adults, but follow very juvenile patterns.
Example: "Once again, thank you, Al Jacobs, for providing us with yet another example of how some of you make fools of yourselves while attempting to make fools of the board...."
Readers: Please note! The content and real meaning of that phrase is confusing. What stands out most is the fact that "someone" feels inferior to "Al Jacobs," and attempts to condemn "Al Jacobs" at every opportunity, and in every way.......but one. If the writer of the above comment truly has a worthwhile issue to take up with "Al Jacobs," perhaps standing on your own two feet would be a start. "Al Jacobs" has no problem stating his opinions, and no problem stating facts. It would only stand to reason that "Al Jacobs" would welcome any and all "fair and honest questions," and would respond accordingly.
Dear Abby says: Make a decision, mystery blogger(s). Come forward with your self proclaimed knowledge of Oley School District, Daniel Boone School District, and any truly important facts. You seem to be an encyclopedia of School Board knowledge. Share your wealth! It is still more blessed to give, than receive, when it comes to knowledge, it's greedy and selfish to keep your special information unto yourself.
"Al Jacobs" sees problems and attempts to address these to the Board, which is good for everyone. If you feel you truly have him pegged as a detriment to our community, you're not doing your part if you don't clarify your statements and at least attempt to prove YOUR point.
Dear Abby also says: When your true colors are showing, make sure they match! Something in your color scheme is off......
Thanks for the vote but no thank you. Anyone of the 5 would be crazy to run having Dale at the polls attacking us is not my idea of a good time. I will look for new candidates that have the same fiscal responsibility and accountability that we are looking for in our current board. There are many people that share our concerns with this district that are suitable to run. I just hope that can get through the bull with Dale at the polls.
You do not know what your are talking about. Al's children were attending DB when Al was involved. He had no attention in destroying the system nor does he have the attention of destroying OV. He wants accountability, honesty, fiscal responsibility then and now. What is your problem anyway: Al asking questions or you people not willing to answer and looking stupid like always. We are in America you know, you can speak if you want at board meetings. You do not have to sit there like puppets on strings, glued to your seat, do not speak unless you get the nod. I have actually seen the nod.
Isn't it funny that nobody on this blog knows what they're talking about with the exception of a select few? People are encouraged to write, but then criticized for having an opinion. I agree, some of you folks would be very difficult to live with.
You're right. It's as if they were raised by wolves.
Are all the school board meetings the way the Oley ones appear to be? I can't imagine the general population putting up with this stuff.
I've never seen this "Dale" at the polls, but then maybe he doesn't live in my township. The only people I've seen there are the ones trying to hand out nail files and candidate flyers.
There are five seats to be filled in next year's election. Suitable candidates include those who are over age 18, are registered voters, and live within the district. All are welcome to put their names on the ballot and let the voters decide. No one individual from either "side" can make or break a local election that most people don't even pay much attention to.
Dale is from Ruscombmanor Township. If you're a teacher, or employed in any way by the school system, Dale is very nice. If you don't agree with him, there's no red carpet, believe me. He's entitled to his opinion, the same as we're entitled to ours. Only difference, what he supports comes out of taxpayer's pockets, and lines the teacher's pockets pretty nicely. Perhaps there's other reasons that he is involved, although none have come to the surface, that we've noticed. He's supposedly retired from teaching, so whatever his envolvement is, is really his business. Until it directly affects your wallet or mine. That's where the buck stops.
Yes, this is a very small pond, but we don't have a fish that large around here. I think "Dale" is a figmant of your immagination or perhaps suffers from delusions of grandeur.
"I can't imagine the general population putting up with this stuff."
Go ahead and ask the general population just how many times each of them has been in attendance at even one school board meeting. With over 8,000 registered voters, if they only attend one meeting a year, every meeting should have over 300 residents in the audience. Apathy or contentment are at play here.
Amen!!! Apathy is the thing the school board counts on. Get off your rear ends and go to a school board meeting. Maybe Al can organize 300 people for the next meeting!!
