Contacts Given Out at The PTC Open House…
If Your Property is Partially Affected…
Jim Broadbent, Keystone Acquisitions: phone: (888 ) 364-8612John Spicijarich, PA Turnpike Commission at: (717) 939-9551, ext. 3430.
“What can I do if I don’t agree that this project is necessary? Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns after the meeting?” (From the PTC Frequently Asked Questions hand-out)
Kevin Scheurich, P.E., Project Manager P.O. Box 67676 Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 (717) 939-9551, ext. 5775 kscheuri@paturnpike.com
Donald Steele, P.E., Sr. Engineering Project Manager Mimi Lindelow, Public Involvement Specialist 251 Flint Hill Rd. King of Prussia, PA 19406 (610) 292-3795 dsteele@paturnpike.com mlindelo@paturnpike.com
Public Outreach Initiative Stacey McCreary KCI Technologies, Inc. 5001 Louise Drive, Suite 201 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 691-1340 smccreary@kci.com
PTC Project Newsletters or Project E-Bulletins?
Click here to sign up for “The Pike” a Project Newsletter (which is mailed) or Project E-Bulletins which, obviously, is emailed.6ABC, FOX29, and NBC10 May Report
6ABC and NBC10 visited Morgan Lane today to talk with Anna Davis one of the Morgan Lane neighbors whose property will be taken by the insufferable Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Mrs. Davis reports that NBC10 will air its segment at 5:30 p.m.
FOX29 will be at the PTC meeting tonight, too.
Please don’t let the weather reports stop you from attending the meeting tonight, as other news outfits may be there reporting.
PA Turnpike Commission Blind-Sides Tredyffrin Families
A Staggering Blind-Side
Unlike the kinder world of friends and neighbors who give one another “heads up” about future changes, Mr. Kevin Scheurich, Project Engineering Manager for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) called two neighbors of Morgan Lane in the Green Hills subdivision of Chesterbrook on Friday, January 23, 2009 around 3 p.m. to inform them that their homes were officially condemned. When The PTC expands the turnpike to six lanes, it will accommodate added rainwater runoff to the Valley Creek which runs behind these homes by taking the homes of these families. Interestingly, there is absolutely nothing on the other side of the road, except for a small corner of Valley Forge National Historical Park. Why not take the acre from there – it could hardly be missed in such a remote section of the park.
It was sudden and unexpected. One was anticipating news from the PTC about the sound barriers – not about losing her home. Imagine it. With one phone call, you are notified that you will be evicted from the property you rightfully own, you and your children are cut away from your neighbors of many years, and your children might be uprooted from their schools.
Just like many home-owners, these families planned to stay in their homes indefinitely. This year, both families had made substantial home improvements. One renovated her entire downstairs, the other invested $50,000 for a bathroom upgrade, wool carpeting, and a retaining wall. Had either of them known that their properties might be taken by eminent domain, it’s safe to conclude, they would not have made significant renovations to their homes. No doubt The PTC knew of its plans for a long time, and it did a great job of keeping its secret. Is this the work of “Public Servants?” Is this how our government serves us? It is only a matter of time before The PTC receives the necessary permits allowing them to create a reservoir for the run-off from two lovely family homes in a nice neighborhood.
Homes along Yellow Springs Road have been condemned. In June of 2006, Main Line Life ran an article about how Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) was being bumped from Dee Solitario’s farm. But MLAR was there only temporarily, and that was because Ms. Solitario’s kennel previously had been condemned by The PTC. (Dee’s was my kennel of choice for years. She lived there, ran a great kennel, and her daughter ran a hair salon business out of the home.) How many other good citizens have been forced from their homes?
This is the government punishing good citizens and their neighborhoods. The PTC made a plan, and instead of telling everyone in the affected community (Tredyffrin, Chester County, local homeowners groups), they dish a little information just to the homeowners of the condemned properties, thus intentionally containing the issue so concerned neighbors cannot get involved with enough time to make a difference. Naturally, the homeowners are encouraged to hire (at significant cost to themselves) lawyers to help them, but they understandably feel it is hopeless.
