Thursday, October 25, 2012

Potluck #63


Clean and pristine, for your posting pleasure.

80 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who is the new solicitor?

Jon said...

The law firm is Hill Wallack out of Yardley. I didn't hear a specific person's name mentioned last night.

Jon said...

Last night, Paul DeAngelo gave a presentation on the Annual Financial Report (AFR).

The slides are on the website here (thanks for putting them up so quickly):

http://www.mv.org/district.cfm?subpage=1601614

A couple points I wanted to make about Slide 5 in particular:

1. We've really depleted the Fund Balance (piggy bank) over the last 5 years, from $3,020,073 in 2008-09 to a projected $478,550 in 2012-13.

2. The 10 mill SOC tax cut in 2009 (a big School Board election year, by the way) from 187.3 to 177.3 mills is looking incredibly short-sighted, given that we've had to drastically deplete our rainy day funds and we've known all along that we were going to get slammed by PSERS and other rising costs.

Jon said...

1 mill = about $60,000
10 mills = about $600,000

So we could have kept the millage at 187.3 and raised about $600,000/yr in revenue (about $3,000,000 over 5 years). Even if the tax cuts was 5 mills (to 182.3), it would have raised about $1,500,000 more over 5 years.

But noooooooo, SOC had to go for the big splash additional Election Year tax cut, and we're paying the price for it now, as we run $800,000 - $1,000,000/yr deficits, with more PSERS pain to come, tighter Act 1 contraints, and maybe some 6 figure lawsuit payments on tap.

Thanks, Financial Wizards at SOC.

Anonymous said...

"I'm not in favor of abolishing the government. I just want to shrink it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."

- Grover Norquist

Anonymous said...

Short sighted and politically charged selfish individuals have traded this district's bright future for their own personal gain. Instead of having plenty of funds for our small district to flourish, we have chopped and chopped and chopped and chopped so that we can have a bloated administration payroll, payoff legal debt, payoff competent educationally minded superintendant to not work, cut 15-20 teaching positions, increase class sizes, cut programs and athletics, jam too many people into one building, cause a traffic nightmare, and fire up the FARMOUT talk b/c of these actions.

Not only are former/current board members responsible for this cluster, but what say you Super and Business Administrator for letting this happen?

New solicitor best be the start of what should have been and what could still be a bright future for our schools.

Anonymous said...

Yeah really. Didn't we get rid of a business administrator that didn't get along with Hellman? I forget her name but I remember her not agreeing with his antics. I guess she knew it was fiscally irresponsible to do what Jon just outlined. They probably paid her to leave too!

Wouldn't mind seeing the house cleaned, bid adieu to business manager and super. They will always have allegiance to Hellman and co.

I agree, start fresh.

Anonymous said...

Let's hope so. Although you can be damn sure there are a small band of nasties who will do everything in their power to make sure that doesn't happen.

Anonymous said...

Super and BM are both in Year 2 of 3 yr deals. I don't see the need or wisdom of scorched earth and blowing big chunks of money buying them out. That's so SOC.

New board just needs to keep them in line and challenge them as they have been. Then do some due diligence with a real job search next yr and see who else is out there. If they're the best keep them if not bring in new.

Anonymous said...

Myhok, Worob and Stout (you know, the non-political people) are probably having marathon sessions at Worob's house plotting their next desperate hypocritical lie based moves.

Anonymous said...

"Didn't we get rid of a business administrator that didn't get along with Hellman? I forget her name but I remember her not agreeing with his antics. " You're thinking of Reba Dunford.

I hope every one of you who voted for the Stuck on Crackheads remembers that you got what you asked for. I just didn't want to get screwed along with you.

When these yahoos Buckman Worob and Stout show up on your doorstep asking for your vote next year, please laugh before you close the door on their lame worthless asses.

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't fresh chilled drinking water provided for Marlis and the audience last night?

Anonymous said...

"Why wasn't fresh chilled drinking water provided for Marlis and the audience last night?"

Because SOC gave away all our money. We can't even afford the ice anymore.

Anonymous said...

