Are Pa Schools Testing Lead in Drinking Water?

Last year, a group of concerned and angry parents crowded into Northampton County Council to demand that elections in Bushkill Tp be moved from an elementary school to a nearby volunteer fire company. They were unmoved by an elections law that requires voting to take place in a public facility if possible. They were concerned about the safety of their children, who might be exposed to child molesters, mass murderers or even worse, Democrats. The popular thing would have been to just move the polling place, but the County refused during a crazy session in which the Elections Commission Chair actually cursed at these parents, many of whom had brought their children for a lesson in government.

They got one.

Conducting an election at a school while class is in session is a traffic hazard. Super voters are mostly old farts like me. We are bad drivers, as evidenced by a fatality in Forks Tp. last election cycle. The other concerns are remote.

Though unpopular, county officials are right to say No. The elections code requires that voting take place in a public facility if at all possible, and specifically mentions schools. The right thing to do is close schools on election day. Moving one polling place away from a school might open the flood gates and embolden parents everywhere else to demand the same, which would make elections more expensive and more unsafe for voters.

This refusal has already prompted one of these Bushkill Tp residents - Korry Franke - to declare his candidacy, as a Republican, for County Council.

It is perfectly understandable that parents would worry about their children. While raising dangers that are practically nonexistent, these parents should be concerned about what their children are drinking. Pennsylvania has no real protections in place to test the water school children drink for lead.

A law just enacted last year requires schools to test for lead in the drinking water or discuss the issue in a public meeting once a year. Schools with unsafe lead levels must be listed on the Department of Education webpage.  I see no schools listed.

Should Schools Be Closed on Election Day?

A group of about 50 Bushkill Township parents and children was subjected to an embarrassing and completely unnecessary tirade from NorCo Elections Chair George Treisner on Thursday. Instead of dwelling on his intemperate behavior, I'd like to focus on what has spurred these parents to action, and how best to respond to them.

They are concerned about their children's safety, and are far from alone. Just a few weeks ago, in a contentious special Congressional election, elementary schools remained open, like the parents in Bushkill Tp, parents at Cleveland Steward Elementary School were upset. But instead of lashing out at the county, as Bushkill Tp parents have done, they blamed the school superintendent for refusing to close school for the day.

"You’re the superintendent, you cancel school when it’s snowing, cancel school for a threat. This is like opening a doorway for an unnecessary situation,” one man said.

Under the state Election Code, preference must be given to public buildings as polling places:

"In selecting polling places, the county board of elections shall, wherever possible and practicable, select schoolhouses, municipal buildings or rooms, or other public buildings for that purpose. Any board of public education or school directors, or county or the municipal authorities shall, upon request of the county board, make arrangements for the use of school property, or of county or municipal property for polling places. In selecting polling places, the county board of elections shall make every effort to select polling places that provide all electors with an environment that is free from intimidation and violence."

Bushkill Tp parents have prevailed on State Senator Mario Scavello and State Rep.Marcia Hahn to propose a change in this law. Thus would now require to require elections officials to "make every effort to avoid selecting schoolhouses as polling places."

As of they don't have enough to do.

This legislation places an unfair burden on elections officials and if enacted, will place county officials at the mercy of private owners who will overcharge for the use of facilities that are inadequate and actually suppress the vote.

Bushkill parents love this legislation, but it's highly unlikely to go very far. Nor should it.

But change may be coming. Sometime this summer, elections registrars statewide are supposed to rally in Harrisburg. They will be asking that state law be changed to require that schools be closed on election day. I have researched this issue, and as of 2008, only five states - Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Rhode Island, and West Virginia — require schools to close on election day. he v

At Bushkill, parents are fortunate that that the volunteer fire company is willing to open its doors. But statewide, schools are the best solution.

Freeman: Schools Need a Supply of EpiPens

Sometime last year, I developed a serious allergy to dairy products, which are in many products. Though I am careful, I sometimes screw up. When I do, I pay the price. Last year, I actually passed out due to a suddenly dropping blood pressure and hit my head on the way down. When I woke up a few minutes later, I had a nice gash.

But I'm lucky. A food allergy can kill, especially when it's a child who is affected. That's why I'm happy to hear that State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton has introduced a bill that would require schools to maintain a stock of epinephrine auto-injectors and permit authorized personnel to administer them. The bill is designed to save the lives of our children.

"The number of children with reported food allergies has increased dramatically over the past two decades, with many unaware that they even have a food allergy," explains Freeman. "By requiring schools to maintain a supply of EpiPens, my legislation can save the life of a child experiencing anaphylaxis."

Studies have shown that between 16 and 18 percent of children with food allergies have had allergic reactions because they've accidentally ingested the food allergen while at school. And, up to 25 percent of severe allergic reactions occurred in children with no prior history of life-threatening allergies.

Freeman's proposal strengthens a 2010 law that permits a student with severe allergies to carry an epinephrine injector with the approval of the student's doctor and parents.

Food allergy reactions may include hives, itching hands, feet and even ears, a runny rose and severe abdominal pain. "EpiPens deliver medicine quickly, effectively slowing down the reaction until emergency personnel can arrive," says Freeman. "That is why it is so crucial for schools to have EpiPen supplies on hand."

Plainfield Rescinds Memo Banning School Patrols

A good night for Kristin Harvey

At a rancorous and crowded meeting of about one hundred people last night, Plainfield Township Supervisors unanimously backtracked on a controversial "internal" memo that banned any police presence at Wind Gap Middle School. This March 28 memo, which was adopted and signed behind closed doors, allowed police at the school only during bus times, "and only if an officer is available," or "if County 911 calls them and it is an emergency." Any police officer who failed to comply could be suspended or dismissed. After getting an earful from angry parents, Supervisors unanimously reversed course and rescinded the memo, blaming the whole thing on miscommunication. But it's also clear that this Board, in addition to micromanaging the police, have very little understanding of the Sunshine Act.

