Post by Bill on May 7, 2006 8:46:15 GMT -5
Public Opinion - Chambersburg, Pa. Saturday, May 6, 2006
PACleanSweep takes pink pigs on the road
By VICKY TAYLOR
Staff writer
When state legislators voted themselves a pay raise at 2 a.m. July 7, the action prompted taxpayers groups to rise up in outrage, and the movement that grew out of that emotion reminded them this week of that outrage.
PACleanSweep members took pink pigs to visit Rep. Steve Maitland, R-Gettysburg, and Rep. Pat Fleagle, R-Waynesboro, in Gettysburg on Friday morning as a symbol of what they call "the piggish pay increase" both Maitland and Fleagle voted for that early morning last summer.
The pigs are supposed to represent what Chambersburg Area Taxpayers Association president Allen Piper and vice president Carl Barton call the move that gave legislators "a piggish pay increase."
The pay increase not only bolstered legislator's salaries by what many called "hefty" amounts, but legislators figured out a way to get that raise immediately by authorizing an "unvouchered expense" allocation equal to the raise, even though a constitutional provision bars legislators from collecting salary increase during the term in which it is approved.
Voters objected and before the end of the year legislators had repealed the pay raise, but citizens groups said the damage had already been done and PACleanSweep was formed to encourage potential candidates to run against the incumbents seeking reelection.
Piper was on hand Friday when Gene Stilp brought one of CleanSweep's traveling pink pigs to the two offices. He is running for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket in the primary.
Piper said the limited space at the two offices dictated a small gathering of taxpayers instead of a large rally, but the spirit of the event was done simply to remind the two legislators of their actions the night the pay raise was approved.
He called it a "colorful reminder of the recent past leadership examples by both representative."
"A picture of a Pink Pig is worth a thousand words," he said.
Having read the above, I find the action taken by these individuals and the picture of the "Pink Pig" to be personally offensive. I also find the news article to be personally offensive!
There is not one emergency services organization that has not benefited by the actions of Pat Fleagle. He has been a member of the Medic 2 Board of Directors and the Waynesboro Ambulance Squad for many years just to mention a few. He has been an active EMT and most recently, a Paramedic. You will not find any of the above positive information in any of the news media. They would do well to get to know the principals that they write about!
The members of the Legislature acknowledge the mechanics of the pay raise to have been a mistake and took action to eliminate it. The way the game is played in Harrisburg, you either go along with your colleagues or the next time you attempt to introduce legislation or take an action to benefit a project in your district, you are retaliated against by the other legislators. THAT'S POLITICS.
The long and the short of it, "you're damned if you do and your damned if you don't.
These people know what they're doing. The "pink pig" also represents a kind of selfishness, greed, etc. Any of us who know Pat also know that he does not belong in this category.
This "demonstration" by PACleanSweep against Pat Fleagle ALSO NEGATIVELY REFLECTS AGAINST THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HE IS ASSOCIATED WITH OR HAS ASSISTED IN THE PAST.
I am planning some type of action against PACleanSweep. I am in the process of finding out where they are headquartered and who these people are. Perhaps a wagon load of pig manure woud be in order!
As far as the Chambersburg Area Taxpayers Association goes, if they wish to be manipulated by PACleanSweep, then so much for their credibility. The Legislative Pay Raise Issue was not the only issue in the legislature. "If you can't dig up anything else against someone, then I guess this will have to suffice."
How dare they come into our county and assault the character of one of our principal colleagues and supporters.
It's Sunday Morning. I'm ANGRY and I'm only on my third cup of coffee. Pat Fleagle does not deserve to be "SWEPT anywhere!
SO, WHO ELSE IS WITH ME?
?
PACleanSweep takes pink pigs on the road
By VICKY TAYLOR
Staff writer
When state legislators voted themselves a pay raise at 2 a.m. July 7, the action prompted taxpayers groups to rise up in outrage, and the movement that grew out of that emotion reminded them this week of that outrage.
PACleanSweep members took pink pigs to visit Rep. Steve Maitland, R-Gettysburg, and Rep. Pat Fleagle, R-Waynesboro, in Gettysburg on Friday morning as a symbol of what they call "the piggish pay increase" both Maitland and Fleagle voted for that early morning last summer.
The pigs are supposed to represent what Chambersburg Area Taxpayers Association president Allen Piper and vice president Carl Barton call the move that gave legislators "a piggish pay increase."
The pay increase not only bolstered legislator's salaries by what many called "hefty" amounts, but legislators figured out a way to get that raise immediately by authorizing an "unvouchered expense" allocation equal to the raise, even though a constitutional provision bars legislators from collecting salary increase during the term in which it is approved.
Voters objected and before the end of the year legislators had repealed the pay raise, but citizens groups said the damage had already been done and PACleanSweep was formed to encourage potential candidates to run against the incumbents seeking reelection.
Piper was on hand Friday when Gene Stilp brought one of CleanSweep's traveling pink pigs to the two offices. He is running for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket in the primary.
Piper said the limited space at the two offices dictated a small gathering of taxpayers instead of a large rally, but the spirit of the event was done simply to remind the two legislators of their actions the night the pay raise was approved.
He called it a "colorful reminder of the recent past leadership examples by both representative."
"A picture of a Pink Pig is worth a thousand words," he said.
Having read the above, I find the action taken by these individuals and the picture of the "Pink Pig" to be personally offensive. I also find the news article to be personally offensive!
There is not one emergency services organization that has not benefited by the actions of Pat Fleagle. He has been a member of the Medic 2 Board of Directors and the Waynesboro Ambulance Squad for many years just to mention a few. He has been an active EMT and most recently, a Paramedic. You will not find any of the above positive information in any of the news media. They would do well to get to know the principals that they write about!
The members of the Legislature acknowledge the mechanics of the pay raise to have been a mistake and took action to eliminate it. The way the game is played in Harrisburg, you either go along with your colleagues or the next time you attempt to introduce legislation or take an action to benefit a project in your district, you are retaliated against by the other legislators. THAT'S POLITICS.
The long and the short of it, "you're damned if you do and your damned if you don't.
These people know what they're doing. The "pink pig" also represents a kind of selfishness, greed, etc. Any of us who know Pat also know that he does not belong in this category.
This "demonstration" by PACleanSweep against Pat Fleagle ALSO NEGATIVELY REFLECTS AGAINST THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HE IS ASSOCIATED WITH OR HAS ASSISTED IN THE PAST.
I am planning some type of action against PACleanSweep. I am in the process of finding out where they are headquartered and who these people are. Perhaps a wagon load of pig manure woud be in order!
As far as the Chambersburg Area Taxpayers Association goes, if they wish to be manipulated by PACleanSweep, then so much for their credibility. The Legislative Pay Raise Issue was not the only issue in the legislature. "If you can't dig up anything else against someone, then I guess this will have to suffice."
How dare they come into our county and assault the character of one of our principal colleagues and supporters.
It's Sunday Morning. I'm ANGRY and I'm only on my third cup of coffee. Pat Fleagle does not deserve to be "SWEPT anywhere!
SO, WHO ELSE IS WITH ME?
?