Oh how we wish Dale was not real. 2 people running for school board a few years back had to move out of this district because Dale who you do not think is real was down at the court house and when these individuals came to put their name on the ballot he came after them with some pretty scary words. I will not get into that on this blog. Also Dale has been at board meetings here in Oley. He is called up by Heckman for budget time, election time and whatever else that want to scare off. This place is very corrupted. Get real here people. The public is taken back by how the board treats them at the board meetings. I have been at them and I have seen first time people show up and never come back and at the end of the meetings they tell you they cannot believe what they have just seen. Ask the people that came the other night. The board thinks there more mighty then all of us. They better think again.
Apathy and being scared that is about it. There might be a slim group of people that can actually say they do not care one way or another what this board is doing. Majority of the residents in this district are watching what is going on but working 2 jobs, raising kids and trying to survive is their priority. Coming to any meetings in our district can make anyone physically sick.
Thanks for wanting me to run for school board but my priority is with my children first. I could not devote sufficient time for the good of all children.
300 people or 1 person does not matter, cause Oley only has a handful of police.
I help the other children of this district Elem. mostly as much as I can. But my family needs me for them after school. I could not make night meetings that the board would require me to attend.
Hey board members: If you cannot stomach the concerned citizens anymore why not step down from the board now! You do not have to wait until May. I am sure someone would like to fill your seat now.
Oh sure. Poor you can't give up your evenings to serve on the board like other current board members can. I guess that is what seperates the men from the boys.
Good Idea. Have current board members step down to have replacements hand picked by the board...like Gotwalls was.
Yeah, good idea genius.
Gotwalls was handpicked for what reason. I thought the just ran for office when others were running. Was she actually a replacement from someone that quit or something?
Gotwalls has 3 or 4 children, doesn't she? How does she find the time to raise kids, work, and go to all of those meetings?
Gotwall only has a daughter, in high school I believe. And I think she's retired. Her name is mentioned in the paper for being at many of the meetings so she seems like she's giving as close to 100% of her time as she is able to give.
Dr. Gotwals (a veterinarian) has two small children. Last I heard, she is homeschooling her daughter who is elementary level. She is semi-retired, I believe, to spend more time with her family.
It would seem as though most concerned people have more of a problem with what goes along with the title...board member...rather than the amount of hours and meetings involved. Face it, there's 9 people trying to please an entire community. No matter what they do, they will never do that. It's almost like they know that all along and just plan on doing what they are told by the super heros at the front table. Go to a meeting to see the puppet show in action. When people said there were stings attached to the responsibility of being on the board, most people did not realize that there actually ARE strings. More like fishing line strong enough to reel in a whale or two. Here's the funny part. The Concerned Citizens think THEIR Sunshine Act was violated! Ha! Check out the board. They are only allowed to say two words...yes or no. And only when the magic wizard in the big cape makes eye contact with the board member in question. Look out the window. You may see a mighty bolt of lightning at the precise time any decision is reached! Like going to a night game at the ball park. Only difference is, the teachers and staff are the only ones that win this game.
So Sharlotte is a veteran? How long was she in the service? That's really neat!
Here you go again not knowing the facts. Dr. Gotwals has 2 children. She does not come to the meetings 100%. She actually has missed very important votes. She rather go to Kentucky then vote on say teacher contracts, budget, new administration, or new teachers. She has missed alot of important meetings. She actually talks at meetings, she does not only say yes and no. Sometimes she gets the evil look from the higher uppers for talking tooo much.
Oh boy! Gotwals lives behind the elem and middle schools. Shes the one with alot of land back there. She could be on the board for maybe a block of land for say a new HS, new pool, new administration building, you never know do you. The future for full of surprises.
You call them men????
1 kid, 2 kids, 4 kids, who cares? Nobody. We only care if she votes for what is best for her 1,2,or 4 kids and the rest of us, too.
