You May Be Wondering...

...What happened to the once, twice, thrice daily posting? You may be saying "he used to post every day, why is Bill slacking?"

Well, to start things off, I used to do most of my blogging during my breaks and lunch at my former employer. Since I worked the "graveyard" shift, I had a lot of time, alone, to contemplate the posts, the subject matter and the message. Alot has changed since November.

I got laid off on November 21st of last year...a week before Thanksgiving. That's enough to take the wind out of anybodies sails, but I tried to persevere. For the past 4 months, I've been trying, in vain, to find a job. In between the job search, I've been tackling some of the jobs around the house that I have been putting off until "next week".

Unable to find a job, I've decided to "blow my own smoke" so to speak and am in the process of starting a business. What I used to do for other people, I'm now doing for myself, and have laid the groundwork for "Bilijohn Graphic Design", a design and print service company.

For those of you that have worked with me politically, you've probably seen my work. I plan on offering my design skills to candidates and businesses, far cheaper than most established design firms, while offering the value added service of seeing the job through all aspects of the printing process...quote, design, print, finishing, direct mail, etc.

Oh, and the reason why I can't find a job? or the few companies that are hiring, scores of people are "underselling" their skills, just to get the job...they're taking a 30 buck an hour job for 18-19 bucks an hour. It's sad what the "rat race" has become, in only a few short months.

Anyway, I'll be setting up an LLC within the next week or so, then hanging out my shingle...responsible only to myself, my family and my clientele, as it should be. Have a fantastic weekend.

B.
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Random Thoughts About The Past Week

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit in on and then comment on the ethics debate at the Montco Commissioners meeting.

One thing I noticed throughout the meeting...whenever Republican Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr. agreed to vote yes on the Hoeffel ethics package of 1998, they other two commissioners backpedaled and hesitated to vote on it.

Jimbo then laid out about 19-20 changes that he'd like to see, exempting many people from the ethics statute, and Hoeffel, who was the one who touted the need for this reform to begin with, also laid out a list of those who he wanted exempted.

Only Commissioner Castor was for a total ban of politicking in the courthouse.

For Hoeffel and Jimturd, this amounted to a "have your cake and eat it, too" proposition.

You may say, why does Castor want a total ban on politicking? Simple. Jimbo and Joe will never agree to a total ban, because it's not in their best interests to agree to it.

A total ban would exempt Jim Maza from working on the judicial races for the democrats. A total ban would keep Jim's (former) assistant from her political appointment as County Human Resources Director (a change in the job requirements paved the way for this glorified secretary to become Jim's tool for hiring and firing in the courthouse), and would never have allowed a democrat political leader from gaining the First Deputy Controller's job.

This "I was for it before I was against it" policy making stinks of John Kerry and his 2004 run for the White House. Electioneering 101, so to speak. Flip-flops, pure and simple, when the situation requires it, period.

I had the opportunity to ask Jimmy-Matt about his ban on District Attorney's employees being banned from running for office. I posed the following scenario: How could they be for banning what may be some of the best and brightest minds from running for office, simply because of where they work?

The example I gave was Sandra Schultz-Newman...a former ADA who subsequently became the first woman to be elected to Pennsylvania's Supreme Court.

Jim's answer to me? He argued my position that these people are the "best and brightest" was false (I guess on the job training would never produce such a stellar District Attorney, vis a vis Bruce Castor and his successor, Risa Vetri Ferman), and he made it a point to let me know that Schultz-Newman was not a DA when she became a judge (BTW, I knew that, the situation I posed was hypothetical...and, Jimbo knew this).

Jim yammerred on for a few more minutes, then called for a vote to table the ethics reform that his lackey, solicitor Barry Miller (along with Hoeffel's lackey, asst. solicitor, Jeff Albert), wrote. Mind you, this is the same Barry Miller who, as a county employee, threw his hat in the ring to fun for DA, now writing an ethics policy that could, essentially, stipulate that he could run for anything, but could also stipulate who could not...a severe conflict of interests? I'd say so.

Anyway, here is the gist of the debate, in Castor's words:

"This (ethics reform statute) would have passed with Matthews' wholehearted approval had I not raised the obvious defects on Thursday. That the other commissioners feel they have POWER over the independently elected row officers on non-budget matters is stunning. No place in Pennsylvania is this so, but the other commissioners are drunk on power and believe their two votes can overrule the thousands of county citizens who put our row officers in their jobs.

Already, several of the row officers are threatening legal action against their own county government. Madness. (So) I offered a series of amendments to impose campaign finance reform (something both my colleagues have said they are not interested in) and true ethical restrictions from practicing politics by our county employees at the highest levels. 

I suggested that we step back and rewrite the proposal taking the care the authoring of a "law" warrants.

Even Commissioner Matthews who was avidly seeking to ratify Hoeffel's dangerous and illegal proposal, saw the wisdom in taking a step back to reconsider. Are you ready for this? Hoeffel OPPOSED being careful and still wanted to bull ahead even in the face of the patent defects in the proposal."

Who said politics wasn't fun? Kudos to Commissioner Castor for keeping his word and putting the interests of the taxpayers of Montgomery County first.

One of the more interesting aspects of the meeting was when Jim, speaking about hiring done by row officers, said this:

"If you want to hire somebody as a row officer, and it is within budget, it cannot be stopped..."

I submit one name...Marcy Toeppel. Jim voted against approving her salary when the Recorder of Deeds, Nancy Becker, wanted to hire her. It took the threat of a lawsuit to reverse his vote at the next meeting. I'll be posting a recording I made at the meeting later this week to corroborate the quote above.

Oh, and finally, the county hiring freeze? I guess it only pertains to those not recommended by Hoeffel or Matthews...figures.

B.


