Sunday, December 19, 2010
Potpourri week 12/19 - 12/25
We hope that everyone is having a joyful holiday season. We have seen so many houses throughout the borough that are decorated beautifully and we hope you take the time to enjoy the sights and the spirit of the season.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Director concerned about security
Director concerned about security
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
MORRISVILLE SCHOOLS
John DeWilde asked board members to meet with the police chief in light of a shooting at a school board meeting in Florida.
Morrisville School Director John DeWilde wants to make sure that while he's discussing business at school board meetings, the board and the public are safe.
At Wednesday's board meeting, DeWilde asked for the board members to meet with Morrisville Police Chief Jack Jones to discuss safety measures and protocol in case of an emergency, such as someone pulling out a gun and shooting.
School board President Bill Hellmann assured DeWilde that the issue would be discussed soon.
DeWilde's safety concerns stems from a Tuesday incident in Panama City, Fla., when gunman Clay Duke shot at school district officials multiple times during a school board meeting before turning the gun on himself. Luckily, none of the shots fired hit anyone.
Duke was upset at the district for terminating his wife, Rebecca Duke, in February. The district hired her in September 2009, as a primary school teacher for students with special needs, but terminated her after a 97-day probationary period, according to the Associated Press.
DeWilde told the board, "We don't need that to happen here,'' and "we aren't prepared for that.''
DeWilde would like Jones and the board to have an action plan, just in case.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyburbs.com. Follow Gema at twitter.com/deadlineduarte.
December 16, 2010 02:06 AM
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
MORRISVILLE SCHOOLS
John DeWilde asked board members to meet with the police chief in light of a shooting at a school board meeting in Florida.
Morrisville School Director John DeWilde wants to make sure that while he's discussing business at school board meetings, the board and the public are safe.
At Wednesday's board meeting, DeWilde asked for the board members to meet with Morrisville Police Chief Jack Jones to discuss safety measures and protocol in case of an emergency, such as someone pulling out a gun and shooting.
School board President Bill Hellmann assured DeWilde that the issue would be discussed soon.
DeWilde's safety concerns stems from a Tuesday incident in Panama City, Fla., when gunman Clay Duke shot at school district officials multiple times during a school board meeting before turning the gun on himself. Luckily, none of the shots fired hit anyone.
Duke was upset at the district for terminating his wife, Rebecca Duke, in February. The district hired her in September 2009, as a primary school teacher for students with special needs, but terminated her after a 97-day probationary period, according to the Associated Press.
DeWilde told the board, "We don't need that to happen here,'' and "we aren't prepared for that.''
DeWilde would like Jones and the board to have an action plan, just in case.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyburbs.com. Follow Gema at twitter.com/deadlineduarte.
December 16, 2010 02:06 AM
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Taxes going up a bit to pay for pool debt
from the bcct:
Property taxes to increas $20
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
MORRISVILLE
The money from the tax hike will go toward paying off debt accrued by the municipal pool's owner.
It's final. Morrisville residents will pay $20 more in property taxes in 2011.
Despite objections by Mayor Rita Ledger and Councilman Todd Sanford at Monday night's council meeting, the extra money from property taxes will be used for debt - including liens - accrued by Morrisville Swimming Pool Inc., owner of the municipal swimming pool in Williamson Park.
Morrisville officials are trying to work out an agreement with the group that would transfer ownership of the closed pool to the borough for the debt payment.
The vote to approve next year's $5.9 million operating budget was 4-2. Sanford and Eileen Dreisbach voted against it. Voting in favor were council President Nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta, Rhonda Davis and Fred Kerner. Missing were Victor Cicero and David Rivella.
Sanford argued that if the pool management did run up high debt and liens, the borough should use other accounts to pay for it rather than raising taxes. Ledger said she researched the possibility of liens on the pool and there aren't any.
But borough solicitor Sean Kilkenny insisted, "There is debt on this property." His firm researched the property, so did former solicitor James Downey of Begley, Carlin & Mandio, said Kilkenny.
According to Sherlock, the pool's debt is about $75,000 and the extra money from property taxes will help pay $58,898 of that total.
