Abington School Board Debate - at what price?

Here's video from the Abington School Board debate. It's a not-so-funny look into the focus of the candidates who are responsible for the education of our kids and at what costs.

The incumbent Democrats, Ray McGarry, Jeff Bates, and Barry Stupine don't know off the top of their heads what they pay the Abington School District's Superintendent, they estimate it at $240k plus benefits.

But the challengers, Joe Denelsbeck specifically, are fully informed.



video courtesy of Tom Kirk and AlexC

Abington School Board, the Debate

I would have posted this last night, but the Phillies were a much-needed distraction. More voters and less political operatives, from both sides, might have made this event worthwhile, but again the Phillies were a distraction.

Barry Stupine wore a Phillies uniform and while we disagree on a few major issues, even I wasn't offended by what some may have thought was distasteful dress for someone in such a position, on such a stage.

Joe Dennelsbeck was obviously the focus of the debate. Not just by his incumbent opposition, but seemingly according to plan on his part. After all, one must find a way to stir things up and rattle your opponent, if you are the underdog.

Jeff Bates unfortunately took the bait and appeared less than calm, cool, or collected. His opening statement got cut short by the clock and he was noticeably shocked, spending much of the evening complaining about the rules of the debate, or the lack of enforcement thereof. It really didn't matter what else he said last night, the constant whining was an unprofessional distraction and quite frankly, surprising. Bates' reaction made Denneslbeck's "rule violations" look effective, even if it was over the top.

But it just wasn't during the debate that Bates seemed agitated. After the audience was long gone, Jeff approached me to let me know he saw the camera I was holding - like it was some kind of secret he discovered. He failed of course to realize the Abington News and Views television camera nearby which recorded much of the proceedings. Clearly, this campaign is getting to Mr. Bates.

Steve Kalinoski, for the most part, let the others squabble while trying to stay above it all. He praised the district for a few of the programs they currently run, but also pointed out his desire to see Abington do more in addressing students with special needs. But after mentioning he never wrote letters to the editor about the school board, comments which were the focus of attacks from all three incumbent members, Ray McGarry was sure to remind Kalinoski that his name was indeed on one. Typically, the lawyer pounced on the opportunity. Dennelsbeck and Kalinoski submitted a joint article in the Times Chronicle/Glenside News earlier in the campaign.

Given the flack I have leveled toward Ray McGarry over the last couple years, at least he was approachable when the debate was finished. I met his lovely wife and we had a good discussion about a few issues on my mind. One I will cover in my next post.

Adam Share is the newcomer to the township, and to the Abington political scene. He represented himself much like Kalinoski did, seeming uninterested in entering the heated debate between the others. But Share also didn't seem to have a firm grip on what the issues are in Abington; simply riding the 'we are great' train.

Brad Werden was unable to attend for personal reasons.

The incumbents want us all to feel everything is fine and dandy in the Abington School District. They have received awards from organizations they feel are official experts on school competency, they are cutting taxes this year, and they care about making sure the students are firmly aware global warming is an issue of significance.

The challengers think the school's administration is leading the agenda while the current school board follows; they say it should be the other way around. While they agree there has been tax cuts this year, they point out it came on the heels of increases totaling 38% over the last 8 years. Sadly, they also buy into the global warming hoax.

Not one of the participants knew the value of the services Dr. Amy Sichel, Abington's Superintendent, provided. When asked by an audience member what Sichel made when you combine salary, bonus, and benefits, and what the annual costs to the district will be after she retires, no one had an answer. McGarry could only estimate the salary at $240,000 plus.

While I don't think anyone would expect the challengers to know the number off the top of their head, the gentlemen who hold the office currently better know - they sign the budget every year.

It kinda proves what Dennelsbeck and Kalinoski were trying hard to point out - the current Abington School Board is not leading; they are being led.

Speaking of leaders...according to the clock in the right column of this blog, it has been 588 days and counting since the President of the United States paid his $21,000 overdue bill to the Abington Township Police Department for security provided during his two campaign stops to our town last year. A bill that McGarry, Bates and Stupine assured us would be paid.

Protesting Against Hostile Government Takeover in Abington

Page13news was there too.