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Matthews Finally at a Crossroads

"Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."
("Crossroads", 1936-Robert Johnson)

For the past 14 months, I have continuously picked on one person, in particular, more than others...Jim Matthews.

I've been hard on Jim for many reasons, and justifiably so. I worked hard to get Jim elected. What I lacked in financial contributions, I more than made up for in sweat-equity, going door to door, asking people to elect Jim and Bruce as Commissioners, even as I, myself was running for supervisor in Whitemarsh Township.

Right after the election, I was more than pleased to see that Jim and Bruce had been elected commissioners (and, even while suffering defeat in my own race) was overjoyed that we still held on to Republican control at the courthouse.

All of that ended at the first meeting of the commissioners, when Jim Matthews turned his back on myself and every other Republican in Montgomery County, when he formed a power-sharing alliance with lifelong democratic operative Joe Hoefel.

Hoffel, with the blessing of Matthews has all but given control of the courthouse and One Montgomery over to the democrats, after 140+ years of good, solid, Republican control.

On that day, Jim showed me that my "proverbial" blood, sweat and tears were shed in vain.

Fast-forward to this week...

"If I was perfect
Then this would be easy
Either road's plausible
On both I could drown"
("Crossroads", 2008-Avenged Sevenfold)

Thursday, March 19, 2009 has Jim Matthews standing at a crossroads of sorts.

First of all, Controller Dianne Morgen is proposing to hire a well-known partisan democrat hatchet-man as her deputy controller. Jim's vote could shoot down another partisan hire by the democrat controller...but, will he?

Also, and even more egregious, commissioner Hoeffle will propose a set of "ethics reforms" that will be a set of partisan landmines for Republicans in county government, seeking elected office. These proposals would ban any employee who makes a predetermined salary to be barred from seeking political office as innocuous as dog catcher.

For the past 9 years, Jim Matthews has been against this type of proposals while a commissioner, proposals which would, essentially, bar the first deputy of any of the row offices from seeking that position, unless he or she first quit their job. The big question is, has the past 9 years been for naught?

Jim Matthews is at a crossroads...doing the right thing, and the Republican thing, mind you, are synonymous. Will Jim do the right thing, or will he finally cast his final lot with Huffel and the Dems?

It's time for Jim to do the right thing.

'What is at your back? Which way do you turn?
Who will come to find you first?
Your devils or your gods?
("Crossroads" 1989-Tracy Chapman)

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Last Evenings Endorsement

Although I don't have the final tally numbers, (I'll update the post later to let you know what order they came in) the 7 candidates recommended by the MCRC Area Leaders and Executive Committee were endorsed by the Republican Committeepeople on the very first ballot.

***UPDATE***

H/T to one of the poll watchers last night...you know who you are! Here's the numbers:

Garrett Page 542

Patricia Coonahan 510

Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio 481

Gary Silow 459

Wendy Demchick-Alloy 455

Kelly Wall 393

Joanna Cruz 349



Dan Clifford 331

Brain Rosenthal 139

Barbara May 65

Harvey Freedland 9

Maureen Coggins 1

The bright spot of the evening? Garrett Page received the highest number of votes, which in my humble opinion, was very well-deserved. Garrett, Congratulations!

The low part of the evening? A vicious attack on Joanna Cruz left by one of the candidates on chairs last evening. That candidate's chief strategist was overheard to say, "See this? This is my manifesto!".

I was going to post excerpts from the letter, but though it to be too egregious to repeat. At some future time, I may make the text available, but I'd like to, at this point, to concentrate on the positive aspects of the evening.

MCRC passed it's first set of new, updated bylaws in many years. Thanks to all of those who had a hand in drafting the new bylaws.

Marie Cavanaugh was unanimously endorsed as Jury Commissioner candidate. Congrats to Marie!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the grace of Maureen Coggins, who, when it came time for her to give her one minute speech, withdrew from the race and asked the room to support the 7 recommended candidates. Mucho respect Maureen...Writemarsh Loves Ya!

I'd also be remiss not to mention the fact that Writemarsh's own, Kelly C. Wall, was one of those endorsed last evening. I have worked with Kelly on both her campaign four years ago for her run for Whitemarsh supervisor (I gimped door to door on crutches) and now with her run for the bench. She's a classy lady and has worked hard to earn her place on this slate of 7. Great work, Kelly!

To "The Magnificent 7"...Looking forward to working with you all towards victory in November!

Great night last night...time to veg out and give myself a well-deserved relaxation day.

To all who put their time and effort into this campaign before the campaign, I say, "Job well done!"

Finally, I posted last week about a certain two-faced muni chair...I'll not name him, but give you a hint instead:

Fish have them, Fish don't have them (first name, last name)

Have a wonderful weekend!

B.



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Another Matthews Lie Refuted

And a Non-Sighting...

A while ago, I posted the following about "the Turd" and his endless lies aimed at his former "brothers in arms" in the Republican Party: Tell me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies (the Bulletin has since changed format and the links on the page no longer work. ed)

Well, I can feel good that we can refute but another of King James' lies...in one of his many interviews bashing the party and the leadership, Matthews had this to say:

"Kerns doesn't have the support of the committee. We let him win
the chairmanship"

Last evenings endorsement of the recommended slate of candidates throws that lie out the window, Jimbo!

By the way, none of "his" candidates won endorsement last night. Jimbo was nowhere to be found. I heard later that he was tied up for the evening...

B.


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Judicial Endorsements

Tonight, Republican committee-people in Montgomery County will gather together to endorse their candidates for election to the Court of Common Pleas. This awesome responsibility is why your constituents vote for us as committee people......to endorse those candidates who they will see on the ballot in the fall.

Why?

Most people are busy. They rely on other people to research and fact find, to make their lives easier. This goes on throughout or lives.

As committee members, we are elected to suggest to our voters who to vote for. To help us along, we trust our municipal chairs and area leaders to guide us.

