OCTOBER 23 - OCTOBER 29, 1999
OCTOBER 29, 1999
Odds and ends at the end of the week
Good morning. It is 41.4 degrees at 5:56 A.M. We have a pretty nice weekend in
store for us. 70 degrees temperatures and sunny skies. Good campaigning weather.
I thought I'd share with you some of the mail I am getting. I have no comments.
I'll just give you the letters. They make interesting reading.
Harold:
Excellent speech last night acknowledging what we already have in McKean County to build
on as we move into new century. Left the other candidates in the dust. Last night verified
there are only three candidates for McKean County commissioner. I believe John Reetz
demonstrated he is out of touch with reality and Mr. Pingie demonstrated his arrogance
towards the voters when he failed to attend and discuss the issues McKean County voters
are interested in. He was notified about the discussion of the issues date at UPB ages
ago. The old Republican Party represented by C. Russell
Johnson still feels it can put its candidate choices in office without any
scrutiny by the public. What arrogance in a democracy.
Good luck on Tuesday.
And there was this one about another subject, about an article I wrote about
the man who appealed his taxes:
Mr Beck,
I am the wife of David (last name withheld), your disgruntled taxpayer in Westline.
I still live and work in Arlington. I think you missed David's point.
He does not object to supporting the public schools. He went
to the public schools and so did everyone else he knew. He
realizes that it is vitally important to support good schools - after
all, the kids going to school now are the ones who are going to
be in charge (and the ones who are going to be taking care of
us) in the future. His beef is with the fact that the tax burden
does not appear to be spread evenly. His problem with the
Westline Inn paying less taxes is because they are actually
making money on their property, while he is just living in and
working on his. You said that comparing his property with the
Westline Inn is comparing apples and oranges, but that is
incorrect. School tax is school tax, whether it is on a private
house or a restaurant. Taxes are assessed on the value of
the property. How could a private residence possibly be worth
more than an inn/restaurant?
You glorify living in Westline, mentioning the peace and quiet,
and the caring people. Peace and quiet can't be found
everywhere - but it is no more peaceful and quiet at David's
house than it is at the Westline Inn.
Caring people can be found everywhere there are people.
If you came to Arlington you would find, per capita, at least as
many caring people. You talk about a dinner for volunteer
firemen that you found so touching. It is funny that you mentioned
that because only two weeks ago David was in Arlington and we
attended just such a dinner here. Did you know that David is a
retired fireman from Arlington County?
You say that Arlington has a much larger tax base, and therefore
has more money to buy the water, sewer, and cop on every
corner. Think about that - we have a much larger tax base
because we have far more people, which means that we
have to spend far more money on those people. We pay
much less per student in our schools than Lafayette Township.
How can that be when our schools are so much better? The
high school that my sons attended was selected as one of the
fifty best schools in the nation a few years ago. Can Bradford
High School say that? Our school system has a huge population
of non-English speaking students, close to 40%. We have to spend
the money to teach those kids to speak English, and at the
same time we have to teach them their subject matter so they
don't fall behind. And we are successful.
You say that David has to settle for paying exorbitant taxes
if he wants to live in Westline instead of in Arlington. I think
all the residents of Westline, not just David, should be up in arms
about the way Lafayette Township portions out the tax dollars. They
don't get much to show for their tax dollar. Residents of Arlington
get something for their tax dollar. I could go on forever about the
things my taxes pay for, but I'm sure you don't want to hear it.
You were wrong when you turned down David's tax assessment
appeal, and you were wrong to gloat about it in your paper
afterwards. Shame on you!
And on another subject:
Mr. Beck:
As always, it's great reading your mag on-line. Good luck in the upcoming election. As for
Tom Clark, he hasn't changed a bit from the old Keating Avenue days. And even a stop in
Roanoke hasn't stopped him. Do you think you could assign him a story like...finding the
Indiana bats? (In case you're wondering, I've found them--it's the nickname of our AAA
baseball team here in Louisville, the RiverBats) Tom's a funny guy--keep him around!
Rick Piscitelli
Account Executive
Adelphia Business Solutions
Louisville, KY
We agree with you, Rick. He is a funny guy. Sometimes funny like a crutch, but
always funny. (and I promised not to comment!) And on another subject this shows behind
every man is a woman, whether or not I am successful depends on the party with whom you
are speaking.