What to do?
Go to this Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission meeting, and afterward report about what you witnessed to your friends (and to this blog if you’d like) :
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Vanguard School’s Activities Center
1777 North Valley Road,
Paoli, PAOr view the information at the Tredyffrin Twp. building.
Contact the Great Valley Association; get involved with them. From their website:
Formed in 1936, the Great Valley Association is comprised of residents committed to preserving and protecting the livability and character of the Great Valley. The GVA area includes over 600 homes in Tredyffrin Township, within 5 square miles north and south of Valley Creek, east of Route 29 and west of Mill Road. Our mutual interests include zoning, environment, traffic, safety and various other unique issues that may affect the ambiance of the Great Valley.
Contact our area representatives, and tell them to find a different solution to the storm water runoff issue. Ask them to advocate on behalf of these families and the others we haven’t heard of. (Are there others? We don’t know.) Tell them that taking family homes is no way to remedy water runoff.
- Honorable Paul Drucker representing our 157th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 992 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 909, Wayne, PA 19087. Phone: (610) 688-5691. Fax: (610) 688-5695. email: pdrucker@pahouse.net
- Senator Andy Dinniman representing Pennsylvania’s 19th Senatorial District. One North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380. Phone: 610.692.2112. Fax: 610.436.1721. email: andy@pasenate.com
- A Pen
Panhandle Civic Association Meeting w/TT BoS
A Pen thanks…
The Panhandle Civic Association’s leadership for organizing this meeting. We hope for your success in improving this matter.
What: Notice Of Special Panhandle Civic Association Meeting
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church, 1012 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Who: Three Tredyffrin Supervisors, Paul Olson, Bob Lamina and Judy DiFillippo
Why: To discuss the $2.4 million deficit written into the approved budget for 2009. In order to balance this budget, it is planned to deplete the reserve funds for the second year in a row by this amount. With the reduced income expected this year, and the economy in disarray, fiscal responsibility calls for further reduction in spending in 2009 to preserve the reserve fund for emergencies.
Please join us for an opportunity to express your thoughts on this dilemma. Taxes would have to be raised 38% to balance the budget.
Representatives from other civic associations are also invited.
Tredyffrin Supervisors Raise Taxes Again! 12/15/08
The Good News First
Thanks again to Supervisor Olsen, the lone voice of reason and fiscal responsibility.
A Pen thanks the citizens who spoke against the tax increase at the meeting. About 15 citizens spoke in total. Four spoke in favor of increasing taxes, mainly because someone misinformed them about the police officer’s salaries being on the line – they weren’t. Eleven taxpayers asked the Supervisors not to raise taxes, and a few had excellent suggestions to help the Supervisors reign in the spending.
The Bad News
In spite of so many citizens speaking against raising taxes on 11/17/08 and 12/15/08 the Supervisors (except for Paul Olsen and Bob Lamina) turned a deaf ear. Looking back, it’s not surprising. Supervisors in the last three meetings have indicated that they do not want to reduce your tax burden, because they do not think it is high enough yet. Most Supervisors suggested budget increases when the conversation was about decreasing it. The only one speaking against the majority was Supervisor Olsen. Unfortunately, Supervisor Lamina attended by spotty phone connection from the Middle East.
This tax increase is the second in two years, and it’s only the beginning. Supervisor Kampf reported that if they waited to raise taxes, they would be “forced” to raise them 50% in one year. His projection assumes no improvements in the economy. So, think of this 2.4% as a warm-up for tax increase season, or maybe last year’s 3.3% was the warm-up, and we’re in the midst of an uncontrolled spending spree.
