Special Veterans' Day Service

Sunday, November 12, 2006 : St. James Lutheran Church at 10:30 am

Guest Speaker : U.S. Army Major, Veteran of Iraq, Major Chris Spohn ( Principal of Hamburg High School)


" God Is Our Refuge and Strength" Pastor Charles E. Fair

Senator Kerry ( You Should Be Ashamed )

SENATOR, Please apologize to our Armed forces. I lost all respect for you after your comments.

Wisdom

Simple Wisdom:" Cherish doubts that come, for they are magnifying glasses that clarify thoughts, beliefs, and dreams."

Don't Forget

Reset your clock: Turn time back (1) hour

Don't Forget

Don't forget to change your clock: Reset your clock by turning it back 1 hour

Robert Rich Jr. Worth $1.5 Billion

A taskmaster father taught Bob Rich one lesson: Beat the competition

Foul Language

I will not post a comment that has foul words in it. I have students who look at this Blog.

Story prompted decision on vote

Editor: After reading your account of the Hal Baker/Dante Santoni debate, I have decided to vote for Baker (Baker,Santoni trade accusations in debate for 126th District seat, Reading Eagle,Oct.18th.

If Baker decided his own pay as acting county administrator, which I seriously doubt,
then I'd say he was being very generous to the county. His predecessor, Gary Henderson,was making approximately $13,000 more than the salary Baker received to do the same job, a whopping 15 percent reduction in cost to the county.

This hardly reeks of greed. In industry,when we're occasionally forced to fill a high-level position on an interim basis,we typically pay a premium for the service. We'd be thrilled with a 15 percent discount.

The 15 percent sounds familar. Oh yes, isn't that how much of a raise Santoni voted to give himself ?

The attack on Baker's voting record was not supported with any hard evidence. Can Santoni provide the basis for this accusation? I suspect not, probably because it's simply not true. These appear to be groundless accusations.

Chuck Hafer /printed in the Reading Eagle

Department of Justice Press Release

Former County Commissioner Jeff Germany Sentenced to 43 months in Federal Prison

Birmingham, AL - Today in U.S. District Court former Jefferson County Commissioner, Jeff Germany, was sentenced to forty-three months in federal prison, and ordered to pay $126,830 in restitution. Germany is set to report to prison on December 11, 2006.

In June 2006, Germany was found guilty on four counts of Federal Program Fraud and one count of Conspiracy Commit Federal Program Fraud. The verdict was reached by the federal jury after about 6.5 hours in deliberation, and a week long trial that was held before U.S. District Judge Robert Propst.

"Germany betrayed the trust of the people who elected him by trading the power and influence of his office for money and personal gain", said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "Our Public Corruption Task Force will continue to aggressively pursue public corruption crimes, and I encourage the public to report misconduct to our office for investigation".

Germany, 58, of Birmingham, was charged by an indictment filed July 28, 2005, which was superseded by an indictment filed September 28, 2005. Specifically, the five count indictment charged that Germany for a period of time in October and November 2000, misapplied or caused to be misapplied, through entities known as the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity and Med Health Management, property and funds valued at $19,000 for the use and benefits of Germany's wife.

The evidence in this case further revealed that Germany, during October and November 0f 2000, did misapply or caused to be misapplied through entities known as the Jefferson County Committee of Economic Opportunity and the East Thomas Baseball Association. Continuing in November 2000, Germany misapplied funds and property in the approximate amount of $14,990 through the East Thomas Baseball Association.

The indictment also charged and the jury found that Germany conspired to misapply these funds. Germany was an elected official during which time the funds were misapplied and benefitted by those funds.

"This conviction is further evidence of our resolve to punish those who trade the public trust for personal gain", states Alabama General Troy King. "We continue to pursue and hold accountable those who have betrayed those they serve".

Tax Commission To Meet

Tax Study commission will meet tonight at the school administration bldg.

