tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post115100972664136279..comments2009-07-13T10:34:18.900-05:00Oley Concerned Citizensoleytaxpayers@hotmail.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1160514227676373652006-10-10T16:03:00.000-05:002006-10-10T16:03:00.000-05:00Football; football is the answer. All those college scholarships for which our boys have no chance to be considered. Would the Oley Board consider a petition for a high school football team?mightycapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1153252001461835232006-07-18T14:46:00.000-05:002006-07-18T14:46:00.000-05:00This is the first time I've been on here but I have attended many school board meetings. All you who bash the school board when you could be at home with your families. Do you have no life? I know your argument is that this is for your chilrdren but by the time anything is done about your nagging, your children will be out of the school. About the money, the school board members live in your area also, they have to pay the same taxes that you do. For the track,it is not a nessesity, but many kids are involved in it. If you want something important to fus over, take a look at the elementary and middle school principals that aren't fit for their position. You are all waisting your time with these things, go back to your families instead of yelling at the board for making these hard decisions, spend some truely meaningful time with your families. That is what your children will remember, not how their parents yelled at their school board.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1152707525095467842006-07-12T07:32:00.000-05:002006-07-12T07:32:00.000-05:00Although many of you are bashing sports, believe it or not there are many valuable lessons that are learned while participating. I agree a million dollar track may be too much but why do many of you attack sports like it is a bad thing? Someone said about students not be able to read and write at their grade level: I then ask how involved are the parents? Teachers can not do it all. They aren't magicians. They should work with the parents who don't seem to be real involved anymore these days. The parent and school involvement is critical for achieving success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1152298375324053842006-07-07T13:52:00.000-05:002006-07-07T13:52:00.000-05:00We were out of town and also could not attend. Any news worth printing?<BR/><BR/>The GriswoldsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1152284703294551752006-07-07T10:05:00.000-05:002006-07-07T10:05:00.000-05:00Unable to attend last night. Give an update.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1152185452677325432006-07-06T06:30:00.000-05:002006-07-06T06:30:00.000-05:00Tonight might be the last time the board will let us talk. Come and support the public. We have rights in America that this board wants to end. America is a free country and the board wants to take our freedom of speech away!A US Citizennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1152143308639733492006-07-05T18:48:00.000-05:002006-07-05T18:48:00.000-05:00Come one and all to the policy meeting on 7/6 at 7pm. Wear red,white and blue. Show this so called board that they cannot take away our right to speak. This is AMERICA!!GOD BLESS THE USAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151945862676969112006-07-03T11:57:00.000-05:002006-07-03T11:57:00.000-05:00The snakes are at it again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151945817565047312006-07-03T11:56:00.000-05:002006-07-03T11:56:00.000-05:00Cindy, you are right again. It is a shame this is happening. We need change locally and state wide.<BR/>Breaking the law folks on the school boards and state will not be tolerated anymore. We know you and are watching your moves. You belong in jail, everyone of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151943600880877612006-07-03T11:20:00.000-05:002006-07-03T11:20:00.000-05:00Cindy:<BR/><BR/>Heard you on feedback. You're right on the money with all you mentioned. Thanks for your input and research on this subject!