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Here are our weekly editorials from the past 5 weeks ...
This editorial will air on AM 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday,
July 3
PANTHER VALLEY
PROPERTY OWNERS CAN KISS AWAY SLOTS TAX RELIEF THIS YEAR. BY A 5-4 VOTE, PV DIRECTORS
PASSED A $20.9 MILLION BUDGET CALLING FOR A 6.95 MILL TAX HIKE FOR CARBON & A
2.35 MILL TAX HIKE FOR SCHUYLKILL.
MANY CARBON TAXPAYERS
ARE UPSET THIS TIME AROUND. CARBON'S MILLAGE GOES FROM 46.76 TO 53.71...A
14.9% INCREASE. SCHUYLKILL'S MILLAGE GOES FROM 47.94 TO 50.29...A 4.9% INCREASE. YOU'LL
RECALL 2 YEARS AGO COALDALE GOT WHACKED WITH A 28.4% INCREASE WHILE CARBON HAD A .4%
HIKE. LAST WEEK'S FINAL BUDGET DID NOT CHANGE FROM THE BUDGET PASSED BY A 6-3
VOTE IN MAY. SCHOOL DIRECTORS MICKEY ANGST, TOM SHOBER, & BILL HUNSICKER VOTED
AGAINST BOTH BUDGETS. JEFF MARKOVICH VOTED NO LAST WEEK.
WHEN PANTHER VALLEY UNVEILED
ITS "PIE IN THE SKY" BUDGET IN JANUARY SPENDING WAS PROJECTED AT $21.58
MILLION. INCOME WAS PEGGED AT $19.67 MILLION...A $1.91 MILLION SHORTFALL. PV'S FINAL
BUDGET IS ABOUT $670,000 LESS THAN JANUARY'S PRELIMINARY BUDGET. IF YOU FACTOR
IN SAVINGS FROM THE REFINANCING OF SOME BONDS, THERE WERE NOT A LOT OF CUTS.
THAT HAD TAXPAYERS UPSET AT LAST WEEK'S MEETING.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM:
TAXPAYERS WANT SPENDING CUTS. PV HAD CUT LIFE SKILL CLASSES LIKE SHOP, HOME EC,
& ON THE ROAD DRIVER ED. SOME DON'T WON'T TO SEE ART & MUSIC CUT. SOME DON'T WANT
TO HEAR ABOUT CLOSING THE SWIMMING POOL, ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY, UNIONIZED
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, TRIMMING ATHLETIC PROGRAMS OR CUTTING BACK ON
COACHES. PAY TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WAS SUGGESTED & SHOT
DOWN. STUDENTS & STAFF WILL PAY $10 TO PARK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL
JEFF MARKOVICH GOT
HAMMERED WHEN HE SUGGESTED ELIMINATING THE JROTC PROGRAM. WE HEARD HOW THAT
WOULD DISHONOR OUR VETERANS & BE UNPATRIOTIC. MANY SEE THE JROTC AS A CENTER OF
PRIDE. KIDS LOOK GREAT AT PARADES. BUT, IT'S ALSO A PROGRAM THAT SHOULD BE
SUBSIDIZED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WHY SHOULD PV TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILL FOR
JROTC ADVISORS & THEIR HEALTH CARE? IF THE FEDS CAN WASTE BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER
DOLLARS FOR AN UNPOPULAR OCCUPATION OF IRAQ, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEND A COUPLE
MILLION DOLLARS FOR JROTC PROGRAMS BACK HOME.
PANTHER VALLEY IS 1 OF
ONLY 28 PA. SCHOOLS & 1,500 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE THAT HAVE JROTC. OTHER NEARBY
SCHOOLS WITH JROTC ARE PINE GROVE, SHIKELLAMY, & WILSON WEST LAWN. IF PANTHER
VALLEY WOULD BE "UNPATRIOTIC"
IF IT DUMPED JROTC, WHAT ABOUT THE 470 PLUS PA.
DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE JROTC...ARE THEY UNPATRIOTIC?
ONCE AGAIN, WE MUST
ASK: CAN PANTHER VALLEY CONTINUE TO EXIST AS A STAND-ALONE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
CONDITIONS HAVEN'T CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS...PERHAPS THINGS GOT WORSE. A STATE
STUDY LAST WEEK REVEALS 53.3% OF PV FAMILIES ARE LOW INCOME. THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE
IS 8.6%. A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PV'S POPULATION ARE EITHER SENIORS ON FIXED
INCOMES OR YOUNG FAMILIES ON WELFARE. WITH FEW NEW JOBS & STAGNANT TAXABLE
GROWTH, & SCHOOL DIRECTORS FACED WITH GROWING UNFUNDED FEDERAL & STATE
MANDATES, SOARING ALTERNATIVE & SPECIAL ED COSTS, IT'S EITHER RAISE TAXES TO THE MAX
OR UNPOPULAR PROGRAM CUTS. WHICH WILL IT BE?
I'M MARK MAREK WITH
THIS WEEK'S AM 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.
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This editorial aired on AM 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 25 and Thursday,
June 26
WINDSTREAM PHONE
CUSTOMERS IN COALDALE, LANSFORD, SUMMIT HILL, HAUTO ESTATES, HAUTO VILLAGE, &
LAKE HAUTO WERE ISOLATED FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD LAST WEEK. WE WERE TRAPPED IN A
BUBBLE & KEPT IN THE DARK. TO BE ISOLATED IS BAD ENOUGH...TO NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING
ON & TO BE TREATED LIKE 3RD WORLD COUNTRY CITIZENS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE
& INTOLERABLE.
IT STARTED LAST
WEDNESDAY. THE 645 EXCHANGE COULD NOT MAKE LONG DISTANCE CALLS, CALLS TO 800 NUMBERS,
& CALLS TO 668 & 669 EXCHANGES IN TAMAQUA & NESQUEHONING. INCOMING CALLS WERE
SPORADIC...SOME GOT THROUGH BUT MOST DIDN'T.
ADDING TO OUR
FRUSTRATION, WINDSTREAM CUSTOMERS COULDN'T REPORT A PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO DIAL AN
800 NUMBER & THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. YOU USED TO CALL A LANSFORD OFFICE TO REPORT
PROBLEMS. YOU USED TO BE ABLE TO PAY PHONE BILLS AT THE LANSFORD OFFICE. YOU CAN'T DO
EITHER ANYMORE. WLSH TRIED E-MAILING WINDSTREAM. AN AUTO-REPLY SAYS WE MUST
WAIT 48 HOURS FOR A RESPONSE...A RESPONSE WE NEVER RECEIVED.
THURSDAY MORNING, I
VISITED WINDSTREAM'S LANSFORD OFFICE. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. SERVICE VANS WERE
PARKED IN FRONT... SO I RANG THE DOORBELL. A SERVICE TECH CAME TO THE DOOR & TOLD
ME THERE WAS A BREAK IN A VERIZON TRUNKLINE...AN ISSUE GOING FOR A WEEK. IT GOT WORSE
ON WEDNESDAY. WE ASKED HIM TO HAVE A CORPORATE REP CALL WLSH SO WE CAN INFORM
LISTENERS.
WITH SERVICE DOWN
& NO WORD FROM WINDSTREAM FRIDAY, I E-MAILED MARK NALESNIK & ART KAPLAN, CARBON
& SCHUYLKILL EMA DIRECTORS. MARK KNEW LITTLE MORE THAN US. HE WAS LATER TOLD THERE
WERE ALSO SOFTWARE PROBLEMS. ART WASN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT LATER GOT
FINGER-POINTING FROM THE FIRMS. BOTH EMA DIRECTORS FILED REPORTS WITH THE PA.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IN HARRISBURG.