Mold Issues At Reading High School

The administration, told me this morning that students have been placed in another room other then #212 and #214. I suggested removing the current carpet over the Holidays. I'm hopeful that this will be finished asap. Thank you

What's Your Pleasure???

The pleasures of ignorance are as great, in their way, as the pleasures of knowledge.

- Aldous Huxley

Quote of the Week

"I think I'd just commit suicide."
- Senator John McCain (R-Ariz),when asked what he would do if Democrats gain control of the House and Senate, Quad- City Times,Oct.18,2006

Treasonous Tax

The death tax punishes virtue and rewards vice. It very powerfully tells older Americans, "You can't take it with you, and you can't leave it to your children", encouraging lavish overconsumption and discouraging the traditional American virtues of thrift and intergenerational savings. It discourages class mobility by making it impossible for many Americans to leave their businesses and farms to children and grandchildren, building wealth across generations.

The Founders considered seizing estates at death so outrageous that they included a clause in the U.S. Constitution that forbids it as a punishment for treason; it is time to stop taxing estates as a punishment for achieving the American Dream.

- PHILIP G. KERPEN, Free Enterprise Fund,
New York Sun

School Board Meeting Till All Hours

Reading School Directors met last night and their meeting lasted untill 11:40 pm. We voted on Albert Boscov's Goggle Apartment project. The board voted 9-0 to accept Mr. Boscov's proposal.

Thank you

Thanks, I have just passed 3,075 hits this month on this blog. I really appreciate the continual interest in this site. Remember, It's a great day in the neighborhood.

Smile

A smile today will make someone happy and not sad. Remember, It's a great day in the neighborhood!

FBI Careers

Google search FBI and look for the site on FBI Careers. This might be a good topic for a senior project.

Green Mold,Purple Mold, Black Mold, It Is Still Mold

It doesn't matter what it looks like. Please, if you have some time check room #212,and#214. Then sit down behind the computer and try and stay in your seat. I'll be curious if you will stay seated without having to blow your nose or wipe your eyes.

Remember, It's a great day in the neighborhood!

Thought For Today

Simple Wisdom:"Don't worry when you stumble. It will just focus your attention more closely on the path so you can avoid a fall later on."

Drum Roll Please

Thank you, for the 17,000 hits to this blog site. This site has become more popular since WEEU will not let me speak on their Radio Station.

Mold Issues At Reading High School

To the students at Reading High School : Please take a survey and sign your name if you have breathing issues when your'e in these rooms,#104,#109,#208,#212,#214 and room #221. Please,make a copy and send to your teachers, principal, Dr.Thomas Chapman and the Reading School Board. PS. and also the guidance office on the third floor

Thank you , Keith Stamm /A concerned parent and School Director

Tax Study Commission Meets

The Tax Study committee held their first meeting last night.Members of this committee are
Mr. Wayne Bealer, Ms. Maria Baez, Mr.Phillip Coles, Mr. Eric Holm, Mr. Joesph Kelleher, Mr.Herbert Schneider, Mr. James Washington, Ms. Paulette Williams, Mr. Keith Stamm

Department of Justice Press Release

Camden - Two Atlantic City councilmen pleaded guilty today, admitting that they both accepted bribes - one from an undercover FBI agent and a contractor working with the FBI, the other from a businessman seeking city contracts for an associate, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Ramon Rosario, 48, admitted before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez that he accepted a total of $14,000 in bribes from between August 2004 and November 2004 in exchange for his official influence in the award of city development contracts.

Gibb Jones, 79, admitted before Judge Rodriguez that he accepted more than $5,000 in regular cash payments in 2003 from a businessman seeking city development contracts for an associate.

"Sadly, this is more of what we've already seen in Atlantic City - council members sworn to protect the public interest selling their oaths for bribe money", said Christie. "The culture of corruption persists from north to south Jersey. Hopefully, corrupt public officials will finally start to recognize the peril of their conduct and resist their greedy, criminal impulses".

