This is information that EVERY registered voter in the Quakertown School District needs to know. If you did not see the newpaper articles in May 10th's Morning Call and May 11th Intelligencer, you NEED TO READ THEM. They are posted below.
Since this slimeball's tactics were hung out with all of his dirty laundry in the Morning Call on May 10th, and the Intelligencer on May 11th, the response from the public in the Morning Call's online comments section is overwhelming!
Contact Lou-Ellen Renshaw, Dean Wackerman, George Dager and Tom Marino and voice your disgust with 'Orloff's Puppets':
reformqcsd@yahoo.com
Their website is:
http://www.reform-qcsd.com/
Contact Rick Orloff and tell him to keep his nose out of QCSD:
rick.cpa1@verizon.net
His website:
http://www.orloffcpa.com/
Listed first are:
1. The Intel's article
2. The Morning Call's article
3. The public comments as of 4pm, 5/12/06...
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/the-morning-call/TFT3FO8H3S034METM
(you can follow the link above, but because these get deleted, I've posted them below)
E-mails spark controversy
By CHRISTOPHER RUVO
The Intelligencer
Are a Richland official and two Quakertown school board members trying to stack the board with puppets who will vote the way they tell them to?
June Hunt isn't sure. But the school board candidate was suspicious enough to make public e-mails she says might suggest that's the case, including one in which Richland Supervisor Rick Orloff writes “if you did nothing else but show twice per month and vote on (board member Paul Stepanoff's) cue ... that's all we need.”
Orloff sent the e-mails to Hunt in February in a bid to recruit her to run for school board on a team of “reform” candidates he supports. She rejected the offer, fearing she'd be beholden to him if elected.
The May 15 primary, in which 11 candidates are slugging it out in a heated bout for five seats on the school board, is just days away. Some say releasing the e-mails now stinks of low-down politics.
“It's all political. Look at the timing. She's trying to twist everything,” said Lou-Ellen Renshaw, one of four school board candidates running on the reform team.
Hunt said she's getting the e-mails to the public because she wants voters to know there might be a hidden agenda at work. “You have to question why a township supervisor is so involved,” she said.
Orloff said nothing “nefarious” is afoot.
“I along with other people had looked for candidates who would work for lower taxes and controlled spending without sacrificing the quality of education. ... That's what elected officials do this time of year,” he said. “I never meant for (Hunt) to be a rubber stamp.”
In the e-mails, Orloff writes that Stepanoff and fellow board member Manuel Alfonso, who frequently clash with the rest of the board, need “three or better four or five more people to run and win. Nothing will change without new thinking.”
He goes on to say that if Hunt can't keep up with board work, she can follow Stepanoff's lead when it comes time to vote. “As to the heavy lifting that might intimidate you, Paul (Stepanoff) is for all intents and purposes the guts of this whole effort,” Orloff wrote.
Stepanoff said the e-mails are being taken out of context. “No way is it mandatory for anyone to vote like me and that was never implied — nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
Philip Abramson, one of three incumbents running for re-election who has come under heavy fire from Orloff and Stepanoff, said residents should consider the e-mails when voting.
“It looks like (Orloff) was trying to control the board,” he said. “It should make voters ask, "How much influence does he have over other (reform) candidates? Are they going to vote their own minds or the Orloff-Stepanoff mind?' ”
Renshaw said Orloff has no pull with her or the other reform candidates, Thomas Marino, Dean Wackerman and George Dager.
“Rick doesn't speak for us. We speak for ourselves,” she said. “None of us has even the vaguest feeling that we owe anybody anything. Nobody is going to sit there and say, "Paul wants us to do this' and then do it. We're individuals, and we're going to do what's best for the students and the community.”
Renshaw said the reform candidates worked out their platform among themselves. At heart, they stand for better education at a reasonable tax rate, she said.
Hunt said she's glad she made the e-mails public. “I'm not telling voters what conclusion to come to, but ... I'll be able to sleep at night.”
Last year, the board rejected an offer from Orloff to audit the district's finances. The contract could have earned him thousands of dollars.
Stepanoff and Orloff spearheaded an effort last fall to collect 1,400 signatures from community members in support of a plan they backed to abolish voting regions in the school district in favor of a system that would allow residents to vote on all nine school board seats, not just ones in their region.
The board backed keeping voting regions and realigning them. A Bucks County judge ruled in favor of that plan.
Christopher Ruvo can be reached (215) 538-6371 or cruvo@phillyburbs.com.
May 11, 2007 6:14 AM
May 10, 2007
E-mails expose school board politics
Quakertown candidate divulges recruitment offer from Richland Township supervisor.
By Brian Callaway Of The Morning Call
A Richland Township leader worked to recruit a team of Quakertown School Board candidates in part by telling one woman she would only have to ''show twice per month'' for official meetings and let others do the hard work if elected, according to e-mails given to The Morning Call.The newly released e-mails, which were sent by Republican township Supervisor Rick Orloff in February to independent June Hunt, are fueling new quarrels in a controversial campaign that features 11 candidates for five open seats.
Hunt ultimately decided to run for the school board, but not on the so-called ''reform'' team that Orloff is backing.Hunt said she decided to release the e-mails this week, days before the primary election, because she's afraid Orloff may hold too much sway over certain candidates if they're elected.''If you agree to be part of a group that gets you elected, what do you owe back to them?'' Hunt asked Wednesday. ''I felt like I was sitting on a smoking gun.''Orloff acknowledged sending the e-mails to Hunt, but said releasing them now is a ''cheap political ploy'' to discredit her opponents.''Everybody was out recruiting -- there is nothing sinister or unusual about it,'' he said. ''They're trying to paint Rick Orloff as the bogeyman of the school district. Look, I don't even control Richland Township, much less the school district. It's kind of laughable.''Orloff has been critical of the school district in recent months over tax policy and other matters, but isn't running for the board. Instead, he's seeking re-election this year as one of three elected supervisors in Richland Township, which is the most populous municipality in the Quakertown Community School District.Orloff and others tried to recruit candidates to run for the school board and, if elected, work with directors Republican Paul Stepanoff and Democrat Manuel Alfonso, who routinely clash with the board's majority.While Orloff and Stepanoff are Republicans and Hunt is an independent voter, divisions on the school board have little to do with standard partisan politics.In a Feb. 11 e-mail to Hunt, Orloff wrote that if she was worried about having to do ''heavy lifting'' on the board, she could just side with Stepanoff.''Paul is for all intents and purposes the guts of this effort,'' Orloff wrote. ''If you did nothing but show twice per month and vote on Paul's cue …, that's all we need.''Orloff said he wasn't trying to discourage Hunt from forming her own opinions. He said he wanted to soothe any worries she had about the time needed to serve on the school board. If she agreed with Stepanoff on major issues, he said, she could trust him enough to follow his lead on other issues even if she hadn't had time to research them.He also said there's nothing wrong with forming a team to run for the nine-person board.''Ultimately, it takes five votes to make a change of policy,'' he said. ''That's just a hard reality.''The district, which has raised the property tax nearly 50 percent in five years, has been beset by intensifying debate over its spending policies.Candidates for this year's election include Republican incumbents Phil Abramson, Nancy Tirjan and Linda Martin, and newcomers such as Hunt, and Democrats Victor Stevens, Jerry Bassett and Kathy Mosley.There also are four Republican candidates who decided to join the ''reform'' team, which has promised greater fiscal restraint: Thomas Marino of Richland Township; George Dager of Haycock Township; and Lou-Ellen Renshaw and Dean Wackerman, both of Milford Township, where Hunt lives.Marino said voters shouldn't think the group is indebted to others. He said he decided to run before talking to Orloff.''Sure, he spoke up,'' he said of Orloff. ''But so did other citizens.''He also said that he and his running mates won't always vote together.''There are issues that we agree on and there are issues that we don't agree on.''Stepanoff said he doesn't expect the ''reform'' candidates to mimic his every vote.''[They] are completely independently minded,'' he said. ''I mean, you put five people in a room, they're going to disagree on many issues.''Others challenged that assertion.Republican School Director Phil Abramson, who's seeking re-election this year, said he thinks Stepanoff and Orloff could wind up in control if the ''reform'' candidates win.''I think they'll be tied to them, totally,'' he said. ''Whatever Paul and Rick want, that's what they'll get, because they're putting them in power.''Hunt said the reform candidates could turn out to be independent of Orloff, but she wants voters to know of possible ties.''If you want to believe that they have a deeper tie, then that's your decision,'' she said. ''I'm just pushing it out there because I want voters to make an informed decision.''
Public Comment from the Morning Call Website
COMMENTS
Fred
#1
Thursday
Where are all of the "reform" group followers now bashing the district and its teachers? If the voters don't see the hidden agenda this group has now, than they are crazy. I hope this article opened some eyes in Qtown to what the reform group is really all about...controversy.
Bill
#2
Yesterday
Just as we thought all along, the so-called reformers are nothing but puppets for Rick Orloff and his political agenda.
Karen
#3
Yesterday
It's obvious that Rick Orloff wants control of the Quakertown School District. First he used the courts in trying to ram through at-large voting. That failed, so he recruited candidates that will answer to him and his lackey, Paul Stepanoff. We don't Rick Orloff and his extremist agenda. Vote against the reform candidates.
Juliana
#4
Yesterday
The puppetmaster has been revealed!
Susan
#5
Yesterday
Rick Orloff showed his sexist colors when he recommended Ms. Hunt -- a former college professor -- just show up twice a month and follow Stepanoff's lead. As if she can't think for herself! How degrading to women!
Jack
#6
Yesterday
Mr. Orloff is trying to politicize the school board with his "reform" candidates. He needs to be stopped.
Mark
#7
Yesterday
I live in Richland Twp., and I was supporting the reform candidates. But not anymore! I'm voting for Vic Stevens now.
Carol
#8
Yesterday
Mark, I'm with you. I never trusted Rick Orloff. I knew he was pushing the reform candidates, but I had no idea he was pulling so many strings.
Justin
#9
Yesterday
Orloff is a disgrace and he should resign from supervisor.
Tammy
#10
Yesterday
The people opposing Orloff's petition to change from regional voting to at-large voting in the school district were right all along. Orloff and his special interest friends are out for power. He doesn't have the children's interest in mind.
Bonnie
#11
Yesterday
Orloff has proven himself unfit to lead. It's time to clean house in Richland this fall.
Russ
#12
Yesterday
He reminds me of Karl Rove. sneaky and out for power
bill
#13
Yesterday
Orloff can't recover from this snafu. he's toast in November
Elizabeth
#14
Yesterday
I never supported the reform ticket in the first place. They are too confrontational, just itching for a fight with the teachers over their contract. Orloff's unethical e-mail only seals the deal. VOTE NO ON THE "REFORM" CANDIDATES!
Sara
#15
Yesterday
Thank you Mr. Orloff for helping me to decide to vote against your candidates.
Shirley
#16
Yesterday
Maybe rick orloff should try leading Richland township instead of sticking his nose into everyone else's business.
Sue
#17
Yesterday
Rick Orloff is entitled to support candidates, but he crossed a line with that e-mail
Randall
#18
Yesterday
Orloff crossed that line months ago. THis so-called conservative embraced judicial activism when he and Richland Twp took the Qtown school district to court over voting districts. For the first time I'm voting for his Democratic opponent this year.
Chuck H
Quakertown, PA
#19
Yesterday
Smart Move Rick! The reformers are going be pounded because of your idiocy.
Jim
#20
Yesterday
Sue wrote:
Rick Orloff is entitled to support candidates, but he crossed a line with that e-mail
Support! He practically writing theit talking points.
Pat
#21
Yesterday
I like George Daeger; but i can't vote for him knowing Rick orloff is running the show.