At the beginning of the discussion the Supervisors agreed easily to remove plans for Westover Park from 2009′s budget. Then they overrode concessions made at the 11/17/08 meeting in a stunning blind-side to voters who thought the Supervisors would try to be fiscally responsible. Voting in favor of restoring Cost of Living Increases (COLA) and Longevity Bonuses: Supervisors DeHaven, DiFilippo, DiBuonoventuro, and DeFeliciantano. Voting against: Supervisors Olsen, Kampf, and Lamina. So:
- TT Employees will receive COLA for 2009. Yes, they were reminded by a citizen that even Gov. Rendell has denied state employees a COLA for 2009, but that did not matter. Yes, they will receive a 3.5% inflation adjustment when there is negative inflation.
- TT Employees will receive Longevity Pay, too. (That’s the non-merit based bonus, that we’re not supposed to call a bonus (Shhh!). It’s given to TT employees who don’t get fired that year.) Hard to believe Supervisors who tell us our employees are underpaid.
Moments of Interest…
When Supervisor DeHaven lifted up his 3-ring binder (appearing to be 2-inches full of budget information), and explained that he didn’t know how to cut anything from the budget; it was too complicated for him. Supervisor DeHaven, please consider not running for re-election. Your primary job as a Supervisor of a $37 million budget is to find the fat and trim it.
The set-up: At the 11/17/08 meeting, Supervisor DiBuonaventuro told us that he would forgo his $3,000 stipend from the township for 2009. He wanted to set an example for all the other Supervisors, encourage them to do the same, and encourage TT Manager Gleason to voluntarily give up her salary increase, and ask her employees to do the same. Flash forward to 12/15/08, when a knowledgeable citizen reminded the Supervisors that if they all gave up their $3,000 stipend, the township would save $27,000. Supervisor DiFeliciantano fumed at the citizen asking him “Would you like to donate $3,000 of your money?” and finished with “I am offended!” Perhaps Supervisor DiFeliciantonio would like to make a donation to TT to cover all of the deficit spending?
Please contact your Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors and make them aware of your concerns. (If you click on the link, then click on the Supervisor’s highlighted name, their email address will show in your email application.
UPDATE:
Here’s another community going through the same thing.
-A Pen
Structural Deficit Defined
“Structural Deficit” is a misnomer currently used by the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors. It is meant to convey that there is a deficit, it is years old, and it is not their fault. Instead, they should call it a “Chronic Deficit.” Since, they have confirmed that this deficit has been around for years, and though they knew this, they continued spending. That is the definition of fiscal irresponsibility – knowingly spending more than you’ll receive.
Budgets do not not get out of control when Supervisors are careful with money. They go haywire when Supervisors foolishly mistake their “wants” for actual “needs.” We could benefit from this recession if Supervisors would reflect on how they waste our money.
The fiscally responsible thing to do is trim the budget without delay. It is the Supervisors’ most important responsibility, and we elected them to do it. We did not elect a citizen’s panel of their choosing. We elected them.
-A Pen
Tredyffrin Twp. Government Bureaucrats
“Your dad and I are exactly the opposite. He’s a government bureaucrat, and I am a capitalist. We get paid, and our success is measured in opposite behaviors.
He gets paid to spend money and hire people. The more he spends and the more people he hires, the larger his organization becomes. In the government, the larger his organization, the more he is respected.
On the other hand, within my organization, the fewer people I hire and the less money I spend, the more I am respected by my investors. That’s why I don’t like government people. They have different objectives from most business people. As the government grows, more and more tax dollars will be needed to support it.”
From Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki. Warner Books, 1997, p. 96. ISBN: 0-446-67745-0
–
Government Bureaucrats…
One stated at 11/17/08 meeting that they would feel “uncomfortable” facing non-union TT employees if there were no pay raise for 2009.
One agreed on 11/17/08 to 9 recommendations to reduce the budget for 2009, only if a reverse -911 system and 2 extra police officers were worked into the budget. This occurred after the Superintendent of Police, had stated he could do without them. (This Supervisor later found funding for the reverse-911 system within the County – a program we in Tredyffrin would have paid twice for.)
