Traffic?

Listen, like nearly everyone in this township, we too are opposed to the Kings Mill project.

That said, it seems a little disingenuous for the town to be carping about potential traffic nightmares if Kings Mill moves forward when they totally ignored the concerns of our nationally recognized traffic expert when he testified that if a grocery store is built at the Corner of Sullivan Trail and Uhler Road there will be a 10,000% increase in traffic.

If the township really wanted low traffic producing new tax revenues, they would have solicited a hotel, a bakery, an upscale restaurant, a Barnes and Noble, etc., etc. All of these examples are desperately needed, would have provided jobs, and great tax revenues.

If we're gonna worry about traffic, please, lets be consistent.

Forks Quarterly

If you read the latest issue of the Forks Quarterly, here is what you didn't see.

1. Any mention of a possible, or actual tax increase
2. An update on the Kings Mill litigation
3. Postings for opening on various boards including Planning, Zoning and Recreation
4. Plans to scale back on spending to minimize tax increases to the citizens due to the slow down in new home revenues paid to the township
5. A copy of the budget, even in summary form
6. Proposed large capital expenditures for 2008
   
7. An update regarding broadcasting township meetings on the internet
8. Mentioning activities for adults that will supposedly be installed shortly
9. What the township is doing to attract occupants to empty commercial properties within the township
10. Any discussion of grant money applications for projects like Reverse 911, open-space preservation and storm water run-off control
    

If the goal of the Board of Supervisors is to sincerely make an effort to keep the citizenry informed via this publication, why are such important items left out?

Check before you eat

Considering dining out today in Forks Township? Before you do, we strongly urge you to check out the The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Inspection Report.

There are certain restaurants in our town that have double-digit violations and/or are "out of compliance".

You may recall that we were not exactly the strongest supporters of Big Woody's when it was proposed. Check out their inspection report.

By the way, our own Forks Township Recreation Department had eight (8) violations and was found "out of compliance".

Taxes and our future

For many years we have sounded the warning bell that taxes would be going up dramatically. While the housing "bust" sped up the inevitable, there was no way that we could spend money at the rate that this township did over the last 12 years without there being severe consequences.

With regard to this article in today's Morning Call, this quote from outgoing Easton Mayor Phil Mitman says it all: ''I do not like raising taxes, but there is nothing we can do. With nothing left to sell, or nothing left to do, we had to raise the rates,''

The bottom line for Forks Township is very simple. Even if somehow, some way, miraculously, the housing market rebounded overnight, eventually, like Easton, soon enough we too will have nothing left to sell.

We believe that even if the Board of Supervisors does not pass a tax increase for 2008, or even if they pass a minimal increase, the worst is yet to come.

The challenge facing returning Supervisors Nicholas, Howell and Miller, as well as new Supervisors Chuss and Egolf, will be to find creative and sensible ways to minimize the pain to the taxpayers. While we stand ready to contribute our ideas if called upon, at the very least, we urge the Board to reach out to the many qualified township residents who work in finance, as well as utilizing the resources of the economics departments of our local colleges and universities for their advice.

Though our future is glum, there is much that can be done to right the course that we are currently on.

Congrats Lower Macungie!

It is official. Lower Macungie Township will be a "first class" township. Like anything in life, there are potential pitfalls, but the upside of greater accountability and installing mechanisms to curb corruption are huge advantages.

Will we in Forks Township be as courageous and forward-thinking to make this move? We challenge the current Board of Supervisors, as well as the two newest incoming members to let the voters decide and make this a ballot question in 2008.

Assuming that our elected public servants really care about the township, and not their own personal agendas, their answer ought be yes immediately. Otherwise, they will continue to operate under a dark cloud of mistrust and suspicion.

In the meantime, congratulations to the Lower Macungie Township Citizens for Change. Your dedication, hard-work and commitment to this cause is both enviable and gives us reason for hope.

Race Results

With only 93 votes separating Candidate Billings from Candidate Egolf, will Mr. Billings call for a recount and a counting of the absentee ballots?

Given this tight of a race, we wouldn't blame him, or be surprised. Seems like the news of a potential tax increase inspired more voters to turn out in this off election year.

On initial view it appears as though the voters in Lower Macungie have decided to covert to a "first class" township. Given that Lower Macungie is the fastest growing municipality in the State of Pennsylvania and we are number two, perhaps we should follow their lead and add a ballot question in 2008 on whether we should become a "first class" township as the benefits are very convincing.

Taxes going up

For the last several years we have warned the residents of Forks Township that their township taxes would be increasing. After all, the real estate market is cyclical, wherever you live, and eventually the market has downturns. Besides, even Forks Township would someday run out of space to develop. Aside from these basic principles though, irresponsible spending only worsens our problems.

You can not erect a Taj Mahal like municipal building without financial consequences. You can't spend $6,000 on simple tables that can be purchased for 60% less without there being fiscal ramifications. You can not pay outside contractors (i.e. solicitor, engineer, etc.) hourly uncontrolled rates versus salaried employees without someday paying the piper. You can not amass huge debt without it coming back to haunt you at some point. Sadly, this is only a partial list of what has occurred in Forks Township over the last 12 years.

The plain and simple truth is that budgets were predicated on new housing revenues. We said this years ago and most of the elected officials denied it, until now.

The chickens are coming home to roost, and sadly, this is going to get much, much worse.

No way Fred Hay!

Fred Hay, the township engineer, was strongly rebuked last night when Supervisors Miller, Ackerman and Nicholas said; we, the elected officials of Forks Township will decide where bike paths go Mr. Hay, and not you!

As information, Mr. Hay is not an employee of the township and is not a resident of Forks Township. Will he face dismissal or disciplinary action? Sadly, probably not.

Congratulations to Sue Kocsis for standing up and doing the right thing!