Berks Democrats

Upcoming Events

August 6 - 11 - Reading Fair - County Committee needs volunteers, particularly on Sunday, August 5th & 12th at 2 p.m. at Hilltop & County Welfare Roads *

August 9 - Drinking Liberally at Canal Street - 6 p.m. 'til ??? - For more info check out www.drinkingliberally.org or contact Kim Stahler or Dan Sauder at [email protected] 

August 10 - Tim Holden's Pig Roast - St. Clair Fish & Game - 5 - 10 p.m. - $25 - Tickets can be ordered by calling (570) 429-0397 or by sending a check to: Friends of Tim Holden, P.O. Box 37, St. Clair, PA 17970

 August 12 - City Committee  Picnic - 18th Ward Democratic Club from 2-6 p.m. - For more info contact Linda  Kelleher at [email protected]

August 14 - Picnic with County Commissioner Tom Gajewski - Clambake with trimmings and refreshments - Maier's Grove, Grove Road in Blandon - 5:30 - 8 p.m. - $25 or Hamburg & hot dog w/all the trimmings - $16 - For tickets & other info - please call Christel at (610) 929-1685 or Mary at (610) 944-7296,

August 18 - Fundraiser in Northern Berks for Kevin Barnhardt - 5 - 7 p.m. - Wine and cheese (and chocolate too) at Grim's Manor Bed & Breakfast - 10 Kern Road in Maxatawny Township - Suggested donation of $25 per person - Grim's Manor is one of the loder homes in Berks County, built in the mid-1700s - Please RSVP to Dick Horton at (610) 683-7089 or [email protected]

August 23 - Drinking Liberally at Canal Street - 6 p.m. 'til ??? - For more info check out www.drinkingliberally.org or contact Kim Stahler or Dan Sauder at [email protected] 

Sept. 20 - 22 - Oley Fair - County Committee needs volunteers for table - County Committee needs volunteers, particularly on Sept. 19th at 6 p.m. *

A Few Facts For Phyrillas

Tony Phyrillas, who likes to characterize himself as having been a "journalist" for 25 years, twists a key fact on his blog.  In an article titled "Two Pennsylvanias" he makes this claim:

"Democrats took control of the county commissioners' board in Berks County and raised property taxes by 34 percent."

While that is technically true, what he doesn't do is tell you why the Commissioners had to raise taxes that much their first year in office.  He also forgets to say they haven't been raised since.  Here's WHY that 34% tax increase was necessary.

The previous Board of Commissioners, under Republicans, mismanaged and hid the fiscal condition of the County.  Instead of using the previous year's ending cash balance for budgetary and spending purposes (which was empty because of their mismanagement) they illegally took the figure from the previous year since it was so much healthier.  The money they characterized as then being "available" wasn't.

This is called smoke and mirrors accounting.  The other factors involved in that tax increase involved a major cash infusion into the County pension fund because of an under performing stock market and a 17% increase in the County's health insurance premiums for employee's benefits.   All of these problems were inherited from the previous Republican Board of Commissioners.

Since that first year of this Board there has been no tax increase.  This Board of Commissioners established a system of self insurance to eliminate the annual cost increases of the insurance and used a voluntary employee severance program to eliminate almost 100 jobs which will save $25 million.  This Board also began an early, exhaustive weekly budget workshop meeting designed to eliminate waste, reduce expenses and examine every area for efficiency and savings.

A real journalist would have sought the facts and written a complete article.  If The Mercury actually covered the Berks County Commissioners meetings Phyrillas might actually know what he's talking about.  Back when his newspaper did cover them their reporter was extremely biased and unprofessional.  Reading their coverage with that of Mary Young's Reading Eagle reporting you wouldn't have known they'd sat side by side in the same room.

Once Mr. Phyrillas' reporter drastically misquoted me and mischaracterized what I said.  When I complained to The Mercury they refused to run a correction.  I finally wrote a letter to the editor to correct their record.

Phyrillas "Borrows" Blog Material

Tony Phyrillas of The Pottstown Mercury lives in Mt. Penn and has been writing for the paper and his blog for some time.  You'd think he'd know it isn't proper to "borrow" other people's material without crediting them or linking to the original work which is a serious blogging standard practice.  Bernie O'Hare of Lehigh Valley Ramblings did some Googling of some of Phyrillas' recent work and caught him plagiarizing.   As if that wasn't bad enough he then caught him trying to obfuscate the fact he used someone else's material, posted it under his own byline without attribution, then tried palming it off as just one of those anonymous email things that get passed around.