I CALLED KEITH
MCCALL'S LANSFORD OFFICE & ASKED FOR KEITH FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITY
COMMISSION. I COULDN'T REACH DAVE ARGALL'S TAMAQUA OFFICE. KEITH & DAVE RECEIVED FOLLOWUP
E-MAILS FROM WLSH STATION MANAGER BILL LAKATAS. BILL SAYS THE LOCAL
INFRASTRUCTURE IS FRAGILE & WINDSTREAM EITHER DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CUSTOMERS IN THIS PART
OF PA. OR THEY ARE TOTALLY INCOMPETENT.
KEITH MCCALL WASTED NO
TIME FIRING OFF A LETTER FRIDAY TO PUC CHAIRMAN WENDELL HOLLAND. COPIES WERE
HAND-DELIVERED TO ALL PUC COMMISSIONERS. KEITH CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE &
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMPLETE & UTTER FAILURE OF TELEPHONE SERVICE. HE
CRITICIZED THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION FROM WINDSTREAM OFFICIALS TO LOCAL & STATE
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS.
KEITH ADDS THANKFULLY
THIS OUTAGE DIDN'T RESULT IN ANY EMERGENCIES EXACERBATED BY A FAILED TELEPHONE
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM--WHICH MEANS WE WERE LUCKY THIS TIME. THAT IS TO SAY NOTHING
OF THE INCONVIENENCE TO THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS OF ALL AGES & BUSINESS
LOST TO COMPANIES UNABLE TO COMPLETE TRANSACTIONS. DAVE ARGALL SENT A SIMILAR LETTER
TO PUC CHAIRMAN HOLLAND. DAVE SAYS THE PHONE PROBLEMS HAD THE POTENTIAL OF
CREATING HAVOC IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE A
CELL PHONE...YOU COULDN'T CALL OUTSIDE THE AREA TO SCHEDULE OR CANCEL DOCTORS'
APPOINTMENTS OR CALL OFF SICK FROM WORK. EVEN WITH CELLPHONES, VERIZON & AT&T
SERVICE IN THE VALLEY IS MARGINAL TO FAIR AT BEST. NEXTEL IS EXCELLENT BECAUSE OF ITS LOCAL
TOWER. BUSINESSES COULDN'T SEND OR RECEIVE VITAL FAXES OR CALL SUPPLIERS.
BUSINESSES COULDN'T PROCESS CREDIT CARDS. WE'RE TOLD PA. LOTTERY MACHINES WERE DOWN. IN
COALDALE, ST. LUKE'S MINERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WASN'T EVEN INFORMED. BORO
OFFICIALS WERE SWAMPED WITH CALLS FROM ANGRY & FRUSTRATED RESIDENTS & COULD
NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS. TALK ABOUT AN UTTER CORPORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS DISASTER.
KEITH MCCALL'S WORDS SUM THINGS UP--" WE WERE LUCKY THIS TIME".
WE DESERVE BETTER FROM
AN S&P 500 FIRM BOASTING $3.3 BILLION IN ANNUAL REVENUE, 3.2 MILLION ACCESS
LINES, & 7,500 EMPLOYEES IN 16 STATES. JEFF GARDNER, PRESIDENT & CEO, SAYS WINDSTREAM
IS AN EXCITING COMPANY WITH EXTRAORDINARY TALENTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POTENTIAL
TO CHANGE AN INDUSTRY & ARE COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF CUSTOMERS &
SHAREHOLDERS. SHAREHOLDERS GOT A 25 CENT QUARTERLY DIVIDEND MAY 8TH, BUT PV AREA
CUSTOMERS GOT SHAFTED FROM WINDSTREAM SUITS LAST WEEK.