Property owners will be assessed taxes at a rate of 40.93 mills. That means someone with a home assessed at the borough average of $20,000 will pay about $818 in municipal property taxes next year.
The independently operated Morrisville Community Swimming Pool closed in 2008 after years of trying to stay afloat financially. The swim club board blamed the financial strain on declining membership and attendance as well as keeping up with new safety laws.
Though the borough wants to buy the closed pool, there's no official plan for their future, officials said.
Before the council decides on anything, it intends to offer the public a chance for input.
Sherlock said the pool is "blighted and is an eyesore" and Morrisville has to do something about it.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching the pool owners for comment Tuesday.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyBurbs.com
Follow Gema on Twitter at twitter.com/deadlineduarte.
December 15, 2010 02:11 AM
Property taxes to increas $20
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
MORRISVILLE
The money from the tax hike will go toward paying off debt accrued by the municipal pool's owner.
It's final. Morrisville residents will pay $20 more in property taxes in 2011.
Despite objections by Mayor Rita Ledger and Councilman Todd Sanford at Monday night's council meeting, the extra money from property taxes will be used for debt - including liens - accrued by Morrisville Swimming Pool Inc., owner of the municipal swimming pool in Williamson Park.
Morrisville officials are trying to work out an agreement with the group that would transfer ownership of the closed pool to the borough for the debt payment.
The vote to approve next year's $5.9 million operating budget was 4-2. Sanford and Eileen Dreisbach voted against it. Voting in favor were council President Nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta, Rhonda Davis and Fred Kerner. Missing were Victor Cicero and David Rivella.
Sanford argued that if the pool management did run up high debt and liens, the borough should use other accounts to pay for it rather than raising taxes. Ledger said she researched the possibility of liens on the pool and there aren't any.
But borough solicitor Sean Kilkenny insisted, "There is debt on this property." His firm researched the property, so did former solicitor James Downey of Begley, Carlin & Mandio, said Kilkenny.
According to Sherlock, the pool's debt is about $75,000 and the extra money from property taxes will help pay $58,898 of that total.
Property owners will be assessed taxes at a rate of 40.93 mills. That means someone with a home assessed at the borough average of $20,000 will pay about $818 in municipal property taxes next year.
The independently operated Morrisville Community Swimming Pool closed in 2008 after years of trying to stay afloat financially. The swim club board blamed the financial strain on declining membership and attendance as well as keeping up with new safety laws.
Though the borough wants to buy the closed pool, there's no official plan for their future, officials said.
Before the council decides on anything, it intends to offer the public a chance for input.
Sherlock said the pool is "blighted and is an eyesore" and Morrisville has to do something about it.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching the pool owners for comment Tuesday.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyBurbs.com
Follow Gema on Twitter at twitter.com/deadlineduarte.
December 15, 2010 02:11 AM
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Morrisville School Board confirms president...
Track team is a no go. Yet another missed opportunity for the Morrisville students.
Morrisville School Board confirms president, accepts resignation of football coach
Published: Monday, December 13, 2010
BucksLocalNews.com
MORRISVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT - Bill Hellmann, Morrisville school board president, was appointed to another term as board president ending in December 2011.
Board secretary Maryls Mihok filled in as temporary president for confirmation purposes and was re-elected as board secretary. Alfred Radosti was also appointed to the role of board vice president, again.
Congressman-elect Mike Fitzpatrick (R) of Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District attended the Monday, Dec. 6 meeting, vacating his role as solicitor. Although, the Middletown Township law firm of Begley, Carlin & Mandio will still serve as the district's solicitor.
Thomas J. Profy IV, Esq., a lawyer with the firm, filled in for Congressman-elect Fitzpatrick during his campagin against Democrat Patrick Murphy.
The board also confirmed the resignation of Morrisville head football coach Jim Gober. Gober broke the news to his team and Morrisville Athletic Director John Hubiak on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
In other news, the board along with the athletic director have decided not to allow the Fairless Hills Falcons AAU track team to participate in PIAA competition on behalf of the school district.
Track coach Kevin McClease said that the school didn't have enough grant money to support a track team at this time.