The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office investigation into public corruption in Atlantic City and Atlantic County is continuing. Rosario pleaded guilty to one count of attempted extortion under color of official right, which carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Jones pleaded guilty to extortion under color of official right, which carries the same maximum penalties. However, under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Rosario and Jones each face a probable sentencing range of between 24 and 30 months in federal prison. Judge Rodriguez, however, is not bound by the Sentencing Guidelines and can impose sentences within that range, above it or below it. Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Rosario, who has been an Atlantic City councilman since January 2002, acknowledged at his plea hearing that the city was interested in development of a 6.4 acre waterfront site - known as the Garwood Mills site - as well as the 190 acres of land comprising the Bader Field Airport.

Rosario admitted that in 2004, he met with an individual who held himself out to be a "Wall Street investor", who unbeknownst to Rosario was actually an undercover FBI agent. A contractor that the "Wall Street investor" was purportedly backing was a cooperating witness for the FBI.

Rosario said that the cooperating witness told him he wanted development and construction work in Atlantic City, including the Gardwood Mills and Bader Field sites.

Thereafter began a series of payments accepted by Rosario from the undercover FBI agent and cooperating witness. Rosario admitted taking:

> a $5,000 cash payment on August 31, 2004
> a $4,000 cash payment on August 4, 2005
> a $1,500 payment on November 22, 2004
> a $3,500 payment on December 7, 2004

Jones, on the city council from 1997 until his resignation this August, admitted that he took regular cash payments that totaled more than $5,000 from a businessman interested in obtaining city contracts for a business associate. In fact, Jones admitted, he voted in favor of contracts for the business associate.

Christie credited Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leslie G. Wiser, in Newark, with the investigations of Callaway, Sloan El and Jacobs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas J. Eicher and Judith H. Germano, both of the U.S. Attorney's Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark - Defense Counsel: for Jones - Jerrold Colton, Esq. for Rosario - Michael Huff, Esq.

Please Keep Your Comments Coming

My commentary on this site is to inform the taxpayers of Reading,Pa. I feel they need to be told the total story. My opinion won't always make you feel good.

With all this money being spent on the Goggle Works,couldn't some of these monies have helped keep our K-9 dogs dogs on the police force.

Department of Justice Press Release

Former UCSF Employee Indicted on Public-Corruption Charges

San Francisco-United States Attorney Kevin V. Ryan announced that a federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted a former contract employee in the procurement office of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), on public-corruption charges. Steven Donnelly is charged with selling confidential bid information to a competing vendor bidding on a UCSF contract. The prosecution is the result of a two month investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of California, San Francisco Police Department.

"UCSF is entitled to an honest and truly competitive bidding process on this important fiber optics project," U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan said. "According to this indictment, a contract employee of UCSF breached his duty of honest services by undermining the competitive bidding process at a public university."
According to the indictment, Mr. Donnelly, 45, of Clayton, Calif., was involved in the competitive bidding process for a contract to install fiber optics to connect all of UCSF's satellite offices in the San Francisco Bay Area. By June 2006, the competitive bidding process had been narrowed to AT & T and Verizon Business. In June, 2006, Verizon's bid was sent back for re-evaluation and refinement of pricing based upon a technical study Verizon was conduting on the project.
In August 2006, Mr. Donnelly allegedly met with a Verizon employee and offered to provide the employee with AT & T's confidential bid information in exchange for a BMW. Donnelly later met with the employee and agreed to provide the employee with a thumb drive containing the confidential material for $5,000 rather than the BMW. Verizon fully cooperated in this investigation.

Mr. Donnelly was arrested this afternoon and made his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco today before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte, where he was released on $50,000 bail with electronic monitoring. His next scheduled appearance is on October 17, 2006, before U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup. The indictment was returned under seal on October 5, 2006, and unsealed this afternoon.
The maximum statutory penalty for theft of honest services mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341,1346 and 2 is 20 years and a fine of $250,000. However, any sentence following confiction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. &3553.

An indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, Mr. Donnelly must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Robin Harris is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Tyle Doerr.

Our City Reading Board

Did you know that Dr. Thomas Chapman is a memeber of "Our City Reading executive board." Maybe, this explains why the Reading School District was charged to send students to The Famous Goggle Works without School Board approval.

Goggle Works Comments

Please,keep sending in your comments. These comments make this blog site very interesting. Did you know someone from the U.S.House of Representatives comes to this site frequently?

Goggle Works Is Losing Money

Dr.Chapman told several school board memebers yesterday that the Famous Goggle Works was losing money. He reported to us that they lost over $100,000 last year

Annual Republican Dinner

Pat Toomey, former U.S. Congressman was the guest speaker at the Annual Republican dinner last night. I realized after hearing him speak why Forbes Magazine labeled him "Congressman Courageous."

Possible Solution For Tenants

Landlord steals gas;tenants must move
The federal government won't subsidize rent at Metropolitan Management Group buildings,whose owner went to prison last week. Mayor Tom McMahon can now take his tainted campaign funds and help contribute towards the rent. This is the same Mayor who told us that he likes to hear Spanish on his street. Does the Mayor really live in the City Of Reading?

"Don't Tread On Me"

Flags with "Dont Tread On Me" and a rattlesnake printed on them were flown on the first ships of the Continental Navy in the Delaware River in 1775. The Secretary of the Navy, Gordon R. England, has ordered all U.S. Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack in place of the Union Jack for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism.

What A Shame!!!

City Council voted for Maria Baez to replace Council woman Donna Reed.This is another issue that city government just keeps trying to shove down our throats. Jenaro Pullano who only lost by approximately 50 votes was the real voice of the people in that district.

Simple Wisdom

"The health and growth of a family,like a community,depends on how well its citizens care for one another."

Energy Committee Update At Reading High School

Subject:Pool Lighting: Switches for overhead Pool Lights are bad(Work Orders were written to fix)
Base Information to be obtained on heating zones
Survey of School district's Marquee's to begin on Monday
Please inform me or one of my Energy students if the hot water is too hot through out the school

Amy Engler & Matthew Stout Marriage

Congratulations to Amy and Matt for becoming Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Stout today.

Volunteers Needed For The Polls

If ,anyone is interested in helping at the polls on election day please let me know.

JROTC Open House At High School

Awesome, is the best way to describe watching young students perform their drills. When anyone ever is critical about our young people, I will often ask them if they have witnessed our ROTC students. This program is one of Reading School District's best kept secrets.

Municipal Trash /For or Against

Please,e-mail me with how you feel about your private hauler. Remember,It's the choice the people should and will have that counts.

Excitement For Energy Committee

Many issues were discussed at our energy meeting yesterday.These issues,
you will hopefully see printed in your school newspaper and here about them during the morning announcements.

I'm very proud of the (4) students who are volunteering their time, to make Reading High School a better place for students and staff.

Comment On Reporter Don Spatz's Column

"Council should properly reject rabble -rouser" Don , why isn't it ok to be divisive? Open and Public debate is healthy for government. When you have everyone on the same page it creates corruption. Please, use your talents as a reporter by doing some investigative reporting and you might be surprised.

To Teachers Who Are Discouraged

O teachers, so weary, discouraged,
Wornout with the cares of the day,
You often grow cross and impatient,
Complain of the noise and the play;
For the day brings so many vexations,
Your cares seem to stretch out a mile;
But,teachers,whatever may vex you
Send the pupils home with a smile!

This is part of a poem written by Fern Long in June 1927

Reading Hospital & Mayor Tom McMahon

Why is the Reading Hospital getting involved with local politics? I guess there part of The Old Good Boy network.( The issue about the Trash )The hospital is evidently choosing sides and agreeing with Tom (Liberal Strange McMahon.)

