If one calculates the amount of insurance paid over the time Tom Gabos served as Hazleton City Councilman the figure is about $15,219.00. As a councilman he spends about 48-60 hours PER YEAR at meetings.
Gabos is an electrical contractor. If he hired a part time electrician for 20 hours per week would he offer that person health insurance? Name one company that offers its part time workers health insurance. The amount of money paid could fund a code enforcement officer for a year.
As far as Gabos's claim of a huge deficit in the budget he forgets that City Council approves the budget, not the Mayor. If the figures were off its City Council's problem. They have the ability to revisit the budget anytime they see fit.
With the recent property reassessment in Luzerne County it will be nearly impossible for Hazleton to go bankrupt as the new tax rate is 1.4 mills. The statutory authority allows Hazleton as a third class city to tax up to 25 mills. His bankruptcy claim, as well as his followers, are opposition hype that lacks real substance. It is a typical election time scare tactic employed by a weak positioned official.
Gabos opposed the HCP project that brought $2 million into the City's coffers with another $2 million to come. That money allowed the hiring of nine(9) police officers. If Gabos had his way the City would be short $2 million dollars and minus 9 police officers. Some closet to hang your hat in.
Note: There has been a correction made to this article.
17 comments:
Are you suggesting the the way we get out of the 1.9 million deficit is by raising our millage three fold?
When Marsicano was Mayor there were 41 policemen. We never hired any more than that number of police with Barletta. By the way, what you are calling "new" is really "replacement" hiring.
Suggesting the way out of the deficit is to raise millage three fold?? Who said that? The point was that you can't claim bankruptcy or Act 47 if you have a mechanism of funding. Under the old assessment Hazleton was at the maximum 25 mills. There was no way to raise additional revenue under taxation. Gabos and his pundits are using the word bankruptcy. They should know full well no court would agree with their position if there is a way to raise additional revenue.
When you see Barletta's proposal you will realize no additional taxation will be needed. BTW where is Gabos's proposal? Nada, nope, nothing.
Where does it say "new"? The same old argument in a different way. Since you brought it up you know that the officers hired by Marsicano were under a 3 year grant program with no additional funding. Those jobs were doomed from the beginning.
BTW the Hazleton City Authority is the authority that has a water department...ohhh...news to you??
That is how reckless you are....
Lets get something straight...The amount of the insurance actually comes to $31,382.40 for four years...Did the City of Hazleton pay for the insurance during a divorce?? Remember that the mercantile tax is public record..Do you know that information??.so you want to play lets go....
This story is developing as u intimidate...obviously...not so well...
You should look up federal law...you don't know squat about what you say...Go ahead...ask your questions...you will not like the answers because you are so wrooooonggg....You have already made an accusation that I know about that is totally against federal law...Keep smearing names...yours will be the first to face the consequence...
Gabos is the elected official who recieved health insurance...that is the germane question...why are you not questioning him if you are so concerned...
Jim Ferry is dead and so is what happened to him...another piece of crap who would resurrect the dead over politics...Jim Ferry was an honorable man...Why would you stoop so low?? You won't win...but you hav everything to lose...
BTW Are churches allowed on Broad Street??? Are political signs allowed on City property?? Just wondering...
Take your Deemeanor and keep it in check....
I had to do some checking before answering your first question. As I told your buddy DP your mistake is thinking this blog is authored by only one person.
As far as the person you mentioned here are some facts that you should really know.
On the night that person was appointed you made the statement that the appointment was "payback" for him working on the Barletta campaign. Over the years in dealing with you I have always been frustrated with your reckless statements not ground in facts.
By federal law it is illegal for any Housing Authority member to be paid or receive any form of remuneration. So your statement to those people was defaming to that person and you should really apologize to him and his family for it.
Your post uses the word "benefited." All members of that authority are VOLUNTEERS. The benefit is to the city, not the other way around. Again, very reckless with the words.
If you check the record of the person you named you will find that he served on commissions, boards, and authorities for Mayors Quigley, Marsicano, and Barletta- ALL NON PAYING. Over twenty years of volunteer service to his community and you want to slam him.
Unlike others he is not interested in working the system for private gain.
Why don't you go after the Members of the Hazleton City Authority? They are paid for weekly meetings. They are paid for trips. Why do they NEED to meet weekly? Is it a clever way to get alot of money out of the rate payers? If you are a watchdog why aren't you aksing that question.
There are many more than need to be asked of that authority so stay tuned.
You have lost your way as a person. You are so blinded by politics and getting Lou Barletta that you would slam a business owner in Hazleton since 1982 that employees people, pays taxes to the City of Hazleton, not only as a business owner but a resident of the city raising a family within its limits.
Why don't you check when is the last time Tom Gabos paid mercantile tax to the city?
You can check the person's business who you named. You will be shocked at how much revenue he provides to the City.
Don't be so blind that anyone who is friends with Barletta deserves your venomous spews. Where is your committment or volunteer time rendering assistance to the City?
Quit being a puppet for others and start standing on your own.
How big is the Hazleton City Authority and why isn't it using all its assets to benefit the citizens of Hazleton? How much land is out in Humbolt? Why aren't you leading the charge to make use of it?
If you want to claim the title of watchdog it means being non-partisan. You are another one who would have caused this city 9 police officers if you had your way.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
One more thing.. Are you aware that Crossroad Computers has been doing business with the City of Hazleton since 1996. Marsicano used his services first before Barletta. Of course Gabos wouldn't say that to the public.
