tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post5129880795105635710..comments2024-03-29T04:03:32.376-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Bethlehem's Xmas Present to Taxpayers - a 5.3% Tax HikeBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-77552514112549453802010-12-24T15:13:34.883-05:002010-12-24T15:13:34.883-05:00Wasn't this Recchiuti guy Willie Reynolds camp...Wasn't this Recchiuti guy Willie Reynolds campaign manager in his run. I believe he also ran for Council a few years ago.<br /><br />HOHOHO, I guess Bethlehem will get a new Willie come next election. Just what the city needs,dueling rubber stamps. HOHOHO!!!<br /><br />Merry Christmas,Oh little town of Bethlehem. Soon you taxpayers will all be living in stables. <br /><br />Merry ChristmasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-54867974753306388502010-12-23T07:18:56.252-05:002010-12-23T07:18:56.252-05:00With Gordon Mower stepping down from City council,...<i>With Gordon Mower stepping down from City council, I wonder how many Callahan clones will be running for his seat. I know some great people to run for City Council next year but they won't even bother. As one told me, I am neither a teacher or a Bethlehem hero, so I see little point in running.<br /></i><br /><br />The Democrats already have their yes man lined up.<br /><br />http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Michael-Recchiuti-For-Bethlehem-City-Council/58811691806<br /><br />He started showing up to City Council meetings and palling around with the "better than you club" after the meetings.<br /><br />He's another one that is a meat puppet for the mayor, so much so that he received a very large contribution from Callahan the last time he ran. And lost. Sure, I'll run out and vote for a lawyer who works for the parking authority. Uh huh, no connection to the mayor at all! Not even a little bit. (sarcasm)<br /><br /><i>"I am running for City Council to make Bethlehem a better place to live, work and raise a family."</i><br /><br />Sure you are! That's about as original and genuine as "I will not raise taxes".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23385542052261340762010-12-23T02:25:31.652-05:002010-12-23T02:25:31.652-05:00With Gordon Mower stepping down from City council,...With Gordon Mower stepping down from City council, I wonder how many Callahan clones will be running for his seat. I know some great people to run for City Council next year but they won't even bother. As one told me, I am neither a teacher or a Bethlehem hero, so I see little point in running.<br /><br />So I guess we will once again see a Bethlehem teacher and/or Callahan rubber stamp among the ten or twenty candidates.<br /><br />Sad, very sad.<br /><br />The TaxmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-46821425162637655752010-12-23T01:06:10.503-05:002010-12-23T01:06:10.503-05:00"Bethlehem's $10 million annual levy for ...<em>"Bethlehem's $10 million annual levy for hosting a slots parlor would allow the city to immediately lower taxes,"</em><br /><br />And notice the use of the word "immediately."Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-39558627978610366962010-12-23T01:04:50.502-05:002010-12-23T01:04:50.502-05:00They have done that.They have done that.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78932891686756414702010-12-23T00:34:40.158-05:002010-12-23T00:34:40.158-05:00Categories: Congress, Election 2010, Pennsylvania,...Categories: Congress, Election 2010, Pennsylvania, Politics <br />Posted by The Morning Call at 11:45:00 AM on October 20, 2010 <br /><br />[Comment Lee Schantz: ] Question:<br />Bethlehem ran into the red in 2008 and 2009. What you going to help rein in the $1.3 trillion federal deficit spending??? <br /><br /><br />John Callahan: We can’t force our grandkids to pay our bills. Charlie dug us a $3 trillion hole, one that will cost every man, woman, and child alive today $10,000. – that doesn’t include the $850 billion Wall Street bailout Dent voted for.<br /><br />We have to get our debt under control. I’ve done it in Bethlehem, cutting $10 million in government waste, and reducing the debt by $60 million. Despite what Congressman Dent says, we haven't had a tax increase in Bethlehem in 4 years - the longest period in 30 years. I’ll do it in Washington. I’ve got a plan to reduce debt, you can read it at http://www.callahanjobsplan.com:<br /><br />1. No More Bailouts- We’ve got to stop putting the taxpayer on the hook for Wall Streets errors.<br /><br />2. Freeze Spending- You know families are having to sit around the kitchen table and make hard decisions about what they can afford. It’s time Washington does the same. It's time for us to look at a non-defense/non-entitlement spending freeze.<br /><br />3. Support “Pay as you go rules”- This means if Washington wants to spend more money they have to have a way to pay for it. Charlie’s voted against this, but I’ll always support it.<br /><br />4. Reward Innovation- It’s time we bring the same ingenuity that the private sector has to government. We’ve done it in Bethlehem and it’s saved us $10 millions so far.<br /><br />When any of them run for office I'm going to be ask them the hard ones!!!PS unless the cops throw me out! Right Bernie???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-48682099222034836402010-12-23T00:25:07.693-05:002010-12-23T00:25:07.693-05:00Here you go Berine in his own words!!!