So being a vegetarian gets you a seat on the board? wow, who'd have guessed that? That lets me out!
Some wackjob wrote "Dale who you do not think is real was down at the court house and when these individuals came to put their name on the ballot he came after them with some pretty scary words."
Are you nutz? The poor intimidated person moved out of the district? Is this Dale guy a mob hitman?? Did that person or persons call the police or call the DA in Berks county or call the FBI???? I guess not because we never read about voter intimidation in Al's gospel "The Reading Eagle".
Oh brother, you board bashers have hit another new low.
Dale knows who we are talking about. Thats it. The person was so upset he went in front of the board said his peace and put his house on the market. I know the family and they are very nice. It is hard to deal with nasty people if you are not used to it. I guess we are getting used to the bashing, even though it is terrible and uncalled for. Stick with the issues, we have enough of them.
Hit another low oh no! Then we will be acting like you. Oh please do not let that happen.
If I were "Dale" I'd want to clear my name. Has this already happened? Maybe this is all a big misunderstanding?
"Dale who you do not think is real was down at the court house and when these individuals came to put their name on the ballot he came after them with some pretty scary words."
Answer the question anyone, someone...
Did this intimadated person go to any authority, police or other??
Lets all deal in facts, not hearsay. If you are a first hand witness to this intimidation go report it or give up the names of the poor intimadated person. When was this anyway and what about recent elected board members?? I'll bet Mr. Maloney wasn't hand picked to be a board member.
And I'd bet Mr. Maloney wouldn't be intimidated by "Dale."
Maybe RS can answer the big question about being "given the nod." Was this a practice he participated in when he was board president? With 13 yrs experience, he knows all the behind the scenes happenings - let's ask him for some input on this.
I don't know a single person in the Oley area with two jobs. Just where are you getting your data from?
For a group of people that put so much importance on the facts/truth, there seems to be a lot of allegations without any evidence:
Some teacher involved with an 8th grader.
Someone named Dale accused of all kinds of things,and to quote "perhaps there's other reasons that he is involved, although none have come to the surface that we've noticed."
Suggestions of candidate intimidation.
Is someone dreaming this stuff up or are they attention seekers? Either way, don't post this nonsense and then ask others to believe that you're all about the facts.
This blog more closely resembles a cheap soap opera than a Concerned Citizen's forum. Where's your credibility gone?
"Are all the school board meetings the way the Oley ones appear to be?"
Here's something else to wonder about: Are other district's blogs anything like this one?
One more thought before I turn in:
While driving in the area this weekend I noticed yard signs in the Brandywine District that supported elimination of property taxes/repeal Act 1. Are the Concerned Citizens of Oley joining forces with other groups? Are we working together to get something positive accomplished? I know, you're going to say we're working locally. Well guess what folks, this is the way to benefit the locals - on a state wide effort. Provide some real leadership here.
When I ran for school board in 1993, at the end of a school board meeting, Dale backed me into the book cases in the old high school library and got in my face so rudely at the meeting, that an attending citizen, who also happened to be a constible, intervened and walked me to my car because he feared for my safety. It was scary since Dale is about 6'4 and I'm 5'4.
Dale would also write things on a paper while certain people took my campaign literature during his shifts at the poles (perhaps to give the appearance of noting their names?). These actions were certainly intimidating. These are facts and I have witnesses.
As to the blogger that said nobody is working two jobs -- you just haven't been talking to the right people. My husband worked two jobs for 20 years; I have worked at my business and an evening job off and on for several years; my brother-in-law continues to work two jobs -- to pay his taxes. We have an 80 year old neighbor who continues to work part time. He'd love to retire, but who can at the astronomical growing tax rates. That's in one small circle of people.
LB-thank you for your last posting. Although there is plenty of heresay about THE BIG "D" , your posting clarified things.
