Reassessment? It’s not an April Fool’s joke
A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.
DART: Reassessment. No, this is not an April Fool’s joke. A county judge this week ordered all 200,000plus properties in Delaware County be reassessed. Will some people pay more? Yes, but others could wind up paying less. It’s a term that scares the dickens out of home owners, but resign yourself to it because it is going to happen.
LAUREL: To Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Charles Burr. He made the right call in ordering the countywide reassessment. The state Constitution mandates what is referred to as the “uniformity clause,” meaning taxes be uniform across the county. That was not happening in Delaware County. Instead people buying new homes were being assessed at rates higher than older homes. The result? All assessments will be redone.
DART: To U.S. Congressman Pat Meehan. The 7th District congressman played it close to the vest as crunch time approached on the Republican American Health Care Plan to repeal and replace Obama. For days Meehan, who voted in favor of moving the bill out of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he was undecided on the new bill. It was only after President Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan decided to pull the bill Friday when it became clear they did not have the votes that Meehan put out a statement that he would have voted no on the plan. Too bad he didn’t make that known 24 hours earlier. LAUREL: To state Rep. Charlie Dent. Unlike Meehan, the Republi- can from Allentown did not ride the fence on the bill. Instead Dent was clear in bucking his president and party, saying he could not support the bill. That earned him the wrath of the president and some in the GOP, but it was the right thing to do. Talk about putting a ‘Dent’ in the health-care debate!
LAUREL: To Laura Carney. The teacher at St. Bernadette of Lourdes in Upper Darby this week snagged some national recognition. Carney was awarded the Federal Bar Association’s Excellence in Civics Education Award. This was the first year for the awards, and only 22 were handed out across the nation. Kudos to Carney, a 20year veteran of the classroom, for bagging one of them.
LAUREL: And kudos as well to Barbara Burke, principal of St. James Regional Catholic School in Ridley Park. She’s been selected for a Hall of Fame Award from the Foundation for Catholic Education. Bravo! LAUREL: To state Sens. Tom Killion, R-9, and Tom McGarrigle, R-26. They joined two of their colleagues this week in introducing a measure that would beef up Protection from Abuse orders in the state, offering more protection to victims of domestic abuse. Too often the orders amount to little more than pieces of paper.
DART: To those who are already taking up “arms” – literally to a part of this package being offered by Killion. The Delco Republican’s bill, SB501, would require those with active PFAs file against them to relinquish any and all firearms to law enforcement or registered gun dealers. It is already raising the hackles of gun rights activists, who point out that it could penalize those – including women – who have false allegations and PFAs filed against them.
LAUREL: To the “heroes” who rushed to the aid of a woman jogger who was critically injured when she was struck by a car while on her morning routine last weekend. Five Upper Darby police officers and two firefighters lifted the Toyota Camry off the woman after she was pinned underneath the vehicle. LAUREL: To the family and friends of Beth Kirsch. They are now rallying to the badly injured jogger’s side, planning rallies and fundraisers to help defray her serious medical expenses.
LAUREL: To the 200people who packed a meeting Tuesday night to get the latest update on the plans to build a new Springfield High School. Most of those in attendance spoke in favor of the move. Lacking this time around was some of the bitter opposition offered by some seniors and others who were concerned about an increase in taxes.
DART: Then again, there was no word on a possible increase in the cost of the new school, which is already at between $120and $130 million. No, it’s not exactly going to be a one-room schoolhouse.
LAUREL: Likewise, next door in Rose Tree Media most residents who attended a series of forums on the school budget seemed much more concerned with their kids’ education than they were with the bottom line.
LAUREL: To Kevin Hart. The Philly native and Hollywood star was in Delco this week shooting some scenes for his new film, ‘Untouchable,’ at Sun Center Studio in Chester Township. Hart went out of his way to come out and spend some time with a group of Chester kids who were visiting the studio. Nice. DART: To the fact that Pennsylvania is not taking full advantage of a place like Sun Center because most film makers are going to other locales, lured by serious tax incentives. The state Legislature should step up to the plate in making Pennsylvania - and Sun Center - more attractive. It would be an economic blockbuster for the region.
LAUREL: To the family and friends of Markia Benson. They sadly marked the one-year anniversary of her murder this week. Unfortunately no one has yet been charged in her killing. Maybe a $5,000 reward will loosen some tongues.
DART: Someone out there knows who snuffed out the promising life of Markia Benson. Do your conscience a favor. Come forward and tell authorities what you know.
LAUREL: To the Terruso family of Havertown. Along with Philadelphia resident Patrice Bendig, they have championed ‘Feed the Fire,’ bringing a meal and snacks to thank their local firefighters. The push started with Weston Keeton, a 7-year-old from Tennessee who died of complications of a heart and lung transplant at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He wanted to be a firefighter, and Feed the Fire is keeping that dream alive by offering a token of appreciation for local first responders.
LAUREL: Likewise to all those who turned out last Saturday for the annual Nicole Gallo Sunshine and Bubbles 5K. Gallo was killed when a car operated by a woman under the influence veered out of control, and up onto the sidewalk, fatally striking Gallo. The college athlete’s memory is now tied to a scholarship at her alma mater, Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School.
DART: To Jeff Lurie. The Eagles owner wants fans to be patient. Uh, Jeff, most of us have been waiting a lifetime for the Eagles to win a championship. Patience is in fairly short supply these days, especially given the plight of the Phillies, Sixers and Flyers as well.
LAUREL: To the fact that this is the weekend we’ll struggle by without baseball. The Phillies open the season Monday. Hope springs eternal. At least until Memorial Day.