Dear Mrs. Beck,
I just happen to be bumbling around on the Internet, actually trying to
gain a little knowledge about the Seneca Nation, and low and behold there it was, The MLR
online! As a previous resident of McKean County I often read the MLR as a source of
entertainment. However, for the past several years it has been out of sight out of mind. I
read your article first.Heck Mrs. Beck, no need to lump us all into one category. Just
because some of us (not "everyone") thought the MLR wouldn't last doesn't
necessarily mean that we thought so because we don't want to hear other's opinions, don't
want to hear about inside deals, or don't want you to form you own opinions. Form away.
Congratulations to you, your hubby, and the others on the success of the MLR. Looks like
you made it.
RA in Pa.
And here's one that's near and dear to my heart. A commentary will follow:
Thank you! We were told at the meeting this past Monday about the pumpkins.Now,
thinking seriously, is there anything in the state of Pennsylvania that can/will help
non-profit SPCA,s such as ours? I am aware of the fact that you are really good in finding
"the needle in a haystack". So please help get better financial help along with
the "nickels and dimes" funding. Have a Great Day!!! Again, thanks to you and
Tom for your help.
P.S.
Do you wish to be in one of our meetings to see how things are??
Historically speaking, Tom Riel approached me last May and asked if I would
participate in growing pumpkins for the local SPCA. The idea was they would sell them and
raise money around Halloween. It would also be election time and we thought every grateful
vote would help. It was for a good cause and nothing said that other civic minded
candidates could not do the same.
Well, with the flood of August 20th the pumpkins are probably in the Gulf of
Mexico by now. Facing that dilemma, Tom and I went out and purchased several fields of
pumpkins for the SPCA. We are good negotiators and got them pretty cheap. Then we picked
them and delivered them.
We took a picture of me with the pumpkins. That was a problem. The SPCA didn't
want to endorse anyone. No problem. We said we would put on a disclaimer. Still that was
not enough. They did not want to be associated with me in any way shape or form - even
though they took the pumpkins and are selling them.
I have to think about that one. At least one member appreciates me. I left her
name off the letter. The Alliance might want to make her make the same pledge they make
other people if they want to continue to participate in local service organizations.
Anyway, I think I have a new term for our column. BECKAPHOBIA, and those who
suffer from it will forever be known as BECKAPHOBES.
Do me a favor. Go over to the SPCA and buy a pumpkin. Tell them
Bud sent you. Thank them for the good work they are doing. It seems I am not allowed to do
that. Have a nice day. Comments are welcome at rdhedbud@penn.com.
OCTOBER 28, 1999
Good morning. It is 23 degrees at 5:56 A.M.
Last night we had a candidates forum for the office of County Commissioner. All
attended except for one of the Republican nominees. Interesting.
But I worry about myself. I was there and gave the following opening remarks.
OPENING REMARKS GIVEN BY: HAROLD BECK OCTOBER 27, 1999
Is the American Dream in McKean County? Can our young people realize their dreams here?
What do we have to offer?
McKean County is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and yes, contrary to the
statements of the consummate nay sayers, the American Dream is alive and well right here
in our own back yard. McKean County has never been better!
From Port Allegany to Willow Creek; Tuna Crossroads to Ludlow; Kane to Bradford; and
Klondike to Hazelhurst; things have never been better.
There are those who complain that there are no good jobs. They point to the days when
our manufacturing plants employed hundreds. They tell us that because those jobs are gone
there is no future for us. Those people are everywhere. They are not unique to McKean
County.
Pittsburgh lost the steel mills. Is Pittsburgh dead? Of course it isn’t and
neither is McKean County. We have a lot to be proud of and our prosperity is not just
around the corner, it is here right now.
Look at what we have.
Bradford Regional Medical Center has made enormous strides in the past ten years.
It’s recent partnering with Hamot Medical Center now takes us into the new millennium
in Cardiac Care. It is one of the major employers in our county and offers our young
people the opportunity to start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder and
progress according to their abilities.
At the same time Kane Community Hospital offers our citizens local health treatment.
The Emergency Room eliminates the need to travel to Bradford and on a personal note, is
the reason my son-in-law is alive today.
Health Care is a major industry here in McKean County. We have fine nursing homes and
extended care facilities. From The Lutheran Home in Kane to the Ecumenical Home in
Bradford, we offer facilities that are unmatched in the rest of the state. At the top of
the list is Sena Kean Manor, a cornerstone in my own campaign four years ago. With your
help I proved the nay sayers wrong. With your help I was able to save it from sale to
private parties and prove to you that Sena Kean was not only best as a County owned
facility, but also a facility that could be run on a sound and profitable basis.
Zippo Manufacturing is Bradford, Pennsylvania. It is the largest employer in the county
and when you say Bradford, you say Zippo. With the beautiful new museum that has been
completed in the past four years, we now have an attraction that draws visitors from all
over.
