Elect Tom Bell for Springfield Ward 1

Tom Bell

 
Elect Tom Bell for Springfield Ward1 Only group members can see this post.

I am pretty sure all of you will find this interesting:

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/04/02/springfield_sun/news/doc4d96083515db1091651967.txt

 
Robb Auspitz likes this..

Robb Auspitz

Wonder how they do their investing and what type of ROI they get, if any. Maybe if they invested smarter they wouldn't have this issue. Also, how many administrators are losing their job(s)?

Tom Bell

Doesn't look that way!http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/03/08/springfield_sun/news/doc4d76c4e5c2796442172426.txt

Tom Bell

Just want everyone know I posted this comment at the end of the piece:

Ok, let's see if anyone is paying attention. As I already said, "This is only the beginning. This problem is going to get even more challenging in the next few years." ...Therefore, when you are ready to discuss some truly innovative ideas, that will modify our current antiquated model, contact me!

Tom Bell likes Thomas J. Bogar's status.

Thomas J. Bogar

Last night I was honored to receive the ATRO Chairman's award. The award represents our espirit de corps for those who provided so much support. . . to you, thank you! And thank you to all who attended and to those who put this event together. It was truly a fantastic event with 200 attendees...

 
Tom Bell and 7 others like this..

Tom Bell likes Don MacKenzie's status.

Don MacKenzie

Just spoke to my son on the phone for like an hour! Hes doing great! Been chasing pirates for the last month. 4 more months till hes home!..

Tom Bell and 8 others like this..

 
James Ganther Sr. Good man !!!

Tom Bell

Just Something to Think About

I am going out on a limb here: Due to our PA Budget woes, our PA Governor is making major adjustments to the funding of our public and higher education SYSTEM. This has caused major protests in Phila, with teachers, students, etc....

Thursday at 8:08am

JD Holiday likes this..

Stan Horwitz

True, but in this situation, I think the government is providing services that Americans should reasonably expect. The problem isn't that the services are being offered and unrealistic expectations were established. The problem is that the funding method is all screwed up. If I were in charge, the only taxes we would have would be consumption based. No income tax and all government workers at all levels would receive a fair salary with a 401K type of retirement plan and healthcare to which they contribute.

Thursday at 9:17am

Tom Bell

 
Too bad you are not in charge! There are many, many great ideas. The problem is everyone wants the other guy to give it up and, leave mine alone.

Thursday at 9:25am

Tom Bell

Elect Tom Bell for Springfield Ward1 Only group members can see this post

My good friend Kate McGill was kind enough to send me the important dates for the Primary election on, May 17, 2011

I have plenty of Registration and Absentee Ballot Applications so, if you, or anyone you know, require either, contact me, please.

Deadlines for Applications & Ballots in 2011...

Absentee Ballots

Last Day for Absentee Ballot Applications.....................................May 10, 2011

Last Day for completed Absentee Ballots.…............................................May 13 @ 5:00 pm

Voter Registration Applications

Last Day to Register Before the Primary...........................................April 18, 2011

First Day to Register After the Primary............……….............................…............May 18, 2011

Thursday at 7:29am

Susan Kaness likes this..

Susan Kaness

Tom, Howard and I will be in TX from May 7 to June 1 so I will need an Absentee Ballot. He is Independent but leaning toward registering as a Republican so he might need one but not sure yet. Thanks.

Thursday at 7:56am

Tom Bell

Susan, I will be visiting your area after Apr 15th and I shall deliver, thanks!

Thursday at 8:10am 

1 person Susan Kaness likes this..

Susan Kaness

Thanks!

Thursday at 8:13am

Tom Bell commented on his own status.

I can not tell you how sad I am about the closure of NAS Willow Grove. NAS Willow Grove was such a huge part of our lives, (My Family), It will be surely missed.

Thursday at 7:38am

2 people like this.

Brian White

Tom it was a sad Ceremony. To have spent most of my Navy life there. I'll post pictures soon.

Thursday at 7:52am 

Tom Bell likes this..

Pat Jeffers Devlin

My father and John were stationed there too.

Thursday at 8:25am.

Tom Bell

Pat, You know what a hero your dad was to me! Wildcat & Corsair Pilot!

Thursday at 8:29am

Dan McCormick

I was a Young Marine there back I'm the 70s

Thursday at 9:14am

Tom Bell

As crazy as it may sound Dan, I wish I could say that, I am a Marine! I would say, coming from a Navy guy, that is the highest honor I am able to give to my Marine friends!

Thursday at 9:21am

Dan McCormick

I wasn't a Marine, Young Marines is a group for kids run by the Marine Corps League. It planted the seed for a career in the Army later however.

Thursday at 9:40am

Tom Bell Well Dan! I could never say that about the Army as one of my Navy's top sayings has always been, "Beat Army!"

Thursday at 9:45am

Bill Watters

 
A huge part of my life as well. 7 years! Very very sad. Farewell KNXX.

Gary Goldberg

Sorry if I already told you this, but I was not even aware that they were closing it. You know, I was stationed there when I went through AW "C" School for eight weeks. I am sad that they are closing it too.

Thursday at 5:49pm

Tom Bell

If elected, my objective is to find ways, not only not raise property taxes, but significantly reduce property taxes. This looks like a good start!

School board candidates: Don't collect dues

www.mcall.com

Some aspiring school directors in the Lehigh Valley are taking aim at the powerful teachers union this election season, calling for their districts to stop collecting union dues from educators, a practice that's been under fire across the country...