Well Tony you cannot, as a journalist or a blogger, do that.  If you do not know who wrote something you'd like to put on your blog try going to Google and finding the author.  Then try contacting them for permission to publish their work on your blog.  Not doing so, you know, can, umm, get you sued.  I receive stuff all the time and I've never posted someone's writing on my blog without first asking for their permission, even when they sent it to me unsolicited.  I want there to be no question I asked for and received their express permission to use their material.  Then I identify the author and tag it as a "guest writer."

I'm always willing to publish someone else's creative work but I also always credit them for their work.  Not doing so is plagiarism.  As much as I enjoy some of those "email thingys" that make the rounds I have never posted one of them on my blogs?  Why?  Who knows who wrote them and how do you find them and get permission?  Most times it's impossible.

Phyrillas's journalistic ethics have also been questioned because he is running for public office in Mt. Penn.  Newspaper publishers aren't supposed to be personally involved in partisan politics.

Tony tried to ridicule me for predicting mark Scott would lose the GOP primary.  He ignored the fact I predicted the exact order of finish in the Reading mayoral race though.  I don't worry what publishers of rags like The Pottstown Mercury have to say about me.  After all, he probably stole that line from someone else.  I grew up outside Pottstown and that newspaper hasn't been good for anything but dog training for fifty years.  The more things change the more they stay the same.

If people are going to try and pose as serious bloggers they should know the conventions of blogging.  This means using reputable sources, always linking to your sources, and disclosing conflicts of interest or past associations.   I put all that on my bio and "about" pages so it's readily accessible to readers.  The absolute worst things you can do are to steal someone else's work or someone else's traffic.  After Phyrillas got caught by Bernie instead of acknowledging he'd stolen the material he simply added a memo that it came from an email.  He neglected to add the memo as an identified update so someone visiting his blog after he got caught wouldn't be aware he'd been caught plagiarizing the work.

I suppose we had to fear such dumbing down of the blogosphere once the mainstream media joined the fray.

Update:  I noticed a picture Phyrillas posted on his blog that wasn't attributed to anyone so I assumed it belonged to him.  Then I noticed it on several other blogs and they didn't source it to Tony so I got curious.  I did a quick Google Images search and found the source of the copyrighted picture here.  It only took me about five minutes total.  I wonder what part of "copyright" Tony Phyrillis doesn't understand or the fact this site clearly requires links back to it if you use their images as fair use?  I bet if I took one of The Mercury's copyrighted photos and used it without their permission or without credit or a link I'd get in big trouble.  The website which is the source of the picture has this message clearly posted:

Some material on our website, such as any work marked "All rights reserved," is not available for use. Please respect the owners of these images. As noted below, we can often give you information to get permission directly from the copyright owner if needed.

We ask that you give credit to the source and www.sewerhistory.org for any materials you use.

       

Barnhardt Nominated

Over 100 Democratic committee members met this morning in Sinking Spring and unanimously elected Kevin Barnhardt to run for County Commissioner.  No other name was put into nomination.  Judy Schwank, who suddenly withdrew from the race last week spoke and thanked everyone for their support and also gave Barnhardt a check from her campaign coffers to jump start his effort.  Dick Horton also announced a fundraiser being scheduled in Kutztown.

Gajewski and Open Space Preservation

This seems to be an issue that won't go away.  A small cadre of Democrats loyal to our County Chair have been spreading lies and misinformation about Commissioner Tom Gajewski's position on open space preservation.  This began last spring when an unnamed Republican faxed false information that the Home Builders Association had given Tom $90,000 to end the farmland program.  Lou Wentz, a Committee man from Pike Township then emailed the information around the County and to Dems in his township.

Since then the myth has taken on a life of its own.  I wrote here after seeing the Wentz email and debunked the claims.  They continue including a letter to the editor in this week's Eagle.  Let's set the facts straight...again.

I attend the County Commissioners meetings and have been for about three years.  I was there when the bond issue extending the open space program was discussed and voted upon.  I sat there and watched Barry Rohrbach from the HBA storm out in anger after the vote.  All three of our incumbent Commissioners are staunch supporters of farmland preservation.  All three faced the HBA and voted against them, including Tom Gajewski.

I sat there and listened to the debate.  Never have I heard Tom Gajewski say he doesn't support this issue.  The only questions he had back in December 2006 when this was approved was how much more to spend and whether the taxpayers should have some input on the amount via referendum.  The latest bond issue was for an additional $25 million, an amount which isn't chicken feed.  Tom's only concern was getting feedback from the county residents to be sure they continued supporting the program.

The Home Builders Association has endorsed him again this year and many are assuming that means he's selling out to the developers and they are spreading this tale.  Sadly to say the people doing this not only are fellow Democrats but Party officials.  The County Democratic Party has been actively working against one of our elected officials.

