Friday, January 30, 2009

Hamilton and our Present Economic State.

I have been listening to the Hannity Blowhard Hr and hearing other crap about the Obama stimulus plan. I got all bothered and after talking a friend's ear off, I went though the internet and found out some interesting info. This site debunks the falsehoods being spread by the spoiled right wing of the Republican Party.

I just saw a reference to Report on Manufactures (1791). by Alexander Hamilton This Now this man was smart. Here is a little bit about it.

I bet its not popular reading at the Heritage Foundation or FOX News.
I never know this document existed, so I suppose I might want to get this book called "Alexander Hamilton in the American Tradition"

Below is an Abstract, I liked, on a paper called
The Aftermath of Hamilton's 'Report on Manufactures' by Douglas A. Irwin


"Alexander Hamilton's Report on Manufactures (1791) is a classic document in the history of U.S. economic policy, but its fate in Congress is not well known. It is commonly believed that the report was never implemented. Although Hamilton's proposals for bounties (subsidies) failed to receive support, virtually every tariff recommendation put forward in the report was adopted by Congress in early 1792. These tariffs were not highly protectionist duties because Hamilton feared discouraging imports, which were the critical tax base on which he planned to fund the public debt. Indeed, because Hamilton's policy toward manufacturing was one of encouragement and not protection, those interests shifted their political support from the Federalists to the Jeffersonian Republicans during the 1790s."


Let me know what you think. I agree with Thom Hartman that President Obama read this, but again I am sure he has!!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Congressman LoBiondo

It seems that "Congressman for Life" Frank LoBiondo just followed the House Republican herd and voted NO on the Obama Stimulus plan. According to his press release, he is for it but did not like SOME of the spending.
Come on Congressman, show some independence. You seat is safe so act like a leader and not just a backbencher. This thing is coming back after the conference committee, and then the GOP has an opportunity to say "I voted against it before I voted for it."
Tax Cuts will not help folks who are not working.

Its Jan 29th

Where did this month go?

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Time out

Its been a week. Blogging will resume next week...

Charles A. Krull, Jr. 49 years old. Chuck, son of Charles A. Krull (deceased) and Kathlyne Krull Birdsall, is survived by sister Alice and brothers John, Mark, Peter, David, and Michael. Chuck is also survived by one nephew and six nieces.
A viewing will be held at John J. Beyers Funeral Home, 406 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA, on Saturday, January 24, 2009 between 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St. Catherine of Sienna, 321 Witmer Road, Horsham, PA, Saturday, January 24, 2009 11:00 a.m. Internment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3301 W. Cheltenham Avenue, Philadelphia , PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions will be accepted by The Lynch Community Homes, 216 Cedar Avenue, Willow Grove, PA 19090. All donations go directly to the care of needy children.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Heart Attack Grill

I found this Here
The article is very interesting

Poetry on High at Bogart's Jan 18 2009

On a more positive note. Carolyne and I went to Bogart's Poetry on High. Its held the Sunday after 3rd Friday. Rita Lyman organizes this event that has been going on for about 2 years. We have not been able to attend for a few months and it was good to be back seeing artists enjoying their craft. It was a nice way to forget the depressing Eagles game and other distractions. There was poetry about rainbows. There was a dedication to Claire Riley who took her own life recently. Carolyne read a poem she wrote in 2006 and haiku were performed as well. The video below is Bob Cook. There was music played and you can listen to a sample here

Sunday, January 18, 2009

What can I say???




At Work December 1986.

An old friend sent me photo that he found in his parents garage. I am working for the Pa Department of Public Welfare in Norristown Pa. I had only been there 6 months and was a young man wearing a red shirt.
You will notice on the photo several things. No computers, no cubicles etc.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Deep Freeze

It was a cold one today. It was 7 at one point today
One photo is my heating vent and the other is the view of the Maurice River where the new pedestrian bridge should be complete this coming week

