Before It's Too Late...

I was very interested in the letter to the editor that was published this morning in the sentinel.

The reader says, "According to the board, he was making purchases not in the budget and/or not approved by the board."

My problem with the whole budget argument is this, a budget is only a frame work. It is a snap shot of what the future fiscal year MAY BRING. Not what the fiscal year WILL BRING. Buying items that were not budgeted is not a reason to be terminated. However, I can not argue this, nor can anyone else, unless we know WHAT the former chief had purchased.

The reader also says, "These board members each represent the municipality where they reside, and I have no doubt they feel they voted in the best interest of their respective community."

I like the reader believe that the board members FEEL they voted in the best interest of their community. That is the real problem here. They really do feel they voted in the best interest of their communities. But is the possibility of having the State Police take over patrols in the best interest of the community? This is a real possibility in my opinion.

I know this may not sound far fetched, but look at Armagh. They are already looking into other options and every indication is they are willing and soon able to turn over control to the State Police. Eventually if townships and boroughs continue to pull out only a few will be left. The ones that remain will face the option of either raising taxes to support the police force, or save money by cutting the force and taking State Police protection.

It is an interesting situation. We can really use the board of directors to turn the page on partisanship and the good ol' boy network. We really need them to do things in a more transparent manner to gain public trust....before its too late.

Reporting Corruption in the Face of Threats

There is a reason that people like me are given the freedom to express our opinion about issues that affect citizens of the United States. Such freedom was granted by our Bill of Rights in our Constitution. When people are no longer granted the freedom to express themselves and question the actions of those elected to public office, our democracy has failed.

In a perfect world, I would reveal to readers who I am and proudly call myself an American because I can state my opinion without repercussions to me personally and to my business. But Mifflin County is not part of that perfect world and revealing my identity would only cast upon me personal hardship from people who disagree with my opinion. Like, for example, the individual(s) who have recently commented in my blog—comments I chose not to post due to their threatening nature.

Despite the fact that I only reported and gave my opinion to what was written in the newspaper about the Mifflin County Regional Police. One said that Herkert himself had me write the blogs (I never met Herkert).

Many in this county take for granted our constitutional right to free speech—so much so that they overlook impingement of these rights here in our local community. If you happen to hold a dissenting view or speak out against actions by some local officials, look out. They will try to find a way to get back at you.

It’s an understatement to say that free speech is the foundation of our democracy. But despite our country’s strength and standing throughout the world, free speech is fragile and must be protected at the local level; otherwise our democracy will fall like a house of cards.

Just for future information, comments of a threatening nature will not be tolerated.

Curves Moves to a New Building..

This morning I opened my paper only to be greeted with this headline.

The thing I am having the most trouble with is why is this a headline? Why is it that this is the best thing the newspaper can talk about? Do we not have bigger problems in this area? If you cant think of any let me point some out....

Our infrastructure is failing at many different levels. A high number of young people are viewing suicide as a logical choice.But, at least you know that Curves is in a new building. People cant afford gasoline, groceries, health care, medication, or much less a vacation. But, at least you know that Curves is in a new building.Basic services like public safety are being threatened by irresponsible public officials and lack of proper budgeting and oversight. But, at least you know that Curves is in a new building. Corruption is being swept under the rug at all levels of the local government.Teen pregnancy is at a drastically high rate. Kids are dieing from illegal drugs like heroin all over our streets. But, at least you know that Curves is in a new building.

Yes, things in this community may be on the down turn. Faith can no longer be placed in public officials, your money may not be safe in any bank, our youth is being misguided from the get go, but hey look at the bright side:
At least you know that Curves is in a new building.

I Can Sleep Again.....NOT!

As you know, I have been a vocal critic of the Mifflin County Regional Police board’s firing of William Herkert. But now I am breathing a huge sigh of relieve knowing that Sgt. Mike Moyle and Administrative Assistant Jeri Minnick Dukes are running the operation. Who needs a police chief when we have two individuals running the force who have countless hours of training and experience in law enforcement?

As we all know, training and experience are very overrated when it comes to protecting the welfare of local citizens. With Moyle and Minnick Dukes at the helm, terrorists, murderers, drug smugglers, arsonists, extortionists, and other criminals will run full speed to other counties because they don’t want to face another Elliot Ness.

