Happy New Year To The Pagoda

The Pagoda had a crowd tonight. I was concerned because when I was there it was dark outside without any security.Hopefully nobody was held up. Notables who were there:Donna Reed,Marcia Goodman Hinnershitz,Commissioner Christian Leinbach.

Will The Reading Eagle Investigate?

Will Don Spatz Reading Eagles top investigative reporter find out where the City of Reading came up with the money for fireworks at The Pagoda?? I think every member of City Council including the Mayor needs to be asked this question?

Fireworks at The Pagoda

Does the City of Reading have the money for this ? They tell everyone that their broke.They can't pay for two officers that were at the High School for at least (5) years.I guess the Mayor and coucil can be sued individually also if someting drastic happens at Reading High School!!

Reading High School Custodians

Please, report all plumbing leaks to supervision.Water isn't free forever.

Reading High School Girls Basketball @ 8-0

Undeafeated is awesome is the only way to describe their 8-0 record.Defense and keeping their eye on the basket are two key things for this team to winning it all.

Great Defense Guys

Congratulations to first year coach Tim Redding and Reading Red Knight style basketball.Nine wins and only two losses.Defense is what really made this thing happen.Coach reward the team with no suicides because as Marcus told everyone we have to protect our house.Congratulations has to go to the Reading High School Girls team for their big win over Parkland.Reading girls are undeafted at 8-0.

Congratulations Reading High Basketball

Congratulations to first year coach Tim Redding and the Reading high school boy's basketball team for their 8th win.

Taxes,Taxes,Taxes,Taxes

Reading city council voted 4-3 to raise property taxes.This was my prediction on Election night.According to Mayor McMahon and Don Spatz of The Reading Eagle the city was in terrific financial shape.

Graffiti EveryWhere

Did the famous artist Haring come alive ? It's amazing how things happen after a certain artist was promoted by The Reading School District.What is the City of Reading now known for ? Graffiti is the Battle Cry!

Safety Of Students and Staff Should be Paramount

The Reading School District has the money to pay for the two needed Policemen at the High School.Lancaster School District pays for the police at their High School.
The City is Broke because of their descisions.$1,000,000 for the rebuild of The Pagoda.$1,000,000 again out of the City Budget for The Goggle Works.

The blame needs to be on City Council including the Mayor of Reading.The safety of students and staff needs to be a top priority.We cannot continue to look the other way and think that things can't happen in this High School.The last 90 suspensions had at least 80 known Gang Members.How can a Teacher even defend themselves let alone an unarmed security guard.

We still have Board members who won't admit that things happen at Reading School District. They continue to blame the Reading Eagle and The Reading Police department.These same Board members need to be involved when a situation arrises and just maybe they would think a little different on certain issues.

Which State is The Most Corrupt of Them All?

New York Times story,Pennsylvania either ranks 4th,17th or 13th.If you calculate by the number of convictions at local,state, and federal levels in the 50 states,the District of Columbia and three United States territories,Pennsylvania ranks 4th with Florida taking the #1 prize.If you calculate it based on a survey of journalists, Pennsylvania ranks 13th.

What laws have been passed or even proposed to eliminate corruption??

Looking For New School Directors

Ever think about making a Huge difference in the Safety of Reading High School?Contact: Keith Stamm to discuss the future of the Reading School Board

#links#links#links Fairness Doctrine

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Merry Christmas

Letter to Editor in today's Reading Eagle:Police presence is essential

Editor: It required a mortality to get city code inspectors to scrutinize rental properties.Is homicide the prerequisite to securing police presence at Reading High School.
Last school year at Reading High, a police officer was struck with a rock.This year ,one was struck with a brick.If a police officer is not safe,then what prospect does a student have? The necessity is obvious: A police presence is imperative at Reading High.
Mayor Tom McMahon has made the asinine assumption that the city cannot afford to have officers at the school. We cannot afford the violent death of a student.
Police Chief William Heim's proposal offered police protection with a $1,000--a-day price tag. Somehow this reminds me of a racket Al Capone once had dominated.

Students safety should not be compromised for monetary reasons. Our children deserve a safe education.The police presence is essential.

James Moore from Reading

Security Cameras Should Go On Citadel Now

Security cameras should be put on The Citadel now during construction to save on costs.One advantage of doing it now it would help protect the building and property from vandals.

