tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post4538667193732058506..comments2024-03-29T00:30:47.101-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Gadfly Starts Mayoral Forum in Bethlehem Bernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-57516636080678319082021-03-19T17:10:59.628-04:002021-03-19T17:10:59.628-04:00You are correct for sure! DANA!You are correct for sure! DANA!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91821795797225819662021-03-18T23:51:56.484-04:002021-03-18T23:51:56.484-04:00"Dana Does not even pay taxes in the city, he..."Dana Does not even pay taxes in the city, he rents a place and does not own property"-very untrue! All Renters-in every community-pay property taxes. When a landlord looks at his/her costs-uitilities/insurance/mortgage/taxes-they are covered in the rent. That's how the landlord pays the property taxes! Are you really that simple that you think all the rent collected just goes into the landlord's pockets? No,landlords have financial responsibilities ( including taxes ) that are a part of every property.<br />Burns my a** when I hear tenants don't pay property taxes! Most tenants now are paying higher rents than home owners are paying on their mortgages! SMHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6068964650461392642021-03-18T22:35:46.876-04:002021-03-18T22:35:46.876-04:00How? Donchez is an absentee mayor!He has let his d...How? Donchez is an absentee mayor!He has let his dept heads run wild and has no control over anyone. Good Councilman, Terrible Mayor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58181096442852639602021-03-18T14:21:24.985-04:002021-03-18T14:21:24.985-04:00And how does that sh!t flyAnd how does that sh!t flyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-33240795601369452212021-03-17T15:25:37.131-04:002021-03-17T15:25:37.131-04:00The whole issue with Business Admin. Evans and his...The whole issue with Business Admin. Evans and his wife should be investigated. They both "retired" with a pension from the school district, then Donchez hires her as the "best qualified" candidate for the head of parks and recreation when she had absolutely no experience in management and there were others in the department with much more experience. Then this year she gets a huge raise as Donchez and the City gets rid of four Fire Fighters. Complete Fubar!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86448937131897266482021-03-17T13:35:13.750-04:002021-03-17T13:35:13.750-04:00Did Reynolds ever address a major issue which has ...Did Reynolds ever address a major issue which has been put out there. In the midst of a pandemic in which citizens lost jobs, had time off with no pay and even more. That the business managers wife received a big raise. I wonder if that was contractual.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17734666520020497372021-03-17T09:51:18.748-04:002021-03-17T09:51:18.748-04:00AGREED! AGREED! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-29828783029343940132021-03-17T09:44:51.394-04:002021-03-17T09:44:51.394-04:00Bernie, you said: "Did you read Dana's re...Bernie, you said: "Did you read Dana's remarks? He was very specific about what he'd do to avoid a tax hike. There would be no salary increases unless completely justified."<br /><br />The salary increases are not 5% of the budget and would not have made a difference. Plus, Dana's "plan" is a net plan, since he would not have cut the vacant firefighter positions. His reduction in raises would be offset by his plan to keep the 4 firefighter positions. Also, some of the raises are contractual raises. Dana's plan still would not solve the 5% tax increase and create a moral problem with the workforce. 80% of the budget is personnel costs. What positions would Dana cut? What in the 20% of operating costs would he cut? <br /><br />Dana has not offered one actual solution to the problem. If the Administration is not willing to cut, it would be very improper for city council to arbitrarily cut expenses without cutting personnel. That could significantly impact the city services. <br /><br />I agree that Reynolds' answer is mostly BS. But it is clear he understands the biggest problem in the budget is not really within City Council's control and that is the employee benefits plans, including pension and medical. Mayor Callahan made great strides in getting the pensions under control by reducing them for new hires, but the benefits of his efforts are not to be realized for another 10-20 years. <br /><br />It really is a balancing act between cutting personnel, which would further reduce city services, and raising taxes. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81214126273111588182021-03-17T09:39:35.826-04:002021-03-17T09:39:35.826-04:00I have actually defended Willie from the personal ...I have actually defended Willie from the personal shots. I like Willie. His explanation of his budget vote is poor.