<BR/><BR/>taxpayerzzzzzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151905305171029022006-07-03T00:41:00.000-05:002006-07-03T00:41:00.000-05:00TO ALL TAXPAYERS IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA<BR/><BR/>Please be notified that if your school district has raised taxes above the rate of inflation - 3.91% - THAT THEY ARE BREAKING THE LAW which was signed by Governor Ed Rendell on June 27, 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>Check out the www.psba.org and www.psea.org and The Pennsylvania Department of Education website and see what they have to say regarding House Bill 39. Also please notice the date of these articles, all dated prior to June 27, 2006, and all state that the school districts do not have to worry about reopening their budgets as new legislation will be QUICKLY passed so that the school districts do not have to comply with the time constraints for the 2006-2007 budget, as many of the districts have already passed their budgets. <BR/><BR/>This means that any school district who raised taxes higher than the rate of inflation have to, according to the law, reopen their budgets. <BR/><BR/>I find this extremely interesting, as Berks County has already recieved their school tax notice. <BR/><BR/>I also question as to how the school districts know for certain that the legislature is going to amend any part of House Bill 39. <BR/><BR/>It looks as though our politicians are going to pass another "salary hike-type bill" while burning the midnight oil and have this go virtually unnoticed.<BR/><BR/>How is is that the whining school districts always find a way out of not raising taxes for their local communities? <BR/><BR/>WE NEED TO TAKE OUR SCHOOL BOARDS TO TASK AND QUESTION THEM AND OUR LEGISLATORS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS OF EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT - <BR/><BR/>WHY ARE YOU BREAKING THE LAW?<BR/><BR/>WHY DO YOU CONSTANTLY NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAWS THAT ARE PASSED?<BR/><BR/>WHY SEEMS TO BE THE BIG QUESTION!<BR/><BR/>If you need any of the articles, as I believe the PSBA took that particular article off their website, I have it saved on my computer and would be happy to send it out to anyone who might want to read it. You will also find Dr. Zahorchack's letter to the superintendents of all the school boards in PA quite interestingly. Again, note the date. He sent this document out on June 18, 2006, before Governor Rendell even signed House Bill 39 into law!<BR/><BR/>Also, check out the PA General Assembly website, where you can see that the legislators are crafting the amendments to House Bill 39, and basically making what Governor Rendell signed on June 27th, not the law.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Another website you might find interesting, is www.stopteacherstrikes.org. A gentleman, Mr. Simon Campbell, from the Yardley, Pennsylavnia area, is taking the Pennsylvania teacher's union to task and is committed to stopping teacher strikes in Pennsylvania.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Cindy Smith<BR/>cdaltonsmith@comcast.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151886155447800732006-07-02T19:22:00.000-05:002006-07-02T19:22:00.000-05:00HELP WANTED:<BR/><BR/>SEVERAL POSITIONS TO BE FILLED IN THE VICINITY OF OLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING TO WORK LONG HOURS. A KNOWLEDGE OF HANDTOOLS IS HELPFUL. POSITIONS INVOLVE CONSTRUCTING SHERIFF'S SALE SIGNS AND PLACING THEM IN HIGHLY VISIBLE AREAS OF THE HOMES BEING SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES. <BR/>APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A TOUGH EXTERIOR AND BE COLD AND STRAIGHT FORWARD DURING THE PLACEMENT OF SAID SIGNS. APPLICANTS SHALL NEITHER LISTEN TO SAD STORIES NOR GIVE ADVICE OR ANY FORM OF COUNCELING TO THE PARTIES THAT HAVE NOT FOUND ANY WAY TO PAY THEIR NOW OUTRAGEOUS TAXES. APPLICANTS MAY, IF DESIRED, WEAR EXTREMELY DARK SUNGLASSES SO AS NOT TO VIEW THE LOOK OF SADNESS AND DISAPPOINTMENT IN EACH AND EVERY RESIDENT'S EYES. THIS INCLUDES WW2 VETERANS, KOREAN WAR VETERANS, VIETNAM WAR VETERANS WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY SO THAT WE COULD LIVE IN A FREE AND GREAT COUNTRY. THIS ALSO INCLUDES PEOPLE FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE THAT HAVE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF FALLING PREY TO THE WHIMS AND WHIMSEY OF THE CURRENT OLEY SCHOOL BOARD. SENIOR CITIZENS, YOUNG COUPLES, FACTORY WORKERS, FARMERS, OFFICE WORKERS, ETC, GOOD PEOPLE ONE AND ALL. THEIR REWARD FOR WORKING HARD, SUPPORTING COMMUNITY EVENTS, SERVING AS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND AMBULANCE WORKERS, WORKING AT THE OLEY FAIR, AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE FROM THE OLEY VALLEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE WILLINGLY, LOVINGLY, AND THEY ASKED FOR NOTHING IN RETURN. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE OLEY SCHOOL BOARD THINKS OF THE GENERAL TAXPAYING PUBLIC AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY GIVE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE OLEY VALLEY. NOTHING. BUT GRIEF.