I hope everyone is having a lovely Holiday Season. What, if anything, is on your minds?
27 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Even though Morrisville Borough Council passed the 2012 budget with no tax increases and with a property owner give back of over $50, the Mayor has chosen to VETO the budget. This move has the potential of putting a temporary stop to Morrisville Borough's local government meaning that things could be temporarily closing such as borough hall, the library, the police dept, etc. Morrisville Borough just cannot afford to play the mayor's old politics as usual game. Because of her VETO, the mayor knows that the borough is forced (at your expense) into holding a special meeting this evening at 6PM at Borough Hall, for the purpose of voting on the 2012 budget for a 3rd time.
Morrisville to consider overriding mayor's veto of 2012 budget
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 By Petra Chesner Schlatter BucksLocalNews.com
Part 1 MORRISVILLE – Borough council will consider whether to override Mayor Rita Ledger’s veto of the 2012 $ $5.87-million budget million budget at a meeting tonight.
On Dec. 19, Ledger, a former borough council member, vetoed the council’s final budget for a second straight year. According to the mayor the 2012 budget, in her estimate, had failed to disclose $129,508 in expenses, and that there were mistakes because of “improper accounting.”
In a statement, Ledger said that she took the veto action “to preserve the integrity of the budget process and protect residents.” In addition, the mayor claimed that the 2012 budget showed $11,922 in legal expenses relating to the pool project which were actually paid in 2011.
Some of the other budget items the mayor objected to were:
- the salary resolution for the borough manager;
- that council authorized an audit but did not identify how much it would cost.
In Ledger’s veto report to borough officials, she also noted that the borough manager, Tom Bates, is listed as a salaried borough employee. However, Ledger said that Bates is now an independent contractor, not a salaried borough employee.
Council voted Aug. 15 to make Bates an independent contractor of the borough. Bates is a principle with THB Management Services.
Because he now is an independent contractor, Ledger said Bates has to be removed from the borough council’s 2012 salary resolution.
Ledger said the costs for borough management should not exceed $36,256 in 2012. She wrote that “THB Management Services should provide a written proposal identifying and documenting the costs that require the $13,000 [salary]increase and explaining why they are needed, especially since this agreement was signed with the borough only 4.5 months ago.”
According to the mayor, Bates should receive no more than a 13.1 percent increase instead of the 41 percent included in the 2012 budget.
On another matter, Ledger said new heavy equipment – a GMC Sierra dump truck to be purchased at $46,250 is not fully “expensed” over a period of a few years.
She also objected to how they were writing off the purchase of several borough vehicles, such as a dump truck and a code enforcement vehicle.
Sean Kilkenney, borough solicitor, said if a motion is made to override the mayor’s veto, two-thirds of council must vote to override. That equates to six votes. There are eight council members. The budget does not contain a tax increase.
Part 2 Rivella issued this statement to Buckslocalnews.com about Ledger’s veto:
“With regards to the mayor’s veto, sadly there seems to be a pattern here,” Rivella wrote. “Last year Mayor Ledger vetoed the budget after chastising council, claiming publically that there was no pool debt. This was clearly not the truth.”
He said in the year that followed, the mayor “never offered an apology or explanation to council or to the public about misleading them. This year, the veto makes even less sense,” he continued.
“Last month, the mayor was presented with a balanced budget that had no tax increase,” Rivella wrote. “In fact the residents’ sanitation bill has been decreased by $52 or approximately 2.5 mills.
“Perhaps Mayor Ledger doesn’t understand the budget or is just flexing her political mayor muscles, I don’t know,” he continued. “However, I do believe it is shameful because her actions are costing our residents tax money.”
Rivella wrote last week that the borough would have to hold a special meeting.
“That costs each and every one of us tax dollars to do so,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate waste of taxpayer money considering what a great budget this is, that has passed twice, once as a preliminary budget and then again as the budget at the December council meeting.
On the expenditure side of the budget, the two biggest line items are police at $1.66 million and sanitation at $1.03 million.
The proposed budget includes a $13,000 increase in salary for the part-time borough manager, which would bring his total salary from $32,000 to $45,000.
As required by contract, the ununiformed employees will receive a three-percent raise.
The police chief’s contract has been extended for one year. His salary will be $82,103 in 2012, which is the same as 2011.
Salaries for full-time officers would be $633,816.
For four part-time police officers, the cost would be $19,076. Overtime pay in the police department would be $64,000 in the 2012 budget.
