FEBRUARY 6 - FEBRUARY 12, 1999
FEBRUARY 12, 1999
Was it a suicide or a murder?
Good morning. It is 53.1 degrees at 5:55 A.M. Enjoy it while it lasts. We are
in for a rapid change in the weather. By this time tomorrow morning we should be getting
accumulations of snow. Oh well. It still is winter!
The Commonwealth Court was interesting yesterday. Judge Pelligrini asked the lawyer for
the timber people what evidence was submitted to establish new values for Clean and Green.
There was no answer because no evidence was ever submitted. King John Cleland allowed no
evidence to be submitted. Instead, the took the values his friends said the land was worth
and used them.
"Once they submit their assessment card, the burden shifts to you," the Judge
said. "They never even got the chance to submit the assessment card. It ended before
it even started. Where was the evidence?"
We expect a ruling on whether or not King John abused his discretionary powers by the
end of April. I expect the court will rule that he did even though he made it look (after
the fact by several months in an opinion he later attached to the case) like he had made
constant warnings about the procedures being ignored. That was not the case. The court
record clearly shows that.
On to the case of Gordon Hess, a National Guard Captain, who allegedly
committed suicide while at Fort Knox, KY for summer camp. Now suicides are not uncommon.
However, this man, according to the Army did it by stabbing himself 22 times in the chest
and neck.
We received an interesting letter in the mail the other day regarding this well
liked Jamestown, NY man. It read:
"A couple of months ago, a city fireman was found dead on a military base. It was
reported that he had 22 stab wounds on his body and neck. It was thought that he had been
brutally murdered. It was a shock to family and friends that this could happen to a man so
well liked. It was a greater shock when three military pathologists ruled that "the
wounds were self-inflicted and he was responsible for his own death." Why would it be
necessary to have three pathologists rule on the cause of death? Other than to give
credence to a position they firmly wanted established, what was the purpose?
"Most in the community are well aware that there is an on-going investigation into
this death. Does a death ruled a suicide get investigated as a murder? What
is going on?
"Today there remains a cloud of fear surrounding this death. As long as the truth
is suppressed by the Army and those who know, that shadow will remain. All of us should
realize that LIFE IS ONLY LIVED IN TRUTH OR IN FEAR.
"This man had some known differences with some of his associates. They were
thought to be small or petty; however, some differences concerning Life's Principles and
Values cause eruptions of violence resulting in unrealized consequences.
"What do you think? Was it a murder or was it suicide? We should ask some of the
people associated with him at the time of his death. Who did he tell that he would not
cover for them ever again? Was it a fellow Captain? Was it a Lieutenant? Or, was it one of
the enlisted men? Perhaps a Sergeant, or a Corporal, or a Private, or even a close friend?
Then, the question remains as why?"
The letter was signed Concerned in Jamestown.
This murder/suicide gained national attention in April, 1998. The Army
still contends that it was a suicide; but, if that is true, why then was the not so
intelligent Army Intelligence in Jamestown last summer and fall interviewing people. Why
did they make contact with the local police and request their assistance in keeping this
investigation quiet and confidential? One of our confidential sources within the police
force told us: "They were looking for drugs. Not in him or his background; but that
he came across them and he was killed for that."
"So," I asked. "It isn't a suicide."
"Officially, it is. They don't believe it. Unless they can catch the perp(s), then
it will stay one."
Comment on this article at rdhedbud@penn.com.
FEBRUARY 11, 1999
Planning for tourism?
Good morning. It is 33.3 degrees at 4:45 A.M. I do not have much time this
morning. I am traveling to Pittsburgh for a Commonwealth Court hearing on the dastardly
and childish decision by King John Cleland to throw the Board of Assessments out of court
and give his rich friends in Clean and Green a special deal. His decision jeopardizes the
entire reassessment done in 1997. More about that later.
If you see my wife, Sharyn, today is her birthday. She is twenty nine today.
I know. I am a cradle robber. Isn't it disgusting us old guys married to such young and
lovely women! LOL.
Bill Belitskus sent me an e-mail regarding the Planning Commission meeting. I find it
interesting in the sense of the turn it took at the end.
Harold: Hope you're well! Just to keep you up to date on Kilmer's latest antics.Last
night at the Planning commission meeting. Nothing controversial. At comments to citizens
time--I had no comments, Joe Martin had no comments and then Kilmer's buddy,Bob Howard,
turned towards me and out of the blue said: "I just want to ask Mr. Belitskus a
question--after all this mountain music stuff that went on I was wondering with the
Rainbow people coming to the Allegheny National Forest and there's going to be nudity and
drugs-- and I
just wondering if Mr. Belitskus has any concerns about that or is he just interested in
picking on his neighbors?"
The room fell dead silent and I didn't say a thing waiting for Greg Bell to do his job.
