tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post6527895318875124149..comments2024-03-29T06:06:25.280-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Volunteer Fire Company Ordered to Fork Over RecordsBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21753067973868392192012-04-02T18:07:34.078-04:002012-04-02T18:07:34.078-04:00It's apparent that Dave is out of touch with r...It's apparent that Dave is out of touch with reality, probably from sitting around in the prison atmosphere.<br /> He has also lost touch with the working people who belong to the Fire Dept. They should have invited the royal Prince to the banquet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-70127480102970805032012-04-02T10:43:43.327-04:002012-04-02T10:43:43.327-04:00Approach? Council has been asking..NICELY..for sev...Approach? Council has been asking..NICELY..for several years now for cooperation and financial information. This was not frivilous as I have the letters the boro was sent..telling us to F off! You seem to be out of touch Carol. It's 2012 now. Thanks for your opinion.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52376120566194002882012-04-02T09:05:02.953-04:002012-04-02T09:05:02.953-04:00Bernie, verbal vitriolic gets nowhere, I openly ad...Bernie, verbal vitriolic gets nowhere, I openly admit I am pro-firemen, many who have never needed a fire company don't know or understand how many firemen it takes to get that truck rolling, per the statement, Bangor only needs 30 men, not true, we need 30 of the prevailing 70 or more, to get the trucks out, fight the fire, control traffic, etc. How many of the active who train weekly work days and can't get to a fire, hence the importance of the size of the department, Bangor has always been a role model for fire departments, the size of the department and the camaraderie that comes from within their attitudes and learned skills. Perhaps this dialogue would not have escalated to where it has become if a different attitude had been displayed in approaching the fire companies. Perhaps one company would work economically, but there certainly is a magnitude of costs involved in developing one company. Again, where, how many trucks would be kept, and the questions go on, the firemen themselves work on grants, our cascade truck was a 2 year endeavor. SAFETY FIRST!<br /><br />Sidebar Bernie, do you do your own art work? Very creative!Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-87705575711720274852012-04-01T23:42:56.064-04:002012-04-01T23:42:56.064-04:00When i require people to be open and honest, they ...When i require people to be open and honest, they crawl under a rock.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11675291782803243122012-04-01T23:38:22.272-04:002012-04-01T23:38:22.272-04:00I shut down ANONYMOUS commentary on saturday night...I shut down ANONYMOUS commentary on saturday night, when the trolls are abundant/Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14220163883987772102012-04-01T23:32:50.463-04:002012-04-01T23:32:50.463-04:00way to shut it down Bernie open and honestway to shut it down Bernie open and honestdanthemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03188430984398095395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21558884454433255882012-04-01T06:30:08.599-04:002012-04-01T06:30:08.599-04:00Your right, any Community that is able to have 60 ...Your right, any Community that is able to have 60 Volunteer Fireman is lucky.<br /><br />I belonged to a Dept. that in th 70's and 80's had 70 Volunteers. This Dept. now has approx. 15 to 20<br />and is unable to fill a truck when leaving the station.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61778880762407222842012-04-01T01:49:58.358-04:002012-04-01T01:49:58.358-04:00Bernie this man has shown that it is far more than...Bernie this man has shown that it is far more than a financial record he is after by his own statements. Why else would he refuse to admit after over a week of postings and questions to him that no actual monies change hands here(between borough and stations)except that utilities are paid and trucks up-kept by his own words. He obviously has a deep hatred for these firemen and a desire to destroy the department for his own glory. Perhaps when all is said and done you can do a story how cheap this department is for tax payers. In a day and age when public unions and pensions are sucking the public coffers dry it seems frivolous to attack whether or not volunteers are raising private funds to buy equipment and using some of the fruits of their labors to have a banquet or refreshments for the membership. Maybe when there are no volunteers left you and Mr Hower can get your pictures with the union fireman who will cost ten times the money. Heck maybe he can even get his name on a new firetruck when they actually have to replace them every ten years or face union lawsuits. After all public sector union worked for him. I read in an earlier posting that the grants are public knowledge and it appears to be true. So my guess is he knew this all along but chose to have a peeing contest for his own jollies or to try to make the fireman look bad. Either way for you to say its different after his own postings makes you a look like you have the same desire. Put out half the facts and run with it. Hopefully these firefighters know what they mean to their community and don't take offense to the ramblings of a fool.