12/10/2008 Council Meeting Review

Mrs. Sappie stated a resident contacted her and said he found 10 small packets (stamp bags) of heroin near the lot of A-Plus. Mrs. Sappie asked why the incident wasn't part of the Crime Watch report or the council report. Chief Rost was also unable to provide Mrs. Sappie with a reason to why the incident was not in the crime watch report. Mrs. Sappie's concern was that if resident knew about the incident they could inform there children to use caution. Chief Rost responded to her question by saying, Syringes are found, many things are found, kids shouldn't be picking things up.

Mayor's Report

• The CPD responded to 196 calls in November.
  
• Captain Sumpter acquired a $1000 grant from Sam's Club the CPD will use to upgrade its current crime scene equipment.
  
• REMS requested a 3yr contract extension with no changes to the contract. 
  

Borough Solicitor Report

Council met prior to the meeting in an executive session to discuss the following:

1. Zoning case with First Baptist Church
   
2. Personnel matter
3. Zoning case regarding signs in the borough

Alternate Budget Proposal by Dan Cindric

• Don't pay for fuel and oil for the Crafton Fire Department
  
• Don't pay for CVFD hose and hose testing
  
• Eliminate borough secretary position
  
• Add money for a part time employee
  
• 3% raise for borough clerk
  
• Eliminate position in public works (would eliminate a part-time/full-time position due to contract restraints)

Resident comment: A resident proposed sharing services such as fire, police, and public works to reduce costs.

Mrs. Sappie & Mrs. Luxbaucher: Proposed cutting borough council salaries which total $125 /month/council member or about $17,000 /year.

Mr. Bloom: Stated there were no budget cuts in the CPD portion of the budget. But there were cuts in the CVFD, Public Works and Administration

 

Quotes from meeting

• Mrs. Luxbaucher: "You have to make realistic cuts"
  
• Susan O'Connell: "We haven't been managing our money well." 
  
• Resident: "Drugs will ruin Crafton long before back bone road."
  
• Chief Rost: "Syringes are found, many things are found, kids shouldn't be picking things up."
• Voice from the crowd: "Join the drug task force again."

Crafton Watch thoughts

Its clear that some members of council have their own agendas and don't really care about the reality thats upon us. No one wants to see taxes raised but it is inevitable when the Crafton tax payers money has been managed so poorly (see Susan's quote above) for the last few years. For example just this year alone the Mayor and Police Dept. have made purchases that don't seem to be necessary at this time: 

• The borough building was outfitted with brand new cameras inside and out while the old black/white cameras were still operational. 
  
• New telephone recording system was installed even though allegheny county 911 dispatches calls and is equipped with telephone recording equipment. 
  
• All computers and printers were replaced even though ones in operation were working. 
  

With all of these poor financial decisions in the police department, all you have to toot your horn about is a $1000 grant. It really doesn't seem like much does it?

What has happened to the oversight of the police department by the members of council on the Public Safety committee. Who are they? Are all of the financial decisions being made by the Chief and Mayor?

These questions and many others need to be asked of our elected officials that are supposed to be looking out for our interests. 

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