R-E-S-P-E-C-T
POTTSTOWN, PA – So Pottstown School Board member Valerie Harris wants a little respect?
How about a little respect for the taxpayers of Pottstown?
At this week’s Committee of the Whole Meeting, Harris demanded respect from fellow board member Polly Weand, but we here at Save Pottstown!! want a little respect from Harris, as an elected public official.
Harris is gainfully employed by George Wausnock, past president of Preservation Pottstown and owner of a Pottstown State Farm Insurance franchise. For over ten years, Wausnock has been very vocal and unabashedly public in his support for keeping Rupert Elementary School open and operational (of course with Pottstown taxpayers footing the bill). And just yesterday, in The Mercury, Wausnock made another public plea to save Rupert.
Let’s set the wayback machine for February 21, 2001. On that date, Wausnock penned a letter to then Pottstown School Board president Mark Lawler stating the following:
“schools like Rupert and the Middle School are unique assets that few other districts in the region enjoy”…Preservation Pottstown is “delighted with the excellent renovation work recently completed at the Middle School, and we hope similar improvements can be made to the Rupert School. Schools like Rupert and the Middle School are unique assets that few other districts in the region enjoy. They can help us attract and retain middle class families in Pottstown, and we look forward to working with the school board to help enhance these schools as a way to market the borough.”
Does this shtick sound familiar?
The Mercury reported on this event way back on March 5, 2001. You can read that article here.
So, our big question is, shouldn’t Valerie Harris recuse herself from ANY voting that pertains to Rupert? As a wise Save Pottstown!! commenter pointed out to us yesterday, Harris depends 100% on her salary from Wausnock to earn a living, so in essence, she is making decisions based on her need to financially survive….and not making decisions that are in the best interests of the Pottstown taxpayers. Talk about a complete and utter conflict of interest!
How can Harris possibly make decisions benefitting the taxpayers of Pottstown when her primary source of income is being dangled over her head by her employer George Wausnock???
The Pottstown School Board should demand that member Valerie Harris RECUSE herself from all past and future voting on Rupert Elementary School. Her past votes should be stricken from the record and revoted by the board.
True words, indeed!!
This whole respect thing gets me…people who DEMAND respect are usually people who have difficulty getting it AND don’t frequently offer it to others. Can we just stop this and simply say each member should be courteous in presenting their arguements. Come to think of it, if there were a leader ‘running this show’ they would step up and keep that from even being an issue; right?
Respect IS give and take AND it is EARNED, NOT DEMANDED. Maybe this is the way Ms. Harris is treated ‘behind closed doors’ and this is what she wants to say then, but can’t, so she’s lashing out in seeming defense of the others (who offer no respect to their colleagues) as a way to assert some kind of authority (since it seems, to this observer, she has little).
Is it possible that she realizes the tangled web she’s gotten herself into and recognizes there is NO WAY OUT (no SAFE way…)? Maybe the best thing she could do is to abstain from votes as this ‘mess’ drags on?
SP, you have it soo right!! Demand a review of her votes and have them revoted and get her to recuse herself from future votes…too many questions.
If that doesn’t work out can she swear (before a judge – you know get it the legally binding way) to not take monetary favors from her employer for votes AND to provide ALL job reviews (Open Gov’t) to the district that have pay increases (merit or otherwise) so that there can be little or no question of her integrity and her RESPECT for the office she holds?!?
Just a thought…
This is in response to:
Preserve the older schools
Published: Friday, February 5, 2010 in the mercury
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Dear Mr. Wausnock,
Do not try, – - – DO !
Do not TRY to get others to do what you can do best.
DO ! – - – - – DO it yourself !
