Thursday, March 15, 2012
Finally, a bill I can get behind
Wozniak Bill Waives Inspections for Newer Cars
HARRISBURG, March 15, 2012 -- State Sen. John N. Wozniak announced today new legislation that would lift the requirement of annual inspections for cars less than two years old. (It should be less than 5 years old)
“For purchasers of today’s new cars, the annual inspection is a pointless ritual that serves no purpose,” he said. “Owners of new cars have already paid dearly for a vehicle equipped with the latest safety technology. Requiring a state inspection is overkill.”
Senate Bill 1451 would lift the annual inspection requirement for two years from the date of manufacture.
Wozniak noted that most states have eliminated automobile inspections entirely as research has been inconclusive about their effect on overall safety. The federal government lifted the requirement for states to mandate vehicle inspection more than 25 years ago, and only 12 states still require annual inspections for all vehicles. Neighboring New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio have ended automobile inspections, while Delaware does not require inspections for vehicles less than five years old.
“The cost of driving continues to rise dramatically and federal safety guidelines for new cars are a contributor,” Wozniak said. “There is no reason that a person who has made that investment in a new car should have to pay again.”
The bill is part of an effort by Wozniak to lift outdated mandates on drivers that have outlived their useful purchase. In January, noting a less than four percent failure rate, he sponsored a resolution seeking permission from the federal government to waive emissions tests required in 25 counties since 1990.
“While it is the legislature’s duty to pass laws that keep up with changing times,” he said. “It is also our duty to repeal laws for the same reason.”
Friday, March 9, 2012
The Times Herald's 64th annual Spelling Bee
Welcome to a tradition. The Times Herald has been holding spelling bees for more than a half century, and I've personally hosted them for the past decade. The winner of tonight's bee goes on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Good luck to all our champion spellers!
Monday, February 20, 2012
The "unplugged" tour
Whether I like it or not, I'm going to be unplugged, http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120219/OPINION03/120219608, for more than a week. I think I'm going to like it, even though I know I'm not going to like what I'll be coming home to. It's been more than a decade, at least, since I last completely disconnected. I think it can be done. What about you? Could you go for a week without the Internet?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Playing catch up with President Obama's SOTU speech
Below is the beginning of today's column in The Times Herald. I want to use it as a jumping off point for a discussion here. Did we get a State Of The Union address from the president, or did he use up free network air time to campaign for re-election?
State of the Union address, or campaign speech.
You make the call.
I know I already did.
President Obama spent a lot of time telling us everything he would like to do, without actually uttering the words, if I’m re-elected.
Some of the things he said he was going to do kind of puzzled me, though.
So let’s take a look back at the speech and try to determine the stump talk from the state talk.
He said he was going to have Attorney General Eric Holder look into what happened with the lending crisis. The Fannie Mae hit the fan back in 2008. Why didn’t he have the attorney general looking into what happened when it happened?
Could it be because Democrat Barney Frank, head of the House Banking Committee, chose to ignore the Government Accountability Office’s call for more oversight?
“Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress and I’ll sign it,” Obama declared.
I know I already did.
Isn’t insider trading illegal?
I know members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, are able to skirt a lot of the rules that apply to most of us mortals, but I’m pretty sure insider trading is one of those pesky little crimes that even the likes of Martha Stewart isn’t above.
I know members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, are able to skirt a lot of the rules that apply to most of us mortals, but I’m pretty sure insider trading is one of those pesky little crimes that even the likes of Martha Stewart isn’t above.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
My Storify on Joe Paterno
Incorrect reports of Joe Paterno's death Saturday night were followed up Sunday morning when the Paterno family announced that he had passed away.
Joe Paterno will be remembered as one of greatest coaches of all time...with as asterisk.
- “Watching espn sports center, everyone is saying JoePa died of a broken heart, for what happened at Penn State, he just gave up the will to live !!, so sad, not only one of the greatest coaches ever, but also a great man for what he did for penn state U, and for all the kids who go there, not to mention all the money he gave to the school. He will be missed !!!
- “#joepa what a legacy you leave behind. As an alum, I am grateful for the influence u had on #pennstate and in return my life! #RIP
- While the overwhelming majority of comments are respectful of the man, there are those who seem to not be able to forgive him for not doing more when it was reported that one of his former coaches, Jerry Sandusky, had molested young boys.
- “People are saying its too soon for JoePa jokes. I guess I should wait a decade to say anything, just like JoePa did
- “I hope when JoePa is standing at the pearly gates, God tells him he did just the bare minimum required to save him, and it turned out to not be enough, sorry.
- And still others are coming to the former coach's defense.
- “@SternNationChic That's not nice. He may have made a bad choice, but he made millions of excellent ones! #JoePa #madeadifference
- “Decide how you want to remember JoePa, but 1 thing he does not deserve is a Twitter play by play of his death.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Popular Vote gets my vote
I don't know about you, but I am becoming more and more disillusioned with the whole primary process. Why in the world do we still do things the way we did more than 200 years ago? Do we not have the technology to eliminate straw polls? For that matter, do we not have the technology, or the common sense, to do away with the Electoral College?
