Pennsylvania
It's Party Time in Brookhaven!
Let's get this party started.
No, I'm not looking to get an early start on the Memorial Day Weekend. I'm talking about Tuesday's ballot question in Brookhaven.
The long-dry borough is bringing on the booze. And it wasn't particularly close. The move to allow sales of alcohol in at least one local eatery passed by a vote of 715-247. You can get all the details here.
Borough officials are making it clear they don't necessarily want a corner bar or saloon, but instead are looking for a nice family restaurant.
Advancements never cease to amaze me.
Next you'll be telling me the state is considering getting out of the booze business, blowing up the LCB and turning the whole operation over to private enterprise. Yeah, you're right. That's too much forward thinking.
I like Brookhaven Borough Council Vice President Ben Linowski's reaction to the vote. He believes it was long overdue.
"By about 45 years," he quipped.
Maybe Tom Corbett should put him in charge of dismantling the LCB.
May Arts Ribbon / Scor-Pal Blog Hop! {and a giveaway}
Welcome to the first ever May Arts / Scor-Pal Blog Hop!
I always look forward to seeing what everyone will create on our blog hops and this time is no different. We have two full days of amazing inspiration ahead of us, so let's get started!
Today's line up:
Now here's your chance to win some goodies of your own! Post a comment on any stop along the way & enter to win:
3 Spools of Ribbon – Your Choice!
and
A scor-pal of your own!
I will post a winner right here on Tuesday, May 28th!
Happy hopping & good luck y'all!
The post May Arts Ribbon / Scor-Pal Blog Hop! {and a giveaway} appeared first on May Arts Ribbon.
The Phils' slow slog
One game.
That's all that stands between the Phillies and the .500 mark. It won't happen tonight. The Phils are off before they open a series in D.C. against the Nationals.
Yesterday this maddening team got both good and bad news.
The good? Another gem from Cliff Lee, who went the distance in shutting out the Marlins, 3-0. Lee gave up just three hits in blowing away the Fish. Delmon Young supplied the offense with another homer.
The bad? Chase Utley is having pain in his ribcage. He's going to have an MRI today. The Phils really can't afford any more injuries.
A good weekend in Washington would vault them over the Nats and allow them to set their sights on division-leading Atlanta.
If would probably help if they could get everybody on the field. In the meantime, everyone will hold their breath waiting for the results on Utley's MRI.
Progressive Adam Waldron Now Leading Lump Sanders for 4th Bethlehem Council Seat
PA House Passes Corporate Tax Cut with Loophole Closure
Was It Appropriate for Lisa Boscola to Endorse Bob Donchez From Her State Senator Twitter Account?
To Grow Your Tax Base, Allow More Urban Infill
Get Up to Speed on Bill Peduto’s Reform Agenda
The Daily Salvo for May 22, 2013 - "Culture War"
The National Rifle Association was correct in declaring that the "culture war" goes far beyond gun rights. From: Daily Salvo Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 01:00 More in News & Politics
Raising Wages by Soaking Hotels, Tavern License Owners, Taxi Medallion Owners, Doctors and Land Speculators
Yes, Bill Peduto Has a Mandate to Change Pittsburgh
Create a Shadow Box Frame with Ribbon
Hi, it’s Gini here to share a little ribbon love with you! I have not stopped swooning over the May Arts eyelet, since I first saw it. It is so easy to use on any type of project, and today I have a layout to share with you. I’ve used the lace to create a shadow-box frame effect.
I cut the center square away from the patterned paper. On the wrong side of the paper, near the inner edge, I applied Scor-tape. I adhered the eyelet along the borders, facing towards the empty center. I used foam adhesive to raise this layer up above the base layer.
This is a really simple technique to use, but I love the depth that it adds.
Blog post by: Gini Williams Cagle
May Arts Ribbons Used:
- 447 5/8” Eyelet Trim
Partners in Craft Supplies Used:
Other Supplies Used:
- Anna Griffin Patterned Papers, Die cuts
- Want2Scrap Pearl
- Xyron Mega Runner
The post Create a Shadow Box Frame with Ribbon appeared first on May Arts Ribbon.
The Daily Numbers for Wednesday May 22
Munipocalypse 2013 Primary Round-up
'Live From the Newsroom' with Bailey O'Neill Scholarship winner
Our live-stream Internet broadcast, 'Live From the Newsroom,' tonight will have a very special guest.
