Construction remains hot topic in McKeesport Area School Board race

Judged:

One vote only for Lori Spando. Get it right.

Mckeesport Falling Matter

AOL

Judged:

That is why, and people are left reasoning that pay-offs may be some kind of reason for the very action. A more qualified company asked for much less without a $250,000 advance and was turned down.
http://post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1009037-56.s...
McKeesport schools' hire of former director raises eyebrows
Thursday, October 29, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

We do have a recent pay-off scam example that appeared in the news recently, and was proven to be such as was "alleged" in the end.

Here is a sample of how a pay-off works, seems very coincidental or even irony that such a case re-appeared in the news recently. Do you think someone's trying to tell you something, and that there is enough mens rea evidence to conclude highly feasible, if not by the monetary numbers along in every tax paying citizens logic thinking?

Here is the example of a pay-off:

Posted on Fri, Oct. 30, 2009
Pa. high court tosses 'tainted' juvenile cases
By John Sullivan and Robert Moran
Inquirer Staff Writers
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/200...

Judges in Luzerne cash-for-kids case face new charges
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, September 10, 2009
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtri...

Juvenile Court Cases May be Overturned
By Scott Schaffer
March 26, 2009
http://www.wnep.com/news/countybycounty/wnep-...

Team 4: D.A. Zappala's Brother Owns Juvenile Centers In Kickback Case
Allegheny District Attorney Not Connected, Says Brother Did Nothing Wrong
POSTED: 4:35 pm EST February 13, 2009
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/1871...

Team 4: Ex-Workers Claim They Had To Kick Back To Company Owner
POSTED: 5:15 pm EDT September 3, 2008
UPDATED: 6:09 pm EDT September 3, 2008
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/1738...

US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan Steps Down, Draws Mixed Reviews
No Replacement Yet For Western Pennsylvania's Top Federal Prosecutor
POSTED: 6:41 pm EDT October 29, 2009
UPDATED: 7:16 pm EDT October 30, 2009
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/2146... #
(Chop "Reputation" Jobs Do As Well Happen)

The McKeesport Area School Board's vote to hire a former school director as construction manager has touched off a debate among board members.

Some say it's "good business;" others worry that nepotism is at work.

Dave Donato, Barbara Stevenson and board President Lori Spando voted against the motion.
Mr. Tedesco, in his proposal, said the startup fee could be $195,000 to $232,000.

"I would say it's not typical," Mr. Seropian responded.
http://post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1009037-56.s...

(Conclusion)
Who's the people to be trusted?
Answer: Dave Donato, Barbara Stevenson and board President Lori Spando

Think, "I would say it's not typical," by Mr. Seropian
Who is Mr. Seropian?
Business Manager Dave Seropian.

Article stated:
But Mr. Tedesco is the only construction manager that works for his firm, he pointed out in an interview, and said he would be the only person doing the work, unlike other firms, who might have several construction managers working on the project piecemeal. He said he provided his resume to Business Manager Dave Seropian.
http://post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1009037-56.s...

Mckeesport Falling Matter

AOL

Judged:

Logical Disseminations & Conclusions:

He also asked that 15 percent of his fee be paid up front, before any work was done, which none of the other firms requested.

Mr. Tedesco later lowered his fee to 3.1 percent of the total construction cost.
*(Seems highly unusual maneuvering, definitely a maneuver of unusual nature).

and

Ms. Stevenson agreed, but she supported hiring another local company, S.P. Smith Construction Services, of White Oak, whose proposal came in around $700,000 less than PPM, Inc.'s proposal.

But Mr. Chiaverini said S.P. Smith was too small and did not have a large enough staff to handle the district's multimillion-dollar project.
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09302/1009060-5...
McKeesport board hires former director to oversee construction work
Thursday, October 29, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

But, of serious consideration and very reasonable thought of rule:

Ms. Spando called the board's decision to hire Mr. Tedesco's firm when he was asking for the fee and had not provided all of the information the district requested "absolutely outrageous."
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09302/1009060-5...

Conclusion:
The entire situation is absolutely precocious, lacking the basis of following the true rules, bending therefore becomes obvious for certain people and notably as per Mr. Seropians' comment of being unusual, stands for the public taxpayers to reason out.

-Happy Halloween Trick, not Treat!

