December 28, 2009
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
409 W. Main St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
610-683-7977
e-mail kmayor@ptd.net
Kutztown Borough Council
Mayor Green
Borough Officials
45 Railroad St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Your Attention Please,
Saturday I received a copy of the Fall\Winter Kutztonian News in the mail. It was nice to see the article about Charlie Company being greeted after 9 months in Iraq. I noticed none of you were there. When I was Mayor I attended many homecomings and farewells of our troops at the Kutztown Armory.
The only other important article in the publication was about your favorite subject, billing the residents. The Kutztonian states and I quote “The Borough of Kutztown is about to simplify your life by taking unified billing one step further!” Isn’t this exciting news, Keith Hill, Eric Ely and Frank Caruso announced this in 2002. And it was news when Jaymes Vettraino awarded a $225,000 contract to a computer firm (New World Systems), without a public bid, from his hometown in Michigan that could not produce the billing. And wasn’t it news in May of 2008 when the Borough awarded a contract to Professional Computer Systems from Iowa for $185,000 to simplify the billing.
Here we are 7 years and $410,000 later and maybe we will have combined billing. Keith Hill and Frank Caruso announced that Hometown Utilicom would do this in 2002. This is another failure of HU and the Administration to complete what they start. It was also announced that in order for the Borough to receive desperately needed revenue from Water and Sewer they will be billed monthly rather than quarterly.
Borough Manager\Treasurer Gabriel Khalife and Information Technology Director Frank Caruso, who combined are compensated about $250,000 a year for their wages and benefits, are in charge of this Borough Business Venture Hometown Utilicom which, I repeat, loses $1 million a year.
This along with high utility rates and wild spending is why the Borough according to the Budget spends $4,200 a year per capita and The City of Reading that spends $750 a year per capita is according to the Commonwealth a distressed city.
I think it is time for you to realize that this wild spending must stop because you can not continue to raise taxes and utility rates and borrow money. The Borough debt is $14 million at this time and the debt service is almost equal to the Police Dept. Budget. I would appreciate a response to this letter. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
RIGHT TO KNOW LAW 12-2-09
Today both The Reading Eagle and The Morning Call had articles about Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law. If all Boroughs, Townships and Cities published their records as required by law we would not need a Right to Know Law? We need the Law because our municipalities and legislators do not want the public to know what they are doing. A good example is the Borough of Kutztown’s business venture Hometown Utilicom. There has never been a complete financial report on HU since its inception in 2002. The number of subscribers and the amount of revenue from this venture, which is not a utility, should be published every month. If the Borough published all the information about HU everyone will see revenue and subscribers are not rising and like I have been saying HU loses 1 million a year.
The Borough should also update the Budget monthly as they did a few years ago. The Borough does not even publish the Annual Budget 90 days after the end of the year as required by the Borough Code.
The Borough Solicitors Barley Snyder and the Borough Auditors Long & Barrell are both well aware of what is going on and permit these Borough Code violations. The Solicitor, the Auditor and the Borough have been together for a long time. Jerry
The Borough should also update the Budget monthly as they did a few years ago. The Borough does not even publish the Annual Budget 90 days after the end of the year as required by the Borough Code.
The Borough Solicitors Barley Snyder and the Borough Auditors Long & Barrell are both well aware of what is going on and permit these Borough Code violations. The Solicitor, the Auditor and the Borough have been together for a long time. Jerry
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Purpose of Blog 12-19-09
The main purpose of this blog is to report news about Kutztown and it turns out to be a debate by the No Names about me personally. My personal life and background have nothing to do with the Borough of Kutztown falsifying the Budget, publishing fraudulent financial reports, altering foremen reports, awarding projects without public bids or contracts etc. Also this blog is not intended to garner comments and all my comments bear my name because they are true and I am proud of them. It would be nice to see constructive criticisms and constructive comments pro and con with ID’s.
I would also appreciate someone going to the Borough’s books and financial reports and prove my figures, claims or accusations are wrong.
I do not have to post positive comments because I have many supporters and I have anywhere from 35 to 50 visitors to my website daily. In fact I have had 1,023 visitors this month to date.
I want to thank everyone for their interest in our Borough and my Blog.
Sincerely, Jerry
I would also appreciate someone going to the Borough’s books and financial reports and prove my figures, claims or accusations are wrong.
I do not have to post positive comments because I have many supporters and I have anywhere from 35 to 50 visitors to my website daily. In fact I have had 1,023 visitors this month to date.
I want to thank everyone for their interest in our Borough and my Blog.
Sincerely, Jerry
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ELECTRICITY RATE COMPARISONS
The Morning Call of December 16, ’09 (page news 20) has a very informative article comparing electricity by Spencer Soper.