Andrew
Zionsville, PA
#22
Yesterday
we can't allow orloff and his right-wing ilk gain power in Qtown school district. Please vote, Tuesday May 15th -- AGAINST the reform ticket
Nikki
#23
Yesterday
Equally galling is how the reform candidate actually defended Rick Orloff's actions, instead of condemning his actions. That's says something about their character.
Julie
#24
Yesterday
On Tuesday, when voting remember Orloff's words to June Hunt, "If you did nothing but show twice per month and vote on Paul's cue …, that's all we need."Those 18 words are the only reason you need to vote against the "Reformers" and their anti-public education puppetmaster.
Nichole
#25
Yesterday
I'm happy this story exposed Rick Orloff for what he really is -- a power hungry politician.
Betty
#26
Yesterday
Disgusting and demeaning to all women!
steve
#27
Yesterday
Not only does Orloff and his buddy Staats grant waivers left and right for housing developers, raising our property taxes, he wants control of our schools to enact his political agenda!
VOTE TUESDAY
#28
Yesterday
A vote against the "Reform" Ticket is a vote against Rick Orloff and his political agenda
Kelly
#29
Yesterday
Vote Tuesday ... Don't let Rick Orloff get away with his plan to control our public schools.
Larry Otter Esq
#30
Yesterday
Mr. Orloff has his own agenda.It has nothing to do with what is right for the Quakertown School District. Mr. Orloff had a previous "smoking gun" email that cost the taxpayers of Richland Township over $200,000 in legal fees and forced him to settle a federal lawsuit.I do not think the Quakertown School district or the taxpayers can afford Orloff and his cronies penchant for litigation in state or federal court.
Frances
#31
Yesterday
Mr. Orloff should not be allowed to use e mails...the man is dumber than dishwater he has been burned twice now with smoking gun missives. He obviously doesn't learn by his mistakes....perhaps he's related to the Bush family! His demeaning remarks to Ms. Hunt, a perfectly qualified candidate smacks of his utter distaste for women in power. I am for the other candidates. He sealed the vote and I think he's seen his last days as Supervisor in Richaland. Arrogance and power seeking is not a beatitude.
Paula Jeanne
#32
Yesterday
Mr. Orloff has not only crossed the line, he has sealed his fate as a Richland supervisor. What he did was unethical and he should be censured for his deeds.I wonder what the Republican dynasty in Doylestown thinks of him, Harry must be ready to take his computer away.Everyone knew of Mr. Orloff's true nature and power mongering and now he has proved it by his own hand. He has become a detriment to the Township and should be forced to resign.
Mike
#33
Yesterday
Orloff has also filled Richland Townships boards with a number of political appointees who only show up at meetings for votes. Check the attendance records. They are available to the public.
Jen
#34
Yesterday
Good job June, I'm sure this isn't easy for you. Stand Strong!
Joy
#35
Yesterday
So why has it taken this long and this particular event to spark so much passion from the public and interest from the press? Orloff has ALWAYS been a sorry excuse for a human being. He is obnoxious, rude and totally unprofessional, most especially at twp meetings. He has had his township's boards STACKED ALREADY with his own cronies for YEARS. Where do you think he got the practice to go after stacking the school board? Richland voted for Orloff's boot-licker Staats - when they could've voted for Vic Stevens then!!! If Vic had been elected, I am sure he and Mike Z would never have supported taking the school board to court, like Orloff and Staats did. Please wake up and stay awake citizens!!!
George
#36
Yesterday
Last spring Rick Orloff was denied a $10K contract with the Quakertown School District. He wanted revenge, so he tried to set the playing field by going to court to abolish the regional voting system with an at-large voting system. He tried to stack the school board with puppets from Richland Twp. Thank god he failed. And thank god this scumbag has finally been exposed.
Cara
#37
Yesterday
Now that the puppetmaster has been exposed, we have a civic duty to defeat the "reform" candidates next Tuesday, May 15th. Please vote!
Linda
#38
Yesterday
Sometimes all you need to do is sit and wait for someone's true colors to be revealed
Zack
#39
Yesterday
I was still undecided until I read this article. I'm supporting Vic Stevens.
Joseph
#40
Yesterday
I hope this article wakes up the people before next Tuesday. We can't let extremists like Rick Orloff gain control of our school district.
Marcia
#41
21 hrs ago
I have been to township meetimgs where Orloff has told people to 'shut up and sit down'. He has thrown things. He does not respect the citizens that he is supposed to represent. On many occasions when asked why he did something he has replied 'because I can'. The situation is really bad when The Free Press so called journalist sits as the 4th Supervisor. I think more people will stand up against the rantings of the journalist and the rantings of this arrogant little man all he needs is a mustache and a brown shirt. Do not be swayed by this person, he is not a Christian human being.
Mike
#42
18 hrs ago
I hope the people stay awake through Novembers election. Turn off your TV,get off the sofa and go vote or someone else will do it for you! If you don't like the result you only have yourself to blame.
John
#43
18 hrs ago
One of Rick's e-mails cost the township 50 grand in Pat Murphy's suit. This may cost him the election.
QTMom
#44
18 hrs ago
Everyone who posted on this board should forward this article to as many people as possible, asking them to read the comments...and forward the article to as many others as possible. GET OUT THERE TUESDAY and BRING OTHER VOTERS WITH YOU. We can't let the "Off Triplets" (gotta include Woldowoff in here, folks) gain control, folks. Thank goodness Orloff skipped the chapter on "forwarding" when he read "E-mail for Dummies." He makes Mike Z. look like the Dalai Lama, no?? Hee hee!!Without Orloff's "stupid politician trick," these megalomaniacs may have been able to sway voters the same way they hypnotized nice people into becoming Reform candidates and scared our elderly neighbors into believing that the current Board members are demons.As a thank you to Mr. Orloff, can the community send him a copy of "e-Mails for ex-Politicians?" He may appreciate that.
QTMom
#45
17 hrs ago
Oh, and by the way, what kind of parent publicizes their child's academic difficulties AD NAUSEUM as a thinly-veiled means to lay blame, intimidate, and gain power? That's the saddest part of the entire story, folks. Anyone who resorts to using THEIR OWN CHILDREN's challenges to intimidate and gain power, is not qualified to handle MY child's challenges (and she will have them). Stop laying blame, get the remedial help needed, and let the kids move on. How dare you use your children in this manner. Math education is probably the least of their problems. I'm voting for non-reformers on Tuesday so you can never use MY CHILD as a pawn.
Jen
#46
17 hrs ago
Don't believe that the reform candidates aren't being controlled by Stepanoff and Orloff. I've heard from a good sourse that Stepanoff and Orloff had many meetings and made the reform candidates sign a document that says that they would agree to the platform no matter what. And that if they didn't sign the document they couldn't be apart of their little group.
Linda S
#47
16 hrs ago
New slogan for Richland, make tee shirts for community day.Two meetings a month, no heavy lifting!
Bob
#48
15 hrs ago
Orloff is all about REVENGE.. He got shot down for an auditing job by Nancy Tirjan and Linda Martin at the May 25, 2006 Board Meeting, then, all of a sudden at the June 12, 2006 Richland Supervisors meeting he says Richland is under represented on the School Board! You all know what happens next... Now, the rumor is that when his puppets get elected, they will hatch a scheme to oust Sylvia Lenz, the QCSD Business manager and give the job, along with its $100,000 salary to Orloff! The idiot can't make it on his own. He's commented that one of the reasons he stays on as Richland Supervisor is for the free health insurance which taxpayer dollars pay $18,000/year for. He has got to be stopped on May 15th and cannot be re-elected to Supervisor in November. His next big project is being heir-apparent to State Rep. Paul Clymer! Sickening, isn't it? Plus his sordid relationship with Richland's '4th Supervisor' Woldow...! Even MORE disgusting...and he call himself a Christian!
Hope
#49
7 hrs ago
I am concerned that Stepanoff is of a similar ilk. He paired up with a promoter of alternate energy in the 90s. The district rejected their plan/offer/concept because it was too expensive. Then he applied for an appointment to the school board and was not appointed. He is a bright man but he leads with his personal agendas and pain, issues, and angst- much like his political mentor- Orloff and his political ally- Alfonso.I am concerned about the reform platform's candidates ability to do the jobs well that need to be done on the school board. If they have been told and are planning for the same thing that is revealed in Orloff's emails, they are in for a rude awakening or very poor service to the children and tax payers. School board members serve on related boards at the tech school and the intermediate unit. There are numerous committees,workshops, and conferences locally and with overnight travel to stay informed on important topics and develop/retain sound skills on the board. The reading is voluminous- district, state, and nationally-generated literature is delivered almost daily.The district has been correcting misinformation put out by Woldow, Stepanoff, Orloff, Alfonso and the critics they align themselves with since the two board members took office. I strongly suspect that the same misinformation has been fed to the reform candidates. I feel for these folks and fear what they will do all at the same time.
wawa55
#50
6 hrs ago
This artical was very informative TY Mcall! I don't live near Qtown but I wish everyone there good luck on fixing this mess- V O T EI will be working in Monroe County at a polling place (undisclosed) & only hope & pray "our triplets" get voted off the PMSD Board-
snowman Bethlehem PA
#51
6 hrs ago
No matter what your politics, THEY are all crooks or prone to be there, sooner than later. But then it has been that way since, ET TU BRUTE!!
QTMom
#52
6 hrs ago
Hope, you hit the nail on the head - this has vendetta written all over it. Stepanoff HATED Scanlon - while Scanlon was still at QCSD, Stepanoff talked about Scanlon being our own "Jim Jones" (yes, the "Kool Aid" Jim Jones) and even showed his neighbors a cartoon portraying Scanlon handing out tainted Kool Aid (a metaphor for all of the district's ills). Sick, sick, sick, and who's handing out "Kool Aid" now?Like I said earlier, FORWARD THIS ARTICLE WITH THE COMMENTS (or make copies and hand them out!!) to as many voters as possible, and BRING PEOPLE WITH YOU TO THE POLLS!I'd stand outside the polling locations all day and hand out this article if it were legal!
Disgusted in Richland
#53
4 hrs ago
Would the so-called reform party even have a platform if it weren't for Richard Woldow's columns of distortion, half-truths and misrepresentations? I too am astounded and dismayed by the increase in the school taxes/budget. But is not the real culprit the rapid growth in residential housing in Richland Township, cut backs in state and federal funding, and increased mandates? I don't recall Woldow writing about any budgetary reatraints/spending when Strayer and Ronald Reagan Blvd was being built. Perhaps I missed it? And who's idea was it to name it Roanld Reagan Blvd?
Take Back Your Town
#54
4 hrs ago
Every voter should remember this mess and other problems Orloff has caused and make their decision at the polling place. He is running again for supervisor and he has got to be let go. Vote for integrity and for someone who will truly work for the people of the township.Regardless of party ( he is not a good Republican ) make this a clean town again, one we can be proud of. With Orloff gone Woldow will never get any more inside information and will have nothing disparsging about anyone to write.
Mike
#55
4 hrs ago
If there was nothing wrong with Orloff's e-mails to prospective school board members why does he object to them being made public? Don't let Orloff's extremist, reactionary voter base control another election . GET OUT AND VOTE.
Mike
#56
4 hrs ago
Has anyone noticed that even though Orloff, Keller and Tambourri were fined $50,000 by a federal judge for trashing our Emergency Management Coordinater's first amendment rights it never made it to Woldow's column? Could it be because they changed the zoning on Woldows property behind the Q-mart to make it worth hundreds of thousands more?There will be 405 condos in 24 to 48 unit buildings there instead of a few homes.Woldow sold the property Strayer was built on at a sweetheart price to open his land up for development. Guess who voted to allow it even though the soil was inappropriate and cost extra millions to fill in? Does anyone know that Woldow still owns a large chunk of commercially zoned property behind HIS Q-mart that will go to the Richland Supervisors for development approval? It would be nice for him if they were his friends.