Morning Ca...Here you go Berine in his own words!!!<br /><br />Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA) - April 21, 2005 length: 547 words<br /><br />Callahan says $10 million slots levy will allow him to lower taxes ** Rybak says mayor too worried about campaign contributors.<br /><br />Bethlehem's $10 million annual levy for hosting a slots parlor would allow the city to immediately lower taxes, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan pledged during a mayoral debate on Wednesday. Standing before a room of senior citizens and his Democratic challenger, Anthony Rybak, Callahan said the $10 million fee would represent nearly one-fifth of Bethlehem's current $52 million budget. "This would be an enormous economic boost to the city,"...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-77131799075818606922010-12-23T00:01:53.315-05:002010-12-23T00:01:53.315-05:00"And stop the idiotic ranting about the casin...<em>"And stop the idiotic ranting about the casino monies..How do you think they were able to avoid tax increases the last four years..By using the casino money."</em><br /><br />Um, the casino opened in May 2009, so I don't understand how that explains 4 years w/o a tax increase. I have another explanation. Callahan cooked the books for his first 4 years so he could win re-election and then simultaneously run for Congress.<br /><br /><em>" Who are the freaking morons that thought that it would go to cut taxes? Their money went to avoid increases."</em><br /><br />Um, that would be Callahan. He specifically said that in a State of the City address.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2064893753959438732010-12-22T23:58:12.863-05:002010-12-22T23:58:12.863-05:00As a result of the reduction of money budgeted for...As a result of the reduction of money budgeted for department areas, we are forced to cut down on our number of personnel. Under this plan, older employees will be asked to take early retirement, thus permitting the retention of younger people who represent our future. Therefore, a program to phase out older personnel by the end of the current fiscal year, via retirement, will be placed into effect immediately.<br /><br />This program will be known as SLAP (Sever Late-Aged Personnel). Employees who are SLAPPED will be given the opportunity to look for jobs outside the company. SLAPPED employees can request a review of their employment records before actual retirement takes place. This review phase of the program is called SCREW. SCREW (Survey of Capabilities of Retired Early Workers). All employees who have been SLAPPED and SCREWED may file an appeal with upper management. <br /><br />This appeal is called SHAFT (Study by Higher Authority Following Termination). Under the terms of the new policy, an employee may be SLAPPED once, SCREWED twice, but may be SHAFTED as many times as the company deems appropriate.<br /><br />If an employee follows the above procedure, he/she will be entitled to get: HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel's Early Severance) or CLAP (Combined Lump sum Assistance Payment). As HERPES and CLAP are considered benefit plans, any employee who has received HERPES or CLAP will no longer be SLAPPED or SCREWED by the company. <br /><br />Management wishes to assure the younger employees who remain on board, that the company will continue its policy of training employees through our Special High Intensity Training (SHIT). We take pride in the amount of SHIT our employees receive. We have given our employees more SHIT than any company in this area. If any employee feels they do not receive enough SHIT on the job, see your immediate supervisor. Your supervisor is specially trained to make sure you receive all the SHIT you can stand. Please contact personnel directly to recommend any senior employees you feel need to be SLAPPED, SCREWED or SHAFTED. And, once again, thanks for all your years of service with us.<br /><br />The Passed Dec 21 2010<br />6 yeas 1 nayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86313169382118950352010-12-22T23:46:42.059-05:002010-12-22T23:46:42.059-05:00"Meg Holland laid out a first-year agenda Tue...<em>"Meg Holland laid out a first-year agenda Tuesday that includes more spending controls, a telephone tip line and a promise to keep track of the $8.7 million expected to come from the Sands BethWorks casino each year."</em><br /><br />She was in the audience on Tuesday night, but I'd have to say she's been a big disappointment who has done nothing to stop the practice of commingling. Instead, she assumed the role of Callahan cheerleader. This is not what I expected. I thought that, as a CPA and an R, she would be a fiscal watchdog.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82018239089495574282010-12-22T23:37:04.364-05:002010-12-22T23:37:04.364-05:00"The problem is not the over spending or the ...<em>"The problem is not the over spending or the borrowing to pay bills. the problem is that whenever sombody brings up the corrupt practices, nobody pays attention."</em><br /><br />I'm inclined to agree with this. I don't think anyone is personally profiting, but the word "corrupt" is apt. The City admin. has taken money set aside for specific purposes and has blown it on other things. When I first found out about this last year, there were numerous skeptics. But last week, Callahan himself admitted that's precisely what they do, in an open meeting. <br /><br />In August, I sat in a conference room during a Finance Committee hearing and listened to city officials swear up and down that this year's pension payment would be made on time. It was not, and the City admin tried to pretend it was talking about next year's pension payment. In fact, that is how it was reported in at least one news account. You see, the public is misled, and this occurs after what I'd have to call a blatant lie to the president of City Council.