Company Rates per KW House cost per year
PPL est. 10.82 cents est. $1,298.40
Dominion 9.49 1,123.80
Direct Energy 9.49 1,123.80
Liberty Power 9.45 1,134.00
ConEdison Solutions 9.38 1,125.60
The article also states the average household uses about 1,000 KWH per month.
My latest electric bill was $55.11 for 303 KWH which is a electricity rate 18 cents per KWH. The cost for a household in Kutztown, where we can not shop for electricity, would be $1,000 times 12 months times 18 cents per KWH is $2,160.
I have stated many times that Borough electricity rate is double the rate of surrounding area.
Average annual cost of electricity for a household in Kutztown is $2,160.00
Average annual cost of electricity in the area around Kutztown is $1,298.40
The difference is $861.60
THIS CONFIRMS MY CLAIM THAT BOROUGH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE OVER CHARGING BOROUGH ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR PET BUSINESS VENTURE HOMETOWN UTILICOM WHICH LOSES ABOUT $1 MILLION A YEAR.
These figures are all taken from the article in the Morning Call.
Thanks for watching. Sincerely, Jerry
Company Rates per KW House cost per year
PPL est. 10.82 cents est. $1,298.40
Dominion 9.49 1,123.80
Direct Energy 9.49 1,123.80
Liberty Power 9.45 1,134.00
ConEdison Solutions 9.38 1,125.60
The article also states the average household uses about 1,000 KWH per month.
My latest electric bill was $55.11 for 303 KWH which is a electricity rate 18 cents per KWH. The cost for a household in Kutztown, where we can not shop for electricity, would be $1,000 times 12 months times 18 cents per KWH is $2,160.
I have stated many times that Borough electricity rate is double the rate of surrounding area.
Average annual cost of electricity for a household in Kutztown is $2,160.00
Average annual cost of electricity in the area around Kutztown is $1,298.40
The difference is $861.60
THIS CONFIRMS MY CLAIM THAT BOROUGH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE OVER CHARGING BOROUGH ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR PET BUSINESS VENTURE HOMETOWN UTILICOM WHICH LOSES ABOUT $1 MILLION A YEAR.
These figures are all taken from the article in the Morning Call.
Thanks for watching. Sincerely, Jerry
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Borough Code of Pa. 12 -13-09
The Borough is governed by the Borough Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Borough Officials should acquaint themselves with it. The No Names have raised some very important points that make me believe that some of the No Names are Borough Officials because they ignore the Borough Code.
One No Name states that profits from the utilities can be used for services. It is illegal because the water and sewer funds shall be used within their departments. Because the Borough owns the electric department some funds may be used for Borough Services. Funds can only be used for the purpose that they were solicited. One more point is the Borough purchases electricity therefore the Borough rates will also be increased when the caps come off.
As far as me writing a check for $4,200, I don’t have to write a check the Borough writes a $4,200 check for me and for every resident of the Borough at the end of the year.
The Borough debt of $14 million was borrowed over past years and is not in the Budget. The debt service, which is the interest and principal payment of almost $1.2 million a year, is in the Budget.
As far as me making money through this Blog, please take note I did not take my salary as Mayor ($3,325) for one year. After one year I decided to take the salary when I saw the wild and uncontrolled Borough spending by Borough Manager\Treasurer Keith Hill and the Borough Council under the leadership of Council President Eric Ely.
As for The Borough Real Estate Tax the rate is 2.6 mils, until 2007 it was 1.2 mils. It more than doubled in 3 years. The Tax rate is noted in the Kutztonian Spring\ Summer 2009.
If someone is cutting grass and shoveling snow cheaper outside the Borough I would have them cut my grass and shovel my snow by proxy.
As far as my qualifications and education to handle the No Names and the finances of the Borough, I only have to cite my Grade School education which was Public School 14 in Corona, Queens, New York City.
The Borough continues wild spending, falsifying the Budget, publishing fraudulent reports, altering foremen reports, letting out work without legal bids or contracts, etc. and a handful of No Names blindly defend them. I have 2 questions, No Names why do you defend them when they do not defend themselves, and who are these No Names? The Powers that be at Borough Hall do not challenge my charges and accusations because they are all true.
I would like to remind everyone that this Blog is not about me, it is about honesty, integrity and transparency of our finances for our Borough residents.
I remain as always Jerry
One No Name states that profits from the utilities can be used for services. It is illegal because the water and sewer funds shall be used within their departments. Because the Borough owns the electric department some funds may be used for Borough Services. Funds can only be used for the purpose that they were solicited. One more point is the Borough purchases electricity therefore the Borough rates will also be increased when the caps come off.
