tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.comments2012-01-25T10:21:53.766-05:00Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-12722672747749441252011-11-06T06:43:47.152-05:002011-11-06T06:43:47.152-05:00

Hello to Bradford County from the western edge of our northeastern Pennsylvania region. I just read Mark&#39;s essay on Tuesday&#39;s election and it troubles me that a person with his record and obvious integrity (let alone intelligence and courage) would be the subject of attacks based on self-interest and political manipulation.<br />I&#39;ve met dozens of people in Bradford County since I

Paul W. Heimelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00629268151094710273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-5939403199969700262011-04-22T09:44:48.396-04:002011-04-22T09:44:48.396-04:00

Thanks for the comments! <br />You can help me: <br />http://www.votesmith2011.com/Donate.html

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-15585058826701725062011-04-22T08:46:07.692-04:002011-04-22T08:46:07.692-04:00

Well said, Mark. How can we help?<br /><br />Anne O&#39;Connell Umbrecht<br />Villanova, PA<br />Born and raised in Sayre <br />Current member of PA Democratic State Committee

Anne O Umbrechthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221182471752044253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-7715501223560788832011-04-21T22:00:03.260-04:002011-04-21T22:00:03.260-04:00

In Northwestern PA, we support your efforts to rectify the lack of safety measures in place and the commonwealth&#39;s blatant disregard for the health and welfare of its people. There is plenty of money to be made in gas production without rushing into it haphazardly and risking the lives and future of Pennsylvanians. We wish you and your county residents well in your efforts to protect your

B Shermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892866663629125142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-77085376651944130422011-01-03T23:59:40.708-05:002011-01-03T23:59:40.708-05:00

Bob,<br />Route 751 over Beckwith Creek in Wells Township.

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-56239904621565243502010-12-03T16:26:04.532-05:002010-12-03T16:26:04.532-05:00

Mark, just curious what bridge is up for replacement in Wells Township. I know earlier this year they replaced the bridge on Coryland Rd near Mosherville.<br /><br />-Bob

Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03418493234981428975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-82034985511436360812009-05-25T21:07:41.287-04:002009-05-25T21:07:41.287-04:00

Matt,<br /> There is not a loss of daycare, but a loss of one particular facility. Daycare in our county did not disappear with this decision. There are daycares available to parents in the Towanda region of the county. It is a county facility that had to close because we can not afford to keep it open. However, the daycare program is still in existance where it seems to be the most necessary

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-338251081894020422009-05-25T03:10:30.596-04:002009-05-25T03:10:30.596-04:00

Mark,<br /><br />Very good decision on the part of the BC commissioners and for the taxpayers. This might also be an opportunity for a young entrepreneur to start a day-care business in Bradford County.

Victor Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205511476141359001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-39727641900689940702009-05-22T20:58:05.690-04:002009-05-22T20:58:05.690-04:00

Employees have the opportunity to apply for any open postions within the county and depending on thier qualifications they can be hired. It was well explained why the daycare at South Towanda had to close and as for hiring into other departments, depending on the department, we may need to fill slots to get work done that needs to be done. Simply "absorbing employees" may sound like a great idea

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-78847829537514927952009-05-22T03:53:08.691-04:002009-05-22T03:53:08.691-04:00

In a county that is changing drastically, taking resources away from the citizens that are struggling seems like a bad decision. We are seeing a rise in violent crime, including an armed robbery in Towanda, increases in poverty and homelessness and horrible loss of employment and opportunity for our citizens. Gas drilling is not bringing the promised bushels of jobs to our citizens even though a

Matthew Hortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04532105882610581016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-79861734217299453752009-05-22T02:52:35.714-04:002009-05-22T02:52:35.714-04:00

Why are the commissioners laying people off from the daycare program but hiring in other departments? Wouldn't good management include a plan to absorb the staff into other programs before hiring new employees? Will you and the other commissioners committ to re-hiring those laid off employees before hiring anyone else into the county?

laehmanhttp://openid.aol.com/laehmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-75386278336292082082009-04-11T08:14:00.000-04:002009-04-11T08:14:00.000-04:00

Thank you for being the watchdog on this issue. There is a reason that drilling has stopped in New York and there are lawsuits pending in West Virginia. Greed coupled with an attempt to recovery in this depressed economy is a prescription for the ravaging of the natural resources of our county and our state. Please continue to fight for the protection of our most precious resource, not gas or oil

PDChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266612227392776183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-53725982546319266092009-03-25T15:59:00.000-04:002009-03-25T15:59:00.000-04:00

That testimony sounds interesting...do you have a date and time?

Yeldarbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07431008795322568843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-22491621582843908462009-03-04T23:17:00.000-05:002009-03-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

Mark,<BR/><BR/>Buses don't have legs.

Victor Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205511476141359001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-77897326525266616722008-12-23T21:08:00.000-05:002008-12-23T21:08:00.000-05:00

Frank,<BR/> I'm frustrated too. It's frustrating all around. We did make cuts. How many jobs should I have eliminated? We eliminated 19 of them. We cut services because of funding cuts from the state in Children and Youth, Mental Health and we got cut 5.2% in library funding. We have to strike a balance, at least the best balance we can with the situation we have. I don't think it is healthy for

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-36225997954529318622008-12-23T08:52:00.000-05:002008-12-23T08:52:00.000-05:00

Hi Mark. I undersatnd money is always a problem for the county and losing State funding is hard to keep programs running but how is it the county can keep spending and using tax payer money like an open check book. Money low. Just raise taxes. Lost revenue? Too bad. Why dont you take some advise from some of the people who are losing there Jobs in the county or on ferlough through the holiday

Frank Weisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05267988558581537270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-21513443604124674752008-12-21T21:30:00.000-05:002008-12-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

J. Hackney, <BR/>In terms of the "inflaming interaction" you referenced. John is a pretty sincere and kind person. He knows we have all these people that work for us, we see all their hard work for months trying to make the best out of a bad situation with county finances, rising costs and state cuts. Then you have one person who takes exception at one public meeting to everyone elses hard work

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-37620489976626922162008-12-21T20:31:00.000-05:002008-12-21T20:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks Steven. The budget is right on this blog and on the county website.

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-4141599028798978052008-12-21T20:17:00.000-05:002008-12-21T20:17:00.000-05:00

Certainly we can all be for our own self interest and say "I WANT MY MONEY NOW" in referring to her gas leasing and using that as a source of revenue rather than increasing income tax or any other tax. The bottom line is if you do not care about roads, community health care or bradford county infrastructure then you will likely oppose any taxes. But taxes cannot be eliminated. I would suggest the

stephen.saylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01209048251499800118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-57309121260539138182008-12-19T18:32:00.000-05:002008-12-19T18:32:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, I do not believe this is a unique case for Bradford county. I believe you will be seeing this state wide if not nation wide. It is a tough position to be a politician of any party right now. There is certain need of a change in how things are done. <BR/><BR/> It is concerning however that we are starting down the same path from the national level all the way down to our local level

-J. Hackneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500167964557664631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-868639606838188192008-12-19T16:33:00.000-05:002008-12-19T16:33:00.000-05:00

I am certainly sorry you feel that way. I, of course, respectfully disagree. I could be more specific but specifics generally are difficult to communicate, especially the many it would take in terms of the budget. But I can give you an example. Take for instance the jail budget. The previous board did not take into consideration things such as nataural gas and electric for the expanded facility.

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-4358916410117345322008-12-18T19:53:00.000-05:002008-12-18T19:53:00.000-05:00

The first sign of a politician who is in over his head is to blame everyone who came before him, without being really specific. Those republicans on the steps of the courthouse represent many of us Mr. Smith. You are not smarter than everyone else in this county. The gas lease money doesn’t belong to the county, it belongs to the citizens and as a citizen and a republican, I want my share now, so

BCrepublicanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06723082045543591833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-6075181313073378102008-12-08T15:21:00.000-05:002008-12-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

I want to offer my church for anything anyone in the community or in the office of the commission may need it for. <BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/><BR/>Tina Ratcliff

TRatcliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18300661208219353161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-54715440764579683202008-12-05T20:36:00.000-05:002008-12-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

Yeah, Yeah Rob, note the time. You could get back to me a little quicker with the editing so I don't look like such a fool. Thanks Buddy....!<BR/><BR/>P.S. It's "hope", not "hpoe"....LOL!

Mark W. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679147035268398281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408520926085879708.post-42143349842905662742008-12-05T14:06:00.000-05:002008-12-05T14:06:00.000-05:00

I hpoe your proofreading of the newsletter was better than on the blog...(freind? mid working late?)LOL

RobLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15113365153296445613noreply@blogger.com