Jeff
#57
3 hrs ago
I knew there was something creepy about those reform candidates.
William
#58
3 hrs ago
But we have to turn our anger on this thread into reality. Please VOTE Tuesday, May 15. Tell your relatives, friends, neighbors to vote and save our school district from Rick Orloff's political agenda.
William
#59
3 hrs ago
It's important to remember that on the ballot, the "reform" candidates will not be identified as reform candidates. They have cross-filed and will appear on both Republican and Democratic ballots. Know Your Enemy and Vote Against the Orloff PuppetsGeorge Dager - Region 1 (Haycock, Richland, RichlandtownLou-Ellen Renshaw and Dean Wackerman - Region 2 (Milford, Trumbauersville)Thomas Marino - Region 3 (Quakertown, Richland)
Qtwn Axis of Evil Exposed
#60
3 hrs ago
Finally, the Quakertown Axis of Evil is EXPOSED!! Stepanoff-Orloff-Waldow These narcissitic unethical bullies have been destroying the community for years. Quakertown- stand strong and purge yourself on Tuesday. Once their self-effacing, negative, controlling vendetta is ground to a halt, our community can come back into the light, Property values will begin to grow again.(You do realize that their assault on the community has decreased the value of your property??) Look at the good people they have destroyed.(Ms. Hunt, you know you are next - prepare for the wrath of Waldow!!) Stepanoff's two junkyard bullies really messed up this time!!!!
Rene
#61
3 hrs ago
Do you think this is the only incident of it's kind..We pay losers to go to the school, sit in the reading/TV room all day and get paid, for they were put out of teaching...Don't fire them...pay them, as usual and let the taxpayer get stuck with the bill.And it's happening all over this country.
Disgusted in Richland
#62
3 hrs ago
Does anyone recall how much the school district will spend to extend Ronald Reagan Blvd? Was this part of the original land deal for Strayer?
Jeff
#63
3 hrs ago
Hey QTMom,It's perfectly legal to make copies of this article and hand it out at the polls on Tuesday. Highlight Orloff's infamous quote. See you Tuesday.
QTMom
#64
2 hrs ago
Thanks Jeff, maybe I will!Wouldn't it be interesting to see e-mail correspondence between Orloff, Woldow(off) and Stepanoff? Given Orloff's expertise with the computer, at least some of it has probably been forwarded to somebody out there...
Stop the Insanity
#65
2 hrs ago
If you vote right on tuesday that will be a great first step for cleaning up your town.Another nice thing would be to have Megans law made retoactive to cover Illinois in the 70-80's.
Eleanor
#66
2 hrs ago
I agree with Sue; would Mr. Orloff have told a man to vote like Paul if they don't want to do any "heavy lifting".Also,he crossed a line as soon as he used the word vote. But has any one held Mr. Steppanoff accountable here. He should resign.
Eleanor
#67
2 hrs ago
Well put Hope
QTMom
#68
1 hr ago
You said it, Eleanor. How do we take Stepanoff seriously after this? His credibility was always suspect; now it's shot. Time to go.
Jeff
Milford Square, PA
#69
1 hr ago
I'm very encouraged by the comments I'm reading on this thread. We are undertaking grassroots activism and we have to continue through Tuesday.Tell your friends and neighbors to post comments at this site, in fact just talk to them about Rick Orloff's plan to gain control of our school district with his anti-public education candidates.You go one step further, like QTMom, and pass out copies of the Morning Call or Intelligencer articles at the polls next Tuesday. You are protected under the First Amendment. Just stand outside the polling place where the Republican and Democratic Committeepersons are located. Don't be intimidated by Orloff and his campaign workers. You are not violating any laws. Like I said, you are exercising your First Amendment rights. It's important that we educate the voters about why they should vote against the "reform" candidates.
Bob
#70
10 min ago
Hey,'Stop the Insanity' and everyone else on here, ask Orloff and Woldow about Woldow's past from the late 70's to early 80's when he was in Evanston, IL... There have been information packets circulating around here for months and nobody does anything about it. See the minutes of the Richland Township Community/Police Board:http://www.richlandtownship.org/mins/20060523cplminutes.html Here is an excerpt of what's in these packets:http://saveqtownschildren.blogspot.com/2006/04/richlandqtown-citizens-beware-of.html Our local law enforcement knows about it, as do Orloff and Staats and THEY DO NOTHING!!!! Woldow is involved with RASA...!Orloff has got to be stopped, and once he is, the leak will be plugged in Richland Township.
Bob
#7114
hrs ago
Disgusted in Richland wrote:Does anyone recall how much the school district will spend to extend Ronald Reagan Blvd? Was this part of the original land deal for Strayer? Just remember this:Orloff made the deal with QCSD to pay for the extension of Ronald Reagan Drive. The kicker is that the extension onto Station Rd. benefits ONE person ... Richard Woldow!!! This is a disgusting circle that has to be broken. Woldow writes his weekly slime about anyone who opposes Orloff and in return, Richland Township made a deal with the School District to pay for a project that will benefit Woldow's senior mid-rise condo project.Our hard-earned tax dollars have been used to make one man rich. But, then again, Orloff just loves to spend other people's money!!
Mike
#72
14 hrs ago
Reply to "Disgusted In Richland,"The proposal for Strayer was presented to Richland about the year 2000 and finalized about 4 years ago by the re-zoning of Woldow's property. The township was out the door with protesters the night of the vote, but our pleas fell on deaf ears. The re-zoning of Woldow's property was the key to extending Ronald Reagan Dr. by the developer. SEPTA also requires the closing of the RR crossing at Fairview ave. to create the new crossing for Ron Reag. dr. Wait till this community sees what will be built back there. You won't believe it and it can't be stopped. Orloff and Staat's plan to generate open space is to carve up our township for developers and let them throw us a few bones.Next is the extension of Paletown rd. to 309 and then up around Union and Thatcher rds. and around Q-town to form a by-pass around Q-town to 309N again. This is a fact and the plan calls for developing the area to pay for it."Welcome to Richland Township, a zoned rural community."
John
#73
13 hrs ago
Disgusted in Richland wrote:Would the so-called reform party even have a platform if it weren't for Richard Woldow's columns of distortion, half-truths and misrepresentations? I too am astounded and dismayed by the increase in the school taxes/budget. But is not the real culprit the rapid growth in residential housing in Richland Township, cut backs in state and federal funding, and increased mandates?I don't recall Woldow writing about any budgetary reatraints/spending when Strayer and Ronald Reagan Blvd was being built. Perhaps I missed it? And who's idea was it to name it Roanld Reagan Blvd? Woldow sold the school district the land that Strayer school now sits on. Orloff suggested the name "Ronald Reagan Boulevard". It seemed to be a joke at first, but the name suggestion stuck. Will Woldow benefit in some way when the road is extended over the railroad tracks to go past Q-Mart?
John
#74
13 hrs ago
Eleanor wrote:I agree with Sue; would Mr. Orloff have told a man to vote like Paul if they don't want to do any "heavy lifting".Also,he crossed a line as soon as he used the word vote. But has any one held Mr. Steppanoff accountable here. He should resign. Steppanoff needs to be accountable for other actions too. Seems he tried to have a Quakertown teacher silenced for expressing her opinion about math or she might end up in Woldow's column. I hear there's an e-mail that is a smoking gun! Sick. These unfortunate reform candidates have no idea who they're really associating with.
Stop the Insanity
#75
10 hrs ago
Hey Bob, thanks for sharing info that's already in the public record. Isn't it interesting how someone's gone from abusing innocent children to bullying entire communities? Still hurting children after all these years. Guess if they can't be cured they just turn their wrath elsewhere.Your comment about RASA is very disturbing!!Can we exile these guys to NJ? Seems they'd fit in perfect over there.
Jayson
#76
10 hrs ago
"If you did nothing else but show twice per month and vote on Paul's cue ..., that's all we need."Those nineteen words are all I need to vote against the "reform" candidates.
Kathy
#77
10 hrs ago
I'm still shocked about this story. My neighbors and I can't believe it. How dare rick Orloff use so-called reform candidates to shove his political agenda down our throats!
Dick
#78
10 hrs ago
A few people here mentioned that Orloff was out for revenge because he didn't get a $10,000 contract with the QCSD. What many don't know is that Orloff's allegations about students receiving an inferior education in the QCSD stems from his son's problems in school. Through his puppets, he's judging an entire school district based upon one person.
Henry
#79
9 hrs ago
Anyone want to email Orloff and tell him to go to hell? Here's his email address;
rick.cpa1@verizon.net
His website:
www.orloffcpa.com
Feed the **** to the lions!!!!!
Gregory
#80
9 hrs ago
For only the second time in my 58 years I'm going to cast my ballot for a Democrat. Last year I voted for Patrick Murphy, on Tuesday I'm voting for Vic Stevens in QCSD Region One. Rick Orloff has proven himself to be an extremist out for power. And yeah, I'm voting for Democrat Brian Kline in the fall. Orloff has to go!
Quinn
#81
9 hrs ago
I feel betrayed and deceived by the reform candidates. They led me to believe their convictions were their own, not manufactured by some political operative.
Henry
#82
6 hrs ago
Here's the email address for Orloff's cronies. Email them and voice your opinions:
reformqcsd@yahoo.com
Their website is:
http://www.reform-qcsd.com/
Jake
#83
5 hrs ago
Frances wrote:Mr. Orloff the man is dumber than dishwater...perhaps he's related to the Bush family! His demeaning remarks...smacks of his utter distaste for women in power. Francis, your statement is demeaning to dishwashers! You must be one of those elitist Democrats who is opposed to Republican's for the sake is being Republican
Jim
#84
5 hrs ago
Andrew wrote:we can't allow orloff and his right-wing ilk gain power in Qtown school district. Please vote, Tuesday May 15th -- AGAINST the reform ticket Andew, sounds like your from the left-wing.
Fear
#85
5 hrs ago
Joy wrote:If Vic had been elected, I am sure he and Mike Z would never have supported taking the school board to court Vic and Mike Z. Now that's a scary team-up of rubber-stamps if I ever saw one. At least Mr. Orloff gets along with his neighbors.
Bob
#86
4 hrs ago
Jim wrote:Andew, sounds like your from the left-wing. Orloff can't even be considered right-wing any longer. He's so out of touch with people that it bornders on insanity. He has only one agenda ... his. His views don't work with ANY party (unless you count the Nazi Party!)Remmeber this:Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!Orloff can't get enough and he'll do anything to promote his agenda. He's created an unholy trinity of his own. Woldow is Satan, Stepanoff is the False Prophet and Orloff is the Antichrist.And his actions today will follow him forever because of the internet...it is a PERMANENT record for people to see.
Bankrupt
#87
4 hrs ago
Bob wrote:Now, the rumor is that when his puppets get elected, they will hatch a scheme to oust Sylvia Lenz, the QCSD Business manager That might be a good thing. The financial state of QCSD is obviously mismanaged. What's wrong with reforming that? Or perhaps you like annual tax increases from a board that hasn't learned how to properly manage?
Bob
#88
4 hrs ago
Fear wrote:Vic and Mike Z. Now that's a scary team-up of rubber-stamps if I ever saw one. At least Mr. Orloff gets along with his neighbors. You talk of rubber stamps. Staats and most of the volunteers on Richland boards are Orloff cronies!Get a life!Orloff made his pact with the devil, aka Woldow. Rick comes across as a good Christian, but uses a child molester, peeping tom, and stalker as his own propaganda minister. That is sickening.Orloff and Woldow are a cancer eating away at this area. We need chemotherapy now! Don't vote for Orloff's 'Reform School' on Tuesday and vote Orloff out of office in November.
Demos
#89
4 hrs ago
Bob wrote:Orloff... His next big project is being heir-apparent to State Rep. Paul Clymer! Sounds like another Democrat who hates anything Republican. Your comments are taken for what they are - political swiping (like mine :).