Finally Bell said I can't do anything to make him answer and went on. Fran Delancy will
have to make up his own quotes about the incident. Kilmer is confused--I am not running
for county commissioner or else he is not happy with the Hamlin Township meeting write up
in the Kane Republican on Tuesday and needed to discredit me. If you haven't seen the
article let me know and I will fax it to you.
The meeting ended with Debbie and Bell showing a 17 min., slick, commercial video on --
you guessed it -- regional tourism zones in PA. and its benefit to communities. Fran
Delancy wrote furiously so you know what the write up on the planning commission meeting
will be. Coincidence?
Finally Kilmer made remarks like "I was going to stop at that place when I drove by
but I didn't have time."
What gives? Is the Planning Commission planning for more than just subdivisions
and the like or is Debbie Lunden pursuing a personal and private agenda? While this is to
be a non-political body, it appears to me that it is in deed not the case.
Comment on this article at rdhedbud@penn.com.
FEBRUARY 10, 1999
Hickey and Homestead
Good morning. It is 28.9 degrees at 5:50 A.M.
It all began when Bob Cummins was appointed to the Solid Waste Authority. Not
much was said when Merle Johnson, an attorney from Port Allegany, was seated; but the
Cummins appointment got the tongues wagging. Then came Dave Hickey and the outcry began.
Hickey's qualifications were questioned. What qualification did a man who has been a
laborer all his life have to serve on the exclusive and prestigious Solid Waste Authority.
Afterall, our garbage is golden-or so it would seem when you get into the expense of
running the garbage dump. When that didn't work, rumors began that Hickey did not live in
McKean County.
Well I felt Hickey lived in Kane Borough. Why wouldn't he? He had a Kane phone number
and a Kane mailing address. Hickey didn't live in Kane Borough. Then I thought:
"Heck. I live in Marshburg and have a Lewis Run mailing address. That happens."
As far as not living in McKean County, everyone, including me, was sure that Hickey did.
He shops in McKean County. He works in McKean County. He takes his garbage to the McKean
County Garbage Dump. And, his friends, as well as his children, all live in McKean County.
Why wouldn't he?
"I live just a house across the line in Elk County," he told us the other
day. "Does that make a difference?"
While the Solid Waste Authority, now threatened by Cummins and Hickey sticking up for
the common taxpayers, may think so, it in fact does not. I do not know why they pay Tony
Alfieri so much money to be their solicitor (rumored to be in excess of $60,000), but
anyone who can read the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945 will find that the happenstance
of where the county line is drawn does not affect Dave Hickey's membership to the Solid
Waste Authority one bit. He is absolutely legal and person(s) would have to have the
Attorney General prove that Mr. Hickey has done something illegal before he could be
removed.
What this is really all about is that Cummins and Hickey have begun asking
questions. They are asking the right questions as far as the common every day taxpayer is
concerned; but, they are very dangerous questions where certain members of the Authority
are concerned.
I have a documented history where I have asked for information regarding
finances, contracts, bids, and subcontractors that dates back three years. In each and
every instance the information was either in the hands of the auditors, was out of the
house and off the premises, not available, or just refused to be handed over inspite of
the Sunshine Law and open government provisions.
The challenge to Dave Hickey is a diversion because now he is asking the same
questions. The answers to those questions will at the least be embarrassing to the
authority and the management, and possibly may even have legal overtones.
Let's not lose track of the real issue. Does it cost $3,000,000 or more, a year, to run
a garbage dump? If it in fact does cost that much, where are we spending the money? Are
all the expenses legal expenses? What about the contracts that the Authority has awarded?
Are they "arms length transactions"; or, have authority members personally and
financially benefited from their positions?
Let me assure you of one thing. Dave Hickey could have lived in Tuscollusa, Alabama and
if he would have gone along with the status quo, not one word would have ever been said.
Because he has taken his job seriously and has asked the wrong questions and taken the
wrong stand on the Bond Issue, his membership has come under attack. Again, before they
continue, someone should hire an attorney competent enough to read the law. I specifically
direct them to Section 309A(b).
Changing the subject, consider the Homestead Act.
Much has been said about this law. It has been touted as property tax reform. We
received a letter from a man in Florida today. It reads:
"Bud: my Name is (withheld) I am retired spending winter in Florida. I follow
your web pages religiously every day. I also get the Bradford ERROR (ERA) sent down here.
My main residence is in Rew Pa.,
Foster Township, I do not agree with everything you have to offer but I enjoy what you
have stirred up in our Little County. I read a letter to the editor in the Feb. 4,
1999 Era from Mark Rossi encouraging everyone to apply for Homestead Exemption by March 1.
My question is why haven't we been notified by either letter to propertyholders, or a
notice in the Era. I talked to Angie Pinner in the assessors office and she said it will
be up the school districts to enact this. She also said that they would fight it and would
have to be forced into this. Is this Also Cheri O'Mara's doing?? You are lucky to have
Angie in the assessors office. I was (deleted) in Eldred for 19
years. She has a good head on her shoulders. Keep up your Quest to keep Smethport
Honest!!!"
