JH Information Archive |
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Archive Updated - December 23, 2009
Increased Trash Collection Fee. (Monday, December 8, 2008)
Although the trash collection cost has increased, Waste Management was the low bidder and Council entered into 5 year contract. This requires a schedule change from a Wednesday collection to Tuesday. Trash will be collected, borough wide every Tuesday, and recyclables will continue to be collected every other week, on Tuesdays, throughout the entire borough.
The first collection of 2009 will be January 6, 2009. Recyclables will also be collected on January 6, 2009.
The last collection by Allied will be Wednesday, December 31, 2008. This includes Recyclables, also
Beginning January 2009, the trash pickup and recyclables fee will be increased from $100 to $160 annually, per residence, a $60 annual increase. The fee will be billed by Waste Management, each quarter, in the amount of $40. The initial billing may be delayed. The actual annual cost for 2009 has increased to approximately $120, but council approved billing residents $160, with the additional revenue to be spent on road repair.
At this point, it may not be legal to divert funds for a different purpose. The court ruled that Allegheny County may not divert drink tax funds to service the road & bridge repair indebtedness
Graduation Competency Assessment Test
What is SB281?
This is an effort by the State Board of Education to change the graduation requirements for public high school students in Pennsylvania.
Who Supports it?
It is supported by the Rendell Administration, PA Department of Education, State Board of Education, and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Inc.
Who Opposes it?
It is opposed by organizations representing parents, school superintendents, school principals, teachers, school board members, gifted students, students with disabilities, school psychologists, students, vocational administrators, the NAACP, most legislators.PA Senators Jane Orie, John Pippy, and others introduced Senate Bill 281.
Listen to what Senator Orie has to say
ThisSample Letter
Print a copy, sign and mail
Find your representatives here...
Jefferson Hills Address Changes, Due to 911. (Monday, October 13, 2008)
At the October 13th council meeting, the need to possibly change some addresses within Jefferson Hills was discussed. There are duplicate street names and addresses within the borough as well as within Allegheny County, and the 911 geographic area. According to the Police Chief, this has caused confusion and response delays, but no tragedies, to this point. A project started several years ago to change 3 digit house numbers to 4 digits, was not completed.
Changing addresses is an expense of varying proportions to both businesses and residents. Further study is required to develop a plan that is both workable, inexpensive and is minimally inconvenient, but provides for the shortest emergency response times possible.
Watch for more information.
Bill McVicker,Jefferson Hills Public Service Coordinator Terminated. (Monday, September 8, 2008)
After adjournment of the regular council meeting, council went into executive session. Upon returning, the result was the firing of long time employee Bill McVicker. This was not a council meeting agenda item, and the citizens attending the meeting were not informed that this would be addressed. The vote was 4 to 2 in favor with Jeff Weir and Dominic Serapiglia voting against. Tracey Khalil left the meeting early and did not vote.
No reason was given for this action, which is highly irregular, in that, a person having 30 plus years of employment service with the same organization, usually retires with a hand shake, dinner and a gold watch to express a thank you. The public is at least deserving of an explanation for this action, especially since this employee had much direct contact with the residents over many years.
Borough Managers:
Richard Clark, Resigns. May 8. 2006.
Richard Clark, Borough Manager has resigned his position via letter, Monday, May 8. 2006. Authorities and responsibilities will be assumed by the Borough Secretary, Saundra J. Mortle - (412) 655-7735 - until further action is taken.
Douglas Arndt New Borough Manager, October 9. 2006.
Douglas Arndt was introduced as the new Borough Manager. He is form Kennedy Township, was manager for 15 years in O'Hara Township and for 10 years at Edgewood, before that. He graduated form Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and took public management graduate course at Penn State, Harrisburg. Mr. Arndt is working on next year's budget and has stated that he has an open door policy to all borough officials, employees and the residents.
