State Senator Sean Logan

SEN. LOGAN STOP NEWS RELEASE

www.senatorlogan.com

MONROEVILLE, May 17, 2007 - On the heels of the overwhelming vote against the state's Act 1 tax-shifting proposal, state Sen. Sean Logan (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced that he is reintroducing legislation that would totally eliminate homeowner property taxes.

"The voters spoke loud and clear," Logan said. "They don’t want partial property tax relief or complex tax shifts. They want property taxes eliminated."

Logan's S.T.O.P. (Stop Taxing Our Properties) proposal, Senate Bill's 717 and 718, would totally eliminate property taxes on primary residences by generating $7.7 billion through the use of gaming proceeds, establishing a graduated income tax rate and increasing the state's sales tax by 1 percent.

"For decades, citizens have called for basing school taxes on one's ability to pay," Logan said. "Establishing a graduated income tax scale is the most equitable way of achieving that goal."

Logan said taxpayers who make less that $100,000 per year would keep the state's current 3.07 percent income tax rate and see no income tax hike. The highest income level under his proposal ($400,000 or more) would pay an additional 4 percent in income taxes.

All of Pennsylvania's neighboring states have graduated income tax rate scales.

Backed by numerous western Pennsylvania lawmakers, Logan has championed the S.T.O.P. proposal since 2003. The S.T.O.P. organization, founded by former Pittsburgh radio personality Bob Logue, has gathered 118,374 statewide signatures calling for the elimination of homeowner property taxes.

Logue credited Logan for stepping forward to introduce the S.T.O.P. bill; as well as his support for a Legislative Budget & Finance Committee study that determined that the STOP legislation was fiscally sound and would provide all the necessary replacement taxes in both good and bad economic times.

"It is time to stop the charades of property tax reductions, and abolish this costly, inaccurate, divisive and economically depressing form of taxation on homeowners," Logue said. "The S.T.O.P. organization encourages all citizens who want the property tax system reformed correctly, dramatically, and permanently to encourage their legislators to support Senator Logan's legislation."

Logan said his proposal calls for two changes to the state's Constitution. One would allow homeowner property to be taxed at a different rate than business property. The other would allow for the graduated income tax rate scale.

I intend to reintroduce a two-bill package that would totally eliminate the property tax in Pennsylvania.

The first of the two-bill package will be an amendment to the Constitution that would do two things in separate questions on a referendum. The first question that would be asked is if voters would approve Pennsylvania taxing properties differently, in my proposal, continuing to tax commercial and industrial properties and eliminating property taxes on primary residences. Additionally, a second question would need to be asked that would ask the voters if they would approve changing Pennsylvania's Personal Income Tax from a flat 3.07% to a graduated income tax scale. I have received a legal opinion that it is okay to place both of these issues into one piece of legislation; understanding that they will be asked as separate questions on a referendum.

If both questions would be successful, then according to the Legislative Budget and Finance Report pursuant to Senate Resolution 3 of Special Session No. 1 of 2005, we would need to generate approximately $7.7 Billion, which is property tax totals for local, county and school districts on primary residences only. In the second of the two-bill package, I propose to replace this lost revenue using the graduated income tax rates listed below:

Total revenue generated under this graduated income tax system would be approximately $5.2 Billion; leaving a balance of $2.5 Billion from the $7.7 Billion needed. This additional revenue would be generated by increasing the Sales and Use Tax by 1% generating approximately $1.5 Billion and using the anticipated $1 Billion from gaming revenues. THE SALES TAX BASE WOULD NOT BE EXPANDED. This brings the total to the needed $7.7 Billion as estimated by the Legislative Budget and Finance Report.

Visitor Comments:

Joe Lehigh County says :

While we patiently wait for the elimination of property tax, there is still time to save on your auto insurance (refer to article 123).

I thought I was maximizing my Homeowners Insurance through Lititz Mutual (800-626-4751). They wanted to increase my price by 11.0%. I said no thank you and switched to Liberty Mutual (800-706-0047). My cost was reduced by seventy dollars per year.

I have provided data regarding the large tax increases from the Northwestern School District (Article 127). The spring/summer of 2007 will be another year that I will not be spending $250 mulching my garden beds. I am experimenting with an inexpensive alternative method, that I will disclose at a later date.

Finally, Senator Logan, I would like to Thank you, and All that are involved, for your efforts.

Joe Potato says :

Dear Senator Logan:

Initially, I want to thank you for your efforts on behalf of the overburdened property owners in Pennsylvania. But in all honesty, I must tell you that I believe you are banging your head against a stone wall---or worse, against several hundred stones walls---your "colleagues" in the General Assembly. Frankly, something as heinous as the property tax scheme should not be that difficult to demolish. And while I commend you for your efforts, "neither you, nor your colleagues" seem to be achieving much in the way of demolition. Nevertheless, I would like to ask you just two questions, and hopefully you will post them on the STOP website for all to see:

First, are public schools public property? Not a very difficult question.

Second, if public schools are public property (which for me is an easy question to answer), and private property is taxed to support that public use; how then can the state "take" private for that public use without "FIRST paying just compensation" to the owner of the private property?

Regards, Joe

Joe Potato says :

Dear Senator Logan:

In my haste to post my message, I inadvertently left out the word "property" in my second question. The specific portion of my question should read "how then can the state "take" PRIVATE for that public use without.... I apologize for my oversight.

Regards, Joe

Joe Lehigh County says :

It's July 5th and I just opened my Northwestern Lehigh School Tax bill. An increase of 5.0% is completely unacceptable. There are so many loopholes that our School Board was able to avoid the referendum vote. Our political leaders have once again failed us. Senator Patrick Browne will not be getting my vote in the next election.

Anonymous says :

Dear Senator Logan:

I'm still waiting for your responses to my two previous questions I aske severalmonths ago:

1. Are public schools a public use? (An easy one).

2. How can the State confiscate a citizen's private property for that public use without "first" paying just compensation to the owner of the private property?

C'mon Senator, those aren't difficult questions.

I'll wait, Joe Potato

Joe Lehigh County says :

Joe Potato, can you please explain why you and I, out of 118,300 supporters care to take the time to educate and ask questions regarding this web site? Mr Logue, I would appreciate your response to this question also.

Joe Potato says :

Dear Joe Lehigh:

Thanks for your message. Frankly, I have no idea as to why you and I appear to be the only ones participating in this STOP forum. I suppose the reason the S.T.O.P. campaign has fizzled out is because Logue has disappeared and most of the people who supported STOP and signed the petition have disappeared with him. "That's exactly what the thieves in Harrisburg wanted."

