Legislation- Legal Notices 4-16-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Kutztown Borough Officials
Dear Borough Officials,
Today I visited the Borough website and noticed under Legislation- Legal Notices the Borough recommends support of Senate Bill 419 and House Bill 795 which supports the Borough required advertising on the internet instead of the local newspapers. I support this legislation and when the Borough posts the required articles on the website they can also post all other Borough legislation and articles on the website. I notice the 2008 Audited Budget is still not posted on the website. As per the Borough Code it should have been posted April 1, 2009 as I pointed out in my last letter to you. It should be easy for any of the high salaried employees at the Borough Hall to up date the website. Why isn’t the website up dated periodically?
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Message to Kutztown Borough
Messages to Kuztown Borough 4-13-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Kutztown Mayor Green
Kutztown Borough Council
Kutztown Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife
Kutztown Borough Secretary Bray
Hometown Utilicom Director Caruso
Dear Borough Officials,
I requested a copy of the Blonder Tongue Laboratories Purchase Order from the Office of Open Records and have received a reply that they will look into my inquiry.
I have also written to Attorney General Corbett and asked him to investigate the non existing Blonder Purchase Order incident as to how Blonder could have produced a bid quote about one month before the bid documents were made public. I stated that you are all conspiring and lying about the purchase order fiasco and Blonder denies issuing a purchase order. Being Blonder is in New Jersey this also could be a Federal Case.
I have also checked the Borough website and do not see the Audit of the 2008 Budget and I have not seen it published in a local newspaper as the Borough Code states 90 days after the end of the fiscal year which was April 1, 2009.
I have also noticed on the Borough website that the minutes of the February Borough Council Meeting still have not been published.
These actions or lack of actions confirms my opinion that the Borough is withholding all information about Borough finances and legislation. It can’t be from a lack of talent when Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife (salary over $100,000), ITD Caruso (salary over $84,000), Borough Secretary Bray (salary over $57,000), Assistant Treasure Samilo (salary over $57,000) and Assistant Borough Secretary Wiand (salary over $41,000) are paid such salaries. Along with the salaries you all brag that Hometown Utilicom has the most advanced technology available and yet you can not publish information on time and as required by law. And after spending $225,000 on New World Systems you intend to spend another $185,000 with Professional Computer Systems to automate utility billing.
I also noticed at the Committee Meeting I attended ITD Caruso requested the committee to ask the Borough Council for $100,000 to up date the Borough’s Cable TV operation. When he finished his presentation they all agreed and no one had any questions. No one asked how many TV customers would be served with this $100,000.
I think it is about time that you all mend your ways and start spending Borough funds wisely and realize it is not your money but the resident’s money. Will one of you please tell the public how the Borough will ever repay the $14 million debt with HU losing about $1,000,000 a year.
Sincerely,
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Kutztown Mayor Green
Kutztown Borough Council
Kutztown Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife
Kutztown Borough Secretary Bray
Hometown Utilicom Director Caruso
Dear Borough Officials,
I requested a copy of the Blonder Tongue Laboratories Purchase Order from the Office of Open Records and have received a reply that they will look into my inquiry.
I have also written to Attorney General Corbett and asked him to investigate the non existing Blonder Purchase Order incident as to how Blonder could have produced a bid quote about one month before the bid documents were made public. I stated that you are all conspiring and lying about the purchase order fiasco and Blonder denies issuing a purchase order. Being Blonder is in New Jersey this also could be a Federal Case.
I have also checked the Borough website and do not see the Audit of the 2008 Budget and I have not seen it published in a local newspaper as the Borough Code states 90 days after the end of the fiscal year which was April 1, 2009.
I have also noticed on the Borough website that the minutes of the February Borough Council Meeting still have not been published.
These actions or lack of actions confirms my opinion that the Borough is withholding all information about Borough finances and legislation. It can’t be from a lack of talent when Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife (salary over $100,000), ITD Caruso (salary over $84,000), Borough Secretary Bray (salary over $57,000), Assistant Treasure Samilo (salary over $57,000) and Assistant Borough Secretary Wiand (salary over $41,000) are paid such salaries. Along with the salaries you all brag that Hometown Utilicom has the most advanced technology available and yet you can not publish information on time and as required by law. And after spending $225,000 on New World Systems you intend to spend another $185,000 with Professional Computer Systems to automate utility billing.
I also noticed at the Committee Meeting I attended ITD Caruso requested the committee to ask the Borough Council for $100,000 to up date the Borough’s Cable TV operation. When he finished his presentation they all agreed and no one had any questions. No one asked how many TV customers would be served with this $100,000.
I think it is about time that you all mend your ways and start spending Borough funds wisely and realize it is not your money but the resident’s money. Will one of you please tell the public how the Borough will ever repay the $14 million debt with HU losing about $1,000,000 a year.
