Special Meeting Rehashes Old Issue

The special meeting(02-29-12) at the Independence Township building was to discuss an already settled issue. The issue was whether or not to keep Bankson Engineers, for Independence Township engineering needs.

This issue was decided back during the Reorganization meeting when the vote was 2 to 1 to go with Widmer Engineering Inc, a local company located in Washington pa. Widmer was one of four companies sending proposals, competing for the position of Township engineer

Bankson Engineers worked for the township around 28 years. some of the complaints are there no visible improvement with exception of, the newly added sewage system. The Newly built Township building is the only new building in the down town, since the Uni-Mart moved in 1993.

Ken Howard spoke for Bankson explaining what the company had done and could bring to the township. When a member of the audience ask why the two supervisors voted the way they did to replace Bankson. Supervisor Jennings replied that cost was a reason. After that the question was raised about the difference between Bankson and Widmer prices. Tom Jennings read the cost of Widmer while asking Ken Howard to explain Bankson’s cost pre-hour. Bankson’s cost was higher on the average of ten to twenty dollars on the hour.

The Three Ring Circus began after that. If you have not attended an Independence Township meeting, these antics are becoming to be expected. The old regime come to the meetings with the intent of interrupting the meetings. The meeting got so far out of hand that Tom Jennings had to adjourn the meeting.

ABA

End of an Era in Avella

Well, the end of an era will happen here in Avella Friday, (Febuary 26th 2010). Curtis Pharmacy will close its Avella store after 32 years of service. The lack of patronage and the economy are the biggest reasons that forced this very hard decision to shut the doors.

The thing that really is getting to me is that the people that are doing the most griping are those who don’t use the pharmacy. They go elsewhere, and if its bad they might get their prescription filled there, and bitch about it. However there is a sad side also, that is the older people that can’t get out, and get their orders delivered. Eric sees this dilemma also and to make it easy on his loyal customers, the Claysville pharmacy will continue to make deliveries, if they call their order into the Claysville Pharmacy. He also sent a letter to all the Avella customers explaining how it works.

We have seen this before in this town. The main killer of the economy in this town is the Uni-Mart. That isn’t really fair to blame it on the Uni-Mart, it’s the people that shot themselves in the foot and wonder why. There was a time when Avella had three stores, and four gas stations. Now we have two stores, one gas station, and two restaurants. Oh yea, and one bar where we had four in the town. And yet the people are killing what is left, in the name of three or four cents.

How long will it be until the town of Avella is no more? How long will it be until they rename the town Uni-Martvile? It getting close.

ABA

Which is More Dangerous, “Hunting“, or “Black Friday” Shopping?

It’s just another peaceful day in the quaint town of Avella. The sun is poking out of the clouds, this is soon to change if you can trust the local forecast. The first day of Rifle season for deer saw the tempters in 40s and rain. This is lousy weather for deer hunting, but right on que at first light it sounded like a shooting

Here in Pennsylvania, it is the second day of “Deer Season 2009” and the forth day of Christmas sopping season. I am not sure which has had the most injuries. It sounded like a shooting gallery here, and seeing as I live more in the rural part of the county, I am guessing it was at deer.

It has been years since I have done either. My job caused me to give up hunting, and it has been a couple of years since Santa has had to stop at our house. Notice I said, “Had to.” He still makes brief stops here. As far as the hunting aspect of it, here in Pa the first day of deer season is just as important as the holidays. Most school districts shut down for it, jobsites shutdown for It, and dinners have special meals for this day.

When it comes to “Black Friday”, I have very little experience, however I have heard a lot of war stories. The one time I did the Black Friday thing was right after I got married, and that was enough. My wife feels the same way I do about it. However, my In-laws live for this season. Well let me say, the men for the deer, and the ladies the shopping. No, that is not being sexist, however it is stereotypical.