As for the questions I proffered to Senator Logan, it appears as though it was a waste of time. I initially asked him those same questions months ago, and he has never even thought it appropriate to resopnd. "Some representative, huh?" But in all honesty, these politicians are all alike; they remind me of a crocodile. When a crocodile is looking at you, you don't know whether it's smiling at you or waiting to eat you up.

As for the 118,300+ signatures on the STOP petition, that number has not increased one iota in the last year or so. It's become clear that the petition drive too has disappeared, as well. So much for a sustained effort, huh?

As for the mental midgets masquerading as public servants in Harrisburg, they're a disgrace! It is hard for me to imagine how such a large group of imbicilic dolts could ever have been mustered in one place! I guess you might say it's due to the intelligence of Pennsylvania's informed voters.

Joe, you have in Harrisburg in your General Assembly, connivers and shysters such as Gov. Swindell, William DeFleece and a host of others who have for years conned and bamboozled their constituents. And they're not going to STOP now---we've got to STOP them on our own!

I might suggest that you try and contact Gene Stilp. He resides in the Harrisburg area, and is the only man I know of who is constantly fighting against the corruption and skullduggery in Harrisburg. If we could persuade him to get involved in our property tax struggle, we just might experience some good fortune in our fight. For your information, he has filed numerous lawsuits against various politicians in Harrisburg, but as far as I know, he's not been very successful. He's fighting against corrupt politicians, judges and lawyers who have a vested interest to protect, and those thieves are not going to rock their own boat.

As for Senator Logan, I am of the opinion that he is no better than the rest of the gang members in Harrisburg. He says he's trying to get things done, but trying ain't good enough. I've asked him several times to introduce legislation imposing a "moratorium" on all sheriff sales of our homes because we are financially incapable of paying the heinous property taxes heaped upon us. As usual, he has never responded.

Yuo might want to try and contact Senator Jane Orie and Representative Daryl Metcalf. These two also pretend that they are interested in abolishing property taxes in Pennsylvania, but like all the others, all they do is offer "lip service." They have theirs, and they intend to keep it!

Joe, in essence, I believe Pennsylvanians are up the creek without a paddle! Its' going to take much more than "talk" to get the attention of the thieves in Harrisburg. Maybe Gene Stilp can offer a few suggestions.

In any event, please keep in touch via this website. Hopefully, we can once again spur those who have fallen asleep to become involved. A high hope, I know, so don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen!

Take care, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

To all STOP supporters:

It appears as though the STOP campaign is all but dead and buried. But fret not, because your "representatives" are working hard to help you abolish the proerty tasxes on your homes. Just joking!

What i would like to suggest, however, is that all of you try to contact your "representatives" and ask them one simple question. Not that you will ever get an answer! Ask them this question:

Would they think it moral to sell their mother or father's homes, their sister's and brother's homes, their children's homes, or anbody else's hoimes for that matter, simply because they are financially unable to pay the dastardly property taxes being heaped upon them; property taxes that for the most part ar ebien gheaped upon them by schoolboards whose members may not even have graduated from high school, let alone from an accredited college or university. If perhaps you are fortunate enough to get an answer from your favorite "representatives", please post it on this website for all to read.

And while you're at it, ask your "representative" if he or she thinks it is "morally right" to "take" something that does not belong to them---such as "YOUR" house.

Remember, "No law can be legally right, if it is not "morally" right. But then again, no one ever said politicians had any "morals."

God Bless, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

Dear STOP supporters:

Please forgive the poor syntax and spelling in my previous message. In my haste to communicate with you, I neglected to re-check my spelling and hit my space bar at various points in my message. But hopefully, you'll get my message.

Take care, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

To All STOP Supporters:

For any of you who may be victims of recieving a tax sale notice from the Tax Claim Bureau that your home is about to be sold for delinquent taxes, you should read the following case:

Pentlong Corporation and Weitzel v. GLS Capital and Allegheny County, No. 2119 CD 2000, argued May 9, 2001. Especially, you should read the section titled "Certified Payment." You will soon learn that your friendly government agents in your county tax claim bureaus are a bunch of outright liars!

This case is about the form of payment the tax claim bureau tries to tell you it will accept from you when you try to pay your delinquent taxes. You will be told that "No personal checks will be accepted." This is an outright lie and is illegal! Read the Pentlong Case and ee what the courts have said about the illegal practices and lies of your tax claim bureaus.

Simply type in Pentlong in your browser window and you will see several cases relating to Pentlong. Keep trying until you arrive at the case I've cited herein. After reading the section titled "Certified Payment" (near the end of the case) you will learn just what kind of ignorant and corrupt people you have working in your tax claim bureaus. Take a copy of the case and give it to workers in your tax claim bureaus---and watch their faces get red in a hurry! And, ask them why they have lied to you all these years!

Take care, Joe Potato

Scott Bannon says :

I'd like to comment on some questions and ideas about this web site and the STOP effort that have been put forward in comments here.

First, Mr. Logue, Senator Logan and numerous others are still very engaged in the fight to abolish all property taxes on homesteads in Pennsylvania. As they have been for more than 5 years now. By no means is the STOP effort "all but dead and buried".

In my opinion, and it is strictly my opinion (not an official position of STOP, Bob Logue or anyone else other than myself), a large obstacle to advancing STOP further has been the lack of individual involvement among our fellow neighbors here in Pennsylvania.

Of all the personal, government, lobbyist and business contacts I've spoken with on this issue since 2002, I have only encountered one single person who flat-out opposed the idea that STOP, and Senator Logan have put forward. Yet, despite what appears to be overwhelming support for it, there's been a catastrophic lack of individual involvement to apply pressure on Harrisburg which has led to the STOP efforts being blocked time and again.

Lets face it, regardless of how good--or right--a new idea seems, politicians aren't going to vote for or accept any change to the status quo unless they feel pressured to do so.

Signing a petition is a good start, but it should only be the starting point of involvement for people if they really care about the issue and want changes. There has been a treasure of information made available on this web site for folks to print and share with others. Time and again Mr. Logue has encouraged everyone to talk to their friends and neighbors about STOP to help build support and put the needed pressure on our leaders.

And still, over and over I attend functions where I will mention the STOP effort and numerous people will say they've heard of it and support it, yet I'm always the only one bringing it up for conversation at these events.

Unless, and until a majority of the people who support the STOP effort are willing to be more actively involved in spreading the word about it to build more support, and to badger their elected officials about it until they get the responses they desire, there will be no real relief for property owners in Pennsylvania.

There are many, like the good folks who have been commenting on this page, who are trying very hard to push STOP forward, but more people need to step forward and get involved for it to have a real fighting chance. Personally supporting what STOP is trying to do simply isn't enough to bring about change... everyone who cares about it must publicly say so by contacting their leaders (over and over again if needed), talking about STOP with their friends and neighbors, and help to spread the word and support for STOP.

