On Act 72 and what it means.

I'm very concerned about Act 72 because of the perception it gives to the taxpayers of Reading and the state of Pennsylvania.

This Act 72 isn't true tax reform. It is a gambling bill, and I am not a proponent of gambling. It sends a very dangerous message to the children in the state of Pennsylvania; it tells them that the government thinks it's okay to gamble for education funds. I am very troubled by the implications of this bill and it will be one of the hardest votes I have ever had to make. My moral background does not make me a fan of gambling, and many religious leaders in the state will agree that Act 72 is an affront to our moral values.

It gives School Districts permission to raise school taxes with the rate of inflation and also takes power away from School Boards with a back end referendum. The personal income tax will rise, which will encourage more of the wealthier people in Reading to leave, and above all, it will take $1 billion gambled away to give any substantial relief to the homeowners in Reading.

If I vote yes, it's only because the majority of homeowners are in desparate need of tax relief. But if I vote no, it's because of my principles and convictions alone.


(The School Board voted tonight on Act 72 legislation. 7 Board members voted for opting into the legislation. Only 2 members (Stamm and Steffy) voted against it.)

Antietam Lake, On the Superintendent Hiring, and What Is To Come.

Since it's been in the news, I will share my opinion on Antietam Lake.

I feel Antietam lake should be preserved as open space. Monies received should not be put in the city's general budget.

I would put them in an interest bearing account in which the principal could not be touched for 20 years; the interest from the monies would be used to fund police activites - for example, alloting resources to allow the use of police dogs on the force again.



An FYI:

I was contacted by the York City Times on Friday by a reporter asking me if a Carlos lopez was a candidate for School Superintendent. I explained I wasn't shown the resumes. I also confirmed the hiring of Tom Chapman. She was amused by how discreetly the process was handled.

My advice to other school boards looking to hire a new superintendent is to follow the process that the Wilson School Board used. In my opinion, it is probably the best method for determining the quality of your candidates.

And as I am interested in reporting all the truth and leaving no facts unspoken, I will when I return have the Wilson School Board hiring process online for you to see.

Also, when I return:

For a Better Reading: THE STAMM PLAN.

If you want to donate money to my City Council race. . .

Send your check or cash contributions to

c/o Friends to Elect Keith Stamm
1622 N. 15th St.
Reading, PA 19604

Victory!

The Reading High School Band won first place at the Apple Blossom parade on Saturday. The students in the band are wonderful students, dedicated to performing their best. I'm very proud of what they have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish.

I'm very proud of my daughter.

So if you see a member of the Reading High School band this week or next weekend, congratulate them on their victory.

I would just like to call your attention to this.

At the February 23 Reading School Board meeting, the Finance Committee passed Resolution 5, ordering 22 external defibrillators for the district.

I was the one who initially suggested the resolution, and if you'll allow me a moment to explain, I'll tell you why I wanted to purchase these defibrillators. This won't be coming out of the budget - the money for the machines will be raised wholly from fundraising efforts.

I originally came up with the idea after speaking to Captain Jimenez, the head of the JROTC program at Reading High School. I asked him if he had any students who ever passed out in school, and what he felt should be done about it, if he would feel better if there were defibrillators on school property; he said yes. I spoke to the Superintendent and several others on the School Board about these defibrillators, and they all agreed that it was a good idea to pursue.

Our students need the care and protection they deserve, and I believe we must give as much of that protection to them as possible. Defibrillators are just one of the ways for us to do so.