BILL LAKATAS HAD A
CONFERENCE CALL WITH WINDSTREAM SUITS SATURDAY AFTERNOON. BILL WAS TOLD BECAUSE
911 SERVICE WAS UNAFFECTED, LEGALLY, WINDSTREAM DIDN'T HAVE TO CONTACT THE
PUC. WINDSTREAM'S PR GIRL, ERIN ASCIONE, CLAIMS SHE SPOKE WITH TV 13 THURSDAY
& WLSH ON FRIDAY. WE HAD NO SUCH CALL. BLUE RIDGE TV 13 SAYS THEY CALLED ASCIONE
FRIDAY & WAS TOLD A LINE WAS CUT BETWEEN LANSFORD & SCRANTON. TV 13 DIDN'T
RUN A STORY FRIDAY BECAUSE SERVICE WAS RESTORED BY 2PM FRIDAY.
MONDAY MORNING, WLSH
RECEIVED A STATEMENT FROM MIKE HAYDEN, WINDSTREAM'S VP OF OPERATIONS FOR PA.
& NEW YORK. HAYDEN SAYS DISRUPTIONS WERE INTERMITTENT THURSDAY & FRIDAY. WE
KNOW IT WAS LONGER. HAYDEN SAYS SERVICE WAS RESTORED AROUND 1:30 FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
WINDSTREAM IS STILL CONDUCTING A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUE WITH SPRINT,
ITS LONG DISTANCE TRANSPORT PROVIDER.
WE URGE WINDSTREAM
CUSTOMERS & LOCAL BORO LEADERS TO CONTACT THE PUC, FILE A COMPLAINT &
DESCRIBE YOUR PHONE NIGHTMARES. WE FEEL WINDSTREAM CUSTOMERS DESERVE A 10% REBATE
ON A FUTURE BILL PLUS ASSURANCES FUTURE SERVICE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED TO
THE LANSFORD OFFICE...NOT SOME UNATTAINABLE 800 NUMBER IN PIGSKNUCKLE, ARKANSAS.
I'M MARK MAREK WITH
THIS WEEK'S AM 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.
DOWNLOAD THIS EDITORIAL HERE in PDF format
This editorial aired on AM 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday,
June 19
5 YEARS AGO, STATE
LAWMAKERS & GOVERNOR ED RENDELL CAVED-IN TO PRESSURE FROM MOTORCYCLE LOBBYISTS
& REPEALED PA.'S MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW.
A UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH STUDY
RELEASED LAST WEEK INDICATES THAT REPEAL WAS NOT ONLY A BAD IDEA FOR BIKERS, BUT
IT'S ALSO BAD FOR PA. TAXPAYERS & INSURANCE RATEPAYERS.
PITT RESEARCHERS
EXAMINED DATA FROM PA. ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE & 2 YEARS AFTER
THE HELMET LAW REPEAL. IT'S NO SURPRISE THEY REPORT A 32% JUMP IN HEAD INJURY DEATHS
& A 42% INCREASE IN HEAD INJURY HOSPITALIZATIONS. THE NON HEAD-INJURY DEATH RATE
DIDN'T CHANGE. HELMET USE BY BIKERS INVOLVED IN REPORTED CRASHES WENT FROM 82%
IN 2001-2002 TO 58% IN 2004-2005.
THE PITT STUDY LISTS
1.3 HEAD INJURY DEATHS PER 10,000 MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS IN 2001 & 1.9 HEAD
INJURY DEATHS IN 2002. IN 2004, THE NUMBER JUMPED TO 2.8 & IN 2005 IT ROSE TO 3.0 HEAD
INJURY DEATHS PER 10,000 MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS. SINCE THE 2003 HELMET LAW REPEAL
THE NUMBER OF HEAD-INJURED, HOSPITALIZED BIKERS NEEDING FURTHER CARE AT
FACILITIES SPECIALIZING IN REHAB & LONG-TERM CARE JUMPED 87%.ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL
CHARGES FOR MOTORCYCLE-RELATED HEAD INJURIES MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM $53.5
MILLION IN 01-02 TO $124 MILLION IN 04-05. THAT COMPARES TO A 69% INCREASE FOR NON-HEAD
INJURIES. THE NUMBERS ARE ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.