"Super and BM are both in Year 2 of 3 yr deals. I don't see the need or wisdom of scorched earth and blowing big chunks of money buying them out. That's so SOC.

New board just needs to keep them in line and challenge them as they have been. Then do some due diligence with a real job search next yr and see who else is out there. If they're the best keep them if not bring in new."

I couldn't agree more here. No buyouts whatsoever. But a stern "listen here kiddo", this is how things are going to get done from here on out and maybe, just maybe, if you convince us you aren't SOC we may be inclined to let you interview for the position when your contracts are up.

Mark my words...ZEBRA will change their stripes in a heartbeat, the moment they know Hellman isn't coming back.

Anonymous said...

As president of the school board, a certified public accountant and a candidate for re-election, I see the Nov. 8 election as a referendum on what we have accomplished in the last few years, specifically on the approach we have taken in running an efficient school district, keeping the school tax down and not burdening taxpayers.

Bill Hellman CPA
October 25, 2011

So, how did that work out for ya?

Anonymous said...

Whoa a lot can change in a year! I haven't seen the man since.

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen Farrell, Ruffrauf, or Radsoti either.

Hendrix said...

Which had more feedback - Woodstock, or Stout last night?

Anonymous said...

If you don't fix the leak, people will drown. SOC has a pipeline to super. They visit her daily.

Jon said...

Black pipeline? Do I smell another award? In the March-May 2013 timeframe, right before the primary election?

Anonymous said...

All I ever hear is how incompetent Mrs B is where it counts. Her job.

If her SOC friends are any indication, I am not surprised in the least.

Anonymous said...

Pipeline to even more money??? W.T.F.???

5.4 Approval, Confidential Secretary Agreement

Anonymous said...

Clean Out the House, Ferrara, Harm, DeAngelo, Mrs.B Replace them with competent people. Don't buy any of them out but keep them under control. If any one knows what Mrs.B does I would like to know.

Anonymous said...

Can't help you on the B question. Have only heard of her ineptitude not by people out to get her but people who had to deal with her. I know the type. She probably caters to who butters her muffin and everyone else can shall we say go pound sand.

Anonymous said...

"Pipeline to even more money??? W.T.F.???

5.4 Approval, Confidential Secretary Agreement"


I do not like this if it gives B more money. Does it?

Jon said...

I don't know. I was at the meeting, but I'll need to watch the video for confirmation (it's now posted on the website).

Anyway, here's what I recall from the meeting:

Bill Ferrara said something about this action is to remove Mrs. B. (I don't remember if her name was specifically mentioned, but video should confirm) from the Act 93 Bargaining Unit Agreement. He said something about how he frequently seeks or gets advice from other more experienced Supers he knows, and made it sound like this is something they recommended. He also said something about her increasing duties, like maintaining his and/or other schedules.

Damon Miller asked Mr. Ferrara for a list or description of Mrs. B's duties, which he said he'd provide.

My understanding is that Act 93 is non-union, so removing her from Act 93 puts her into the union? Or does it just make her non-Act 93 and non-union?

The part about Bill Ferrara describing her increasing duties did make me think that this might mean more money for Mrs. B., but I'm not sure.

Jon said...

School boards reorganize

Staff writers Danny Adler, Gema Duarte, Chris English, Joan Hellyer, James McGinnis, Christian Menno and Manasee Wagh contributed to this report.

Posted: Friday, December 9, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 8:00 am, Fri Dec 9, 2011.



BRISTOL TOWNSHIP
Earl Bruck was chosen as president at the board’s reorganization meeting. Frederick Black was chosen as vice president. New board members Constance Moore, Patricia Koszarek and Stacy Gerlach were sworn in.
David Truelove of Hill Wallack LLP in Lower Makefield is the school district solicitor, at the rate of $115 an hour for regular work and $125 an hour for arbitration and court time.


MORRISVILLE
The school board voted in John DeWilde as president and political newbie Alina Marone as vice-president. Newcomers Wanda Kartal will serve as secretary and Damon Miller will serve as treasurer.

Thomas Profy is the current solicitor, charging $130 per hour.

With five new board members outvoting the four returning board members, the school board tabled the appointment of a solicitor until Wednesday’s regular meeting so bids can be obtained.