For over 5 years now Mr. Logue, and Senator Logan, have given of themselves and worked very hard on STOP for the people of Pennsylvania. Neither of them, nor countless others who have been involved from the start, have given up or disappeared. But until more people step forward and actively participate by pressuring their leaders and spreading the word about STOP there's little chance for change.

Again, this is all just my opinions. I am a STOP supporter, and I talk about it to everyone who'll listen.

Joe Lehigh County says :

Joe Potato, Finally, a person who gets it. Thank you! Mr. Louge, when will you respond to our questions? Several months ago I requested that volunteers from each county become organized. These volunteers would be responsible for contacting current supporters over the phone. The reason: Rapport Development. It's all about Story Telling. I would volunteer in a second. After being provided with the list of Supporters within the Lehigh County by your team, I would encourage Story Telling on this web site. I would ask if they saved any money on their auto insurance from article #123, or did they get a chance to read my story from article #130.

My story is about the Northwestern Lehigh School System. During December 2006, my 6th Grade daughter Brittany, was asked to sell Rubic Puzzles that were made in a Tech. Ed. class. Part of her grade would be based on her sales. The proceeds would help to offset the cost of materials, and the rest would be donated to charity. The fact that our school taxes are out of control, and now the school is utilizing our children to sell junk, outraged yours truly. After my daughter communicated with her teacher that her dad did not want her selling these dust collector, my daughter was asked to solicit money for charity. Once again, my daughter had to communicate with her teacher that this activity was also not acceptable.

Just before the Christmas Holiday my daughter and I delivered two wooden and two styrofoam puzzles to the Superintendent. These puzzles had a value of twenty-four dollars. The Superintendent was out because of medical reasons. I requested that he call me after the holidays. After leaving several messages with his secretary regarding this issue, I have yet to receive a phone call.

Senator Patrick Browne (Education Committee),and Steve Fisher(Education Dept. Harrisburg) as of July 12th have yet to answer questions of legality regarding this practice. Standard Operating Procedures are being followed: Do not answer Question! Senator Browne you have lost my Vote!

Legislators that do not answer questions must be voted out of office! Oh! by the way, that charity was selected by the teacher. The donated money was for helping Cats!

Joe Potato says :

Dear Joe Lehigh:

Great story! It reminds me of what a teacher once told me about how we are corrupting the minds of our children via the public school system. That teacher said that the first star a child receives for sometihng it should have done in the first place, is that child's first lesson in bribery. Yes, I know that sounds kind of harsh, but the more you think about it, the more in rings true. In your case, and that of your lovely sixth-grade daughter, Brittany, it rings even more true! Your daughter probably had no idea of what she was being told to do, and most likely owndered why she had to go out and sell Rubic Cubes to pay for something her father was already being heavily taxed to pay for. As sad as it may be, your little daughter will harbor the thought of being told to do something by her teacher, and then being told by her father that she was not to do it. Clearly, this presented a predicament for your daughter, because she had been placed in the uncomfortable postition of either, disobeying her teacher or disobeying her father---not a very comfortable position in which to place a sixth-grade child! Unfortunately, and I know fisrt-hand, that this kind of thing has been going on for the last fifty (50) years in the public schools. I trust that you explained to your child you reason(s) for instructing her as you did.

Joe, if you would like to gain a better insight into what is happening in public schools, especially what is happening as the result of the novices masquerading as "teachers", I refer you to a small paperback book titled "Who's Ruining Our Schools?, The Case Against The NEA Teacher Union." It was publised by "Save Our Schools Research and Education Foundation." You won't believe what's going on in your local school district!

I don't knmow how you might feel about it, but as for me, the best thing that could ever happen to our children, is to get rid of schoolboards---they are nothing more than a collection of local favorite yokels serving as rubber stamps for teachers' unions, and are the biggest contributors to the holding of our children as hostages. You may want to ocntact your legislators and urge them to enact legislation prohibiting strikes by school teachers, as well as by every other worker feeding off the public dole.

I have read with interest, Mr. Bannon's message, and will respond to it. He appears to be a dedicated supporter of the STOP program, an dfor that I am most grateful. We certainly need more like him.

As for the STOP campaign, and my assertion that it is all but dead and buried, I said that simply because it appears to me to be true. I believe it's true, because the number of signatures on the STOP petition has remained stagnate for many, many months. And, no one, including Bob Logue, has stepped forward with any program that might get the program going again. What concerns me about this stagnation is that the politicians in Harrisburg too, see it, and most likely are breathing a lot easier because of the stagnation.

In any event, I wish the very best for you and your family as you fight against the type activites being foisted upon your child---as well as upon millions of other unsuspecting children throughout the public schools in Pennsylvania.

Take care, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

Dear Mr. Bannon:

Thank you for your very insightful message; I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

What you say in your message is right on point! From the beginning of the STOP initiative, I have actively pursued obtaining signatures on the petition and have attended several public meetings at which our so-called "representatives" were present; supposedly to answer our questions about abolishing the property tax scheme in Pennsylvania and the severe hardship that scheme is causing for millions of Pennsylvanins. Yep, you guessed it, those meetings turned out to be nothing more than publicity stunts, perpetrated upon us by the slick, conniving and unscrupulous bandits in the General Assembly.

As a matter of fact, I received a telephone call from one of them in 2004, during the height of the STOP petition drive. He must have been getting a little itchy! I suggested that he contact an appropriate offical at one of our local firehalls and request the use of a meeting room where a public meeting could be held to address citizens' concerns about the property tax scheme. Three years later, no meeting has ever been scheduled, and "That was the last time I ever heard from that concerned "representative." But, that doesn't surprise me in the least!

You may want to respond to Joe Lehigh's message and his suggestion relative to Logue providing a listing of the names or telephone numbers of some of the 118,300+ persons who signed the STOP petition so that we might attempt to contact them and get the STOP campaign on track once again. But, I realize doing so would be a nearly impossible task, and frankly, I have no idea how Logue would go about doing it. For instance, I don't know whether or not he knows where the petitons might be at the present time, for it is my understanding that they were delivered to the Governor and members of the General Assembly, and so that bunch may be in possession of them. In any event, and while Joe Lehigh's suggestion is a great one, it presents a most difficult dilemma for all of us.