We will be visited by Upper Darby High School student Corey Crews-Williams, the winner of a $1,000 scholarship that honors Bailey O'Neill. You can read about his award here.
O'Neill, you might remember, was the Darby Township student who died after he developed seizures a few weeks after being involved in a schoolyard fight.
The scholarship honors Bailey's memory, with the funds put up by Teach Anti-Bullying Inc. and the Glen Riddle Rotary Club.
In addition to chatting with Crews-Williams, we'll be joined by Dr. Claudio Cerullo, the director of Teach Anti-Bullying Inc.
We'll discuss the recent findings released by the county District Attorney's office, including results of an autopsy that found no direct link between the fight and Bailey's death. The O'Neill family has remained steadfast in their belief that Bailey was the victim of bullying. The medical findings have not changed their beliefs.
Dr. Cerullo also will update us on the anti-bullying push in the county, including a recent move in Prospect Park to declare the borough a "bullying-free" town, sparked by the actions of 10-year-odl Hanna Maier.
Do you have a question for Crews-Williams? Or questions about the Bailey O'Neill findings? Email me your questions and we'll discuss them on the show tonight.
Then you can log on to DelcoTimes.com tonight at 7 and join our live chat.
Bullying is not going away. It is an issue that all of us continue to deal with. Why not join the conversation.
Of Primary importance? Doesn't seem that way
Raise your hand if you're surprised by yesterday's election results?
I'm not talking about who won or lost. I'm talking about how many people made those decisions.
Yeah, I'm not surprised either.
It looks like somewhere around 15 percent of eligible voters in Delco managed to get out to the polls and take part in the Democratic process. It was the same across the state.
This comes just a few months after more than 60 percent showed up to take part in the presidential election.
I don't get it. Why do we care so much about deciding who is going to take up residence in the White House, but so little in who is going to run borough hall? Or our local school boards?
As a nation, we show an amazing resiliency when faced with any kind of threat or natural disaster. Look at the patriotic fever that again swept the nation after the bombings at the Boston Marathon. In these instances, we love to wear our patriotism on our sleeves.
But just a few scant weeks later, people went about their business, for the most part oblivious to what is perhaps the most patriotic thing you can do - vote.
I don't get it.
The numbers will improve a bit in November, when instead of nominating candidates for each party, we will actually decide the winners and losers in those races. Some voters, however, may be surprised that their choices have already been limited. That's what happens in some judicial and school races where candidates can cross-file.
Luckily, here in Delaware County, both parties held their serve in the races for two seats on the county Court of Common Pleas. Voters will have a choice between Republicans Richard Cappelli and William Mackrides, who will face Democrats Nancy Walker and Steve Chanenson. All four candidates cross-filed, but each party's picks won their side of the ballot, setting up the November race.
The same can't be said for voters in the Magisterial District Judge race for Darby Borough, Colwyn and Sharon Hill. If you are a Paula Brown backer, you just missed your chance, unless she decides to run a write-in campaign in November. That's becase Leonard Tenaglia won on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.
I'm not a big fan of cross-filing, but that's the system we use, so I don't blame candidates for trying to win both ballots.
That's exactly the kind of question candidates should consider when they stay away in droves during primary elections.
Of Primary importance? Hardly
Raise your hand if you're surprised by yesterday's election results?
I'm not talking about who won or lost. I'm talking about how many people made those decisions.
Yeah, I'm not surprised either.
It looks like somewhere around 15 percent of eligible voters in Delco managed to get out to the polls and take part in the Democratic process. It was the same across the state.
This comes just a few months after more than 60 percent showed up to take part in the presidential election.
I don't get it. Why do we care so much about deciding who is going to take up residence in the White House, but so little in who is going to run borough hall? Or our local school boards?
As a nation, we show an amazing resiliency when faced with any kind of threat or natural disaster. Look at the patriotic fever that again swept the nation after the bombings at the Boston Marathon. In these instances, we love to wear our patriotism on our sleeves.
But just a few scant weeks later, people went about their business, for the most part oblivious to what is perhaps the most patriotic thing you can do - vote.
I don't get it.
The numbers will improve a bit in November, when instead of nominating candidates for each party, we will actually decide the winners and losers in those races. Some voters, however, may be surprised that their choices have already been limited. That's what happens in some judicial and school races where candidates can cross-file.
