Karen Barness & Russ Metzger – 10/3/06

This page was last updated on October 3, 2006.

Sign recognizes contributors; Karen Barness & Russ Metzger; Beaver County Times; October 3, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“In response to a recent letter to the editor discussing funding sources for the flower planting at the intersection of the Beaver Valley Mall, we hope this information will help to address some of the writer’s concerns.”

[RWC] I believe the letter refers to a letter from Earl Shoup on September 1^st. In that letter, Mr. Shoup questioned why the names of various local state representatives/senators were listed.

“We represent the Route Eighteen Community Advisory Panel (RECAP), a group of businesses with facilities along Route 18 in Potter Township. RECAP has been part of this gardening project since its inception in 1998. Former state Rep. Nick Colafella started the project and partnered with RECAP to raise additional funding from various community groups.

“Last year, with the help of state Rep. Vince Biancucci, we were able to recruit the Master Gardners [sic] from Penn State Agricultural Sciences program to coordinate the project. Biancucci was also able to secure a state grant to help cover the expenses and maintenance. This type of state grant is specifically designed to assist with beautification projects such as this.

“The planting and upkeep of this project can be expensive, and we are always open to any new sources of funding. In addition to the commonwealth’s support, we have been fortunate to receive funding from many local businesses and county and municipal governments.

“In order to acknowledge this support all monetary contributors or in-kind donations are recognized on the contributors’ board at the site.

“This project was never meant to be a source of controversy but a source of beauty for all who pass by. We hope this information helps.”

[RWC] Here we have it. The names of local politicians are on the signs not because they personally donated anything, but because they got someone else to pay (taxpayers) and otherwise did what we pay them to do. I wonder if being named on these signs should count as a campaign contribution. <g>

On September 10^th, I sent an e-mail note to the Penn State Cooperative Extension for Beaver County and asked the following question: “At the intersection of Rt. 18 and Brodhead Road among the nice plantings are two signs with the names of a bunch of local elected officials. What did they contribute to get their names on those signs?”

This letter probably explains why I never received a reply to my e-mail note.