Dough Arndt Leaving - August 23rd, 2007
Interim Borough Manager, Doug Arndt, will be leaving us. He was appointed to this interim position last October to replace resigning Manager, Richard Clark. To those who know him and worked with him, he was relied on for his experience and knowledge, and has done an excellent job for the borough. He took the time with the citizens and responded quickly to all that was asked of him. Doug is truly a gentleman; he was an asset to the borough and quickly became a friend to many However, we all knew that his was an interim position and on August 23rd at a special meeting council decided to replace Doug with another manager. Although this was another very difficult decision for council to make, this was done for economic reasons and in looking toward the future. We wish Doug Arndt the very best and he surely will be missed by many in Jefferson Hills.
Council replaced interim Borough Manger Doug Arndt with Mr. George Zboyovsky in a 5 to 2 vote. Jan Cmar and Chris King dissented. But on Friday, August 30th, 2007 Mr. Zboyovsky declined the offer in order to take a position that he considers much better. Yes, Doug Arndt, the Temporary Interim Manager, will still be missed and the search for the new Borough Manger continues.
But on Friday, August 30th, Mr. Zboyovsky declined the offer in order to take a position that he considers much better.
Another Borough Manger Selected - September 12, 2007
At the regular Council meeting on September 12th, another Borough Manager was selected by a 4 to 3 vote. He is John Shepherd of North Huntingdon Township. Mr. Shepherd has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Public Management from The University of Pittsburgh. He also has a certification from Robert Morris in Human Resource Management and Certified in Labor Management from Cornell University. He also had experience at a borough manager at North Huntingdon Township and Tarrentum, but comes to Jefferson Hills directly from RWS Development Corporation. Very nice credentials but the vote was very close. The motion and then the vote were unexpected and it appeared that all members of council did not have sufficient information and were not prepared to support Mr. Shepherd in a vote of acceptance. This is unfortunate for this important position, but time on the job will hopefully remedy that.
Mr. Shepherd was in attendance but was not asked and did not make any comments.
Jefferson Hills gives a warm welcome to Mr. John Shepherd and looks forward to a long and productive relationship.
Borough Manager, John Sheperd, Resigns April 2008.
Once again, the manager position is vacated. Mr. John Sheperd, a very qualified and competent manager, resigned Wednesday, April 9, 2008. At this point, the reason is unclear. At the council meeting, Monday, April 14th, council accepted the resignation and agreed to pay Mr. Sheperd severance in the amount of $25,000, by a 5 to 2 vote.
Councilors Dominic Seripiglia and Jeff Weir both voted not to accept the resignation and not to pay the $25,000 severance payment.
Then council voted to rehire Doug Arndt, if Mr. Arndt accepts the offer and agrees to the contract. It may be recalled that Saundra Mortle, the borough secretary, assumed many of the responsibilities of the position after Richard Clark resigned, May 8, 2006, until Mr. Arndt was brought in October 9, 2006, on an interim basis.
He served as interim manager unit August 23, 2007, when he was released by council to hire George Zboyovsky. Mr. Zboyovsky first accepted the offer and then declined on August 30, 2007. But Mr. Arndt was not retained, and on September 9, 2007, the council hired John Sheperd, who effectively fulfilled the requirements of the position until April 9, 2008.
So, for now, the position is again vacant. If this is confusing, you are not alone. Regardless, Jefferson Hills is a rapidly growing and changing community, and requires continuity in a solid competent manager. Frequent changes become very costly!
Doug Arndt Rehired as Borough Manager - April 23, 2008.
At a special council meeting, Wednesday, April 23rd, his contract was accepted with a 5 to 1 vote, replacing John Sheperd. Councilor Dominic Seripiglia voted no and Jeff Weir was absent. A Welcome To Doug Arndt.
Jack Maple Returns as Police Chief
Chief of Police, Martin Reagan, resigned his position and return to a Patrolman. His dedication and work throughout the community as Chief will be missed. Council appointed Mr. Reagan as the interim Chief, effective June 1, 2006, at an agreed upon Patrolman salary, a savings to the borough. Mr. Reagan is now going back to a Patrolman at his Chief's salary, which is really still equivalent to the top Patrolman salary. Mr. Maple is returning as the interim Chief at an annual stipend of $80,000. Questions have been raised whether Mr. Maple will become recertified, and able to personally go out on patrol, as Chief Regan did. To make room for Mr. Reagan, will a Patrolman be bumped, or is this just an added cost?