THE PITT STUDY IS MORE
COMPREHENSIVE THAN A 2006 STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET
& FINANCE COMMITTEE. THAT REPORT SHOWED A 33% INCREASE IN TRAUMA CENTER
ADMISSION RATES FOR MOTORCYCLE-RELATED HEAD INJURIES FOR 04-05 VS 01-02 & AN 11%
INCREASE IN MOTORCYCLE-RELATED DEATHS. THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY DID NOT DISTINGUISH
BETWEEN HEAD INJURY DEATHS & ALL MOTORCYCLE DEATHS. THE PITT STUDY DID.
THE DEBATE OF OVER
MOTORCYCLE HELMETS HAS BEEN A HEATED ONE...JUST LIKE THE DEBATE OVER PUBLIC
SMOKING BANS. LOBBYISTS LIKE ABATE, THE ALLIANCE OF BIKERS TOWARD EDUCATION, SAY
IT'S ABOUT FREEDOM OF CHOICE. ABATE CONTINUES TO PUT PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS
TO KEEP THE HELMET REPEAL IN PLACE.
WHEN STEELER
QUARTERBACK BEN ROETHLISBERGER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH 2 YEARS AGO THIS
MONTH & HE WASN'T WEARING A HELMET, THAT IGNITED NEW DISCUSSIONS IN
HARRISBURG ABOUT REVERSING THE 03 REPEAL. CURRENT LAW ALLOWS BIKERS TO RIDE
BAREHEADED IF THEY HAVE 2 YEARS RIDING EXPERIENCE OR THEY HAD A RIDER EDUCATION
COURSE. IN 2006 & 2007, THERE WAS A MOVE TO BRING BACK HELMETS, BUT LOBBYISTS TURNED
UP THE HEAT & FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR BIKERS TO PUT THEMSELVES AT MORTAL RISK
PREVAILED.
THE PITT STUDY
RELEASED LAST WEEK MAY REIGNITE THE MOTORCYCYLE HELMET DEBATE. BAREHEADED BIKERS
INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSING HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS TO RISE FOR NON-BIKERS
& PA. TAXPAYERS. IT'S LIKE THE EFFECT OF SECONDHAND SMOKE ON NON-SMOKERS.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE & FREEDOM TO SMOKE IN PUBLIC SHOULD GET TRUMPED BY HEALTH
& FINANCIAL CONCERNS.
ANOTHER FACTOR FOR
LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER...WITH GAS PRICES TOPPING $4 A GALLON, MORE PEOPLE
WILL BE BUYING & RIDING MOTORCYCLES. THAT WILL RESULT IN MORE BAREHEADED
BIKERS, MORE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, LONG TERM CARE, REHAB &
FATALITIES. BEAR IN MIND, PA.'S WEAK HELMET LAW IS ATTRACTIVE TO BIKERS IN NEIGHBORING
STATES WITH STRICTER HELMET LAWS.
PARDON THE PUN, BUT
IT'S A NO BRAINER TO BRING BACK STRICTER HELMET LAWS IN PA. IT'S STRANGE TO HEAR
TERMS LIKE "CLICK IT OR TICKET" WHEN POLICE ARE ENFORCING SEATBELT LAWS. YET, IT'S OK TO BUZZ AROUND PA. ON A BIKE AT
SPEEDS TOPPING 50 MPH WITHOUT A HELMET.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE OR HEALTH & SAFETY & FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE INSURANCE
PREMIUMS...WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO STATE LAWMAKERS & GOVERNOR ED RENDELL?
I'M MARK MAREK WITH
THIS WEEK'S AM 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.
