CROYLE: Garbage Collection Decision Was Unethical

It is one thing to enact ordinances in a borough after public debate. It is another thing to give the perception of public debate while the vote is merely a rubber stamp made by previous consensus.

Kittanning Borough Council voted Monday night requiring all businesses, government, professional, and non-profit organizations to use the borough haulers for their trash service. The ordinance allegedly would make it unlawful for anyone to use a trash company other than Kittanning Borough.

Council permitted almost an hour of time to be consumed by business groups protesting the ordinance prior to the vote. They sat in their chairs, appearing to be concerned about the constituents for whom they were voted in to serve.

In reality, the decision had been made prior to the Monday night Council meeting and they were simply placating the visitors.

Proof of their actions came in Tuesday’s Leader Times newspaper. An ad placed by the Borough on page A3 states: “An ordinance has been enacted requiring all above listed organizations to be served by the Borough…”

Advertising cannot be placed in any newspaper in less than 24 hours notice. Someone at Kittanning Borough placed the ad prior to the Monday night meeting. Not only was the ad placed in advance, but it stated the ordinance was enacted prior to the actual vote. Therefore, it did not matter that Mr. Nassar voiced opposition. Mr. Vogel thought Council was listening to his concerns while all the time they had privately and previously decided the outcome of the vote.

Was Councilman Mark Sillson’s dissenting vote a rouse? Did he vote no because he heard the visiting voices or did he vote no to make it look like Council’s final vote had not already been decided?

Did any of the businesses that were given a “survey” form realize they were actually completing a request for service, and that changing information on that form will result in a $50 fee?

Does this rise to the level of a sunshine law violation? I doubt it. Does it show the Borough has just levied another tax on the businesses and non-profits? Yes. I guess they finally found a way to “tax” churches as well as commercial establishments to raise an additional 3 mills of taxes. Meanwhile, they eliminate competition in the marketplace and tell trash collection businesses they are not welcome to do business in the borough.

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CROYLE: America’s Dysfunctional Love Affair

Jon and Kate Gosselin announced on their TLC reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ last night that they are separating, strained by the strain of constant cameras in their faces.

 This is a cultural phenomenon, marking one of the first times that a cable network received higher cable ratings than the major networks.

 Under terms of the agreement, Jon and Kate will alternate staying in their Wernersville, Pennsylvania home with their eight children.

 While both Jon and Kate stated they want what is best for their children, this has all the marks of a reality life going bad. By alternating their care of the children (which is done mostly by hired help anyway), it gives them the social freedom to pursue a lavish lifestyle jet-setting to other destinations with a variety of lovers.

 At the expense of eight children, they have come to love a lifestyle that is far from the day-to-day routine of average families. The same cameras that gave them fame and enabled their lifestyle is now blamed for their relationship woes.

 Reality viewers love to focus on dysfunctional relationships. Whether it was Archie and Edith Bunker, Roseanne and Dan Conners, or now Jon and Kate Gosselin, the appeal is in the drama. I just don’t need to watch it on TV… there is more drama than I care to experience all around me.

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