Which brings me to a point...a few weeks ago, our area leaders and executive committee met to recommend seven candidates for the Montgomery County bench. Those candidates went through an endorsement of sorts, so that our area leaders could recommend the best possible slate to us.

Some of my friends did not get recommended. I was hopeful, but it wasn't to be. Others, whom I was either not supporting or didn't know well were not chosen. Of the slate recommended, only one was someone I wasn't formerly acquainted with. Since then, I have met and spoken with this person and find them more than qualified to sit on the bench of the court of common pleas.

There will be a few candidates tonight who want you to disregard the recommended slate and pick them as candidates for the bench. Some of them are claiming that because the Bar Association gave them a certain rating and others a lesser (but equally impressive) one, they should be picked over the Executive Committee slate.

The Bar Association is made up of lawyers who may or may not be politically active. They couldn't give a fig if the recommended candidates were democrat or Republicans or martians.

We want good, solid Republican candidates on the bench just as the Democrats want good, solid Democrats on the bench. They aren't endorsing any Republicans and we're not endorsing any Democrats. That's not our job.

Let's face facts...the Bar Association wants judges on the bench who they think will look out for their interests, as attorneys. They don't care about what we think. They want the deck stacked in their favor. As do we.

Every one of the attorneys recommended by our exec committee have been recommended by the bar, and some highly recommended. They all deserve to be judges, but unfortunately, that honor can only fall to but 7 candidates this year.

Seventeen good people started this quest last year. Seven were recommended by our exec committee. Of the ten who were not, five have dropped out to unify our ticket. Of those left, (in my opinion) a couple have no chance of surviving the first round.

One of the candidates still running (not recommended) wants you to consider two things...one, that the Bar Association thinks so highly of him, three other Republicans and two democrats (all who were "Highly Recommended") that they are more qualified than the slate to be judges. He also wants you to know that one vote separated him from the person chosen over him. (Actually, there were two votes separating him from the candidate ultimately chosen.)

Also, he states that in order to have a "Highly Recommended" rating from the bar association, you must have 80% of those making the decision to have voted for that rating...not 79%, not 78%, but 80%. One or two of the candidates who did not receive "Highly Recommended" status may just have gotten 79% of the votes. One vote.

Does one vote matter? Sure it does. Receive one less vote than your opponent and you lose. Receive one more vote and you win. One would expect an unsuccessful (but graceful) candidate to rally behind the ticket and support the slate. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

In the past couple of years, people have been complaining to me that we need to unify as a party if we want to win elections. I agree. Unity makes for good leadership...one has only to look back on the previous MCRC leadership to prove that point. Chairman Kerns has been working hard to unify our county Republican Committee. I admire him greatly for that.

Which is why, for unity's sake, I choose to support the recommended slate, and ask those of you who will be voting tonight to do the same. It's time to show our opposition that great people get behind great leaders and choose great candidates. We must, in order to put up a strong fight in November.

For those of you to whom this awesome responsibility falls, I'll see you tonight.

B.



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Weight Loss, Week Whatever...

I had a mediocre week last week, and gained a half pound.

Half a pound? I'm not even worried. We had snow, which impeded my ability to take my long walk every day, not because of road conditions, mind you, but because my bum hip always screams when we get severely inclement weather.

I've given up "seconds" for Lent, and have been watching portions during mealtimes, except when I'm out. I'm not going to apologize for eating, we all have to eat to survive.

Which is one of the "lightbulb moments" I have discovered as this process goes on...that I need to quit apologizing to myself and quit justifying myself to others when I'm hungry. The larger than normal meal my BFF's see me eating may very well be the result of a missed lunch or a way too early breakfast manifesting itself into an extraordinary hunger.

Which brings me to another point...I'm a big boy. I always have been. The same 1200 calories that fuel a "normal" sized person is not "normal" for someone my size...it takes more fuel to push a 2 ton pick-up truck than it does to push a Prius, so when I see people looking at me sideways and backwards when they see me eating more than they eat doesn't necessarily help me as much as it makes them feel better about themselves...

Again, just another "lightbulb" revelation.

I feel confident that if I make incremental changes over a longer period of time, I'll get my weight under control. Being constantly reminded "what about your diet" is foolish, because I'm not on a diet, I'm making a change to my entire lifestyle. I therefore feel no need to justify my meals to anybody, 'cause you don't know what I ate for breakfast (or if I even did), now, do you?

Besides, I promised myself I wouldn't drive myself nuts over this. I'm not about to end up like this:



Here's to the upcoming weeks and successful changes.

Peace.

B.





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King James/Hoeffel Stomp on County Employee's Constitutional Rights

In the race to install a new ethics policy in the Montco courthouse, methinks the two democrat county commissioners may be cruisin' for a bruisin...by the very employees they wish to control

According to an article in The Evening Bulletin, Brad Vasoli reports that "county employees (with some exceptions) would be forbidden to either seek elected governmental office or fundraise for those seeking such offices"

What boggles my mind is this...some people who run for office, especially in the courthouse, have at one time or another worked in the courthouse. For what it's worth, I'd be more apt to vote for a prothonotary who was first deputy prothonotary than some schlub who was running for shiggles.

Now, I'm not for politicking on company time, mind you, but what a person does after they lock the doors of the courthouse, on his or her own time, is protected by the first amendment of the Constitution as free speech. To bar anybody from their right to exercise free speech is in itself egregious and more than likely, a violation of their civil liberties.

Look for the lawsuits, folks...there's a lot of talent in the wings waiting for their turn to run for office, whether it be a local political office like township supervisor, council, or commissioners. To say that a person can't run simply because there is a chance...a chance of inpropriety puts a bad taste in this humble blogger's mouth.

My prediction? They pass this 2-1 with Castor voting "nay". What's next? Simple. A class action lawsuit (bi-partisan, mind you) gets filed and this goes away before anybody (meaning the county) has to pay.