I hope Joe Lehigh reads this message, because I want him to know that I still have not received any response from Senator Sean Logan relative to my two (2) questions to him about "public schools being a public use" and "the taking of our private property without first paying us just compensation." Yoo might also want to ask them if they know how to spell "Constitution. "Maybe you and Joe could ask the same questions of your legislators. And if we could get every citizen in Pennsylvania asking those same questions of their legislators, maybe, just maybe, we could get them off their dead asses and they would begin doing something to rid us of the long and grubby fingers of the tax claim bureaus and sheriffs, and dolts on our schooboards in Pennsylvania. What say you?
Take care, my friend, and keep up your dedicated efforts on behalf of all good and decent Pennsylvanians. "We can't "STOP" now!

Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

To All STOP Supporters:

It's that time of the year again when your friendly local tax claim bureaus will be sending out delinquent tax sale notices to you, your mothers and fathers, your brothers and sisters, your aunts and uncles and to millions of other decnet Pennsylvanians who are financially incpaable of paying the confiscatory property taxes being shoveled upon their already broken down shoulders. "Ain't it just great to be an American; and especially great being a Pennsylvanian?"

In an effort to assist some of our less fortunate citizens, I would like to suggest that Mr. Logue inquire into, and serioulsy consider, the possibility of starting a forum to educate our citizens about law and procedures that Tax Claim Bureaus must follow when they try to sell a citizen's house for delinquent property taxes. The law is very specific, and most likely, not one in a hundred Pennsylvania citizens knows the slightest thing about it.

We've got to start putting pressure on those politicians who are sitting on their dead asses in Harrisburg, eating lobster and drinking fine wine at our expense, and show them we mean business. Educating citizens about the Real Estate Tax Sale Law just might burden the courts and force the scavengers in Harrisburg to STOP eating and drinking for a few hours and do something positive about abolishing taxes on our homes!

If we can start such a forum, we might also encourage some "good and honest" lawyers (I know, that's a paradox in terms) to contribute their expertise as well. Hey, it's worth a try!

Your comments on my suggestion are invited and will be greatly appreciated by all those interested in ridding themselves of the one thing that poses the greatest danger to the continued possession of their homes---"the taxes being heaped upon them and their property by the overfed and flabby politicians in Harrisburg and the uneducated dolts serving on their local schoolboards."

Sincerely, Joe Potato

Ally - D says :

Folks - I heard Sen. Logan give a wonderful presentation on STOP a month ago. Have you emailed him directly or are you guys killing our biggest supporter?

Joe Potato says :

Dear ALLY-D:

If you haven't already done so, you may want to read the several recent postings relative to the "wonderful presentations on STOP" Senator Logan and possibly others have given recently and in the past. You will learn that many STOP supporters have attended such meetings at which Senator Logan and others were present. No one can deny that Logan is a staunch supporter of the STOP program, but simply being a supporter of it, has not, and is not, producing very much in the way of positive results. In fact, I do not see anything (aside from Logan and a few others introducing even more proposed legislation)being accomplisehd that is going to help those unfortunate citizens who will be facing sheriff sales of their homes in a few months. And frankly, if you have access to the Tribune-Rebiew newposaper of Friday, July 13, 2007, you will see six (6) pages of foreclosures published in it. "Weight (wait) broke the mule's back." How much longer do you or Logan or the other politicians in Harrisburg expect these citizens to wait? And if you were one of those unfortunate citizens facing a sheriff's sale, would you be satisified to simply "wait a little longer" for Logan and others to get something done on the property tax scheme?

As for your question "Have you emailed him directly", I again suggest that you read some of the other recent postings at this forum. But to be honest with you, even when you do email Logan or any of the other politicians, you do not receive a direct response from them. All you receive is a response from some "un-elected" worker in their offices who knows little or nothing about the STOP campaign, an dmost certainly cannojt speak for your legislator.

Once again I would sugges that Bob Logue or others directly associated with him, contact legislators and insist that they arrange for local and open public meetings in their respective districts to address the concerns of their constituents. "Time has already run out for thousands of finacially strapped Pennsylvanians, and the clock is running against thousand of others who are worrying about losing their homes to the Tax Claim Bureaus." Incidentally, you might want to ask your legislator if he or she suports the Real Estate Tax Sale Law. That's the law that is ruining the lives of many Pennsylvanians!

Too, I suggest that you ask your legislators to immediatley institue a "moratorium" on ALL sheriff sales of a citizen's property until the legislature does something positive to abolish ALL taxes on yours and our primary residence. Further, it may interest you to know that I have directly emailed Senatoir Logan on many occasions and presented that same question to him. He has never once responded! I posed that same question to Senator Jane Orie and Representative Daryl Metcalfe, and neither of those two ever have ever thought it appropriate to respond.

Sir, at this very momemnt, and while the well-fed, fat asses in Harriskburg are enjoying their complacent lives, thousands of decent Pennsylvanians will go to sleep tonight worrying about where they might have to live in a few months. "I cannot conceive of anybody wanting another human being to be in that position, or of anybody in a position to do sometihng about it (the politicians in Harrisburg) to simply sit back and do nothing to correct it.

I sincerely hope that you will continue to take part in these discussions, an dthat you might urge your friends to do so, as well. The more citizens we can persuade to get involved in the STOP campaign, the more the politicians in Harrisburg will perk up their ears and listen; they damn sure listened when we protested their back door, middle of the night pay raise grab, didn't they?

Again, thanks for your message, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

Dear STOP supporters:

Once again I must apologize for the errors in my message to Ally-D. As usual, and in my haste to respond, I often do not hit the proper keys at the proper times, or re-check my spelling.

But knowing of the generosity and understanding of STOP supporters, I take great comfort in knowing that they will understand and forgive my oversights and errors.

Sincerely, Joe Potato

Ally - D says :

If you did not email Sen. Logan directly - then you have no right to complain about him!!!!!!!!!!

His email is slogan@pasenate.com

email him directly and then if you do not get a response, then you can tell us. But until that time - stop complaining!!!!!!!

Joe Potato says :

Dear Ally-D:

It's apparent that you do not fully comprehend my messages relative to making contacts with legislators. Frankly, I am at a loss to comprehend what you mean when you use the term "email directly" in communicating with Senator Logan. Senator Logan's email address has been available on the STOP website for the past seven (7) years and is the exact one you continue to provide. Believe me, I know the Senator's address! But if you insist on attempting to communicate with Senator Logan "directly", and infer that I may not be doing so, I suggest that you visit his personal website where you will find an even more "direct" address for him. To do that, simply type in your search window, Pennsylvania General Assembly, and you will find a concise program and the names and addresses of every Pennsylvania legislator.

Too, and unless you enjoy some type of special relationship with Senator Logan, you are amiss if you believe that when you send him an email message, you receive a response "directly" from him. What you are in fact receiving is a response from one of his office workers---a "gatekeeper" in essence. Certainly, you must be aware of that!