This year I lost some of my respect for the people of the area when I heard, more people camped out at Sam’s Club to see Sara Palin, than camped out for the Black Friday “Door Buster Specials”. However, in other parts of the country “Door Buster Specials” reinforced my belief that there are still idiots out there. Riots breakout when the doors open to save a few dollars on a computer, or a game station, which will be over a hundred dollars cheaper in two weeks. This isn’t the smartest move, because you may pay five times that amount in hospital bills. People should at least wait until the Healthcare Bill is put in place. Then again, they might be practicing for the food lines that are coming.

So far, they have announced that ten hunters have been injured here in Pennsylvania, I typed, “People Hurt on Black Friday” in to Google and got a return of 30,000 hits. So, I say Hunting is safer. At least for the hunter.
ABA

Independence Township Washington County, Pennsylvania Report

“Say It Ain’t So!”

That is a saying when something is said that congers disbelief, and I heard such a statement this Thanksgiving.

As I was rushing around yesterday, getting ready for the Feast at my wife’s aunts house when the phone rang. On the other end was her mother, asking if we could run down to the place I hate with a passion and pick up a few things that they had overlooked, and a news paper.

As we pulled in the parking lot of (Da,da,da) The Uni-Mart. (da, da da.) I saw a person who was at the Township meeting the Wednesday before, so I went inside to tell him of my plans of putting the petition out, and to make sure no one had done the same thing. When I approached him he kind of looked around me, but when I ask the question he stopped and said the words that made me utter, “Say it ain’t so.”

I had asked him about the petition, and he cut me short saying, “It’s a done deal.” He started to tell me what the supervisors said at the meeting so I stopped him and told him I was there and that was not the impression I had gotten. Even though it was said, that there was nothing the people could do now. I hard a different tone in the voices when some one said, we could take it to court and get an injunction to stop it. After I had finished with the feeling I walked out of the meeting with, he told me it is a done deal and there is nothing that can be done. As turned to leave the store, I told him I will go forward with my plans.

Thinking like this is what has let the town get run into the ground. There is no fight left in the people. Every time we went to the meetings, we are told that there is nothing that can be done about anything. However to have it regurgitated back at me by the people that I thought were on my side, well let’s just say I see why my senior year was the last year we had a championship football team.

What has happen to the people of this area? There is no fight, and all bitch. Don’t get me wrong there are a small number of us that look for that confrontation, however more than not we are the ones that they bitch to. They are the same ones that can’t be found when their support is needed. When I have ask for signatures I have been told, oh no I don’t put my name on anything. The one that gets me is, “They are my friends and I don’t want to hurt feelings.” That one always floors me, you walk up on your friend screwing your spouse and you say nothing because you might hurt some feelings? This is as bad as that senior, because we are getting screwed.

Well that is about it for this entry. I will talk to some people and see if we are really done in our fight. Incase the supervisors are reading this, I will be talking to a few lawyer friends I have. To the people of Independence Township Washington county PA, I say, “Speak up, because on the level of local government we need to stick together.”

ABA

ps. Below is the petition I will put out.

A PETITION FOR:

THE STOPPAGE OF THE NEW TOWNSHIP BUILDING

We the Citizens and Taxpayers of Independence township, Washington County in the state of Pennsylvania, are opposed to the building of a new building to house the Supervisors for the above-mentioned township.

We feel there is no need for the spending of over a Half of Million Dollars on an unnecessary structure, when there are other alternatives.

There for, we the undersigned wish to see the progress of the plans for the building brought to a stop, and put to a public vote.

Print Name Address *Phone Number Signature

What Are They Trying to Pull on “We The People” of Independence Township

When I attended the Independence Township meeting on November 17, 2009, I was five minutes late, but missed only the opening formalities. I admit, I have been a lazy citizen when it comes to the township meetings. The last meeting I attended was about two years ago on the possibility of a police force. With that said, I have been keeping an eye on the building of a new Township Building and the police force, at least I thought I was. I was under the impression the building was to be paid for by grants. We were either lied to or, they felt it was not important to tell the citizenry plans had changed.