And, c'mon...in this era of Obamanomics, where our own democrat commissioners are doing the ol' "spend money to create stimulus and the debt will go away", why not take a page out of Mr. Baracky's playbook...I'm not hiring (or electing) anybody with political ties...unless it's in my best interests to change the rules to do so.

Brad Vasoli has written a great piece on this...click here to read the entire article.

B.




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ATRO, 2009

ATRO fundraiser was tonight. Sorry, but no sighting this year.

Runner-up to a sighting...

A certain Muni-Chair tells a certain Judicial candidate that he's supporting her, then turns around and tells that candidates campaign chair's husband that she is not getting his support. What a douchebag asshat thing to do, huh?

This was done by none other than...nah, I'll wait until after the convention to out the bastard. Here's a hint...he's graced the pages of writemarsh before.Y'all can wait a few days, can't ya?

B.


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Snarlin' like Jimbo

Tonight is Lower Merion's Lincoln Day Dinner. It could be a nice event, save for two things.

Jimturd will undoubtedly be there and they will (once again) laud Snarlin' Arlen for the great job (?) he's doing in Washington D.C.

If voting for the largest indebtedness ever laid on the shoulders of the American taxpayer is worth lauding by the Republican (?) party of Lower Merion and Narberth, then I will be staying away this year. I went for the first time last year and rather enjoyed myself. But this year? Feh! (I'll throw in a "Meh!" for good measure.

Just to show how far to the left El Rey Jaime la Mierda de Tercera has gone, one just has to look at his ad for LMNRC Lincoln Day Dinner to see where his head is:

Respect to Specter for voting to raise your grandchildren and great grandchildren's taxes? (as long as it means stimulus money for Jimbo's BFF, Joe Hoeffel to divvy up under the DVRPC!)

Oy, Vey!

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Sighting XXII

I promise, you will enjoy the irony of this "Sighting".

The New Majority Council held their meeting last night at Blue Bell Inn. Eleanor Schneider (pictured below)...you know, Jim's secretary with the high school diploma, who they changed county rules for, in an attempt to install her in the six figure position as county HR director, and whose husband was hired as the fleet manager a few months back, after they changed the job requirements for his job, also?... attended the meeting.



Afterward, boss King James the Turd met up with her in the bar (we've see these two together alot-they were together at State committee, see above photo)...not that there's anything (allegedly) going on, mind you...it's more likely that he has to pay to have friends now or something...

Anyway, I digress..

Jimbo proceeds to belly up and make up for lost time with his buddy Mr. Dewars and hang w/ his secretary and former State Rep. Joe Gladeck (who opted not to seek re-election in 2000, lest widely publicized charges of beating up his girlfriend be an issue in his re-election campaign)...

But I digress (again)...


Matthews is heard bellowing, making disparaging remarks about latino attorney Joanna Cruz (a recommended candidate for judge) claiming she only got the recommendation because she serves in GOP Chairman Bob Kerns' law firm (irony: El Rey Jaime la Mierda De Tercero was at the New Majority Council Meeitng, a group dedicated to electing minorities and attracting them to the party).

So...it isn't because she was a qualified candidate who happened to be a minority. Nope, not in "Jimboland".

It's all about him and politics!

His secretary, Miss Eleanor (who seeks to lead this county's 3700 member task force), did she stand up for diversity and give Cruz credit? Nope. She nodded along, obviously for reasons spelled "job security".

Matthews then talked up his BFF Joe Hoeffel and all the great things they're doing in Montgomery County (implementing the Democrat agenda), when Gladeck, like a wolf howling alone in the wilderness, bellows how "Castor is an asshole!"

It should be noted that Matthews offered to buy NMC boss Pam Levy a drink. She refused...politely.

The Turd was then observed then hanging out with Republican State Committee member Lou Guerra. (note to self...is King Jimbo on the outs with other BFF, Barry Miller? He was noticibly absent from the Blue Bell last evening...maybe they're on a "break"? hmmmmm....)

A big night for Jimbo. The ultimate Mardis Gras celebration for KJIII?: Disparaging a minority candidate for common pleas judge!

I'm at a loss to think what "the Turd's" other best friend, President Judge Richard Hodgson, thinks about Jimbo's assessment of his future colleague.



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Change We Can "Be After"...

Huh? Change we can "be after"? What does that mean?

Un-named sources report that President Barack Obama has been issued a copyright for the word "Hope".

Mr. Obama was so enthralled with the word during his campaign last year, that he decided to go the route of KISS co-founder and bassist, Gene Simmons and copyright the use of the word. (Simmons currently holds the copyright on the word "axe" pertaining to it's use as a synonym for the word "guitar")

From here on, for the next 80 years, whenever the word "hope" is used in print, you owe Obama a royalty. He has also copyrighted the following representations of the word "hope":

"h_pe", ho_e", "h*pe", etc.

Mr. Obama will receive $0.05 for each use of the word "hope" in print and in an unprecedented grant by the U.S. Copyright Office, he'll receive $.025 for each verbal use of the word.

What does this mean? Well, when your brother goes fishing and you ask him if if conditions are good, and he answers "I sure hope so", he owes Barack two and a half cents. When your mother is sick and you send her a card that says "I hope you feel better soon", BANG!...Barack gets a nickel.

Obama has several more copyrights pending for synonyms of the word "hope", which include :

rust, desire, wish, want, go for, plan and be after

Obama had shown a desire to copyright other, inflammatory words that rhyme with "hope", like "nope", "dope", "pope" and "mope", arguing that if the Republicans used the words against him in a campaign message, he could have the last laugh by making them pay him a nickel for each usage, making him a multi-millionaire.

Obama was counseled by staff and supporters in Congress not to, as he will most likely not have to run again for president, as they plan to install him as emperor of the realm and abolish suffrage in the United States before his first term expires.

