Occupy Wall Street will get police escort Story Comments (1) ShareShare Print Create a hardcopy of this page Font Size: Default font size Larger font size Share
Posted: Thursday, November 10, 2011 4:35 pm | Updated: 7:26 pm, Thu Nov 10, 2011. By James McGinnis Staff writer | 1 comment Occupy Wall Street should march into Bucks County Saturday and the first to greet protesters could be local police. Two dozen activists are expected to reach Morrisville early Saturday after a three-day hike from New York City's financial district. The group calling itself "Occupy the Highway" is set to walk along busy roads in Bensalem, Falls, Middletown and Morrisville before continuing on to Washington, D.C. Falls and Morrisville police said they were never notified of the protest route and will likely assign a police escort out of an abundance of caution. "I guess these people think that if they can walk safely through Trenton then they should be able to make it through Morrisville," said borough police Chief Jack Jones. "We'll have an on-duty cop car follow them just to be safe." The planned route through Bucks includes several busy roadways that lack sidewalks in some areas. Details were posted on the group's web site, http://nycmarch2dc.wordpress.com Protesters said they'll enter Morrisville from Trenton at Bridge Street. The scheduled route then heads southeast on East Lincoln Highway to Trenton Road. The group will then head south along Trenton and Hulmeville roads to Route 13 in Bensalem. Occupy the Highway organizer Michael Glazer said Thursday he understands the concerns of local police but doesn't believe escorts are needed. Cop cars have been following the march most of the time since leaving New York City on Wednesday morning. There was no time to notify police of the route, said Glazer, a 26-year-old actor from Chicago. "We threw this thing together in a week," he said. "We're just getting out there and doing it. It was spontaneous and I think that's what struck a nerve with people." Occupy the Highway is scheduled to end its walk through Bucks County and spend the night somewhere in Bensalem, although the group has no specific place to stay, Glazer said. "We're still trying to figure that out," he said. "There's no camping in that area." Occupy protests have been defined by their makeshift campgrounds on public property. The group's two-week march to Washington is scheduled to coincide with a critical vote by a congressional deficit reduction committee in late November. The committee, made up of both Republicans and Democrats, is charged with cutting $1.2 trillion from the deficit. The protesters want Congress to plug that hole by taxing the rich.
The Swearing in of the New School Board will take place Monday December 5th in the LGI room at the High School between 7 and 7:15pm. Everyone is invited to witness the changing of the guard
Reposting this to help.... ************* Did you know we aren’t having a Winterfest Parade?
Why you ask? Well it’s kind of a long story.
First, this is not a borough run function, which I didn’t know. A woman from the first ward wanted a parade so, basically, she started one. She got a few people together, did some fundraising and now we have the Winterfest parade. Well…we had a Winterfest parade.
With the economy being what it is, the borough was forced to begin charging for the police officers time used for these types of events. This year the cost will be $500.00.
Over the years the expense of the parade was funded in part through donations with the balance coming directly from a few of the organizers. With the added expense of the police it just didn’t seem possible and so nothing has been done to raise funds for this year’s parade.
I have been told that if I can have a check for $500.00 along with a letter to Borough Hall by Monday afternoon (Nov. 14) that it should be possible to have this put on the agenda for the borough council to vote on at the next meeting on Nov. 21.
I have the support of the woman who originally started the parade and now I need yours!
I was told it can’t be done, really $500.00 in four days, if you are willing to take the challenge so am I.
I will take donations until 4 pm on Monday Nov. 14. If I collect a reasonable amount of money I will move forward, if not all money will be returned. It’s my hope that as a community we can come together and make this happen.
This is truly a community event. Any resident, club or group from Morrisville can be in the parade: Scouts, Vets, youth groups, clubs, bands and churches are encouraged to participate. The only exclusion will be any person running for public office.
This will be an event by the community for the community. Let’s make it happen!
A council person is a neighbor of mine so I asked some questions.
Charging $500 isn't a new thing. It isn't the first year for this. Last year the MBA picked up the $500.00. The group knew there would be this charge, it isn't like it was dumped on them. I had heard a rumor that the borough was making money from doing this. Even though I didn't believe it, I asked. The borough isn't making any money on the parade if that's what some people are thinking so that rumor can stop. the expense covers the cost of bringing on police for the event. I can understand this kind of stuff. I wouldn't want to be the one to have to explain to the taxpayers that their tax money was used to pay for things like a parade throughout the year.
When I read the comment about the parade the way I took it was that there was a four day window for the money to be in. In asking, I was told that Nov. 14 is the deadline. As I said this isn't a new expense and could have been raised throughout the year. There are also guidelines as to who boroughs can and cannot donate money to and this may not be one of them.
Don't get me wrong, the Winterfest Parade is a good thing for the community, I just hear the borough being blamed for things that are not in their control often and I believe there is a more positive approach to looking at a situation than to tag blame on the borough all the time.
My family has enjoyed some of the Winterfest activities throughout the years, although it becomes an extremely long day. We have watched the parade. I liked it better when it went past Summerseat - but that's just my opinion. I have really enjoyed the happenings at the high school. I believe that although the parade was okay, it seemed kind of odd to me over the years because it has been primarily in the first ward and because the parade group and the Summerseat group couldn't get along long enough to help each other with the parade route.
Even if the parade does not take place, the day will be full of activities for the families of the borough as it is every year.
I understand the frustration mentioned above. The parade always seemed to be nothing more than the marching band and the Baptist church floats and seemed to be exclusionary. In all honesty, the way it was I could take it or leave it. If it is going to continue, I'm kind of glad someone new is working on it because it may mean it becomes more open to everyone and community based. If it happens it happens, if not its still a day full of things to do around town.