Finally, I encourage you to consider the important difference between "complain", your word, and reporting on, or discussing, the facts, my words. It is obvious that you do not possess many of the facts surrounding the STOP campaign, although they are available on the STOP website for all who harbor a deep interest in them to read. And I gather from the "brevity" of your two (2) most recent offerings, that you may not have much to offer in the way of constructive or positive input.

Nevertheless, I want to thank you for your comments and trust that you will decide to endeavor to gain a more abundant degree of the facts surrounding the STOP initiative; an acquisiton that should certainly improve your ability to contribute and engage in a more intelligent discussion of the important STOP goals.

Joe Potato

Joe Lehigh County says :

Finally, two more writers (Scott and Ally).
Joe, Scott, and Ally, were you able to save, given the auto insurance data that was provided. Ally, Joe is correct regarding our elected officials not answering difficult questions in a precise manner. Senator Patrick Browne, Rep. Carl Mantz, Ex-Rep. Paul Semmel and the Northwestern Lehigh School Board have not answered my difficult questions over the years. Joe, my story regarding my daughter and the Rubic Puzzle is just one of many during the past ten years. Your comments are right on target. Unfortunately, I know too well how our school districts operate. Before I continue, I would like to provide a bit of history about myself. I had worked in the Chemical Industry for 16 years (10 years as a Regional Manager). Hard work equated to Success. I left Corporate America and have been a Mr. Mom for 13 years. I have experienced both ends of the Spectrum. I know what it feels like to be part of a minority. We have all heard the story about Helen Keller. A simplistic statement that she made, motivates me daily, and should motivate others who possess the knowledge of what she said and did. "I Am Only One, but I Can Make a Difference". Helen Keller started the first school for the Blind.

Now for my Story! Remember, it's all about Story Telling. During the past ten years I have attempted to correct problems within the Northwestern School System and my Community. If I am being forced to pay outrageous school tax, then my expectations of the Northwestern Lehigh School System are High! As of July 2007, the Northwestern Lehigh School system falls somewhere between a D and an F, given the fact that our taxes are twenty percent higher than the Parkland School District. I am going to dedicate my Northwestern Lehigh and LVPA School stories to Mrs. Susanne Meixsell. Mrs. Meixsell is the first female Northwestern Lehigh Superintendent of the Northwestern Lehigh School District. The question is whether or not she will just be another Club Member, or will she truly make a Difference! Time will tell.

Did I make a Difference regarding Brittany and her Rubic Puzzle experience. Joe made some great points. My daughter, at the age of 12 was exposed to a lesson that she will remember for a long time. Brittany, everyone has the right to challenge an unfair and unjust system(ie. Property Taxes). Although Dr. Gould (ex-superintendent), Sen. Patrick Browne (Telephone Appointment) and Steve Fisher (Dept. of Ed. Harrisburg) did not answer my questions regarding the legality of the Rubic Puzzle Story (Dec 2006 through July 2007), I was heard! During April 2007, a letter was sent to all Northwestern Lehigh Middle School Students, Parents, and Guardians by the Middle School Principal (Dr. Kathleen Kelly). Dr. Kelly wrote, "As the Middle School Principal, I take responsibility for all decisions that are made that affect our students. I apologize for a grade being assigned that did not reflect your childs performance given by Ms. Walker, Northwestern Lehigh Middle School Technology Education Teacher." Grades were subsequently corrected. Senator Browne, given that you are on the Education Committee; hopefully, children within our State Public School System will not be graded on what they can or cannot sell. Helen Keller Lives! We are all only one, and I made a difference.

Mr Logue, when are you going to better organize the S.T.O.P. supporters? Utilization of this website is the only cost effective method.

Chrissy Miller says :

Because elected officials and contact information for them is ever-changing, the best option for anyone wishing to contact their leaders is to use the always current listings at:
PA State Senators
PA Representatives

Both of these links are also available in the side-bar menu of every page here on the STOP web site.

ALLY-D says :

furthermore - I just went on Sen. Logan's web-site and see the #1 issue on his web-site is STOP. So, Joe Potato, please STOP bashing our only supporter

Joe Lehigh County says :

July 16th 2007: For the record. I wrote an e-mail to Senator Logan. I asked the Senator why he has not responded to Joe Potato's questions on www.grandoldusa.com. I requested a reply on this website or via e-mail. Now, how about someone else writing a story. I sure would like to read one.

Joe Potato says :

Dear Joe Lehigh:

Thanks for your support! It's nice to know that there are other intelligent and brave individuals in Pennsylvania who are not afraid to challenge their elected representatives and demand answers to legitimate questions. Keep up your good efforts!

I want to thank you also for writing to Senator Logan and asking that he explain why he will not personally respond to my questions, but I seriously doubt that he will personally respond to your inquiry. Try ignoring your boss the way your elected officials ignore you and others, and see what happens.

The questions I asked Senator Logan, Senator Jane Orie, Representative Daryl Metcalfe and dozens of the other politicians in the General Assembly, such as Sam Rohrer, Greg Vitali, Jim Ferlo and others, were then, and still are, very important ones as they relate to the safety and security of all Pennsylvanians; especially when it comes to protecting our homes from the grubby fingers of the tax collectors and sheriffs.

Joe, I must relate to you what happened this very morning to a 96 year-old widow. She's delinquent on paying her property taxes (Why she is being required by politicians to pay those taxes at all, befuddles me)and related to me that she was awakened by a pounding sound in her front yard. She said she was startled and got up to see what it was. Guess what? The friendly sheriff was pounding a wooden stake with a Notice of Sale into her front yard informing her that the tax claim bureau was going to sell her home on Septembber 10, 2007 for the delinquent taxes. Can you imagine what was going through this poor old widow's mind when she witnessed that dastardly event? Even worse, can you imagine what kind of animal or thief would do such a thing? Ask Logan and your elected officals what they think about it!

Joe, I've been actively involved in the STOP campaign from its beginning. I've obtained thousands of signatures on the STOP petition, attended numerous meetings and spoke with numerous politicians. I've persuaded others to become involved, and they have. But sadly, and each time I encounter one of them on the street, in the grocery store, or anywhere else, their first question to me is "What are you and Logue doing about the property taxes?" You can imagine how embarrassing it is when I respond by stating that "I don't know." But in all honesty, that's the truth, because I simply do not know what is happening on the subject. I don't think I'll ask any of them to sign anything else until I see something positive being done.

Joe, there are a lot of "talkers" in your midst; weasels and cowards who criticize everything you might try to do to have abolished the heinous property scheme devasting Pennsylvanians. I've experienced these types, and when I asked them what they are doing to help the less fortunate, they look at me with that dumb look on their faces, and are incapable of uttering any type sensible response. Bob Logue knows a lot of these types, too!