Demos
#90
4 hrs ago
Disgusted in Richland wrote:But is not the real culprit the rapid growth in residential housing in Richland Township, cut backs in state and federal funding, and increased mandates?I don't recall Woldow writing about any budgetary reatraints/spending when Strayer and Ronald Reagan Blvd was being built. Perhaps I missed it? And who's idea was it to name it Roanld Reagan Blvd? Roanld is spelled Ronald. Anyway, from a Democrat I suppose your spelling is understood. For each family moving into QCSD, they all pay taxes. Besides, immigration is suppose to be a good thing.
Bob
#91
4 hrs ago
Bankrupt wrote:That might be a good thing. The financial state of QCSD is obviously mismanaged. What's wrong with reforming that? Or perhaps you like annual tax increases from a board that hasn't learned how to properly manage? And you talk of mismanagement and waste? Orloff has pissed away over $334,000 over the past couple of years because he doesn't know when to shut up! Richland Township pays insurance premiums to cover lawsuits, but no, Orloff, Tamburri, and Keller had to hire the firm of Ballard, Spahr at over $400/hr, at taxpayer expense I might add, in the Murphy federal suit which they LOST because Orloff sent out an e-mail thet was NOT authorized by either Keller or Tamburri. Now, what if he has control of an $82,000,000 budget coming from six municipalities? What's he going to do, waste over $2 million dollars? He LOVES to spend other people's money. Can't you see that? And as for tax increases, which municipality has had the most growth...you guessed it, Richland Township!!
Bob
#92
4 hrs ago
Demos wrote:Sounds like another Democrat who hates anything Republican. Your comments are taken for what they are - political swiping (like mine :). Demos, you are WRONG!!! I'm a Republican, but Orloff is a Nazi!Didn't anyone ever tell you not to ASSUME?Because it makes an **** out of U and ME(well, actually, U).
Demos
#93
4 hrs ago
Bob wrote:Remmeber this:Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! Yeah, even Democrats are corrupted with power.
Hope
#94
4 hrs ago
Bankrupt wrote:That might be a good thing. The financial state of QCSD is obviously mismanaged. What's wrong with reforming that? Or perhaps you like annual tax increases from a board that hasn't learned how to properly manage? If the district's finances are so mismanaged then why did the finance committee- that included Stepanoff and Alfonso- only come up with $2,300 in cuts? The rest of the savings are from increased revenues and staff turnover that had nothing to do with how they poured over and picked apart many line items. Just because you do not like or understand something does not mean it is mismanaged. If the district had been shrinking and taxes went up this way, I'd be concerned. If we were on warning lists under NCLB and got there while taxes were increasing, I'd be concerned. If property values had been declining, I'd be upset- but this is not the case. The district has won two awards for 2 years (for a total of all three 3 yeards of NCLB) of hitting 100% of the NCLB targets and was cited by Standard and Poor's as making strides above and beyond the norm for closing the gap in achievement between students of diverse socio-economic status. The district has been cited for having the one of the most frugal special education programs around and litigation is kept to a minimum. In 2006, we had the greatest jump in math SAT scores in the area when nationally scores droppedThe district has not had a law suit on a construction project since 1999 when the relative of one of the most vocal critics of the district was overseeing the building of Trumbauersville. The last teachers contract contained clauses that teachers will pay 18 to 22 of the premiums for the medical plan when surrounding districts were settling contracts with 10 and 11% copays. The annual increase on scale for each year of the contract was 2%. Oh and by the way, the district does outsource busing- more misinformation from Orloff in the Intell today.
Marcy
#95
4 hrs ago
And we wonder why Jim Scanlon left?!
Take Back Your Town
#96
2 hrs ago
Looks like the Orloffians have got their rebuttal team up and running, it took them a while to catch on to this thread, but the message has already been delivered. You can't refute, public record, errant e mails and stupidity.I think this gives the voters something to think about. The school district should be a non- partisan effort to educate all the children of the district at a reasonable cost. If Mr. Orloff had stayed out of all school district matters in the first place this election of directors woud have run it's usual course and the people would have voted as they wished for the director of their choice in their Region. Geting involved and backing certain 'groups' did not help the cause one bit. Making remarks about how a candidate should behave or vote was out of line and clearly hit a nerve. I hope every person who had something to say about this matter will go to the polls on Tuesday and vote. I'm sure some sniping will now take over and perhaps the message wil be lost in rebuttals, but it sure feels good to now that Mr. Woldow's column on Tuesday ( which he usually writes on Monday)probably will not carry much of this interaction. We can all be assured that for this one place in time a person's voice could be heard without fear of reprisal, personal attack and rantings. This is not a Democratic or Repuplican issue, it's about public trust, doing what is best for the whole district not just what some small town official wants to control.It felt good to see everyone speak their mind in a candid atmoshphere. It says a lot for this Township that peole are reluctant to speak out, that's no way to live. Perhaps we need a clean newspaper as well as a clean town.VOTE!
Marcia
#97
2 hrs ago
Just responding to fear. Is that fear you wish to create in individuals minds? As for bankrupt that must mean morally bankrupt.
Frances
#98
2 hrs ago
Jake wrote:Francis, your statement is demeaning to dishwashers! You must be one of those elitist Democrats who is opposed to Republican's for the sake is being Republican Nope, I'm not an elitist anything. I am "O" on the voting list. I said dishwater, not dishwashers!!Is reading a problem in the district too???
Athena
#99
2 hrs ago
Demos wrote:Yeah, even Democrats are corrupted with power. Yo Demos, I haven't seen any Democrats in power around here lately corrupted or otherwise. Have you? If so point them out a few people may want to join a consortium of intelligent minds.Inquiring minds want to know. Demos is a think tank did you spell demons incorrectly?
Bob
#100
1 hr ago
Thank you "Take Back Your Town". This election should not, and should never had been about partisan politics. But Orloff, Stepanoff, and Woldow have turned it into a nasty political hotbed because of ORLOFF'S agenda. Well, we the people have an agenda; our children and the general welfare of the community as a whole. It's not about money, it's about education and the only thing that Rick Orloff cares about is money and how much of it he can get for himself at taxpayer expense!Henry1 hr agoIf anyone has the time and money, get these two newspaper articles enlarged to 3' x 4' size and post them prominently at EVERY polling place on Tuesday. I think it would cost $5.00 each over at Staples. Attach them to sides of cars so Orloff and his buddies won't throw them out.
Henry
#101
12 hrs ago
If anyone has the time and money, get these two newspaper articles enlarged to 3' x 4' size and post them prominently at EVERY polling place on Tuesday. I think it would cost $5.00 each over at Staples. Attach them to sides of cars so Orloff and his buddies won't throw them out.
Johnson
#102
1 hr ago
This is my first posted comment. Everyone should re-read the article (and the sister article in Friday's Intelligencer). Everyone needs to get back to the published subject matter. The fact remains that Richland Township Supervisor Richard W. Orloff did not know whom he was communicating with and assumed June Hunt was someone he could persuade and control. He insulted her intelligence and education with his conniving emailed comments. Mrs. Hunt possesses an MBA and has worked with Fortune 500 companies. She recently changed her party affiliation from Republican to Independent to run for Quakertown school board.Orloff has his own agenda. That agenda is power over all people in our area. Presently, he is running for a third term as Richland Township Supervisor. His campaign finance report displays one expenditure to the QCSD Reform School team for $100. In May 2006 at the QCSD meeting, he was denied a $10,000 contract to perform auditing services. He exploded and threw his paperwork at the board and stormed out of the room when his offer was declined. The first meeting in June 2006, he publicly complained about inadequate representation on the QCSD from Richland. He made it his mission/vendetta to assume power over the QCSD in a power play.With the help of a likeminded demented soul, he teamed with Paul Stepanoff. They recruited Mr. Alfonso and others to solicit 1400 bad signatures on a poorly constructed illegal petition to recast the QCSD board to an all at-large body. Anyone who attended the trial in Doylestown where the question was settled to place Richland-4 with Quakertown to evenout the population for the three regions was enlightened. Judge Mellon gave Orloff a free pass and allowed the 1400 signature petition to be placed on the table for consideration. Orloff showed what a blowhard he is by not taking the stand to support his masterpiece. Stepanoff testified for a patchwork quilt to reposition the three regions. He was confused and so was everyone else. Not one word was spoken to justify the transformation to an at-large system. Their bloviation about having 1400 signatures was nothing more than a hoax and waste of time and taxpayers' money. It is forever a dead issue.
Johnson
#103
1 hr ago
Continuation of my previous comment:Orloff and Stepanoff are cut from the same cloth. Two peas in a pod. Double trouble. In our collectve books, two vindictive souls with a warped personal agenda that are 'dumb and dumber.' Those who accept, validate, and promote their position have drank the kool-aid. Stepanoff wastes money with his hairbrained ideas and tirades at meetings and in print. Orloff has been trouble in Richland since he was censured by his fellow supervisors in February 1996 for misbehavior. Orloff has singlehandedly brought misery and despair to many in Richland Township through his word and deed. I do not believe this man works at any gainful employment. The existence of his very being is predicated upon assuming influence and power over the masses. Orloff's record and demeanor are crystal clear for anyone who has ever attended the Richland supervisors' meetings. The public record is abundant for his wasting taxpayer money.One thing is clear, on Tuesday, everyone should NOT vote for his handpicked puppet candidates: George Dager, Dean Wackerman, Tom Marino, and Lou_Ellen Renshaw. Mrs. Renshaw openly admitted to one of the people whose door she knocked on recently that she had only attended two QCSD meetings and had never seen the 5000 line budget she wanted to ax. These four individuals have absolutely nothing to offer our communities except and extension of the madness of Orloff, Stepanoff, and Alfonso. The Orloff-laden agenda is always promoted and protected by Richard Woldow in his weekly column in The Free Press. Commentors to this article should be required to read his extensive criminal record, guilty pleas for trespassing, child molestation, etc. You need to wake up people!This QCSD race is not about political party. It is killing off a madman's personal agenda.June Hunt delivered the knockout punch of bravery and initiated the public descent of Richard Orloff and his fellow travelers. Bravo June Hunt!
Henry
#104
12 hrs ago
Did I put something up that hit a nerve? I got flagged!!!Like I said before, get these two newspaper articles enlarged to 3 ft x 4 ft at Staples for about $5 each and post them at each polling place so the voters know the truth about the 'reform' platform!!!Flag all you want, I'll keep reposting!!!
Frank
#105
9 hrs ago
What a shameful display when children's educations are at stake. The education of children in the community should require some "heavy lifting."
Andrew
#106
9 hrs ago
Jim wrote:
Jeff
#107
8 hrs ago
Support Progress, Not The Taliban. On Tuesday, May 15th, know your enemy and vote against Orloff and his reform ticket.
Allison
#108
8 hrs ago
The reform candidates had every opportunity to condemn Rick Orloff's power play. But they didn't say a word. Are those the type of people you want leading our school district? Are those the type of people you want setting an example for our kids. Looking the other way and refusing to condemn unethical behavior. I'm not endorsing any candidates, but please tell your friends and neighbors to vote against the so-called reform candidates.On Tuesday, May 15, the polls open at 7 am and close at 8 pm.Don't let Rick Orloff gain control of our school district.
Ken
#109
6 hrs ago
I'm a Republican sick of Rick Orloff. This Tuesday I'm voting for Vic Stevens for school board and in November I'm voting for Brian Kline for Richland supervisor. I support progress, not puppets.
Fred
#110
6 hrs ago
The reform candidates are empty vessels being filled with talking points from Rick Orloff. Orloff is using them to get revenge against a sensible school board that denied him a $10K contract to audit the district. So he fills them with angry rhetoric directed at teachers and misinformation about test scores. His whole argument about low test scores and poor preparation comes from his son almost failing his senior year. Orloff has proven to be a liar out for power and revenge. I hate the man, and hate isn't a word I use lightly.