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Motersports Park and Noise


Tonight January 15th an organization called Track Racket, held a meeting at the Municipal Building in Cedarville NJ . Michelle Post who lives in Lawrence Township says her neighborhood was quiet when she first moved there five years ago. That changed when the New Jersey Motorsports Park opened last year, and now she is protesting the Park's noise by organizing and creating TrackRacket.
I missed the first 45 min but I quickly noticed the room was full with about 40-50 folks attending. There were 10 from a well-known opponents of the current Millville City Commission, a local lawyer I know, several artists and neighbors of the park.
Ms. Post keep it as grounded as well as she could. It's worth noting that Post says her group has no political agenda that's good but its not easy being apolitical in Cumberland County. She just wants some relative peace and quiet but I could tell that a few in the audience had axes to grind about the City Commission
Folks were URGED to call Millville City officials including the Mayor and the Zoning Officer. I believe they need to call the Freeholder Director cause he does RUN Cumberland County. Their leaflet quotes Freeholder Lou Magazzu implying that he is ignorant of noise pollution and they had this quote "This is not a smokestack. This is not something that will bring deleterious effects." the flyer adds: " Obviously, Lou does not live a mile from the racetrack.
Some asked if the motorsports owners or representatives from Millville city government would be invited and others stated that neither the city nor racetrack officials care enough to show up to future meetings. I know folks who live near each other and each has a different perception of the noise issue. In general, all parties need to listen to each other and ignore the the negative people not looking for solutions like most of the folks in the Daily Journal Forums

Good Riddence Millville Gardens!


Its going to happen! Millville Gardens is to be emptied and demolished by THIS Spring!! All the work the residents of the 3rd Ward and community activists from across the city have paid off. The city rebounded after the developer Steve Durst of the new mall in Millville promised in May 2007 to buy and build and then bailed out.
After the city filed its claim under the 2004 state Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act. which allows municipalities to deem a property a "nuisance" if it's dilapidated; plays a role in crime, drug or gang activity; and negatively impacts neighboring property values. There was a City Commission meeting on April 7 2008 to press this issue. Soon after, the owners sold it to the city and the city is doing a nice job of following though with their plan to demolish this eyesore. Congratulations Millville your hard work and persistence has paid off!!
Now lets open the Levoy!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Neighborhood Night















The "Neighborhood Night" meeting at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts Wednesday consolidated several meetings of local community organizations, including Weed and Seed, Neighborhood Council and the Center City, Third Ward and South Millville neighborhood groups. Each neighborhood group met and had their meetings at the RRCA. This gave the neighborhood groups to meet and enabled city officials to meet community activists from all over the city of Milvile in the same place and time. Topics included Millville Gardens, fundraisers and security at the South Millville highrises.

It was positive evening to start the new year.

Local residents are also planning the 2009 Neighborhood Summit at Millville Memorial High School to address problems in the community. The event will include a few speakers, but residents will spend most of their time meeting in small groups to devise solutions.

Panel: Cumberland is in Decent Shape...


The Daily Journal's 2009 economic forum was held at Cumberland County College on Tuesday morning. The five panelists were : Mel Brody of Brody's Furniture; Serge Brunner of ESPOMA, Edward Geletka, president of Colonial Bank; Joseph Savaro of the New Jersey Motorsports Park and Kimberly Wood, the planning and development director for Cumberland County. Daily Journal Editor/Publisher Charles W. Nutt

This forum was to address the business climate of Cumberland County. I notice there were no small business owners there. Ummm. I wonder why? Well I am no Wharton grad but I think this panel is just going to ignore the fact that SMALL business are the hardest hit and their closings affect the economic climate of the county.

I see the effect every day when I leave my house near High Street in Millville. There are 2 soon to be 3 VACANT storefronts(Black and Blu Skateboard Shop #3). One of the five panelists is part of the MDC and how have they helped market the Arts District to adapt to this bad economy? At least the motorsports park is run by competent pros who KNOW how to market themselves and do public relations. I am still waiting for the Arts District Wayfaring signs...
One of the shop owners who chafed over the lack of leadership in fact is now out of business on High Street but this panel just congratulates itself and everyone is just happy as clams in mud! As one person on the DJ Forum states:
"Interesting the forum. One sells chemical and manure, the other pure financial BS, another selling furniture nobody can really afford. The Bush Jr number 2 recession has been here for a year, but has quite a ways to go yet."