Joe, I don't mean to harp on the subject, but I am convinced that none of the crooks in Harrisburg give a damn about you or me. If they did, they could, tommorrow morning, put an end to the misery Pennsylvanians are facing every day of their lives at the hands of the tax collectors and sheriffs. All the politicians need do is place a "moratorium" on all tax sales of citizens' personal residence properties. Why won't they do it? I've asked Logan, Orie, Metcalfe and the others the same question, but as usual, none of them have ever responded to me. Some public servants, huh?

Joe, the next time you correspond with one of your elected representatives, I hope you relate the story of the 96 year-old widow to them (and no doubt there are many more in her same predicament). Ask them if they take pride or comfort in knowing that the legislation they support, or contuinue to ignore or refuse to alter (The Real Estate Tax Sale Law), is destroying thousands of good and decent Pennsylvanians. Ask them!!! And demand an answer!!!

Joe, I'm convinced, and have been convinced for the past five years that nothing less than an outright demonstration on the steps of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg by thousands, even millions, of Pennsylvanians is going to put the fear of God into the complacent bandits hiding there. But just mention the word demonstration or protest, and watch the cowards scatter!

More importantly, I have been thinking about your lovely little sixth grade daughter and the unfortunate experience she had with one of her "teachers?" I sincerely hope that she is OK, and that she might, with your fatherly guidance, be able to put much of that sad experience out of her mind. What a tragedy for a child to be put through!

Please keep posting your messages. I read each of them with great interest since they are both informative and instructive.

Please take care, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

Dear Joe Lehigh:

In one of my previous messages, I mentioned the Pentlong Case. That case addressed the forms of payment that a tax claim bureau tells citizens it will accept when a citizen tries to pay his or her delinquent property taxes. You might be disturbed (and you should be) in learning that even though the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has decided against such deceptive practices (telling a citizen that the only form of acceptable payment is with cash, money order, etc.), tax claim bureau workers are still threatening citizens by telling them they cannot pay their taxes with a personal check. Again, I urge you to confront your local tax claim bureau workers with that case, and demand an answer from them. And if you know of a decent lawyer, you might also want to ask him or her what they think about the matter and the Pentlong Case.

Joe, this property tax scheme that's holding all of us hostage is a dangerous and Un-American one. It's immoral and ugly! And those who continue to support such a scheme are just as dangerous and ugly. We succeeded in getting rid of some of the bandits during the last election, and we must continually remind our friends and voters and neighbors that we must get rid of a lot more during the next election. Begging these politicians to do something about our burden of heavy and confiscatory property taxes on our homes will never succeed. We have to STOP begging, and start demanding that politicians do our will; not theirs.

Please let me know if perhaps the politicians in Harrisburg think you important enough to respond to you and answer your questions.

Take care, Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

Daer Joe Lehigh:

Great job with your school district! Now, if only you can round up hundreds of concerned citizens and go to the school and persuade the schoolboard to get rid of all the Ms. Walkers polluting your child's school, you will have done a great service for your community---but more importantly---for all of the unsuspecting children in your community.

Please take care, Joe Potato

Joe Potatoi says :

To any interested STOP supporters:

Do any of you know how to contact Bob Logue or the administrator of the STOP website? My reason for asking is that in checking the eMail addresses listed for senators on the website, it is obvious that the listing was not updated after the last election. The names of Brightbill, Jubelier and others still appear on the list, but as you know, they were defeated in the last election. Too, the names of the NEW elected officals do not appear on the list. It is likely that the HR listing is also outdated. I notice that the name of C_Miller@GrandOldUSA.com appears at the bottom of this page, and it may be that this person is authorized to update the listings.

I believe updating the Senate listing, as well as that of the House of Representatives is of prime importance to all STOP supporters. It may be that one of the reasons why supporters are not participating in this forum or attempting to oontact their elected officials in Harrisburg is because they do not have the correct or updated eMail addresses for those offcials, nor do they know how to obtain them.

If any of you possess the contact information for Bob Logue, or any other person who might be able to update the listings, please post it in this section, or in some other more conspicuous section of the STOP webiste. I believe if Mr. Logue is made aware of the outdated listings, he will have them brought current.

Keep up the fight to FREE ourselves from the ONE TAX that is responsible for devastating th elives of Pennsylvania families and making us a lot poorer in the process---"The Manifesto inspired; heavy property tax."

Joe Potato

Joe Potato says :

Dear C_Miller@GrandOldUSA.com:


When reviewing the listings containing the names of the elected officials the General Assembly, it is obvious that they were not updated after the last election. If perhaps you may be the person who can update the listings, your doing so and then informing STOP supporters via this forum, as well as via the home page of STOP, would be of great benefit to all interested and active STOP supporters, as well as to the STOP campaign, when they attempt to contact their elected officials in Harrisburg.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Joe Potato

Joe Lehigh County says :

I received an E-mail from Senator Logan the very next day.

Joe Lehigh County
Thanks for your email. I have communicated personally with literally thousands of STOP supporters via email, fax, letter, and phone calls so I apologize if you find communicating with me difficult. I have had at least 17 town hall meetings in and out of my district in the past year or so on STOP. I researched my STOP email database and do not have an email from Joe Potato. Also, I do not visit the STOP web-site with any frequency because time just does not permit me to visit every blog/web-site for every single issue that involves the state. I receive approximately 50 emails a day and read and respond to them personally. I assume you know Joe Potato so please pass my email on to him and I will be happy to respond to him. Thanks!

Joe, when sending emails, ones anonymity is lost. The Standard Operating Procedure for Senator Logan and all Public Servants is not to answer questions posted on websites. The fact that Senator Logan and other elected officials do not frequent grandoldusa.com is probably a good thing due to the unorganized supporters that initially signed the STOP Petition. I contacted the offices of Senator Patrick Browne and Rep. Carl Mantz and directed their attention to this website. The task at hand is to get others involved in writing their stories. If the 96 year old widow lived in Lehigh County I would had helped her with her story months ago. I would have documented it in her words and her feelings. Now it is too late. Bob Logue is critical being the Founder of this movement. Bob needs volunteers to call people within their localities to start posting their stories on this website. Until this happens, people will not know who to vote for. Rep. Carl Mantz replaced a long time encumbent, Paul Semmel. I would like to think that this occurred because of his views regarding property tax elimination.

Chrissy Miller says :

Because our elected officials and their contact information is ever changing, and often hard for us to keep current and accurate, the best option for anyone wishing to contact their state leaders is to use the always current listings at:

PA State Senators
PA Representatives

Both of these links are also displayed in the side-bar menu of every page here on the STOP web site.