Saying the school district has many outstanding lawsuits, DeWilde argued that Profy has been good to the board and to “bring in someone new will hurt the district.” Kartal said it’s “due process” to obtain other proposals.

Until a decision is made, Profy will continue to represent the Morrisville School District in legal matters.

Anonymous said...

"Why wasn't fresh chilled drinking water provided for Marlis and the audience last night?'

Marlis of all people should know you should do all your drinking before the meeting!!!!

Jon said...

Re: Mrs. B., I watched the video. It starts around 59:10.

It sounds like it's more a matter of getting "B" out of the Act 93 employees group and giving her a separate contract, so she is no longer privy to communications to/ from Bill Ferrara, the Board, MEA, MESPA, etc. that could involve the Act 93 group.

From an information confidentiality standpoint, that seems fine.

It's not clear what the deal is compensation-wise. No numbers were mentioned. Damon Miller asked for this info, along with a description of her responsibilities. Bill Ferrara promised to provide it in the Board's Friday packets before any Board votes occur.

Anonymous said...

B should not get a dime more, if anything they should cut her pay.
I also watched the video. Ferara was shaken by the lawyer vote, wasn't he? Decide yourself it's 87 min 11 secs in.

Anonymous said...

The last word I would use is "confidential". She is a direct flow of information to SOC. That is if super or prez haven't already. I wonder how confident faculty/staff/mespa are in her confidentiality.

Anonymous said...

An incompetent blabberguts. The world needs more of those. Give her a raise.

Anonymous said...

Whatever horse manure reason we are fed by super regarding this B move is false. There always has, is, and will be an alterior motive.

87 minutes 11 seconds into the video gives you a glimpse into the priorities of the educational leader.

No buyouts, no extensions...bye bye Pres, super, business manager.

Anonymous said...

Bill F may be soiling himself thinking about another lawyer seeing the wreckage of the SOC legal debacles and how badly it would reflect on him.One can only imagine the skeletons strewn about the closet.Don't worry BillF, Hellman & Mihok and their SOC School Board compadres get the most credit.

Anonymous said...

Control freaks hate to lose control.

Anonymous said...

If alterior motive is to give B more money or union job protection, F that. Highly suspect and skeptical of this.

Anonymous said...

Everybody set for the Storm? Be careful out there.

Anonymous said...

SOC loves loyal footsoldiers like B and Profy.They love you as long as they can control you. As long as you just cooperate. The minute you show any shred of independence they're pissed and your name gets crossed out.

Anonymous said...

Why is Business Mgr demoting Ms. Hendershot. Because she is doing a good job? Is he reducing her salary, too. Maybe to increase Ms. B's salary. This one just passed over everyone's head.

Anonymous said...

You're right, didn't notice this. Thought it was just moving org chart boxes around.These guys sure know how to BS and leave out critical details.

Anonymous said...

It seems funny that she was promoted, now demoted. Whats up Pauly D?

Anonymous said...

The Situation is that PaulieD and Billie F are such snakes

Anonymous said...

Will there be School tomorrow because of the weather?

Damon said...

Morrisville schools are closed tomorrow and Tuesday.

Jon said...

Thanks, Damon. We just got the phone blast about around 4 pm.

Anonymous said...

From web site:


School Closing Information

Due to the impending storm schools in the School District of the Borough of Morrisville will be closed on Monday, October 29, 2012 and Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

The District Offices will be closed both days.

Anonymous said...

Morrisville 1970s classes plan 40th reunion for November

Published: Sunday, October 28, 2012

MORRISVILLE -- Members of the Morrisville High School classes of 1971, 1972 and 1973 are planning a 40th anniversary reunion for Nov. 24 at Michael’s Restaurant on Route 1 in Morrisville.

The cost is $55, which includes buffet dinner, dancing to DJ music and a commemorative group photo.

Members of the planning committee are: Ida (Furente) Doolan, Jim Onofri, Patty (Petroff) Sines and Steve Waite, all from the class of 1972; Lynn (Furente) Hartigan and Joan DiRetto, Class of 1971; and LuAnn (Beadle) Drabb, Class of 1973.