Sincerely,
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Committee Meeting 4-8-09
Committee Meeting 4-8-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
I attended the Committee Meeting to witness the bid openings for the contract for the transition of the head end to digital. There were 2 bids but they could not be compared because one bid was incomplete and the committee decided to consult legal counsel. I think the bid document was flawed but council members stated that they think one bid did not include engineering. The bid from Advance Media Technology was $104,858.51 and wasn’t very clear and the bid from Blonder Tongue Laboratories was $119,511.87. It was strange that the bid from Blonder was the exact same amount as their Purchase Order which according to Borough Secretary Bray and ITD Caruso does not exist.
I have asked the Office of Open Records to have the Borough provide me with a copy of the Purchase Order and they replied that they will investigate my request.
By the way I was the only concerned citizen at the meeting.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www.marinoreport.com
I attended the Committee Meeting to witness the bid openings for the contract for the transition of the head end to digital. There were 2 bids but they could not be compared because one bid was incomplete and the committee decided to consult legal counsel. I think the bid document was flawed but council members stated that they think one bid did not include engineering. The bid from Advance Media Technology was $104,858.51 and wasn’t very clear and the bid from Blonder Tongue Laboratories was $119,511.87. It was strange that the bid from Blonder was the exact same amount as their Purchase Order which according to Borough Secretary Bray and ITD Caruso does not exist.
I have asked the Office of Open Records to have the Borough provide me with a copy of the Purchase Order and they replied that they will investigate my request.
By the way I was the only concerned citizen at the meeting.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www.marinoreport.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
NO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT 4-7-09
No Special Council Meeting Announcement 4-7-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
409 W. Main St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Kutztown Borough Council &
Mayor Green
Dear Elected Officials,
I noticed an announcement in The Reading Eagle of a Special Borough Council Meeting called for on April 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM. It does not appear on the Borough website. On the Borough website is the following.
Under next scheduled meeting is stated 4\21\09 at 7:30 PM
Under current council meeting agenda is stated March 17, 2009 Agenda
Under Revising meeting dates and times is stated Nothing at this time
This Special Meeting was called to open the bids for the contract for the transition of head end to digital.
This action or lack of action is the continuation of the cover up of lies to conceal the existence of a Purchase Order by you and the Borough Solicitors Dietrich and Mooney, Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife, ITD Caruso and some Borough employees. And you do not want any residents to attend this meeting.
Sincerely,
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Fax nos. 610-683-6729
610-683-9076
610-683-3537
409 W. Main St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Kutztown Borough Council &
Mayor Green
Dear Elected Officials,
I noticed an announcement in The Reading Eagle of a Special Borough Council Meeting called for on April 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM. It does not appear on the Borough website. On the Borough website is the following.
Under next scheduled meeting is stated 4\21\09 at 7:30 PM
Under current council meeting agenda is stated March 17, 2009 Agenda
Under Revising meeting dates and times is stated Nothing at this time
This Special Meeting was called to open the bids for the contract for the transition of head end to digital.
This action or lack of action is the continuation of the cover up of lies to conceal the existence of a Purchase Order by you and the Borough Solicitors Dietrich and Mooney, Borough Manager\Treasurer Khalife, ITD Caruso and some Borough employees. And you do not want any residents to attend this meeting.
Sincerely,
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Fax nos. 610-683-6729
610-683-9076
610-683-3537
Thursday, April 2, 2009
BLONDER PURCHASE ORDER UP DATE 4-2-09
Blonder Tongue Laboratories Inc. Purchase Order Up Date 4-2-09
Kutztown Borough Secretary Bonnie Bray Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
45 Railroad St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Madam Secretary,
My March 27, 2009 Right to Know Request read:
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A COPY OF THE PURCHASE ORDER OF $119,511.87 WHICH THE COUNCIL WAS TO RATIFY AT THE MARCH 17, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING.
Your reply of April 1, 2009 reply read:
YOUR REQUEST IS DENIED BECAUSE NO FINAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BY COUNCIL TO RATIFY THE PURCHASE ORDER. THEREFORE THE PURCHASE DOES NOT EXIST.
This reply is a direct and deliberate insult to every resident of the Borough. You are an appointed important and responsible Official of the Borough and also the Right to Know Officer. An existing Purchase Order still exists whether it is ratified or not and the public has a right to see it.
I am referring this matter to the Office of Open Records and I am happy to see you copied Borough Manager Khalife, Council Members, Mayor Green and ITD Frank Caruso. Why didn’t you copy the Borough Solicitors? This is a blatant and deliberate violation of the Right to Know Law. And this is an open and continued conspiracy by you and the above to withhold the finances of HU from the public. This smacks of corruption.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Kutztown Borough Secretary Bonnie Bray Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
45 Railroad St.
Kutztown, Pa 19530
Madam Secretary,
My March 27, 2009 Right to Know Request read:
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A COPY OF THE PURCHASE ORDER OF $119,511.87 WHICH THE COUNCIL WAS TO RATIFY AT THE MARCH 17, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING.