DOWNLOAD THIS EDITORIAL HERE in PDF format
This editorial aired on AM 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday,
June 12
FOR MONTHS, WE
FOLLOWED STATE LAWMAKERS EFFORTS TO PASS A STATEWIDE SMOKING BAN. WHEN IT APPEARS A
SMOKING BAN IS NEAR...LAWMAKERS CHOKE OR TRY AN END RUN WITH A WATERED-DOWN,
EXCEPTION-LADDEN PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
A HOUSE-SENATE
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE PROS & CONS OF A STATEWIDE SMOKING BAN. THE
COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM PRO-SMOKING GROUPS LIKE THE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
& THE NEW RACETRACK/CASINOS. THE COMMITTEE HEARD FROM ANTI-SMOKING ADVOCATES
LIKE THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY & CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO FREE KIDS. AFTER
HEARING BOTH SIDES, LEGISLATORS WERE DEEPLY DIVIDED.
A STATEWIDE SMOKING
BAN IS AN EMOTIONALLY-CHARGED ISSUE. SMOKERS SAY THEY ARE TIRED OF HAVING THEIR
RIGHTS & PRIVILEGES SNUFFED AWAY. NONSMOKERS SAY THEY'RE TIRED OF BREATHING
SECONDHAND SMOKE--SOMETHING LINKED TO CANCER & OTHER HEALTH ISSUES.
LOBBYISTS ON BOTH SIDES CONTINUE TO HAMMER AWAY & LAWMAKERS FEEL LIKE THEY ARE
CAUGHT IN A CATCH-22.
LAST WEEK, THE
HOUSE-SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE KICKED OUT SB 246. IT WAS A COMPROMISE
BILL...ANOTHER WATERED-DOWN, EXCEPTION-LADDEN PIECE. MANY SAY IT DOES NOT GO FAR, BUT
THEY SAY IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. AFTER SPENDING NEARLY A YEAR DEBATING SMOKING
BANS, THEY NEED TO PASS SOMETHING.
EXCEPTIONS IN THE BILL
WOULD ALLOW SMOKING IN AT LEAST 25% OF A CASINO FLOOR, IN PRIVATE MEMBERSHIP
CLUBS AT LEAST 10 YEARS OLD, IN 25% OF MOTEL/HOTEL ROOMS...IN SMALL MOM & POP
TAVERNS WHERE FOOD SALES DON'T EXCEED 20% OF REVENUE. THE BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THE
COMPROMISE BILL...IT WOULD ALLOW PHILLY'S SMOKING BAN TO STAND BUT WOULD SILENCE
OTHER SMOKING BANS...LIKE ONE PROPOSED IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY WHICH WAS OVERTURNED
IN THE COURTS.
WESTERN PA.
LEGISLATORS SAY WITH THE COMPROMISE BILL IT'S OK FOR PHILLY FOLKS TO BE PROTECTED FROM
SECONDHAND SMOKE, BUT FOLKS IN PA.'S 2ND LARGEST CITY ARE IGNORED & TREATED
LIKE 2ND CLASS CITIZENS.
LAST WEEK, THE
COMPROMISE SMOKING BAN BILL WAS DEFEATED IN THE SENATE 31-19. ALL SENATE DEMOCRATS VOTED
NO ALONG WITH 10 REPUBLICANS. THINGS WERE DIFFERENT IN THE
DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED HOUSE WHERE THE MEASURE PASSED BY A WIDE MARGIN...163-38. GOVERNOR ED
RENDELL INDICATES HE'LL SIGN THE BILL IF IT PASSES.
SOME ASK IF LAWMAKERS
ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF ITS CITIZENS. WE HAVE DUMPING OF BIOSOLIDS
ON FARM LANDS THAT COULD THREATEN DRINKING WATER. FOLKS ARE OPPOSED TO THE
DUMPING OF RIVER DREDGE & FLY ASH IN STRIPPING PITS BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY
THAT WILL HAVE ON WATER AQUIFERS. MANY ASK WHY MORE ISN'T BEING DONE TO FIND OUT
WHY WE HAVE SO MANY CASES OF THE RARE BLOOD DISORDER, POLYCYTHEMIA VERA,
NEARBY. AND REMEMBER WHEN LAWMAKERS REPEALED THE MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW A FEW
YEARS AGO. WE'RE SEEING MORE MOTORCYLE FATALITIES & SERIOUS INJURIES ON
OUR STREETS & HIGHWAYS AS A RESULT.