Although the preliminary budget did not increase millage for the pool project in 2012, it does have $11,992 in additional expenses for a total of 1.2 mills ($70,890.)
The capital reserve fund is $200,000 for 2012. A street sweeper and bucket truck are needed, according to officials.
In the 2012 general fund, administrative costs are listed at $560,409, public property and equipment is set at $84,500, planning commission costs will be $7,430 and for streets -- $58,898 is budgeted. Budgeted for shade trees is $15,000; and $600,000 for water.
Rita you go girl, scorch that earth. All the way to the brink and beyond. Good job whoever's pulling her strings.There's no way she came up with those veto items all by herself!
Now you knows. Here's PART 1 of an article on how Mayor Ledger's budget veto was overridden.
Morrisville council overrides mayor's veto for 2012 budget
Published: Thursday, December 29, 2011
By Petra Chesner Schlatter BucksLocalNews.com
MORRISVILLE BOROUGH – Mayor Rita Ledger read aloud her veto of the 2012 budget, tax rate ordinance, budget resolution and a salary resolution for Borough Manager Tom Bates, Jr.
The reading took place at a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Ledger said the reason for the meeting was for her to read the veto into the minutes.
A former council member, she had vetoed the council’s final budget for a second straight year. There were a dozen items which she noted in her veto. In her estimate, the budget had failed to disclose $129,508 in expenses and that there were mistakes because of “improper accounting.”
In a statement, the mayor claimed that the 2012 budget showed $11,922 in legal expenses relating to the pool project which were actually paid in 2011.
She also noted that the borough manager, Tom Bates, is listed as a salaried borough employee. However, Ledger said that Bates is now an independent contractor, not a salaried borough employee,
Only a couple of people were in the audience when Ledger stated a dozen objections. Jane Burger, a former council president, and incoming Councilmember Debbie Smith, were in attendance. They did not speak during public comment.
Six council members voted in favor of four measures dealing with the veto. Voting in favor of the items were Victor Cicero, Rhonda Davis, Kathryn Panzitta, Council President Dave Rivella, Nancy Sherlock and Fred Kerner.
Kerner cast his votes remotely through a speaker phone.
Not present for the vote were Eileen Dreisbach and Todd Sanford. Sanford arrived at the meeting after the votes were taken. Both of them were notified that the special meeting on the veto was being held.
In the 6-0 vote were motions to adopt the 2012:
- Budget; Budget Resolution; Tax Rate Ordinance; and Salary Resolution.
Bates went through some of the points made in Ledger’s veto, including the legal expenses for the pool. He said they “are correctly shown” in the budget. He also said the legal expenses then represent what was included in the budget when it was done.
“They were projected to be about $11,992,” he said. “As of [Dec. 17], our projection was really close for the rest of the year. They were $11,549.19, which was really close and the year isn’t finished yet.”
He explained what was done. “We moved from the recreation fund and paid back the general fund,” Bates continued. "That’s why it shows a positive in the general fund and a negative expense in the recreation fund.
“Until we decide to subtract it from the $59,000 for the pool that we put in there, it will stay that way…Until we have the total cost of our pool expenses, then we’ll give you a total cost for the pool,” he said.
One-mill in taxes was increased previously to fund the settlement for the Morrisville community pool in the borough-owned Williamson Park. Many call the once-thriving pool an eyesore. The matter was in the bank’s hands.
Councilmember Victor Cicero said, “If back in 2010 I had known that this $11,000 for the recreation fund would cause so much agony, I would have recommended that we put that one mill to the general fund because council can put anything we want out of the general fund,” he said. “That’s why they call it the general fund. We don’t have to use the recreation fund for anything. We could leave it pristine or untouched.”
Panzitta, council vice president, said to Ledger that vetoing the budget “shows a lack of common sense.”
“You have every right to do it,” Panzitta said. “I’m just saying you want the town to be better, if you want people to have more pride, if you want people to invest in their town, if you want to do anything, you’ve got to start working together.
“You have to start opening up your mouths when it’s the right time and the right setting,” she continued. “The last minute crap just is an embarrassment to this town -- an embarrassment to everybody’s time. It was a waste of my time on my vacation to come here. I think it’s about time that some people put their egos in check and start working as a team…”
On the borough manager’s increase, president Rivella said he wanted to qualify a few things.
“I just remind the public they don’t know all the conversation …When Tom [Bates] stepped up and interviewed, he said he knew the borough was not well off financially."