Anyone classmate who has not yet received an invitation is asked to contact a committee member Lynn Hartigan, 215-295-2377; Ida Doolan, 215-932-6028; or LuAnn Drabb, 215-949-3447.

Anonymous said...

Boiler blown up, close MR Reiter. Truck magically plows into school when a classroom is needed. Trailers removed and more students fill the high school. What are the odds that Sandy will be used to consolidate/farm out/voucher/cry poor??

Anonymous said...

The odds? Pretty poor if you ask me.

After watching the video of the last board meeting I don't see the MM candidates letting that happen.

That's a sure bet in my mind.

Anonymous said...

Farm out Ferrara,Harm, DeAngelo, Mrs. B. Thats one I would like to see.

Anonymous said...

MM board members and Dan Dingle I have a tremendous amount of respect for and pride in you!

Keep it up!!

Anonymous said...

Couldn't agree more. Board starting to make educational decisions versus grumpy old tax decisions. This district is on the cusp of great things. As soon as we get a super and business manager that want to grow the district instead of holding it back.

Anonymous said...

When Mihok and SOC say you're doing a great job, you truly may not be. Or you may be, but what you're doing a great job at is implementing or litigating their terrible ideas.

Anonymous said...

We also need a new governor who doesn't defund public education at the state level and isn't in bed with the voucher-charter lobbies.

Anonymous said...

W. Ferrara says:

Let them eat cheese!

Anonymous said...

Got the phone blast -- back to school tomorrow (Thurs. Nov 1). Normal stsrt time. Cheese sandwiches for lunch. Bon appetite!

Anonymous said...

Businessmen selling generators on corner in Morrisville

Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 11:14 am, Wed Oct 31, 2012.

By GEMA MARIA DUARTE Staff writer | 0 comments

Posted on October 31, 2012

by Gema Duarte

Three Morrisville business owners used the storm to make some money and help people without power.

They had had driven to Toledo, Ohio, on Sunday to pick up 25 industrial generators and brought them back to sell here.

They drove in the middle of the storm and arrived back at the borough at 8 a.m. Tuesday. By afternoon, they were selling them for $1,200 a pop from a trailer at the corner of Bridge Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

"We sold 10 units in 20 minutes,'' said Christopher Hauptmann of Instant Auto Tags and Registration. He was accompanied by Joe Starling of Jag's Barbershop and Matt Principe of the Thrift Shop.

The borough's public works and safety crews were out in full force Tuesday, cutting up and clearing out trees that had fallen over night during the storm.

Anonymous said...

Disaster profiteers or your ticket to electricity in your home?

You decide.

Anonymous said...

Whine and cheese party in the Ville tomorrow. How late is Giant open tonight so parents can get supplies to pack a lunch for the kiddies tomorrow?

Not Gouda said...

Lactose isn't the only thing I'm intolerant of.

Jon said...

Ah, the joy of having power and heat and hot water and internet back in the home. How is it?

Anonymous said...

Why are the 2nd graders at the High School?

Anonymous said...

Survival?

K-12 school- I’m not happy about all the students in one building however, this is something that should be explored in the name of survival. You know about the high school taxes in Morrisville and almost five million dollars was just spent for nothing. Yes, a K-12 school may be the only affordable option that we have.

- Steve Worob

Anonymous said...

If anyone would know about the $5 Million Bonfire it's Steve Worob, his hands were all over both ends of it.

Anonymous said...

They are here because Grandview has no heat or power in some areas.

Anonymous said...

There you have it.

Anonymous said...

By now you could have had a brand new K-12 school where all the students could benefit from a new heating and cooling system and your taxes would have stabilized by 2010. It's hiliarious that Mr. Worob now thinks that a K-12 school would be acceptable.

Anonymous said...

Steve Worob is the King of the Morrisville Backward Thinkers. We should put up a statue to him and the rest of the SOC-wits. Where could we find a model of someone with their head stuck up their butt?

Anonymous said...

Football game versus Tower Hill moved to Saturday 3:00 at the A-Field. Come out to cheer on the team.

Jon said...