<BR/>IF SAID APPLICANTS HAVE THE NEED FOR THIS SORT OF OF EMPLOYEMENT AND SHOULD NEED ANY GUIDANCE WITH THE ABOVE MENTIONED CONDITIONS, FEEL FREE TO ATTEND ANY AND ALL OLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. IT IS THERE THAT ONE AND ALL CAN VIEW AND HEAR JUST HOW OUR ELECTED BOARD IS SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY.<BR/>PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE COLD RECEPTION YOU MAY RECIEVE AT ANY AND ALL OLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS IS PRECISELY THE WAY THE BOARD MEMBERS WANT THINGS TO BE. COLD AS ICE. THE COCKY ATTITUDES QUITE EASILY NOTICED BY A FIRST TIME MEETING ATTENDEE OR A SEASONED VETERAN ARE EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT THE CITIZENS OF THE OLEY VALLEY TO SEE AND HEAR. SADLY, THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE OLEY SCHOOL BOARD APPEAR TO BE SUFFERING FROM A GROUP DEFICIENCY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:<BR/><BR/>ATTENDANCE:<BR/><BR/>IF THERE ARE 9 MEMBERS, THEN 9 MEMBERS SHOULD BE AT EVERY MEETING, INCLUDING THOSE MEETINGS THAT INVOLVE VOTING.<BR/><BR/>MANNERS:<BR/><BR/>TOTALLY LACKING IN THAT DEPARTMENT<BR/><BR/>LEADERSHIP:<BR/><BR/>HOW MANY DECADES DOES THE BOARD PRESIDENT HAVE TO BE IN THE POSITION BEFORE HE BECOMES EFFICIENT IN ALL AREAS THAT ARE, IN FACT, HIS RESPONSIBILITY? ANSWER: ONE TERM SHOULD HAVE DONE THE TRICK. YOU'RE NOT PRODUCING? YOU'RE OUT!<BR/><BR/>TOTAL ENCOURAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:<BR/>THIS MEANS THAT YOU INVITE THE GENERAL TAXPAYING PUBLIC TO THE MEETINGS...THEN....YOU ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THEM. FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. THEN, OF COURSE, NOT ONE MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL LAUGH, SNICKER, AND WHISPER ABOUT QUESTIONS ASKED BY THESE CITIZENS. SHOULD THERE BE AUDIBLE AND NOTICIBLE WISECRACKS MADE BY ANY BOARD MEMBER....THEY SHOULD BE TREATED JUST LIKE YOU TREAT YOUR CHILDREN. STAND THEM IN THE "TIME OUT" CORNER AND MAKE SURE ALL THE CITIZENS ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MANY BOARD MEMBERS THINK IT'S <BR/><BR/>F U N N Y<BR/><BR/>FOR CITIZENS TO ASK QUESTIONS AND EXPECT AN<BR/><BR/>ANSWER.<BR/><BR/>BOARD MEMBERS THAT THINK IT'S FUNNY TO LAUGH AT SENIOR CITIZENS AND YOUNG COUPLES LOSING THEIR HOMES TO HIGHER AND HIGHER TAXES....ARE A ****** DISGRACE.<BR/><BR/>THEY DON'T BELONG IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION, AND FRANKLY, THEY DON'T BELONG IN <BR/><BR/>OLEY.<BR/><BR/>FOR THE 65 YEARS THAT I'VE KNOWN OLEY TO BE MY HOME, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE, RAISE CHILDREN, ATTEND BALL GAMES, GO TO GREAT CHURCHES, AND MEET EVERYONE AT THE OLEY FAIR. LET'S NOT LET THIS OUTRAGEOUS BOARD RUIN ANY MORE OF WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY TRASHED IN OUR VALLEY. IT IS THIS BOARD THAT SHOULD BE OUSTED, NOT THE FOLKS THAT CAN'T PAY TAXES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF A GIANT 6 MILLION DOLLAR POT.<BR/><BR/>SO, COME ONE AND ALL...IF YOU'VE GOT NO HEART AT ALL AND A REALLY TOUGH ATTITUDE, COME AND POST SHERIFF'S SALE SIGNS FOR YOUR NEW LIVING.<BR/><BR/>GOD BLESS AMERICA<BR/>GOD BLESS THE OLEY VALLEY<BR/>GOD HELP OUR SCHOOL BOARD SEE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE FOR EVEN ONE MORE CITIZEN TO SAVE THEIR HOME.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151885267383574462006-07-02T19:07:00.000-05:002006-07-02T19:07:00.000-05:00The front page of the Sunday Reading Eagle lists all 18 school districts in Berk. Oley ranks 11th in millage, and 10th in percent of increase.<BR/><BR/>Reading has not had a property tax increase for three years and predicts not having to raise them for two more years - BECAUSE THE STATE FUNDS THEM AT 51%!<BR/><BR/>Maybe if the State had equitable funding of schools, they'd all be funded properly and other districts wouldn't have to have millage increases either. (Most districts get 17-28% from the State.) <BR/><BR/>Dennis Leh is trying to put the Commonwealth Caucus plan on the ballot as a referrendum item. Although the voters in his district have removed their greatest allie, he continues to try to help get this school funding issue resolved. Let's hope his replacement is as committed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151880655453192662006-07-02T17:50:00.000-05:002006-07-02T17:50:00.000-05:00The truth well spoken in the above comment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151868871892103592006-07-02T14:34:00.000-05:002006-07-02T14:34:00.000-05:00Taking a walk on a warm, sunny day. Stopping to pick mulberries, some for ourselves, some to share with elderly neighbors that may not be physically able to go get their own....such a nice Saturday. Then, what do our eyes stumble upon? A wheeled demon in a big, white truck. Red and blue stripes here and there. Sorry mail man, it's not your fault that you were the designated driver for delivery of yet another outrageous pack of HIGHER TAX BILLS. Go Oley Go. Better have your ag classes teaching everyone to plant fruit trees and learn farming on our little plots. It may be all we have to live on, as we PAY THE PRICE THE BOARD HAS POUNDED US ON THE HEAD WITH. Enough is enough.