As you stated – “In 1997 when the option of closing Rupert was first discussed, Preservation Pottstown collected more than 1,000 signatures of neighborhood residents who wanted to keep the school. I still have copies of those petitions in my desk. “
Go to your desk, Mr. Wausnock, and retrieve those petitions. Go to the 1,000 signers and get each one of them to donate $1,000 toward the restoration of the Rupert Building. That will give you ONE MILLION DOLLARS. One million should provide an adequate down payment on the purchase of the Rupert Building from the Pottstown School District.
Second, have each of the 1,000 signers pledge just $10 per week for the next two years. That will provide you with an additional ONE MILLION DOLLARS to begin resurrecting the Rupert Building. You and Preservation Pottstown can then start turning the 1930’s building into an absolutely perfectly historically restored landmark.
Close your eyes, and think of what visitors would see. Part of the building could serve as Preservation Pottstown’s Headquarters. The exterior could be returned to its original architectural glory. The interior could be decorated in 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s fashion. And . . . Once you own it, you wouldn’t have to worry about distractions such as educational technologies, ADA compliance, or nagging taxpayers who are more concerned with quality of education than historical correctness. After all, these modern devices, rules, and attitudes did not exist in the era when Rupert was built.
The top floor could be converted into high-end condominiums for those born before 1960. That would be the people who really appreciate the historic surroundings and appointments. The condos could be decorated in period wall paper, floor coverings, lighting, and draperies. Furnishings could include console model AM radios and Black-and-White TVs.
The main floor would house your offices, meeting rooms, and museum rooms. Downstairs could be converted into arts and crafts workshops. Perhaps even an antique restoration club room. The All Purpose Room might someday host the “Antique Road Show” event.
You also stated of the Rupert Building, – “ it is a landmark that helps retain property values in one of Pottstown’s most close-knit neighborhoods. “
This is another reason why you and Preservation Pottstown should DO this yourselves. Who better than you could help to serve the neighborhood and the community. Just imagine the possibilities.
Naturally, you would restore the playground for the children of the close-knit neighborhood. The condo owners would love to watch and interact with the children. Maybe one of your first floor rooms could provide baby-sitting services for the neighborhood, supervised by some of the residents.
Your kitchen and All Purpose room would provide other services. You could provide meals each day for residents in the community who just cannot afford both school taxes and food. You could have a little café for those who like their coffees and sweets in a historic atmosphere. Or perhaps the neighborhood mothers would prefer to meet there rather than McDonalds, after their children went off to school. The All Purpose Room could host business meetings, civic meetings, and other gatherings.
This is a WIN – WIN – WIN opportunity. You and PP could have your historic landmark, Mr. Hylton could have his architecturally correct windows, and the overburdened taxpayers could get ONE MILLION DOLLARS to finance basic education – NOT HISTORIC RENOVATION.
So, you go Mr. Wausnock. Go out there and gather those thousand contributors. And let’s get this show on the road.
OR, MR. WAUSNOCK, ARE YOU JUST BLOWING SMOKE ??
What an insightful and wonderful comment (and great, visionary suggestions), Jed19464! AND, with some elementary school consolidation, the district also would start saving some money on maintenance, etc., with one less building to care for.
Thanks, Jed19464.
WOW…I’m humbled in your presence, Jed!!
This is so well-thought and a practical vision based on common sense economic principle!!
Jed, you are a GREAT asset to this blog and community!! I wish some of the people in ‘the wrong camp’ would listen to your wisdom and practical approach!!
Great post, Jed!
Any maybe once Mr. George Wausnock gets his precious Rupert restored it will actually be a nice enough place for him to live! Wouldn’t that be unique? If George lived in the neighborhood he thinks is so extra-special wonderful? He could WALK to work every day, setting the example that he wants everyone else to follow.
What do you say George? With no less than ONE THOUSAND supporters, restoring Rupert should be a piece of cake for you. I’m sure if you could get them to sign a piece of paper you could also get them to sign a check. Go forth and raise money and pay for your own restoration project – and stop trying to rob knowledge from children to finance your whims.
I bow down to JED. Extrospection at its finest!