I can go on and on. American Refining Group. Keystone Powdered Metals. Ball Incon Glass
Company. What about the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford? Compare McKean County to
Warren or Elk Counties. We have jobs and so much more to offer. McKean County is a great
place in which to live, learn, and work.
And look at what we have been able to do for our children and families.
Four years ago we had one family center that served parents of pre-school children
only. Today we have four family centers geographically positioned across our county so
that services can be delivered in their own backyards, eliminating the need to travel
across the county. Family centers are just what they are intended to be, centers where the
entire family can participate, learn, and enjoy each other.. They are the cornerstone of
our Communities That Care process and the center for our Juvenile Delinquency Prevention
Program.
On Monday in Hershey, PA, Governor Tom Ridge pointed out that Government would be
smaller, our court system less expensive, and our jails empty if parents would just take
the time to take responsibility for their own children. It was his Partnership for Safe
Children that I joined on your behalf. It was the Family Service Systems Reform Program
that I brought back to our county and because of it we have watched our child abuse
statistics drop in each and every year.
McKean County is no longer the county with the highest indicated rate of abused
children. No. Now McKean County is a model for other counties and communities that want to
deliver services that help and foster good families and children. We have taken our own
fate, reshaped it, and given our citizens something to be proud of. Our youth in Port
Allegany won a state and national recognition for designing and implementing a program.
That program was recognized by Governor Ridge in his opening remarks at the Communities
That Care Recognition Conference. And, McKean County overall was given another award for
Outcome Based Planning. Out of seven possible awards, we walked off with two. Certainly
something to be very proud of.
And how did we do it? Did we go out and bring in consultants? Did we look beyond our
borders to find an expert?
No. We certainly did not.
What we did was take our own home grown local experts and bring them together in a
common forum. We collaborated with one another and we formed a vision. We took that vision
and made it into family centers in Bradford, Port Allegany, Kane and Smethport. We took
parents and asked them what they wanted. We got the parents to partner with us and in
doing so we included their children. We took a government program and made it a people
idea, and it became one that works. Now we share the fruits of our labors. Now we come
home with awards.
And this is just the beginning. McKean County can do what ever it decides it wants to
do. We are still the same people that toppled hemlocks 200 feet tall. We are still the
people who built the Kinzua Viaduct and gave this nation the richest oil in the world. We
are the people who bounce back after tornadoes and floods and make what we lost better
that what it was in the first place. Yes. That’s who we are. We are darn good people.
As we enter this new millennium in just over two months, sixty or so days, we need to
ask ourselves what we want. What vision do we have for ourselves and our children? What do
we want for our elderly? What will we change? What will we keep?
Whether we realize it or not, right now our futures are in the balance. We are at a
crossroads. It is time to make a decision. Do we dare go forward, or do we play it safe
and go back?
Personally, I have boundless faith in the common sense and the fairness of the people
of this county. In keeping with that, I have done the absolute best that I could, the best
for the people, all of the people, and the best for you as an individual.
I have done the best for our families and children. All of us want our children to have
a better life than we had, and it should be aim of every generation to make things better
for the next. Together, we should do everything within our power to protect the hearts and
minds of our children. Keeping with that, we all should welcome the challenge that is
ahead of us. Take what we have and make it better. Collaborate and move forward.
We should look to the future and say to ourselves that we will build what we need in
McKean County. The American Dream is alive and well right here. We have all the tools and
we certainly have the ability.
Tonight I ask you to join me and willingly go forward into a new century, a new
millennium. Together we will make the difference. Together we will take what we have that
is good and make it better. I pledge to you that I will never forget your help. I will
never betray your trust. I will give you all that I have to give.
This is not a task for one person or a small group of people. This is a task for all of
us. I’m up to the task and I ask you to come along so together we can realize the
prosperity and happiness that awaits us all.
Your comments are welcome at rdhedbud@penn.com.
OCTOBER 27, 1999
Sleeping in your own bed
Good morning. It is 44 degrees at 6 A.M.
I have always enjoyed traveling. It is enjoyable to visit new places. It is enjoyable
to visit places you have visited before because they are new once again to what you are
used to in your everyday life. But, there is always one major draw back. That is the bed
you wind up sleeping in and the fact that it is always too hard.
When I was younger, the bed never bothered me. Still remembering the service, I was
happy to have one. Back then it made no difference if it was hard or soft, had blankets or
even clean sheets. When it was time to put your head down, you wanted a place so you could
crash. Heck, when I visited my friends Bob and Mary Walker, my favorite place to sleep was
curled up against the front door on the floor. But times change.