"I spoke with PIAA administrators and they tried their absolute best to get us into competition," he said. "But the school district won't budge."
"I'm going to speak with the kids and parents and hopefully we'll bring more [to the next meeting]," said McClease. "I'm just looking out for the children and the student athletes."
He also mentioned that he and parents might send a letter to the school.
At its next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, the board will need to approve the treasurer's and investment reports for November 2010. Budget transfers for the upcoming year will also need approval.
Morrisville School Board confirms president, accepts resignation of football coach
Published: Monday, December 13, 2010
BucksLocalNews.com
MORRISVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT - Bill Hellmann, Morrisville school board president, was appointed to another term as board president ending in December 2011.
Board secretary Maryls Mihok filled in as temporary president for confirmation purposes and was re-elected as board secretary. Alfred Radosti was also appointed to the role of board vice president, again.
Congressman-elect Mike Fitzpatrick (R) of Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District attended the Monday, Dec. 6 meeting, vacating his role as solicitor. Although, the Middletown Township law firm of Begley, Carlin & Mandio will still serve as the district's solicitor.
Thomas J. Profy IV, Esq., a lawyer with the firm, filled in for Congressman-elect Fitzpatrick during his campagin against Democrat Patrick Murphy.
The board also confirmed the resignation of Morrisville head football coach Jim Gober. Gober broke the news to his team and Morrisville Athletic Director John Hubiak on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
In other news, the board along with the athletic director have decided not to allow the Fairless Hills Falcons AAU track team to participate in PIAA competition on behalf of the school district.
Track coach Kevin McClease said that the school didn't have enough grant money to support a track team at this time.
"I spoke with PIAA administrators and they tried their absolute best to get us into competition," he said. "But the school district won't budge."
"I'm going to speak with the kids and parents and hopefully we'll bring more [to the next meeting]," said McClease. "I'm just looking out for the children and the student athletes."
He also mentioned that he and parents might send a letter to the school.
At its next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, the board will need to approve the treasurer's and investment reports for November 2010. Budget transfers for the upcoming year will also need approval.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Kids of Morrisville denied the opportunity to run track
Another setback for the youth of Morrisville. Big thumbs down to the administration and the board for not letting these kids participate. Looks like "stay on track" is keeping kids off the track.
Track team facing hurdles
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE AND MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Morrisville teenagers just want to run.
But a recent independent move by a local coach to organize high school track tumbled because of a dispute over a signature.
Currently, 27 students from the high school and the Bucks County Technical School are eager to participate in the upcoming Dec. 10-11 meets under the supervision of Kevin McClease, who said he would coach them if the Morrisville High School principal or the athletic director were to sign a membership application to the Track and Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia Inc.
The signature would prove that competing students attend Morrisville High School, and are athletically and academically eligible to compete, said Rich Swanker, executive secretary and treasurer of the coaches association.
But the situation is more complicated than just getting one signature, said Acting Superintendent William Ferrara.
Signing the dotted line would make the group a Morrisville High School sports team, and therefore the district would be responsible for it, Ferrara said. But in this case, the district itself never initiated the organization of a track team, he said. Instead, all the effort came from an outside source, namely McClease.
"If we were to start a track team, we would look at all the different aspects of starting it, such as student interest, how it would benefit the school, the funding," Ferrara said. "There are certain procedures we would have to follow. Then the board would have to approve it."
Plus, the district would want to register a new track team with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, not the coaches association, said Ferrara. The athletic association governs most of the high school's sports teams, except bowling. Those sports include football, coed soccer, cheerleading, field hockey, boys and girls basketball, baseball, girls softball and cross-country.
The coaches association has been around about 48 years, but Morrisville never has participated. About 100 Philadelphia area schools are members of the coaches association, which follows the athletic association guidelines, said Swanker.
McClease believes the district is just giving excuses for not signing the form. He and about 20 students made their voices heard at November's board meeting when they pleaded for the signature during public comment. Before attending the meeting, McClease couldn't get returned phone calls from district officials, he said.
He expects even more interested students after the football season is over, including his own kids. Participants can be from ninth grade through 12th grade.
