It certainly was an interesting week to be on the 13th floor of the County Services Center. I attend these meetings for several reasons. I started going several years ago because I thought someone should be there to respond when Mark Scott goes on one of his racist rants. As I attended I noticed I was normally the only member of the public there. I know many watch the Tuesday meetings on BCTV but I don't have cable so that isn't an option. Also, when you watch on TV you only see what the camera is showing. Much more goes on than that. I watch and observe everything.
For example recently Scott spoke at length about a letter received from an elderly taxpayer ranting against property taxes. He used the letter to stress that property taxes are much higher for schools because of all the residential development. He mentioned, at length, how more houses means more children, more schools, more teachers, books, etc. and, thus higher school taxes. His running mate Christian Leinbach was in the audience. I'm glad to see Leinbach attending the meetings, it's important that anyone running for the position understand what's going on so they can better get into the flow of business if elected.
Leinbach, however, is hugely supported and financed by the Home Builders Association PAC and members. Immediately after Mark's comments he bolted over to bend his ear in the corner. I'd have loved to be able to listen to their conversation but I can bet I know what was said. These are the types of things you see and hear only by being there. I see and hear much and I also have the opportunity to talk with each Commissioner before or after each meeting if I feel the need on an issue. You can't do that watching at home. The result is I understand the dynamics, the personalities, and all the undercurrents. I hope to be able to share those in these articles. Not everyone will look good every meeting and every week. If I agree with a Commissioner I say so, if I disagree I say so. If some out there think I should be a political hack and only criticize Republicans that isn't going to happen so give it up.
This week District Attorney Mark Baldwin gave a presentation on a new program called SAVIN. It's a Statewide Automated Victims Information and Notification system. Subsidized by grants it won't cost county taxpayers any additional funds but will provide automatic notification to victims of crime whenever an offender's status changes. If an offender is released on bail, transferred from one prison to another or released from the sentence the victims will be notified within 15 minutes via telephone, email, or if they log on and identify themselves with a PIN. It will provide 24 hour access to victims. Confidentiality of those registering is assured and offenders won't know if someone has registered with SAVIN to track their status. SAVIN should be operational in eight weeks.
This is a good program and Baldwin is to be commended for instituting it for crime victims. I've been critical of Mark over the drug money issue and I'll give him credit also when I think that's due. This is good news.
Bill Dennis gave a report about several important items but I couldn't hear him over the constant chatter in front of me. Michelle Kircher and Sandy Stief run a constant gossip and chat session during these meetings and made it rudely impossible to hear what was being said by the County Administrator. This happens at every meeting. If they can't be quiet they should sit in the back of the room.
Human Services also announced a change in scheduling in the Coroners Office. The prsent system results in lots of overtime so a new system will be tried to see if it's better and more efficient. The Coroner was credited with fully cooperating and opening his Office for HR to examine all records so they could design the best plan. County Row Officers have wide latitude running their Departments so Denny Hess didn't have to allow HR in but he did. Thanks to Denny for being a team player.
Judy Schwank missed Tuesday's meeting. Tom Gajewski, acting as Chair, announced she was at a CCAP meeting. It's obvious now where she really was, finalizing her new job with 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. No one is truthful about their whereabouts when negotiating or considering a change of employment and Judy was no exception. Had she decided not to accept this position it was none of our business she was even speaking with the people. I have no qualms about the little white lie justifying her absence, she was simply doing what anyone in that position does.
I thanked Judy yesterday for her dedicated service to the public in Berks County. She has served remarkably well over eight years and done very well for the people of Berks. We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude. There were times we disagreed but far more times we saw things the same. No one ever agrees with anyone else 100% and, as Democrats, we agree most of the time. Heck, I even agree with Mark Scott sometimes, especially for his tireless dedication to environmental issues. Judy Schwank did much dedicated service for us and for that we all owe her a sincere thanks.
I wish her well in her new endeavor and think she can use her immense talents for the good of all of Pennsylvania.
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania has chosen Berks County Commissioner Chairwoman Judy Schwank as its new President and CEO.