Mike
#111
4 hrs ago
DEMOS is one of several phony awards Woldow claims for himself. Find it on his site,if you can stand it, and you will find about 15 links to sponsors that all turn out to be advertisements.FEAR and BANKRUPT are Orloffs modus operendi and moral standards.I suspect the Devil and his ward are among us tonight. I am heartened by and proud of the quality of most posts on this thread.I hope the right people are voted in on Tuesday. We need to take the time and make the effort to get out to the pols. In November there is a real opportunity to elect a second supervisor who wishes topreserve the rural character of our community and not seek the greatest benefit from developers in the shortest ammount of time. We need to be able to overcome the incumbents voter base. I guarantee you it is huge and it will be organized.My daughter started high school in the Phila. public school system before we moved here. She often told us the students here don't appreciate what they have. I suspect the quality of the Q-town schools has spoiled some of the adults too. If they had the same benchmarks my family has I'm sure there would be a whole lot less grumbling from them. I am proud of the Q-town school district, it's teachers and staff.
Mike
#112
4 hrs ago
The high taxes for schools are a direct result of having to build infrastructure and hire more teachers and staff to accomodate the influx of students into the over abundant developements in Richland over the last 10 years under the direction of Orloff, Keller and Tambourri. That's the short answer. Of course there are other factors such as State and Federal funding, grants, maintenance and a miriad of other issues. But that's what a good school board should be able to sift through. Let's get one elected.
Jim
#113
Monday May 14
I am skeptical of all of this. How many of you are working on one campaign or another and pretending to be random citizens spouting off? Hunt got in late, so now she's made her move to catch up. Don't be so easily manipulated. Some of the "reform candidates" make good points and have what appear to be qualfied backgrounds. Vote for the candidate(s) with the best background and capacity to do the job (and that doesn't necessarily mean they should have an MBA). I'm wary of everyone's agenda and motive for running. Do they want to help or just see their name in the paper? The board needs to be mindful of the reality of the tax base, resistant to increasing costs, and earnest about making good decisions. I don't want "puppets" there either, but be sure you don't make a knee-jerk reaction and vote in the other puppet(s). Ultimately, it IS about the kids, but it's ALSO about how much their parents and neighbors can shoulder.
Bob
#114
Monday May 14
Jim, I'm not working on ANY campaign! I'm just one of MANY outraged residents of Quakertown! Orloff is out for revenge against the School Board and will do ANYTHING to get what he wants. If June Hunt got these emails, you could bet the ranch that the other 'reformers' got them too. Hell, Tom Marino is on RT's Trails Board, along with other Orloff puppets, Jim Sulger and Carla Demuro-Mercon. They are cronies that do Orloff's bidding and I'm sure Marino was persuasive to the other 'reformers'.
Disgusted in Richland
#115
Monday May 14
Sometimes its not enough to simply evaluate the candidate and their credentials. You also have to be educated on the issues. I'll admit that I know many of the current directors and none of the new candidates. I too have been frustrated and upset about the rise in our school taxes and the high salaries of our teachers. Having discussed these issues with people more in the know than I (school board directors and school personnel), I now believe that the reform platform is more hype than substance. This reform platform is made effective because it plays to the voters frustration and has been reinforced for months through Woldow's column. Woldow's columns are opinion and while mostly factual are ususally distorted to suit his agenda.We cannot blame the growth of the area on the School Board. Neither can we blame them for the decrease in other sources of funding or increased federal mandates. I don't buy the notion that all these increases are the result of poor planning and mismanagement.
athena
#116
Monday May 14
We must elect responsible individuals to the school board. They should have a modicum of intelligence to know when they are being swayed one way or another, it should be people who have budget experience, negotiation experience and a reason as to why they are there, not just to be a politician. I think it's important that parents who have children in the district be on the board as well as business people. It's a tough job and it takes a lot of energy and time away from your own family to do this job. The board has become a political life for certain individuals, while others try to do something and get scolded or have to put up with my way or the highway negotiations on voting. It's a huge budget to deal with, some people have not even read the line items on the budget, so how can they possibly know what they would do to restrain colossal expenditures. The bottom line is we have to put in a board that will keep the tax base going and give relief to seniors who are trying to stay in their own homes. If people leave because they no longer can afford to live here what will happen when the well runs dry and there is no more development to pay for this....we are closing in on the end of the huge phase of building that caused the infrastructure to burst at the seams. Who will be left to pay these costs. The townships says no new taxes, but when the well runs dry and there are no more developers to pay for the rights to build here who will foot the bill then, the taxpayer, It won't matter if there is tax relief or not, schools will close as people move out and the census for the schools decrease. The end result will be like an army of locusts fanning out over the district and we will be left with what was. 17 years from now let's have the same discussion. People are selling their homes for what they can get, if they can move them at all. The flux of students we have now will pass through the system and be gone, with the cost of trying to buy a house here people can't afford unrealistic mortgages and high taxes too. I'm afraid we will be bypassed in the next years because of our taxes , unaffordable housing and poor government. VOTE for good government and stand up for your rights as a taxpayer.
Disgusted in Richland
#117
Monday May 14
Developers provide fees to the township when they build. Does any of it go to the schools? I'm under the impression that it does not.
Hope
#118
Monday May 14
Athena, we still have relatively low taxes in this area for the value of the homes, community, and schools. In any area, seniors move out and young families move in...with kids- it is the cycle of life and communities. The mortgages on Quakertown homes stand to be more affordable than the surrounding area. One of the reasons home values have dropped in this area, beside national trends and many other things, is most likely the campaign of attack and destruction lead by Orloff, Stepanoff, Alfonso, and Woldow. The school district does not collect any impact fees, townships do. More housing developments are on the books and I have lived in this area for many, many years- development may slow down at times, but the area remains highly marketable and there is a lot of open space left in this district.Taxpayers are not served well by unethical people with a personal agenda and the people they recruit to run based on misinformation bring the potential for greater risks to the taxpayer if the people with a personal agenda that they can manipulate others into signing onto, become the board majority- like the reformist camp is trying to do!!!!
Disgusted in Richland
#119
Monday May 14
So if I have this right....the township collects impact fees supposedly to offset the future cost to them of new development ( ie increased traffic, police etc.)....this makes them look good and begets a nice balance sheet....but then the school district has to build new facilities to cover all the new students....and then those responsible for all that development turn around and attack the school board for increased taxes?
Mike
#120
Monday May 14
Disgusted in Richland wrote:
So if I have this right....the township collects impact fees supposedly to offset the future cost to them of new development ( ie increased traffic, police etc.)....this makes them look good and begets a nice balance sheet....but then the school district has to build new facilities to cover all the new students....and then those responsible for all that development turn around and attack the school board for increased taxes? BRAVO! You have essentially hit the nail on the head!
Disgusted with all
#121
Monday May 14
of you phonies too. Go away.
athena
#122
Monday May 14
Hope wrote:
Athena, we still have relatively low taxes in this area for the value of the homes, community, and schools.In any area, seniors move out and young families move in...with kids- it is the cycle of life and communities.The mortgages on Quakertown homes stand to be more affordable than the surrounding area.One of the reasons home values have dropped in this area, beside national trends and many other things, is most likely the campaign of attack and destruction lead by Orloff, Stepanoff, Alfonso, and Woldow.The school district does not collect any impact fees, townships do.More housing developments are on the books and I have lived in this area for many, many years- development may slow down at times, but the area remains highly marketable and there is a lot of open space left in this district.Taxpayers are not served well by unethical people with a personal agenda and the people they recruit to run based on misinformation bring the potential for greater risks to the taxpayer if the people with a personal agenda that they can manipulate others into signing onto, become the board majority- like the reformist camp is trying to do!!!! Yes, the ebb and flow of population is a given. But the area for heavy development is in the lower end, the open space in the upper end is being looked after by the township and really may not be as open as we think. The sewer capacity is just about at limit and other than package treatment plants for small developments we have no place left to go for sewer. The 55+ while not adding to our school burden will cost in other areas as they age in place. Our emergency, fire , police and ambulance services could go up expediently. We could see a boom in new nursing homes going up along with assisted living. Our local hospitals will surely be challenged. And as to what happens when these residents die out and seniors can't afford to buy into these condos they could at some point in time become housing with school age children. I still think it's the big picture, we must see the end before we can see the now. Let's hope our small cadre of writers can excite enough people to vote so that we are not left holding another bad piece of luggage.
athena
#123
Monday May 14
Disgusted in Richland wrote:
So if I have this right....the township collects impact fees supposedly to offset the future cost to them of new development ( ie increased traffic, police etc.)....this makes them look good and begets a nice balance sheet....but then the school district has to build new facilities to cover all the new students....and then those responsible for all that development turn around and attack the school board for increased taxes? The township has had a pay to play songbook going for a very long time. It's creative to say the least. Some developers give freebies for variances, perhaps giving some open space in a desirable location for a tradeoff in a not so desirable location, all benefiting the township. Remember the YMCA fiasco.Some open space is in developments but is not usable as it is just some green space and retention basins. The township counts this as open space even though it's not.Most developers give freebies in the way of right/left turn lanes and traffice signals.But you never get enough payola to actually bear the cost of the true impact on service and schools.You really have to look at the big picture and see how the comprehensive plans have been used and abused. Variances are the holy grail and we give them in abundance. So as yu can see it's just not about the school director vote it's about how Orloff started all this nonsense just to increase the circle of power he would like to have for the whole area. He's sold us out for too long. It would be merciful to vote him out in the primary so we don't go through anymore grief into the fall.
Disgusted in Richland
#124
Monday May 14
I believe that PA is one of the few states that allows zoning up to individual municipalities with the county and regional planning authorities serving an advisory role only. I think I'd like it otherwise. I'm sure there are pros and cons, but it would seem to me that there would be less likelihood of the sort of problems we are discussing here. Maybe we need more supervisors as well. That would counter the influence of a single supervisor.
Disgusted with all
#125
Monday May 14
I am still voting for the Reform Candidate, it is time for a change. What Orliff did was stupid, but that does not have anything to do with the integrity of the candidates.Let some new concerned parents, residents, and tax payers have a chance to serve the community that they love.
Disgusted in Richland
#126
Monday May 14
Whomever wins...we all need to remember that one needn't actaully be elected in order to affect change. There are plenty of ways to get involved in your community and school in order to sway policy. Merely electing candidates for the sake of 'change' without a knowledge of their backgrounds can also do more harm than good.
athena
#127
Monday May 14
Disgusted in Richland wrote:
I believe that PA is one of the few states that allows zoning up to individual municipalities with the county and regional planning authorities serving an advisory role only. I think I'd like it otherwise. I'm sure there are pros and cons, but it would seem to me that there would be less likelihood of the sort of problems we are discussing here. Maybe we need more supervisors as well. That would counter the influence of a single supervisor. Richland is actually ready to be a first class municipality instead of a second class. We have enough population .
ELMO
#128
Monday May 14
AS THE SAY IN THE RIVER WARDS IN PHILLY VOTE EARLY AND OFTENPOLLS OPEN AT 7AMBE THERE AND VOTEGET OUT THE VOTEVOTE
Disgusted in Richlandtown
#129
Monday May 14
Athena - What's the difference other than population.
Skeptical
Spinnerstown, PA
#130
Monday May 14
Disgusted with all wrote:
I am still voting for the Reform Candidate, it is time for a change. What Orliff did was stupid, but that does not have anything to do with the integrity of the candidates.Let some new concerned parents, residents, and tax payers have a chance to serve the community that they love.