McClease has interest from sponsors to support team expenses, including Novacare and Parx Casino, but they're pulling out because the district never signed the form.
Area parents, such as Annemarie Rivera, also wanted to have the form signed. Her son plays football for the high school and is looking forward to joining track.
"I don't understand why they would deny him. You have your football team and everything else. Certain kids can't get into colleges without athletic scholarships. Anything that can help my son, I'm all for it, but this is discouraging," Rivera said.
Ferrara reiterated Friday that the district can't sign a form for a group that wasn't organized by district officials. He wouldn't say whether or not Morrisville School District is planning to form a track team, given the interest.
"We're not saying we're not going to pursue it. We're just saying that we're not pursuing it at this time," he said.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Gema on Twitter at twitter.com/deadlineduarte. Manasee Wagh can be reached at 215-949-4206 or mwagh@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Manasee on Twitter at twitter.com/manaseewagh.
Track team facing hurdles
By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE AND MANASEE WAGH
Bucks County Courier Times
Morrisville teenagers just want to run.
But a recent independent move by a local coach to organize high school track tumbled because of a dispute over a signature.
Currently, 27 students from the high school and the Bucks County Technical School are eager to participate in the upcoming Dec. 10-11 meets under the supervision of Kevin McClease, who said he would coach them if the Morrisville High School principal or the athletic director were to sign a membership application to the Track and Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia Inc.
The signature would prove that competing students attend Morrisville High School, and are athletically and academically eligible to compete, said Rich Swanker, executive secretary and treasurer of the coaches association.
But the situation is more complicated than just getting one signature, said Acting Superintendent William Ferrara.
Signing the dotted line would make the group a Morrisville High School sports team, and therefore the district would be responsible for it, Ferrara said. But in this case, the district itself never initiated the organization of a track team, he said. Instead, all the effort came from an outside source, namely McClease.
"If we were to start a track team, we would look at all the different aspects of starting it, such as student interest, how it would benefit the school, the funding," Ferrara said. "There are certain procedures we would have to follow. Then the board would have to approve it."
Plus, the district would want to register a new track team with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, not the coaches association, said Ferrara. The athletic association governs most of the high school's sports teams, except bowling. Those sports include football, coed soccer, cheerleading, field hockey, boys and girls basketball, baseball, girls softball and cross-country.
The coaches association has been around about 48 years, but Morrisville never has participated. About 100 Philadelphia area schools are members of the coaches association, which follows the athletic association guidelines, said Swanker.
McClease believes the district is just giving excuses for not signing the form. He and about 20 students made their voices heard at November's board meeting when they pleaded for the signature during public comment. Before attending the meeting, McClease couldn't get returned phone calls from district officials, he said.
He expects even more interested students after the football season is over, including his own kids. Participants can be from ninth grade through 12th grade.
McClease has interest from sponsors to support team expenses, including Novacare and Parx Casino, but they're pulling out because the district never signed the form.
Area parents, such as Annemarie Rivera, also wanted to have the form signed. Her son plays football for the high school and is looking forward to joining track.
"I don't understand why they would deny him. You have your football team and everything else. Certain kids can't get into colleges without athletic scholarships. Anything that can help my son, I'm all for it, but this is discouraging," Rivera said.
Ferrara reiterated Friday that the district can't sign a form for a group that wasn't organized by district officials. He wouldn't say whether or not Morrisville School District is planning to form a track team, given the interest.
"We're not saying we're not going to pursue it. We're just saying that we're not pursuing it at this time," he said.
Gema Maria Duarte can be reached at 215-949-4195 or gduarte@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Gema on Twitter at twitter.com/deadlineduarte. Manasee Wagh can be reached at 215-949-4206 or mwagh@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Manasee on Twitter at twitter.com/manaseewagh.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Coach Gober steps down
From the BCCT:
Gober steps aside at Morrisville
By: DOM COSENTINO
Bucks County Courier Times
FOOTBALL
Jim Gober had been giving it some thought for quite some time - over the course of several recent offseasons, in fact.