C.F. Miller says :

To Joe Lehigh:

Joe, I've been reading the postings at this page and a few of them caught my attention; especially the ones regarding the difficulty STOP supporters are experiencing in not receiving responses from their elected representatives in Harrisburg. Your most recent message to Joe Potato interests me.

In one of your previous messages you say that you sent an email to a Senator Logan, and in your most recent message you say that you received an E-mail from (him) the very next day. While you may be correct in your belief that this Senator was the individual actually responding to you, I seriously doubt that it was the Senator. I only wish it was!

I say it most likely was not Senator Logan who was answering you, simply because the first paragraph of the message begins [in the first person], but you will note that the second sentence of the second paragraph is clearly [in the third person]. The message was no doubt sent to you by an aide in the Senator's office, which is the customary practice.

I have written to this Senator many times in the past; mainly in regerence to the STOP property tax movement. And yes, I have always received responses, but none were from him personally. Frankly, and kowing that these officals are extremely busy, I really did not expect Senator Logan to be sitting at a computer and waiting for eMail messages from me or anyone else.

As an aside, and in reading Joe Potato's messages, I think what he is saying is that he never received any messages perosnally answered or sent by Senator Logan, himself. He appears to be much too intelligent to be attempting to say that he never rsceived any responses; only that he never received any from the Senator, himself.

I also sense that in his messages, what Joe Potato is actually trying to do is encourage all readers such as Senator Logan and others in Harrisburg and other STOP supporters such as yourself who visit the STOP pages, to start visiting the STOP website and getting more involved in the movement.

Joe appears to be quite knowledgeable about many aspects of the STOP movement, as well as about those statues affecting property taxes and sheriff's sales. He's offered some interesting and important information for STOP readers. I believe he's doing that in an effort to spur elected officials and STOP supporters to do some research on their own. I researched the Pentlong case he mentioned about what types of payments tax bureaus are demanding, and I must tell you, I was completely taken by surprise by what that court decison said. I had no idea that the tax claim bureaus were not being competely truthful to citizens; and in fact, may deliberately be employing practices to deceive unknoweledgeable citizens. I printed that case and made copies and sent them to my county tax claim bureau. I'll wait to see if I get an answer from someone there, and I'll post it on this page. I don't think I'll get one though.

As for Senator Logan, you may or may not know that he is without question the most ardent supporter in the General Assembly of the STOP movement. And since Joe Potato says that he has written to Senator Logan many times in the past, I would think that he too, is aware of the Senator's support and work in the STOP movement.

Unfortunatley, I've read the offensive remarks of an Ally-D, too, wherein in refers to Joe Potato as (head). Not a very intelligent remark, is it? The STOP folks sure do not need these type remarks circulated on these pages.

Anyway, I find these STOP pages very interesting and intend to continue to review them. I especially enjoy reading your commnents and hope you will continue to post them here.

Permit this opportunity to wish you and all other STOP supporters the best of success in your valiant fight to abolish property taxes in Pennsylvania. I intend to get involved in the struggle with you!

Gratefully yours, C.F. Miller

Joe Lehigh County: 7-17-07 says :

Thanks Chrissy! It's all about the English Language! It depends on what the definition of "Is" is. Do you remember that famous statement? I receive approximately 50 emails a day and read and respond to them personally. The average Joe, would think that the Senator himself, was reading and writing the email.

I decided to embark on a longer term project. I will utilize this web-site to further educate our elected Public Servants and the General Public. Remember, it's all about Story Telling! The Goal as usual, is to Eliminate Property Taxes. My True-Life stories will focus on the services that are, or are not being provided, given our current tax structure. The majority of my stories will relate to the Northwestern Lehigh School System. I've already documented one Story. Lets give it a Title, how about "Brittany's Story". "Brittany's Story" it shall be!

We are all Teachers, in one form or another. How many of us go to the Physical Fitness Center (the gym) to exercise our body? What about exercising our Brain? One reason that I write is so that I can exercise my Brain. The great thing about this, it does not cost me one red cent. I hope that over time my Story Telling will encourage the majority of STOP Supporters to do the same. Remember, it's all about Story Telling!
"I Am Only One, but I Can Make A Difference."

C.F. Miller says :

To: Joe Lehigh:

Joe, I thought I would post this message to inform you that your recent message in which you thank a Chrissy, was in fact submitted by me, C.F. Miller. I think Chrissy Miller may be the administrator of the STOP website Since her initials are C. Miller, it is easy to see how readers could associate her writings with mine. It's a coincidence that Chrissy Miller has the same first and last initials as I do.

Nevertheless, I would not want to post any message that might tend to associate her name or any other's name, with my personal messages, and to hopefully preclude that from happening in the future, I will author my future messages under my name, Carl F. Miller.

Incidentally, and in reference to a previous message on this page, a Joe Potato mentioned the sad plight of an old widow who is about to lose her home to the tax collectors. I read that message with great sadness, and simply do not know how Pennsylvania's legislators can sit back and permit this kind of thing to continue to occur. What are those politicians thinking; if anything? Maybe the STOP people will wake them up!

But Joe's story did rmeind me of what Ambrose Bierce said in his book, The Devil's Dictionary, when he defined the word PLUNDER:

"PLUNDER, v. To take property of another without observing the decent and customary reticences of theft. To effect a change of ownership with the candid concomitance of a brass band. To wrest wealth of A from B and leave C lamenting a vanished opportunity." How true that is!

Joe, it's going to take a concerted effort on the part of Pennsylvania voters to make any significant changes in the behavior of many of the politiicans in Harrisburg. To me, it seems as though those politicians care little about the needs of their constituents; especially the need to be safe and secure in their own homes. I am ashamed of Pennsylvnaina's legislators and sometimes ashamed of myself, for not getting more involved in trying to work to oust those politicians who are not adequately serving all Pennsylvanians. I simply do not understand why it is so difficult for politicians to pass legislation prohibiting the sale of an old widow's home, or of anybody else's home, because they don't have the money to pay property taxes. And in the case of that old widow, I do not understand why she is being taxed at all! I think it's time to educate the politicians about the phrase "one's ability to pay." And speaking of education, you might want to ask your own legislators about the $135,000,000 (that's million)of taxpayers' money they have stashed in a secret fund they use for their personal use! A man named Gene Stilp posted that revelation on the web. If you get an answer from any of your politicians, post their answers on this page.

On behalf of ALL PENNSYLVANIANS, I want to wish you and the STOP workers the best of success.