The meeting held on November 11, 2009, dedicated more time to the subject of reforming a police force in the township. According to the PA Focus, Mr. Wright said, it would be expensive. However, from what I have been told, it will be more expensive to continue on with the agreement with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s department. I have just found out that Independence Township still has a police department, at least on paper. It was never disbanded. I will explain that in another entry.

Now we are being told that the new Independence Township Building is a done deal, and that it has been public knowledge for two years now. This is not entirely true. As I said above, we were told the building would be paid for buy grants that the Supervisors had gotten. The fact is, the Half Million dollar (plus) building will be paid for with loans. How will those loans be paid? You guessed it, your taxes. (An important thing to remember is, if the Supervisors use any of the Stimulus money to pay for the build they will be breaking Federal laws.) You can find a copy of the Drawing for the new building at, PA Focus

Now to be fair, the Supervisors have said that the tax will not be raised for this project. However, we have heard this line of B.S. many times on all levels of government. You have to ask yourself, “If taxes won’t be raised how will they handle going from $600.00 a month to over $3000.00 a month. Will they cut the road repair budget, when we are being told that, (the money isn’t there now) to fix the roads right. To maintain the building after it is built without increasing taxes will be impossible, especially with the tax base dwindling every year. Also, when one of the main incomes to the town is rental properties.

I will placing a petition local businesses, and going door to door. Trying to gather enough signatures to show a judge and hope to get an injunction to stop any further movement on the building. So please sign a petition when you see them in a business, or someone comes to your door. It is time, we the tax paying residents of Independence Township, and The Avella Area school district, show the people we put in the office that we don’t see the need to spend the money on an unnecessary building when there is so much that our township desperately needs.

ABA

Update From the Bank Restoration Committee,and My Thoughts on the Town

There has been a fund raising effort going on in order to continue the renovations of the building. We have sold raffle tickets, that give you a chance at winning $600.00. We are also selling Kroger cards and a portion of the money goes towards the cause. When you by the card it is loaded with $5.00, you can refill the card with any amount you wish and a portion will go to help the Bank Building.

I have heard that the committee has run into some opposition from the township once again. Once again they are trying to hold up the project, and demolish the structure. We have also had some of the local youth brake the locks off the doors and steal the cleaning supplies and other equipment that had been stored in the building.

My Thoughts

What is needed in this township is law-enforcement, and not the State Police and County Sheriffs riding through two times a day. We need to hire one fulltime and one or two part-time officers. The wining I hear at the township meetings is that they don’t have the money to undertake this. “Well if that is the case, where did they get the money to by the old municipal building, too tear it down and build a new building on the site?” This will also cost about 40 to 60 thousand to hire an engineer to draw up the plans for the new building.

One of the major reasons the townwship cannot atract busineses to the area is lack of police protection. Why should we allow them to spend that kind of money on a building that is not really needed when the have plenty of builds that could house the office. I have been told that they need the space for records, and I have suggested that they have them put on a computer program, again I was told that they can’t afford it. We need to find out what they are doing with the tax dollars that we pay. The town looks like a dump, the roads are crumbling, and we lost our EMTs a long time ago.

We now have a population that is basically made up of people that were not born in this town, and have moved in because of the low rent, and taxes. (They are not really all that low.) However, when you get that happening you also find that they don’t take pride in the town because 8 out of 10 will not be here longer than 2 years.

Recently we have had a string of tagging, and vandalism by kids whose families have moved here because they were chased out of other towns for their gang type activities. I have chased some of theses kids from in front of one of the store where my wife works, for skate boarding during business hours, and harassing the older people that shop there. The only thing that happen was, they retaliated by tagging and vandalizing the store. When I told the State Police who did it they said that they have to catch them in the act. This Just one more reason law enforcement is needed in this town.

May I suggest that as many people attend the meetings as possible, and voice our concern on these problems, and if we do not get satisfaction, run people that will address them.

ABA

What we are trying to save.

Here is some footage, of the bank building. There is a lot of Potential for this building. With a little hard work and a cash flow it will be the center piece of the town.