The Mt. Lebanon School Board Candidates
November 4, 2011
A unified position statement by James Cannon, Paula Bongiorno, Rudy Bies,
Charlotte Stephenson, and Joseph Wertheim
We must remember what happened over 200 years ago when people pledged their honor, their personal savings and their very lives so that we could have a government of the people, by the people and once again for the people.
Public Servants should do their best, serve and go home. We can debate the length of the term, but multiple political terms all too often affect communities adversely.
Whether it is Washington, Harrisburg, the City of Pittsburgh or Mt. Lebanon, spending must be controlled at all levels of government. As a nation, we simply cannot continue to borrow and spend. Our Country has almost 15 trillion dollars of debt. If meaningful action is not taken, our debt will exceed 25 trillion in less than ten years. The interest on that amount of debt could easily exceed the total annual federal tax revenue. The money in the Social Security Trust Fund is incapable of sustaining the demand for the participants future needs because it has been spent. If this position does not change then the U.S Dollar will decline.
Whether it is Washington, Harrisburg, the City of Pittsburgh or Mt. Lebanon, spending must be controlled at all levels of government. As a nation, we simply cannot continue to borrow and spend. Our Country has almost 15 trillion dollars of debt. If meaningful action is not taken, our debt will exceed 25 trillion in less than ten years. The interest on that amount of debt could easily exceed the total annual federal tax revenue. The money in the Social Security Trust Fund is incapable of sustaining the demand for the participants future needs because it has been spent. If this position does not change then the U.S Dollar will decline.
So what does this have to do with the Mt. Lebanon School District? Simply put, difficult financial decisions must be made to avoid future financial problems.
The following information, taken from the School District web site, is important for you to know.
2001 2010
Total School District Expenditures $50,819,000 $76,621,000
Annual Revenue from Real Estate Taxes $34,466,000 $51,697,000
Annual Cost per Pupil $8,960 $14,451
At current cost levels, a High School Diploma will cost $173,412.
The School District borrowed $69 million in October of 2009. This money was to be used for the High School Project. How many of us would borrow money to build a home, and allow more than two years to pass before beginning construction? What bank would even loan the money to us?
Early in 2010 the School Board, explaining certain aspects of the High School project, mailed a glossy brochure to the residents. We believe that our residents deserve a more cost-effective alternative based on more accurate enrollment statistics than those presented.
We believe the School Board should consider an alternative to the high school renovation plans. The plans should contain enough detail and reasonable cost estimates so that those who care enough to vote could do so in a May 2012 referendum. This is a major expenditure with significant issues that affect every person and business in Mt. Lebanon. There is no reason to formally exclude anyone in Mt. Lebanon from the process. Projects of this magnitude should be decided based upon the desire of the entire community.
Many difficult issues face our school district which will require legislative action from the Pennsylvania Legislature. We must do all that we can to address these issues such as adopting a taxation model that is more fair, especially for those who are retired and now may not be able to keep their homes because of rising real estate taxes.
School Boards have responsibilities to the students, the teachers, local government and most importantly, they must always function with a deep respect for the public.
School Boards have responsibilities to the students, the teachers, local government and most importantly, they must always function with a deep respect for the public.
If you care, please vote. If you like the current situation and feel no concern for our community’s future economic stability, elect the incumbents. If you want a School Board that is willing to do their best in consideration of these various issues we will soon face as a community, in addition to selecting James Cannon on the ballot, please write-in the names of the four candidates, Paula Bongiorno, Rudy Bies, Charlotte Stephenson, and Joseph Wertheim. All five have similar motivations for running, and all five have their own individual reasons. Feel free to reach out to each before Tuesday, November 8th.
Their contact information is as follows:
James Cannon, jcannon2011@verizon.net
Joseph Wertheim, jhwertheim@aol.com
Paula Bongiorno, genpau@aol.com
Thank You!
Elaine, perhaps each of these candidates can give answers to your 25 questions.
ReplyDeleteDave Franklin
I get they do not like debt. However, complaining about the federal debt is a straw man for a local election. I get they do not like taxes. The problem is that they are not offering solutions. If you want to run a successful insurgent campaign, you got to say what you are going to do. All we get here is hate on debt and taxes. No specifics on how they plan to balance mutually exclusive ideas on top rated education, quality buildings and lower taxes. It's just magical thinking. (Vague hints at treating the tax rates of some homeowners different from others is sure way to lose my vote.)