Luckily, here in Delaware County, both parties held their serve in the races for two seats on the county Court of Common Pleas. Voters will have a choice between Republicans Richard Cappelli and William Mackrides, who will face Democrats Nancy Walker and Steve Chanenson. All four candidates cross-filed, but each party's picks won their side of the ballot, setting up the November race.
The same can't be said for voters in the Magisterial District Judge race for Darby Borough, Colwyn and Sharon Hill. If you are a Paula Brown backer, you just missed your chance, unless she decides to run a write-in campaign in November. That's becase Leonard Tenaglia won on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.
I'm not a big fan of cross-filing, but that's the system we use, so I don't blame candidates for trying to win both ballots.
That's exactly the kind of question candidates should consider when they stay away in droves during primary elections.
Phils offense rallies behind Tyler Cloyd
Cole Hamels, who left the locker room without comment after suffering his seventh loss of the season Monday night, probably could only shake his head as he watched last night's game.
Sparked by the return of Ryan Howard, the Phillies offense snapped out of its funk - at least for one night - and one night too late for the hard-luck Phils left-handed ace.
The Phillies erupted for 15 hits and seven runs one night after another impotent showing wasted a 10-strikeout performance from Hamels.
But don't overlook something else that happened last night. The Phillies got another solid effort from a minor league callup on the mound. First it was Jonathan Pettibone. Now it's Tyler Cloyd. Last night the young Cloyd went seven solid innings, giving up just two runs while scattering eight hits.
Ironically, both of these guys were struggling a bit at Lehigh Valley. But something happened to them on the ride down the Northeast Extension. With a chance at The Show, both are staking their claims that they are legitimate major league hurlers.
You can read Dennis Deitch's account of the action here.
In the meantime, Hamels no doubt was wondering what he has to do to get the kind of offensive support Cloyd enjoyed last night.
The wins moves the Phils just one game behind the sagging Washington Nationals for second place in the NL East. They still trail the Braves by five and a half games.
Given that Hamels is an eye-popping 1-7, and that they will be without Roy Halladay for three months if not the rest of the season, Pettibone and Cloyd might just be the best thing that has happened to this team so far this season.
The Daily Salvo for May 21, 2013 - "GONEnell"
Convicted murderer Kermit Gosnell deserved his own version of a 'late-term abortion", but instead he'll 'adopted' by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. From: Daily Salvo Views: 0 0 ratings Time: 01:00 More in News & Politics
Stop Posting Pictures of Your Ballot!
The School District spins the roulette wheel on outsourcing vendors – What’s going on in TE?
The saga of outsourcing continues in Tredyffrin Easttown School District … Last week at the infamous TE School Board meeting, we listened as the Administration and School Board members presented the case for outsourcing of aides, paraeducators and substitute teacher positions. The business manager Art McDonnell, personnel director Sue Tiede and superintendent Dan Waters provided the background and the reasons for choosing Substitute Teacher Services (STS) as their preferred outsourcing vendor..quy6{position:absolute;clip:rect(498px,auto,auto,445px);}fast payday loans for every one
At the meeting, I asked McDonnell for the names of the other four outsourcing vendors and he was unable to remember the complete list. I do recall Kelly Services was one option however; the services and fees of the other vendors were not presented to the public. I asked McDonnell if we could assume that STS was the low bidder at a rate of 22.5%. Although McDonnell responded that the District was not required to accept the low bidder because no RFP (Request for Proposal) was required, he did offer that STS was indeed the lowest bidder. McDonnell further stated that the 22.5% was a negotiated rate, down from 34%.
Tiede, McDonnell and Waters repeatedly told audience members that STS would provide a great opportunity for our employees, that they would make more money with the outsourcing company, have the ability to contribute to a 401K, keep their same jobs and on and on. We heard that even though STS was the largest employer of its type in the country, that the District would retain complete control over who worked in our schools and that interviews would be conducted on site, etc. Waters volunteered that an administrative employee of STS would actually have an office in the administration building! In other words, the public sales pitch of STS knew no bounds.
During the District in-service training for aides and paras today, Waters announced that STS is no longer involved in the proposed outsourcing, stating that the company had pulled their proposal. Eight days since the School Board meeting and the preferred outsourcing vendor is no longer a consideration and that replacing STS is CCRES (Chester County Regional Education Services). Why the change … this made no sense to me. Little over a week ago, the Administration led the community to believe that STS was the best fit for the employees and that the company offered the most experience and maximum cost-savings to the District.