As is true of every high school football coach with a wife and children, the demands on Gober's time took their toll through the years. Add to that the fact that Gober's wife, Margaret, sometimes works long shifts as a nurse at Abington Hospital, which on occasion left Gober with the duty of driving around their three children - ages 15, 13 and 11 - at the expense of leaving Morrisville's practices early.
Finally, after an emotional, 48-27 loss to Bristol last week on Thanksgiving - the Bulldogs' 11th in a row against their longtime holiday rivals, and a game that left Gober with a glazed, teary-eyed look afterward - Gober made up his mind sometime over the weekend.
Tuesday, he made it official by submitting his resignation to athletic director John Hubiak and breaking the news to the Morrisville players.
"I had the opportunity to coach a lot of wonderful kids," Gober said. "When I met the team (Tuesday), they kind of thought I was not serious when I told them; they were kind of like, 'Well, what are we going to do now?' "
Hubiak did not return phone calls seeking comment, though it's safe to assume the job will be posted sometime soon.
Gober, 43, who will continue to teach social studies at Morrisville, had two separate stints in charge of the Bulldogs. He first coached them in 1999 and 2000, then left in 2001, when Morrisville did not field a team because of a lack of numbers. He took over again in 2005, after a year as an assistant at Council Rock North and two seasons coaching his son's youth team.
Gober finished with a record of 26-64, but the Bulldogs did win seven games in both 2009 and 2010, with this year's bunch qualifying for the District One Class A playoffs for the first time in 18 years.
Gober reiterated what he said after the latest Thanksgiving loss to Bristol - he felt strongly that Morrisville had a chance to win. But after they fell behind, 42-13, at halftime, he ordered the players to remove the Bulldogs decals from their helmets, saying they didn't deserve to wear them after the way they played.
"It was a very difficult thing to do today," said Gober, who refused to rule out a return to coaching in the future.
Dom Cosentino can be reached at dcosentino@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Dom on Twitter at twitter.com/domcosentino
December 01, 2010 02:05 AM
Gober steps aside at Morrisville
By: DOM COSENTINO
Bucks County Courier Times
FOOTBALL
Jim Gober had been giving it some thought for quite some time - over the course of several recent offseasons, in fact.
As is true of every high school football coach with a wife and children, the demands on Gober's time took their toll through the years. Add to that the fact that Gober's wife, Margaret, sometimes works long shifts as a nurse at Abington Hospital, which on occasion left Gober with the duty of driving around their three children - ages 15, 13 and 11 - at the expense of leaving Morrisville's practices early.
Finally, after an emotional, 48-27 loss to Bristol last week on Thanksgiving - the Bulldogs' 11th in a row against their longtime holiday rivals, and a game that left Gober with a glazed, teary-eyed look afterward - Gober made up his mind sometime over the weekend.
Tuesday, he made it official by submitting his resignation to athletic director John Hubiak and breaking the news to the Morrisville players.
"I had the opportunity to coach a lot of wonderful kids," Gober said. "When I met the team (Tuesday), they kind of thought I was not serious when I told them; they were kind of like, 'Well, what are we going to do now?' "
Hubiak did not return phone calls seeking comment, though it's safe to assume the job will be posted sometime soon.
Gober, 43, who will continue to teach social studies at Morrisville, had two separate stints in charge of the Bulldogs. He first coached them in 1999 and 2000, then left in 2001, when Morrisville did not field a team because of a lack of numbers. He took over again in 2005, after a year as an assistant at Council Rock North and two seasons coaching his son's youth team.
Gober finished with a record of 26-64, but the Bulldogs did win seven games in both 2009 and 2010, with this year's bunch qualifying for the District One Class A playoffs for the first time in 18 years.
Gober reiterated what he said after the latest Thanksgiving loss to Bristol - he felt strongly that Morrisville had a chance to win. But after they fell behind, 42-13, at halftime, he ordered the players to remove the Bulldogs decals from their helmets, saying they didn't deserve to wear them after the way they played.
"It was a very difficult thing to do today," said Gober, who refused to rule out a return to coaching in the future.
Dom Cosentino can be reached at dcosentino@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Dom on Twitter at twitter.com/domcosentino
December 01, 2010 02:05 AM
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