Looks like the only "change" this presidency will generate starts with the $0.60 cents I owe him by writing this article. The check is in the mail, Mr. President...I hope you're satisfied...Damn, another nickel!

B.

this article is purely satirical in nature and is meant for entertainment purposes only.

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He's The Man...

...and I'm sure most of us can relate!

Enjoy the video.


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Castor Bitch Slaps Hoeffel With Facts, Hoeffel Admits He’s Stupid

The strained relationship between the commissioners is becoming more and more contentious as time goes on. The latest issue to cause a ruckus at the commissioner's meetings has been ethics.

Latest? Check that. Castor has been calling for ethics reform since he was sworn in back in January of 2008. In April of last year, it was a hot topic (see PA Watercooler article), again in August, as reported by your humble blogger here.

It's only recently, as a matter of fact, that Mr. Potato Head himself, Joe Hoeffel, has been calling for Castor's head as a result of a few emails that circulated well over 5 years ago.

The latest came with Hoeffel, once again, pointing out that Castor had allegedly "directed" an underling to conuct political work on county time. Castor admits to sending a few emails and some passing conversation concerning politics, but is adamant that no political activity was going on that violated any ethics code.

The ethics code that Hoeffel put in place during his former (1993) administration did not specifically include electronic messaging between county employees.

Republican Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr. responded in a way that Hoeffel wasn't prepared for.

He "bitch slapped" Hoeffel with his own rhetoric.

From the Philadelphia newspaper, "The Bulletin":

Mr. Castor then raised the matter of a letter Mr. Hoeffel wrote in March 1993 after first taking office as commissioner which said the Democrat found himself “’in the loop’ of policy and personnel decisions affecting county government.”

He took that occasion to advertise to associates familiar with his work at the Murphy & Oliver law firm that he remained with the firm and that they should keep in touch with him. The former district attorney said that letter amounted to influence peddling.

The county ought, Mr. Castor said, to “endow an entire wing in the hypocrites hall of fame” in recognition of Mr. Hoeffel who he said has “the dirtiest hands of anyone who has ever held the commissioners’ post.”

Hoeffel, it was reported by a source in the meeting room, was flabbergasted. His reply? Admission of stupidity:

Mr. Hoeffel said [...] the letter was “the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in public life.”

Brad Vasoli, reporter extrodinaire at the Bulletin has an excellent article on this issue:

Hoeffel, Castor Continue Ethics Duel

B.




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This Is Truer Than You Think!

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Happy Birthday...

...to my brother, Jef.

Jef was my Best Man when I married Karen back in '92. He must be my good luck charm, as we are celebrating 17 years of wedded bliss May 2nd of this year.

I know he doesn't read this and probably never will, but I have to put it out there, as I will do for all of my family this year.

Happy Birfday, widdle brudder!

B.


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Weight Loss, Week 6

And, I've lost nothing this week. Nada. Zilch. Zip.

But, I've gained nothing this week, either.

It all started last Friday, with my birthday. I had 2 big meals that day, and cake, to boot. I had a piece of birthday cake every day until it was gone on Monday evening.

Monday and Tuesday, I sat in class, sedentary, for 7 hours. I had cafeteria food for lunch both days.

Yesterday, after a week of bad choices, I at least ate very little and got some exercise (I did the food shopping...bending, stretching, lifting, walking)

I'm very surprised, after the week I've had, that I didn't gain weight.

Here's to next week and hoping for some recovery from this one.

B.


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King James Believes Solution to Issue to be Black and White

At least Margaret Gibbons, of the Intelligencer, thinks so:

Ambler NAACP President Evelyn Warner often serves as Montgomery County commissioners' conscience on race issues.

Warner periodically shows up at the commissioners meetings to remind them that they also serve the minority community and that they should include more minorities in top government posts and on boards.

Warner most recently suggested that they appoint a black to the county planning commission since that often-moribund board has recently shown signs of life, particularly now since it has a lead role in the development of the county's $150 million local transportation improvement program.

The county has never had a black serve on the planning board.

Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews' response to Warner's suggestion?

He told her that she and her "community" should focus their efforts this year in getting a black elected to the county bench.

Heh, Jimbo said "your community"...that's as bad as saying "you people" or "he's very well spoken". Stay classy Jaime la Mierda, stay classy.

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Off To College, Day 2...

So far, the class has been fairly interesting. Some of the magic that is the internet has been revealed to me (and the 8 others taking the class), prompting a few "oohs" and ahhs and half a dozen "cools".

Notwithstanding, the class is challenging. I've been learning how to lay out a web page, us links to take you to different parts of a page, to different pages within the website and links to other websites that open in a new window (to keep you from navigating away from the original site).

Today, I will complete another 7 hours of intense instruction, with a project included, and receive a certificate that says I completed the course.

It's not an Associates degree, but to me, it means the world, as I will have a new skill to add to my resume...a skill that may just open a few doors that wouldn't have otherwise in my search for employment.

On the other hand, it may just be the springboard for what I've wanted to do for quite some time...start my own graphic design company.

Once again, the oh, so familiar smell of coffee is permeating the first floor of Casa de Shaw...I'll fill you in later on what was accomplished in today's session.

Peace.

B.


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Off To College...

...To take some non-credit courses.

This may be the beginning of me getting back on track to earn a degree.

When and if I do, I'll add it to my bucket list then cross it off.

I've gone back before and had to quit when a scheduling conflict arose with work. Since I've not been able to find a job in my chosen field, I may have to do what I had to over ten years ago and re-invent the wheel.

Of course, I'll try to do as much of it online as I can. Montco Community College offers a combination package for the degree I'd like to earn, so I'll try to take advantage of it.