I know that Steve Worob quote. It's not from last week or anything. It's from April 2008, a few months after his buddies Bill Hellmann, Marlys Mihok, Al Radosti, etc. took power on the School Board.

The K-12 Worob's referring to is one in which all the kids from all the grades are stuck into the current High School building. This was 8 months before Reiter blew up, so when he said it, he was talking about closing both Reiter and Grandview and going from 3 buildings to 1.

Yes, I know that in August 2007, the same Steve Worob was saying that big kids driving to the same school where little kids go would spell disaster.

Just one of the many reasons why I don't see eye to eye with him and his buddies, and don't trust them with power over the School District.

Anonymous said...

'Steve Worob is the King of the Morrisville Backward Thinkers. We should put up a statue to him and the rest of the SOC-wits. Where could we find a model of someone with their head stuck up their butt?'


Head to Worob's house after any school board meeting. Steve + Ron + Marlis will be sitting around the table licking their self-inflicted wounds and working on strategery.

The famous painting of dogs smoking, drinking and playing poker looks down-right classy by comparison.

Jon said...

"...with all due respect, and remember I'm sayin' with all due respect, that idea ain't worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."

- Ricky Bobby

Anonymous said...

At thepolls they can ask you for ID but you don't have to show it, right? Alright so if you refuse what happens? Idiot law. Idiot implementation.

Anonymous said...

What's the best way to help families and kids who need help recovering from the Hurricane?

Anonymous said...

Governor says he will try and bring federal aid to state for Sandy costs
Story
Comments (2)

Posted: Friday, November 2, 2012 6:15 am | Updated: 8:29 am, Fri Nov 2, 2012.

By Margaret Gibbons Staff writer | 2 comments

The governor Thursday pledged he would do everything he can to shake money from the federal government to reimburse expenses incurred by counties, municipalities and their first-responder organizations in responding to their residents’ needs during Hurricane Sandy.

“But it is not going to be easy,” said Gov. Tom Corbett, noting that New Jersey and New York have sustained far more damage than Pennsylvania and will receive a larger portion of the financial pie.

“Maybe our congressional delegation can twist the president’s arm a little bit,” said the governor.

Corbett’s remarks came during a visit Thursday to Montgomery County’s emergency operations center in Lower Providence.

While still mopping up from the storm where high winds rather than floodwaters caused most of the damage, Public Safety Director Tom Sullivan said his staff on Monday will begin contacting all 62 municipalities to get preliminary damage estimates and response costs to put together for federal and state reimbursement funds.

The governor said that the few storm-related deaths statewide show that planning works.

There are seven confirmed deaths in the state including three who were killed by falling trees, two killed in motor-vehicle accidents and two who died from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of gas-powered generators in areas without proper ventilation. One of those carbon monoxide deaths was 90-year-old Upper Merion woman.

In another storm-related matter, county Commissioner Leslie Richards, who chairs the county election board, said election staff members are contacting all 426 polling places to make sure they have power on Election Day. While the voting machines have fully charged battery backup that can last 15 hours, polling places without power would jeopardize both voters and poll officials.

The county will take whatever action is necessary to ensure there is power at each polling place, said Richards.

Phillyburbs Comments

2 comments:

Rick Howe posted at 7:54 am on Fri, Nov 2, 2012.

Posts: 1322

Corbett wants Fitzpatrick to "twist the president's arm" to get FEMA money!

Too cynical! Fitzpatrick voted against more money for FEMA & emergency preparedness!

The Republican standard-bearer, Romney, has vowed to do away with FEMA.

Save us from Republican hypocracy.
Log In to report.

Reply
.

JadedMage posted at 9:53 am on Fri, Nov 2, 2012.

Posts: 196




haha yea well Rmoney will be in Bucks on Sunday...maybe Fitz and Corbitt can nudge nudge him a little???
Log In to report.

Reply
.


Anonymous said...

The Federal Government sucks, can't do anything right, and should be unmercifully slammed and defunded every day.... until you actually need it, then your hand goes out. Hypocritical d-bags.

Anonymous said...

dwhite posted at 1:02 pm on Fri, Nov 2, 2012.

