Council Vice President Jim Roberts finally got something right. Quakertown has been schnookered. And the truth, while frequently hard to find, sure hurts. Everyone.
First came the revelation that council flipped us a little fib about electric rates being locked in through 2007. Uh-uh. Up again, 7.1%. On top of 25%. On top of 20%. They either didn't read, or didn't understand, one of the largest, and most important, contracts they signed last year. Back then, they weren't hesitant about claiming credit for the supposedly great deal. Now, like naïve little sheep, they admit they were - in the word of councilman Roberts - "schnookered".
What an incredible revelation. The businesspeople we elected to run this borough, to serve our best interests, were schnookered. They never paid attention that the electrical provider could raise rates, or cancel the wonderful three-year contract on six months notice. Nor did the borough manager, nor borough solicitor, whose jobs are to review and understand all contracts. The same dynamic duo who now schnooker us again:
February 3, 2006
Dear Richard,
There was an article in the Morning Call - January 31, I believe where it says that Quakertown avoids electric hike. Hooray! However, it also says that David Woglom says the average electric bill in Quakertown is $60 to $100 a month.
My question is, Do these people with these low bills actually use electric since my electric bills are between $250 and $300 per month and, no, I don't have electric heat. And that doesn't include my water and sewer. Just curious since everyone I talk with are wondering where these people with the lows bills live. Thought you might know.
(Name Withheld By TFP)
February 3, 2006
Dear NWBTFP,
You raise an interesting question. I'll try to find out.
Richard
February 4, 2006
To: David Woglom
From: Richard Woldow
The January 31, 2006, edition of The Morning Call states: "According to Woglom, the average customer's electric bill is $60 to $110 a month". Please provide any and all documentation to prove this statement. If Mr. Woglom feels that he was misquoted or misunderstood, please provide any and all documents which show, or which are used to calculate, the actual amount of the average customer's electric bill.
February 8, 2006
Dear Mr. Woldow,
In response to your thirty-fourth request for Access to Public Records please be advised that there are no public records immediately available responsive to said request.
Very truly yours,
Charles J. Fonzone (Borough Solicitor)
February 9, 2006
To: Charles J. Fonzone and David Woglom
From: Richard Woldow
In response to Mr. Fonzone's letter of February 8 regarding my 34th request, the letter states that there are no public records "immediately available" to prove Mr. Woglom's claim that the average electric bill in the borough is $60-$110 per month. I note that there is no request for an extension of time to find such records. Therefore, by law they are deemed denied. "Not immediately available" is another term for "nonexistent". I will therefore draw my own conclusion.
February 16, 2006
To: Citizens of Quakertown
From: Richard Woldow
My own conclusion is inescapable - Woglom schnookered us. It appears he just picked numbers out of thin air that sounded good. And he got caught. There is no proof that borough residents pay so little for electricity. There are no documents to back up his "calculations". There are no documents at all! It seems Woglom just made it up. And not a single council person questioned it. Why should they? He is paid to cover for them.
Anyone with a bit of brains would know the statement is absurd. An average of $60-$110??? "Average" means there are as many homes below that range as above. With about 4000 customers, do you really think there are 2000 abodes below $60/month??? Bridge for sale!!! Bridge for sale!!!
Woglom's schnooker reveals - again - the true nature of the person council has mistrusted for so long to run the borough. And it should outrage, and enrage, all citizens of Quakertown. How can you trust your government if they permit the borough manager to calmly, and publicly, lay down an apparent lie at the drop of a hat?
And how many times has council passed this schnookering on to us? Overcharging Bucks County Water $2 million. Costly no-bid contracts. Councilmen improperly selling to their own town. Illegal secret votes. Millions wasted on the polluted Krupp site. A solicitor who sees no problems, hears no problems, and speaks no problems. Pool renovations $800,000 over budget. A neglected infrastructure in shambles. Little wonder that taxes, and costs of long-overdue repairs, are beyond astronomical. If our councilmen ran their businesses like they run the borough, they would all be out of business !
Others seem to share my conclusions:
Dear Richard,
For 11 years I worked in a small incorporated mobile home community of about 600 in Jensen Beach, Florida. I went to all the council meetings and the town meetings. They never did anything in secret, and did not say, "Oh, I didn't know".
Half of them who serve on the board are over 70, but honest and smart and aware of what is going on without excuses. Maybe Quakertown council should take a trip to Jensen Beach and take a few lessons on how to run a community. They just might learn a few things from the OLD FOLKS!! I thought the council members in Qtown were educated but I guess I was wrong.
(Name Also Withheld By TFP)
Dear NAWBTFP,
Like the old saying about the horse, you can lead a councilman to a meeting, but you can't make him think.