Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Bonusgate Trial- Accustations Fly High And Other Tidbits
Defense lawyers wanted a mistrial. Prosecutors fired back. Judge sets speed limit in courtroom to "55 miles per hour". Mario F. Cattabiani of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes about yesterday's court manuvers.
In other developments charged Representative Bill DeWeese announced he will seek reelection according to Tom Barnes at the Post Gazette.
Former school director Frank Pizzella Jr. plead guilty to passing a $5,000 bribe in a job hiring of a teacher Pizzella knew. Read Terri Morgan-Besecker's article in the Times Leader.
In other developments charged Representative Bill DeWeese announced he will seek reelection according to Tom Barnes at the Post Gazette.
Former school director Frank Pizzella Jr. plead guilty to passing a $5,000 bribe in a job hiring of a teacher Pizzella knew. Read Terri Morgan-Besecker's article in the Times Leader.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Mr. Paige Where Do You Get Your Water From?
This evening Chris Paige is going to hold a Town Hall meeting at the Elks Lodge in Hazleton to speak about the plan to sell the HCA water department by the City of Hazleton.
Mr. Paige,,so where do you get your water from? You see, according to FEC documents Mr. Paige lives in Skytop Meadows which is part of the Skytop Lodge environment.
According to a real estate official at Skytop Lodge Skytop Meadows was originally their development. The water is supplied by their PRIVATE water system which includes wells and a water tank.
So Mr. Paige has the audacity to come to Hazleton to tell its people that the City should not sell the water assets to a private company while he is serviced by a private entity. If that doesn't take balls nothing does.
Mr. Paige,,so where do you get your water from? You see, according to FEC documents Mr. Paige lives in Skytop Meadows which is part of the Skytop Lodge environment.
According to a real estate official at Skytop Lodge Skytop Meadows was originally their development. The water is supplied by their PRIVATE water system which includes wells and a water tank.
So Mr. Paige has the audacity to come to Hazleton to tell its people that the City should not sell the water assets to a private company while he is serviced by a private entity. If that doesn't take balls nothing does.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Statewide Newsworthy Stories
Lou Barletta discusses the tax implications regarding the sale of the water assets of the Hazleton City Authority in the Standard Speaker written by Kent Jackson.
Hazleton will begin layoffs in May Although property taxes were raised by about $10.00 per month on $100,000 assessment layoffs were necessary in this year's fiscal budget according to Mary Ellen Leib,acting director of adminstration.
Michael Manzo has plenty to say about the Bonusgate investigation during testimony in the Michael Veon et al trial proceeding in Harrisburg. His wife, Rachel, was an employee of Rep. Todd Eachus who denies knowing about the bonuses.
Pennsylvania American Water acquires the assets of the Nittany Water Company expanding its footprint to 36 counties statewide.
Senator Mellow becomes a renewed target of the watchdogs over rent payments and "cash" payments made over nine years
Hazleton will begin layoffs in May Although property taxes were raised by about $10.00 per month on $100,000 assessment layoffs were necessary in this year's fiscal budget according to Mary Ellen Leib,acting director of adminstration.
Michael Manzo has plenty to say about the Bonusgate investigation during testimony in the Michael Veon et al trial proceeding in Harrisburg. His wife, Rachel, was an employee of Rep. Todd Eachus who denies knowing about the bonuses.
Pennsylvania American Water acquires the assets of the Nittany Water Company expanding its footprint to 36 counties statewide.
Senator Mellow becomes a renewed target of the watchdogs over rent payments and "cash" payments made over nine years
Lost Tax Revenue In Hazleton
Mr. Paige makes the assertion that taxes became stagnant during his opponent's tenure as Mayor. Since Mr. Paige moved to Pennsylvania in 2006 it is highly unlikely that he is up to speed on issues affecting Hazleton. He appears to be relying on the political pundits that consistently lack factual information.
Let's examine the mercantile tax as one part of the equation. Businesses have moved out of the Hazleton boundaries that reduces its revenue contribution. To name a few- a new $20 million dollar Health and Wellnees Center by the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, Physicians such as Hazleton Pediatrics, Janney Montgomery Scott brokerage firm,
St. Joseph's Hospital closed its 111 bed facility. CAN-DO is attracting the large industries to its' parks in Hazle and Butler Township. KOZ designations inside the City have reduced property and earned income tax payments to the City.
While many new businesses decided to locate in Hazleton, their tax revenue was no match for the lost revenue by such big payers as the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance physicians and a brokerage firm. It would take hundreds of mom and pop grocery stores to pay the amount of revenue lost over the years.
Once again, Mr. Paige is reckless with his assertions but it is no surprise to SOP.
Let's examine the mercantile tax as one part of the equation. Businesses have moved out of the Hazleton boundaries that reduces its revenue contribution. To name a few- a new $20 million dollar Health and Wellnees Center by the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, Physicians such as Hazleton Pediatrics, Janney Montgomery Scott brokerage firm,
St. Joseph's Hospital closed its 111 bed facility. CAN-DO is attracting the large industries to its' parks in Hazle and Butler Township. KOZ designations inside the City have reduced property and earned income tax payments to the City.