So everyone, go for a walk and leave your young children alone at home. Let your doors and windows open at night. Sleep in peace. We don’t need a police chief as long as we have Sgt Moyle and Jeri Minnick Dukes covering our backs.

Mifflin County Police

As I sit and begin to reflect on the situation with the Mifflin County Police department, I can't help but wonder what the future will hold.

I think the lack of leadership put forth by the board, will lead to a very large change in how the greater Mifflin County area is protected. After a while, I believe townships will start opting for State Police coverage of their respective areas.

If this were to happen, it would place a bigger strain on the remaing townships to either pick up the bill for the police department of let it dissolve. I believe it is impossible for any remaing townships to front the bill by themselves. Thus, they are left with two options. Raise taxes, get themselves kicked out of elected office and support the local police department OR due to a lack of leadership by the people they appointed, allow the police department to dissolve and opt for State Police coverage.

It is unfortunate that the lack of leadership by few will effect in a negative way the people of this county. I DO believe this problem can be solved however.

We can place all differences aside if and only if the members of the board resign.

Let us get new leadership on the board. This board is going to lead to the dimise of the police force. However with new leadership, the public will again stand behind its officers and the police force. I believe this can only happen if the board resigns. Otherwise, get ready for the Pennsylvania State Police to take over.

Dawn Renniger Gives Teachers a Black Eye

The Huffington Post’s exposure of Dawn Renniger’s partisan teaching style is bad news for Mifflin County’s teachers. For those not reading the article, Renninger is accused of showing the film, Obsession, distributed by the McCain campaign on the dangers posed to the U.S. by Muslim extremists and implies that Obama would be sympathetic to them and would threaten our national security.

Showing the film as an example of how political parties try to sway the electorate through propaganda is certainly proper. But using it to get students to endorse a political candidate is not, even if the endorsement is implied, not directly stated.

It is clear from the comments by her present and former students that she is a staunch Republican who strongly supports the neo-conservative views of the Republican party. In other words, she verbally presents both sides of an issue but lays out the issues in a manner that leads students to believe that her Republican viewpoint is right and the Democratic viewpoint is wrong.

For example, she could have had students watch Obsession, along with another film expressing a liberal viewpoint, then have students figure out for themselves how each party used propaganda techniques to get viewers to believe their particular viewpoints.

Unfortunately in our society, the misdeeds of a small number of teachers like Dawn Renninger undermine the good work and professionalism practiced by the great majority of others in the profession.

More of the same...

Let me first start by offering congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama. What a history making night it was....


Now on to more local news....


In another show of boards that do not function, take a look at the Mifflin County School Board. Recently a teacher from the Mifflin County School District was featured on an online news paper, The Huffington Post. The school board and school officials have turned a blind eye to this. They are taking the don't do anything approach. They are taking the same reactive approach the Mifflin County Police Board did.

The teacher apparently showed a right wing propaganda movie to her students. She then allegedly told them that this is what could happen if Barack Obama were elected. Well this is a teacher, someone to be fair and free of bias in the classroom. A person that should shed personal opinion at the door. She took a learning opportunity for her students and simply turned her head the pother way. WHAT IS THIS BOARD DOING?? Can they not control their employees? Are they afraid of the teachers union? Do they not have the courage to act? By simply not acting, we know the answers to all of these questions... Hopefully this board does the right thing before it is to late. Agree or disagree with her politics, students should be shown all sides of the story...

What does the board decide???? Let's wait until it is time the public finds out before we do anything...

To read the post about the lack of judgment by the teacher copy and paste the link below... Feel free to share reaction by leaving a comment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-rodda/pa-high-school-teacher-re_b_135449.html

Reflecting on Integrity

Let’s be honest, a county’s police force, including the board, must maintain the highest moral integrity in order to uphold the law in the community.
When corruption enters a police force, at any level, it is a detriment to the community at large.

As community members we should expect nothing less than discipline, integrity, and honor from the police department, including the board.

For example, what would a police officer do if he caught a relative of a board member breaking the law? Would they let that person off because he or she fears losing their job and their family’s livelihood?

Unfortunately the officers of the Mifflin County Police Department may have to face that reality some day. Another more sinister possibility exists that officers would target those individuals who publically opposed the board’s firing of Herkert.

Will they become targets? Will the board’s lack of moral integrity stop with the firing of Chief Herkert?

Chief Herkert’s dismissal goes much further than one man and his family losing its livelihood. It can and will affect us all.