My vote is for the popular vote.
And, I'm talking about for the primaries as well as the general election.
And, do it all on the same day for the primaries. That way every state is relevant, not just states that aren't relevant any other time of the year.
We have the technology folks. In fact, I'm guessing the company that invented this blogger app could count all the votes themselves, and they could get it done before CNN declares the wrong victor.
My vote is for the popular vote.
And, I'm talking about for the primaries as well as the general election.
And, do it all on the same day for the primaries. That way every state is relevant, not just states that aren't relevant any other time of the year.
We have the technology folks. In fact, I'm guessing the company that invented this blogger app could count all the votes themselves, and they could get it done before CNN declares the wrong victor.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sun block working well in Montgomery County
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Matthews Arrested - Part I
I'm still not finished with the 69-page Grand Jury report on the fall of Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews, but I just had to stop and write this post. I really appreciate the way the report is written. In the report are words like stunned, unbelievable, and a cadre of others to describe their take on the shennanigans taking place in our county government. Here's just a couple to get you started on. I'm sure there will be several posts to follow, but thought we should get the conversation going with a couple of particularly good nuggets.
First, the CBIZ contract. We believe it was pay to play all along, and still do, and yet our state laws are written in such a way that even the Grand Jury couldn't come up with charges. CBIZ is the consultant for the county's healthcare services. They were awarded a no-bid contract, and subsequently deposited more than $20K into Matthews campaign coffers. But that's not all. G. Fred DiBona sat on the committee that was formed to oversee the applicants for the contract, which was awarded to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. DiBona's father was the former CEO of Blue Cross.
And the second one I'll throw out today is the county's head of Human Resources, Eleanor Schneider, who was promoted to the position by Matthews. Schneider, as we pointed out on several occasions, was Matthews secretary and not even remotely qualified to be director of Human Resources. The Grand Jury apparently believes the same, "We find that she is not qualified for a position of such importance."
Stay tuned. I'll dig into it some more soon.
First, the CBIZ contract. We believe it was pay to play all along, and still do, and yet our state laws are written in such a way that even the Grand Jury couldn't come up with charges. CBIZ is the consultant for the county's healthcare services. They were awarded a no-bid contract, and subsequently deposited more than $20K into Matthews campaign coffers. But that's not all. G. Fred DiBona sat on the committee that was formed to oversee the applicants for the contract, which was awarded to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. DiBona's father was the former CEO of Blue Cross.
And the second one I'll throw out today is the county's head of Human Resources, Eleanor Schneider, who was promoted to the position by Matthews. Schneider, as we pointed out on several occasions, was Matthews secretary and not even remotely qualified to be director of Human Resources. The Grand Jury apparently believes the same, "We find that she is not qualified for a position of such importance."
Stay tuned. I'll dig into it some more soon.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Election Night Mambo
This could be a good one. I've been saying (whenever anyone asks) that I think this is going to be the most exciting off-year election we've had in years. The commissioners' race is going to be a shoot out for the third seat, but is anyone a hundred percent sure who the third highest vote getter is going to be? There's always the possibility that Montgomery County goes Democratic for the first time in history.
Lower Providence has been buzzing since a local school official threw his hat in the ring for a supervisors seat. What say you Lower Providites?
Norristown seems to have a race with two newcomers, which is good for the county seat.
And of course, the icing on the cake will be which way the row offices fall. Five of the nine seats were picked up by Democrats four years ago, will that turn around this year or will we see the Dems grab even more seats?
My prediction, close but no cigar for the Dems this time around.
Lower Providence has been buzzing since a local school official threw his hat in the ring for a supervisors seat. What say you Lower Providites?
Norristown seems to have a race with two newcomers, which is good for the county seat.
And of course, the icing on the cake will be which way the row offices fall. Five of the nine seats were picked up by Democrats four years ago, will that turn around this year or will we see the Dems grab even more seats?
My prediction, close but no cigar for the Dems this time around.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Seeing the light in Methacton
How is it possible that a school district still doesn't have lights
for its high school football stadium? The Methacton School District has
been debating the issue for years, and some how or another, or should I
say someone or another, always gets their way and the lights never come
on. The district must get a variance to have lights above 12 feet off
the ground, and they've gone to Worcester supervisors to get one. Really, 12 feet off the ground? What can you light from 12
feet off the ground?
I know I have a lot of Lower Providence and Worcester followers, so jump in here folks. Should there be lights, or shouldn't there be lights?
I know I have a lot of Lower Providence and Worcester followers, so jump in here folks. Should there be lights, or shouldn't there be lights?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Honest services law and Anthony Biondi
The law was changed last year, around the time Biondi was released from prison. What does this mean for former Norristown borough manager, Anthony Biondi? We don't know just yet.
Two people in Philly who were convicted under the same law as Biondi recently had their convictions overturned.
One gentleman was convicted of handing off an envelope with $20,000 inside to a developer. A short time later the assessment on the developers property was dramatically lowered. Both men were convicted under the honest services law, but it was never proven that the envelope was a bribe.