My sister and I were approached by him at the polls when we first moved here. Tall, well dressed, BIG handshake. But, after a few political comments, he was not able to conceal his true reason for "volunteering" at the polls. He's ALL about the benefits GUARANTEED to the teachers, and NOT ONE WORD WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDENTS. My sister and I could clearly see how he could intimidate people. Frankly, we thought he was a bad actor. His words were wasted on us. If we were leaning at all in the direction of his thinking, his plan backfired. We found him repulsive. To older people, someone like Dale is just better off left alone. Don't feed his weird ego. We imagine he is reading this blog daily, and we bet he is beaming when he sees his name on here, no matter why it's there. It does not take much to be the big fish in the little pond. We feel his time could be better spent, but that's his decision, not ours.
To anyone acting like this "Dale"
A good mother would tell you that they want to be proud of you. Surely there is something that you're capable of doing in the public eye, other than intimidating people. If you're as tall as I recall, you still stick out like a sore thumb. When you're already a spectacle, make your family and your community proud of you. Anyone can be an ass.
..."I don't know anybody that works two jobs?.."
Well, you must have a nice circle of lucky people you surround yourself with, then. I don't know many people that DON'T have two jobs.
Take a walk through the doors of any Walmart. People in their 80s, barely can see over the carts, and they are greeters and SECURITY. This country is in the dumper when we've got people in their 70s and 80s working...NOT FOR THE FUN OF IT.
Wake up, there are loads of people working two jobs, and there's only one thing they have in common:
PAYING THEIR TAXES
Don't like that comment, greedy teachers? Too bad, the truth hurts.
"Dale would also write things on a paper while certain people took my campaign literature during his shifts at the poles...."
THAT is something that should be looked into. Where does this tall verion of Barny Fife come off doing that? There must be something seriously wrong with a school system that hired--and kept--a creep like that on the books---and around children no less. Shame on that administration for allowing it.
Pretty sure that Dale retired this year from teaching art at the Reading high school.
Please explain what "being given the nod" means. Then, maybe, I can comment on it.
OK Let's think about this.
Say the average property tax bill is $4000. per year. If you divide that by 52 weeks that is $76.92 a week. Divide that by the minimum wage ($5.55)equals 13.86 hours.
Are you telling me it takes a second full time job to cover $76. a week?
I think you all have mastered exaggeration or maybe you are the ones with the very large properties and do pay high taxes. Must be nice to be you.
Anonymous said...
Gotwalls has 3 or 4 children, doesn't she? How does she find the time to raise kids, work, and go to all of those meetings?
7:30 PM
How about this...
Cindy Smith has 5 children, dosen't she? How does she find the time to raise kids, work, and go to board meetings and blog every 15 minutes?
I saw that guy at the polls. Again, I'm glad my children are in Oley Schools. Sheds a little light on how bad things could have been here.
As for that 8th grade story, that was not a story, that was fact. Maybe 10 or 12 years ago, EVERY student knew about it, the 8th grader was not particularly ashamed, but her parent that worked at Oley school probably was. You want actual names, go to the office and ask. Doubt they will give you the names, but if they've worked here any amount of time, they know.....they know. Politics gets in the way and a child is the one that suffers the most. Plus, Oley is made to look scummy. Who needs that?
to "good questions":
Mr. "Z" lives on Main Street
Ms. "C" lives on Main Street
Ms. "G" lives on a farm
How long will it take the local gossip to reach Mr. "Z" once Ms. "G" reports what she heard from Ms. "C"?
A: depends on where "Dale" was standing
B: depends on whether "Al" was taping
C: depends on how many hours of overtime "Cindy"worked
D: depends on how long the executive session lasted
E: depends on what stage of deafness retirement has left "Dale" struggling with.
F: depends on the pass/fail grading system for "sign language class."
In fairness to all, we'll be marking this on a curve. You know, just show up, provide an answer, and you will pass.
See how silly this is getting?
Cindy is driven by a quest for accountability from the school her children attend. Like we all should be.