<br /><br />Everybody who knows Business Administrator Dennis Reichard tells me he's a nice guy. If that's so, he should have no trouble finding a new job. He should be fired. He has been an active participant in a course of deception to City Council. If Bethlehem can fire a cop for being dishonest, then why not a deceptive Business Administrator?Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21111789542495295652010-12-22T23:27:09.823-05:002010-12-22T23:27:09.823-05:00"Especially in this economic climate, we need...<em>"Especially in this economic climate, we need to hold the line on taxes and fees.”</em><br /><br />This is damaging.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88089125518936089912010-12-22T23:06:35.120-05:002010-12-22T23:06:35.120-05:00Eric Evans for City Council
“We all need ...Eric Evans for City Council<br /><br /> “We all need to think of ourselves as shareholders of our city. As Bethlehem continues to evolve, important decisions are going to be made. My life’s experiences have put me in a position to feel confident that I can make those decisions for our shareholders. I hope you find me to be the best qualified candidate to do that for City Council. Please vote for me on May 19th, 2009.”<br /><br />Vision, Courage, Humility, Integrity <br /><br />Priorities<br />Taxes<br /><br />“Especially in this economic climate, we need to hold the line on taxes and fees.”<br /><br />•Evaluate all city services for need, effectiveness, and efficiency<br /><br />Vision, Courage, Humility, Integrity <br /><br />http://ericevansforcouncil.com/Welcome.html<br /><br />Lets not forget Evans in all of this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88557594718964977202010-12-22T22:08:25.843-05:002010-12-22T22:08:25.843-05:00The problem is not the over spending or the borrow...The problem is not the over spending or the borrowing to pay bills. the problem is that whenever sombody brings up the corrupt practices, nobody pays attention.<br /><br />If you expose a problem you are branded a kook or a disgruntled citizen and you are ridiculed.<br />That's the price you pay for "open" for business government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68671069835330873712010-12-22T21:48:21.934-05:002010-12-22T21:48:21.934-05:00Dolan is a hypocrite. Period. It is unfathomable t...Dolan is a hypocrite. Period. It is unfathomable that she would take a 4 percent raise in her cushy, easy, taxpayer funded public school job and shite on the non unionized workers. Shame on you Karen Dolan, shame on you. Please resign now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41434457878068169112010-12-22T21:44:46.183-05:002010-12-22T21:44:46.183-05:00The 0.75-mill increase, which will add an extra $3...The 0.75-mill increase, which will add an extra $37.50 for every home valued $50,000. $75.00 for every home valued at $100,000. $112.50 for a home valued at $150,000. $150.00 for a home valued at $200,000.<br /><br />Add to that the increased fees for recycling, sewer, water, inspections, permits, recreation, etc. which could add another $100 or so on average per year.<br /><br />Add to that the increase in school taxes, along with the anticipated second round increase coming soon and that will be another few hundred.<br /><br />If I were to walk up to you and take $500 from you it would probably get you pretty angry. But for some reason the government does it under the guise of "we'll plow your streets" and it seems perfectly fine.<br /><br />Well it's not fine! That's mortgage money, that's a dinner with the family that will help a local business stay open and keep jobs. That's almost a year's worth of filling up a car's gas tank at the gas station so you can get to work. That's money someone on a fixed income needs to survive. That is the difference between someone living from pay check to paycheck to going into the rears and deciding it makes more sense to rob someone to make ends meet again.<br /><br />How many fees, tax hikes, and inflation can the everyday worker who is earning just above minimum wage afford?<br /><br />I keep hearing about how difficult it is for people from the members of city council, but five out of seven are or were school teachers. They have/had built in union sanctioned raises, which rarely are frozen. They are the people who's "heart bleeds" for us peasants. Then they nickel and dime us into the poor house.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73678767300004973252010-12-22T21:25:03.492-05:002010-12-22T21:25:03.492-05:00MCall.com blog by Nicole Radzievich at 07:37:44 PM...<i>MCall.com blog by Nicole Radzievich at 07:37:44 PM on December 21, 2010 <br /><br />"For everything there is a season," Mowrer said. "I've had all my seasons here."<br /><br />It's time, he said, to let someone else make his or her mark on council.</i><br /><br />Hopefuly it Reynolds will have had all of his seasons there as well!<br /><br />http://blogs.mcall.com/valley610/2010/12/bethlehem-councilman-gordon-mowrer-wont-run-for-re-election.