NOW, LAWMAKERS ARE
CHOKING ON A TOTAL SMOKING IN PUBLIC BAN. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SETTLE FOR
COMPROMISE MEASURES WHEN DEALING WITH HEALTH ISSUES. A 90% SMOKING BAN IS NOT
GOOD ENOUGH HERE IN PA. IF SMOKERS WANT TO LIGHT UP IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR
HOME...THAT'S THEIR BUSINESS. "A MAN'S HOME IS HIS CASTLE". THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR
NON-SMOKERS TO HAVE THEIR HEALTH THREATENED BY SECONDHAND SMOKE IN PUBLIC &
AT WORK. LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SHOW THEY DO CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF
PA.'S CITIZENS.
I'M MARK MAREK WITH
THIS WEEK'S AM 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.
DOWNLOAD THIS EDITORIAL HERE in PDF format
This editorial aired on AM 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday,
June 5
COULD PANTHER VALLEY
JOIN A GROWING NUMBER OF SCHOOLS SEEKING TO MODIFY ITS DRESS CODE BY
IMPLEMENTING A UNIFORM DRESS POLICY? THAT TOPIC WAS DISCUSSED AT LAST WEEK'S PV
SCHOOL BOARD EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING.
RIGHT NOW, PANTHER
VALLEY HAS A 20 POINT DRESS CODE. STUDENT DRESS & GROOMING IS EXPECTED TO REFLECT
APPROPRIATENESS, CLEANLINESS, & SAFETY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM & SCHOOL
ACTIVITIES. STUDENT DRESS MUST NOT BE IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY DISTRACTING TO THE EDUCATIONAL
ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHOOL. SOME PEOPLE SUGGEST THE PRESENT DRESS CODE
IS NOT BEING ENFORCED.
PV'S DRESS CODE SAYS
NO HATS & HEAD APPAREL IN SCHOOL. NO UNDERSHIRTS & UNDERSHORTS AS OUTER
GARMENTS...NO TANK TOPS & MUSCLE SHIRTS...NO SEE-THRU BLOUSES, SHIRTS, & MESH
SHORTS...NO HALF-BLOUSES & SHORTS...NO MINI-SKIRTS & DRESSES SHORTER THAN
MID-THIGH...NO BEACH FOOTWEAR...NO RIPPED & TORN CLOTHES...NO PJ TOPS &
BOTTOMS...NO SHIRTS WITH MESSAGES OR PICTURES CONSIDERED DEROGATORY OR OBSCENE...NO OUTERWEAR
TO BE WORN EXCEPT ON ARRIVAL & AT DISMISSAL.
PV'S DRESS CODE SAYS
NO PAGERS & CELL PHONES, NO ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES, NO CIGARETTE LIGHTERS, NO
LASER POINTERS, & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES. NO BODY JEWELRY IN PHYS ED
CLASSES...NO WALLET CHAINS & CHAINS ON CLOTHING. NECK CHAINS & BRACELET CHAINS
ARE LIMITED...NO DOG CHAINS, NO DOG COLLARS, NO SPIKES. SUN-GLASSES ARE OK WITH
ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.
THERE IS NO SPECIFIC
MENTION IN PV'S DRESS CODE ABOUT BODY PIERCINGS, FUNKY HAIRSTYLES & WHACKY
HAIR COLORS, & NO SPECIFIC MENTION OF STUDENT HYGIENE ISSUES. THAT CAN BE COVERED
UNDER DRESS CONSIDERED DISTRACTING TO EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. DRESS
CODES THAT PROHIBIT THE WEARING OR CLOTHING OR SYMBOLS LINKED TO GANGS HAVE BEEN
TRADITIONALLY UPHELD BY THE COURTS.