Tom Gajewski was in the real estate business and is active in real estate.  He and his wife own numerous properties.  As such they interact with and know numerous members of the HBA.  If you examined their membership list you'd discover the vast majority of HBA members are your regular tradesmen, remodelers, contractors, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, etc.  These are the people Tom knows and who know and support him.  Please don't assume that because of this Tom Gajewski is going to pave over Berks County.  That's Leinbach, not Gajewski.

Committee people have jumped to conclusions based on lies, lies perpetrated to bring down our Democratic majority.  Unfortunately some of our own people bought into the scheme and spread false rumors.  It's one thing to have to fend off baseless attacks from the other Party, another to have them coming from behind your back.

Where is our County Chair in all this?  He should be getting the message out that actions such as these aren't to be tolerated.  Those involved are his supporters however, his band of loyalists.  Perhaps that's why he's tolerating the intolerable.  Our County Party is disintegrating around us and becoming a train wreck and it's because of Tom Herman's leadership at the helm.

Correction:  I meant to say it was Ron Rohrbach of the HBA, not Barry Rohrbach.  Sorry for any inconvenience to Barry who does a fantastic job with Crime Alert Berks County.

Hazleton Decision Vindicates McMahon

Yesterday's decision in which a federal judge struck down Hazleton's anti-immigrant ordinances vindicates Mayor Tom McMahon's decision to avoid getting Reading mired in the same legal messes.  Hazleton is beset now by lawsuits and litigation costing their taxpayers unnecessary expense.  Much of the town has also been riddled with empty stores and homes because so many people, legal or not, fled the area.  The message of bigotry and intolerance, fueled by a Mayor more interested in his own self aggrandizement than  what was good for his city, was based on allegations which later turned out not to be true.

Tom McMahon made a decision not to pursue similar policies in Reading.  Immigration matters are clearly spelled out in the constitution as being in the responsibility of the federal government and the federal judge ruled as such yesterday.  All these laws do is further burden cities and taxpayers with litigation and divide people based on ethnicity, exactly something not needed in Reading. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) doesn't have the resources to enforce the laws.  There simply aren't enough agents, detention centers, managers, and deportation methods to deal with 12 million undocumented workers.  There are two solutions to this situation and having communities passing unconstitutional and unenforceable laws aren't either of them.  We can crack down on the businesses which hire and exploit these people so, with no jobs available they return home, or we can increase taxes significantly to pay for thousands of additional people to arrest detain, transport and detain millions of people.  This would be very similar to what Germany did in the 1930's and 40's with the Jews.  Is that really what we, as Americans, wish to do?

This Week's Commissioner's Meeting

Tuesday's workshop meeting began with two presentations.  The first by Don Ziegler of Abilities In Motion commemorated the 17th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.  All these years later and there are still only two street handicapped parking spaces for the two large County buildings. 

The second was by the Andulhea Heritage Society concerning the preservation of a large barn in Bethel.  The historic structure sits on land owned by the County and currently being developed as an industrial park.  This group is asking the County for $25,000 to dismantle the barn so it can be stored pending their other plans to erect it at the County's Heritage Center and make it into an agriculture museum.

I see a few flaws in their plans for the ag museum.  If the barn is dismantled at County expense the taxpayers have an interest in the structure.  As such they should profit from whatever private operation profits from the museum.  Also, how do we know any of the tourist traffic will divert itself from Lancaster County to come here to see what they can already see there?

The Board suggested a committee be formed to look into the matter.  Funds already earmarked for demolishing the barn are being transferred to be used for its dismantlement.  More are needed however which was why they made their presentation.

Bill Dennis spoke at length about the County's workman's compensation insurance program and announced they will begin covering some volunteers under the policy.  Berks County spends $2 million a year for its workman's comp insurance. 

The County has begun implementing plans for its own emergency response team of law enforcement officers.  This is, essentially a County SWAT team (I know that's oversimplified but people will understand what we're talking about).  As it is we've been using Chester County's Emergency Response Team in emergencies and that costs us money and precious time.  The Berks County (BCERT) effort is underway and a report said training is underway and equipment is being purchased.  The Commissioners authorized the purchase of this equipment this week. 

Several road and bridge projects were also on the agenda.  Six municipalities asked the County for financial assistance with certain road projects and four were approved but at lesser amounts than requested.  The budget for these was only $250,000 after the County took care of its own projects so the four which were approved couldn't exceed that total.  The money comes from liquid fuels (gasoline) taxes.