<br /> Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62017267233149936262021-03-17T09:12:17.454-04:002021-03-17T09:12:17.454-04:00Stop attacking WillieStop attacking WillieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-65113579120070911492021-03-17T07:51:14.120-04:002021-03-17T07:51:14.120-04:00Agreed. Very arrogant remark in my opinion, as a ...Agreed. Very arrogant remark in my opinion, as a tax payer myself. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17068676304436515482021-03-17T06:43:23.885-04:002021-03-17T06:43:23.885-04:00Really. Coward>Really. Coward>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-67464836907037616932021-03-17T05:02:29.149-04:002021-03-17T05:02:29.149-04:00What needs to happen is every bethlehem resident s...What needs to happen is every bethlehem resident should stop paying this bullshit school tax..these teachers havent worked in well over a year why are we continue get tax increases and why is this bullshit not being investigated???????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20751527064445731622021-03-16T23:11:04.155-04:002021-03-16T23:11:04.155-04:00It was a poor statement. It was a poor statement. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24827072025489614672021-03-16T22:25:34.160-04:002021-03-16T22:25:34.160-04:006:33, Willie is a very good basketball player. My ...6:33, Willie is a very good basketball player. My grandson has played him and speaks highly of him as a hooper. As I have said several times, I like Willie and believe he really cares. I completely disagree with his budget decisions and felt his explanation was very poor. But he has a lot of personal class and has matured from the person he was when he was first elected.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69754305781334706482021-03-16T22:12:30.858-04:002021-03-16T22:12:30.858-04:00Did I read that correctly? Did Reynolds really say...Did I read that correctly? Did Reynolds really say that the budget season is his "highlight of the year"? What? He has voted to raise taxes almost every year that he has been on Council. So it's a "highlight" of his year raising taxes on people? Wow! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-44101022154119266842021-03-16T19:53:46.111-04:002021-03-16T19:53:46.111-04:00In other words. It is just another bill for the ho...In other words. It is just another bill for the homeowner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-63748204540529405132021-03-16T18:33:28.157-04:002021-03-16T18:33:28.157-04:00Willie had to many basketballs bounce off his head...Willie had to many basketballs bounce off his head. In all his years on Council, he has never voted against a tax increase, Ever! Get ready Bethlehem, 8 straight years of tax increases are coming if this guy gets in. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47203838991885451162021-03-16T16:57:31.874-04:002021-03-16T16:57:31.874-04:00DEP is getting hammered by EPA and Maryland over t...DEP is getting hammered by EPA and Maryland over the whole WIP III for the Chesapeake Bay. EPA is threating to step in and take the reigns from DEP while they have their own problems. Maryland is exporting all of their nutrients to PA to meet their goals for the WIP III. PA has no money to give and is passing along the burden and reductions to the taxpayer via unfunded mandates. Wastewater Treatment plants were socked with nutrient reductions in the last round that was unfunded as well. DEP has a few unfunded mandates locked and loaded to placate their masters and keep the feds out. <br />I think you will have a hard time convincing most on a municipal level that the MS4, increased discharge limits etc. are not unfunded mandates. DEP is using the clean water act as a crutch to do an end around on the legislature and usurp their authority.<br />DEP has become aware of the uphill legal battle for any who challenge their authority. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28741445783783809242021-03-16T16:35:42.936-04:002021-03-16T16:35:42.936-04:00Bernie, don't fall for the storm water tax to ...Bernie, don't fall for the storm water tax to be anything other than a tax. <br /><br />It's core design is to charge property owners to handle storm water runoff from roads, which are owned by the City (or State). Here's the detail:<br /><br />Section 929.06 of the ordinance exempts roads from the "fee." <br /><br />Section 9.29.09 of the ordinance allows for credits against the "fee." You as a property owner can implement mitigation measures to reduce storm water runoff and get a credit against the "fee" for that work. <br /><br />However, pages 6-7 of the City Storm Water Protection Program caps the amount of a credit at 50% of the "fee." <br /><br />So if I as a property owner have 0 storm water runoff, I still have to pay 50% of the "fee" to cover the cost of the storm water runoff from roads, which again are exempt.