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-40335675422328315622010-12-22T20:11:22.690-05:002010-12-22T20:11:22.690-05:00Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA-- October 11, 200...Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA-- October 11, 2007 <br /><br />Audit finds Bethlehem outspent income ** City borrowed escrow funds to make ends meet. Councilman thinks that's illegal. <br />A draft of Bethlehem's 2006 audit shows that the city spent $1.6 million more than it brought in last year, reigniting a debate over how the city pays its bills and setting the stage for the budget talks -- and possible tax hikes -- next month. Councilman Joseph Leeson Jr. said the audit shows a budget deficit, which he believes violates state and city law.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34702432365338220912010-12-22T20:03:48.833-05:002010-12-22T20:03:48.833-05:00Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)--February 27, 20...Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)--February 27, 2008<br />Bethlehem hedges bets on on-time casino**Officials try to plan for risk of Sands opening later than June 2009 It may take awhile before Bethlehem taxpayers see any relief in their city tax bill as a result of getting host fees from the Sands BethWorks casino, the city's business administrator acknowledged during a City Council Finance Committee meeting Tuesday. The Callahan administration is currently working on a five-year financial model that details how the city plans to budget the estimated $8.7million in annual host fees, said Dennis Reichard, the city's chief financial officer. Reichard declined to provide further details until "very soon," when Mayor John Callahan is ready to unveil them. He and Callahan also are working on a plan to fill in 2009 budget holes in case the casino doesn't open by its target date in 16 months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-19015108009593647672010-12-22T20:01:03.278-05:002010-12-22T20:01:03.278-05:00Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)--January 23, 200...Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)--January 23, 2008<br />New face in city controller office aims to bring fresh ideas**Scrutiny of casino revenue, spending among goals for 2008<br />As Bethlehem's first new controller in 45 years, Meg Holland laid out a first-year agenda Tuesday that includes more spending controls, a telephone tip line and a promise to keep track of the $8.7 million expected to come from the Sands BethWorks casino each year. The work could range from tasks as simple as recording the purchase of a shovel the day a city worker buys it to a more in-depth query of city accounts using new software."I don't want to point fingers at people," Holland said from her third-floor office at City Hall. "I want to make the city more streamlined and efficient."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11218619025137098242010-12-22T19:58:41.074-05:002010-12-22T19:58:41.074-05:00Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)--January 16, 200...Morning Call, The (Allentown, PA)--January 16, 2008<br />Fire union and city agree to contract**Betting on casino, pact has 5.5% and 6% raises in 2009 and 2010<br />After the longest labor negotiations in Bethlehem's recent history, Bethlehem firefighters and city officials have reached an agreement on a four-year contract that saves the biggest boost in pay until the Sands BethWorks casino is expected to open. The contract is retroactive, with 4 percent increases last year and this year. Next year, firefighters will receive a 5.5 percent bump, and 6 percent in 2010. That's when the city expects to be in a better financial position and to receive an annual $8.7 million host fee from the future Sands BethWorks casino.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-87610802489463852472010-12-22T18:50:18.718-05:002010-12-22T18:50:18.718-05:00no it's the crooked administration and asleep ...no it's the crooked administration and asleep at the wheel council, STUPID!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-4757032215416486572010-12-22T16:30:08.925-05:002010-12-22T16:30:08.925-05:00No, it's the spending, stupid!No, it's the spending, stupid!Al Bernotasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-3959308363462860312010-12-22T14:34:02.293-05:002010-12-22T14:34:02.293-05:00All that debt; Easton has a ton as well, despite t...All that debt; Easton has a ton as well, despite today's planned dog and pony exhibition. It's the debt, stupid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90160367890456486212010-12-22T13:42:22.951-05:002010-12-22T13:42:22.951-05:00The City has been mismanaged for years and blaming...The City has been mismanaged for years and blaming the current council/mayor is like blaming the Giant's loss to the Eagles on the punter. The seeds were planted by earlier councils and administrations.<br /><br />Bethlehem was lazy during the fat years (Bethlehem Steel heyday) never feeling the need for fiscal responsibility when big steel would gladly bail them out when over spent. After BS demise, the last three mayors put guns to the head of BPA, water, BHA to try to plug budgetary holes. Anything but fess up, curb spending and maybe increase taxes incrementally. No....'tis far better to ignore the problem of out of control spending, then rob Peter to pay Paul. Fools.<br /><br />Look it up, I 've been sounding this alarm for a while now. <br /><br /><br />VORAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com