Energy Committee Update

Attendees:Keith Stamm (Nelson Diaz,Maire Moriarty,Ian Gavigan
William Knowles
Dennis Kelley
Ray Albert

Items Dicussed:Temperatures in class rooms,thermostats,lights at swimming area, and a side issue of mold locations through-out the highschool.
We were told that it's very labor intensive to investigate if our thermostats work. Maybe,we need a consultant for all this investigative work?

Drum Roll Please

Thank you for over 16,000 hits to my blog site. Who is worried about my energy committee in the Reading High School ? Are you afraid it will take your job away?

Congratulations Jessica Sedoti

I,almost forgot to mention Jessica who is also featured on page #2 of Voices.

Congratulations Ian Gavigan

Please, read Ian's article that was published in the Voices section of The Reading Eagle.This article is titled It's more than a band,it's a lifestyle and was in the October 10th edition of the newspaper.

If You're New To Blog Land

If, this is your first time to my site please take a moment and review my archive files.There are several other blogs who have a link to my site. Just click on them if the Title of their blog is of interest to you.

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble

We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking his guidance.

Teachers Salaries In 1892

1st grade teacher of girls was $26.00/per month
3rd grade teacher of girls was $32.00/per month
Those who taught boys was $33.00/per month
The highest paid educator other then the superintendent was the Principal of Boys High which drew$150.00/per month
Principal of Girls High received $100.00 /per month

Quote For Thought

"Love is the measure of all holiness."

Monsignor Felix Losito

Energy Committee

Items to be discussed are lighting in the pool area,Lighting at the new Reading Muhlenberg VoTech,Thermostats,and how many heating zones are in the high school.

To The Person From Pa Progressive

Why don't you have the courage to tell me who you are? Remember,The Truth Will Always Set You Free

www.OpenSecrets.org

Columbus Day Banquet

Where was Mayor Tom McMahon? Such notables like Representative Dante Santoni, Senatorial Candidate Mike Folmer, and Senator Mike O'Pake were in attendance. I had a wonderful time at this banquet.

Simple Wisdom

"Rocks and sticks can become either walls or bridges.The blueprint is written on the heart of the architect."

Tax Commission Study

What do we tell the volunteers when they ask about our 600 long distance phone lines. Do I need to tell them were not focused on the big picture. I will refer them to my administration and the rest of the school board.

Thought For Today

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson

Senator Hillary Clinton Contributions

I did not say that these contributions were illegal. These companies and amounts were listed in a paper called Human Events. Please,forgive me if I upset one of my liberal friends.Remember, Democrats are my friends also.
5,000 Democrats voted for me when I ran my first political race.

Holly Herman's Blog / Reading Eagle Reporter

Click on Holly's August archives and look at comments under Kevin Timochenko. Then look at who sent letters to the judge in the court room. Do these people have some connection to Kevin? Did they all contribute to Mayor Tom McMahon's campaign? I will continue to follow the money trail to find out what is going on in Reading,Pa. We have many notables on this list.Thanks Mr. Boscov for not being on this list!

Comment On Liberals

Thankyou, for letting me know about my spelling and grammar errors.If, this is all you find fault with I'll be very happy. Remember, most of what is put on here is during my busy day or evening. I normally correct any errors over time. Thanks again for your support and interest in this Blog site.

Proud Of Our Homecoming Court

Meeting with Mr Pierre Cooper and Mrs. Karen McCree:

Today, I met with Karen and Pierre and we discussed several issues.
#1 How proud I was to see our students dress professionally at Homecoming.
#2 Mold issues at the High School on the third floor.
#3 Our continued efforts regarding security
#4 Our continued success with JROTC

Energy Committee To Meet October 11th,2006

Subjects we will discuss are:#1 Lighting at the swimming pool after hours
#2 Ways to publicize energy costs and savings
#3 How many thermostats actually work at Reading High School
#4 How many zones of heating do we have?
#5 How many zones of cooling do we have?

This Should make your Brain Work

Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on public liberty.