BY IMPLEMENTING A
UNIFORM DRESS POLICY PANTHER VALLEY WOULD MANDATE VERY SPECIFIC CLOTHING
& VERY SPECIFIC COLORS. THAT POLICY WOULD ALLOW ONLY BLACK, GOLD, OR WHITE POLO
SHIRTS WITH BLACK OR KHAKI PANTS. EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DONNA
TRIMMEL WAS QUOTED AS SAYING A UNIFORM DRESS POLICY WOULD BE MORE ECONOMICAL TO
PARENTS & COULD HELP IMPROVE LEARNING FOR STUDENTS. TRIMMEL ADDS SHE'D
LIKE TO GET STUDENT, PARENT, & FACULTY IMPUT ON THE PROPOSED UNIFORM DRESS POLICY.
A UNIFORM DRESS POLICY WOULD ALSO TRIM DOWN THE PRESENT 20 POINT DRESS CODE.
3 YEARS AGO, TAMAQUA
CREATED A STIR WHEN IT IMPLEMENTED ITS DRESS POLICY. THEIR POLICY WAS SPECIFIC
WITH ITS COLOR & STYLES OF SHIRTS & PANTS & SPECIFIED THE COLOR OF SOCKS &
SHOES. A PETITION WITH 800 NAMES DECRYING THE POLICY WAS GIVEN TO THE TAMAQUA SCHOOL
BOARD. PARENTS & STUDENTS THREATENED THE DISTRICT WITH WALKOUTS, PROTESTS,
LAWSUITS, & OPEN DEFIANCE. THEY CLAIMED IT VIOLATED THEIR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
& FORCED THEM TO BUY NEW CLOTHING.
TAMAQUA SCHOOL
OFFICIALS OFFERED FINANCIAL HELP TO NEEDY FAMILIES WHO SAY THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THE
NEW CLOTHES. AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM WAS SETUP TO HELP NEEDY FAMILIES WITH DONATED
CLOTHING FROM GRADUATING STUDENTS. 3 YEARS LATER, TAMAQUA'S UNIFORM
DRESS POLICY IS GOING WELL. COMPLIANCE IS GOOD. KIDS LOOK GREAT GOING TO & FROM
SCHOOL. PARENTS ARE SAVING MONEY BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY A FEW PAIR OF PANTS
& POLO SHIRTS THAN IT IS TO BUY A BACK-TO-SCHOOL WARDROBE OF DESIGNER-NAME OUTFITS.
OTHER AREA SCHOOLS ARE NOW FOLLOWING TAMAQUA'S LEAD.
WE SUPPORT THE UNIFORM
DRESS POLICY. IT COULD IMPROVE DISCIPLINE & THAT COULD EVEN LEAD TO BETTER
TEST SCORES. WE SUPPORT THE IDEA OF TEACHERS BEING ASKED TO WEAR UNIFORMS. IT WILL
SET A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR STUDENTS. IT WAS SUGGESTED ON LAST WEEK'S AIR YOUR
OPINION SHOW SCHOOL DIRECTORS SHOULD DRESS THE PART WHEN ATTENDING MEETINGS.
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA TOO.
PANTHER VALLEY SHOULD
IRON OUT DETAILS OF ITS UNIFORM DRESS POLICY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PERHAPS, IT
CAN BE READY FOR THE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. A LIST SHOULD BE DEVELOPED
WHERE TO BUY THE POLO SHIRTS & PANTS. PARENTS BEING HIT WITH PROPOSED TAX
INCREASES CAN THEN SAVE MONEY NOW ON THEIR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING. A UNIFORM DRESS
POLICY IS WORKING IN OTHER SCHOOLS. IT CAN WORK AT PANTHER VALLEY TOO.
I'M MARK MAREK WITH
THIS WEEK'S AM 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.
DOWNLOAD THIS EDITORIAL HERE in PDF format
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