tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post7152157434367995611..comments2024-03-29T05:10:57.942-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Bethlehem Township's Mini JunketsBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-16693118243886060462016-01-23T11:50:41.449-05:002016-01-23T11:50:41.449-05:00maybe they should pay for it out of the "much...maybe they should pay for it out of the "much needed" $350,000.00 bathroom fund !<br />talk about priorities. after the bathrooms are in how many people you think would be using them on a day like today ? or for the next few months even. now there is your wasteful spending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-40613135299919209002016-01-21T16:57:40.683-05:002016-01-21T16:57:40.683-05:00Sounds like someone really wants to be at PSU badl...Sounds like someone really wants to be at PSU badly over St. paddy's Day. If this was training or needed for a certification, I'dagree. But this isaconference and I believe it is irresponsible to send anyone on a junket that time of year. I'm amazed that Comm'rs who scream about waste didn't even question this folly.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62459780271838866822016-01-21T14:35:40.196-05:002016-01-21T14:35:40.196-05:00Because they would laugh at him for suggesting a c...Because they would laugh at him for suggesting a conference under $1000 is wasteful spending. Might as well take away their toilet paper and make them bring their own in, for chrissakes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23613350999106739632016-01-21T11:47:05.849-05:002016-01-21T11:47:05.849-05:00"Bernie - At the next meeting why don't y...<em>"Bernie - At the next meeting why don't you ask the Board why they allow this wasteful spending? Do it during Courtesy of the floor but be quick. Another poster made a good point below."</em><br /><br />Why don't you? I do not generally address a Board unless there is an obvious Sunshine Act violation.I try not to be part of the story. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49808747455073741782016-01-21T09:57:29.326-05:002016-01-21T09:57:29.326-05:00In regards to the trip to State College over St. P...In regards to the trip to State College over St. Patrick's Day, I don't see an issue. These are people that will have to attend some form of professional development(most do at some point). State College is not what I would call a bustling metropolis, since all of the students are out of town for spring break during that holiday. The town is empty at that point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78770434091049278772016-01-21T09:10:32.549-05:002016-01-21T09:10:32.549-05:00I am a BT taxpayer as well and quite frankly this ...<i>I am a BT taxpayer as well and quite frankly this wasteful spending needs to stop. <br />My wife and I are on a fixed income, and attended several budget meetings when a 40% tax increase was being proposed. I listened to the manager speak of cutting spending to help, but then have staff pitch new hires and raises. Is it really necessary to have 2 of the top ranking police officers attend the same conference? No surprise why people as a whole have no confidence in these folks! Our elected officials need to wake up!</i><br /><br />I'm sorry you never planned for your retirement and are on a fixed income. Not my fucking problem. <br /><br />Yes, people with jobs that invested in college educations need professional development AND (gasp!) raises. Just because YOU don't have the money to pay your easily predicted future expenses doesn't mean the world needs to stop. <br /><br />Sorry, harsh, I know. I'm pretty tired of seniors dictating how we run government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56444341844287682972016-01-21T09:05:37.767-05:002016-01-21T09:05:37.767-05:00Absolutely. This is by no means exclusive to Bethl...<i>Absolutely. This is by no means exclusive to Bethlehem Township. When a "conference" is scheduled at a resort and spa, or when it is over St. Paddy's day, red flags should be flying.</i><br /><br />Every conference is at a "resort" - thats a fancy name for a hotel. Unless you expect caviar, massages, and champagne to be ordered on the township's dime. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28951018124844304102016-01-21T09:04:57.981-05:002016-01-21T09:04:57.981-05:00I am a BT taxpayer as well and quite frankly this ...I am a BT taxpayer as well and quite frankly this wasteful spending needs to stop. <br />My wife and I are on a fixed income, and attended several budget meetings when a 40% tax increase was being proposed. I listened to the manager speak of cutting spending to help, but then have staff pitch new hires and raises. Is it really necessary to have 2 of the top ranking police officers attend the same conference? No surprise why people as a whole have no confidence in these folks! Our elected officials need to wake up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-7364183215893315112016-01-21T09:00:28.647-05:002016-01-21T09:00:28.647-05:00Not on St. Paddy's Day to Penn State. I wouldn...<i>Not on St. Paddy's Day to Penn State. I wouldn't even send the Pope out on that day. Who do you think you're kidding?</i><br /><br />What are you talking about? Half the bars voluntarily CLOSE on St Patricks Day at Penn State now. You have grand delusions of chicanery. You're wearing your tri-cornered tea party hat today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83975167430874201512016-01-21T08:53:52.139-05:002016-01-21T08:53:52.139-05:00Working people need to go to conferences. You'...Working people need to go to conferences. You've been out of any sort of professional career for so long, you don't understand what it means to grow any more. These expenses are minute and as a BT taxpayer, it doesn't bother me in the least. <br /><br />And Bedford PA and State College PA are my idea of a weekend of decadence! Give me a break on this. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13437625293924456842016-01-21T08:45:58.652-05:002016-01-21T08:45:58.652-05:00Bernie - At the next meeting why don't you ask...Bernie - At the next meeting why don't you ask the Board why they allow this wasteful spending? Do it during Courtesy of the floor but be quick. Another poster made a good point below.