tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post4385149655515924253..comments2024-03-29T05:10:57.942-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Lehigh County Comm'rs Reject Johnny AppleseedBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52168327643824798212008-11-28T16:22:00.000-05:002008-11-28T16:22:00.000-05:00Bill Leiner Jr. said... "While we all agree that g...Bill Leiner Jr. said... <BR/><BR/>"While we all agree that governments of all sizes are in a very difficult position (largely because of the outgoing, miserably failed Bush administration)".<BR/><BR/>Bill - <BR/><BR/>Please don't try to blame deficit spending at the state, county or city level on the Bush administration. <BR/><BR/>Put the blame exactly where it belongs - on the elected officials at each of those levels who made the choice to overspend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68534551663601943202008-11-27T18:49:00.000-05:002008-11-27T18:49:00.000-05:00FYI, the $25,000 match from the city would not hav...FYI, the $25,000 match from the city would not have even come out of the city budget. It would have been through a non-government funded grant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-3146639056709084002008-11-27T14:47:00.000-05:002008-11-27T14:47:00.000-05:00Thank you BillIt's also kinda like asking a chef ...Thank you Bill<BR/><BR/>It's also kinda like asking a chef ...do you farm?<BR/><BR/><BR/>I have learned politicians tend to vote for political reasons. Dean if you guys pull the trigger, make sure its a paper target and not the people of Allentown, that suffer for your new found sense of righteous indignation ... Dean you can't perfume this pig. <BR/><BR/>Let's be real here...This was another opportunity to stick it to somebody.....<BR/><BR/>I just wonder who that might be?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34086076404657952162008-11-27T05:51:00.000-05:002008-11-27T05:51:00.000-05:00Bernie,It was one of the most misguided, poorly th...Bernie,<BR/><BR/>It was one of the most misguided, poorly thought out votes I experienced in my 13 years as a part time elected official. <BR/><BR/>This vote is like saying to a guy who is going to fix the roof of your house for a fee, but will do your landscaping for free. He then tells you he will be charging you more for the roof, so in haste you tell him you do not want him to do your landscape. One of the commissioners used the phrase, "it is cutting off your nose to spite your face."<BR/><BR/>While we all agree that governments of all sizes are in a very difficult position (largely because of the outgoing, miserably failed Bush administration). We do need to look at budgets line by line in the near future, but this vote to me is little more than needless grand standing. It is reminiscent of the Linden Street bridge vote where some wanted to shirk their responsibility and stop the bridge project. <BR/><BR/>Happy Thanksgiving. Bernie. <BR/><BR/>As they say "save a tree"; eat a beaver.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-50155506988079085902008-11-26T22:42:00.000-05:002008-11-26T22:42:00.000-05:00Anon 5:23, That one vote made up your mind? God, i...Anon 5:23, That one vote made up your mind? God, if I voted against candidates based on one or two issues, I would not be supporting anyone.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-55370870674490859322008-11-26T17:23:00.000-05:002008-11-26T17:23:00.000-05:00Commissioner Browning stated: "...given the curren...Commissioner Browning stated: "...given the current economic situation and the budget out look for the State, for Counties and for Municipalities it is time to focus on the basic responsibilities of government.<BR/><BR/>The County Commissioner did the correct thing but (by Commissioner Browning's reasoning) for the wrong reasons.<BR/><BR/>I would remind Commissioner Browning that providing grants for local police is not one of the basic responsibilities of county government. He may think they are needed (and they are), but it is not a function of county government.<BR/><BR/>Commissioner Browning has lost any credibility he had (fiscally) by supporting the county paying for local police officers. County taxpayers will now be burdened by the ineptitude of Allentown City Hall. <BR/><BR/>I am a lifelong Republican and former Browning supporter. I will NEVER vote for him again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41342337610390886102008-11-26T15:02:00.000-05:002008-11-26T15:02:00.000-05:00Anon 2:05 again, for a final time:I hope you get s...Anon 2:05 again, for a final time:<BR/><BR/>I hope you get some time off to recover from your rough week Banker. I've learned one lesson in interacting with elected officials at all levels of gov't across the state: you can't get too worked up or take things too personally when talking about how gov't operates or trying to deal with gov't. The only time I've ever allowed myself to do so is when I'm tired and need to recoop. Take a deep breath and be thankful for the blessings we have for the next few days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-80151025702032429092008-11-26T14:58:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:58:00.000-05:00Anon from 2:05 again. Still being objective. I w...Anon from 2:05 again. <BR/><BR/>Still being objective. I wonder if the residents of the communities that stood to benefit from those trees will support the vote. At the end of the day, they vote. Browning will have to face them at some point.<BR/><BR/>He now has votes against more police and trees in Lehigh County. When he stands for re-election, that's not going to look good, especially, as both of us seem to agree, there is no clear sign that it will change how state gov't acts. <BR/><BR/>If it changes state, he'll look like gold. If it doesn't, he'll look like a petty idiot. Anybody want to place bets?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-36784517752583414802008-11-26T14:53:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:53:00.000-05:00Anon 2:05, First, thanks! And I should apologize,...Anon 2:05, First, thanks! And I should apologize, it's been a long week already but that's no excuse.<BR/><BR/>You're right, the $200k will go somewhere else. I'm OK with that. For change to happen it has to start somewhere. Will it work? The cynic in me (and probably the realist if I am being totally honest here) says no way. But I absolutely support the attempt.<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-16352195912490839672008-11-26T14:47:00.001-05:002008-11-26T14:47:00.001-05:00anon from 2:05 again.That was cute. The 200k will...anon from 2:05 again.<BR/><BR/>That was cute. <BR/><BR/>The 200k will still go to another community. Will it change state gov't? I've learned to stop predicting such things. I find myself more successful in predicting the lottery. Perhaps this explains why I am neither rich or working in gov't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6728639989809071582008-11-26T14:47:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:47:00.000-05:00Anon 2:33 here,I do appreciate Browning coming on ...Anon 2:33 here,<BR/><BR/>I do appreciate Browning coming on here with an explanation. He didn't have to do that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-53082661313871875922008-11-26T14:37:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:37:00.000-05:00Sure I do.But since you're focused on this, let me...Sure I do.