Ghost of Boards Past

Mckeesport Falling Matter wrote:

Logical Disseminations & Conclusions:
He also asked that 15 percent of his fee be paid up front, before any work was done, which none of the other firms requested.
Mr. Tedesco later lowered his fee to 3.1 percent of the total construction cost.
*(Seems highly unusual maneuvering, definitely a maneuver of unusual nature).
and
Ms. Stevenson agreed, but she supported hiring another local company, S.P. Smith Construction Services, of White Oak, whose proposal came in around $700,000 less than PPM, Inc.'s proposal.
But Mr. Chiaverini said S.P. Smith was too small and did not have a large enough staff to handle the district's multimillion-dollar project.
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09302/1009060-5...
McKeesport board hires former director to oversee construction work
Thursday, October 29, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
But, of serious consideration and very reasonable thought of rule:
Ms. Spando called the board's decision to hire Mr. Tedesco's firm when he was asking for the fee and had not provided all of the information the district requested "absolutely outrageous."
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09302/1009060-5...
Conclusion:
The entire situation is absolutely precocious, lacking the basis of following the true rules, bending therefore becomes obvious for certain people and notably as per Mr. Seropians' comment of being unusual, stands for the public taxpayers to reason out.
-Happy Halloween Trick, not Treat!

Definitely a trick on the tax payers. Way to protect our tax dollars slick six

Stink about it

Ghost of Boards Past wrote:

<quoted text> Definitely a trick on the tax payers. Way to protect our tax dollars slick six

This whole hiring and just giving away $230,000 to Tedesco has a pretty bad smell to it.

Tax Payers Want Answers

Why did the board vote for a company that has less experience that asked for $700,000 more than a more qualified candidate who didn't need start up monies around $230,000 to become our project manager. SPANDO Donato, and Stevenson were the only 3 members of the school board looking out for our tax dollars. These are he facts that these slick six board members need to answer to. VOTE SPANDO AND ONLY SPANDO SHE WILL WATCH OUT FOR US.

Delayed Justice

Convictions in judge kickback scandal overturned
Published in: Legalbrief Today
Date: Tue 03 November 2009

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has overturned thousands of juvenile-offender convictions issued by a judge indicted on federal corruption charges for an alleged kickback scheme, says a Jurist report.

The order voids about 6 500 convictions handed down by former Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas President judge Mark Ciavarella between 2003 and 2008. Ciavarella, along with former President Judge Michael Conahan, has been accused of accepting more than $2.6m in kickbacks for sentencing teenagers to two private juvenile detention facilities in which they had a financial interest. The court accepted the recommendation of Special Master Arthurt Grim to vacate the convictions.

Giant Eagle Manager

Can anyone explain why we have had a run on brown envelopes? Oh thats right we just hired a project manager named Tedesco.

Mckeesport Falling Matter

AOL

Judged:

Giant Eagle Manager wrote:

Can anyone explain why we have had a run on brown envelopes? Oh thats right we just hired a project manager named Tedesco.

McKeesport depletes savings to balance budget
By JENNIFER R. VERTULLO, Daily News Staff Writer
12/04/2008
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm...
(Story missing as result of - October 27,2009 story:
U.S. newspapers continue to see circulation plummet, story & link below.)

Officials scramble to balance budgets with stagnant revenues
Thursday, January 08, 2009
By Erin Gibson Allen
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09008/940179-5...
While most of the municipalities -- McKeesport an exception -- reported that they did not have to cut personnel or services, some reported that projects had to be deferred.

The City of McKeesport decided to lay off nine employees to balance its budget and will be cutting back in other areas.

"We're being as frugal and as diligent as we can be," said South Park Manager Karen Fosbaugh. "We recognize we're spending the public's money and we're being very careful with it."

With people's finances so uncertain, officials in many municipalities were hesitant to raise taxes.

McKeesport
The city passed a 2009 budget of $20.3 million with no tax change, keeping its tax rate at 4.26 mills for buildings and 16.5 mills for land.

To balance its budget, the city laid off nine employees, including Mayor Jim Brewster's secretary. Also laid off were two administrative employees, three clerical employees and four in public works.

U.S. newspapers continue to see circulation plummet
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
By The Associated Press
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09300/1008534-...
Trib Total Media acquired the McKeesport Daily News in the time since last circulation numbers were recorded.

The results reported by the Tribune-Review and the Sunday Tribune-Review of Greensburg include circulation attributable to former stand-alone publications the Tribune-Review acquired and has designated as editions of its core newspaper. Among these are publications located in communities such as Tarentum, Monessen, Kittanning, Connellsville and McKeesport.
-
Then, the city School Board Decides to take such an action as this using the tax payers money:

McKeesport schools' hire of former director raises eyebrows
Thursday, October 29, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1009037-56.s...

What did Mckeesport do for the taxpayers when they did have the "savings" that they depleted? Answer is this:
McKeesport sidewalk deal may aid handicapped.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtri...

We still have an ongoing pay-scam investigation, but didn't the mayor mention words indicating that it was closed, and were brought up by Paul Shelly?
Here is one of the MCKEESPORT POLICE PAY SCAM articles of many:
Entire narcotics unit in McKeesport named in pay scam
Thursday, March 19, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09078/956656-5...