Your letter answers your own questions. The School Districts
must first enact a tax cut for property owners after they have enacted a new tax
or taxes designed to make up the difference. They have two years in which to do this. If
they do not, then taxpayers, after circulating petitions, can force a referendum on the
issue. Even if the referendum succeeds, then the School Districts must first come up with
new taxes to offset the reductions in Property Taxes. It would be, even being liberal with
the time, 2003 before any of this could take effect in McKean County if all went as it was
supposed to go.
We can thank out fine State Senator William (I never pass up a free meal) Slocum for
this wonderful legislation. Once more he asked what was being served instead of who he was
serving when he jumped on that band wagon. The only way our school taxes will drop is if
and when we get a School Board that refuses to raise taxes any more and the state starts
giving us money equivalent to what the big city schools districts receive.
Slocum and the rest of the legislators from this area should have thought about the
impact of this sham of a law would have on us before they voted for it. Oh well. That is
life in McKean County today. Comment on this article at rdhedbud@penn.com.
FEBRUARY 9, 1999
Like it or not, You're in politics!!!
Good morning. It is 31.6 degrees at 6 A.M.
Yesterday's Bradford Era editorial by Jim Buck about me prompted some
interesting comments.
I told Jim, and later phoned Marty about the same thing, to get a new picture. Marty's
picture is fine. It's Jim's. Even after an editorial that was very well written and pretty
accurately put me out in front of the people, the picture in the column makes him look
like a ferret. He needs to get an image to go with his writing. It really was a well
written column and his Jimmy Olsen grin is out of place with the content he imparted.
One man warned my wife of the editorial. Is Beck in for a fall
is a reader provoking title. Definitely everyone who hates me from C. Russell
"Kingfish" Johnson to his puppet Senator all picked that one up. I could see Bob
Lovell and Rick Esch gleaming over the possibilities. At least four of the members of the
Solid Waste Authority were licking their chops at the prospect along with the assortment
of usual suspects. But alas! It was not to be and I am sure they all came away
disappointed. As Arvid "Boss" Nelson put it, "It is the closest thing to an
endorsement you will get from them. Without you, there is not news from Smethport."
The warning to my wife came with a statement. "I am tired of all of this
politics!" he said to her. "I started it, but couldn't get past the first few
lines." That really was a shame because it was a well written article and very honest
and straight forward. I haven't always said that about Jim's reporting or editorializing.
Sometimes, Jim has found it difficult to tell the difference. I am sure that is where the
man's opinion originated. However, to him, like it or not, you are in politics.
It comes over to you when you consider something written by Lucille Thornburgh, a NCSC
Board Member from the State of Tennessee.
As you get out of bed- the mattress you have been sleeping on has contents regulated by
the Federal Bureau of Standards-a Bureau controlled by Congress, whom you elect.
As you shut off your electric alarm or turn on your lights-remember that the rates of
electricity are approved by your Public Service Commission, either elected by you or
appointed by your Governor, whom you elect.
As you eat your breakfast, most breakfast foods are approved by the Food and Drug
Administration, whose Director is appointed by the President, whom you elect.
As you drive anywhere, realize that your gas taxes are set by your State and Federal
Officials, whom you elect.
As you drive anywhere, realize that your gas taxes are set by your State and Federal
Officials, whom you elect.
If you go to school, the Teachers, Buildings and Equipment are controlled by the Board
of Education, whom you elect.
If you go to work, Safety Standards are set by OSHA, a Division of the Department of
Labor, whose Director is appointed by the President, whom you elect.
All City, County and State Employees are hired by Officials, whom you elect.
If you are laid off, Unemployment Compensation Benefits are set by State Legislators,
whom you elect.
If you are hurt on the job, Workman's Compensation Benefits are set by State
Legislators, whom you elect.
The roads you travel on are controlled by a Highway Commission, appointed by the
Governor, whom you elect.
An evening of TV? Regulations of TV Channels are made by the Federal Communications
Commission, whose Director is appointed by the President, whom you elect.
The home you are living in-the taxes are set by City, County, or State Officials, whom
you elect.
The air you breathe, the water you drink, the land around you-all are controlled by the
Environmental Protection Administration, the Director of which is appointed by the
President, whom you elect.
Flying for Business or Pleasure? The Federal Aviation Administration sets the
regulations for the plane's upkeep and travel routes-The Director is appointed by the
President, whom you elect.
Should you wind up in Court, the Judges are people whom you elect, or in Federal Court,
the Judge is appointed by the President, whom you elect.