<br /><br />That's the very definition of a tax. <br /><br />The BankerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-211725323838392162021-03-16T15:40:25.069-04:002021-03-16T15:40:25.069-04:00"Dana was quick to call Reynolds to task for ...<em>"Dana was quick to call Reynolds to task for voting to increase taxes, but what would have Dana cut to reduce taxes?"</em><br /><br />Did you read Dana's remarks? He was very specific about what he'd do to avoid a tax hike. There would be no salary increases unless completely justified.. He'd completely restructure the employee scale and make it transparent. He'd eliminate positions in other areas of the city before endangering public safety. Each department head could be told to cut 5% from their budget. If that occurs, there is n tax hike. It is not complicated. <br /><br />Read what they said. I like Willie, but his answer fell far short of what I expected. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45526928265375151872021-03-16T15:35:20.154-04:002021-03-16T15:35:20.154-04:002:54, The unfunded mandate argument is disingenuou...2:54, The unfunded mandate argument is disingenuous. The Clean Water Act and the state DEP are requiring a significant reduction in water pollutants by 2023, with penalties for noncompliance. A stormwater fee is unquestionably the least burdensome way to pay for compliance. But This is no excuse for the complete lack of transparency from Bethlehem in creating this fee, and the unfair way it was determined. Read John Kachmar's comments for better context. A flat fee imposed on everyone, regardless of impact, is a burden on the citizens least able to pay. Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26184150073800291962021-03-16T15:18:39.949-04:002021-03-16T15:18:39.949-04:00Read the answers. Willie gave the standard politic...Read the answers. Willie gave the standard political feel good speech with no specifics. This is the Bethlehem way. Smith was the last experienced good Mayor. Cunningham was a reporter one term councilman no administrative experience. Callahan was a salesman one term no administrative experience. Donchez a school teacher on council forever. So Willie is actually on par with Donchez with experience. Bethlehem is far too inbred politically and in life. They will continue to tell you how lucky you are to live there and how great it is so shut up and pay all the fees and taxes. Don't even start on the Bethlehem school Board where tax increase are the rule not the exception. Dana should tell people about how economic development in the city is an inside Ponzi scheme. The same names and companies get top contracts and jobs. Check out all the relatives with those deals. It is all connected for the easy public money pot.<br /><br />Very few people with strong administrative and managerial experience ever run for these positions and even fewer win.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86290493107771465122021-03-16T14:54:56.499-04:002021-03-16T14:54:56.499-04:00The stormwater fee was a result of unfunded mandat...The stormwater fee was a result of unfunded mandates from the state and local government. Most municipalities in PA will have a stormwater fee in the next 5 years. This was coming for 8 years in Bethlehem. <br /><br />Grubb is good at telling you what's wrong but really offered no solutions. He said there were other positions to cut--which positions? The firefighter positions were vacant, no one lost a job. Would Dana really tell people their position was being eliminated?<br /><br />Dana was quick to call Reynolds to task for voting to increase taxes, but what would have Dana cut to reduce taxes? How does Dana know what Willie said to the administration in private meetings? The only real cuts that make a lasting effect on a budget are personnel cuts. If the Admin did not have the balls to cut personnel, it sure would be inappropriate for a Council to impose their own cuts without the Admin's recommendation. <br /><br />The Callahan admin cut the hell out of City Government and Dave Brong as BA continued to make the workforce lean under Donchez, but uncontrolled medical costs and pensions are the roots of all the tax increases. <br /><br />The City employees' salaries are getting ridiculous, but why punish the employees now for the deeds of administrations years ago. The employees now earned their steps increases and COLAs. The City should do a salary study and determine what are the appropriate levels of salary. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25840365682156223952021-03-16T13:45:09.279-04:002021-03-16T13:45:09.279-04:00School teachers are fine people who make horrible ...School teachers are fine people who make horrible stewards of public money. Don't be offended. I'm a steward (CFO) of lots of money and would make a horrible teacher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com