Oh, the course I'm taking today and tomorrow? Web design and development. Just another skill to pad my resume with for potential employers. In a few weeks, I'll be back to learn basic graphic animation for the web.

Well, coffee's ready...class starts at 9 o'clock...I'll be back online later to fill you in on what's-what.

Enjoy your day off, County employees, the rest of you, at least traffic won't be too bad today.

Peace.


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Change Comes to Washington, D.C.

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Obama to Veto Porkulus Bill...

...don't we wish?

Actually, this article, Posted by Scott Ott on "scrappleface.com", satirizes the passing of the so-called "stimulus package"...

Obama to Veto Stimulus Bill: ‘I Had a Dream’

by Scott Ott for ScrappleFace · 10 Comments

(2009-02-14) — President Barack Obama said today that “after a restless night’s sleep” he will veto the $787 billion economic stimulus package passed by Democrats in Congress on Friday.

“I had a dream,” said a visibly shaken Mr. Obama. “that my daughters, Sasha and Malia, were trapped under the 1,100-page legislation. In the dream I saw my girls as women in their forties and they were still paying for this. I woke up, and did the math, and realized that it wasn’t just a dream. Has anybody read this thing yet?”

The president said he “never really cared about the stimulus anyway” and that he “just wanted Nancy to shut up and Harry to go away,” referring to House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid.

Good stuff? Read the rest of the article here.

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The Only Post I'm Posting Today

...and it's a "repeat"!

Born Today:

L.L. Bean was born on 13th of February in 1873

Bess Truman was born on 13th of February in 1885

Grant Wood was born on 13th of February in 1892

Tennessee Ernie Ford was born on 13th of February in 1919

Chuck Yeager was born on 13th of February in 1923

Kim Novak was born on 13th of February in 1933

George Segal was born on 13th of February in 1934

Oliver Reed was born on 13th of February in 1938

Carol Lynley was born on 13th of February in 1942

Jerry Springer was born on 13th of February in 1944

Peter Tork was born on 13th of February in 1944

Stockard Channing was born on 13th of February in 1944

Peter Gabriel was born on 13th of February in 1950

Lord Randolph Churchill (Winston Churchill's dad) 13-Feb-1849

Randy Moss was born on 13th of February in 1977

Henry Rollins was born on 13th of February in 1961

My Grand-Uncle Herman "Bud" Schwartz was born on 13th of February ( a long time ago)

And last but certainly not least, props to my mom and dad, because:

Your Humble Blogger, B. Shaw was born on 13th of February in 1964
(little did the world know what it was in for!)


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Censure Is (Or, "Spank the Turd" Again)...

Contributed by "Black Horse"


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My Dad's Blog

Dad posted a few more snippets this week. Be sure to check them out on his blog, "My Philthy-Delphia.

He's finally getting the hang of things and is quite happy to have a place (other than Mom's ear) to rant about what pisses him off about our government. Mom's happy that Dad's found a new hobby since he retired. I'm happy to see Dad take a passionate interest in how bad things have gotten (welcome to the club, Dad!).

Looks like everybody's happy.

B.
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Weight Loss, Week 5

This begins my fifth week of my weight loss plan. I've gained a half pound this week.

My net loss since embarking on this program on January 5th is 7 lbs. My net loss since January 1st, when my scale read "OL" (over limit) is approximately 13 lbs. I was 299 lbs Christmas week.

Am I disappointed in the half pound weight gain? No. I had a weekend that was not conducive to dieting and/or calorie counting. I drank a lot of OPB (other peoples beer), also, adding to the mix. I'm quite surprised, in fact, that the weight gain wasn't more.

I've since gotten back "on the program" of portion control, save for a lunch at Cracker Barrel yesterday...but I did have three vegetables with my chicken fried steak.

As for exercise? We've been fostering a dog for a friend and I've been walking about a quarter mile every day, which may not seem like much, but with my bad knee, is more than enough to get me sweating. I think the walking is the reason I haven't gained more than that half pound this week.

Week 5 begins with my birthday tomorrow. I've already chosen my "dinner" and will be having a steak, baked potato with sour cream and a salad. I'd like French onion soup as an "appetizer", but may have to pass on the cheese and bread.

After my birthday feast, it's down to the business of knocking off a pound or two this week. Wish me luck.



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Specter Responds to Criticism-CNN Video

Specter get's thrown a softball by CNN on his vote for the Porkulus package:



And here is the rest of it. Read Full Text/Comments

Montgomery County Controller: S.N.A.F.U.

And I mean A.F.U.!

Here's the thing-Montco Controller, Diane Morgan, has really let her office go to hell in just over a year.

The 1099 forms sent out by the controller's office for over 1620 individuals are wrong. Yes, wrong.

Here's what happened...the new software (such as "we dems know better than you what works") used to generate the 1099 forms has a major snag in it:

For example, a county assistant district attorney might receive a fee as an independent contractor when she or he sits on a three-member arbitration panel to handle a civil case. That assistant district attorney may be reimbursed for expenses to travel to a preliminary hearing as part of his or her job as a prosecutor.

The accounts payable software used by the county lumps all of those fees and reimbursements together and that sum is reflected on the 1099 forms, according to Morgan.

Also, a 1099 form, filed with the IRS, lists taxable income from which no deductions have been made.

My questions for Ms. Morgan are: How much is going to cost the Montgomery County taxpayers? And, isn't the boss ultimately to blame when a trusted second screws up? Lastly, What about those employees who already filed their taxes...if they paid someone to do their taxes, is the controller's office responsible for paying to have them re-done? I'll bet the answer to all of these questions is "no comment".

Since last year, Morgan has been going all out to try to screw with Republicans in the courthouse and in One Montgomery, and all the while, "Rome" was burning. Maybe Diane Morgan needs to get her own house in order before she starts sticking her nose under other people's tents.



Even Eric Kretschman never screwed up this bad, IMHO!

