The Upper Perkiomen Valley News You Need To Know – But Is Never Printed

May I first offer the reason why I have gone to this format to be able to inform residents of happenings within the Upper Perkiomen Valley.

I feel other outlets of mass communication within the Valley have not been unbiased in their manner of reporting responsibly to the community.  A perfect example is the manner the local newspaper handled several letters to the editor concerning “The Wayfinding Signs” article. After the letters appeared critical of the “The Wayfinding Signs” issue, we were besieged with front page articles two weeks in a row exclaiming the wonders of spending possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money for the idiotic idea of inundating the valley with needless signs. 

Even with the articles appearing on the front page of the newspaper, I believe certain individuals became quite concerned with the mounting disdain the community was developing and it seems a much more conservative approach was instituted by the individuals so wanting these signs. 

I also felt I could not provide the names of individuals in questionable activities being done by special interest groups, political organizations, or government agencies within the valley. 

I also look forward to being able to expand on topics in reference to the positive input individuals such as Upper Hanover Township Supervisor Ben Fiorito has offered the township.  Also the positive input local private citizens such as Stefan Laessig of Upper Hanover Township provided saving the Township approximately thirty thousand dollars.  Plus giving credit to the individuals who had taken the special effort to have the Area One voting site in Upper Hanover Township changed to greatly improve the safety and convenience for the voting citizens of that area, and also exposing those who tried to stop it from happening.

Then we have John Gehman, who I understand is involved in a lawsuit concerning the Montgomery County Board of Assessments and the Upper Perkiomen School District. Talk about a conflict of interest, he happens to be a member of the Upper Perkiomen School District board of directors.  I question this ethically if not legally.

But then this seems to be just one example of business as usual in the community by particular organizations or individuals.  Another perfect example of business as usual is the election of Steve Rothenberger to the position of Upper Hanover Township Supervisor.  I have no doubt the wool was pulled over many people eyes during that election.  I have no doubt many individuals had no idea how he has major interests in real estate in this valley. You see Mr. Steve Rothenberger, since Mr. Jeff Brode died, has become a partner of Brode and Brookes Real Estate Agency. Talk about the fox in the hen-house.   I’m sure you had to notice all the Brode and Brooks Real Estate signs in the valley.   How unethical is it to be a township supervisor in the same area you do much of your business??

It seems you can’t read a newspaper or watch TV news without another politician or special interest group being involved in some form corruption.  I recently viewed a program on PBS TV that addressed the demise of the investigative reporting afforded by highly respected large newspapers which is very disconcerting.  Without the investigative reporting how much worse will politicians become? 

Thanks to the Allentown Morning Call Newspaper, their investigative reporting revealed the extremely poor law making of our state senator Mr. Bob Mensch. The bill being sponsored was so bad he finally pulled it.  He was caught, not even knowing what was included in parts of his own bill.  This shows you the concern you should have for the loss of investigative reporting. 

I think many of us have become very disillusioned in the manner this country is being run. Worse yet, many corrupt individuals running the country have not even served this country.  I believe those of us who have served this country did not consider we would be defending this country to allow corrupt and inept political leaders to run it.

The most disappointing factor is citizens who didn’t serve this country and can’t even make the effort to register and vote.  Someday, I would hope these indifferent people will develop enough of a conscience to do their part in cleaning up this sad state of affairs.  If you don’t get involved you will continue to see bad government.

I’m hoping you can now understand why I have gone to this means of communication.  This allows me, without the bias from individuals who control media, to inform the citizens of the questionable politics and lack of competence allowed to happen in this valley.  I expect individuals and groups of people will attempt to discredit me in one way or another.  My question to you is ask yourself what Cliff Weber has gained by exposing all these questionable happenings versus what people like Steve Rothenberger, partner of Brode and Brookes Real Estate Agency, could gain at our expense?

With this blog I hope to address many more issues concerning this community, so each time I post a new item I will advertise the latest posting in the The Shopper’s Guide Free Weekly.

P.S. In spite of all the glowing commentary coming out of Upper Hanover Township they fail to mention all the inept decisions they’ve made.  Remember the $130,000.00 Upper Hanover Township toilet?  Well, there is more to that story.