Rivella said Bates said he was willing to come in at a reduced rate to help the borough. He said that Bates wanted to help the people.
“[Bates] said he didn’t take this job for the payment because there is no big money here,” Rivella said. "He left a job that paid three times - five times more. I just think it’s sad that they’re going to nitpick."
Rivella said the previous borough manager’s salary was $60,000 plus benefits, justifying Bates’ increase to $45,000. Bates said before the meeting that he works 30 hours a week -- more than the part-time hours he agreed to work.
Rivella said that to give Bates a raise is “still a big savings for the borough.” He said people should take five minutes to compare what other municipalities pay their borough manager.
“It’s a lot more,” he said. “People just have to keep it in perspective.”
Rivella said having a special meeting “was a waste of time -- even worse it was a waste of taxpayer money. This meeting isn’t free. It’s costing each and every one of us money – from the lights to the solicitor.”
Typical banner night for Ledger. She wasted peoples’ time and cost taxpayers money. Latecomer Sanford and no show Dreisbach rounded out a night of clueless manufactured obstruction and lousy representation. The big problem is it's not limited to one night. It has been going on for years.
Good one. If everyone followed this equally, including your own friends and political allies, Morrisville could get to a slightly better place before the Rapture.
I watched this meeting yesterday morning. I was actually pretty funny and enjoyable. As if anyone had any doubt that Jane Burger is actually the one who wrote Rita's veto, to take any doubt, Rita read her veto (I think I counted 5 pages) out loud for everyone. It sounded exactly like the ramblings of Jane. There is no way Rita came up with that document on her own. No doubt it was a time when anyone needing to use the potty room or refill their coffee cup (me!!!) got up and did so. It just went on and on and by the time she was done reading, I had no idea what she had said, just like when Jane would sit up there and babble on.
The manager, Mr. Bates went over many points, correcting all the mistakes in Rita's veto. Big surprise, Rita couldn't answer any follow up questions.
Rita had the ability to veto the budget, but she knew better. (blind puppet) I get that - it is a great budget that actually gives money back to the residents, allows for multiple pieces of equipment to be purchased, takes care of the MS4 DEP regulations that had been swept under the rug by Jane and crew, works on the pool property that had been neglected by Jane & crew, gets some streets paved which Jane & crew could not seem to manage & cleans up some longtime wrong doings of Jane and her puppets. I'm sure Jane could not simply sit by and allow such a successful budget to be passed without at least trying to make others who can get things done when she did not look bad. (fail)
I agree that it was a total waste of money to have this meeting. Rita should be pretty angry at her best bud, Jane, right about now for setting her up to look like such an idiot, but I'm sure Jane will convince her that its council.
For a moment, let's go on the premise that the veto was a good idea, and that there were great questions in there that couldn't have been asked by the Mayor in the months of budget preparations leading up to the veto.
Why then did allies Todd Sanford and Eileeen Dreisbach not even show for the votes, let alone vote NO to override the veto?
Ledger really was left twisting in the wind on this one.
I'm all for asking good questions and getting good answers about the budget. If the Mayans were wrong and there is a next year's budget, maybe good questions and good answers can come sooner without having to resort to these theatrical charades again?
Posted: Friday, December 30, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 1:10 am, Fri Dec 30, 2011. By Dan Dunkin Staff Writer | 0 comments They are a small-school team with big goals, possessing the talent and tenacity to reach them. In the big picture of Bucks County girls basketball, it can be easy to forget Class A Morrisville, tucked way up in a corner off Route 1. But a determined, experienced group with a dynamic player, Kievanna Lacey, has the makings of a memorable season, and the Bulldogs are off to a fine 5-1 start.