Scene at The Geigle Complex

I wasn't there but I heard of the commotion at the basketball game on 12/22/08.The player who acted like a elementary student should be suspended for at least (10) days.
Will politics enter the decision again?? Throw a team uniform into the stands. Student acted like a child instead of an young adult.This wasn't the first time this student acted like grade school.

Latest Piece of Corruption

Please, read Tim Darragh's article of The Morning Call December 24th,2008. This article deals with a Easton Sports Firm cheating N.J. Schools.

Thanks For checking This Blog

Thank You to Penske Truck Leasing to Somebody from the Department of Energy Washington D.C.for lookiing at my Blog.

Ever Want To Be a School Director??

Please, contact Keith Stamm about this and we will meet.

Feel Good Mayor Backs Gun Ordinance

The same Feel Good Mayor who backs city Gun ordinance doesn't support two policemen in the Reading High School.This is the same Mayor who eliminated our Dog force.Would several officers be alive today if the Mayor didn't eliminate our dogs???

People To Blame On Police

All of City Council for voting to spend $1,000,000 on The Pagoda. The Mayor for removing the police when Karen McCree became Board President. The (8) members of the Reading School Board who voted no for the Two Police officers to return to Reading High School.Hopefully something Drastic doesn't happen.
Remember the OJ trial and how he was sued in civil court.

When You See A Reading School Director

The next time that you see a Reading School Director please tell them how you feel about Police in Reading High School.Public pressure is needed to bring back the two police officers.

Congratulations Boy's Basketball

Congrats on the victory over Gov. Mifflin

At What Price Security?

What price are Reading School Directors putting on the safety of students and staff?

Editorial in today's Reading Eagle is interesting.The city should show this school board on paper how much two police officers will cost.I'm hopeful that if they do this these same Directors will become smart and vote for the police.

Reason to bear Arms

The strongst 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

Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

Corruption Watchdog Blasts Obama Labor Secretary Nominee; Hilda Solis Supports Coercive Card Check and Says Illegal Aliens are Americans

Corruption Watchdog Blasts Obama Labor Secretary Nominee; Hilda Solis Supports Coercive Card Check and Says Illegal Aliens are Americans

Stamm On Feedback Thursday

I stated that I hoped Senator O'Pake was listening to feedback.I think that the city should call the FBI and hire them to do a study for the Reading School district and the City of Reading.I'm sure Senator Arlen Spector could arrange this.
Items to be studied:How many police officers are needed at Reading High School? Should the police bring in Drug Sniffing dogs?,Should all students have to go through Metal detectors?,Are security guards deemed useless without weapons?,Does Hampden Park need more lighting for safety?
Items for the City:Is there corruption in the Reading Police department?,How many Police officers are needed in Reading to keep the city safe?, Should all officers work and have a partner on their assigned shift? What is needed to chase the crime out of Reading?

Lunch Period at High School Today

Two students were removed by Reading School District security guards at Lunch period near 11am.If certain students can't behave they might need to be in different Lunch periods.

Bricks Used In Melee@Reading High School

The word on the street is that certain Gang members brought the bricks that were used in their cars.Most of the administration wanted to say that the press and police exaggerated the incident.

The incident evidently happened because Police officers were hurt.Students need to learn how to respect authority period.Parents must understand that if they don't become involved with their children the odds of them succeeding in society is very much reduced.

Top Cop In Los Angeles Says Cutting Crime Pays

"The cost of a homicide to the city is $1,000,000 citing an estimate based on a study by the National Institute of Justice that takes into account such costs as criminal trials and police salaries.they reduced the homicide rate by nearly 300 in six years.That's a $300 million annual benefit to the city."

Very Interesting Quote

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency,first by inflation,then by deflation,the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

Thomas Jefferson in 1802

Reading Finances

Why can't Marlin Miller, Albert Boscov,Mike Ehlerman,etc. meet with their accountants and develop a plan for the city and its future.

Congratulations To Reading Girls Basketball

Congatulations to Coach Dancy and Reading High girls for the 69-48 win over Chester.