While many new businesses decided to locate in Hazleton, their tax revenue was no match for the lost revenue by such big payers as the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance physicians and a brokerage firm. It would take hundreds of mom and pop grocery stores to pay the amount of revenue lost over the years.
Once again, Mr. Paige is reckless with his assertions but it is no surprise to SOP.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
An Education For Chris Paige
Mr. Paige decided to respond to my post with more ridiculous assertions that only prove he is being prodded and supported by his Democratic friends. Mr. Paige's apparent lack of knowledge on municipal government is almost hilarious.
Mr. Paige, let's answer you one by one....I am typing very slowwwww so it will be easy for him to understand...
Does he deny that Mayor Barletta raised property taxes, income taxes, and garbage fees? Mr. Paige missed the class on Council Plan B which is Hazleton's form of government. Hazleton City Council sets the tax rates, not the Mayor. SOP hopes Mr. Paige learns more about the 11th district.
Does he deny that Hazleton's property tax revenues, income tax revenues, and business tax revenues stagnated under Mayor Barletta? Mayor Barletta warned of the consequences in 2006 regarding the illegal immigration that was occuring in Hazleton. He complained then as now that revenues were not increasing while the population surged. Of course 2006 was about the time Mr. Paige moved to Pennsylvania?
But there is not only one reason...how about the economy or has Mr. Paige been asleep the last year and half. It must be hard for a hedge fund attorney to appreciate those who lost their jobs and their homes and the economic impact those circumstances would have on municipalities, not just Hazleton, but all over the country. Of course hedge funds are only for the millionares.
Does he deny that the Altamont Hotel became a halfway house during Barletta's administration? See, e.g., Mia Light, "City Keeping an Eye on MinSec," Standard Speaker, November 7, 2009.
Mr. Paige stated in his blog that Barletta "brought a halfway house for criminals to a downtown hotel...where does the article state that action by Barletta? He also states that he attracted the halfway house to the Altamont Hotel...again where are his facts? My opinion, Mr. Paige is very reckless with his statements...well on reflection maybe more desparate.
Here is a link to the article Paige cites and what Barletta had to say about MinSec--"Both the chief and I, if we had our preference, MinSec would be in some other place. I personally wish we had a Fortune 500 company there rather than MinSec. But it is where it is. And so we are trying to deal with the realities of what it is and what it is not, what is truth and what is exaggeration," Barletta said. Why does he mistate the facts? Is it intentional? Mr. Barletta's quotes certainly don't indicate he favors MinSec.
Does he deny that Mayor Barletta supports plans to open a methadone clinic in Hazleton? Again..Mr. Paige..as in the past he was wrong with his statements and today is no different...WHERE ARE HIS FACTS??? Where is his evidence that Barletta supports the opening??
Does he deny that Hazleton Creek will be filled with experimental toxic waste? Mr. Paige evidently doesn't know that DEP stated the material is safe.
DEP Approves Hazleton Creek’s Use of Regulated Fill at Mine Reclamation Site
HARRISBURG (July 31) -- The Department of Environmental Protection has approved Hazleton Creek Properties LLC’s general permit to use regulated fill for construction activities at a land reclamation project in Hazleton, Luzerne County.
“The company’s proposal meets DEP’s strict regulations and includes conditions to ensure the safe and effective use of this material in construction,” DEP Northeast Regional Director Michael Bedrin said.
...and a hedge fund attorney is trying to state it is toxic...the only thing toxic is the information Mr. Paige tries to present as fact....
Remain silent...well how did that work out for you??
Mr. Paige, let's answer you one by one....I am typing very slowwwww so it will be easy for him to understand...
Does he deny that Mayor Barletta raised property taxes, income taxes, and garbage fees? Mr. Paige missed the class on Council Plan B which is Hazleton's form of government. Hazleton City Council sets the tax rates, not the Mayor. SOP hopes Mr. Paige learns more about the 11th district.
Does he deny that Hazleton's property tax revenues, income tax revenues, and business tax revenues stagnated under Mayor Barletta? Mayor Barletta warned of the consequences in 2006 regarding the illegal immigration that was occuring in Hazleton. He complained then as now that revenues were not increasing while the population surged. Of course 2006 was about the time Mr. Paige moved to Pennsylvania?
But there is not only one reason...how about the economy or has Mr. Paige been asleep the last year and half. It must be hard for a hedge fund attorney to appreciate those who lost their jobs and their homes and the economic impact those circumstances would have on municipalities, not just Hazleton, but all over the country. Of course hedge funds are only for the millionares.
Does he deny that the Altamont Hotel became a halfway house during Barletta's administration? See, e.g., Mia Light, "City Keeping an Eye on MinSec," Standard Speaker, November 7, 2009.
Mr. Paige stated in his blog that Barletta "brought a halfway house for criminals to a downtown hotel...where does the article state that action by Barletta? He also states that he attracted the halfway house to the Altamont Hotel...again where are his facts? My opinion, Mr. Paige is very reckless with his statements...well on reflection maybe more desparate.