Read the entire Intelligencer article here.

H/T to SPR for the heads-up

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Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Today is Sarah Palin's birthday.

As Sarah turns 45 today and I turn 45 on Friday, my arrogance allows me to state that 1964, especially February 1964, was indeed, a great vintage for conservatives in America.

Thank goodness Thalidomide became illegal in '62. (heh!)

G-d bless you, Sarah Palin, on the anniversary of your birth. Many happy returns of the day and may you live another 45 (or more) years, if so inclined!

If you would like to email Governor Palin and wish her a happy birthday, click this link, to her official government web site, and fill out the form:

http://gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php




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Jimbo Takes One With The Team

The County will retain the services of longtime auditors, Maillie Falconiero & Co. of Pottstown, to audit the Retirement Boards books.

This was accomplished by...get this...Matthews voting with Treasurer, Garrett D. Page and Republican Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr.

Voting against were Commissioner Hoeffel (D) and Controller, Diane Morgan (D).

Morgan and Hoeffel wanted to hire a firm located outside of Montgomery county, to which Castor, Page and Matthews rebuked them by saying,

"they were satisfied with the past work performed by the Maillie firm and preferred awarding county contracts to county businesses whenever possible." (M. Gibbons, The Intelligencer-02/10/08)

Morgan had proposed that a Reading, Berks County firm do the job "to put fresh eyes and a healthy dose of skepticism" on the process, basically saying that she didn't trust the two commissioner's and the treasurer's judgment. The Reading firm had proposed to do the job for about $5 thousand dollars per year more than the Maillie firm.

I'm not fully convinced that this was a "party line" vote by Jimbo, more than the fact that he wanted to keep Montgomery County tax dollars in Montgomery County, which I have absolutely no problem with, whatsoever.

As a matter of fact, here's a novel idea...how about the commissioners imposing a "Do Business In Montco" doctrine? That way, political contributers from surrounding counties can't influence Montco politics by being awarded contracts to do business with Montco. I'm sure exceptions could be made when certain services are not available in Montgomery County, but for the most part...contracts here keep and create jobs here.

Yeah, it's a silly idea. So was the airplane and subsequently the parachute.

Read Margaret Gibbons Intelligencer article here.



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...And, Running (Again)...

Two names pop up in the county judicial races on the democrat side of the ticket...names we all may recognize for no other reason than the fact they run for everything lately.

None other than Anne Thornberg Weiss (our county Clerk of Courts) and two-time loser of the 6th Congressional seat (to Jim Gerlach), Lois "the Carpetbagger" Murphy.

Murphy's last assignment/job was on the Governor's Action Team, a sort of lobbying group that helps companies expand and grow in PA (after, I'm sure, a hefty donation to the democratic party).

As for Thornberg Weiss, she should have never run for row office if she'd known she was going to run for judge. Your humble blogger wonders if she only ran to raise her name recognition (which, in turn, would help raise money or the party)? No, that wouldn't be ethical.

Anyway, the only other notable on the democrat side is former Ken Davis supporter and Republican Party apostate Cheryl Lynn Austin. Austin defected from the party in the great debacle called the "Registration Shift"...the largest shift in registration in Montgomery County history, all while under the dutiful watch of failed party chairman Ken Davis.

What really boggles the mind, is that the website of former MCRC director Adam Gattuso and his assistant, Matt McLaughlin's consulting group, GOP for PA, still had Austin listed as a Republican as of January 7th of this year (see cached page-click here).

So, there you have it...three notable democrats running for judge in Montgomery County this year. From what I see, we need to run 7 notable Republicans to beat them, if only on name recognition alone.

With the number of candidates in the race at the present time, the outcome of our endorsement may have the greatest impact on Montgomery County than any time in past history. It's up to the committee people of the MCRC to speak up to their leaders and urge them to choose the best and brightest when they meet to make their recommendations to party chairman, Bob Kerns. The will of the committe is of the utmost importance now, more than ever..

Lets hope they choose well. Let's hope they choose wisely. Let's hope they choose based on what we, the committee decide. If not, then the next choice will be ours...to choose new leadership within our committees.



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Censure Is (Or, "Spank the Turd")...

I've gotten 2 submissions so far...

"Chris From Springfield" submits:



While "Pottstown Pete" thinks this one is a hoot:

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"Censure Is"...

Back in the 60's and '70's, there was a series of comics that started with "Love Is", and went on to have little, syrupy, cute snippets attached, like "Love Is" 'never having to say you're sorry', and the like, all of it hippie drivel.

Well, folks, after this weekend, we need to re-wire that hippies comic series and start a "Censure is" series.

Why?

Well, first and foremost, at the state committee breakfast for the Southeastern Caucus, several of Montgomery County's State Committee members were warm and fuzzy with KJIII. As I sat and watched Jimbo go from table to table, looking for friends, he, indeed, found one or two.

So, for those few that actually exchanged kind words with the first (little "R") republican who ever was censured by the Montgomery County Republican Committee for actions not consistent with the principles of the Republican Party, here is the first of my series, which I will call "Censure Is". Maybe you guys will finally get the hint.

To the rest of us, those who do "get it", I hope you enjoy them, my apologies to the original creator of the "Love Is" brand, and, if you feel so inclined, send me a few of your own and I will post them at a later date.

As an added incentive, send in your ideas, get your chance to "spank" the Turd and I'll give a Writemarsh button to the top 5 entries!

B.

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Sightings:XXI ***UPDATE***

Yes, I have an update!

The "turd" showed up at breakfast, milled around the banquet room, spoke to a few of his Montco "faithful", walked over and stood by himself next to the entrance wall, and snuck out when nobody was looking...well, almost nobody.

And he didn't even stop by our table to say "hi". This photo is of Jimbo, right before he left...it kinda sucks when nobody wants you around, doesn't it?