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty. James Madison

Electric Bills For The New Magnet Schools

TF Magnet $5,328.07
GL Magnet $3,532.00

This Man was 100 years ahead of his time

In, Sepetember of 1820,Thomas Jefferson writes, "I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves;and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion,the remedy is not to take it from them,but to inform their discretion by education.This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power."

School Directors And Trips

When any CEO or regular employee goes on any educational seminar, they normally give a report on what they learned. It would be neat to see if there are any school directors out in blog land who actually have learned ways to save money. Spending more money isn't always better for education. We all know the liberal agenda of the NEA (National Education Association)Remember,It's a great day in the neighborhood!

Quote Of The Day

"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." Thomas Jefferson

Thankyou For My Blog's Success

I just passed the 15,000 hit milestone with out advertising this blog. To my supporters, I'm forever grateful. I'm also happy that my liberal friends continue to read my blog. I know, it's hard to believe that Keith Stamm might have some liberal friends.

City Councilman Steve Fuhs Attacks Keith Stamm and William Cinfici

Steve Fuhs , the current city councilman went after Keith Stamm and Will Cinfici at the local city committee meeting. The issues which Steve didn't agree with Will and I were #1( Trash to be taken away by the city vs. the private hauler. The #2 ISSUE was a pre settlement inspection done by the city before a person sells their home.

I asked,Steve Fuhs to tell us why our Mayor received a $5,000 contribution from Kevin Timochenko.Was this to avoid a pre- settlement review of his properties? Steve, of course wasn't able to answer the question.

If Steve Fuhs would act like a Republican and not a left wing Democrat, maybe he would receive our support.

Odors At 10th and Penn Elementary

Problem: Reports of numerous odors! Was this problem corrected?Do we need an outside contractor for this odor to be corrected? Will our state of the art facilities department be able to establish what is wrong? Hey,I have a brother who is an expert in this field,maybe I need to call him???

Senator Hillary Clinton Wants you to believe she is for the poor

Follow The Money Trail: The Top Ten Contributors to Senator Clintons 2006 campaign are as follows.
#1 Goldman Sachs $168,290
#2 Metropolitan Life $154,100
#3 Citigroup,Inc $141,000
#4 Corning,Inc $133,400
#5 Morgan Stanley $105,810
#6 Time Warner $104,960
#7 Skadden,Arps $90,030
#8 International Profit Associates $88,400
#9 New York Life Insurance $86,000
#10 Ernst&Young $73,775

Knowledge Is Power

"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
James Madison

A Moment Of Prayer

Please,Take a moment today to pause and add the young Amish girls who were murdered in your prayers.

School Director Trips Must Be Stopped On The State Level

The abuse of these trips will continue until your State Representatives and State Senators change the law. They will not change this law quickly because they are also entitled to taxpayer funded trips.

Department of Justice Press Release

Former Government Official is Third to Plead Guilty in $1.4 million Virgin Islands Bribery Scandal

Washington - The former Director of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Division of Environmental Protection pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Virgin Islands government of approximately $1.4 million, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Anthony J. Jenkins of the District of the Virgin Islands announced today.

Hollis L. Griffin, 43, entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper in Atlanta, Ga. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and $1.4 million in forfeiture. Sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 19, 2006 at 8:30 am.

Griffin was previously charged in the District of the Virgin Islands on June 21, 2006, along with former Virgin Islands Fire Service employee Earl E. Brewley and Esmond J. Modeste, the purported Project Manager of a fictitious company by the name of Elite Technical Services (Elite), with engaging in an elaborate bribery and kickback scheme to defraud the territorial government of approximately $1.4 million in federal and local funds. Brewley and Modeste pleaded guilty to the charges before U.S. District Judge Curtis V. Gomez on July 12, 2006. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 15, 2006. At Griffin's request, the case against him was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta for purposes of entering a guilty plea and sentencing.