Posts: 3678

Corbett has his republican hand out for some big government money. The tea sacks will be outraged.
Romney wants to end FEMA. Who will Corbutt ask then?

Anonymous said...

November 1, 2012, 12:00 pm213 Comments

Romney on FEMA, Then and Now

By ANDREW ROSENTHAL

At a Republican primary debate in June of 2011, CNN’s John King asked Mitt Romney for his views on disaster relief. “FEMA is about to run out of money, and there are some people who say, ‘Do it on a case-by-case basis.’ And there are some people who say, ‘You know what, maybe we’re learning a lesson here that the states should take on more of this role.’ How do you deal with something like that?”

Mr. Romney responded ““Absolutely. Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that’s the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that’s even better.”

He went on to advocate cutting the federal budget, leading Mr. King to interject “Including disaster relief, though?”

“We cannot—we cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids. It is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids.”

I don’t see how you can read that and not conclude that Primary Mitt endorsed decreasing the federal government’s role in disaster relief with a possible end goal of having private industry take over.

Naturally Hurricane Sandy Mitt feels somewhat differently. His campaign released a statement Wednesday that reads: “”I believe that FEMA plays a key role in working with states and localities to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. As president, I will ensure FEMA has the funding it needs to fulfill its mission, while directing maximum resources to the first responders who work tirelessly to help those in need, because states and localities are in the best position to get aid to the individuals and communities affected by natural disasters.”

No mention of the private sector; or of how it’s “immoral” to amass debt and thus absolutely necessary to cut the federal budget. Just a bland assurance that FEMA will have “the funding it needs to fulfill its mission.” The reference to “states and localities” may sound like tough federalism, but FEMA already works with local first responders. He did not address whether he would cut other programs to pay for disaster relief (something his running mate, Paul Ryan, has endorsed.)

Naturally Mr. Romney didn’t acknowledge that he’d changed his position; he just changed it. As usual there’s no telling which position represents Mr. Romney’s authentic beliefs, or if he has authentic beliefs—or, most crucially, which position a President Romney would hold.

Anonymous said...

How gullible or delusional do you have to be to buy a thing this principle-less charlatan is selling? No, let me be clear, I never said that.

Wanda said...

I am currently recruiting for multiple positions in Horsham, PA.

If you or someone you know meets the requirements of these positions please email me a current resume for consideration to wandakartal@yahoo.com.

Only serious applicants need apply. You MUST meet job requirements as shown below.

HELP DESK:
Fulltime position, 40 hours a week
Horsham, PA
Healthcare experience Preferred
Required:
3+ years working in a help desk/IT support position.
Excellent communication skills
Detail-oriented
Ability to follow trouble-shooting scripts
Expertise with Microsoft Office Software
Experience with trouble ticket software system

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK:
Part-time position, 32 hours a week
Preferred:
Experience with Quick Books
Degree in Accounting
Some experience with A/R
Required:
Experience with accounting software
Associates Degree or higher
10 years experience with A/P

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CLERK:
Part-time position, 32 hours a week
Preferred:
Experience with Quick Books
Degree in Accounting
Some experience with A/P
Required:
Experience with accounting software
Associates Degree or higher
10 years experience with A/R

LEAD SOFTWARE DEVELOPER:
Fulltime position, 40 hours a week
Preferred:
Healthcare experience
Zend Framework
Required:
Computer Science or related degree
3+ years managing development teams
Experience with agile development methodologies
Designing PHP/MySQL/HTML/Javascript applications
PHP MVC Frameworks and Project management software
Strong leadership and communication skills

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS (3 positions):
Fulltime position, 40 hours a week
Preferred:
Healthcare experience
Zend Framework
jQuery
Required:
3+ years developing enterprise web applications
PHP/MySQL/HTML/Javascript experience
Experience working with MVC Frameworks
Experience with Scrum or other agile teams

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR:
Fulltime position, 40 hours a week
Preferred:
Healthcare experience
Required:
5+ years IN Linux system administration
Virtualized environments
MySQL, Apache administration
Hosting svn/git or other version controlled system
Linux Security
Capacity planning