tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post7442511526044462354..comments2024-03-29T06:50:30.056-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NorCo Gaming Board: $1.6 Million Expected, $1.6 Million SoughtBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5043586718820344832015-03-24T21:58:15.847-04:002015-03-24T21:58:15.847-04:009:12, You are out of your mind. Karner was never e...9:12, You are out of your mind. Karner was never employed by that Board. She was employed by the County. She has been gone for over a year, and was not pitching for herself, but the City that employs her. There is no conflict of interest as a matter of law, and to even suggest that indicates that you have some sort of personal animus. Hence your anonymity. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59267911522031300832015-03-24T21:53:56.921-04:002015-03-24T21:53:56.921-04:00I have watched this board for a while and I can...I have watched this board for a while and I can't figure out why Joe Kelly is on it. Huge upgrade for the City with Alicia. It is the county's loss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-55732250210656391052015-03-24T21:12:46.428-04:002015-03-24T21:12:46.428-04:00Has Alicia been away from the Board for more than ...Has Alicia been away from the Board for more than a year? If so, ok. If not... there could be a possible PA Ethics Code violation. As past employee of the County supporting that Board, the Ethics Code might prohibit her from coming back in front of that Board looking for funding. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91127610594471423752015-03-24T19:02:22.222-04:002015-03-24T19:02:22.222-04:00Pat Browne needs to be voted out. Period Pat Browne needs to be voted out. Period Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44077862114653939702015-03-24T16:25:10.354-04:002015-03-24T16:25:10.354-04:00So what! It was a mistake to sign a document that...So what! It was a mistake to sign a document that gave over half the casino money away. Northampton County sure could use the money that was unilaterally signed away by a clueless executive. Even the county council at the time slammed him for that move.<br /><br />This board was another good in that it hands money out to any community when it should be dedicated to "impact".<br />Sorry Johnny but it was a big mistake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-16898836296848233572015-03-24T16:07:45.653-04:002015-03-24T16:07:45.653-04:00@2:38,
The situation here is actually better than ...@2:38,<br />The situation here is actually better than the rest of the State, where there is no Gaming Board. The local board tries to keep the funds local. In the other areas, grant revenue is even available to municipalities who are located in counties adjacent to the casino's county. The Commonwealth divides up the money, and everyone gets some. This can be seen in the fact that Bethlehem Township received money from the Mount Airy Casino taxes. Every municipality in Northampton County can apply for grants from Monroe and Bucks casinos' taxes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-27157350078531697492015-03-24T15:28:32.610-04:002015-03-24T15:28:32.610-04:00@2:38 "we had morons running the county"...@2:38 "we had morons running the county".........um we have the biggest moron in history running the county now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58814026124287171692015-03-24T14:25:24.933-04:002015-03-24T14:25:24.933-04:00Beth twnship has a slew of vehicles that never see...Beth twnship has a slew of vehicles that never seem to be doing anything. Never at the problem intersections or enforcing speed laws. And they want more cars? I think the township should let the ambulances get the money with over 800 calls a year into Bethlehwm alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-50555651020568626582015-03-24T14:01:26.592-04:002015-03-24T14:01:26.592-04:00 Gaming benefit = backroom deal cut in Harrisburg ... Gaming benefit = backroom deal cut in Harrisburg by Pat Browne (just like the NIZ)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-10149843991997484932015-03-24T13:29:13.564-04:002015-03-24T13:29:13.564-04:00Lets be exact. Gaming benefit to date:
Bethlehem ...Lets be exact. Gaming benefit to date:<br />Bethlehem $42,791,964<br />Allentown $16,846,588<br />Easton $2,555,963<br />Northampton Cnt $15,718,860<br />Lehigh County $5,388,330<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86719017000654331462015-03-24T13:07:43.783-04:002015-03-24T13:07:43.783-04:00Bethlehem Township never showed an impact to get a...Bethlehem Township never showed an impact to get all the new cars that the police force currently has. Drive by the station one day, there is a fleet of cars parked on the side, its amazing. This Board is a Joke and should be disbanded as soon as possible. Nolan and the rest should resign for not doing the job they were installed to do. they are supposed to grand the awards by the Proven Impact, thats why its called and impact grant. why bethlehem township thinks they have any impact at all and why Nolan is on the board is a mystery. The State should be looking into this corrupt group and the grants that they have been awarding as "impact". I think i will callAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-4055765209449909642015-03-24T12:54:52.960-04:002015-03-24T12:54:52.960-04:00Matt, the gaming fee is on total revenue, not prof...Matt, the gaming fee is on total revenue, not profit. No different than a Marcellus impact fee, business privilege tax or state sales on gross receipts. Not sure the definition makes a difference. If it were profit share, would the casinos be writing it off and taking federal tax credits? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91366364347082832562015-03-24T12:48:31.726-04:002015-03-24T12:48:31.726-04:00Matt M. This is a tax on total revenue. Why woul...Matt M. This is a tax on total revenue. Why would you liken gaming revenue as profit share and not a tax? Just curious. Gaming revenue going to the state is a percentage on total take. Some would suggest it is no different than sales tax on gross receipts. Is business privilege a tax or profit share? Is Marcellus impact fee a tax or profit share? Gaming funds would still be paid if the casino takes a loss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85797649150149270932015-03-24T12:43:06.242-04:002015-03-24T12:43:06.242-04:00It does as the host city. The Gaming Law also perm...It does as the host city. The Gaming Law also permits the city to participate in impact grants. It is one of the advantages of being the host city.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13150551598538442812015-03-24T12:39:16.848-04:002015-03-24T12:39:16.848-04:00Please correct me if I am wrong, however, it is my...Please correct me if I am wrong, however, it is my understanding that Bethlehem already receives a dedicated unrestricted portion of gaming revenue. <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20881092166435453402015-03-24T12:23:46.814-04:002015-03-24T12:23:46.814-04:00this isn't tax-payer revenue, it's a profi...this isn't tax-payer revenue, it's a profit shareMatt M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-46157264097472869002015-03-24T12:05:59.685-04:002015-03-24T12:05:59.685-04:00Bernie @12:01,
I understand, but most public secto...Bernie @12:01,<br />I understand, but most public sector folks have little regard for financial responsibility. They are constantly seen with their hands in the taxpayers' pockets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53004814260448150192015-03-24T12:03:10.220-04:002015-03-24T12:03:10.220-04:00@1:18,
The city is greedy. They are allowed to dou...@1:18,<br />The city is greedy. They are allowed to double-dip the funds generated by the casino. They receive a host fee (9.6 million), plus are eligible for the grants.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11963676408028544552015-03-24T12:01:45.310-04:002015-03-24T12:01:45.310-04:00you may be right. I am no expert and am merely rep...you may be right. I am no expert and am merely repeating what the guys from Bethlehem said. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47024353717282204752015-03-24T11:59:08.057-04:002015-03-24T11:59:08.057-04:00Bernie @11:12,
A new ambulance can cost up to $170...Bernie @11:12,<br />A new ambulance can cost up to $170k when you buy a high-end type. The re-chassis process merely replaces the vehicle, not the box that is mounted to it. The box ages as well, and can present leakage and electrical problems the older it gets, making maintenance more costly. It's more fiscally responsible to replace at a saving that could be used elsewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61777497452663740252015-03-24T11:12:51.442-04:002015-03-24T11:12:51.442-04:00"If Bethlehem Township wants to buy a new amb...<em>"If Bethlehem Township wants to buy a new ambulance for $120k, why does the re-chassis of an ambulance for the city of Bethlehem cost $130k? Sounds like it would be less expensive to replace, rather than re-chassis. "</em><br /><br />It sounds that way, but it is not that way according to Bethlehem. Bethlehem likes to rechassis and believes it would spend $170k if it went new.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90961061725785546182015-03-24T11:04:12.750-04:002015-03-24T11:04:12.750-04:007:02, Nolan probably does hurt BT by trashing all ...7:02, Nolan probably does hurt BT by trashing all these other projects. Yes, Bethlehem had numerous grant requests, but that's where the casino is located. unlike others, I believe the greenway project IS city infrastructure. the fact that YOU don't barrel down it at 90 mph does not mean it is not used. It is, and is used heavily by people on the South Side. Nolan's opposition to sharing money with the county to help treat gaming is absolutely ridiculous. <br /><br />Last year, despite an excellent presentation, the Gaming Board denied the funding for a firetruck to BT. I think I now know why. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49060238984193846962015-03-24T10:57:07.593-04:002015-03-24T10:57:07.593-04:00I view the greenway as infrastructure just like th...I view the greenway as infrastructure just like those streets. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73727943546508394612015-03-24T10:50:49.289-04:002015-03-24T10:50:49.289-04:00Nolan has a point. Hasn't the greenway project...Nolan has a point. Hasn't the greenway project already received large sums of state and county open space funding? Now on top of that they also want casino impact money? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11107583130440773392015-03-24T10:37:05.050-04:002015-03-24T10:37:05.050-04:00Bethlehem's request for financing emergency ve...Bethlehem's request for financing emergency vehicles is likely a valid use of casino funding but there is no way such funds should be used for the greenway. Bethlehem in fact should put the entire greenway project on hold until it first finds funds to do far more important maintenance on it's streets and other basic infrastructure. The greenway is a nice luxury for the city but it should never come at the price of ignoring the basic responsibilities a local government is supposed to provide.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com