Is Apathy Creeping In?

[JoeP]

Perhaps it's me, or perhaps everyone is busy enjoying the holiday season, but I was surprised that no one but myself responded to OntheBlvd's 12/22 post regarding the surprise garbage rate increase.  The contract was a fixed rate yet somehow we are getting a screwing again and no one apparently seems bothered by it.  Does anyone care we are getting the short end of the stick one more time?  There has been numerous views (30) of OntheBlvd's post but no responses, corrections or comments.

Like I said, perhaps everyone is busy with the season.  But I also noticed there were no new posts on the site from  November 12 to December 13.  If it wasn't for davidk's postings summarizing the Township's meetings the People's Website might have slowly disappeared.  Thank you davidk, it is you who should have been appointed supervisor for your tireless and ongoing efforts you make for our Township.

Now, after the hard grassroots work by many Newton folks, we have an election coming up this year to replace some of the supervisors who live in a post-mortem state.  These are the same guys who don't know how to communicate to their constituents, and have no idea how to embrace modern communication management and technology - other than "if ya all want to know what going on - come to da meeting".  Yeah right.  Notice how they let us know the garbage rate was going to increase.  (OK - I'm a broken record but it was the garbage contract that was the catalyst which initiated this grassroots firestorm and web site).

So with this election coming on - I don't know what will happen next.  But more importantly, I'm afraid we won the battle but we may lose the war if we don't get some fresh faces on the Board of Supervisors.  This site is key to maintaining the momentum that was started in getting the referendum passed as well as sharing ideas and communicating issues and problems facing township residents.  Let's not let it slide.  It is also important that the Township officials know we are not going away.

I hope I stirred things up a bit and that's OK, but if I have upset anyone it wasn't intentional and I apologize.  If I have exceeded my authority as a site mod, Sal please remove my moderator authority.

JoeP

[davidk]

JoeP.
Thanks for the support concerning the supervisor appointment. As you are probably aware when it comes to politics, especially appointments, things, especially here in Lacakwanna County, are not as they should be. Not by a light year.
On the bright side I am still in a position to sit and throw things from the audience.  :D
You're also right about apathy and the lack of messages on this board. I check in from time to time, at least once a week and am always disappointed at the lack of activity.
As for the garbage contract, I am wracking my depleted brain cells trying to remember the details. It was such a bitter battle.
Something tells me there was a  series of rate increases built in but I am not certain. I will look into it and post the results on the other page and thread.

[Sal]

Hey Joe,

Stir things up, that is what a moderator is supposed to do and if you keep it up you may become an administrator.  :mrgreen:

I think everyone is just burned out from the election and the holidays so there was not much traffic on this website in December.  As of the 29th, we only had 1,755 page views but I am sure it will pick up again.

 I am not concerned about the current supervisors getting back in.  I have two people that expressed interest in the supervisors’ position and I am sure there will be a lot more.  

I agree with you that we need to keep things going and as we get closer to the primary the machine will crank up again I’m sure.

Happy New Year to everyone!