I've written here before about the hostile government takeover of a commercial property in Abington to, in part, honor the campaign promise of Abington Democrat Commissioner Lori Schreiber who is running for re-election. It was Schreiber who promised four years ago to do something about the vacant property at 1180 Easton Road in the Roslyn section of Abington.


About 40 protesters, led by libertarian and former Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate, Ken Krawchuk, gathered at the property subject to the hostile takeover. Then, one by one, the group walked in the rain to each of the homes of Abington Commissioners, both republican and democratic, who supported the move.


From the sidewalk they loudly proclaimed their objections to the politicians and let passers-by know why they were gathering. Some of the conflicts got testy as protesters and two Schreiber supporters argued as they marched. No violence, just heated honest disagreement.

Schreiber's November opponent, Lou Guerra, was not in attendance.

Page13news will have further information about the status of the current court fight between the owners of the property and the Abington township when they happen.

Abington Free Speech in Peril?

A prior post here summarized the hostile government takeover of private property in the Roslyn section of Abington Township.

Commissioners from both sides of the aisle approved the takeover and the owners have filed suit to stop them.

In a side story of sorts, Dr. Bob Sklaroff and Bob Guzzardi, esq. have filed their own suit against the township regarding their free speech being squelched on the issue. Abington's solicitor had recommended the board not hear these two gentlemen's problems with the hostile takeover because, as you will see below, the issue is currently being litigated in court.

While neither Bob mentions the hostile takeover aspect of this story, it is interesting to hear why they have issues with the planned use of the property and why it is they feel their first amendment rights are being trampled on.

Abington's Hero Cop

Abington Police Officer Scott Dinsmore performs above and beyond, saving a couple and their pets from their burning house. I'll bet he'd say he was just doing his job.

Eminent Domain and Pork Spending

Four years ago, Abington Township Commissioner Lori Schreiber (D) ran on the promise to end blithe in her neighborhood of Roslyn. She blamed her opponent for, among other things, failing to get the owner of a commercial property at 1180 Easton Road (pictured) to either rent or sell the location after it sat vacant for several years.

Now, after failing to do the same during her first term, Commissioner Schreiber has a brilliant idea; hostile government takeover.

Eminent domain – when a governmental body decides to forcefully take property from a private citizen for the “best interests of the community”.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Abington voted for the hostile takeover of the property so it can be used to relocate, expand, and improve the current Roslyn library. Individuals from both parties voted against it as well. One Democrat was wise (dare I say brave) enough to see the danger in this move.

The measure passed by one vote but doesn’t guarantee a quick resolution since the owners can appeal. Can you envision the price tag elevating already? Grant money won’t cover legal bills.

Those in favor of this action justify the move because it won’t increase taxes. Grant money will be used to fund the project. But this creates problem number two.

When the country’s economy (actually a global problem) is tanking, these pork projects should be shelved. Especially when its sole purpose is not to beautify the neighborhood as Commissioner Schreiber would like you to believe, but rather to guarantee this politician gets re-elected.

Republicans on the Abington Board who voted in favor of this move, failed to follow the example shown in Washington. The pork spending Washington added to the “stimulus” bill on one end, leads to Democrats being re-elected here, on the other end.

My family enjoys the Roslyn library and would visit the beautiful new facility if it ever becomes a reality, but only if private investment made it happen.

This library however, is simply being used as an excuse for the government to justify a takeover and for one specific politician to benefit.

Obama's Overdue Bill to Abington

In the next chapter of the over-politically-motivated Abington School Board and the saga surrounding their gracious gift to the residents who pay their bills, a teeny-weeny issue remains.

That is, if you think a $40,000 bill still due is chump change.

Michele Obama came to our lovely town 10 months ago. Her most-wonderful spouse followed up with a visit of his own in October. The saga has been documented here.

Problem. They still owe Abington Township $21,000, and $19,000 combined to several other municipalities, for the police who worked the security detail on both days.

Now, it's not like the Obama campaign doesn't pay their bills. After all, the school district (and it's Democrat controlled board) got paid. Just not the township, where Republicans still control the purse strings.

Josh Shapiro has promised results; says the check is in the mail.

But after 10 months of waiting, the chump change still hasn't arrived.