Here is a link to the article Paige cites and what Barletta had to say about MinSec--"Both the chief and I, if we had our preference, MinSec would be in some other place. I personally wish we had a Fortune 500 company there rather than MinSec. But it is where it is. And so we are trying to deal with the realities of what it is and what it is not, what is truth and what is exaggeration," Barletta said. Why does he mistate the facts? Is it intentional? Mr. Barletta's quotes certainly don't indicate he favors MinSec.
Does he deny that Mayor Barletta supports plans to open a methadone clinic in Hazleton? Again..Mr. Paige..as in the past he was wrong with his statements and today is no different...WHERE ARE HIS FACTS??? Where is his evidence that Barletta supports the opening??
Does he deny that Hazleton Creek will be filled with experimental toxic waste? Mr. Paige evidently doesn't know that DEP stated the material is safe.
DEP Approves Hazleton Creek’s Use of Regulated Fill at Mine Reclamation Site
HARRISBURG (July 31) -- The Department of Environmental Protection has approved Hazleton Creek Properties LLC’s general permit to use regulated fill for construction activities at a land reclamation project in Hazleton, Luzerne County.
“The company’s proposal meets DEP’s strict regulations and includes conditions to ensure the safe and effective use of this material in construction,” DEP Northeast Regional Director Michael Bedrin said.
...and a hedge fund attorney is trying to state it is toxic...the only thing toxic is the information Mr. Paige tries to present as fact....
Remain silent...well how did that work out for you??
Monday, February 1, 2010
Chris Paige Is Trying To Get Noticed
Here has been the YAWN response to his ramblings:
Although he has declared he wants to run for office the nominating petitions are not even circulated yet. Why should Lou Barletta take him seriously? His blog is exactly that and no more until then.
Mr. Paige, a couple of questions for a lawyer who should know better.
On your blog you have these statements about Barletta.
..you brought a halfway house for criminals to a downtown hotel, and you've tried to attract a methadone clinic to various sites all over the City
What evidence do you personally possess to back up your ridiculous assertions? Keep in mind that it is you making the claim so if there is to be truth to it let us see your evidence by releasing it to the public.
In case you need a refresher you should keep in mind that while defamatory statements may be protected in court proceedings a lawyer who makes them outside of the courtroom should follow the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct which includes
[5] A lawyer's conduct should conform to the requirements of the law, both in professional service to clients and in the lawyer's business and personal affairs. A lawyer should use the law's procedures only for legitimate purposes and not to harass or intimidate others. A lawyer should demonstrate respect for the legal system and for those who serve it, including judges, other lawyers and public officials. While it is a lawyer's duty, when necessary, to challenge the rectitude of official action, it is also a lawyer's duty to uphold legal process.
Although he has declared he wants to run for office the nominating petitions are not even circulated yet. Why should Lou Barletta take him seriously? His blog is exactly that and no more until then.
Mr. Paige, a couple of questions for a lawyer who should know better.
On your blog you have these statements about Barletta.
..you brought a halfway house for criminals to a downtown hotel, and you've tried to attract a methadone clinic to various sites all over the City
What evidence do you personally possess to back up your ridiculous assertions? Keep in mind that it is you making the claim so if there is to be truth to it let us see your evidence by releasing it to the public.
In case you need a refresher you should keep in mind that while defamatory statements may be protected in court proceedings a lawyer who makes them outside of the courtroom should follow the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct which includes
[5] A lawyer's conduct should conform to the requirements of the law, both in professional service to clients and in the lawyer's business and personal affairs. A lawyer should use the law's procedures only for legitimate purposes and not to harass or intimidate others. A lawyer should demonstrate respect for the legal system and for those who serve it, including judges, other lawyers and public officials. While it is a lawyer's duty, when necessary, to challenge the rectitude of official action, it is also a lawyer's duty to uphold legal process.
Mike Veon et al Trial Starts Today
His day in court has finally arrived in Harrisburg. In a story found on PennLive from the Associated Press former Representative Mike Veon and three aides will be in court today for the opening of their trial related to charges the media has labeled as "Bonusgate".
The criminal trial of former General Assembly dealmaker Michael R. Veon and three of his ex-aides, which begins in earnest Monday with opening statements in a Harrisburg courtroom, represents a milestone in the attorney general’s three-year public corruption investigation of the Legislature.
The case is also a significant factor in this year’s Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign and should give voters more details about how some of their state lawmakers have balanced their legal obligations with their political ambitions.
A focus of the trial is expected to be testimony by at least some of the seven people, all former House Democratic staffers, who were arrested with Veon and the three others in July 2008 but who recently pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors. The proceedings follow a full acquittal won in December by the only defendant so far to go to trial in the investigation: former state Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver.
The defendants — Veon, 53, once the No. 2 ranking House Democratic leader; campaign guru Brett W. Cott, 37; computer services supervisor Stephen A.H. Keefer, 39; and Veon district office manager Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, 47 — are accused of conflict of interest, theft and conspiracy in what the attorney general’s office alleges was a multimillion-dollar effort to siphon off public resources for private benefit. The trial is expected to last about a month.
For sure this will be a make or break deal for Tom Corbett's polling in his race for Governor of Pennsylvania. He staked his career on making this investigation his statement on government reform.
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