OWS - Has anyone stopped by Dilworth Plaza since the Occupy Philly encamped there? The stench of urine and garbage pervades the area. You might say, "It always smelled!" It's much, much worse now. I don't disagree with their message, but their means of protest, sitting around doing nothing much except complaining about how the world isn't handing them a living, doesn't inspire me in the least. The marchers to DC are doing a bit more to raise awareness, but I am still left wondering if this whole effort isn't just a waste of time. If they want to effect change, they need to grab it by the balls and make it happen. Sitting on your butt, smelling of days and weeks without washing, never solved anything meaningful.
The winterfest/summerseat debacle has dragged on for years and is a great example of the dysfunction that rules this town. Two "community" organizations who can't seem to manage to coordinate a single day as a result of petty differences and age old rivalries. These people who always seem to want to be in charge of these organizations are the reasons why so many people don't get more involved. Sound familiar to anyone?
Conwell-Egan has solid future, school president says
While offering no guarantees and admitting the final decision is not hers to make, new Conwell-Egan Catholic High School President Janet Dollard said she believes the Bristol Township school will be open for many years to come.
Dollard, a Bensalem resident, offered those comments despite rapidly declining enrollment at the school over the last few years and continued speculation it will close at the end of this school year or at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
According to figures provided by the Philadelphia Archdiocese, enrollment at Conwell-Egan has fallen from 940 in the 2007-2008 school year to 570 this year. Last year’s enrollment was 690.
Some area residents wonder how the school can sustain itself with such enrollment declines, but Dollard said it’s doing just that.
“We are viable and sustainable,” she said. “What I’ve said at every opportunity is we are a strong, vibrant staple in the Lower Bucks community and we are committed to providing the next generation of Bucks County residents the same high-quality, affordable education that we have for the past 50 years.
“The school has undergone very positive changes and is committed to moving forward,” Dollard continued. “Our kids are our best salesmen. They are phenomenal and the product is good. There is no reason for us to go anywhere.”
This year’s tuition at Conwell-Egan is $5,600 for members of archdiocese parishes and $6,750 for non-members.
The final decision on closing any school in the archdiocese rests with its head, Archbishop Charles Chaput. In making those decisions, he will rely, in part, on a report on archdiocese schools from a Blue Ribbon Commission due out early next year, officials said.
Archdiocese officials said they couldn’t be more specific on the release date of the report. While it’s generally assumed the report will contain recommendations on what additional schools should be closed, officials wouldn’t confirm that.
There has been widespread speculation that any archdiocese high school whose enrollment falls below 600 will be closed. However, at a meeting at Conwell-Egan in March, Archdiocese School System Superintendent Mary Rochford denied there is any such hard and fast enrollment threshhold.
“There really isn’t a specific number,” said Rochford at the time. “You really have to watch the money. If a school gets into deficit spending, then we have to start looking at that.”
Dollard said this week that she’s limited in what she can say about finances at Conwell-Egan because it’s not a public institution. However, she said, alumni groups have been very active in raising money to fill financial gaps.
“What I can say is that I’ve been president for about 100 days, and in that time, we’ve made great progress in all directions, facilities, programs and finances,” said Dollard. “We have great kids, great programs and great alumni and are moving forward in every direction.”
Dollard said she was encouraged by the fact Conwell-Egan signed up more than 30 new students in all grades from July to August. She also said she is confident that next year’s enrollment will be higher than this year’s.
Some area residents are drawing significance from a recruitment letter sent by Gary Zimmaro, the president of Archbishop Wood Catholic High School in Warminster. The letter is being received by families of eighth-graders in Lower Bucks, and some people speculate that’s a sign that Archbishop Wood officials feel Conwell-Egan will be closing.
Don’t jump to any such conclusion, said Zimmaro. Such letters are sent out every year to families all over the archdiocese, including Lower Bucks, he said.
“It’s a standard recruitment tool used by all the archdiocese high schools,” he said. “I don’t know anything about Conwell-Egan or its future.”
Archbishop Wood appears to be in no danger, at least judging from enrollment figures. This year’s enrollment at Wood is 1,013, almost twice that of Conwell-Egan.
While Wood’s enrollment has also fallen in the last five years, the decline is not nearly as rapid as that of Conwell-Egan. Archbishop Wood’s enrollment in 2007-2008 was 1,167, so this year’s figure reflects a fall of 154 in five years, as compared to 370 at Conwell-Egan during the same period.
“I think Archbishop Wood is a viable school and a good investment,” said Zimmaro. “There is good solid enrollment right now. I personally have no fear we’ll be closing. I’m pretty confident we’ll be OK.”
For more information on the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission, visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.
Chris English; 215-949-4193; e-mail: cenglish@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: Twitter.com/courierc
OWS -Go down to Bridge st tomorrow and yell at the urine soaked granola munching brethren as they pass thru the ville. That'll be productive. Then hit a Tea party rally they may smell better but there just as bats*** radical crazy. If not more so. Try meditating too. It's alot better than just sitting around doing nothing.
Attach Chinese made teabags to your Chinese made Phillies baseball cap and Chinese made USA lapel pins to your Chinese made clothing, protest to take America back and put your faith in corporations and billionaires to see us through and do right by us working stiffs and retirees.
ANGRY SAYS THANK GOD MORRISVILLE YOU FINALLY GOT ANGRY ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING I CAN NOW GO DO SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING IN MY OWN AREA WWW.ANGRYYET.NET
seems to have touched a nerve with the OWS crowd. Your remarks tell a lot about you. You're just like the tea party idiots. No room for any view other than your own. The occupy Philly does stink and they've managed to accomplish very little with their sit on my butt approach. As batshit crazy as tea party crowd is, they at least managed to mobilize the electorate and get their candidates elected. That is effective democracy, whether you agree with them or not. But, Hey, don't let any factual observations get in the way of your liberal hate.