A Community Effort

Sometimes, politicians from both sides of the isle find ways to work together to improve their community. Such is the case in Abington as a bi-partisan effort is underway to improve the Old York Road Corridor - that stretch of 611 between Jenkintown and route 63.

Last night, approximately a hundred residents attended a town hall meeting given by members of the redevelopment committee. The gathering was intended to educate the public about the group's vision for this stretch of roadway which is often by-passed at a high rate of speed by motorists who use it daily.

It's still early in the process as it's estimated the project will take 10-20 years to complete. However, this meeting was aimed at putting a vision behind the Township's Comprehensive plan to improve the corridor.

The early reviews between several of the meeting's attendants were mixed. Some saw little chance of certain aspects of the plan ever coming to fruition. One particular business owner commented that getting all the separate interested parties to agree on the plan would be a hurdle not easily overcome.

Still others, including myself, like the idea of creating a concept by which future development can be guided. Planning takes just that - planning.

Ten million has been granted to the project so far thanks to State Representative Josh Shapiro. Though just a drop in the bucket for the overall concept to be realized (I heard a figure of $300 million in total), the money should cover most of the curbing and landscaping improvements.

Abington Commissioners from both sides of the aisle, members of both Montgomery County and Abington's Planning Commission, Penn State Abington's Chancellor , Abington Township staff, as well as the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce are participating on the committee.

Now one year into the concept, the early signs are encouraging. For further information see the Old York Road Corridor Improvement website. I'll keep you posted as further developments warrant.

Abington - Best Place to Live

My home town Abington is one of Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live, coming in 21st overall.

They credit Abington's schools, parks like the Briar Bush Nature Center, and the Keswick Theater as some of the reasons our town is one of the best. Include our first-class Abington Hospital, Penn State Abington, and Glenside's Fourth of July celebration and you see why Abington residents love it here.

Thanks to FOX 29 for spreading the word.

Abington School Board Update

I attended tonight's Abington School Board meeting to express my opinion about their actions in person.

First, given the way I picked apart their actions two weeks ago, they were measured in their reaction, with one slight exception.

Second, apparently the event Bush attended in 2000 was a little more than first described here.

According to a plaque given to the High School by President Bush and one of two Philadelphia Inquirer articles about the visit, the event was more than just 12 students in the library. Additionally, Ray McGarry made sure to emphatically point out a banner (from a picture with the Inquirer article) was present during the event. I stand corrected.

However, the report in the Times Chronicle I referenced differs on the numbers who attended. While they mentioned the 12 panelists who were present, they made no mention of others, and no mention of a banner. But as Robert Zousner's Inquirer article about the event pointed out...

Offering proposals that were alternately tough and caring, Bush assured a receptive audience of about 100 packed into the school library that he had no interest in becoming a "federal superintendent" of schools, and that he preferred to have ideas and programs "bubble up" from the local level.

Still, whether 12 or 100, the library event was not a rally. And while Mr. McGarry stated Bush spent most of his time talking about campaign-related issues that day, there is no evidence in the three articles to support his claim. In fact, the Inquirer's Margie Fishman's April 5th, 2000 article states...

Bush took about 10 minutes at the start of the forum to reassert his education platform: Likening low expectations to "soft bigotry," he called for more equity, accountability and values in education - ideas, he said, that helped boost student performance in Texas.

When asked, neither Mr. McGarry nor Ms. Sichel seemed to know whether a temporary suspension of the policy was given to allow for the 2000 visit. They also seemed to believe the school board was never informed of the event. I find that difficult to swallow, but I'll cut both of them slack until I hear otherwise.

The new policy is what it is for the remainder of this election cycle. I made my point and stand by my conclusions. The letter sent home to parents announcing the event touted the visit as recognition of Abington's achievements. However, as evidence shows here, it was just an excuse used to cover for a political rally.

Sacrificial Lamb

Ron Holt, who seems to be the GOP-has-no-one-else-to-run candidate in Abington, has been talking with John Prezel about organizing a write-in campaign for the 153rd State House race against Josh Shapiro.

Ron has been candidate for State Senate in each of the last 2 election cycles, only to be trounced by Leanna Washington in a district where he has no legitimate shot at winning.