Penn View Fiasco

One has to wonder if the two acres in West Reading, formerly home to the Penn View Motel, are cursed.  Perhaps it's just the after effects of reading Harry Potter but what is it about this location?  The old motel was a magnet for criminal activity until the County and Borough seized it and demolished the facility.  Promised a replacement use far different now the project is being altered to put a long term hotel on the property.  Instead of the Penn View West Reading will get a Candle whatever Suites which many fear will become another Penn View over time.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results.  People see this new project as the definition of insanity.  The County poured public funds into buying and demolishing the old eyesore.  The impetus was to clean up an area known for drugs and prostituion.  The people who lived at the Penn View were long term tenants (aside from those who rented rooms on an hourly basis).   Replacing it with another long term stay hotel is absolutely absurd.

There is little West Reading can do about the change in the project.  Let's hope the County can since the use of the land has changed.  One of Tom Gajewski's pet peeves is how developers make these changes after getting public support for their projects.  He has been requiring clauses in agreements now preventing just this sort of shenanigans.  Was such a clause inserted into this agreement?  That's a question which needs to be answered.  If there isn't anything the Borough can do under zoning law (written in Harrisburg by the developer's lobbyists)  we have to rely on the Commissioners to restrict development to the original proposal or ask for a refund of County monies pured into the site.

Commissioner's Race

Judy Schwanks' decision to withdraw from the Commissioner's race has the entire county buzzing.  This had been a very quiet campaign, no one seemed to be talking or discussing the contest or the candidates up until now.  This news is focusing the public's attention on the election in midsummer, a bit earlier than usual.

This is good because these three positions are incredibly important and voters and citizens need to focus more of their time and attention on them.  The Board of Commissioners run Berks County and deal with an immense variety of issues and matters.  Local government often affects your life far more than anything the federal government does.

Several people are throwing their hats into the ring for Saturday's vote.  I'll explain how this process works for those unfamiliar.  Since Judy won the primary election then withdrew the County Democratic Party selects her replacement on the ballot.  Any registered Democrat can have someone nominate and second their nomination for the slot.  Only Democratic Committee persons may vote and it's a secret ballot necessitating a majority vote.  This means there could be multiple ballots until someone attains the majority of those present.  A quorum is 25% of membership.

So Saturday will see this special meeting of Committee persons and, as of now, I know of four people interested.  Kevin Barnhardt and Dave Batdorf, who both ran in the primary are expected to put their names forward.  Two Committee persons are also expressing interest and are seeking support.  The vote will likely come down to Kevin or Dave.  Both have considerable support and it could be a close election.

Interestingly our County Chair has already announced his support of Kevin Barnhardt in the newspaper.  That was unfortunate, not in that he supports Kevin, but that the Chair publicly revealed a bias in advance of running the meeting.  As such it wouldn't surprise me if Batdorf's people asks him to turn the meeting over to the Vice Chair.  It's important for the Chair to remain neutral in any internally contested Committee race to insure the perception of a fairly run meeting and election.  This is one more failure by Tom Herman in carrying out the duties of his office.  It's bad enough that instead of trying to bring people together and resolve disputes he enters those frays and pours gasoline on the fires.  This is one reason why we continue losing elections.

News & Notes

There are several items in today's paper worth noting.  Ginny Hand, the Mayor's Chief of Staff, is leaving for a position at Alvernia College.  I met Ginny during the presidential campaign of 2004 and she's a fantastic person.  She has served Tom McMahon very well and has worked very hard for the people of Reading.  She will be sorely missed in the Mayor's office I'm sure.  I wish her well and I assume we'll continue bumping into each other on various campaigns.

Joe Eppiheimer announced he will run as an independent candidate for Mayor.  Yawn....  who cares?  No one will vote for that disaster of a candidate after the four years he served destroying Reading while Mayor.  His chief claim to fame was getting the City sued right and left.  No sane person will vote for a return to those bad old days.

I've only met Joe once and it was memorable.  It was a hot August afternoon at the Goggle Works.  It wasn't actually the Goggle Works yet as the Governor was there presenting the check which would help finance the project that created the facility.  It was quite warm with 300 people gathered around a stage and the ventilation system turned off so everyone could hear the speeches.  I drifted to the back of the stage area where there was some air coming through the back door.  Joe Eppiheimer sidled up and introduced himself as I stood just off the stage.

The former Mayor, in spite of the heat, had smoke coming out of his ears.  He was quite upset at not being on stage and being the center of attention.  He bragged about how the Goggle Works project was his idea and he should be getting the credit instead of Tom McMahon.  At the time he had no idea who I was or what I was doing at the event (I was there representing Lois Herr who had another (very) important meeting that afternoon with Dr. Terry Madonna.

What struck me about Eppiheimer was the fact he wasn't at all proud that something he began was becoming reality.  Instead of being proud as a peacock all he cared about was the fact he wasn't the credit for the accomplishment.  I've seen this attitude before with elected officials so it wasn't a shock but it did leave a lasting impression with me.