Swaps Still Making The News

Google search Joe Mysak from Bloomberg News and read about Bond Swaps dated November 28th.Remember :Follow the Money Trail

Safety At Reading School District

All tools should be used to ensure the safety of students and staff.Items that should be considered: Drug Sniffing Dogs,Metal detectors,Security entrance cards,Reading police officers on duty.Over 4,000 people work and go to school at Reading High School from the City of Reading.What price tag will the administration and certain Board members put on a life???

Reality of Safety At Reading High School

To School Board members who never had any children of their own:I find it difficult for them to accept that they put money before safety.My own daughters life is worth more than $1,000,000 ,She is priceless. I have suggested numerous times for them to leave the safety of their homes and walk through Reading High School.
I think they might come away with the idea that money should not be put in front of safety. These same Board members voted to spend money (over $70,000 for food at meetings)Jumbo lump crab meat for one item. They also voted to send several members on Junkets all over the United States.This same Board voted to spend over $40,000 to Draw plans and build new trophy cases. I hope they can sleep well.My prayer and hope is that something drastic doesn't happen at Reading High school.If it does I will hold the administration and School Board accountable for their actions.What price tag do you put on a life??

Congratulations Reading Basketball

I think coach Tim Redding and I now have a few gray hairs. Reading basketball is just as exciting as ever. There hustle was terrific Wed. night in the win over Chester 76-72 in a double overtime. Trenity Burdine had a NBA type DUNK during this game.

Thank You For The Success

88,000 page loads to this site with a 3 month break.

Archive Files Worth Looking At

Please, review all archive files and you will be enlightened on politics.Please show this Blog site to all the people that you know.

Reading School Board Food Expense

The Reading School Board spent Approximately $70,000 on food at meetings this year.This included food at administrator meetings.They also voted to send Dr.Rose Merril James to go on a vacation to Hawaii to give a speech at a cost of $3,000 yet they can't vote for the safety of children and staff.

Reading School Board

The Reading School Board hired an Architect to draw plans for new Trophy cases.They also hired a General contractor to build these trophy cases.
The Reading School District has carpenters who are hired as district employees.Why can't they build these trophy cases?Or better yet,Why can't our Career Center help to build these trophy cases?
This is the same Reading School Board who put Money in front of the safety of students and staff.

Stamm Concerned for the Safety of all students and staff

Keith Stamm was the only Yes Vote to hire two police officers back. They were taken from our Reading High School last December under a new School Board President Karen McCree.I'm surprised she isn't more worried over the safety of her own child at the high school.
I will hold every School Board member responsible who Voted No if something happens to a student or staff.

Reading School Board Has Priorities Wrong

The Reading School Board thinks spending $40,000 on having new Trophy cases built is more important than having two policemen at Reading High School for the safety of our students and staff. The Vote was 8 to 1 against hiring two officers at $50,000 for each one.

Please, sign a petition if you agree with me and contact me with the signatures.

Congratulations Reading Basketball

Congratulations to Coach Tim Redding and the Reading High School boy's basketball.You beat my Alma Mater.Keep focused and above all keep up the hustle on every play.

City Budget???

Why don't City Council and The Mayor ever come up with something other than a Tax Increase??? How about a trash to steam plant??

School District needs to forget about the Hershey plant (the former Ludens building.)

We currently have enough sites for schools. The St. Joesph site can handle another school,Jewish Community center site could handle another school. Wher will the money come from??

Smile

Smile it will make you feel better.Maybe then we won't need so much Feel Good Government.

Holiday Concert Over Shadows Arrests

After attending Reading School District's Holiday concert it made me realize again what I already knew.The majority of our students are really good students and stay out of trouble. We just need to remove the bad apples.

I really appreciated the support the audience gave our students by coming to this concert. The house was full at Reading High School auditorium.

Superintendent Didn't Answer My Question?

Reading's School Superintendent didn't answer my question on Friday 12/12/08. I asked him how many times must a student be suspended before he or she isn't allowed to come back to school?
He constantly kept saying many times and never a number ??? The real question is why he was afraid to answer the question?

Remember. Follow The Money Trail, January of this year you will be able to ask for Public records.Transparency will make government better!

#links#links#links#links Corruption

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Simple Wisdom

"Embracing the treasures from our past,the beauty of today's moments,and the hope of tomorrow's promise,is as perpetual as time itself."