Although scheduled for the Municipal Building, the meeting had to be moved to the Plainfield Township volunteer Fire Company as the crowd poured into the building.

A good night for Superintendent  Bill Haberl, too

Attorney and Wind Gap Middle School mother Kristin Harvey Kunsman took responsibility for leaking the memo to the press, claiming that Supervisors "deliberately decided to take this action and hide it from our eyes".

Supervisors were initially resentful that this memo had been leaked to the public. "We didn't want to do our dirty laundry in public," complained Chairman Randy Heard, who called the controversial directive a personnel matter.

Heard is incorrect. It is actually a policy decision to ban police patrols at Wind Gap Middle School, not a personnel matter. Under the Sunshine Act, Supervisors may meet in secrecy to discuss a specific employee, but this memo was no discussion of a specific staffer. Even if this was a personnel matter, any official action would have to be in an open meeting. Supervisors took official action by signing that memo in secret instead of during an open meeting. Their actions violated the Sunshine Act.

To make matters worse, a Township staffer took it upon herself to remove two months of meetings in which a police presence at the school was discussed. "That can be resolved," promised Supervisor Jane Mellert.

A bad night for Chairman Randy Heard 

Supervisors then tried to explain that routine patrols and walk throughs at the school were still permitted, drawing loud protests from numerous members of the audience who had copies of the memo.

"I wrote it, so don't tell me about it, lady! OK?" shouted Supervisor Glenn Borger to an unidentified person in the audience.

At another point, Supervisors contended that police officers are under a directive to stay away from certain areas within the Township. But they refused to say where.

"That's none of your business!" snapped Supervisor Borger.

Steve Hurni seeks divine guidance?

Supervisors use GPS devices on police cruisers to keep track of police movements, and Borger complained that cruisers have spent one to two hours at the school on 54 separate occasions.

Pen Argyl Area School District Superintendent William Haberl explained why. On one occasion, a teacher had a heart attack. On another, a student attempted suicide. He added that sometimes, officers eat lunch with students or do paperwork. Chief Dean Ceraul pointed out that a lockdown can take 1 1/2 hours.

"Just let the police do their job," stated an unidentified man seated next to Chief Ceraul. "I think you know you made a mistake. You just have to admit you made a mistake."

Exasperated, a frustrated Glenn Borger moved to rescind the memo that he himself had penned, and his motion was quickly seconded by Supervisor William Schmauder. But while that motion lay on the table, Supervisor Jane Mellert wanted to go into executive session (behind closed doors), and Chairman Heard agreed.

In addition to violating Robert's Rules of Order, Mellert's Motion violated the Snshine Act because she failed to state why she wanted an executive session/. So I entered an objection, which is permitted by the Act by anyone for a perceived violation. Mellert first stated it was to discuss litigation, but was unable to state any identifiable complaint. She then stated it was a personnel matter, but was unable to identify any specific person to be discussed.

Solicitor David Backenstoe resolved the objection by alone meeting with Mellert while the rest of the Board waited.

Once she returned, the Board voted unanimously to rescind a memo that itself was a violation of the Sunshine Act.

It's The End of The World As We Know It

"Is there a doctor in the house?"

Except for cartoons, when the hell have you ever hear that? It took me 59 years, but those are the exact words I heard as I walked into a crowded Bethlehem School Board meeting at East Hills Middle School last night. All the hot air had affected some poor preteen in the hallway, and he keeled over.

He's very lucky to be alive.

The Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, was there. So was I, not as a bottom-feeding blogger, but in my capacity as his one of his Evil Minions. That's not unusual. We both laughed as the school board inanely tried, and failed, to appoint a replacement for Judy Dexter. Two board members were participating by phone, and some poor bastard had to run the phone to a mike or speaker every three seconds.

Eventually, he keeled over, too.

After Judith Dexter finished telling everyone she really liked getting flowers and pies, the issue was the ArtsQuest TIF. This is where things get really get bizarre. Ron is allied with Jeff Parks, gazillionaire Linny Fowler, project managers and about four different unions. That's right, foo-foos, union thugs, Ron Angle, John Stoffa and even John Callahan (MIA) are united in a pitched battle against School Board Prez Loretta Leeson, who really should audition for the role of Wicked Witch of the West.

Leeson is downright anal about public comment. She strictly limits speakers to three minutes. Business Manager Stacey Gober sits there with a stopwatch, and rudely shouts out "thirty seconds" as people speak. When people attempt to ask questions, Leeson replies there's no discourse. But the second a speaker walks away from the podium, she'll cheap shot him with all kinds of rebuttal at a time when he's unable to respond.

Angle, of course, was nearly tossed. He went beyond his allotted three minutes and basically called Leeson a liar. She started banging the gavel as Gober kept telling Ron his time was up.

This is where things got even stranger. I'm the writer, but last night, Angle wrote a speech for me. It must have been a pretty good one because everyone clapped when I was done, although that might be because it only took me a minute.

Then another strange thing happened. A woman I know was in the audience. She's a babe. Haven't seen her for years. She not only recognized me, but planted one on me, right in the middle of the meeting. Stoffa saw it, too.

That's when I keeled over.

Angle, Stoffa, Jeff Parks & Linny Fowler as the four horsemen. Pretty woman kissing me. Dogs lying with cats. Toads from the sky. It's the end of the world as we know it.