One said the recommendations were “draconian” at the 11/17/08 meeting, and for referred to items like music in the park as “quality of life issues.” The quality of life issues that TT manages are: police, fire, and roads.
The last Supervisor lamented at the 12/1/08 meeting a non-union employee salary freeze for 2009. With the way he carried on, one would think the BoS’s had decided to terminate all 50 of them. (That would be draconian!) It is only a one-year salary freeze , and in a recession a salary freeze equals a raise, because costs of goods will decrease while the salary is maintained. One of my friends was told recently she will get no salary increase for three years.
Frustrated? Help Us! Stand with us at the next meeting.
We are doing everything we can to affect a change with this BoS’s, and we need your help. The Board of Supervisors (BoS)’s heard many people object to a tax hike at the 11/17/08 meeting, but many of them were unswayed. Come to the meeting: speak at the mike, bring a small or large poster, or just sit quietly. Let’s not let them stop us from using the mike until each citizen has had an opportunity to voice their opinion. It’s our last chance.
TT BoS meeting is on December 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building on DuPortail Rd. Our goal: standing-room only. Get your friends and neighbors at the meeting. Call them on the phone. If you will be at the meeting, please place a comment.
-A Pen
P.S. If you are good with numbers, look over the TT 2009 Budget Presentation available as a PDF. I hope at least one of these links works for you.
You Are Cordially Invited
Your presence is requested at the
Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors Meeting
Finalizing the 2009 Proposed Budget
on
December 15, 2008
beginning at 7:30 p.m., ending ?
at
Keene Hall, 1100 DuPortail Road, Tredyffrin
If you don’t want a TT Tax increase, with a scoop of TESD Tax increase, topped with a Cherry – Chester County Tax Increase, please come! We’d love to see you there, though some of the BoS’s won’t! Many of your neighbors spoke against any tax increase at the 11/17/08 TT BoS meeting, but they’re still planning to raise taxes.
Attire: Dress is casual, but show your spirit – wear Structural Deficit Red!
Activities: Listen to the BoS’s. Find out who is naughty or nice. Step up to the karaoke microphone – raise your voice. Bring a small (or large) sign with a “no-tax increase” message, in case public comments are cut short as on 11/17/08. Or sit quietly, and witness the TT government spending your hard-earned wages.
R.S.V.P. To be certain your elected officials get your message, please contact all of the following: tredyffrin@tredyffrin.org, bos@tredyffrin.org, and 610) 644-1400. You may also leave a comment on this blog. :)
- A Pen
Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors Meeting 12/1/08
A Pen thanks…
Mr. Paul Olsen for stating that BoS’s have “an obligation to keep financial sanity in our township. It’s our responsibility.”
Mr. Bob Lamina for continuing to champion lower taxes.
Regarding 12/1/08 BoS Meeting
In the comments that have been made in the last two Tredyffrin Twp. BoS meetings regarding the TT Budget, I have not heard anyone degrade the quality of the TT employees, nor disrespect them. So, when Mr. Bill DeHaven said that the budget cuts are “disrespectful” of employees or that the budget “beats the crap out of them,” he is being dishonest, dramatic, and diverting the topic. (Same goes for Mr. Mark DiFeliciantonio’s comment last week that the budget cuts were “draconian.”) In the real world, an employee’s salary has little to do with respect, and much to do the value of the job. An employer could be respectful or not, and still pay a fair wage. And employers have an obligation to keep their spending within budget, or eventually face bankruptcy. What solutions did Mr. DeHaven promote? None, except to try to make responsible BoS’s feel guilty about doing the right thing – reigning in spending.
Trimming waste from a budget cut is a business move, nothing else. We’ve heard repeatedly that there is a structural problem with the TT budget. It consistently spends more than it receives. Responsible? Not at all. Every gardener knows that proper pruning increases the health of a plant. Same with proper budgeting. Same with sports teams, household budgets, clothing in closets, etc.