Last season, Morrisville went 16-10 overall, 10-2 in the Bicentennial Athletic League Constitution division, losing the tie-breaker to Girard College and also falling to Girard in the Class A state tournament play-in game. That served as extra motivation for the seniors, five of whom comprise this season’s starting lineup. They made a big push for improvement in the Ewing Summer League (Trenton area), where they competed well against teams from larger school districts. “I believe we started the season more game-ready,” said fifth-year Morrisville coach Dave Howell. “We have set some lofty goals, but as hard as this team works, I have no doubts they can achieve them.” Employing a pressing, man-to-man defense and up-tempo offense, Morrisville has averaged 49.3 points while allowing only 26.5, feeding off turnovers and flourishing in the open court, where athletic point guard/wing Lacey is at her best. The senior captain averages 13 points, four steals, five assists and six rebounds. Playing AAU ball for the Lower Bucks Lightning last summer was a plus for Lacey, who began last season hampered with an ankle injury but finished strong, being selected BAL Player of the Year. “She does everything for us,” Howell said. “She’s very good at penetrating. With her size (5-foot-10), usually a bigger girl will have to cover her. She can take most girls off the dribble, and her outside shot and pullup jumper have improved.” Senior guard Michele Evans is averaging 10 points and three steals, as is senior guard Cassandra Gainey. Senior forward Katherine Brown, who had ACL surgery in May, has bounced back to lead the team in rebounding (seven per game) and blocks (three per game) while scoring six an outing. Senior forward Casandra Martinez (6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) also contributes mightily by defending bigger girls, playing the on-ball position on the press and setting screens. “I can’t tell you enough how hard they work,” Howell says of his interior tandem, Brown and Martinez. “They get after it, do all the dirty work, set the screens to get the wing girls open, rebound, outlet and we run.” A good bench is led by senior Shalay Johnson, a three-point threat, athletic freshman Delila Mena, who guards numerous positions and has good scoring potential, and junior Maryann Johnson, a strong defender. Howell says his seniors drive each other hard in practice, making his job easier.
The 2012-13 Budget Presentation is on the district's website (see link below). Business Mgr. Paul DeAngelo also presented it at the Jan. 4, 2012 Special Meeting. It may just be my wishful thinking, but it seemed to happen a bit more seamlessly this year.
27 comments:
Even though Morrisville Borough Council passed the 2012 budget with no tax increases and with a property owner give back of over $50, the Mayor has chosen to VETO the budget. This move has the potential of putting a temporary stop to Morrisville Borough's local government meaning that things could be temporarily closing such as borough hall, the library, the police dept, etc. Morrisville Borough just cannot afford to play the mayor's old politics as usual game. Because of her VETO, the mayor knows that the borough is forced (at your expense) into holding a special meeting this evening at 6PM at Borough Hall, for the purpose of voting on the 2012 budget for a 3rd time.
Call her bluff. The Ledger Shutdown will do wonders for her political career.
Morrisville to consider overriding mayor's veto of 2012 budget
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
By Petra Chesner Schlatter
BucksLocalNews.com
Part 1
MORRISVILLE – Borough council will consider whether to override Mayor Rita Ledger’s veto of the 2012 $ $5.87-million budget million budget at a meeting tonight.
On Dec. 19, Ledger, a former borough council member, vetoed the council’s final budget for a second straight year. According to the mayor the 2012 budget, in her estimate, had failed to disclose $129,508 in expenses, and that there were mistakes because of “improper accounting.”
In a statement, Ledger said that she took the veto action “to preserve the integrity of the budget process and protect residents.” In addition, the mayor claimed that the 2012 budget showed $11,922 in legal expenses relating to the pool project which were actually paid in 2011.
Some of the other budget items the mayor objected to were:
- the salary resolution for the borough manager;
- that council authorized an audit but did not identify how much it would cost.
In Ledger’s veto report to borough officials, she also noted that the borough manager, Tom Bates, is listed as a salaried borough employee. However, Ledger said that Bates is now an independent contractor, not a salaried borough employee.
Council voted Aug. 15 to make Bates an independent contractor of the borough. Bates is a principle with THB Management Services.
Because he now is an independent contractor, Ledger said Bates has to be removed from the borough council’s 2012 salary resolution.
Ledger said the costs for borough management should not exceed $36,256 in 2012. She wrote that “THB Management Services should provide a written proposal identifying and documenting the costs that require the $13,000 [salary]increase and explaining why they are needed, especially since this agreement was signed with the borough only 4.5 months ago.”
According to the mayor, Bates should receive no more than a 13.1 percent increase instead of the 41 percent included in the 2012 budget.
On another matter, Ledger said new heavy equipment – a GMC Sierra dump truck to be purchased at $46,250 is not fully “expensed” over a period of a few years.
She also objected to how they were writing off the purchase of several borough vehicles, such as a dump truck and a code enforcement vehicle.
Sean Kilkenney, borough solicitor, said if a motion is made to override the mayor’s veto, two-thirds of council must vote to override. That equates to six votes. There are eight council members. The budget does not contain a tax increase.