I've never seen Gotwalls post on here, and like the rest of the board, if they wanted to, they would post on here themselves. She is probably not bringing herself down to this level. Why should she?
Oh yeah! I forgot about the secret nod. It's more of a winky twitch actually. When I was president (only a term or 2 because of that greedy Heckman)if another board member wanted to say anything they'd look at me for the twitch sign that told them it was OK to speak. Sometimes they would just pass notes under the table asking my permission but some sneaky concerned citizens broke our code. I understand that Heckman now has a new sign. If a board member wants to speak they pat their head and rub their stomach in a circle at the same time. Its kinda hard to do so thats why the board rarely speaks.
Check the math ...
That's about $330 a month for school taxes -- and many elderly people are living on about $1200 a month. Your hourly rate doesn't account for local, county, state and federal taxes either. You'd better redo your math with NET income.
Here's some real math for you. How about $625 a month for health insurance premiums, plus deductibles for meds. and doctors and out of pocket for eyeglasses and dental care - not covered by insurance, for an approximate total of $900 a month; and then $480 a month for school taxes. Nevermind pesky old home owners insurance and car insurance.
That's at least $1400 a month before groceries. YOU do the math. If school tax is your only priority in figuring a budget -- you are way out of touch. If this is the school district's method of deciding what a family of four or an elderly retired couple can afford, no wonder we're in such deplorable financial shape. Where is it written anywhere that everyone's financial goal in life is to support out of control, arrogant, wasteful, FAILED government schools.
Some people's properties are worth a lot, yes! Just because inflation has outstripped their financial status, does that mean they should give up their lifelong homes? For what? Ungrateful selfish brat yuppies.
This post reminded me of the person who 15 years ago essentially said at a school board meeting -- If you can't afford to pay the taxes to live in this district, then sell your home to someone who can.
That was a heartless equation then, and equally heartless now. Shame on you.
We also had a secret saying on the school board that was our password. "Holy schmoley we are the the big cheese in Oley, ya once"
I won't tell about the initiation ceremony but yes there was paddling involved.
RS...you're a trip!
If these recent posts really are from RS...you can at least bring us a laugh today, Good Job! Now "I" need a tissue to wipe my eyes, you are pretty funny today!
Hey Russ, you are full of laughs this morning. Seriously, Heckman does do a nod, I have seen him do it at every meeting. The board must be not thinking anything of the nod, but when a board member wants to talk or the board president wants them to stop talking, he lifts his chin up and his eyes are going all over the room. Plus his cheeks as red as they get is another sign he wants you to shut-up or talk or he is mad as hell. You must have had more control over the board being the president then this guy has. He puts on a real show.
lb said "Some people's properties are worth a lot, yes! Just because inflation has outstripped their financial status, does that mean they should give up their lifelong homes? For what? Ungrateful selfish brat yuppies."
Sounds like you have yuppie envy. The previous tax comment was not about every other expense in life, (by the way you forgot to list new underwear and a pack of juicy fruit gum expense) The person was talking about taxes only.
You are right Linda, they do not know what they are talking about again. People are working 2 jobs and then they get no quality time with their children. Cut me a break board there is enough money for a no tax increase the past couple of years. You are killing the people of this district. They cannot take anymore increases. Stop talking like theres alot of money in this district. That is flat wrong. People need a break from another tax increase. If you want to get on the board again, you better do something right or your out. We have given you enough chances.
Hey tell us who you are concern citizen basher. Go to a board meeting yourself or shut up. You are bashing the messenger again. Get your facts or if you choose not to believe us, you can go to a meeting and see for yourself. Taxes and medical, food, mortgage, gas its all the same. People cannot keep up and you people have the money to stop tax increases. Do not tell me its required by the state to have a load of money sitting there. You are up to something again.
OK Mary. I'll get right on it.
The comments at 8:23 and 8:33am were NOT made by me.
There was no nodding when I was on the board. There were no initiations, hand-picked candidates, secret handshakes or anything else.