As far as me writing a check for $4,200, I don’t have to write a check the Borough writes a $4,200 check for me and for every resident of the Borough at the end of the year.
The Borough debt of $14 million was borrowed over past years and is not in the Budget. The debt service, which is the interest and principal payment of almost $1.2 million a year, is in the Budget.
As far as me making money through this Blog, please take note I did not take my salary as Mayor ($3,325) for one year. After one year I decided to take the salary when I saw the wild and uncontrolled Borough spending by Borough Manager\Treasurer Keith Hill and the Borough Council under the leadership of Council President Eric Ely.
As for The Borough Real Estate Tax the rate is 2.6 mils, until 2007 it was 1.2 mils. It more than doubled in 3 years. The Tax rate is noted in the Kutztonian Spring\ Summer 2009.
If someone is cutting grass and shoveling snow cheaper outside the Borough I would have them cut my grass and shovel my snow by proxy.
As far as my qualifications and education to handle the No Names and the finances of the Borough, I only have to cite my Grade School education which was Public School 14 in Corona, Queens, New York City.
The Borough continues wild spending, falsifying the Budget, publishing fraudulent reports, altering foremen reports, letting out work without legal bids or contracts, etc. and a handful of No Names blindly defend them. I have 2 questions, No Names why do you defend them when they do not defend themselves, and who are these No Names? The Powers that be at Borough Hall do not challenge my charges and accusations because they are all true.
I would like to remind everyone that this Blog is not about me, it is about honesty, integrity and transparency of our finances for our Borough residents.
I remain as always Jerry
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Average Electricity Rates 12-12-09
Average Electric Rates 12-12-09
One of the No Names suggested I go to the U.S. Energy Information Administration for average Electricity Rates and I did. And this is what I found.
Residential Rates Pennsylvania Aug. 09 12.4 cents per KW
“ “ Pennsylvania Aug. 09 11.98 cents per KW
I pay about 20 cents a KW
Commercial Rates Pennsylvania Aug. 09 9.71 cents Per KW
“ “ Pennsylvania Aug. 08 9.83 cents per KW
The commercial rate for rental Apartments is about 30 cents per KW when the Landlords pay the rent.
This proves my charges and accusations against the Borough are true and substantiated by the Federal Government.
I accept all the information you send me. Thank you No Names.
As always I remain Jerry
One of the No Names suggested I go to the U.S. Energy Information Administration for average Electricity Rates and I did. And this is what I found.
Residential Rates Pennsylvania Aug. 09 12.4 cents per KW
“ “ Pennsylvania Aug. 09 11.98 cents per KW
I pay about 20 cents a KW
Commercial Rates Pennsylvania Aug. 09 9.71 cents Per KW
“ “ Pennsylvania Aug. 08 9.83 cents per KW
The commercial rate for rental Apartments is about 30 cents per KW when the Landlords pay the rent.
This proves my charges and accusations against the Borough are true and substantiated by the Federal Government.
I accept all the information you send me. Thank you No Names.
As always I remain Jerry
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Dear Editor Reading Eagle 12-10-09
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
409 W. Main St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Editor of the Reading Eagle
Dear Editor,
With a Budget of $60 million and a population of 80,000 people the City of Reading spends $750 per capita and is accepted by the Commonwealth as a Distressed City is cutting spending, laying off Policemen, Firemen and other City Employees. The Borough of Kutztown with a Budget of $21 million and a population 5,000 spends about $4,200 per capita and according to the Borough Council, the Mayor and Borough Officers everything in Kutztown is wonderful. This is great being the Borough does not employ a Degreed Accountant or retain a CPA. The Borough is in the process of raising our electric rate 2 and one half percent to finance a recreation project. The Borough has doubled our water, sewer, electric tax rate in the last few years to maintain this high life style and finance Hometown Utilicom which loses about $1 million a year.
Gennaro A. Marino
Former Mayor of Kutztown
e-mail kmayor@ptd.net
website www.marinoreport.com
610-683-7977
Faxed to Editor 12-10-09
409 W. Main St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Editor of the Reading Eagle
Dear Editor,
With a Budget of $60 million and a population of 80,000 people the City of Reading spends $750 per capita and is accepted by the Commonwealth as a Distressed City is cutting spending, laying off Policemen, Firemen and other City Employees. The Borough of Kutztown with a Budget of $21 million and a population 5,000 spends about $4,200 per capita and according to the Borough Council, the Mayor and Borough Officers everything in Kutztown is wonderful. This is great being the Borough does not employ a Degreed Accountant or retain a CPA. The Borough is in the process of raising our electric rate 2 and one half percent to finance a recreation project. The Borough has doubled our water, sewer, electric tax rate in the last few years to maintain this high life style and finance Hometown Utilicom which loses about $1 million a year.