Well all righty then! I don't like OWS or TP radicalism. I believe in capitalism but it and corporations have flaws and when gaps between haves and have nots get too wide in a struggling economy perceived to be brought on by banks and big corps, the rads come out, OWS or TP. Some may go home after Day 1 and smell ok, others hang and smell comes because public baths & toilets are not conveniently located for that capacity. Mobilizing electorates and getting candidates elected isn't my gold std.of greatness especially when you follow the money (see Bros., Koch). OWS isn't over yet so too soon to call on electoral front.
But I can't go for that, (No can do) No, I can't go for that, (No can do) Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do) I can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that. I can't go for that, can't go for that (No can do) I can't go, I can't go-- for that, (No can do) Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do) Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no can do, Oh, Ican't go for that, yeah, (No can do) No, no, no, no, no, no..... (Repeat to fade out)
Come on, enjoy the sunshine, bag some leaves. Did I mention leaves? I may be temporarily delusional, but I'd like to think of the election as a mandate against antagonism for the sake of antagonism.
President DeWilde? I was never for SOC but of all of the SOC'ers John DeWilde would attend school functions, communicate with staff, and ask good questions of the Board. He would at times be ignored by the Board just like the public. Mihok tried to stick him with committees the first night that he was on the Board. He probably has the kids interest at heart.
Occupy squatters To the world: "Join us as we organize against corporations using social networking by corporations, Smartphones by corporations, serviced by telecom corporations, Wearing clothes made by corporations, Capturing it on cameras made by corporations, sold by other corporations, And getting their in cars, on buses and trains and bikes made by corporations. We deserve more from these greedy corporations. Join us later at Starbucks to talk about it."
Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 7:35 am, Sun Nov 13, 2011. By Chris English Staff Writer | 0 comments BRISTOL TOWNSHIP — Applications to the Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township are available online at www.bcths.com. Those interested in attending the ninth-through 12th grade school next year can visit that site and click "guidance services" and then "application process."
Completed applications can be dropped off at the school at 610 Wistar Road from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Dec. 5-9. The application lottery will be held at BCTHS on Dec. 15 and admissions decisions made by Feb. 21. The full-time comprehensive technical school offers both academic and vocational instruction and draws students from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts. For more information, call 215-949-1700, ext. 2978.
Option 1: All four Matters board members unite behind a reasonable SOC choice as president. Worob, Buckman, Stout, Heater, or De Wilde are the only choices.
Option 2: One of the SOCs defects to support a united Matters member.
To "Get Use to Reality" Get your facts in order. Heater will no longer be on the board. Her term is up. See if you can find out for yourself the correct name of the board member you missed in your statement.
I know this is going to sound idiotic, but I'm going to ask anyway. I was thinking of going to the Morrisville/Bristol football game on Thanksgiving morning, but I don't know where the Bristol football field is located. Does anyone know? I did google it but that got me nowhere. I was thinking of just calling the school district at some point between now and the game, but thought I would ask on here first. Thanks in advance.
Directions to Bristol High Football Field: Take Route 13 South to Bristol and just before the PA Turnpike entrance make a left turn at Green Lane. Follow Green Lane under the railroad bridge and make the first right onto Wilson Avenue. Stay straight on Wilson Avenue to Garfield Street and the football field sits behind the Bristol HS.
Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 6:42 am, Wed Nov 16, 2011. By George Mattar Staff Writer | 0 comments MORRISVILLE — A motorist stopped for coffee the other day, leaving his pet dog and the keys in the vehicle, with the engine running. When he came out with the java, his Mitsubishi Outlander was gone. Stolen. The dog was gone, too. The dog, though, either escaped or was let out by the car thief and made its way home, according to Morrisville police Chief Jack Jones "You should not leave a vehicle running no matter how long you will be away from it. What if it were a child in that vehicle?'' Jones said. The owner of Outlander, which is valued at $35,000, had parked at Dunkin' Donuts on Bridge Street Nov. 9, police said. The vehicle has not been returned. Neither has a cell phone, which was inside the Outlander. "It's that time of year when people are warming up their cars before leaving on cold mornings. Thieves can see them running, so you've been warned,'' Jones said.
To the incoming school board members, please include these in your mountain of lists of things needing your attention in January.
On the district's website it says, "The Morrisville School District recently purchased three vans to transport students with disabilities to school locations within or outside the district. Each of the students in grades K-12are either medically, physically or mentally disabled." It has been brought to my attention that these vans are not handicapped accessible, they are just regular vans. There is no lift, railings & they have not been fitted with special seatbelts or any of the other features that make something like this handicapped accessible. Instead of buying three regular vans, perhaps it would have been more responsible to purchase only one that works properly for the safety of the children.
Also, its my understanding that there is a bus that transports children of all ages to the Manor Park area of Morrisville WITHOUT adult supervision. I know of at least one young child who will not take this bus because of bullies, etc. This child is afraid. This is an accident waiting to happen.
Teachers’ hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do – babysit!
We can get that for less than minimum wage.
That’s right. Let’s give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan– that equals 6 1/2 hours).
Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day…maybe 30? So that’s $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.
LET’S SEE….
That’s $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master’s degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.
Wait a minute — there’s something wrong here! There sure is!
The average teacher’s salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student–a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!
Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.
Morrisville rescinds sex offender ordinance Story Comments ShareShare Print Create a hardcopy of this page Font Size: Default font size Larger font size
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 10:48 am | Updated: 7:10 pm, Tue Nov 22, 2011. By Gema Duarte Staff Writer | 0 comments Morrisville has joined the move to rescind local ordinances that restrict where registered sex offenders can live. On Monday night, the council members voted to repeal the borough's ordinance.