Steve Arthur's Newsletters
Steve Arthur of Federated Mortgage/NexTier Bank writes a most interesting, entertaining and informative newsletter. And, you don't have to go the the news stand to pick one up - You can read them here:December 2006
March 2006
March 2007
June 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
March 2008
April 2008
June 2008
Central Public Safety Center Planned
In just a short period of time as mayor, Mayor Michael Green has been very effective in accomplishing improvements on behalf of the citizens of Jefferson Hills. In addition to his active involvement with the police, fire department and many citizen functions, he has strengthened the safety within the borough by consolidation of the three fire departments into one public safety organizational structure. This is something that other communities are interested in to improve public safety and in keeping with the objectives of Homeland Security.
But it doesn't end there; the fire departments own sufficient property and plans are now moving forward to construct a public safety center to house the fire, police, and EMS offices, along with a modern up to date training facility. As published in the mayor's recent news letter, this will not cost the residents in tax money but will be funded by grants.
The first order of government business is to protect the citizens and the mayor is taking this responsibility seriously.
And, that is not all. Once the Public Safety Center is completed, there are plans for additional expansion to accommodate a community center and swimming pool. This may also be an ideal location for a new library - a place where the community comes together.
Autism - Pennsylvania Bill HB1150 Signed into Law
One out of 150 births results in autism. One out of 90 male births results in autism.
This bill "shall provide to covered individuals or recipients under 21 years of age coverage for the diagnostic assessments of autism spectrum disorders and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders."
See Section 635.2, page 5, of HB1150...Also, check with your insurance carrier.
Community Day August 11, 2007
Community Day was great fun, and all those involved in organizing should be congratulated. If you unfortunately missed it this year, there is always next year. Watch for next years date and mark it on your calendar. This is one celebration that no Jefferson Hills resident should miss. Whether you were there or not, here are some photos that you will want to see.
You are in Dept up to Your Eyeballs!
According to an email received from Representative Tim Murphy, you owe $29,500.00 on the national debt of $8.9 trillion ( with a T). $5 trillion is owed to the public and $3.9 trillion is owed to government trust funds, such as, social security and medicare.
The public is a combination of American citizens and foreign countries, and $2.2 trillion or 44% of the $5 trillion public debt, is the portion owed to foreign governments and other foreign entities. How long will this "borrow and spend" continue? As long as it does we are at the mercy of foreign countries who, at any time could call in the loans.
What would the founding fathers say and do?
Borough Chief of Police Retires 6/12/2006
Jack Maples retires after 41 years of dedicated service to Jefferson Hills. He received many accolades from The Mayor, Council Members, Solicitor, Building Inspector and Borough Engineer. Some relayed stories on how they first encountered Chief Maples as young people driving vehicles. Enough said about that.
Chief Maples is well known and respected among law enforcement officials from all areas of law enforcement. He will be missed in Jefferson Hills, but not on the golf course. Everyone wishes citizen Jack Maples a long and healthy retirement. Job Well Done!
New Borough Chief of Police. The New Chief of Police will be Martin Reagan, who is currently the acting Chief, until July 1, 2006, when his appointment will become effective.
Follow the Markets:
Follow the Financial Markets, from work or home, with Free Software. Can sit, unobtrusively, on your screen. Just download and install.
Jury Duty Scam!
"The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller says he’ll need some information for “verification purposes”—your birth date, social security number, maybe even a credit card number.
This is when you should hang up the phone. It’s a scam."
FBI has more...
Lawn Mowing Tips
Mulch:
After the Hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem; Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from. But, you must read this Post-Gazette Story
Tax Refund - What to do with it?
How about a new plasma TV, a Vacation or a trip to the Mall? If any of these sound good, you may want to take a look at some Sound Financial Tips.
Updated December 23, 2009
© 2006 Patrick J. All | All rights reserved.