In tonight’s meeting and the last meeting (11/17/08), it was implied by some that TT public employees are rare and precious, and cannot be replaced. I suspect it would be fairly easy to find people to fill TT openings.
In the last meeting’s public discussion with the BoS, it was revealed that there is no salary range and no salary cap. So, with longevity bonuses plus yearly 3.5% cost-of-living increases, an employee who sticks around long enough could make much more than the market rate. I appreciate that the BoS’s work with these employees, and have come to adore them, but let’s not forget that the BoS’s are in the position of supervising. They are in charge, and, like it or not, they must make the proper decisions regardless their feelings.
Holding the salaries of these employees at the current rate for 2009 is a sound business decision. We are in a recession – negative inflation. When employees are given cost-of-living increases, it’s because inflation is present. Looking on the bright side, when an employee’s salary stays the same during a recession, he or she is fortunate! Many people are losing jobs and pay. Also, since TT employees never worry about their government going out of business, they’ve got true job security. Good fortune, again! Consider this: if a cost-of-living increase is always in order with inflation, why isn’t a cost-of-living decrease in order with deflation?
Hey BoS’s and government officials. Stop picking on taxpayers! We work very hard, are likeable, and are feeling unappreciated. We won’t be able to guilt you at the office with our long faces, but some of us are feeling oppressed by all the layers of taxes upon us: Township, School Board, County, State, Federal, purchases and savings, real estate, etc.
- A Pen
No More Taxes, Please.
If you weren’t planning to go to the Tredyffrin Twp. Supervisors’ meeting on Monday November 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the township building, this may change your mind.
1. The township projects a $3 million shortfall for 2009, based on Twp. Manager, Mimi Gleason’s preliminary budget. The township currently has millions in reserves, and by year-end will have $11 million in its reserves.
Wait a moment. They have SURPLUS? That is, the monetary need was satisfied, and they have left over money. That was our money, they could have returned it or taxed us less the next year. Why did they continue collecting excess money year after year? Aren’t there risks involved with having $11 million sitting in an account somewhere?
2. A tax increase of 5% is being considered. Last year it was increased 3.3%, and this 2009 increase would be the 5th in 11 years. The township has not cut anything from its budget in the last 9 years.
Nothing cut from their budget in 9 years? Unbelievable! Imagine running your household that way, or if your employer running his/her business with no budget cuts. Your child is potty trained, and you continued to buy diapers. Your beloved dog died, and you still buy dog food. Your commute doesn’t require you to buy a monthly SEPTA pass, but you buy one anyway. The point here is, as times change, so do the needs for our money. It’s very likely that there are items to cut from the budget.
Four years ago, our family went through a tough patch. My husband did not go to his boss, and take money out of his wallet. Instead, we gutted our budget; we adjusted. We refinanced our mortgage, changed our telephone/internet subscriber, reevaluated our insurance needs, hung-up the monthly cellphone package, scrapped eating out, skipped summer camps, sunk our summer pool membership, and had a very inexpensive vacation.
The benefit? When my husband got a new job and a better salary, we didn’t reexpand our budget to previous levels. Now we give much more to charity, save regularly, and know how to live under-budget.
It could be same with the Township budget. Clear away the non-essentials while times are bad, and when the economy improves, they can continue to work off of the smaller budget, or if the taxpayers want, they can add services.
3. Non-union staff receive a “Longevity Pay” bonus at the end of the year based on how many years they’ve worked for Tredyffrin.
4. Non-union staff receive 100% Medical Insurance coverage.
Wow, sign me up! 100% Is amazing, and way better than the 80% most people receive from their employers.
Please help us stave off this tax increase by attending this meeting, or by sending a letter to the Board of Supervisors, Tredyffrin Twp. Building, 1100 Duportail Road, Berwyn, PA 19312-1079, phone (610) 644.1400.