Answer to Question I received in a Comment

If I were Mayor I would have only proposed $250,000 of taxpayers money at most to be used on The Pagoda and the rest of the monies would need to come from private donations. The majority of taxpayer monies need to be used for the safety of this city. If that is to hire more police,dogs,special agents then that is what needs to be done.
I would also call on the FBI for suggestions and maybe contact former policemen Serpico from NewYork.
Honestly I believe we shouldn't be the only school in Pa. not paying for their water.But we do provide the city with many things (3)accounting people,Lawyers to fight tax assessment appeals,etc.,etc.
Reading taxpayers paid for Mayor McMahon's inauguration party at Reading High School.This came out of the School District's budget.
This sort of sounds like the city of Chicago.

City Of Reading Finances

I'm told the Mayor is suppose to be a vissionary.Where is his vision now to raise money for the city.I know raising money to pay bills isn't Feel Good Government.Why can't it be? I would feel real good if the city had a balanced budget.

Congratulations Boy's Basketball

Congratulations on last nights win.Remember, Stay focused and victory will happen again tonight.

#links#links#links (Another Article)

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Correction of Reading Eagle Article

Subject: Reading Eagle article dated 12/12/08 in B- section by Don Spatz regarding Reading City council and Reading School board are not on the same page. In the article Don said that I was threatening.
My statement was to Reading City Council and the Mayor. Please, think and be careful before you charge the Reading School district for water.We will then have to charge the city legal fees for the work which we now do on assessement appeals. The Reading School district also pays for three people in the cities finance department. If this sounded like a threat it wasn't. I was only explaining to elected officials of the city what the School Districts alternative might be if we are charged for water.

Why Do People Always Want to Blame The Newspaper

Please, don't blame the Newspaper for safety issues in Reading High School. They are only reporting based on the information they receive.

Committee Assignments for 2009

Facilities and Security:Chairperson (Keith Stamm),Joesph Breton,Harry Storch

Congratulations Reading High Basketball

Congratulations to the boy's basketball team for their win over Coatsville.Special mention to Marco Laureano for staying focused and being ready for the pass that turned into two leading points.

Drug Dogs Needed Again

After the recent violence at North East Middle School it proves again that Police dogs are needed to search our schools for not only drugs but weapons.I have been calling for Drug Sniffing dogs since I ran for Mayor of Reading.

Administrators must all be on the same page for discipline.

Graffiti Again and Again

This time the graffiti was orange in color. Gang members are working diligently replacing this graffiti in different colors. Location is the wall acoss from cottage in front of The Citadel.

Get Well Wishes to Demetry Melendez

Demetry Best Wishes for a speedy recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Maintenance Issues

LIGHT out in front of the Geigle Complex. Overflowing trash can in front of Geigle complex.
Are these maintenance issues happening because of poor management? or are, These issues going on because the maintenance employees want overtime to do their job???

Global Connect Complaint

Today ,I received a complaint from a parent about Global connect.The parent wanted to know why it took over (8) hrs. to receive a comment from the administration about a serious incident that took place Friday morning before the start of school. I know she told me the truth because I received the same Global connect message.

Visionary or Reality

Where is the Mayor's vision when reality sets in? The Pagoda and The Goggle Works are good things that need to be funded with private donations.Tax dollars need to be used for funding of Police,Firemen,and sewer projects.

Where is City Council now? Remember all of City Council supported the Mayor in the past election.

Do You Feel Safe?

I ask myself that question every morning. Especially after the recent knife attack of a NorthEast student. Thanks to the School Districts cameras the person who made the attack was caught.

Auditor General Jack Wagner Says Dept. of Education's Administration of Safe School Activities is Lacking

Auditor General Jack Wagner Says Dept. of Education's Administration of Safe School Activities is Lacking

Rendell Budget

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Will The Reading School District still receive a windfall?

Congratulations John Santoro

New Board President is John Santoro and Harry Storch is Vice President of the Reading School Board.

School Board Presidency

Karen McCree, Harry Storch,Yvonne Stroman,and John Santoro want it.Who will hold all the marbles when the votes come in??

Energy Suggestions For a School

(1) Automatic setback thermostats

(2) Tankless hotwater heaters

(3) Better insulation

(4) Turn Temp. back to 55 degrees over the weekend