Councilwoman Kathryn Panzitta said the ordinance, enacted in 2006, is unconstitutional, so it needs to be removed from the books. Morrisville's action follows several communities around the state that have taken similar measures after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in May ruled that Allegheny County's prohibition on where registered sex offenders can live would isolate many in what would amount to "localized penal colonies." That decision spawned worries that municipalities with such ordinances could be exposed to liability in lawsuits. In Bucks County, Doylestown, Tullytown, Falls and Yardley have rescinded or started the process of rescinding their ordinances. Bensalem, Middletown, Newtown and Upper Makefield have ordinances that are still in effect. Penndel does have a sex offender ordinance, which council members have discussed repealing, but have yet to vote on it. Likewise in Lower Southampton, an ordinance was put in place, but it's no longer being enforced and officials plan to discuss repealing the ordinance in the near future, township Manager Ted Taylor said Tuesday. Bucking the trend is Newtown Township, which had advertised to rescind its ordinance but has postponed action for at least six months because some supervisors are not happy with state laws dealing with sex offenders. Until the supervisors are satisfied with the state's protections, they don't want to repeal the law. Wrightstown "considered having an ordinance back when it was a point of discussion, but our solicitor advised that he did not feel that kind of ordinance would hold up in court so we never passed one. And it turns out he was right," Supervisor Robert Lloyd said Tuesday. Upper Southampton never had such an ordinance either. "It's an issue of pre-emption," township solicitor Michael P. Clarke told the Falls supervisors last month. "The monitoring of sex offenders is pre-empted by state law," he said. Towns would risk facing legal challenges if they continue to enforce their own local ordinances now that the state court ruling has been handed down, Clarke said. "It goes way beyond lawsuits. Police who try to enforce the ordinance could lose their livelihoods, too," the solicitor added. Most local ordinances, enacted a half-dozen years ago, have restricted convicted sex offenders from residing or living within 2,500 feet of any school, park, amusement park, skate park, roller rink, arcade, skating rink, athletic fields, movie theater, playground or child day-care facility.
Hey Everyone, don't forget, Weds night 6pm is the annual Pep Rally at the High school. Thursday 7a-10am is the annual Student Loan Fund pancake breakfast at the high school cafeteria then head over to the Traditional Morrisville vs Bristol game (at bristol field) 10:30am
The article says, "The monitoring of sex offenders is pre-empted by state law." So this tells me council's hands are tied. Its my understanding that when the ordinance was put in place in 2006, Council knew that if it was challenged, they would not win, costing taxpayers millions. This is a correction that some may not agree with, but will save the borough from lawsuits we will not win and we all simply cannot afford. If you don't like this my suggestion is to go higher up than Morrisville's town council and look towards that state.
This ordinance was spearheaded by Jane Burger aa a mess she left behind with a mountain of others that the current council is faced with cleaning up. Sadly, more 3rd ward voters chose Jane's girl, Debbie Smith as their next councilperson which will make cleaning up Jane's ordinance messes much harder because it allows Rita to veto anything she doesn't like or is told not to agree with by Jane Burger. Nice job screwing the whole town with one vote.
This ordinance was spearheaded by Jane Burger as a mess she left behind with a mountain of others that the current council is faced with cleaning up. Sadly, more 3rd ward voters chose Jane's girl, Debbie Smith as their next councilperson which will make cleaning up Jane's ordinance messes much harder because it allows Rita to veto anything she doesn't like or is told not to agree with by Jane Burger. Nice job screwing the whole town with one vote.
I love how Jane Burger and her followers have messed this town up so much but blame everyone else but themselfs when will this town wake up and send this woman packing she is not good for the future of this town she has too much power over this town
Fifty-four percent of small businesses say what they need most to grow their business is more customers. Local businesses create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods. That's what Small Business Saturday is all about. Get out on Nov. 26, and support your peers--and hopefully they'll support you, too. Come on everyone, lets boost Morrisville this Saturday, shop local the local hardware, food store, pizza shop, Deli etc etc. All it takes is one purchase from each family and imagine whats possible. Happy Thanksgiving
REPOSTED FROM THE ASPCA.... What Every Pet Parent Should Know about Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is all about spending time with loved ones—human and animal alike. So it makes sense that we’re tempted to fix Fido a plate of all the scrumptious holiday food we’re eating, right? But wait! Put down the serving spoon. Are you sure that’s safe for your pet? Here’s what you need to know.
Ten Thanksgiving dangers. Some foods are totally off-limits to our furry pals (and there’s a full list of them at ASPCA.org). Ten of them are especially common around the holidays. Just say no to:
57 comments:
Occupy Wall Street will get police escort
Story
Comments (1)
ShareShare
Print
Create a hardcopy of this page
Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size
Share
Posted: Thursday, November 10, 2011 4:35 pm | Updated: 7:26 pm, Thu Nov 10, 2011.
By James McGinnis Staff writer | 1 comment
Occupy Wall Street should march into Bucks County Saturday and the first to greet protesters could be local police.
Two dozen activists are expected to reach Morrisville early Saturday after a three-day hike from New York City's financial district.
The group calling itself "Occupy the Highway" is set to walk along busy roads in Bensalem, Falls, Middletown and Morrisville before continuing on to Washington, D.C.
Falls and Morrisville police said they were never notified of the protest route and will likely assign a police escort out of an abundance of caution.
"I guess these people think that if they can walk safely through Trenton then they should be able to make it through Morrisville," said borough police Chief Jack Jones. "We'll have an on-duty cop car follow them just to be safe."
The planned route through Bucks includes several busy roadways that lack sidewalks in some areas. Details were posted on the group's web site, http://nycmarch2dc.wordpress.com
Protesters said they'll enter Morrisville from Trenton at Bridge Street. The scheduled route then heads southeast on East Lincoln Highway to Trenton Road. The group will then head south along Trenton and Hulmeville roads to Route 13 in Bensalem.