According to court documents, in early 2000, Griffin, Brewley, Modeste, and others formed Elite and then used the fictitious company, as well as other companies, to seek and be awarded at least seven government contracts valued at approximately $1.4 million. Although little or no actual work was performed on the contracts-which were awarded by DPNR and the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement (DP & P) on behalf of DPNR and the Virgin Islands Fire Service-payments totaling over $1.1 million were made to Elite and the other companies. Once the contract proceeds were paid to Elite and the other companies, Brewley, Modeste, and others paid bribes and kickbacks totaling between $300,000 and $350,000 to at least four territorial government officials including Griffin.

Griffin, like Brewley and Modeste, pleaded guilty to engaging in a five-year conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, honest services mail fraud, and structuring currency transactions, all in violation of federal law. Many of the contracts in issue were funded with federal monies and both the DPNR and and the Fire Sevice received annual appropriations of federal funds with which to fund such programs and contract awards. A series of $9,900 cash withdrawals-totaling over $350,000-were allegedly made by Brewley, Modeste, and others after depositing certain contract proceeds into FirstBank, Wachovia and Banco Popular. Like Brewley and Modeste, Griffin admitted that these cash withdrawls were made in order to pay the bribes and kickbacks in cash while avoiding the filing of Currency Transaction Reports by the local banks.

This case is being jointly prosecuted by Armando O. Bonilla of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Major R. Coleman of the Virgin Islands. The task force investigating this case comprises agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Treasury Department/Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Environment Protection Agency Office of the Inspector General. The Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General also assisted in this investigation.

Compensation For School Directors

Why do some school directors feel they need to be compensated for their time ? I give countless hours to the Reading School District. When I ran for this public office I was aware that school directors weren't compensated.

Corey Kemp The Continuous Saga

Please, read this month's Philadelphia magazine for the latest on Corey Kemp. This article let's you know what is wrong with politics in general. The Truth will always set you free.

Do You Have Passion In Eyerything You Do?

" The future does not belong to those who are content with today.... Rather,it will belong to those who can blend passion,reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American Society."
Robert F. Kennedy

Quote For Thought

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

William Penn

The Energy Committee

In the near future the energy committee will look at lighting in the pool area of the high school. Another area that I would like to look at are thermostats in the hallways. We need to know what temperature these thermostats are set for. Im convinced we can save at least 20% of our total energy bill.

Lights Found On At New Soccer Field

Approxitemately, at 8:20pm last night I found the New lights on with no one around. It's a great day in the neighborhood! Please, who ever was involved with this mishap remember lights that are left on do cost dollars. These dollars can purchase alot of books.

Security In Schools

Please,If you find any doors unlocked or open report it to our security office at 5235. You may also call direct at (610)371-5235

If You Have An Idea

The energy committee is always looking for new ways to save energy. If you have any ideas,please tell us or E-mail (STAMK@AOL.COM

Energy Committee Success

Today, the new energy saving bulbs were installed at Reading High School. Please take a look and see how much brighter these lights are. Thankyou to everyone involved with this committee.

Liberal Spending Will Continue For Junkets

Liberal Spending will go from $11,000 to about $15,000 do to the superintendent going to SanFrancisco also.

Recent Utility Bills

RHS: UGI bill was $2,692.84 (9/29/06

RHS: Electric bill was $32,611.22(8/22/06

NEMS: Electric bill was $12,759.35(8/22/06

TS: Electric bill was $7,015.35(8/22/06

SOMS: Electric bill was$6,913.98(8/22/06

Spending At Lauers Park Elementary

October 1st,2006: Today, Will Cinfici and I went to look at Lauers Park. We wanted to see where over $12,000 was supposedly spent on landscaping,topsoil,and stones. I'm glad it wasn't my $12,000 because we didn't see that much was done for this money.

Former President Jimmy Carter

Recently, Former President Carter made statements regarding current President George Bush. He reminded me why I became a republican.

When You Meet A Stranger

"A smile is the best place for strangers to meet; a laugh, a sturdy bridge upon which to stand and get acquainted."