But what it does have to do with the reform candidates is that when they were called for a quote, they did nothing to condemn the unethical act. I keep hearing cries of being more open about the short comings of the district and the reform candidates could not come out against something very serious.There are several independent candidates running with no ties to unethical or reckless behavior. Jerry Bassett has spoken out against district decisions in the past. Kathy Mosley has already spoken at school board meetings with different ideas not being used by the district right now and June Hunt has shown an ability to stand up for what she believes is right. Vic Stevens is one of the only people to stand up to Orloff and Woldow's bullying behavior, through proper legal channels. As people consider incumbants; Martin (8 or 9 years?), Abramson (8 years?) and Tirjan (16 years?)keep this in mind; the four seats not up for grabs are being held by the 3 newest members to the board (including Stepanoff and Alfonso) and one that was away from the board for many years. To have all new board members in a district that's had its superintendent, the longest-seated assistant superintendent, the facilities manager, and probably more leadership in the months ahead driven off by the behavior of the reform backers leaves alot of history and continuity GONE.Voters truely have a choice between incumbants, fresh ideas, and a platform. That is the only positive I see coming out of the destructiveness that has assaulted this school district and community in recent months- from the people who formed and recruited the reform platform and candidates.
tam
#131
Monday May 14
If you read carefully the "reform group" is nothing more than a tax-payer's lobby. They may appear to have a little education, but they are not educated in actual school policies. Just as everything else, you get what you pay for. Quakertown IS NOT a bad school district and needs to be treated with more respect. PLEASE vote for people who care about our childrens' education and not just lowering taxes!!!
Luis A
#132
Monday May 14
I don't know any one of the four candidates at all and disclaim having emailed any links whatsoever to here, to craigslist or anywhere else. I have not publicly stated any position regarding this controversy. Some **** at mx01.netcarrier.net (216.178.94.71)has been so ignorant as to spoof my email address more than once.
Stop the Insanity
#133
Monday
Correct, "tam", they're anrgy about taxes and they blame the school for their kids academic difficulties. Anger: That's what this is about."Skeptical" is on the right path. We need change, but let's choose the new folks carefully.I thought the reform group would have a comment about this on their website, but there is none. I guess there's just nothing to say! The spinners stopped spinning!
potter
#134
Monday
Disgusted in Richland wrote:
Sometimes its not enough to simply evaluate the candidate and their credentials. You also have to be educated on the issues. I'll admit that I know many of the current directors and none of the new candidates. I too have been frustrated and upset about the rise in our school taxes and the high salaries of our teachers. Having discussed these issues with people more in the know than I (school board directors and school personnel), I now believe that the reform platform is more hype than substance. This reform platform is made effective because it plays to the voters frustration and has been reinforced for months through Woldow's column. Woldow's columns are opinion and while mostly factual are ususally distorted to suit his agenda.We cannot blame the growth of the area on the School Board. Neither can we blame them for the decrease in other sources of funding or increased federal mandates. I don't buy the notion that all these increases are the result of poor planning and mismanagement. do you realize that over 40% of the qtown staff will be retiring next year? that will bring down the teachers' salary figures putting them somewhere below the bottom half of teacher salaries in PA - their probably won't be the need to raise taxes for the next 10 years!
Danny
#135
Monday
"Skeptical" is completely correct. Because of the reform group's actions and the incorrect press releases, the administration is running for the hills. The majority are heading elsewhere at the end of this school year, which are already beginning their announcements. Just look at the search for a new superintendent. What person in their right mind is going to want to come in and try to take leadership over our school district; while being under constant fire from the reform group and press? Now it looks like we are going to get a new superintendent (only candidate left on the list) that has had her own problems with parents and administrators in Southern Lehigh and Norristown. She barely got the vote to continue this year in her district. A new superintendent with new people in the district office is going to be a major problem. We don't need the reform group and their hidden agenda to make matters even worse. Please vote with the children in your minds and not because of taxes alone.
Skeptical
#136
Monday
Just got word from an elementary PTO meeting. Every administrator in the curriculum department has submitted their resignation.
Qed
#137
Monday
The most important thing to remember is that change just for change has never been a good idea. Just because the people are different doesn't mean it will be better. Whether the Reformers could do a good job or not doesn't matter to me at this point. They have aligned themselves with two people who I have little respect for and even less trust, Stepanoff and Orloff. I won't even consider them an option. potters right, the Q-Town staff is a veteran laden staff and the large scale retirement will drop the average salaries here dramatically. There are better options than the Reformers, those being anyone but the Reformers.
QTMom
#138
Monday
Skeptical, do tell! Kopp and her entire crew? No wonder, Stepanoff has been beating on them all year.
Mike
#139
Monday
Today will determine the future direction of our school district.Good luck for our children's sake.
MC - Richland Twp
#140
Monday
I am not surprised. From what I hear about Orloff's actions at the meetings --putting taxpayers down, especially women, it makes sense that he would think he can contol the whole situation.
athena
#141
Tuesday
Today is the day the fat lady sings, it ain't over til it's over !!Have a great primary and a special thanks to all the poll workers who give their time.Play nice and bring doughnuts.
Diane
#142
Tuesday
Be careful NOT to put all the blame on Rick Orloff. He has a nasty side kick named Richard Woldow!!
John - Milford Township
#143
Tuesday
VOTE for REFORM. We need someone to put the breaks on spending and we need someone with our children's interest in mind. This current board has left our children uneducated. They have allienated the teachers. They are spending us into bancruptcy. VOTE for REFORM!
New Board Faces Needed
#144
Tuesday
and this is why
2006 from WFMZ
It looks like an area school district will be keeping its extra-curricular activities, but residents will be hit with a double-digit tax increase to pay for them. The Quakertown School District passed its budget tonight, but with a 12.1 percent tax increase. That increase will cover not only the school programs, but also several new positions that were created in the school district. Board member Dr. Julie Fagan was so incensed by the budget that she resigned on the spot
Disgusted in Richland
#145
Tuesday
How has the current board alienated the teachers? Won't putting Reform candidates in who are out to squeeze their pay alienate them even further? It seems to me that the teachers have a long standing and working relationship with the board members who are up for replacement. As for spending us into bankruptcy...I doubt that the Reform candidates will be able to find any room or political will to trim the budget any tighter either.
Chas Quakertown
#146
Tuesday
Richard Orloff = joke.
I'm contributing to his Democratic opponent's campaign this fall...and I don't live in R twsp...but our quality of life in the entire school district has been damaged due to Orloff's greed for tax dollars from all the development. If he can't make his own money to spend (like the school's auditing contract) he gets the taxpayers and becomes Big Man on Campus. Don't let him get control of the School Board also.
New Board Faces Needed
#147
Tuesday
The new board could start with an Admistrative pay and hiring freeze. I expect some unhappy responses to this idea.
Mike
#148
Tuesday
12.1% of 1.5%(cut of 2% property tax that goes to schools).The other .5% goes to the municipality
mike
#149
Tuesday
It's amazing to me how quickly people look to get teachers and administrators to freeze their pay or take cuts so that they can have more in their pocket. The reality of education today is that MOST teachers have Master's degrees and then some. They are PROFESSIONALS and deserve to be respected and treated and paid as such. In no other career are people so publically maligned like teachers. It's a shame that the teachers of Quakertown have to be drug through the mud, despite the fact that they are WIDELY respected around the state as being the heart of an excellent district. Are teachers in Quakertown well paid? Statiscally we keep hearing they are the 12th highest paid on average in the state. Remember to use the same statistics in 2 years when they are in the bottom third in the state because of teachers retiring. Then the teachers will be a real bargain...
Disgusted in Richland
#150
Tuesday
What is 12.1%? Your numbers make no sense in a vacuum
Chas Quakertown
#151
Tuesday
I agree that teachers should be treated and respected as PROFESSIONALS.(emphasis added like Mike from Lehighton)But if they are PROFESSIONALS, then don't hide behind the union, be subject to evaluation and, if necessary, termination. Be subject to employment at the employer's discretion. All things that other PROFESSIONALS need to face. Earn big money, face increased risk. Unfortunately, they want (and get) it all-job security, pensions, no accountability for lousy test scores, and high pay. Where can we sign up?
mike
#152
Tuesday
Chas: I agree completely with teacher accountability and I am not a fan of the union. But from what I understand, the union can't stop a teacher from being fired, simply provide representation. I wonder what it would take for a bad teacher to be fired? As a parent with two kids in the system, one at middle and elementary, our kids have had excellent teachers. And as far as holding teachers accountable, how do you measure success? Using test scores is the easiest solution, but not realistic because students success in school frequently comes down to support at home. How do you evaluate a teacher when the kids in their classroom all come from different home lives and different perspectives on learning and school. Linda Hunt wants to know why kids achievement goes down as they get into the high school, and I believe that it happens because parents stop being involved in their kids schoolwork. If you look at the Safe Schools data from the past year, it also shows that as kids parents stop being involved (typically middle school aged), so does the likelihood that they will get involved in risky behavior (drugs, drinking, sex, etc). Sorry for the rant. For the most part I agree with your sentiments, although not as harshly.
Pocket is only so deep
#153
Tuesday
I am tired of having my professional master's degreed pocket picked so I can be bullied by unions and School Administrator's. The fact is, QCSD Adminstrator's and Teacher's are making much more than the average in the community they serve. Many are paid more than most college professors in our area and most of them are PhD's.
Stu
#154
Tuesday
What's Waldow going to do now? He would not(as he should)and can not (because of his personal projects) run down his buddy Orloff. He is one and the same as Orloff. Therefore we will have to hear B.S. and miss interpeted missleeding untruths again and again, if so hopefully this will be the beginning of the end for Woldow. I challenge the FREE PRESS to return to a supportive pro community newspaper and stop a column that is only out to condemn the good people of our community. Orloff is doing a great job to De-King himself.
OH BOY
#155
Tuesday
New Board Faces Needed wrote:
The new board could start with an Admistrative pay and hiring freeze.I expect some unhappy responses to this idea. So you want to give the administration more work by not filling any open positions. Then tell them they are not going to get a pay raise. Do you live on this planet? If the reform group gains control of the board and this is one of the best ideas they can come up with to try and lower taxes. I feel sorry for them because the came to the table unprepared, they are not living in the real world and are going to cause nothing but heartache for the community
Fred
#156
Tuesday
Chas Quakertown wrote:
I agree that teachers should be treated and respected as PROFESSIONALS.(emphasis added like Mike from Lehighton)But if they are PROFESSIONALS, then don't hide behind the union, be subject to evaluation and, if necessary, termination. Be subject to employment at the employer's discretion. All things that other PROFESSIONALS need to face. Earn big money, face increased risk. Unfortunately, they want (and get) it all-job security, pensions, no accountability for lousy test scores, and high pay. Where can we sign up? You must be very ignorant, like the rest of the reform group if you believe what you typed. Teachers can be fired, even if they have tenure. Many high paying jobs have tenure and many of the hard working labor union workers make a lot of money and have pensions too. You must be getting the lousy test score data from the reform group because a lot of school districts would drool over Q-Town's scores. Out of 500 some districts they are one of only a 150 that have been proficient in all of their scores for the PSSA's. That is a great accomplishment. The 2006 SAT scores also is above the state average. How are teachers different? They only educate the future of our country...let's pay them like crap. The teachers that make a lot of money have been there for years and have earned 15-30 credits BEYOND their masters or they wouldn't be making that amount of money. If my memory serves me correctly, the Q-Town teachers went from being the 3rd highest paid teachers to the 11th. They also work more days than any of the surrounding districts. You should really stop reading the local press and its false data before you run your mouth.
Stop the Insanity
#157
Tuesday
You can check out Woldowoff's Wednesday column now on his website -- his premise is that if kids can handle going to war and dying for our country at age 18, they can handle criticism about the school district. He says we don't live in an "Ozzie and Harriet" world -- we should be able to speak freely. By this reasoning, does this mean we should continue to allow him a bully pulpit through which to molest the entire community? Someone help me out here.
