Stimulus in Rush Township

Dear Editor:

The stimulus package has arrived in Rush Township. Well, almost, that is if you live outside the township. Our new road foreman, from Carbon County, received a $2 per hour raise, while a long time township worker received 25 cents per hour. The township had a great secretary who did an excellent job. She was replaced with a new secretary who resides in West Penn Township, with quite a substantial increase in salary to the previous secretary.

The township HAD a great computer specialist who did the work gratis for years. His services were no longer needed. A computer company from Luzerne County was hired to upgrade the township's computers at a cost of $7,800! Also, the township will enjoy a web site at a cost of more than $6,000. This web site will relieve the work load on the office staff. Don't be alarmed if you don't have access to a computer. There will be a monthly newsletter. You may also go to the Tamaqua Public Library for access. Feel free to use their computers as our township gave the library a $200 donation for the privilege.

Township supervisors also replaced our engineering firm. Will this change cost the taxpayers additional costs? We can only hope not! The township leaders are also considering a regional police force. Good idea? Bad idea? Residents can only wait until a study is presented by the supervisors. The only question is why are they considering a town to the east of us? It seems like two of our supervisors have a great infatuation with spending outside the township or county!

As for the tax hike and spending, two of our supervisors blame previous administrations for the short fall. It almost sounds like what we hear from Washington! What happened to the surplus? It is time for you, the taxpayers, to attend meetings and question the spending or suffer another tax increase next year!

Tom Klein

Rush Township