And, IF you should live long enough to RETIRE, your Medicare and Social Security
Benefits are set by Members of Congress whom you elect.
AND YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE INVOLVED IN POLITICS!!!
Comment on this article at rdhedbud@penn.com.
FEBRUARY 8, 1999
MOUNTAIN LAUREL REVIEW EXCLUSIVE!!!!!!
Good morning. It is 28.6 degrees at 5:40 A.M.
The Mountain Laurel Review is going to press tomorrow morning. That's right. We
still do a printed version of the magazine. Lest we forget, more people enjoy the printed
version than the cyber space version at a single sitting. However, when we compare monthly
figures, this on line publication by far surpasses the printed version. New technology is
a marvelous thing!
We are privileged to have been given an advance copy of David Poyer’s new novel, Thunder
on the Mountain. It is scheduled for national publication by Forge Books in
March, 1999. Mr. Poyer, a noted author and one who has keyed in on our area with his
Hemlock County series, has given us permission to run a chapter. In view of the union
workers strike at Allied Signal refinery in Farmers Valley that began Tuesday, February 2nd,
the chapter we have chosen becomes pertinent. As Mr. Poyer wrote to us on November 18,
1998:
"I don’t know how closely you have been following my series of books set in
the oil country of NW Pennsylvania. THE DEAD OF WINTER, WINTER IN THE HEART, and AS THE
WOLF LOVES WINTER have chronicled the struggle of the average people of Western PA against
the greed and oppression of the owners; the same struggle, in other words, which you are
conducting with the MLR."
It certainly does appear that Mr. Poyer’s work and the work of The Mountain
Laurel Review, as well as mine as County Commissioner, run interesting parallels
in our work, endeavors, and visions. We are honored and pleased to be able to offer the
chapter for your enjoyment. Mr. Poyer will be visiting Bradford on Wednesday and Thursday,
March 17th and 18th. He is scheduled to be at the University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford for a reading and book signing at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday and at the
Bradford Area Public Library on Thursday Evening. We look forward to seeing Mr. Poyer
during his visit and hope you will join us.
The January/February issue of The Mountain Laurel Review will feature Chapter
Eleven. It centers around the organization of the union following an Oil Refinery accident
in the town, Petroleum City, which is a carbon copy of Bradford, PA complete with names
and places, as it begins to fragment. Do they maintain the status quo and go along with
the rich bosses who have always controlled things? Do they do that, or do they take a new
and dangerous road? Do they organize and risk all to give themselves and those who follow
a better and safer work place?
"Thunder On the Mountain by David Poyer is a major historical labor
novel in the tradition of Doctorow, Steinbeck, and Mary Lee Settle. In the depths of the
Depression, young W. T. "Kid Nitro" Halvorsen starts a strike in the
Pennsylvania oilfields after a refinery disaster exposes the Thunder Oil Company's neglect
of workers' safety. As the strike spreads in scale and violence, Halvorsen, CIO organizer
and secret Communist Doris Golden, professional strikebreaker Pearl Deatherage, and
Thunder Oil owner Daniel Thunner battle to decide the fate of the oil business -- and
whether the bloodshed in Hemlock County will ignite a revolution that will shake all
America."
We look forward to the next issue of The Mountain Laurel Review. Press
time is always a time when we are excited with the anticipation of a new issue. This
issue, like no other, marks a new level for us in the respect that a fellow writer and
author has chosen us as one of the major vehicles for publicizing his newest offering. We
are deeply honored.
This issue also marks the beginning of my campaign for re-election as County
Commissioner. I openly identify with the statement of Mr. Poyer in his first letter to us.
In it he properly identifies what has been going on as "the struggle of the
average people of Western PA against the greed and oppression of the owners, the same
struggle, in other words which you are conducting with the MLR." My re-election
campaign is exactly about that.
We won a narrow victory in 1995. We won by two votes. Even in winning by two votes, we
were forced to run in an unprecedented Special Election where the voters of Keating
Township Precinct Two decided the whole thing. When we won once more, The Republican Party
bosses of McKean County supported the Democratic Candidates and began a campaign of
personal smears against me and all I have held dear. Once more they failed.
Now it is a new ball game. The nomination is up once more. As many as six of us will be
running for two seats. The Party Bosses have already picked their candidates. They will do
everything in their power to unseat Mr. Stratton and myself, two Republican Mavericks who
answer to the people and not them.
They want to go backwards. They want to return to a time when important decisions were
made behind closed doors and the people had no say in what happened. Government was
run their way. Government did whatever they said. They determined where and when and
how it happened. For the past three years and two months things have been different. In
the words of Party Boss C. Russell "Kingfish" Johnson, "They have
ruined everything." This election, like no other, is about the past and the
future. Do we go back or do we go ahead? That decision will be made on May 18, 1999 by you
and many more like you.
Comment on this article at rdhedbud@penn.com.
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