In all reality, Rupert should be a privately funded project, just as the Jefferson School was. The Jefferson School was only listed on the Nat’l. Registry after it was purchased by it’s current owners – THEY sunk the $$$ into it – not the taxpayers – making it a smart tax write-off for them, I’m sure. Being that the school district is a non-profit entity of sorts, I can’t see that there would be any tax benefits for them to sink this $$$ into Rupert.
No matter which way you slice or dice it, it doesn’t add up!
Thank you to :
silent2long – you also have great insight.
monkeybizness – do not be humbled, instead be motivated to do more of your investigating and reporting
What are you fighting to protect – continue
mssilencedogood – do not bow, stand tall AND inspire others to stand with you to fight the pending pillaging of Pottstown’s homeowners.
Remember the war cry from the 1700′s : “THE REDSHIRTS ARE COMING !
THE REDSHIRTS ARE COMING ! ” Well, be it known that THE BLUESHIRTS ARE GROWING – THE BLUESHIRTS ARE GROWNING in number.
The ‘silent majority’ is getting louder. We need only to get the silent home-owning taxpayers to stand up and join forces. And to attend SB meetings. And to make their demands for sound education over historical windows known.
I would ask a favor of all of you. Since not everybody has access to a computer, would you kindly print 5 copies of the articles and responses that you think have the greatest impact and pass them out to others. The truthful information and accurate observations published by SavePottstown!! needs to reach the entire taxpayer base.
Remember = If you tell 5, and each of those tell 5, and each of those tell 5, THEN you have informed 125 people.
* *
I clicked the SUBMIT button too soon.
I meant to say to ‘What are you fighting to protect’:
continue applying the pressure and exposing the half-truths from “All the PINKYs and the BRAIN”.
SOOOOOOO funny you say that, Jed!1 It was just the other day I compared this situation to Pinky and the (no) Brain!
Let’s get ready to rumble!!!
IF Ms. Harris wants RESPECT then I suggest she conduct herself a bit better at meetings. What’s so funny, tell us, PLEASE…we are eager to know!!
By the way, we all apologize for keeping the lights on for a late meeting. Conversely, we could save money if you’d cast a different vote and swing things in the other direction. Unfortunately, this is what you signed on for so attempt to not make people feel badly (like a drain on their own money) for wanting to be heard when they feel they have legitimate concerns.
Maybe we should hold the meetings by candlelight, if you prefer.
(Dear SavePottstown!!
If you want to post this in an upcoming article please do so. Otherwise the best fit seemed to be under your R-E-S-P-E-C-T article.)
My neighbor told me the following story:
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“A friend of hers took her granddaughter along to the Post Office on High St. the other day. The little girl slipped on the snow and bumped her head on the bicycle rack bolted to the sidewalk. The little girl came home with a goose egg on her forehead.”
.
This report led us to a discussion and a question. If this should lead to other medical problems, who should the parents sue? The Post Office – that owns the building, the Borough of Pottstown – that controls the sidewalks, Preservation Pottstown – that co-sponsored the bicycle rack project, TriCounty Bicycles – that co-sponsored the project, Gemini Custom Carpentry – the advertiser that paid Preservation to advertise on the rack, Tommy Carrole – who circumvented all policies and procedures about legally installing the racks, or last year’s Boro Council – that OK’d the rack project AFTER the racks were illegally installed?
That is an excellent question Clutch since your explanation of the bike rack history is correct. The more burning question is where is the $500.00-$600.00 a pop per year for the advertising going? Who is watching all the monies that flow thru the various so called non profit organizations such as Preservation Pottstown,etc.? Also makes one wonder where the money($150,000)the Carousel requested from the borough(which Council eloquently and quickly rejected)for a new roof would have gone! There are many unanswered questions on many inquiring minds.
Where I believe the money is going: The money is going to Preservation Pottstown. Then, this money is being funneled to Thomas Hylton so he can continue to wage war on the taxpayer by spending money we don’t have for BS like windows that we don’t need and geothermal pipe dreams.