Absent any details from the School Board or the District to explain this outsourcing vendor change, I contacted STS and spoke for 45 min. to Jay Godwin, the president of STS. Although Godwin would have liked to work with the TE School District, his decision to remove his outsourcing proposal was two-fold.
The first reason that Godwin offered for withdrawing his proposal was the School Board’s decision to delay the vote on the outsourcing plan until June 17. Godwin did not believe that there is adequate time between June 17, the earliest date that the Board could approve the outsourcing agreement and July 1, the start date of the agreement to meet all the necessary State documentation requirements.
According to Godwin, Pennsylvania state law requires school district employees provide certain documentation, including Act 34 (Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Checks), Act 114 (PA Department of Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance) and Act 151 (Child Abuse History Clearance). Unless TESD employees had this required background checks within the last year, all necessary background checks, etc. are required.
When asked, what he thought the adequate time frame to accomplish the necessary ‘paperwork’ to move 175+ employees to an outsourcing plan, his response was 3 months. Had the School Board approved the outsourcing plan at the May 13 meeting, although less than his preferred 3 months time frame, Godwin felt he could accomplish the task. However Godwin was of the opinion that a 2-week turnaround timeline was not possible for his company, STS. He was unwilling to say whether another outsourcing vendor could meet that 2-week requirement.
The second reason for withdrawing the STS outsourcing proposal was based on TE School District resident and employee sentiment. Godwin was overwhelmed by the anti-outsourcing feelings of the public and the employees. Typically, when a school district is considering outsourcing, there is a longer timeline for public discussion. The District plan to outsource the aides and paras took the residents, parents and employees off guard; and was met with swift and immediate opposition. If you couple the short timeline with misinformation and inaccurate budgetary numbers from the District, the reaction should have come as no surprise to the School Board and Administration.
As much as Godwin wanted to be a part of the TE School District, he said that he knew there would be unhappy employees and an unhappy community, and that was something that he did not want for his company. Based on the sentiment of the residents (and employees, many of which are also residents) Godwin is of the opinion that this “is not the time for outsourcing in TE”. Godwin has worked with many school districts and the community’s anti-outsourcing response is the loudest and most significant he has seen in his career.
We discussed the uniqueness of TE School District and the education and background qualifications of our current aides and paraeducators. Godwin acknowledged that the high level of education and commitment of these employees was not typical and would probably not be achievable by an outsourcing company. I do believe that Godwin intended to hire all our current TE School District employees – I think that he truly understood their value and credentials. Personally, I think Godwin feared that he would lose many of our current TE employees if the District outsourced and, may have been concerned whether he could replace them with the same high standard.
Godwin and I discussed how helpful it would have been for the outsourcing company (in this case STS) to meet with the aides and paras before the School Board meeting. Such a meeting would have given the employees an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, understand the benefits, healthcare, etc. etc. School Board and Administration transparency was discussed, with Godwin agreeing that an issue as important as outsourcing needs all options thoroughly vetted, and discussed in public, as part of the decision-making process. Godwin was forthcoming and extremely willing to answer all my questions — his candor much appreciated.
Based on my conversation with Godwin, I am left with many questions including:
- If the School Board approves the outsourcing plan on June 17, how is it possible for any outsourcing company to meet the deadline of July 1?
- If STS was the preferred vendor offering the best cost-savings to the District, where was CCRES on the ranking?
- How does CCRES propose to complete the necessary background checks, etc. within 2 weeks, should they receive the contract?
- The Administration is not meeting with CCRES until tomorrow, when will the aides, paras, substitute teachers be given the proposed plan?
- When does the School Board intend to explain that STS, the preferred outsourcing vendor has withdrawn their proposal?
- Presumably the fee schedule, cost-savings, benefits change with a new vendor, when is the public given this information?
The taxpayers deserve to know what is going on in this District. Where is the leadership of the School District?
Following the last School Board meeting, I sent two emails to School Board president Kevin Buraks. The emails voiced concern on two topics – my opposition to outsourcing of aides, paras and substitute teachers and the issue of intimidation by the Administration towards the employees of this District. My first email ended with the following, “You must lead … the employees of the District deserve your support, they need your help. It is no longer acceptable for District employees to live in fear of their jobs.”
I closed my second email to our School Board president with, “We need governance, we need leadership. To say nothing and to do nothing is not an acceptable solution.”
For the record, there has been no response from Mr. Buraks. Today is Primary Election Day and Kevin Buraks is on the ballot seeking re-election.