Occupy the Highway organizer Michael Glazer said Thursday he understands the concerns of local police but doesn't believe escorts are needed. Cop cars have been following the march most of the time since leaving New York City on Wednesday morning. There was no time to notify police of the route, said Glazer, a 26-year-old actor from Chicago.
"We threw this thing together in a week," he said. "We're just getting out there and doing it. It was spontaneous and I think that's what struck a nerve with people."
Occupy the Highway is scheduled to end its walk through Bucks County and spend the night somewhere in Bensalem, although the group has no specific place to stay, Glazer said.
"We're still trying to figure that out," he said. "There's no camping in that area." Occupy protests have been defined by their makeshift campgrounds on public property.
The group's two-week march to Washington is scheduled to coincide with a critical vote by a congressional deficit reduction committee in late November. The committee, made up of both Republicans and Democrats, is charged with cutting $1.2 trillion from the deficit. The protesters want Congress to plug that hole by taxing the rich.
The Swearing in of the New School Board will take place Monday December 5th in the LGI room at the High School between 7 and 7:15pm. Everyone is invited to witness the changing of the guard
Reposting this to help....
*************
Did you know we aren’t having a Winterfest Parade?
Why you ask? Well it’s kind of a long story.
First, this is not a borough run function, which I didn’t know. A woman from the first ward wanted a parade so, basically, she started one. She got a few people together, did some fundraising and now we have the Winterfest parade. Well…we had a Winterfest parade.
With the economy being what it is, the borough was forced to begin charging for the police officers time used for these types of events. This year the cost will be $500.00.
Over the years the expense of the parade was funded in part through donations with the balance coming directly from a few of the organizers. With the added expense of the police it just didn’t seem possible and so nothing has been done to raise funds for this year’s parade.
I have been told that if I can have a check for $500.00 along with a letter to Borough Hall by Monday afternoon (Nov. 14) that it should be possible to have this put on the agenda for the borough council to vote on at the next meeting on Nov. 21.
I have the support of the woman who originally started the parade and now I need yours!
I was told it can’t be done, really $500.00 in four days, if you are willing to take the challenge so am I.
I will take donations until 4 pm on Monday Nov. 14. If I collect a reasonable amount of money I will move forward, if not all money will be returned. It’s my hope that as a community we can come together and make this happen.
This is truly a community event. Any resident, club or group from Morrisville can be in the parade: Scouts, Vets, youth groups, clubs, bands and churches are encouraged to participate. The only exclusion will be any person running for public office.
This will be an event by the community for the community. Let’s make it happen!
--
Robin M. Reithmeyer
308 Hillcrest Avenue
A council person is a neighbor of mine so I asked some questions.
Charging $500 isn't a new thing. It isn't the first year for this. Last year the MBA picked up the $500.00. The group knew there would be this charge, it isn't like it was dumped on them. I had heard a rumor that the borough was making money from doing this. Even though I didn't believe it, I asked. The borough isn't making any money on the parade if that's what some people are thinking so that rumor can stop. the expense covers the cost of bringing on police for the event. I can understand this kind of stuff. I wouldn't want to be the one to have to explain to the taxpayers that their tax money was used to pay for things like a parade throughout the year.
When I read the comment about the parade the way I took it was that there was a four day window for the money to be in. In asking, I was told that Nov. 14 is the deadline. As I said this isn't a new expense and could have been raised throughout the year. There are also guidelines as to who boroughs can and cannot donate money to and this may not be one of them.
Don't get me wrong, the Winterfest Parade is a good thing for the community, I just hear the borough being blamed for things that are not in their control often and I believe there is a more positive approach to looking at a situation than to tag blame on the borough all the time.
My family has enjoyed some of the Winterfest activities throughout the years, although it becomes an extremely long day. We have watched the parade. I liked it better when it went past Summerseat - but that's just my opinion. I have really enjoyed the happenings at the high school. I believe that although the parade was okay, it seemed kind of odd to me over the years because it has been primarily in the first ward and because the parade group and the Summerseat group couldn't get along long enough to help each other with the parade route.
Even if the parade does not take place, the day will be full of activities for the families of the borough as it is every year.
I wish you luck with the parade.
With that being said....ugh....now we can turn this into an entire community event minus the negative spin.
I understand the frustration mentioned above. The parade always seemed to be nothing more than the marching band and the Baptist church floats and seemed to be exclusionary. In all honesty, the way it was I could take it or leave it. If it is going to continue, I'm kind of glad someone new is working on it because it may mean it becomes more open to everyone and community based. If it happens it happens, if not its still a day full of things to do around town.
OWS - Has anyone stopped by Dilworth Plaza since the Occupy Philly encamped there? The stench of urine and garbage pervades the area. You might say, "It always smelled!" It's much, much worse now. I don't disagree with their message, but their means of protest, sitting around doing nothing much except complaining about how the world isn't handing them a living, doesn't inspire me in the least. The marchers to DC are doing a bit more to raise awareness, but I am still left wondering if this whole effort isn't just a waste of time. If they want to effect change, they need to grab it by the balls and make it happen. Sitting on your butt, smelling of days and weeks without washing, never solved anything meaningful.
The winterfest/summerseat debacle has dragged on for years and is a great example of the dysfunction that rules this town. Two "community" organizations who can't seem to manage to coordinate a single day as a result of petty differences and age old rivalries. These people who always seem to want to be in charge of these organizations are the reasons why so many people don't get more involved. Sound familiar to anyone?
Conwell-Egan has solid future, school president says
While offering no guarantees and admitting the final decision is not hers to make, new Conwell-Egan Catholic High School President Janet Dollard said she believes the Bristol Township school will be open for many years to come.