Part 2
Rivella issued this statement to Buckslocalnews.com about Ledger’s veto:
“With regards to the mayor’s veto, sadly there seems to be a pattern here,” Rivella wrote. “Last year Mayor Ledger vetoed the budget after chastising council, claiming publically that there was no pool debt. This was clearly not the truth.”
He said in the year that followed, the mayor “never offered an apology or explanation to council or to the public about misleading them. This year, the veto makes even less sense,” he continued.
“Last month, the mayor was presented with a balanced budget that had no tax increase,” Rivella wrote. “In fact the residents’ sanitation bill has been decreased by $52 or approximately 2.5 mills.
“Perhaps Mayor Ledger doesn’t understand the budget or is just flexing her political mayor muscles, I don’t know,” he continued. “However, I do believe it is shameful because her actions are costing our residents tax money.”
Rivella wrote last week that the borough would have to hold a special meeting.
“That costs each and every one of us tax dollars to do so,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate waste of taxpayer money considering what a great budget this is, that has passed twice, once as a preliminary budget and then again as the budget at the December council meeting.
On the expenditure side of the budget, the two biggest line items are police at $1.66 million and sanitation at $1.03 million.
The proposed budget includes a $13,000 increase in salary for the part-time borough manager, which would bring his total salary from $32,000 to $45,000.
As required by contract, the ununiformed employees will receive a three-percent raise.
The police chief’s contract has been extended for one year. His salary will be $82,103 in 2012, which is the same as 2011.
Salaries for full-time officers would be $633,816.
For four part-time police officers, the cost would be $19,076. Overtime pay in the police department would be $64,000 in the 2012 budget.
Although the preliminary budget did not increase millage for the pool project in 2012, it does have $11,992 in additional expenses for a total of 1.2 mills ($70,890.)
The capital reserve fund is $200,000 for 2012. A street sweeper and bucket truck are needed, according to officials.
In the 2012 general fund, administrative costs are listed at $560,409, public property and equipment is set at $84,500, planning commission costs will be $7,430 and for streets -- $58,898 is budgeted. Budgeted for shade trees is $15,000; and $600,000 for water.
Rita you go girl, scorch that earth. All the way to the brink and beyond.
Good job whoever's pulling her strings.There's no way she came up with those veto items all by herself!
So did the budget pass?
Hey - I gots to know.
Does the mayor just get to say "I veto" or does she have to provide a reason?
Now you knows. Here's PART 1 of an article on how Mayor Ledger's budget veto was overridden.
Morrisville council overrides mayor's veto for 2012 budget
Published: Thursday, December 29, 2011
By Petra Chesner Schlatter
BucksLocalNews.com
MORRISVILLE BOROUGH – Mayor Rita Ledger read aloud her veto of the 2012 budget, tax rate ordinance, budget resolution and a salary resolution for Borough Manager Tom Bates, Jr.
The reading took place at a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Ledger said the reason for the meeting was for her to read the veto into the minutes.
A former council member, she had vetoed the council’s final budget for a second straight year. There were a dozen items which she noted in her veto. In her estimate, the budget had failed to disclose $129,508 in expenses and that there were mistakes because of “improper accounting.”
In a statement, the mayor claimed that the 2012 budget showed $11,922 in legal expenses relating to the pool project which were actually paid in 2011.
She also noted that the borough manager, Tom Bates, is listed as a salaried borough employee. However, Ledger said that Bates is now an independent contractor, not a salaried borough employee,
Only a couple of people were in the audience when Ledger stated a dozen objections. Jane Burger, a former council president, and incoming Councilmember Debbie Smith, were in attendance. They did not speak during public comment.
Six council members voted in favor of four measures dealing with the veto. Voting in favor of the items were Victor Cicero, Rhonda Davis, Kathryn Panzitta, Council President Dave Rivella, Nancy Sherlock and Fred Kerner.
Kerner cast his votes remotely through a speaker phone.
Not present for the vote were Eileen Dreisbach and Todd Sanford. Sanford arrived at the meeting after the votes were taken. Both of them were notified that the special meeting on the veto was being held.
In the 6-0 vote were motions to adopt the 2012:
- Budget; Budget Resolution; Tax Rate Ordinance; and Salary Resolution.
Bates went through some of the points made in Ledger’s veto, including the legal expenses for the pool. He said they “are correctly shown” in the budget. He also said the legal expenses then represent what was included in the budget when it was done.