Susan Kaness likes this..

Robb Auspitz

I see people trying to effect what they think is a solution by going after politically convenient targets. You know I'm no fan of unions but I think this is the wrong place to start. As we discussed a few months ago, recreate the legal environment that will allow good teachers to manage a classroom and teach effectively. Then start reducing the negative impact of the unions. OK, now I need to go back to work.

March 29 at 4:56pm ·

Tom Bell

Robb, In due process I hope to see teachers, (once again), allowed to teach, (Classroom Discipline). A far as the collection of Union Dues, I see this as a benefit to the School Districts, and Teachers as well! The Schools will have one less task to perform and the Teachers will have more control of their earnings. There are other responsibilities/liabilities when one collects and disburses tax payer's/employee funds. My view is; we are facing economic difficulties. We need to be prepared. Do you have any other suggestions? As a Commissioner of course, I will be limited to Township Business only. I do however, want to keep residents as to current Springfield issues.

Tom Bell

"Common Sense and the Truth, do not require talking points, perpetuating a lie however, does!"

Just Something to Think About

by Tom Bell on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 8:49pm.

HEADLINE SPRINGFIELD SUN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY: Springfield Township School District faces close to $1 million in aid cuts!

There are statements made by 4 sitting PA State Representatives that energized me to publish this:

Many of us knew this day would come! Why are you representatives not prepared? This is only the beginning! The following years are going to be even more challenging. It is all the result of mismanagement and poor decisions made such that you continue to place band aids on the problem and refuse to cure the disease, so now in this hour of desperation you are seeking other sources of revenue which results in another assault on the wealth of Pennsylvanians which just exacerbates the problem.

You all know what needs to be done without reducing the quality of education to students. Show the leadership we so desperately need. If you need advice, I will assist, at no charge! And please delineate the difference in funds for education for students and the funds for unions and bricks, it's a deceptive practice.

Just somthing to think about

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/03/20/springfield_sun/news/doc4d83c1b3d05b0351263418.txt

2 people like this..

Robb Auspitz

Point well made. Of course, instead of correcting corrupt and inefficient practices in state government, politicians talk about taxing companies working the Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits. Why penalize companies that are adding jobs to Pennsylvania? This will only perpetuate a horribly mis-managed state government. Wonder how many more PennDot coffee breaks that proposed tax would pay for?

Tom Bell's Reply:

The more others peoples money is needed to fund their mis management the more people become dependent on other peoples money. What happens when there is no other peoples money left?

Tom Bell Answer:

Game Over! We are busted!

Robb Auspitz

The wind-down has to be gradual and no matter what, revenues have to increase.

Tom Bell Answer:

Well, we all know what generates revenue and we all know what generates revenue, exponentially!

Tom Bell Answer:

We also know what inhibits revenue generation

Tom Bell Answer:

The approach the Fed, Congress and the Administration has taken has inhibited revenue generation which has resulted in the State being drained of their treasury holdings by the mandates the Federal Government has and does place on the State.... Thus the State finds itself unable to fund the districts as it once had. Now Robb, I am not one to point out a problem and not offer a solution so, 1) We can no longer rely on the way we once managed local education. As a matter of fact, either can any other district. The paradigm has changed. Funding must be generated from not only property owners but also from those who use the district facilities. 2) We may have to merge with a neighboring school district to reduce the necessary administrative and teaching positions. (to be cont. )

Just Something to Think About

by Tom Bell on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 8:11pm.

Tonight, Abington Township finds itself a divided community. The sad part, it originates from their own elected leadership.

It seems that all was well until one, Abington commissioner, decided a Human Relations Commission, (and an ordinance protecting a certain preference), would be a great addition to the 300+ year old township.

Now what inspired me to write this: I read a certain political parties newsletter and noticed several distortions, exaggerations and twisted truths that amount to nothing short of demagoguery preying on the ill-informed for the sole purpose of creating emotional chaos.

Every elected official has the duty to unite their constituency. This is considered LEADERSHIP! In my opinion the so called leadership of Abington has failed their community. This controversy should never have reached this level and those who have been promoting the HRC and the ordinance are both narrow minded and short sighted because anyone with any sense could have predicted an outcome of a forever divided community.

There is one question I keep asking myself: Does there exist a plan of a certain political party to divide us into separate social, ethnic and religious groups in order to enact ordinances that will continually pit one against another? I do not understand why any political party would purposely expose and emphasize our individual differences when it is so much more productive to point out what we all have in common. Just something to think about.

Replies:.

David Mosesso Are the people really divided or is it just the elected officials? It may not be as bad as you think. Focus on/work with the people and ignore the politicians.

Tom Bell

David, just the idea of separating 1 particular group from the community is divisive, don't you agree?

March 1 at 8:14pm

Tom Bell

David, Does Towamencin have an HRC?

March 1 at 8:22pm

David Mosesso

No we don't have an HRC and I would fight against such. If you educate your constituents as to how divisive this is, it could work to your benefit at the next election.

March 1 at 8:27pm

Tom Bell

Stewart, tomorrow night Abington may decide to enact the HRC. I am running for commissioner in Springfield. It has always been a goal to bring a community together and this is why I think it important to alert our community how divisive and illogical an HRC is for twp's such as Abington and Springfield.

March 1 at 8:46pm

Tom Bell

David, exactly, precisely and perfectly stated.

March 1 at 8:47pm