<BR/><BR/>THOSE THAN CAN...DO.<BR/>THOSE THAT CAN'T...RUN THE SCHOOL BOARD. THOSE TAX BILLS SHOULD HAVE COME WITH FLYERS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH TRAUMA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151842887642923952006-07-02T07:21:00.000-05:002006-07-02T07:21:00.000-05:00Hey Zackon, wow you are moving up the ladder with the other big schools in this county. Do not ever say that you do not want Oley Valley to be compared to with the other districts. You all are a bunch of snakes, and tax elimination is the only way. People wake up and fight for our rights. We need fiscal accountability is this district. Does all the other districts have $6 million sitting around in rainy day funds for future hidden projects. Education comes first. Teach our children math and reading once and for all. They will never make it out in the real world.Pay taxes not medicinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151786013033840812006-07-01T15:33:00.000-05:002006-07-01T15:33:00.000-05:00Thanks Oley School Board for the big fat tax bill that came today!<BR/>$6 million you have and you had to increase us anyway. You are very evil people and God is watching all that you do to the poor people of this district. It would be a joke of you to actually celebrate the 4th. You all are Anti-Americans with the way you get great joy and stupid smiles on your faces when you knowingly increase us year after year. The day will come that you will ask the higher power for forgiveness. If I was the higher power it would be very hard to forgive people like you. Our Lord our Savior is the ultimate greatness. Patience is wearing thin with this school board. Our blood is starting to boil with anger!An angry citizennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151785447747798332006-07-01T15:24:00.000-05:002006-07-01T15:24:00.000-05:00Ok I have alot of that available to wear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151763252293237182006-07-01T09:14:00.000-05:002006-07-01T09:14:00.000-05:00concerned citizens should wear red, white and blue to school board meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151718911405520382006-06-30T20:55:00.000-05:002006-06-30T20:55:00.000-05:00its not itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151709376475472432006-06-30T18:16:00.000-05:002006-06-30T18:16:00.000-05:00Pottstown looks like it the place to work, huh Zackon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151685387425625412006-06-30T11:36:00.000-05:002006-06-30T11:36:00.000-05:00GOD BLESS AMERICA! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY FELLOW AMERICANS. FEEL FREE TO SPEAK AT ANYTIME.M. Swartznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151677818660403232006-06-30T09:30:00.000-05:002006-06-30T09:30:00.000-05:00Mr. Swisher, thank you for supportive response to utilizing the web site to provide information to the public. I unfortunately have a commitment on Thursday, 7/6, and can not attend the policy committee meeting.<BR/><BR/>The crux of a plan rests on the 'minutes'. Each committee's credibility would be impacted by the quality and unbiased minutes' reporting.<BR/><BR/>I would almost go as far as stating that a recording secretary would need to be 'elected', who would be responsible for minute taking and/or responsible for appointing minute takers.<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, the black helicopters will never stop circling the Oley schools.<BR/><BR/>It is these questions that I am unable to sort out, in my own mind, prohibiting me from putting the idea's in print for Mr. Hannum and Cappa. I can also tell you that I have been active in attending twp meetings and even a county commissioner meetings, and their minutes do not accurately reflect the previous meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151675391116976502006-06-30T08:49:00.001-05:002006-06-30T08:49:00.001-05:00Very good ideas indeed!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23302571.post-1151675366577793072006-06-30T08:49:00.000-05:002006-06-30T08:49:00.000-05:00GO SWISHER GO!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com