Biondi was convicted of steering $100,000 in work to a construction company that contracted out his dump truck, and for not reporting $15,000 in income from operating the dump truck.
Two people in Philly who were convicted under the same law as Biondi recently had their convictions overturned.
One gentleman was convicted of handing off an envelope with $20,000 inside to a developer. A short time later the assessment on the developers property was dramatically lowered. Both men were convicted under the honest services law, but it was never proven that the envelope was a bribe.
Biondi was convicted of steering $100,000 in work to a construction company that contracted out his dump truck, and for not reporting $15,000 in income from operating the dump truck.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Norristown crime and the Mayor Nutter approach
Below is an excerpt from my column. Perhaps more importantly is an excerpt from an AP story on Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutters recent speech at Mt. Carmel church.
Let's start the conversation or Norristown will never be more than what it is today, a sad shadow of itself.
We cover a lot of communities, but none that need us more than Norristown right now.
So what is our purpose? It’s certainly not just to report on what we find.
We need to continually be involved in the events that shape our communities and lead the conversation on where to go from here.
Unfortunately, Norristown is currently being shaped by violence. We’ve published stories about the recent murders, shootings and stabbings that have taken place in rapid-fire succession, and there is one recurring theme throughout the comments and on our Facebook page:
There isn’t anything for the kids to do.
While the community organizations and churches have been doing their level best to provide cookouts and activities, there is still a void left when the day is done.
The robotics camp sponsored by Lockheed Martin is a fantastic four-day event, but it is just that: a four-day event.
The Norristown Parks and Recreation Department’s summer camp is a great place for kids, as is the Police Athletic League and the George Washington Carver Community Center, but are they enough?
Right now, they don’t appear to be.
So with a little trepidation based on past history of being bombarded by the naysayers, I am going to continue on my crusade to bring Norristown back to its once proud place of prominence.
Across the county, there are more than a few municipalities that provide a wonderful place for kids to go; places where young boys and girls can fulfill their need for that adrenaline rush many of us once craved like a treat from the ice cream truck.
I’d like to see the residents of Norristown rally around the idea of building a skateboard park so kids will have a place to call their own.
Upper Merion is in the process of building one for their youth; why not Norristown?
This is a way to get kids off the streets, but in reality, it doesn't get to the root of the problem.
Mayor Nutter (click for video of the speech) gets right to the root, with a pick ax.
Let's start the conversation or Norristown will never be more than what it is today, a sad shadow of itself.
We cover a lot of communities, but none that need us more than Norristown right now.
So what is our purpose? It’s certainly not just to report on what we find.
We need to continually be involved in the events that shape our communities and lead the conversation on where to go from here.
Unfortunately, Norristown is currently being shaped by violence. We’ve published stories about the recent murders, shootings and stabbings that have taken place in rapid-fire succession, and there is one recurring theme throughout the comments and on our Facebook page:
There isn’t anything for the kids to do.
While the community organizations and churches have been doing their level best to provide cookouts and activities, there is still a void left when the day is done.
The robotics camp sponsored by Lockheed Martin is a fantastic four-day event, but it is just that: a four-day event.
The Norristown Parks and Recreation Department’s summer camp is a great place for kids, as is the Police Athletic League and the George Washington Carver Community Center, but are they enough?
Right now, they don’t appear to be.
So with a little trepidation based on past history of being bombarded by the naysayers, I am going to continue on my crusade to bring Norristown back to its once proud place of prominence.
Across the county, there are more than a few municipalities that provide a wonderful place for kids to go; places where young boys and girls can fulfill their need for that adrenaline rush many of us once craved like a treat from the ice cream truck.
I’d like to see the residents of Norristown rally around the idea of building a skateboard park so kids will have a place to call their own.
Upper Merion is in the process of building one for their youth; why not Norristown?
This is a way to get kids off the streets, but in reality, it doesn't get to the root of the problem.
Mayor Nutter (click for video of the speech) gets right to the root, with a pick ax.
As an elected official and a "proud black man" in the nation's fifth-largest city, Nutter felt he had to go a step beyond ordering a law enforcement crackdown.
So he channeled the spirit of another straight-talking Philadelphian: Bill Cosby. Nutter took to the pulpit at his church last weekend and gave an impassioned, old-fashioned talking-to directed at the swarms of teens who have been using social networks to arrange violent sprees downtown, injuring victims and damaging property. Moreover, he called out parents for not doing a better job raising their children.
"You've damaged yourself, you've damaged another person, you've damaged your peers and, quite honestly, you've damaged your own race," Nutter said at Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
The 54-year-old mayor, married with a teenage daughter and a grown son, called out absentee fathers and neglectful parents. He did not mince words, saying they need to be more than just a "sperm donor" or a "human ATM."
"That's part of the problem in our community," Nutter told the congregation. "Let me speak plainer: That's part of the problem in the black community. ... We have too many men making too many babies they don't want to take care of and then we end up dealing with your children."
Is Norristown a microcosm of Philadelphia's worst side?
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