“They were projected to be about $11,992,” he said. “As of [Dec. 17], our projection was really close for the rest of the year. They were $11,549.19, which was really close and the year isn’t finished yet.”
He explained what was done. “We moved from the recreation fund and paid back the general fund,” Bates continued. "That’s why it shows a positive in the general fund and a negative expense in the recreation fund.
“Until we decide to subtract it from the $59,000 for the pool that we put in there, it will stay that way…Until we have the total cost of our pool expenses, then we’ll give you a total cost for the pool,” he said.
One-mill in taxes was increased previously to fund the settlement for the Morrisville community pool in the borough-owned Williamson Park. Many call the once-thriving pool an eyesore. The matter was in the bank’s hands.
Councilmember Victor Cicero said, “If back in 2010 I had known that this $11,000 for the recreation fund would cause so much agony, I would have recommended that we put that one mill to the general fund because council can put anything we want out of the general fund,” he said. “That’s why they call it the general fund. We don’t have to use the recreation fund for anything. We could leave it pristine or untouched.”
Panzitta, council vice president, said to Ledger that vetoing the budget “shows a lack of common sense.”
“You have every right to do it,” Panzitta said. “I’m just saying you want the town to be better, if you want people to have more pride, if you want people to invest in their town, if you want to do anything, you’ve got to start working together.
PART 2 (of 2).
“You have to start opening up your mouths when it’s the right time and the right setting,” she continued. “The last minute crap just is an embarrassment to this town -- an embarrassment to everybody’s time. It was a waste of my time on my vacation to come here. I think it’s about time that some people put their egos in check and start working as a team…”
On the borough manager’s increase, president Rivella said he wanted to qualify a few things.
“I just remind the public they don’t know all the conversation …When Tom [Bates] stepped up and interviewed, he said he knew the borough was not well off financially."
Rivella said Bates said he was willing to come in at a reduced rate to help the borough. He said that Bates wanted to help the people.
“[Bates] said he didn’t take this job for the payment because there is no big money here,” Rivella said. "He left a job that paid three times - five times more. I just think it’s sad that they’re going to nitpick."
Rivella said the previous borough manager’s salary was $60,000 plus benefits, justifying Bates’ increase to $45,000. Bates said before the meeting that he works 30 hours a week -- more than the part-time hours he agreed to work.
Rivella said that to give Bates a raise is “still a big savings for the borough.” He said people should take five minutes to compare what other municipalities pay their borough manager.
“It’s a lot more,” he said. “People just have to keep it in perspective.”
Rivella said having a special meeting “was a waste of time -- even worse it was a waste of taxpayer money. This meeting isn’t free. It’s costing each and every one of us money – from the lights to the solicitor.”
Typical banner night for Ledger. She wasted peoples’ time and cost taxpayers money. Latecomer Sanford and no show Dreisbach rounded out a night of clueless manufactured obstruction and lousy representation. The big problem is it's not limited to one night. It has been going on for years.
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. - Proverbs 16:28
Good one. If everyone followed this equally, including your own friends and political allies, Morrisville could get to a slightly better place before the Rapture.
at least rita cant veto the 2013 budget. the world is ending dec 21
http://www.december212012.com/
I watched this meeting yesterday morning. I was actually pretty funny and enjoyable. As if anyone had any doubt that Jane Burger is actually the one who wrote Rita's veto, to take any doubt, Rita read her veto (I think I counted 5 pages) out loud for everyone. It sounded exactly like the ramblings of Jane. There is no way Rita came up with that document on her own. No doubt it was a time when anyone needing to use the potty room or refill their coffee cup (me!!!) got up and did so. It just went on and on and by the time she was done reading, I had no idea what she had said, just like when Jane would sit up there and babble on.
The manager, Mr. Bates went over many points, correcting all the mistakes in Rita's veto. Big surprise, Rita couldn't answer any follow up questions.
Rita had the ability to veto the budget, but she knew better. (blind puppet) I get that - it is a great budget that actually gives money back to the residents, allows for multiple pieces of equipment to be purchased, takes care of the MS4 DEP regulations that had been swept under the rug by Jane and crew, works on the pool property that had been neglected by Jane & crew, gets some streets paved which Jane & crew could not seem to manage & cleans up some longtime wrong doings of Jane and her puppets. I'm sure Jane could not simply sit by and allow such a successful budget to be passed without at least trying to make others who can get things done when she did not look bad. (fail)
I agree that it was a total waste of money to have this meeting. Rita should be pretty angry at her best bud, Jane, right about now for setting her up to look like such an idiot, but I'm sure Jane will convince her that its council.