<br /><br />"Don't the tax payers already pay an attorney to represent the township and the townships best interest. If that is not the case then fire every single attorney working for the township immediately. Well worth the money? may I be so bold to ask whose money is being spent and who deems this to be well worth it." Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37343802860992276082016-01-21T00:05:51.220-05:002016-01-21T00:05:51.220-05:00Silence Pay your taxes or we'll sell your hous...Silence Pay your taxes or we'll sell your house!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53157228112222148912016-01-20T22:44:02.830-05:002016-01-20T22:44:02.830-05:009:36 AM "The "junket" to Penn State...9:36 AM "The "junket" to Penn State is actually the 3-day annual PELRAS conference which focuses on public sector labor law and is attended by a large number of municipalities. Well worth the money in my opinion."<br /><br />Don't the tax payers already pay an attorney to represent the township and the townships best interest. If that is not the case then fire every single attorney working for the township immediately. Well worth the money? may I be so bold to ask whose money is being spent and who deems this to be well worth it. <br /><br />This is another example..It doesnt matter which party is running the show or who is involved. Both parties suck and both parties could care less about the tax payers hard earned cash. <br /><br />In fact, stop spending the tax payers cash for everything and anything. The country is going down fast, but the political elites and those who protect them are still living it up. Did they ever hear about net meetings , like most businesses do these days, to cut costs.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68591369027528666702016-01-20T20:11:13.226-05:002016-01-20T20:11:13.226-05:00Just be thankful we have these wonderful people. Y...Just be thankful we have these wonderful people. You know they could go to the private sector and be paid well in excess of 7.25/hr.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-89370818574138316162016-01-20T19:23:35.989-05:002016-01-20T19:23:35.989-05:00anon 3:53, Don't worry about it. You are prett...anon 3:53, Don't worry about it. You are pretty. Just give O'Hare the eyes and he will have a hard on for you all over again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-82065899609322952292016-01-20T17:46:16.344-05:002016-01-20T17:46:16.344-05:00Here's to all of you that will never need sung...Here's to all of you that will never need sunglasses. Remember the guy in the bathtub in Las Vegas . After a hard day of lectures good lord.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-1242577372664544562016-01-20T17:39:26.827-05:002016-01-20T17:39:26.827-05:00Bernie -this is off one but Messa has hearing with...Bernie -this is off one but Messa has hearing with Express Times on list now. Going to attend . Peter J.Cochrannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-76112888873792100762016-01-20T16:34:42.021-05:002016-01-20T16:34:42.021-05:00Hopefully you are working on a story with REAL gra...Hopefully you are working on a story with REAL gravitas - the federal lawsuit filed by Northampton County's ex-HR Director Tracey Barnes against her former boss Brownie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-31720038494056608792016-01-20T15:53:46.399-05:002016-01-20T15:53:46.399-05:00The conference is a statewide effort by the Associ...The conference is a statewide effort by the Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management, not a junket the Resort/Spa is offering to just anyone. It is ok with me if my town manager gets to relax in a spa at the end of a full day of lectures and discussions. I am also ok with seeing my tax dollars support a key public servant working to renew, review and see what's new. Staff who head an organization or department should also be earning continuing education credits, which this conference awards. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36766065865660256192016-01-20T11:46:32.484-05:002016-01-20T11:46:32.484-05:00Much to do about nothing. You are really stretchin...Much to do about nothing. You are really stretching this time O'Hare.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-64579645235071146292016-01-20T11:32:58.394-05:002016-01-20T11:32:58.394-05:00So are you implying that because the conference is...So are you implying that because the conference is on St. Patrick's Day it is not legitimate but rather big party flowing in Guinness and Jameson? Not everyone is an Irish boozer like you O'Hare. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-3386237097145887742016-01-20T10:04:51.309-05:002016-01-20T10:04:51.309-05:00Absolutely. This is by no means exclusive to Bethl...Absolutely. This is by no means exclusive to Bethlehem Township. When a "conference" is scheduled at a resort and spa, or when it is over St. Paddy's day, red flags should be flying. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20654710187226180862016-01-20T09:59:08.070-05:002016-01-20T09:59:08.070-05:00Other towns and county agencies do worse than this...Other towns and county agencies do worse than this for junkets. You just happen to be covering this township.<br /><br />Its widespread abuse and its usually rubber stamped.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81190831423391302462016-01-20T09:36:10.853-05:002016-01-20T09:36:10.853-05:00"The "junket" to Penn State is actu...<em>"The "junket" to Penn State is actually the 3-day annual PELRAS conference which focuses on public sector labor law and is attended by a large number of municipalities. Well worth the money in my opinion."</em><br /><br />Not on St. Paddy's Day to Penn State. I wouldn't even send the Pope out on that day. Who do you think you're kidding? Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11026479062960413992016-01-20T08:54:14.088-05:002016-01-20T08:54:14.088-05:00The monthly bill rubber stamp payments says it all...The monthly bill rubber stamp payments says it all, lack of oversight & management.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com