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Sightings:XXI

I happened to be in Harrisburg last evening, and who did I happen to see on the second floor atrium of the Hilton, Harrisburg?

Heeeeeeeeee's Heeeeeeeere!

Yes, folks, in H-Burg to celebrate his and Ronald Reagan's birthday (the irony befuddles me) was none other than King James the Turd!

James Rex was sighted by your's truly, just after I saw his personal secretary standing on the atrium stairs, attempting to mix it up with a few people...and throwing back a few to celebrate his special day.

His Majesty actually bumped into me (OK, I bumped into him) at one point, but, like ships passing in the night, neither acknowledged the collision. I was too busy trying not to drop three beverages while balancing my good leg with my cane to stop and exchange pleasantries.

El Rey Jaime de Mierda la Tercera did not have dinner with the state committee crew. Although I did see his county secretary chumming it up with State Committeewoman, Susan Shea later on in the evening, KJIII was noticeably absent from any further festivities.

Maybe I'll see him at breakfast.




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Weight Loss, Week 4

At the beginning of what is my 4th week, I have a net loss of 7.5 lbs. That may not be substantial to most, but I'm steadily losing and keeping it off. I lost 6 last week from my illness and put 4 back on, but I expected that result.

I've been getting a handle on portion control over the past three weeks. Even on Superbowl Sunday, I ate half a tuna hoagie, two or three fried mushrooms and that's all. I had no additional snacks during the game, as in years past.

I've also been cooking for four, not making a meal fit for an army, so we're wasting less food. I'm planning on preparing some bulk "freezables" for the winter, chili and soup, which I will freeze in quarts.

One of the problems I need to get more under control is all of the tasting I do while cooking dinner. The introduction of one-pot, pre-prepared meals such as soup and chili are will help that issue along...just heat and eat!

We are also fostering a dog for a while, so my activity level is up, with three a day walks around the cemetery, about 2 miles total (combined walking).

Here's to week 5...


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Am I Making Too Much Of This?

On a personal note...I've owned a snow blower since 1996, the year Scraps was born. My house is a "twin" home and we have one common driveway that comes off the street, which splits at the top of the entrance into two separate driveways.

About 5-6 years ago, we got new neighbors. They are both in their 60's and the husband has health issues. I started snow-blowing their side of the driveway that first year, just because a) it's the neighborly thing to do, and b) because of the health issues noted above. I've done this every year since they've moved in, never asking for anything in return.

Skip forward to this year. The two substantial snow storms we've had weren't that bad, the snow was a powdery snow and I was able to use the shovel to move it. My neighbors, on the other hand, have a relative who lives close who has a "quad" with a snow plow attachment. Their thirty-something son borrowed the quad twice this year, cleared their side, pushed the snow onto my lawn, and left without even offering to clear my side. (this son lives with them now)

I'm not sure whether or not to say anything to them about the issue, but it pisses me off that he is pushing the snow onto my lawn. When I "blew" the snow for them, I distributed the snow equally on both sides of the property. But, I did both houses, not just the mouth of the driveway and my side.

I'm just venting, as I have to go out, break out my snowblower and put even more snow on top of what he already plowed onto my lawn.

For the record, if they didn't plow, I'd have been out there last night with the snowblower, clearing both sides. I like my neighbors and don't want to make this the issue that causes tension between us, but...let's say it's frustrating.

I had to get this rant off my chest...my wife is tired of hearing me bitch about it, so I thought I'd share it with you.

So, off I go, to blow the snow...stay warm!



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Judicial Boards of Review

All candidates running for judge in Montgomery County have the opportunity to be rated by their peers at the Montgomery County Bar Association. Those who chose to seek recommendation were assessed and the final results were posted on the Montgomery Bar Association website last week. The judging criteria is as follows:

The Judiciary Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association is charged with interviewing and rating candidates for the position of judge in the Court of Common Pleas. The Judiciary Committee is composed of 34 lawyers of diverse backgrounds, ages, practices and geographic areas of Montgomery County with a combined legal practice exceeding 1000 years.

Each candidate is evaluated individually and not as compared to other candidates. The purpose of the ratings is to educate the public as to how each candidate’s peers view them as possibly becoming judges, and to assist the electorate in their evaluation of judicial candidates on election day.

The Committee is charged to rate a candidate recommended, highly recommended or not recommended.

The recommendation awarded to the candidate does not speak to the candidate’s ability as a practicing attorney at law.

The rating criteria which are considered are the candidate’s:

• Integrity
• Good moral character
• Industry
• Good health
• Legal ability
• Bench trial, jury trial or evidentiary hearing experience
• Judicial temperament (patience, courtesy, compassion, impartiality, humility, even temper, sense of fairness)

Each candidate submits to the Committee a biographical summary of their legal experience and background. These submissions are carefully reviewed and considered. The Committee also conducts reviews and discussions with persons each candidate advises are familiar with their qualifications.

The Bar considers this procedure a public service.

Below, I have listed those Republican judicial candidates "highly recommended" and "recommended" by the Bar:

Highly Recommended
Gary Steven Silow
Daniel J. Clifford
Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio
Garrett David Page

Recommended
Jeffrey McDonnell
Kelly C. Wall
Maureen Claire Coggins
John C. Armstrong
Patricia E. Coonahan
Wendy Demchick-Alloy
David A. Keightly
Joanna M. Cruz
Brian D. Rosenthal

Not Recommended
Harvey Friedland

The Bar Association allows attorneys vying for judicial recommendations to withdraw of the running rather than receive a "not recommended" status. The Republican candidates who withdrew are:

Bill Bryers
Moon Ahn
Barbara May

I have listed each candidate in the order they were presented on the Bar Association's website. I am looking into whether or not they were placed there by ranking, or if it is just a random placement.

As soon as I know, I will update this post accordingly.

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