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18004538133194910392012-04-01T00:39:07.395-04:002012-04-01T00:39:07.395-04:00Dave, if you think it's a financial drain on a...Dave, if you think it's a financial drain on a municipality to be a volunteer firefighter, then I suggest you pick up a hose and join in. Observe what these people do, lend a hand, and maybe your view won't be so jaded. Or, create a paid department and watch your taxes triple, just to pay the wages and benefits.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37496952865200179532012-04-01T00:35:26.400-04:002012-04-01T00:35:26.400-04:00Heaven forbid that an elected fficial would like t...Heaven forbid that an elected fficial would like to look at the financial records of a recipient of public money! We can't have that! Throw Dave out!<br /><br />Come on, people. Settle down. Take a dee breath. Dave is NOT your enemy, unless you are stealing.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79301093958474896282012-03-31T23:19:11.249-04:002012-03-31T23:19:11.249-04:00Wow residents of Bangor did you really elect this ...Wow residents of Bangor did you really elect this person as a reflection of your feelings? If not it would be good for you to change this at election time. This is what low voter turnout leads to in office!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91140252975359739492012-03-31T23:15:35.288-04:002012-03-31T23:15:35.288-04:00Wow beckville what a bizarre statement to post. Th...Wow beckville what a bizarre statement to post. This isn't about brotherhood defending wrongdoing. Its about a man who has made his living sucking the government tit and is now throwing rocks at those who volunteer. While he feels entitled to receive a public pension for far less ( or perhaps he didn't have the courage to be a fire fighter and is bitter of that fact). I cant imagine anyone in fire service defending this man if the accusations are true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-72593595855717352462012-03-31T22:32:19.336-04:002012-03-31T22:32:19.336-04:00Will the Brotherhood defend or condemn brother Jam...Will the Brotherhood defend or condemn brother James Michael Andrews. James was a former Fire Marshall and Fire Chief for Macungie. He was sent too Lehigh County Prison on Friday, bail set at $200,000.<br />Source: Morning Call.eckville presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441853160464073145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-66387092887150731822012-03-31T21:59:49.002-04:002012-03-31T21:59:49.002-04:00Still wont answer. Whats wrong with being honest? ...Still wont answer. Whats wrong with being honest? Should volunteers pay a monthly premium to serve or just yearly? Have you looked into the costs of a paid department? Are you willing to do this job and pay to do it? Where will all the equipment come from if the volunteers stop all their efforts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20392821699757910282012-03-31T21:44:43.394-04:002012-03-31T21:44:43.394-04:00Bernie also has a copy of the Form 990. Do you wan...Bernie also has a copy of the Form 990. Do you want to see that document posted for the public to view and comment? You guys just don't get it..do you? You can't BS your way out of the facts. Whoever told you that it was a free ride as a fireman in this town was deluding you. It appears to me that your leadership has failed you miserably. You want to be treated like pro's? Starting acting like pro's. Show the people of this town that you are serious about your volunteer job. You endorsed these people as your appointed representatives. Do they truly speak for you? If not..then I suggest you take action to rectify the situation. Town council made a decision to name a new FC liaison. I supported that move and made that motion and council approved that change. What's your pleasure?Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-14403733269879365422012-03-31T21:36:08.142-04:002012-03-31T21:36:08.142-04:00Wow Dave is it your opinion that all funds raised ...Wow Dave is it your opinion that all funds raised by or donated to the companies by private citizens should be directly handed over to the borough to decide how they will be spent? Or will you dodge another question?