Dollard, a Bensalem resident, offered those comments despite rapidly declining enrollment at the school over the last few years and continued speculation it will close at the end of this school year or at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
According to figures provided by the Philadelphia Archdiocese, enrollment at Conwell-Egan has fallen from 940 in the 2007-2008 school year to 570 this year. Last year’s enrollment was 690.
Some area residents wonder how the school can sustain itself with such enrollment declines, but Dollard said it’s doing just that.
“We are viable and sustainable,” she said. “What I’ve said at every opportunity is we are a strong, vibrant staple in the Lower Bucks community and we are committed to providing the next generation of Bucks County residents the same high-quality, affordable education that we have for the past 50 years.
“The school has undergone very positive changes and is committed to moving forward,” Dollard continued. “Our kids are our best salesmen. They are phenomenal and the product is good. There is no reason for us to go anywhere.”
This year’s tuition at Conwell-Egan is $5,600 for members of archdiocese parishes and $6,750 for non-members.
The final decision on closing any school in the archdiocese rests with its head, Archbishop Charles Chaput. In making those decisions, he will rely, in part, on a report on archdiocese schools from a Blue Ribbon Commission due out early next year, officials said.
Archdiocese officials said they couldn’t be more specific on the release date of the report. While it’s generally assumed the report will contain recommendations on what additional schools should be closed, officials wouldn’t confirm that.
There has been widespread speculation that any archdiocese high school whose enrollment falls below 600 will be closed. However, at a meeting at Conwell-Egan in March, Archdiocese School System Superintendent Mary Rochford denied there is any such hard and fast enrollment threshhold.
“There really isn’t a specific number,” said Rochford at the time. “You really have to watch the money. If a school gets into deficit spending, then we have to start looking at that.”
Dollard said this week that she’s limited in what she can say about finances at Conwell-Egan because it’s not a public institution. However, she said, alumni groups have been very active in raising money to fill financial gaps.
“What I can say is that I’ve been president for about 100 days, and in that time, we’ve made great progress in all directions, facilities, programs and finances,” said Dollard. “We have great kids, great programs and great alumni and are moving forward in every direction.”
Dollard said she was encouraged by the fact Conwell-Egan signed up more than 30 new students in all grades from July to August. She also said she is confident that next year’s enrollment will be higher than this year’s.
Some area residents are drawing significance from a recruitment letter sent by Gary Zimmaro, the president of Archbishop Wood Catholic High School in Warminster. The letter is being received by families of eighth-graders in Lower Bucks, and some people speculate that’s a sign that Archbishop Wood officials feel Conwell-Egan will be closing.
Don’t jump to any such conclusion, said Zimmaro. Such letters are sent out every year to families all over the archdiocese, including Lower Bucks, he said.
“It’s a standard recruitment tool used by all the archdiocese high schools,” he said. “I don’t know anything about Conwell-Egan or its future.”
Archbishop Wood appears to be in no danger, at least judging from enrollment figures. This year’s enrollment at Wood is 1,013, almost twice that of Conwell-Egan.
While Wood’s enrollment has also fallen in the last five years, the decline is not nearly as rapid as that of Conwell-Egan. Archbishop Wood’s enrollment in 2007-2008 was 1,167, so this year’s figure reflects a fall of 154 in five years, as compared to 370 at Conwell-Egan during the same period.
“I think Archbishop Wood is a viable school and a good investment,” said Zimmaro. “There is good solid enrollment right now. I personally have no fear we’ll be closing. I’m pretty confident we’ll be OK.”
For more information on the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission, visit www.catholicschools-phl.org.
Chris English; 215-949-4193; e-mail: cenglish@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: Twitter.com/courierc
OWS -Go down to Bridge st tomorrow and yell at the urine soaked granola munching brethren as they pass thru the ville. That'll be productive. Then hit a Tea party rally they may smell better but there just as bats*** radical crazy. If not more so. Try meditating too. It's alot better than just sitting around doing nothing.
Attach Chinese made teabags to your Chinese made Phillies baseball cap and Chinese made USA lapel pins to your Chinese made clothing, protest to take America back and put your faith in corporations and billionaires to see us through and do right by us working stiffs and retirees.
ANGRY SAYS THANK GOD MORRISVILLE YOU FINALLY GOT ANGRY ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING I CAN NOW GO DO SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING IN MY OWN AREA
WWW.ANGRYYET.NET
I eagerly await the rise of the Sensible Center.
seems to have touched a nerve with the OWS crowd. Your remarks tell a lot about you. You're just like the tea party idiots. No room for any view other than your own. The occupy Philly does stink and they've managed to accomplish very little with their sit on my butt approach. As batshit crazy as tea party crowd is, they at least managed to mobilize the electorate and get their candidates elected. That is effective democracy, whether you agree with them or not. But, Hey, don't let any factual observations get in the way of your liberal hate.
Well all righty then! I don't like OWS or TP radicalism. I believe in capitalism but it and corporations have flaws and when gaps between haves and have nots get too wide in a struggling economy perceived to be brought on by banks and big corps, the rads come out, OWS or TP. Some may go home after Day 1 and smell ok, others hang and smell comes because public baths & toilets are not conveniently located for that capacity. Mobilizing electorates and getting candidates elected isn't my gold std.of greatness especially when you follow the money (see Bros., Koch). OWS isn't over yet so too soon to call on electoral front.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U7Lqwl3Vzk&feature=related
Has anyone thought about what's next? Can anyone say President Stout? Or President Buckman? President Worob, even?
Pardon me. My breakfast just came back up.
The prospects are frightening. President DeWilde???
But I can't go for that, (No can do)
No, I can't go for that, (No can do)
Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do)
I can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that, can't go for that.