<BR/><BR/>But since you're focused on this, let me correct my post:<BR/><BR/>Anon 2:05, it's attitudes like the one you may or may not have displayed in your post (depending on how one reads it) that played a large role in putting us in the position we're in.<BR/><BR/>Taking a moral stance is a good thing. Is there a short term cost in not getting the $200k? Yes. In the long term, we all need to take a stand. The fact that others won't is no reason for us not to.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad our commissioners don't think like you may or may not do, depending on how one reads your post.<BR/><BR/>Is that better?<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-38131935531966049862008-11-26T14:35:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:35:00.000-05:00Idealists have no place in positions of authority....Idealists have no place in positions of authority.<BR/><BR/>BTW, Bernie, why has work stopped on the Linden St Bridge?<BR/><BR/>Why is the LC letting their property rot down there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47693806260042462492008-11-26T14:33:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:33:00.000-05:00FYI . . . Anon 2:05 is not Anon 9:08 or Anon 9:23,...FYI . . . Anon 2:05 is not Anon 9:08 or Anon 9:23, that was me.<BR/><BR/>I agree with 2:05. Honestly, I really don't even believe the reasoning being presented. If so it was poorly executed.<BR/><BR/>The vote more likely was intentionally done quietly so certain commission members can go back to some constituents and site another example of how they stuck it to Allentown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-54895834969011048352008-11-26T14:25:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:25:00.000-05:00anon from 2:05 here...I was just stating a fact. ...anon from 2:05 here...<BR/><BR/>I was just stating a fact. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not a window into how I think. <BR/><BR/>But thanks for reading more into it than was necessary. Any other assumptions you might like to draw?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-63635640824387624702008-11-26T14:21:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:21:00.000-05:00Anon 2:05, it's attitudes like yours that played a...Anon 2:05, it's attitudes like yours that played a large role in putting us in the position we're in. <BR/><BR/>Taking a moral stance is a good thing. Is there a short term cost in not getting the $200k? Yes. In the long term, we all need to take a stand. The fact that others won't is no reason for us not to.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad our commissioners don't think like you do.<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-1226694081103448782008-11-26T14:05:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:05:00.000-05:00that 200k is going to another set of communities. ...that 200k is going to another set of communities. End of story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-31833109424542555502008-11-26T13:12:00.000-05:002008-11-26T13:12:00.000-05:00Dean, couldn't agree more, thank you for coming on...Dean, couldn't agree more, thank you for coming on here and thank you for your position. <BR/><BR/>I am feeling more and more like Howad Beale in Network - "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"<BR/><BR/>The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58454308253710256712008-11-26T12:24:00.000-05:002008-11-26T12:24:00.000-05:00Dean, Thanks very much for the clarification.Dean, Thanks very much for the clarification.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26779117954977176882008-11-26T12:23:00.000-05:002008-11-26T12:23:00.000-05:00Bend Over,Great way to get people to take you seri...Bend Over,<BR/><BR/>Great way to get people to take you seriously.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-76252675181192834242008-11-26T11:54:00.000-05:002008-11-26T11:54:00.000-05:00In response to Anon 9:23The County Commissioners A...In response to Anon 9:23<BR/><BR/>The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) met this past Monday and Tuesday. As part of this, members of CCAP went to Harrisburg to make their position known on the budgetary process that plans on cuts in funds available to the Counties for Human Services while still continuing to spend on non-essential activities. The vote last night was made with that as background. I know that Commissioner Dougherty (Chairman of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners and past President of CCAP) plans to write a letter to make his views known. This morning, I sent a letter to each State Representative and Senator who represents Lehigh County expressing my belief that the State needs re-focus it's spending on maintaining its basic services. I used the vote last night as an illustration. <BR/><BR/>I don't have any illusions that this will lead to a sudden revelation and change in thinking and behavior. However, the process has to start someplace as I believe we can not continue as is. The mind set that says we need to spend money on non-essential items or someone else will get the money and spend it has to change. <BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/><BR/>DeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61007130805336148042008-11-26T10:37:00.000-05:002008-11-26T10:37:00.000-05:00Who said anything about Government of any politica...Who said anything about Government of any political party being smart?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-3377115983827569752008-11-26T09:32:00.000-05:002008-11-26T09:32:00.000-05:00A bit off subject perhaps but believe it or not, f...A bit off subject perhaps but believe it or not, from an economics stand point, spending money is the smart thing for government to do right now.<BR/><BR/>Expansionary fiscal policy should be practiced by government in economically tough times. To practice the opposite now would only serve to further economic decline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-30327436495109860882008-11-26T09:23:00.000-05:002008-11-26T09:23:00.000-05:00Did the Commissioners write a letter to Harrisburg...Did the Commissioners write a letter to Harrisburg explaining their position? Of course not.<BR/><BR/>Why didn't they notify the press? Why wasn't this vote coordinated with other county governments with similar views? Because they are not trying to send a message to Harrisburg at all. <BR/><BR/>If their attempt was genuine it will fail miserably. Some grant processor is not going to quit their job because the lil ole Lehigh County Commissioners would not take his/her money. They are just going to send it somewhere else.<BR/><BR/>That argument was a cop out by Browning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-70734096500084774522008-11-26T09:12:00.000-05:002008-11-26T09:12:00.000-05:00Let them eat trees.Let them eat trees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com