Your reply of April 1, 2009 reply read:
YOUR REQUEST IS DENIED BECAUSE NO FINAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BY COUNCIL TO RATIFY THE PURCHASE ORDER. THEREFORE THE PURCHASE DOES NOT EXIST.
This reply is a direct and deliberate insult to every resident of the Borough. You are an appointed important and responsible Official of the Borough and also the Right to Know Officer. An existing Purchase Order still exists whether it is ratified or not and the public has a right to see it.
I am referring this matter to the Office of Open Records and I am happy to see you copied Borough Manager Khalife, Council Members, Mayor Green and ITD Frank Caruso. Why didn’t you copy the Borough Solicitors? This is a blatant and deliberate violation of the Right to Know Law. And this is an open and continued conspiracy by you and the above to withhold the finances of HU from the public. This smacks of corruption.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS CONTRACT 4-1-09
Professional Computer Systems Co. Contract 4-1-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Please check my Blog @ www.marinoreport.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Borough still has not produced any public bids or bid documents or offered any reasons for a bid exemption for the contract that was awarded to Professional Computer Systems Co. for $185,000.
This contract will computerize billing for the Borough’s utilities. It is an update of the contract with New World Systems which was awarded by former Borough Manager\Treasurer Vettraino for $225,000 without a public bid and was unable to provide a satisfactory utility billing system.
As per the Borough Code any contract for over $10,000 shall be bid publicly unless it has an exemption. Borough Secretary Bonnie Bray in my Right to Know Request stated a section of the Borough Code that allows the exemption but did not state the provision of the section that applies. I asked her personally for the provision of the section and I am waiting for a reply.
This is another incident of the Borough Council, Mayor Green, Solicitors Mooney and Dietrich, Auditors Long & Barrell and some Borough employees circumventing the law to let out contracts to certain hand picked contractors which smacks of corruption.
The Borough Elected officials are obligated by the Borough Code to explain to the residents of the Borough how this contract was awarded. This information should be publicized without a Right to Know Law Request.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Please check my Blog @ www.marinoreport.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Borough still has not produced any public bids or bid documents or offered any reasons for a bid exemption for the contract that was awarded to Professional Computer Systems Co. for $185,000.
This contract will computerize billing for the Borough’s utilities. It is an update of the contract with New World Systems which was awarded by former Borough Manager\Treasurer Vettraino for $225,000 without a public bid and was unable to provide a satisfactory utility billing system.
As per the Borough Code any contract for over $10,000 shall be bid publicly unless it has an exemption. Borough Secretary Bonnie Bray in my Right to Know Request stated a section of the Borough Code that allows the exemption but did not state the provision of the section that applies. I asked her personally for the provision of the section and I am waiting for a reply.
This is another incident of the Borough Council, Mayor Green, Solicitors Mooney and Dietrich, Auditors Long & Barrell and some Borough employees circumventing the law to let out contracts to certain hand picked contractors which smacks of corruption.
The Borough Elected officials are obligated by the Borough Code to explain to the residents of the Borough how this contract was awarded. This information should be publicized without a Right to Know Law Request.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
HU PURCHASE ORDER DOES NOT EXIST 4-1-09
HU Purchase Order Does Not Exist Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
To Whom It May Concern,
The Council Meeting Agenda for the March 17, 2009 Council Meeting stated under the Consent Agenda: Ratify the issuance of a Purchase Order to Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. Old Bridge NJ, in the amount of $119,511.87 for machinery and equipment for the transition of head end to Digital.
When I personally asked Borough Secretary Bonnie Bray to see the Purchase Order she referred me to Information Technology Director Frank Caruso who stated that the Purchase Order does not exist. How can a Purchase Order be ratified if it doe not exist?
My question is, where did Secretary Bray get the Purchase Order information to post on the agenda if it doesn’t exist? The Borough was attempting to give out this contract without a public bid which is a Borough Code violation. Many Borough Officials are involved in this cover up.
I have since requested to see the P.O. under the Right to Know Law. The Borough has to tell the truth, better sooner than later.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
To Whom It May Concern,
The Council Meeting Agenda for the March 17, 2009 Council Meeting stated under the Consent Agenda: Ratify the issuance of a Purchase Order to Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. Old Bridge NJ, in the amount of $119,511.87 for machinery and equipment for the transition of head end to Digital.
When I personally asked Borough Secretary Bonnie Bray to see the Purchase Order she referred me to Information Technology Director Frank Caruso who stated that the Purchase Order does not exist. How can a Purchase Order be ratified if it doe not exist?
My question is, where did Secretary Bray get the Purchase Order information to post on the agenda if it doesn’t exist? The Borough was attempting to give out this contract without a public bid which is a Borough Code violation. Many Borough Officials are involved in this cover up.
I have since requested to see the P.O. under the Right to Know Law. The Borough has to tell the truth, better sooner than later.
Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
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