Where do you think the $20,000 that Mr.Hylton pledged to pay for the architects fee came from? I am willing to bet that the money is being funneled to him through Preservation Pottstown.
IF Preservation Pottstown is found to be funneling money, this can investigated by the Dept of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations the number is 1-800-732-0999.
It ‘almost’ shouldn’t matter where the money comes from…the real thing to concern ourselves with is the fact that it shouldn’t be coming from a SB member in such a public way. In accepting Hylton’s offer the SB has effectively said anyone with money can step up to the mike and we’ll do whatever you say you’ll ‘pay’ for (then you can expect to get your money back while we ‘stick-it’ to the taxpayers). Apparently, money can ‘buy’ happiness?!?!
Typically, people who give money to a SD DONATE it with NO strings attached…they do it because they want to and can. That’s why this is all too transparent and all too wrong. It is just a means to an end and WE get NO say and WE PAY (that fiscally responsible thing ain’t really workin’ for ya now, is it)!!
This whole thing smacks of a LACK of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the postion, Admin., our kids, fellow taxpayers and the rest of the SB members (no matter who they blindly support). Didn’t anyone take an Oath of Office; or was that all ‘lip service’, too?!?!?
For ONCE, care about the community and STOP caring what ONE person (or a select few) think of you and VOTE for the rest of the people in this community – I HAVE YET TO SEE THAT SINCE DECEMBER?!?!
Coincidence, I think NOT!!! Grow a pair and STOP letting Tommy play his ‘reindeer games’; YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT, Mr. Huss & Mr. White (no point in appealing to the other two…they have little chance of leaving their rose-colored glasses by the bed table).
Clutch,
Why does your friend have to plan on suing anyone? Isn’t this what’s wrong with our country? Always have to find someone to blame for what appears to be an accident. Sad.
i think the real non profit to watch is hylton’s trees inc. that non profit has almost $100K. check out their website – http://www.pottstowntrees.org/financial.html
and how much of that $100K is taxpayer money from the borough???
i think the new borough council should do an extensive audit of trees inc. and follow the money trail all the way back to hylton.
hylton is the treasurer, geo wausnock and karen weil are on the board of directors – weil did lots of work for hylton through his other non profit – pottstown citizens for irresponsible govt. how many non profits does this guy have his hands in???
why do you think the new council turned down hylton’s offer of securing new grants last month? they don’t trust him with money. and this guy is controlling the purse strings of the school district?? sounds like a super fiscal disaster to me – that us taxpayers will be footing the bill for.
let’s see council flex their muscles and do that audit!!
Angel,
That was the point of posting the phone number of the office who has direct authority to audit all non-profits.
If you, dear reader, have information of impropriety by any non profit,
call the Dept of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations the number is 1-800-732-0999. They are in Harrisburg and can SHUT DOWN any non-profit and take all their money.
Don’t waste time with council.
ABSOLUTELY XYZ!!!
The Borough is NOT prepared to deal with the money trail, at the moment, I believe that they are going to get their sea legs soon, I think Jason Bobst is a worthy leader but he is facing a huge challenge sorting out the mess that most departments are in. Directing this concern to the 1-800 number above could be the BEST approach. Good Info.
i think the best bet is to write a letter to the state bureau AND include a copy of the mercury article (where hylton says he will give $20K) and print-outs of hylton’s 2 non profits (trees and save my ass) showing how much $$$ is holed up in those supposed non profits. having something submitted to the state in writing will go a lot further than a phone call. you can’t document that stuff in a phone call. needs to be in writing.
Right on!!
I hope there is some success to be found in this process…I wonder if you call Mrs. Adams if you can get a copy of the letter OR could you contact Mr. Kalis to get a copy (or maybe if no copies they will let you view it and take notes on the language).
Just a thought…