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17918733182332243802012-03-31T21:26:41.353-04:002012-03-31T21:26:41.353-04:00Wow how ironic to complain that volunteers who tra...Wow how ironic to complain that volunteers who train all year, spend 100s of hours of personal time in classes with no compensation, wake up at all hours to risk their lives for free just to serve society, don't deserve a privately funded banquet. All these criticisms by someone who has no problem collecting a government pension. How much more self serving can you get.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61224905562602983352012-03-31T21:20:31.127-04:002012-03-31T21:20:31.127-04:00I havea copy of 2nd Ward's 2010 IRS Form 990 t...I havea copy of 2nd Ward's 2010 IRS Form 990 tax return. It is 8 pages total. It can be viewed on line as it is a public document. It probably took less than an hour to fill out. $1600 for 8 pages? Where did that $1600 come from? Fall out of the sky? As I said above..the party is over.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59718871133756187742012-03-31T20:48:46.279-04:002012-03-31T20:48:46.279-04:00Dave, while I do agree that all three of the fire ...Dave, while I do agree that all three of the fire companies should be forthcoming with financial information, you may not realize what it costs to operate the companies. A cost of $1600 for an accountant is not unrealistic. A tax return for a non-profit, even a small one, is about 20-30 pages long. <br />Also, you should be thankful that Bangor has 90 dedicated individuals who are willing to put their lives on the line for NO FINANCIAL COMPENSATION. If other volunteer fire companies had that kind of roster, they would be overwhelmed with pride. It is getting harder and harder to recruit volunteers. <br />People either don't have the time, because they are working too much just to make ends meet, or they have become selfish and feel that they don't need to do anything to help their community ("we pay taxes and that should take care of things").Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24594098953878195542012-03-31T19:17:16.016-04:002012-03-31T19:17:16.016-04:00It is now my understanding that a financial report...It is now my understanding that a financial report of 2nd Ward FC may be given to our boro FC liaison on Monday coming. I hope this is true and a sign of cooperation between that FC and the town they serve. The RTK request is in my name..not the Boro or Boro council. I would encourage and remind the FC to make sure I receive the same info for my inspection to insure compliance.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-22360151932101423092012-03-31T19:05:49.193-04:002012-03-31T19:05:49.193-04:00Debt service on the trucks purchased by the boro a...Debt service on the trucks purchased by the boro also an expense. I would not estimate the cost but our boro manager will give it to you to the dollar if you wish to call Mr.Kasten when the office opens on Monday. The number is 610 588 2216. That exact info will be made available to you or anyone else who wishes to see what the boro spends on fire service.davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62562976379259624302012-03-31T15:21:24.982-04:002012-03-31T15:21:24.982-04:00To Dave,
It's substantial...Can you just...To Dave,<br /><br /> It's substantial...Can you just provide a Dollar Figure.<br /><br /> At least Approximately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61405342031668626932012-03-31T13:43:35.107-04:002012-03-31T13:43:35.107-04:00That figure is public information avail. at the bo...That figure is public information avail. at the boro office upon request as are all budgets and figures from past years as well as what is alloted for 2012. All utilities for 3 FC buildings plus workers comp for 90 rostered firefighters,insurance and equipment service/repairs. It is substantial.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-65302926124594941862012-03-31T13:37:59.867-04:002012-03-31T13:37:59.867-04:00How's this for an idea!
Dave, indicates th...How's this for an idea!<br /><br /> Dave, indicates that the Borough is having financial problems.<br /><br />Others, indicate that the Borough has a spending problem.<br />Why not DISSOLVE the Borough and return to the surrounding Township.<br />This would solve all the Issues!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21361769050144165032012-03-31T13:31:55.544-04:002012-03-31T13:31:55.544-04:00How much does the borough spend on fire service? J...How much does the borough spend on fire service? Just curious does anyone know. Perhaps that would bring better insight to the councilman's claims of horrendous amounts of money spent on this department as it exists. If anyone can find out please post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com