While the Daily Journal runs this forum, Cumberland Country CONTINUES to lead in negative socio-economic categories: teen pregnancy, illiteracy, median income, etc. Meanwhile people who might be helpful in creative ideas are marginalized until they just give up and let the good ole boys & girls run the show.
At least Millville came up with a good concept of the Arts District. What has the County come up with? Oh I forgot the Freeholder Director is asking for federal money. Nice economic plan DUDE!!
Wake up and talk to small business and accept new ideas or we will be still talking 3 years from now how we have YET to join the economic recovery.
Have a great day and I welcome comments and suggestions. This is my opinion only and does not reflect the opinions of anyone but myself. CHEERS!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tuesday Jan 13th 2008


Well, Its Jan 13th 2009. I do not have much to say. I will say that the comments section has been civil and I hope it remains that way.
I am off to work and traffac. Folks will talk and I will drive home.
The Millvile pedestrian bridge will be done soon!!!! YES!
Its going to get Bitterly cold Friday and Saturday and...........................................................
6 DAYS AND 14 HOURS LEFT OF GEORGE BUSH!!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Go Eagles


It was sweet beating the Giants!! The defense was
the difference!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

New Garage Roof



During the holidays, I took a correspondence class on how to fix a roof. As you can see from the pictures below our roof was a mess. I am proud of this new roof that I fixed......
Really this was done by Lewis Roofing. They did an excellent job for a reasonable price.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Tax Abatements AGAIN




Millville City commissioners approved 10 new tax abatements for city businesses by a 3 to 1 vote.

Commissioner Dave Vanaman voted against the abatements,

The abatements allow businesses to pay fewer property taxes during the first five years of operation.

The commissioners voted Dec. 16 to change the rules of the abatement program so any new business in the program must file an annual report certifying sales, employment and other statistics. The rule change also calls for the commissioners to consider each applicant individually.

These are the first abatements approved under the new procedure.

Abatements have been a controversial topic, criticized by a small group who don't want the city to lose tax revenue. except by friviolous lawsuit by retired lawyers. The small group asked nit-picking questions and had us all in the overheated Commission Chambers for 3 hours. The commissioners who support abatements say the tool is necessary to bring businesses to the city. They showed class and humer unlike some Freeholder leader who attacks critics with personal attacks!!!!!!! More videos will go on YouTube but my connection dies out EVERY time I start uploading....

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

MagazzuWatch.com Makes the Front Page

The News of Cumberland County had at the bottom of the front page this anti-Magazzu website called www.magazzuwatch.com It must be getting MANY HITS. I looked though it and man its got me on on it. I am sure they are trolling for any news that the press dare not go to.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Freeholder Reorganization Meeting


I decided to go to Cumberland County College to see what the plans are for the new Freeholder Board. I did not know that Gov. Jon Corzine, Sen. Bob Menendez and other top level politicians would be there. It was an eventful meeting if you like pomp with your politics. The main speaker was not the Governor but our Freeholder Director Lou Magazzu Here are some photo and video highlights of this meeting. Of course the Media on the most part just took quotes and created a nice narritive. Don't believe me then read the January 5th News Of Cumberland County


In the first video below, Freeholder Director Magazzu states there will be a tax cut. Maintains Cumberland County has the lowest property taxes and has only 56 more employees then in 1998.Praises certain County employees.Says that New creativity is needed and he praises the County Bus Program
The Second Video Lou says this:
"Debate, dialogue and difference of opinion will be welcomed and encouraged. We will be seeking those who have a passion to bring positive change to the people who, until now, have not been properly served."



Saturday, January 03, 2009

Senseless Death

This was sent by an old friend of mine I have known since grade school. Its so sad

From:
Stuart
Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2009 6:15 PM
To: Peter >; Steve Mark Wes
Subject: sad news about Lesley

I am sorry to tell you that my sister was killed on new year's eve by her neighbor in Asheville, NC, who also killed his ex wife and a woman renting a room from him. Then he shot himself later, surrounded by police in his cousin's trailer. It is a plot straight out of a Lifetime TV movie. Anyway, Helen and my Mom and I are driving down right now to check out her house and bring a few things back. We haven't figured out anything beyond that but there is no rush.

Stu

Thursday, January 01, 2009

New Years Eve on Route 55

The woman I am following gets pulled over by the State Police

The Countdown Begins



Clouds on New Years Eve


Going to work yesterday Dec 31st, I saw these cool cloud formations. I took these while I was driving and to have them come out as well as they did, I wanted to share with you on the new year. It was a nice drive toward Philly. Check this out!