Geez Russ, I thought you developed a sense of humor somehow. Too bad. The other rs is pretty funny.
No yuppie envy here. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about my family and me would find that quite amusing.
I'm speaking for the less fortunate who are about to lose their homes.
As to the fake RS ...
The REAL RS has far too much class to ever say the things maliciously attributed to him on the site this morning.
The previous post is from LB
Glad to see the president of the board finally writing. Unless he was in the past but did not want us to know.
Dale must have told him to do so.
I love this blog. We have Dale the hitman and Mary Swartz's New York mobster lawyers. We have poor people in their new underwear chewing juicy fruit gum, secret handshakes, paddling and pickles.
God bless the Oley Valley.
Go Oley Football!!
Just a ding-dang minute. Where are your brains, bloggers?
You've got to be kidding on here today. How stupid to play right into the hands of the board, yet again. Do you really think any of those clowns would write ANYTHING on here, and sign their names to it? Well, here's an idea for you.GO TO THE NEXT MEETING WITH A PRINT OUT OF THESE POSTS, ASK FOR THEIR AUTOGRAPHS. BET YOU GET NONE.
lOVE,
Minnie
Suggestion for Mr. Jacobs -
Maybe you could video tape Mary Swartz demonstrating the Heckman "nod" and post the video on this blog so we can all learn what to watch for.
Hello minnie, you are right!
and before you start playing football on my dime, could you please have someone clarify those "math" quotes a few blogs back? Only a teacher would post such a lie. For all the money they earn and benefits they suck in, they did not acquire much in the self confidence department. They sound scared to death they will lose their benefits and be stuck trying to survive like the rest of us.
...pickles, paddles, and phoey to you.
No need for a video of myself doing the nod, I would not put myself on this blog looking like Heckman, even for a free tax bill. Sorry cannot do that. Go to a board meeting and see for yourself. Hello Dale, Dr. and whoever else is writing this morning. Have to go rake now. We all help around the house here. Bye-bye
Minnie,
Exactly what would an autograph prove?
that they CAN write!
Hey Minnie, How's the juicy fruit?
Who ever thinks it's funny to joke about senior citizens trying to save money for new underpants and a pack of gum, I hope when you get to be that age, your undies come from Goodwill and they gum is scaped from under a desk while you're doing your SMILES job.
Whenever the words "underpants and a pack of gum" appear together in a sentence, it IS funny.
You're right! I'm sure Al will be scolding us shortly, but we can always apologize in advance. Sorry, I have no time for spell check, hope this is at least readable.
Juicy Fruit? WHat sicko came up with that name, anyway?
Hey you fools who cannot discuss anything like "intelligent" human beings. You sound like Bevis and Butthead, making fun of the elderly who made the Valley a nice place to live in the first place.
Go find some other web site for your idiotic ramblings.
Your are right about the Bevis & Butthead sounding comments.
When my hard working g.g.g.grandfather came to this pristine valley some 4 score and seven years ago, he only brought two yoke of oxen, a big yellow dog, a tall shanghai rooster and one spotted hog, and his wife. I'm sure they never would have believed that King's would one day have its own pharmacy and Oley would have a football team. I'm proud to say that day is almost here.
A critic wrote "Go find some other web site for your idiotic ramblings. 12:57 PM"
Well it may be idiotic but not rambling like Minnie.
You people think taxes are high now, just wait. This country is back in the hands of the tax and spend liberals who want to "redistribute" the wealth. If you are someone who has a job (or two), I've got news for you - you are considerd "wealthy" and what you have is up for grabs. Hopefully we'll see Pres. Bush pull out that mighty VETO. Choices and consequences ladies and gentlemen!!
Which one are you the descendent of? The rooster, the yellow dog, or the spotted hog?
The Steel Lawsuit Continues! The school district lawyers keep making the same arguments in different forums, and losing. The original judgement was for over $2million plus interest...that's over $300/day. The lawyers are making the same arguments in another appeal...and the interest grows.
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