I can't go for that, can't go for that (No can do)
I can't go, I can't go-- for that, (No can do)
Oh, I can't go for that, (No can do)
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no can do,
Oh, Ican't go for that, yeah, (No can do)
No, no, no, no, no, no.....
(Repeat to fade out)
yo SOC you lost, you know that right? You are outta here soon, it might be time to take down your site that says Elect Me. A team! really, NOT! See ya
Come on, enjoy the sunshine, bag some leaves. Did I mention leaves? I may be temporarily delusional, but I'd like to think of the election as a mandate against antagonism for the sake of antagonism.
President DeWilde? I was never for SOC but of all of the SOC'ers John DeWilde would attend school functions, communicate with staff, and ask good questions of the Board. He would at times be ignored by the Board just like the public. Mihok tried to stick him with committees the first night that he was on the Board. He probably has the kids interest at heart.
Meh, all well & good but the votes were 98% SOC, he's no Pres.
I don't trust Dewilde. He is 2 faced.
Occupy squatters To the world: "Join us as we organize against corporations using social networking by corporations, Smartphones by corporations, serviced by telecom corporations, Wearing clothes made by corporations, Capturing it on cameras made by corporations, sold by other corporations, And getting their in cars, on buses and trains and bikes made by corporations. We deserve more from these greedy corporations. Join us later at Starbucks to talk about it."
http://newsboypost.blogspot.com/
Tech school applications available online
Posted: Sunday, November 13, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 7:35 am, Sun Nov 13, 2011.
By Chris English Staff Writer | 0 comments
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP — Applications to the Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township are available online at www.bcths.com.
Those interested in attending the ninth-through 12th grade school next year can visit that site and click "guidance services" and then "application process."
Completed applications can be dropped off at the school at 610 Wistar Road from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Dec. 5-9. The application lottery will be held at BCTHS on Dec. 15 and admissions decisions made by Feb. 21.
The full-time comprehensive technical school offers both academic and vocational instruction and draws students from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
For more information, call 215-949-1700, ext. 2978.
Boys Varsity Football Fall 11-12
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Mastery Charter North 36
Morrisville 6
Get used to the reality.
Option 1: All four Matters board members unite behind a reasonable SOC choice as president. Worob, Buckman, Stout, Heater, or De Wilde are the only choices.
Option 2: One of the SOCs defects to support a united Matters member.
Let the politicking begin.
To "Get Use to Reality"
Get your facts in order. Heater will no longer be on the board. Her term is up. See if you can find out for yourself the correct name of the board member you missed in your statement.
What happens if you don't "just cooperate"?
Even if the guy forgot Alina Marone's name, the point is still valid.
How's it looking for the Winterfest Parade?
We won't know officially until they vote, right?
True. But was the $500 raised (fingers crossed)?
From what I understand, the money has been raised. Now we have to wait for the vote. It is being presented to the board tomorrow night.
I know this is going to sound idiotic, but I'm going to ask anyway. I was thinking of going to the Morrisville/Bristol football game on Thanksgiving morning, but I don't know where the Bristol football field is located. Does anyone know? I did google it but that got me nowhere. I was thinking of just calling the school district at some point between now and the game, but thought I would ask on here first. Thanks in advance.
Directions to Bristol High Football Field:
Take Route 13 South to Bristol and just before the PA Turnpike entrance make a left turn at Green Lane. Follow Green Lane under the railroad bridge and make the first right onto Wilson Avenue. Stay straight on Wilson Avenue to Garfield Street and the football field sits behind the Bristol HS.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Let's all go out and cheer for the Bulldogs! Wether they bring that trophey back home or not, they need to know we support them.
GO BULLDOGS!!!!! BEAT BRISTOL!!!!!
Yeah Bulldogs! Yeah Donna!
Dog returns after being taken in stolen car
Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 6:42 am, Wed Nov 16, 2011.
By George Mattar Staff Writer | 0 comments
MORRISVILLE — A motorist stopped for coffee the other day, leaving his pet dog and the keys in the vehicle, with the engine running.
When he came out with the java, his Mitsubishi Outlander was gone. Stolen. The dog was gone, too.
The dog, though, either escaped or was let out by the car thief and made its way home, according to Morrisville police Chief Jack Jones
"You should not leave a vehicle running no matter how long you will be away from it. What if it were a child in that vehicle?'' Jones said.
The owner of Outlander, which is valued at $35,000, had parked at Dunkin' Donuts on Bridge Street Nov. 9, police said.
The vehicle has not been returned. Neither has a cell phone, which was inside the Outlander.
"It's that time of year when people are warming up their cars before leaving on cold mornings. Thieves can see them running, so you've been warned,'' Jones said.
VICTORY PARTY! WOOHOO
To the incoming school board members, please include these in your mountain of lists of things needing your attention in January.
On the district's website it says,
"The Morrisville School District recently purchased three vans to transport students with disabilities to school locations within or outside the district. Each of the students in grades K-12are either medically, physically or mentally disabled."
It has been brought to my attention that these vans are not handicapped accessible, they are just regular vans. There is no lift, railings & they have not been fitted with special seatbelts or any of the other features that make something like this handicapped accessible. Instead of buying three regular vans, perhaps it would have been more responsible to purchase only one that works properly for the safety of the children.
Also, its my understanding that there is a bus that transports children of all ages to the Manor Park area of Morrisville WITHOUT adult supervision. I know of at least one young child who will not take this bus because of bullies, etc. This child is afraid. This is an accident waiting to happen.
Anyone?....Anyone?.....Anyone?
"Summerseat Remembers!"
I see about Summerseat Remembers:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Historic-Summerseat/173823572698267
Historic Summerseat
Mark your calendars...Holiday events coming soon...
Carol sing Nov. 30, 2011 7-9 pm
Summerseat Remembers/open house Dec. 3, 2011 11am -3 pm
Are You Sick of Highly Paid Teachers?