State: McKeesport must open officer records
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09274/1002088-...

Just Asking

Tax Payers Want Answers wrote:

Why did the board vote for a company that has less experience that asked for $700,000 more than a more qualified candidate who didn't need start up monies around $230,000 to become our project manager. SPANDO Donato, and Stevenson were the only 3 members of the school board looking out for our tax dollars. These are he facts that these slick six board members need to answer to. VOTE SPANDO AND ONLY SPANDO SHE WILL WATCH OUT FOR US.

Lets get this straight, the board hired a project manager for almost 1 million dollars more than a more qualified applicant was asking for and this is watching out for the tax payers how? I am so glad the news media also find this interesting and want to know when the next board meeting is.

WTAE Reporter

Just Asking wrote:

<quoted text> Lets get this straight, the board hired a project manager for almost 1 million dollars more than a more qualified applicant was asking for and this is watching out for the tax payers how? I am so glad the news media also find this interesting and want to know when the next board meeting is.

Just when is the next School Board Meeting? I hear it should be full of insightful questions that the "slick six" may have to answer.

Machine Adviser

WTAE Reporter wrote:

<quoted text> Just when is the next School Board Meeting? I hear it should be full of insightful questions that the "slick six" may have to answer.

Answer no questions, if you are compelled to answer a question your answer should be " I can neither confirm nor deny any of the questions in front of me". This should give us enough time to throw guilt on Paul for pulling a gun on the dry cleaning patsy, oh hell wait a minute that didn't work the first time. Just don't answer any questions until I get back to you, and delete this e-mail after reading it.

Area Code 302

Hey Machine Adviser that was wasn't an e-mail, you posted on topix. And I am the one on Medication.

Machine Adviser

I can neither confirm nor deny that I sent that message.

White Lightning

Dravosburg, PA

What I find hilarious is that some of these in public office, some that we have known from childhood, actually believe that after years of kissing ass & bobbing their heads under somebody's desk have actually gained intelligence from practicing these degrading acts to gain favor.
It seems obvious that feigning superior intelligence is their pitiful attempt at regaining the loss of self-respect & personal honor that can never be restored. Didn't their Dad's ever teach them to be always be a man & never bend your knee or silence your tongue when you know you are right ? It's obvious why politicians like council
& the slick 6 on the school board fit the old adage,'Politics much resemble the world's oldest profession - Prostitution.'

KGB Slick One

Giant Eagle Manager wrote:

Can anyone explain why we have had a run on brown envelopes? Oh thats right we just hired a project manager named Tedesco.

May be because there is a MASD board member named "brown" who voted with the Slick Six?

Has the area seen any increase in the orders for full size SUVs?

Kick Back

Why are all of you taxpayers upset with the way we do business? We don't care if you think we over paid(by a large margin $700,000) someone to be the project manager who has little experience. Just keep those tax dollars flowing in, we have holiday shopping to do, and don't get upset if we have to raise your taxes, we will just say it is for the new buildings and a teachers contract and what ever we feel like telling you. Better yet we will blame it on past boards and their tax cuts. They were silly for looking out for you lowly taxpayers anyways.

Kick Forward

Kick Back wrote:

Why are all of you taxpayers upset with the way we do business? We don't care if you think we over paid(by a large margin $700,000) someone to be the project manager who has little experience. Just keep those tax dollars flowing in, we have holiday shopping to do, and don't get upset if we have to raise your taxes, we will just say it is for the new buildings and a teachers contract and what ever we feel like telling you. Better yet we will blame it on past boards and their tax cuts. They were silly for looking out for you lowly taxpayers anyways.

Kick Back:

We are not upset. We encourage the MASD SB to move quickly in a cavalier and reckless manner. The Feds deserve an easy case already. They work very hard on tedious and complex cases. Thank for cutting the Feds a break – make it easy for them. Looks like the Feds are ready to move on from Pittston and Wilkes Barre.

We truly realize the MASD has higher ethics and integrity than these stupid and greedy criminals masking as school officials. However, the Feds are always welcome to stop in for a compliance check and especially justification for $253.92 per hour billings.

• Former Pittston Area Superintendent Ross Scarantino is the first defendant sentenced in an ongoing federal corruption probe in Luzerne County. Also facing charges are:

• Former Pittston Area School Board member Joseph J. Oliveri pleaded guilty to accepting a $1,500 bribe from a district contractor.

• Former Wilkes-Barre Area School Board President James Height pleaded guilty to accepting a $2,000 bribe from a district contractor.

• Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member Brian F. Dunn is charged with accepting tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for his influence over hiring and contracting decisions.

• Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member Frank Pizzella Jr. is charged with brokering a $5,000 bribe from a prospective teacher to a school board member in 2004 before Pizzella joined the board.

Kick it old school