Getting older has its plusses and its minuses. More minuses than plusses when the old
arthritis sets in and it takes an hour or so to loosen up so you can move around in the
morning. That's why you depend on your bed. When you travel you are at the mercy of the
bed gods. And, they are not merciful. They are indeed very unmerciful and in many cases,
downright mean. That was the case at the Hershey Hotel and Convention Center.
Why are beds in those places so darn hard?
They must do it on purpose. All I know is that I woke up every morning in pain. It felt
like someone had been beating me with a club all night. In fact, on Monday, I looked
around for signs of a struggle and some blood - I was sure there had been on heck of a
fight. Every bone in my body ached as if I had been involved in a bar room brawl. I just
couldn't understand it.
"It's the bed," my wife told me.
"The bed!" I exclaimed as I walked hunched over to the bathroom to get a
glass of water to take my usual thirty-seven morning pills. "I can't believe that a
bed would make me feel this bad. Why I remember sleeping out on the ice cold ground in
Alaska in 1967 after the earthquake. I was out there two weeks watching streams and making
a weather report every six hours. I never felt like this!"
"You were twenty-one in 1967," she told me. "You are fifty-three
now."
Big deal, I thought to myself. What does thirty-two years have to do with anything? Why
I feel pretty good - except for not being able to straighten up, I thought to myself.
But as usual she was right. Thirty two-years ago the bed would not have affected me on
way or the other. Today it does. And that brings me back to the question of why those beds
are so darn hard?
On the news this morning they are complaining that obesity in our country is on the
rise. 12% of the population was obese in 1991. Today 18% of the population is obese. Is
that why hotels and convention centers like the one in Hershey go out and buy such hard
beds? Because people are fatter and they break the beds down?
If that is the case, I want to lodge a complaint.
They have rooms that are smoking and non-smoking rooms. If that is politically correct,
then they had better start have fat rooms and not so fat rooms. Weigh these people in at
check in. If they are over a certain weight, give them the rooms with the beds with
mattresses made of concrete, not me! This is an outrage. I don't like it one bit.
Anyway, last night I slept in my own bed. I got up this morning and was able to walk. I
didn't feel like someone had beaten me half to death. I felt good. I guess that it goes to
prove that what I have been saying all along is still true. There really is no place like
home.
That is true and I am glad to be back.
Your comments are welcome at rdhedbud@penn.com.
OCTOBER 26, 1999
I was out of town trying to use a notebook computer - an old one - and the maid
unplugged the darn thing. Unfortunately that set me back and as I started writing the
computer kept shutting down. So there was no article on this day. Sorry.
OCTOBER 25, 1999
Donald and me
Hello. I am in Hershey, PA for the National Recognition Conference for Communities That
Care. For those of you that are unaware of CTC, it is a nationally, actually
internationally recognized program for prevention of Juvenile Delinquency. McKean County
is in the thick of it.
This will be a short column because I have to get to the conference, but I wanted to
comment on the man who is one short minute older than me. That of course is Donald Trump.
Donny is running for President.
No, not president of the National Realtors Association. He is running for President of
the United States. If having money makes you qualified, then Donald is certainly
qualified. I might even support him on that basis. We won’t have to worry about him
stealing from us.
I saw him on television. He can’t speak. With all his money you would think he
would get some coaches to help him. And that sexy woman with him. Whose votes is he going
to try to attract with her on his arm? I hate him for her and so will a lot of other men.
Donald needs a haircut, too.
Get a haircut, Donny. The wind blown Kennedy look went out when Ted Kennedy gained 500
pounds and tried to rival Henry VIII.
I am not going to comment on his weight. I’ve put on that extra 20 pounds that 53
year old men do gain. Don needs to go to the gym and get himself in shape. I could go with
him. We have an airport in McKean County. He could send his private jet up for me a few
days a week and we could work out together. I’d oblige him. He needs help if he is
going to take on the Democrats and the Republicans - not to mention Pat Buchannan and Ross
Perot.
And speaking of Ross, who has more money, him or Donald? Does it matter in the Reform
Party? It isn’t supposed to but why is it that they are all millionaires, or in the
case of Don, billionaires? Is that the party of the people? It sounds a little like the
Republicans in McKean County. Oh well. Who am I to say anything about that. In the
meantime, I am here willing to help out my elder, born on the the same day and one minute
older than me, Donald Trump.
E-mail me kid. I’m here. I know about politics. I have the most bizarre political
career on record. I can help.
OCTOBER 23 - 24, 1999
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