Mike
#158
Yesterday
Stop the Insanity wrote:
You can check out Woldowoff's Wednesday column now on his website -- his premise is that if kids can handle going to war and dying for our country at age 18, they can handle criticism about the school district. He says we don't live in an "Ozzie and Harriet" world -- we should be able to speak freely.By this reasoning, does this mean we should continue to allow him a bully pulpit through which to molest the entire community?Someone help me out here. I don't know anyone who went to war (and I know my fair share of vets) and was subject to death and bloodshed that wasn't scarred by it forever, let alone kids. Does anyone here know a wartime vet that came home whole? "It's" premise that 18 year olds can handle the savagery of war is wrong. Ozzie and Harriet were on TV during the Vietnam era. Today we have Iraq and Afghanistan and even more of an Ozzie and Harriet world of denial that millions are starving, global warming, polarized society with the haves keepin' on havin', vet's being cheated out of medical care they earned with their blood, Americans without healthcare, writers like "it" being published in a local community paper that should recognize the divisiveness that "it" represents, people not only reading but believing "it's" bull just because they see it in print etc. etc...While Ozzie and Harriet were on TV "it" was in college in Evanston, Illinois mollesting little girls and peeping in windows. Give me a break!It would be a wonderful world if all a draft age kid had to worry about was critism of his school. Anybody with a brain should complain to the paper about how disgusted they are with his inapropriateness. If enough people did maybe "it" would get dropped. It's editer tells me half the comments about "it" are positive and half negative. Turn the tide and watch him dissapear.
Mike
#159
Yesterday
Disgusted in Richland wrote:
What is 12.1%? Your numbers make no sense in a vacuum Someone previously wrote here that the schoolboard increased it's tax rate by 12.1%. I mistakenly wrote our municipal tax (in Richland) is 2%. It is actually 2 mils (of your annual income). A mil is 1 dollar per $1000 or one-tenth of one percent..5mils go to the municipality and the other 1.5mils go to the schools. If your income is $50,000 a year, your assesed milleage is $100 (2/10% of $50,000). 1.5m of that (or $75) goes to the schools and .5m (or $25)goes to your local government. If the school tax increase is 12.1% of that $75 then the actual additional ammount you owe per year to pay for your schools expenses is a whopping $9.075. If this is not correct please advise me. I am boring myself to death now.And it was written that someone resigned over this. If one resigns over a disagreement then how can one continue to keep crusading for their cause? All that quitting does is create an opening for your opponent to fill. Hold onto your chochkas and fight another day.
Insanity Explanation
#160
Yesterday
New Board Faces Needed wrote:
and this is why2006 from WFMZIt looks like an area school district will be keeping its extra-curricular activities, but residents will be hit with a double-digit tax increase to pay for them. The Quakertown School District passed its budget tonight, but with a 12.1 percent tax increase. That increase will cover not only the school programs, but also several new positions that were created in the school district. Board member Dr. Julie Fagan was so incensed by the budget that she resigned on the spot The 2006-2007 budget held a 12.1% increase in spending, but the increase passed onto tax payers was in the single digits- under 3% if I remember correctly- because of the use of fund balance. Fund Balance is also known as the district's savings account or surplus. The district's business manager budgets conservatively and in the previous year when so many teachers were hired to staff the new schools, hiring came in under the expected amounts so this "surplus" was there to lighten the load on the tax payer the following year. More reformist mis-information.Additionally, the school district is required to keep its fund balance below 8%. A healthy fund balance is between 5% and 7%. The district meets this mandate every year. Richland Township's fund balance is 200% of its budget because so much has been done on the backs of the new homeowners. Each time a developer must kick in money to the township in the form of right turn lanes, roads creating an expressway to the Q Mart etc. the increased spending by the developer is passed onto the new homeowner in the price of that home. For a long time, in part because of the strength of the school district, the market bore this increase. Now these new home owners have a higher assessed value and pay higher property taxes so the "antichrist" can find some success in spinning his attacks on the district.I suspect that the pro-reformist posts coming out of Lebanon, New Jersey are from either the board member cited as resigning in this piece or the "false prophet" himself. Both are employed in that state. Both also have two of the four largest residential properties in the district. I wonder if the Q Mart and "Satan's" other holdings make up the one of largest commercial/development-ripe properties...
Diane
#161
Yesterday
Mike wrote:
Pocket is only so deep
#162
23 hrs ago
yes I live and work on this planet. I work in the real world. How about you?
Mike
#163
8 hrs ago
So this fuss is all about an annual school tax increase of about $7.00. To put that into perspective $7.00 won't even get you 2 gallons of OJ, 1/3 of an oil change, liver and onions at John's Plain and Fancy diner, 2 pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, 2 packs of smokes, a martini at a fancy bar or 3 gallons of windshield washer fluid. It might get you 1 plain pizza pie, a platter at KFC, 4 rolls of paper towels, an appetizer at TGIFriday's or some socks. All this nonsense about one of the best school systems in the state so low people in high places and their cronies can establish a stronger base of power. We fought WWII to prevent power mongers like this from trampling on their opponents, real or imagined. Back then it was called fascism. Today they call it establishing a ministry. The shepherd leading his flock. It's a bunch of sheep following a bunch of bull. BAAA.
Disgusted
#164
48 min ago
So lets see, "teachers are overpaid"? Ok, lawyers are smarmy, politicians are corrupt and professional athletes and movie stars are overpaid and arrogant. On the surface all of these statments are partially true but by just saying "teachers are overpaid" you are showing your ignorance. I work a blue collar job but still understand that there is no more important job in our society than that of a teacher. With the lack of parenting in our society the teacher not only has to teach our children the curriculum, they also have to teach them respect, values and self responsibility because the kids sure aren't getting it at home. I understand that there is a saturation point as far as salaries. I wish I had a magic formula to figure out the maximum our tax base could afford to pay the good ones and I would just give them the max. It's just not that easy. I agree that something has to be done about taxes, I'm just saying get off of the teacher bashing. It's just sour grapes. The problem is, with the behavior of the kids we're sending them I don't think there is enough money for me to want to teach and have to put up with the crap including those excuse making parents who put all of their childrens school problems somewhere else without taking any responsibility. Not to mention the crap they take from holiers like us. These teachers are responsible for educating every generation of leadership this country has seen in 200 years and will continue to do so.
Sanity in Quakertown
State College, PA
#166
Yesterday
Skeptical wrote:
Just got word from an elementary PTO meeting. Every administrator in the curriculum department has submitted their resignation. Just one question. Are these the same members of the curriculum department that forced "Integrated Math" down our kids throats, then did NOTHING to even measure how well this curriculum was working for 5 years? When Renshaw and Stepanoff finally insisted on checking out how well our graduates did in college with a student survey, 99% of the 2006 graduates said that Integrated Math completely handicapped them. Renshaw and Stepanoff did the best thing for our children by spearheading the effort to get rid of that failed curriculum. The curriculum department maintained to the bitter end that Integrated Math was best! If the Integrated Math fiasco was my legacy, I too would resign in shame. The curriculum department screwed our kids and Renshaw and Stepanoff saved them!Any skeptics? Just read the board meeting minutes and then read the student surveys and the comments that our kids and their parents wrote. Not a single positive one! In this case Renshaw and Stepanoff had the courage to take on the administration and curriculum department and were RIGHT!Then we find out that the same type of survey showing the same failure of Integrated Math was done in 2005 and hidden from the public by Dr. Scanlon and his so called "curriculum department". No wonder they all resigned in shame after handicapping 2000 of our graduates over 5 years.Before anyone thinks this is too harsh, read the student surveys and you will see the curriculum department "failed" our students and Renshaw and Stepanoff single handedly saved future students from the same fate. Look at how QCSD students perform with the BCCC placement tests, where they are at the "addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division" level in math - worse than all others in Bucks County! What about the rest of the board? 7 votes to keep Integrated Math and 2 votes (Stepanoff and Alfonso) to offer the children at least a choice of Integrated or Traditional math. Tell me who had the best interest of the children in mind?My child was one who suffed under IM and had to take a full year of remedial algebra in college. That is one curriculum department that will not be missed! I applaud Stepanoff and Renshaw for their courage to finally put an end to Integrated Math - the worst curriculum since "whole language" reading.
Mike
#167
Yesterday
Why would people out of the Qtown area care about Rick Orloff?It must be that dope Patrick Murphy at his old tricks again.Nobody cares Patrick!Your coming in from Haverford and "Sanity" is coming in from State College Pa. with strong criticisms at the same time. Yet you wonder what interest someone from outside Q-town would have in this discussion. If that isn't the Woldow calling the Orloff black I don't know what is.
The No Spin Zone
#168
Yesterday
Class of 2005 student survey return rate 40/389 or 10% of the class.Class of 2006 student survey return rate 85/348 or 24% of the population surveyedClass of 2006 parent survey return rate 71/348 or 20% of the population surveyedThe most commonly expected grade in math by these same students was an A (33%) with a full 90% expecting a C or better."Caution needs to be exercised with this survey data...a sample size of 181 is necessary to be a representative sample of the class of 2006."Of the students who went to Bucks County Community College:4 were students who received special education services9 were students who attended other high schools, or placements, and did not complete 4 years of math at Quakertown High School (23%)The distribution of each student's final grade, highest math class, was (note the traditional math taken by some students)Calculus AP - 1-BCalculus 1-BTrig/Calc Honors- 1-B 1-CInt Math IV CP 2-A, 4-B, 7-C, 11-DInt Math IV 1-A, 2-B, 2-CInt Math III CP 1-B, 1-DInt Math I 1-BMath Learning Support 1-A66% of the Quakertown High School Students going on to Bucks County Community College graduated in the bottom half of the class.The Curriculum Department members who brought us Integrated Math are long gone. The current members had nothing to do with the implementation of Integrated Math. One had just received her doctorate and was invited to return to Palisades and another had just won national acclaim. I have heard them called rising stars in the field of education who could have taken this district to the next level.The measurements were done and presented to the board and community every year. Test scores were rising and award winning. Countries hailed for outperforming the US are using integrated math strategies. So sorry to hear that your child struggled in math. I did as well, with traditional strategies throughout my academic career.The only fiasco component to this was brought by the two reformists mentioned above. Now rising stars and seasoned educators are leaving the district in droves and voila, another reformist has proposed a hiring freeze. The board will vote on this matter on Thursday, May 24, 2007 in the high school auditorium. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
Sanity in Quakertown
State College, PA
#169
Yesterday
No spin zone - a kool-aide drinker! You're quoting the administration word for word. Now let's think for yourself, if possible.Polling results for the entire state of PA are done by polling less than 1% of the population. The survey results are 24% of ALL our graduates, and you're suggesting that is not enough. The 181 needed that you quote is for a 95% certainty with a +/-5% margin of error. Relax that to 90% certainty with a 5-7% margin of error and the results are completely VALID! With 99% of the respondents asking to get rid of Integrated Math, correct that for the margin of error of even 10% and the results is still overwhelming. What you left out of your "spin" was that the students did in fact report a majority getting C's or above in college math grades - but in WHAT courses? If the BCCC data is an indicator, 90% of the QCSD students are in basic algebra courses. I would hope that after K-12 education at QCSD a 12th grade graduate could pull at least a C out of an 8th grade level course in college. Not one QCSD student at BCCC made it even to pre-calculus, let alone "calculus"!QCSD graduates going to BCCC, 66% in the lower half of the class.... Are you trying to convince us that the other 13 school districts in PA send their top students to BCCC and QCSD bottom students are competing with them? News flash - BCCC student population is roughly 66% from the bottom of ALL high schools in Bucks County. What this says is that our 66% in the bottom perform much worse than the bottom 66% of all the other districts. No matter how you slice it or spin it, our graduates do much worse than graduates from the other districts at BCCC. They could barely add and multiply in their placement tests!(Perhaps because the placement tests are done with no calculators and QCSD had students do all of their basic math on calculators).Our SAT scores are also the lowest of the surrounding districts. All of you "educators" focus on PSSA's when they don't mean a thing to our students or their parents. The SAT's matter to us and QCSD's SAT performance is poor, in fact the lowest of ALL surrounding districts and nearly the lowest in Bucks County. You have to go to Bristol, Morrisville, or Bensalem to find lower scores. Perhaps our lowering property values are because of this low SAT performance! Worse yet, the SAT scores have not improved in 5 years during the time our spending per child increased by 50% and your salary ended up in the top 5% in all of PA. Where's the accountability? The community gave the teachers the highest salaries with the expectation of higher SAT scores. That has not happened and it is now your turn to get the SAT scores up to the level of your salaries.