The HCA is an authority that has always been an authority that needs great oversight. They used water revenue to pay off debts of its "sister" dept. THE INDUSTRIAL DIVISION, I didn't hear you then. Why not? Hey, didn't Jack Mundie serve on that authority when water rates were used questionably? You nwere a bit quiet then, are water rates have increased at least 2 times over the last few years, yet they have a few million unencumbered. So are you advocating the city take it over? You do understand the water dept. would then come under PUC regs.? The city would not be able to use the money to bail itself out!The great guy you mentioned, is something else! He does suck up nicely, doesn't he? Now your issue with Humboldt is unclear. I feel the Humboldt Industrial Park should use HCA as a main water source, especially since they have so many food plants. Is Can-Do's water supply even filtered? I would appreciate any info you have and can prove. Get it out there!
I agree the HCA board members should volunteer their time! Tell your buddies on council to have the solicitor look into removing any payment (I belive they like to call it something else but I forgot)for both the HCA and the Sewer Authority posts, watch the # of meetings the sewer authority holds in Nov. and Dec. they always increase at this time of year. I don't follow you on Ferry did he or did he not enjoy medical insurance? That is not slander merely a question. Do you know the answer? Check past audits, the answer is there. Sorry when you become a public figuare you open yourself up for questions and possible comments about actions you have taken in the service of these appointments or elected positions.
Are you contending Marsicano should not have used the grant. Police leave at a rapid rate, if the city could no longer afford them don't replace. Now I feel our police dept. needs to be at its max, I am in no way in favor of decreasing our police dept. I think the city's fire dept. can be looked at, we no longer have 5 stations. We are down to three, after looking at the # I think the city can decrease the # by 2. I also feel we do not need a $65,000. engineer. Use a firm on an as needed basis. They did that before "B". Maybe The mayor can consider donating his salary, he did as a councilman, or so he said. You will have to verify that statement. I have no proof.
Wow..lets take this by item.
1. The point about the police and Marsicano...he knew when he hired those police that he wasn't going to be able to keep them after the grant ran out. It didn't matter who was Mayor. Lou did what was necessary at the time. The PA legisalture is partly to blame. Why do they limit third class cities to 25 mills but the other entities are limitless? In no way do I disagree with Marsicano's decision to use grant money. I applaud it.
2.When a man dies so does everything else. The Pope ordered the distruction of his documents when he died. To bring up James Ferry to us at SOP is out of bounds for that reason. Also pertinent law was different when Ferry served vs. now.
3. Why should the Mayor donate his salary? That appears to be a jealous statement. The Mayor's position has no retirement benefit unlike other positions in the city. At least the city residents owe the office of Mayor, regardless its occupant, a salary for managing its affairs.
4. I will give you a tip and why, don't ask, not sure you earned it. Quit thinking inside the box and think out of the box..
5. You still did not acknowledge that you didn't know HHA is not a paid position. Not only that HHA gives about $30,000.00 to the City.
What payment or inkind services can be attributed to HCA?
6. Quit being reckless..double check your facts, triple check, and ask before you state things. There are other comments made by you and your crew that are equally defaming and one day you could find yourself defending your statements. Lawyers don't come cheap.
Your problem with Gabos is amazing. Doesn't Mundie get health insurance? How much has that amounted to? Do the other councilmembers get a stipend towards their health insurance? That would only be fair, wouldn't it? As far as I am concerned all council members should be disqualified from getting health benefits, but council has kept approving that when they pass the budget, and I think Gabos has voted against the budget. As far as the mayor donating his salary his job is community service, hell all council members should donate their salaries. Based on the condition of the city it appears no one is doing a great job! I am not sure what federal law you are refering to! Why don't you enlighten me! I don't think I ever said a Housing Authority board member gets paid. You didn't respond on my suggestions about the HCA and GHJSA, is there a reason? The Housing Authority doesn't GIVE the city money, it is called "a lieu of property tax payment." Just so you understand the HHA owns a lot of property which does not pay real estate taxes. So the federal govt. allows for in lieu of payment. It helps to cover some of the public services still enjoyed by the HHA> I think you should reread my original comment, the authority I took issue with then was the REDEVELOPMENY AUTHORITY, not HHA. I merely pointed out ??? appointment. Your original bio merely implied one author, I don't check your bio every day, if you have added authors you should be clearer. Dead or alive ferry got health ins. Could you tell me what law you are referring to here? I am not attacking him, if you choose to read that into my comments so be it. Please verify if council as a whole are given a stipend towards health ins. if they don't take the city's plan. Thanks. What is the dollar amount Mundie has gotten regarding health ins?
Lets call it like it is.. Obviously you haven't researched the problem. The Republicans on council DO NOT get any healthcare benefit, stipend or otherwise. No stipend, no in-lieu of payment. The ohter person you mention over $40,000.00 while in office.
You didn't say a housing authority member gets paid??? "Benefited" is your word. Trips...etc// do you remeber saying that while I wa present.....on the night of the appointment...
However you call the Housing Authority payment it is giving the City money....PILOT do you remember that term....so don't be cute with semantics....
And how much does the HCA pay in property taxes...How much does the GHHA pay??? You are so reckless...you definitely need a course in municipal law. How much does the Airport Commission pay??
Don't go by the bio...we figured that out along time ago.. what you don't get is that we know everytime you visit where you visit what you visit...
If your issue is what is right for Hazleton stick to it...Don't get partisan....
HCA could make PILOt payments...but it oould also contribute so much more...Its equipment...
You didn't take the hint...begins with an R......I have watched your posts on the blogs...your guessing is so parochial...think...comon...thinkk.... If you were in our seat what would you do...not what do you see...what would you do....
Did you ever read municipal authority law? Yes the council can restrict payment but the authority has the right to set payment for its officers that cannot be interfered with by the municicpality...tsk tsk tsk...help but know what you are talking about....If you want the link I will provide it..again the PA legislature is at fault...killing us...They enact and walk away...
"Two Democrats take health insurance. One Democrat only takes eye and dental."
That should say "Third Democrat" only takes eye and dental.
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