ReplyDeleteIf this is all the insurgents have to offer, the status quo looks a whole lot better (however sad that is).
Michael Goodin
The Almanac had this story regarding Peters Township recently.
ReplyDelete"Peters surveys say 'no' to high school work, tax hike
If the surveys are any indication, Peters Township residents don't want to pay for a proposed $53 million high school renovation project or even see the need for it.
Of the 1,483 responders to a Peters Township School District survey asking whether residents would support an expansion at the high school, a resounding 62.51 said “no” while 37.49 percent responded “yes.”
The second question of whether responders would approve a referendum on a future ballot to increase taxes by about 9 mills to finance the project, was met with an even more overwhelming 72.69 percent “no.” Answering “yes” to the increase were 27.31 percent."
I don't remember our MTL school board ever formally asking residents opinions.
Oh sure, we heard-- "as I meet with neighbors and friends I think the majority of the community supports this project" from board members.
Never once though were we shown hard evidence of those communications. Never once did we see a compilation of the hundreds of supporting emails! What ever happen to that supporting petition that was supposedily circulating?
We did though see hard evidence of the 4,000 signatures on a petition asking for reduction on the HS project, supported by the republican survey and polls in area newspapers. All of which didn't have much effect on the board as they went ahead with their $113 million ("don't worry- its really a <$95 million plan") plan.
Seems to me Mr. Franklin, the candidates here are stating right up front they'll listen and give residents a referendum in May.
I think that would give you and every resident that wishes a chance to ask them 25... 50... or a hundred questions if that's what it takes.
Peters' school board seems to be able to communicate, why shouldn't ours?
At least these candidates have stepped forward and delivered a straight forward platform rather than the usual pablum-- "we're for better schools, lower taxes, and transparent government."
Read the incumbents campaign literature and the PTA Q&A. What are the differences between the Goldman/Kubit Team and the Cooper/Cappucci/Lebowitz Team?
Dick Saunders
Mr. Goodin, if you please... how do the other candidates propose to balance the 3 items... precisely?
ReplyDeleteDick Saunders
One of the 11th hour write in candidates lives right across the street. We have lot of young families on our street. Lots of school aged kids. Fertile ground for a grass roots SB campaign for sure. Surprisingly however she doesn't seem to be doing any campaigning. Hmmmm
ReplyDeleteMr. Saunders, I second Mr. Goodin.
Dave Franklin
Thats what makes America, great Mr. Franklin!
ReplyDeleteTuesday you get to cast your ballot.
In the words of the most interesting man in the world... "choose wisely, my friend!"
Dick Saunders
I encourage the candidates to email their PTA responses to me and I will post them individually as I did for Rudy Bies.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Mr. Franklin, not one of the incumbents has yet to knock on my door! Does that mean they aren't campaigning as well? Hmmmm
ReplyDeleteGiffen Good
I think the simple difference is that an incumbent's name is ON THE BALLOT. I'm pretty sure that most of the residents on my street don't even know that our neighbor would like us to write her in. I guess the ultimate irony is that she has a Cannon sign in her yard, but not one for herself. Odd campaign strategy.
ReplyDeleteDave Franklin
Did you poll your neighbors Mr. Franklin, or just guessing?
ReplyDeleteMaybe an odd strategy, but thinking outside the box is not all that bad. "Think Different"... seems I've been reading a lot from various sources including the school board president- praising a man [Steve Jobs] that changed the world by doing just that.
If being on the ballot is so all fired important why are there lines on the ballot for writes-ins?
Giffen Good
As usual Mr. Franklin is playing his usual role - a spoiled petulant brat - who wants everyone else to pay his bills for him. He has campaigned for three extra sports fields when the $83,000 SD/ Muni/ Youth Sports
ReplyDeleteAgreement doesn't even cover 1/2 the cost of the maintenance of the existing 18 fields. Mr. Franklin can vote but he doesn't do his homework and can't think clearly. Too bad for Lebo.