Q-Ed
Joined: Thursday
Comments: 8
Quakertown
ISP Location: Emmaus, PA
170
Yesterday
Sanity, I'm confused. The critics (I assume that includes you) question the curriculum (IM) used as a reason our students are struggling. But you are also saying our teachers aren't getting the job done. I'm just trying to be clear on this, the administration has failed us with bad curriculum and the teachers have done a lousy job of teaching bad curriculum our students shouldn't be learning anyway. Do I have that right? So everything about our district is wrong, adminstration, teachers and curriculum? Have you run for the school board? Are you already on the school board? Besides just bitching what are you doing to make a difference? I have two kids in the district, one who has excelled and one who needs to work a little harder to make the grade. They have had the same teachers and I have to say they (the teahcers) have always been there for both of them whether it required extra time on their part or not.
Q-Ed
Joined: Thursday
Comments: 8
Quakertown
ISP Location: Emmaus, PA
#171
Yesterday
Yes, I know, I spelled teachers wrong. Guess I could have used more help. :)
Vic
Colmar, PA
#172
23 hrs ago
Wow Patrick Murphy is at it again!
Mike Z
Colmar, PA
#173
23 hrs ago
I love Rick.
Jane
Colmar, PA
#174
23 hrs ago
Stop this Patrick.
The No Spin Zone
Hilltown, PA
#175
23 hrs ago
I don't drink Kool-Aide and I don't feed it to my kids- too much sugar, red dye and no nutrition. Much like the red ink used by the reformists to stamp their candidate's name on the endorsed candidates list, even when he was not endorsed.The first reformist has been ranting about SATs for awhile now. He compared Quakertown to 11 other districts within a 20 mile radius. They were all wealthier districts than Quakertown. He used Council Rock instead of Centennial, even though Centennial is geographically closer; but oh, they had lower tests scores so that would have blown the spin of "lowest around."Out of the 13 districts in Bucks County, Quakertown ranked 8th in SAT test scores and 11th in our wealth ranking. In other words, we outscored five districts and only two districts had more socio-ecomonically disadvantaged students than us. There was no other district in Bucks County with this much of a gap in their favor. All other districts whose test score rank outperformed their wealth indicator rank did so by one position point.When Quakertown is compared to 10 other districts who have fewer wealthy student families than Quakertown, we rank in the top four.Academics, district leadership, and many members of this community do not link SAT scores to teacher salaries. The greatest indicators of success on the SATs are linked to the educational level of the mother and the family income. Two factors outside of the control of the district.The analysis of the Bucks County Community College data was done by a board member reformist when a candidate reformist sent the data outside of the math task force committee to this judge and jury in the math matter. What would happen if an attorney sent evidence to a judge for analysis? The reformists see nothing wrong with this. Just like they saw nothing wrong with Orloff telling an independent candidate that all the reformists needed her to do was vote on Paul's cue. Perhaps it is because they are so hopped up on the Kool Aide served to them by the Off brothers that they have not taken the time to look beyond the hype. I know I have spent countless hours doing so.
George
Colmar, PA
#176
23 hrs ago
Gregory wrote:
For only the second time in my 58 years I'm going to cast my ballot for a Democrat. Last year I voted for Patrick Murphy, on Tuesday I'm voting for Vic Stevens in QCSD Region One. Rick Orloff has proven himself to be an extremist out for power. And yeah, I'm voting for Democrat Brian Kline in the fall. Orloff has to go! HA HA your boy Vic lost big time!
Fred
Colmar, PA
#177
23 hrs ago
Go Orloff save our Schools
Fred
Colmar, PA
#178
23 hrs ago
Mike wrote:
Why would people out of the Qtown area care about Rick Orloff?It must be that dope Patrick Murphy at his old tricks again.Nobody cares Patrick!Your coming in from Haverford and "Sanity" is coming in from State College Pa. with strong criticisms at the same time. Yet you wonder what interest someone from outside Q-town would have in this discussion. If that isn't the Woldow calling the Orloff black I don't know what is. What get a life. You will never win!
Disgusted in Richland
Perkasie, PA
#179
22 hrs ago
The most rational and educated people in the world can look at the same data set and come to very polarized conclusions when interpreting. Furthermore, surveys and polling are a difficult and exacting science requiring careful and clear questioning as well as polling methods. Case in point, of those surveys sent out to BCCC students, what effort was made to ensure that it was a representative sample and not just a sample of the disgruntled?I say let's vote for those most committed to the welfare of the children and least committed to some sort of political or personal agenda.
Q-Ed
Joined: Thursday
Comments: 8
Quakertown
ISP Location: Emmaus, PA
#180
22 hrs ago
Well said. Now the hard part is weeding out the committed from the controlled.
I have eyes and can see
Sellersville, PA
#181
22 hrs ago
Fred wrote:
Go Orloff save our Schools Right on, Fred! Orloff p*ssed away over $300,000 in Richland because he's a megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur and doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.
I cite the following from the Murphy federal lawsuit:
Tamburri and Keller respond to this email in sworn statements:
The following are excerpts from depositions taken from Steve Tamburri and Pat Keller prior to the Pat Murphy federal lawsuit. This is how Orloff got his *ss in hot water the first time he sent out an unauthorized email and it cost the taxpayers of Richland Township over $200,000!!!Orloff spouted off without authorization from then-chairman, Tamburri. Because of this personal agenda against Pat Murphy, he wasted valuable resources of Richland Township.
Now, because he's out for revenge against the School Board, Orloff could waste substantially much more tax dollars. He must be stopped!!!
From pages 53 to 56 of Steve Tamburri’s Deposition dated July 29, 2005
(Q = Pat Murphy’s Attorney, Larry Otter. A=Steve Tamburri)
Q. Can you identify P-8, please?
A. It's dated August 12th, 2003 and it appears to be an E-Mail from Rick Orloff tomyself and Pat Keller.[Orloff’s email to Pat Murphy]
Q. Anybody else?
A. It's actually, we're carbon copied, went to Pat Murphy. I think that's his E-Mailaddress.
Q. Did you have any hand in drafting this?
A. No.
Q. To the best of your knowledge, this was solely Mr. Orloff's creation?
A. Yes. I didn't see it before it was sent to me.
Q. And you agree with everything that's in here?
A. No.
Q. What do you disagree with?
A. I would never have said anything like this... Again, I didn't write this. I wouldn't have written this.
Q. How about the second paragraph?
A. Again, I don't know. I mean, when Mr. Orloff says he volunteered to be amessenger, he must have volunteered that to himself, as he certainly didn't haveinstructions from me to act in this capacity as messenger, so he was a self-appointed messenger.
Q. There's a parenthetical sentence there. He used the phrase partisan political motives. You've sort of indicated you felt, I believe you felt earlier that there was some partisanship on his part.
A. No, I don't think that that's the issue. I don't care if Mr. Murphy supports any number of candidates. That's his right and it's his prerogative … he's entitled to have whatever partisan political activities he wants. Nothing to do with the fact that he was supporting another candidate. I could care less what his partisan political activities were. In fact, we appointed him as a Democrat. One would not have appointed a Democrat unless one expected the Democrat to act like a Democrat. Let him do what Democrats do, that's fine. I'm an all inclusive political person.
From pages 39 and 40 of Pat Keller’s Deposition August 4, 2005
(Q=Pat Murphy’s attorney, Larry Otter. A=Pat Keller)
Q. I'd like now to show you what's been marked as Plaintiff's 8. I'm sure you’ve seen that before.[Orloff’s email to Pat Murphy]
A. Yes.
Q. Did you have any hand in writing this?
A. Absolutely not.
Q. Is it fair to say you wouldn't have put it in quite those terms?
A. It's fair to say that I was rather incensed when I realized it had already gone out because if I remember correctly I said, I said, Don't send this and I found out it had already gone out.
Q. What did you object to in this?
A. Well, I didn't think, I didn't think where it starts the third -- I didn't think that that had anything to do one way or the other with whether or not the Emergency Management Coordinator was doing a satisfactory job.
I have eyes and can see
Sellersville, PA
Reply »
Flag
#182
22 hrs ago
This is the unathorized email Orloff sent:
From:Rick Orloff
To: Patrick Murphy
Cc: Steve Tamburri; Dick and Pat Keller
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 12:25 PM
Subject: Fw: Resignation
Patrick,
It is with regret that the BOS feels compelled to ask for your resignation as EMC. Failing that, you will be terminated. You will not be reappointed to your position on the Water Authority in January. Not wanting to hide behind the "BOS", I will let you know I volunteered to be the messenger, as I am very offended by your activities and use of your "pulpit" in three instances. You deserve some explanation.
First, you have totally demogogued the irradiator issue. No one can know for certain what your motivations are, except you.(I would not rule out partisan political motives.) In doing so (I believe it was at two public meetings), you repeatedly made it clear that you were the Richland EMC, instead of omitting that and speaking as a private citizen. Hence, you created the perception that Richland Township is officially and firmly against the irradiator. In fact Richland's position is it has no position - this is a Milford Township issue. The effect of your behavior alienates Milford officials toward anything Richland, not good for trying to take regional initiatives. Having spent 14 years in Healthcare, I can say that the irradiator is no more dangerous to the Richland than is Nuclear Medicine and resultant waste at St Luke's on 10th Street in Qtown. I would have thought that as a Healthcare professional, you would have known that --- which makes me all the more certain of your demogoguery.
Secondly, you spoke out of turn, when you said you "would not allow any Richland Emergency Services Organization to respond" to the Milford facility. You never had the authority to dictate who would and would not respond to which emergency. That is the prerogative of Licensed Police and Fire personnel. In doing that, you have alienated at least the leadership in the local fire companies, if not the rank and file, as well as members of the community that read your remarks. And let me make this very clear, our EM people have the ethics to help anyone in reach and the courage to risk life and limb. On this, I believe the Chair reprimanded you last evening.
Third, serving as a volunteer in Township Government is a privilege. It is not a right. We ask that our volunteers respect the philosophy and policies of the governing body(s), and we in turn respect and enact their recommendations 99% of the time. Appointment was never intended to provide one with a pulpit with which to mount a campaign to unseat the Supervisors who appointed you. Yet that is exactly what you have done! You signed and apparently circulated a petition for a candidate that wants to unseat Pat Keller. You certainly have a right to run for, or support who ever you want for elective office. You do not have a right to serve in the administration of the person you want to unseat. It is all the more reprehensible in that it is a Green party candidate that demonizes anyone who wants to build a home - and hypocritical on your part in that you are a buyer in a new home development. Just a few short months ago, Pat Keller was excited about getting you to be EMC - and that is how you return her goodness.
We are an inclusive Board and the fact of your appointments proves it. We understood and accepted that further up the ticket you would be supporting Democrats, but it was at least my hope, if not my (and our)understanding, that you would work with us and not against us at the township level. That has not happened.
We will expect your resignation by the Sept meeting. Failing that, we will vote on your termination. If you want to demogogue this and go to the press, then have at it.