Gennaro A. Marino
Former Mayor of Kutztown
e-mail kmayor@ptd.net
website www.marinoreport.com
610-683-7977
Faxed to Editor 12-10-09
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Distressed city???
Now that I have your undivided attention I would like you all to know that the Borough of Kutztown does not have one penny in reserve. If the electric department loses a transformer where will the Borough Council find $500,000 to replace it. The Borough just raised the electricity rate for funds for recreation.
According to the Borough Budget the Borough spends $4,200 per resident and The City of Reading, a city ACCEPTED by the Commonwealth as a DISTRESSED city, only spends $750 per resident. Kutztown isn’t distressed because we own an electric department and residents can not shop for lower electric rates and the Borough raises Real Estate Taxes and utility rates regularly.
Yes our Borough Officials illegally transfers funds within the Borough to pay for the $1 million a year that Hometown Utilicom loses.
Yes our Borough Officials falsify the Budget and the Borough Solicitors and the Borough Auditors are aware of it.
It would be nice if I had some feedback on these facts instead of questioning me through no names. The above facts are very clear and simple.
And by the way the borough will raise the electric rate again when the caps come off. Thanks again. Sincerely Jerry
According to the Borough Budget the Borough spends $4,200 per resident and The City of Reading, a city ACCEPTED by the Commonwealth as a DISTRESSED city, only spends $750 per resident. Kutztown isn’t distressed because we own an electric department and residents can not shop for lower electric rates and the Borough raises Real Estate Taxes and utility rates regularly.
Yes our Borough Officials illegally transfers funds within the Borough to pay for the $1 million a year that Hometown Utilicom loses.
Yes our Borough Officials falsify the Budget and the Borough Solicitors and the Borough Auditors are aware of it.
It would be nice if I had some feedback on these facts instead of questioning me through no names. The above facts are very clear and simple.
And by the way the borough will raise the electric rate again when the caps come off. Thanks again. Sincerely Jerry
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Nov. 7, "09 Special Council Meeting
Special Council Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2009
Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife provided an overview of the 2010 budget, stating that either a 1 mil increase in real estate tax (0.45 mil for general purposes and 0.55 for recreation purposes) or a 2.5 percent increase in electric rates will be required to balance the 2010 budget. I say the budget presently available at the desk in the Borough Hall indicates the 2010 budget is balanced with revenue and expenses at $1,316,685.80, so what is he talking about?
Then the Council votes to sell off 1.75 MW of the Borough’s 2010 committed power to save the Borough $200,000 toward the cost of power in 2010. I say if the sale saves the Borough $200,000 why do we need a rate increase to raise $100,000?
Mr. Khalife also noted that a lot of capital projects, including items carried over from the 2009 budget because of budget constraints. I say this points out that the Borough is does not have the expertise or knowledge to manage a budget.
He also indicated that $100,000 revenue raised would be committed to matching funds for grant for North Park. I say does the Borough need park improvements with all of our budget constraints?
The Council also voted for eligible employees to take advantage of the retirement incentive. I say does the Borough have too many employees? And what is the incentive?
All the above noted action by the Borough Council reveals that they do not have a clue about finances. The Borough has to cut spending and get rid of HU which loses about $1 million a year. I state the Borough is on the road to financial disaster.
Thank you. I remain Jerry
Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife provided an overview of the 2010 budget, stating that either a 1 mil increase in real estate tax (0.45 mil for general purposes and 0.55 for recreation purposes) or a 2.5 percent increase in electric rates will be required to balance the 2010 budget. I say the budget presently available at the desk in the Borough Hall indicates the 2010 budget is balanced with revenue and expenses at $1,316,685.80, so what is he talking about?
Then the Council votes to sell off 1.75 MW of the Borough’s 2010 committed power to save the Borough $200,000 toward the cost of power in 2010. I say if the sale saves the Borough $200,000 why do we need a rate increase to raise $100,000?
Mr. Khalife also noted that a lot of capital projects, including items carried over from the 2009 budget because of budget constraints. I say this points out that the Borough is does not have the expertise or knowledge to manage a budget.
He also indicated that $100,000 revenue raised would be committed to matching funds for grant for North Park. I say does the Borough need park improvements with all of our budget constraints?
The Council also voted for eligible employees to take advantage of the retirement incentive. I say does the Borough have too many employees? And what is the incentive?
All the above noted action by the Borough Council reveals that they do not have a clue about finances. The Borough has to cut spending and get rid of HU which loses about $1 million a year. I state the Borough is on the road to financial disaster.
Thank you. I remain Jerry
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