For a moment, let's go on the premise that the veto was a good idea, and that there were great questions in there that couldn't have been asked by the Mayor in the months of budget preparations leading up to the veto.
Why then did allies Todd Sanford and Eileeen Dreisbach not even show for the votes, let alone vote NO to override the veto?
Ledger really was left twisting in the wind on this one.
I'm all for asking good questions and getting good answers about the budget. If the Mayans were wrong and there is a next year's budget, maybe good questions and good answers can come sooner without having to resort to these theatrical charades again?
Whaddaya think Rita? Jane?
the goal is to stop any type of forward movement because anything positive only shows how worthless the burger years were
I saw the video. Ledger's statement reminded me of some of Jack Buckman's ramblings.
Dear God, is Buckman ghostwriting for Ledger?
I wish they'd ghostwrite checks for each others overdue bills.
“True friends stab you in the front.”
- Oscar Wilde
Well, all righty then. In other better news...
Morrisville will make noise
Posted: Friday, December 30, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 1:10 am, Fri Dec 30, 2011.
By Dan Dunkin Staff Writer | 0 comments
They are a small-school team with big goals, possessing the talent and tenacity to reach them.
In the big picture of Bucks County girls basketball, it can be easy to forget Class A Morrisville, tucked way up in a corner off Route 1. But a determined, experienced group with a dynamic player, Kievanna Lacey, has the makings of a memorable season, and the Bulldogs are off to a fine 5-1 start.
Last season, Morrisville went 16-10 overall, 10-2 in the Bicentennial Athletic League Constitution division, losing the tie-breaker to Girard College and also falling to Girard in the Class A state tournament play-in game. That served as extra motivation for the seniors, five of whom comprise this season’s starting lineup. They made a big push for improvement in the Ewing Summer League (Trenton area), where they competed well against teams from larger school districts.
“I believe we started the season more game-ready,” said fifth-year Morrisville coach Dave Howell. “We have set some lofty goals, but as hard as this team works, I have no doubts they can achieve them.”
Employing a pressing, man-to-man defense and up-tempo offense, Morrisville has averaged 49.3 points while allowing only 26.5, feeding off turnovers and flourishing in the open court, where athletic point guard/wing Lacey is at her best. The senior captain averages 13 points, four steals, five assists and six rebounds. Playing AAU ball for the Lower Bucks Lightning last summer was a plus for Lacey, who began last season hampered with an ankle injury but finished strong, being selected BAL Player of the Year.
“She does everything for us,” Howell said. “She’s very good at penetrating. With her size (5-foot-10), usually a bigger girl will have to cover her. She can take most girls off the dribble, and her outside shot and pullup jumper have improved.”
Senior guard Michele Evans is averaging 10 points and three steals, as is senior guard Cassandra Gainey. Senior forward Katherine Brown, who had ACL surgery in May, has bounced back to lead the team in rebounding (seven per game) and blocks (three per game) while scoring six an outing. Senior forward Casandra Martinez (6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) also contributes mightily by defending bigger girls, playing the on-ball position on the press and setting screens.
“I can’t tell you enough how hard they work,” Howell says of his interior tandem, Brown and Martinez. “They get after it, do all the dirty work, set the screens to get the wing girls open, rebound, outlet and we run.”
A good bench is led by senior Shalay Johnson, a three-point threat, athletic freshman Delila Mena, who guards numerous positions and has good scoring potential, and junior Maryann Johnson, a strong defender.
Howell says his seniors drive each other hard in practice, making his job easier.
thanks Jon. Nice article.
http://savepottstown.com/lang/es/2011/11/a-win-for-pottstown/
Check this out. The similarities to Morrisville are striking.
Neshaminy is striking. No strike in Morrisville please. Good faith, reasonable, tough but fair contract please.
Reposted from Coach Lisa Colon-
Congratulations to Michelle Evans, of the lady bulldogs, for being announced Morrisville's December athlete.
The 2012-13 Budget Presentation is on the district's website (see link below). Business Mgr. Paul DeAngelo also presented it at the Jan. 4, 2012 Special Meeting. It may just be my wishful thinking, but it seemed to happen a bit more seamlessly this year.
http://www.mv.org/district.cfm?subpage=1251453
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