By Author Unknown
Teachers’ hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do – babysit!
We can get that for less than minimum wage.
That’s right. Let’s give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan– that equals 6 1/2 hours).
Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day…maybe 30? So that’s $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.
LET’S SEE….
That’s $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master’s degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.
Wait a minute — there’s something wrong here! There sure is!
The average teacher’s salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student–a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!
Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.
Morrisville rescinds sex offender ordinance
Story
Comments
ShareShare
Print
Create a hardcopy of this page
Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 10:48 am | Updated: 7:10 pm, Tue Nov 22, 2011.
By Gema Duarte Staff Writer | 0 comments
Morrisville has joined the move to rescind local ordinances that restrict where registered sex offenders can live.
On Monday night, the council members voted to repeal the borough's ordinance.
Councilwoman Kathryn Panzitta said the ordinance, enacted in 2006, is unconstitutional, so it needs to be removed from the books.
Morrisville's action follows several communities around the state that have taken similar measures after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in May ruled that Allegheny County's prohibition on where registered sex offenders can live would isolate many in what would amount to "localized penal colonies."
That decision spawned worries that municipalities with such ordinances could be exposed to liability in lawsuits.
In Bucks County, Doylestown, Tullytown, Falls and Yardley have rescinded or started the process of rescinding their ordinances. Bensalem, Middletown, Newtown and Upper Makefield have ordinances that are still in effect.
Penndel does have a sex offender ordinance, which council members have discussed repealing, but have yet to vote on it. Likewise in Lower Southampton, an ordinance was put in place, but it's no longer being enforced and officials plan to discuss repealing the ordinance in the near future, township Manager Ted Taylor said Tuesday.
Bucking the trend is Newtown Township, which had advertised to rescind its ordinance but has postponed action for at least six months because some supervisors are not happy with state laws dealing with sex offenders. Until the supervisors are satisfied with the state's protections, they don't want to repeal the law.
Wrightstown "considered having an ordinance back when it was a point of discussion, but our solicitor advised that he did not feel that kind of ordinance would hold up in court so we never passed one. And it turns out he was right," Supervisor Robert Lloyd said Tuesday.
Upper Southampton never had such an ordinance either.
"It's an issue of pre-emption," township solicitor Michael P. Clarke told the Falls supervisors last month.
"The monitoring of sex offenders is pre-empted by state law," he said. Towns would risk facing legal challenges if they continue to enforce their own local ordinances now that the state court ruling has been handed down, Clarke said.
"It goes way beyond lawsuits. Police who try to enforce the ordinance could lose their livelihoods, too," the solicitor added.
Most local ordinances, enacted a half-dozen years ago, have restricted convicted sex offenders from residing or living within 2,500 feet of any school, park, amusement park, skate park, roller rink, arcade, skating rink, athletic fields, movie theater, playground or child day-care facility.
Great lets protect those molesters even further.
Hey Everyone, don't forget, Weds night 6pm is the annual Pep Rally at the High school.
Thursday 7a-10am is the annual Student Loan Fund pancake breakfast at the high school cafeteria then head over to the Traditional Morrisville vs Bristol game (at bristol field) 10:30am
The article says, "The monitoring of sex offenders is pre-empted by state law." So this tells me council's hands are tied. Its my understanding that when the ordinance was put in place in 2006, Council knew that if it was challenged, they would not win, costing taxpayers millions. This is a correction that some may not agree with, but will save the borough from lawsuits we will not win and we all simply cannot afford. If you don't like this my suggestion is to go higher up than Morrisville's town council and look towards that state.
Oopps...
"that state?"
sorry
the state.
This ordinance was spearheaded by Jane Burger aa a mess she left behind with a mountain of others that the current council is faced with cleaning up. Sadly, more 3rd ward voters chose Jane's girl, Debbie Smith as their next councilperson which will make cleaning up Jane's ordinance messes much harder because it allows Rita to veto anything she doesn't like or is told not to agree with by Jane Burger. Nice job screwing the whole town with one vote.
This ordinance was spearheaded by Jane Burger as a mess she left behind with a mountain of others that the current council is faced with cleaning up. Sadly, more 3rd ward voters chose Jane's girl, Debbie Smith as their next councilperson which will make cleaning up Jane's ordinance messes much harder because it allows Rita to veto anything she doesn't like or is told not to agree with by Jane Burger. Nice job screwing the whole town with one vote.
I love how Jane Burger and her followers have messed this town up so much but blame everyone else but themselfs when will this town wake up and send this woman packing she is not good for the future of this town she has too much power over this town
Shop Small This Saturday
Fifty-four percent of small businesses say what they need most to grow their business is more customers. Local businesses create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods. That's what Small Business Saturday is all about. Get out on Nov. 26, and support your peers--and hopefully they'll support you, too.
Come on everyone, lets boost Morrisville this Saturday, shop local the local hardware, food store, pizza shop, Deli etc etc.
All it takes is one purchase from each family and imagine whats possible.
Happy Thanksgiving
REPOSTED FROM THE ASPCA....
What Every Pet Parent Should Know about Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is all about spending time with loved ones—human and animal alike. So it makes sense that we’re tempted to fix Fido a plate of all the scrumptious holiday food we’re eating, right? But wait! Put down the serving spoon. Are you sure that’s safe for your pet? Here’s what you need to know.
Ten Thanksgiving dangers. Some foods are totally off-limits to our furry pals (and there’s a full list of them at ASPCA.org). Ten of them are especially common around the holidays. Just say no to:
• sage
• chocolate
• candy with xylitol
• bread dough
• batter with raw eggs
• onions and garlic
• macadamia nuts
• raisins and grapes
• rich or spicy foods
• alcohol
Post a Comment