Prezel is clearly frustrated by the impact of Shapiro. Josh was able to orchestrate Denny O'Brien's ascension to speaker, knowing he'd actually own the position. But Prezel wants to keep Josh busy, never mind what it does to an already-weak GOP brand in southern Montgomery County.

This desperate move by Prezel shows a lack of vision. Holt may think falling on the sword for John is a swell idea, but is also failing to see the big picture here. This move doesn't help improve the GOP brand.

Committeepeople in Abington would be wise not let their frustration force them into a bad idea; write-in campaigns waste energy and time. If Holt does get on the ballot, resources are drawn away from the Marina Kats campaign against Allyson Schwartz; a race that will be tighter than some people think.

John Prezel would be better-suited to find a more savvy way to defeat Josh, but when the best idea you have is to run sacrificial lambs, with write-in campaigns, you've clearly lost your edge.

Abington Changes - part 3

Here's video of the Abington School Board action. The raw footage was more than 35 minutes long.

One note. A comment on a prior post asked why I failed to mention then-candidate Bush's April 2000 visit. Several board members refer to the event as well. Bush's visit is their justification for the change in policy. They would like us to believe the 2000 event is equal to last Thursday's.

However, if you read this article from the local paper, you'll see there is simply no comparison between Bush's visit and Obama's rally. Apparently, the talking points were widely distributed in anticipation of any protests.

Abington Changes - part 2

As promised, here's video of the Michelle Obama event at Abington High School. The video is the original broadcast of Abington News and Views, as it appeared on Channel 66 (Comcast Willow Grove).
White text overlaid is editorial commentary

Just 48 hours before the event, this type of politicking was not allowed on school grounds by Abington School District policy.

Thanks to the Abington School Board, video tomorrow, it now is...

Abington Changes

Michele Obama came to Abington High School yesterday to (uh hem) congratulate the township for being recognized as one of America's Best 100 Communities for Young People, by Colin Powell's America's Promise. This is the third consecutive year Abington has received the award, the only community in Pennsylvania to receive such an honor.

Problem. During her 50-minute speech, only 30 seconds of pre-written text were devoted to the honor. The rest was nothing short of a blatant politicking.

So what? Free speech is free speech right?

Normally, I would agree. However, until 48 hours prior to the event, politicking on Abington School District property was against it's own policy.

So what changed? Several events.

First, was the re-election of 4 school board members in 2005. Ray McGarry, Jeffery Bates, Barry Stupine, and Jo Blumenthal were all running as republicans. Their victory gave republicans a 6-3 majority. Then during the 2007 election year, 3 of those republicans changed their party affiliation; with Blumenthal remaining loyal to the party that supported her.

The change gave democrats a majority and as payback, McGarry was elevated to chairman. Two additional vacancies on the board were filled by, you guessed it, more democrats.

The changes did not come as a result of the ballot box. No, a power grab was the only reason for the switch. After a sweep in 2007, for re-election of 5 democrat board members, left the balance of power at 7 Democrats, 1 Republican, and Bates as an Independent.

Finally, less than 2 months after being sworn in, the board voted 6-1 to "temporarily suspend" (or change) the politicking regulations, to allow for Ms. Obama's rally. Two members were absent.

Voter registration tables were set up, campaign buttons and volunteer sign-up sheets were distributed, while a large Obama banner was nestled comfortably between 2 Abington School District banners. This obviously begs the question, is Abington's school district officially endorsing Obama?

During the school board meeting, township liason duo Barry Stupine and Michele Tinsman spoke about their desire to promote, via agressive marketing, Abington Township's 100 Best achievement. The honor which they want everyone to believe they earned. Unfortunately, when given the opportunity, the district was sold out to political agendas.

Thanks to the new Abington School Board, school grounds are open for propaganda. McCain's campaign would be wise to consider the newly-built football stadium as a backdrop in late October.

Is this the kind of change democrats have in mind?

Photo courtesy of Montgomery News. Video of the rally and the school board vote will follow shortly.

Interesting side note from this ludicrous event was Fast-Eddie Rendell's wing-man Josh Shapiro (State Representative 153rd district) appearing on stage to help rile up the crowd.

Ed's a known Clinton supporter and may not appreciate Josh's role here. The rising star of Pennsylvania politics Shapiro, better be careful not to upset the establishment.