Carl F. Miller

ALLY_D says :

All -
You had me second guessing myself on Logan's support of STOP. First, who in the world cares who is answering the email. And, I ran Logan's name in the seach queue in the PG and Trib. He was the ONLY Senate Democrat to vote against ACT 1 and said he could not support ACT 1 because it was a ban-aid at that he supported the STOP total elimiantion. And, after ACT 1 defeat at the polls - he was very critical of Rendell. Come on guys - stop bashing our hero! But, YOU won, I am signing off this site for good! Then you wonder why no body takes us serious

Joe Lehigh County: 7-18-07 says :

Sorry about that Carl. Your right on target regarding the Vote. Do you ever wonder why our education system does not inundate our children with the importance of voting. To this day I can tell you who conquered the Aztec Indians, and who conquered the Incas, and who discovered Florida. The reason being, I was inundated, year after year with these facts during my elementary education.

Ally D, don't give up. Please share a story. I am truly interested in reading one of your experiences.

This will be the 36th entry under Senator Logan's News Release. Please go back to the first entry. I would really like to know if I was able to help each of the participants save a buck or two on their auto insurance. Joe, Ally, Scott, Chrissy, Carl and others, if you are getting a better deal elsewhere please let me know. I am constantly looking for ways to offset my escalating School Tax. This year it went up 5.0 percent. Currently, I am with 21st Century. My renewal statement just came in the mail. One would think that a price increase would have occurred. My price was reduced by forty dollars for a six month period. That's a first.

Carl F. Miller says :

July 18, 2007- 10:20 PM

To Joe Lehigh:

Joe, in reading through these messages, I noticed that Joe Potato said he had sent a message to Senator Logan asking him several questons; questions that quite frankly, I believe are extremely important ones. Apparently Joe Potato was correct in stating that he never receives reponses from the Senator, or from anyone else for that matter regarding these type questions. I say that, because if he had received any responses, I presume he would have posted them here. It must be very frustrating for him.

I was wondering if you may have written to Senator Logan or your legislators asking them the same questions, and if you may have received any responses. If so, please post them here.

I'm going to write to Senator Logan, Senator Jane Orie and Representative Daryl Metcalfe and ask them those same questions. If I get some kind of responses (hopefully from those legislators themselves; and not from some aide in their offices) I will certainly post them here for all to read.

Joe, I read an article today that was posted on the STOP website. It's titled "Sheriff Sales Kill People." I think it was authored by Bob Logue. I couldn't believe what I was reading! Apparently a fellow was going to be evicted from his home by the Sheriff, but before that could take place; the man hung hjimself in his own home! Can you believe that? What kind of animals have we become? I tried to copy,paste and send the article to every member of the General Assembly, but for some reason, I couldn't. I wrote to Ms. Miller and asked for her assistance, and if I get a response from her, I'll post it here. Sending such articles to legislators, I think, will have a tremendous impact!

Joe, I get the distinct feeling that this property tax business, and the subsequent selling of people's homes for delinquent taxes, is getting out of hand. And I get the distinct feeling that if the legislators in Harrisburg don't soon get off their duffs and do something about it, the citizens will rise up and do something about it on their own. I certainly hope that will not occur, but I don't know what people are to do. If you lose your home, where are you and your family going to live? I think I'll ask Senator Logan and Orie and Rep. Metcalfe that question, too.

Joe, one more thing. It's my understanding that when a person's home is about to be sold at a sheriff's sale, the sheriff goes to that property and posts some kind of notice on it. How can a sheriff enter upon a citizen's private property and stick a notice on a tree or pound a stake in the ground without obtaining the owner's permission (which obviously the owner would not give?). I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me the sheriff would be guilty of trespassing on that owner's private property. Just a thought!

Joe, please review the article I've mentioned, I think that after reading it, you will be shocked. I know I was. I only wish I could send it to every politician in Harrisburg! But I'm not so sure any of them would be shocked by it!

Take care, Carl F. Miller

Carl F. MIller says :

Dear Joe Potato:

Where have you gone? I haven't seen any of your messages lately. Your postings were very informative and I enjoyed reading them very much. Please don't abandon the STOP movement now! I know it can get very frustrating trying to get your elected officals to respond to you, but you must not give up. They never respond to my messages either, but I keep on writing to them. My hope is that someday, they will get the message and respond!

Joe, I hope to see more of your informative postings on this page. In reading your messages, it is obvious that you possess a wealth of knowledge about the property tax system and sheriff's sales; a wealth of knowledge and facts that you could only have gained by extensive research and study. STOP supporters really need to know too, and I think you are just the right man to let them know! Another thing, when I read your messages, I get the feeling that you are higly educated and most likely possess a higher college degree than most people. STOP supporters need information from people like you. I hope you will continue to provide it to them!

So, come back to this message board; STOP supporters need guys like you; I kmow I do! I'll watch for your messages, Joe!

Best wishes, Carl F. Miller

Joe Lehigh County: 7-19-07 says :

It's the time of year; whereby, I post the History of the Northwestern Lehigh School Tax Data. Senator Patrick Browne, Rep. Carl Mantz, Superintendent Susanne Meixsell, and Northwestern Lehigh School Board Members, when will the problem be fixed?

Tax Year.......Mills.........%.Increase

1996...........29.93
1997...........30.93.............3.3
1998...........31.68.............2.4
1999...........31.68.............0.0
2000...........32.18.............1.6
2001...........32.18.............0.0
2002...........33.36.............3.7
2003...........34.33.............2.9
2004...........36.77.............7.1
2005...........40.72............10.7
2006...........42.92.............5.4
2007...........45.07.............5.0

During 2007, The Parkland School District's Mills were increased to 36.14. This value represents a 2.6 percent increase. On 7-16-07 I contacted Rep. Mantz's office. The rate of inflation for this time period was 2.7 percent. Given the current tax structure, the Parkland residents were treated fairly. When are the residents of the Northwestern Lehigh School system going to be treated fairly? One more glaring piece of data.
Northwestern Lehigh School Taxes are 24.7% higher than that of Parkland. Parkland teachers salaries are higher than Northwestern. Guess who is attracting higher quality teachers?

One more final note! If this was a football website, the participation would be unending. The Pittsburg Steelers, The Philadelphia Eagles, Joe Montana, and Dan Marino are just a few noteables.
Parkland has the honor of being recent Football State Champions.

Oh! Then there is Brittany's Story. Superintendent Meixsell and Northwestern Lehigh School Board Members, please read this story.

Joe Potato says :

July 19, 2007

To: Carl F. Miller

Dear Mr. Miller:

Thank you for your kind remarks, I truly appreciate them. My wish is that this STOP thing had more individuals like you supporting it.

It's not that I've abandoned the STOP movement, but rather that I've become disenchanted with its leadership. Frankly, I don't even know whether or not STOP still has any leaders. If it does, then I would urge them to step forward and start acting like it.

It's my understanding that a man named Bob Logue, a former KDKA talk show host, started the STOP program. Apparently he is no longer employed by KDKA, and aside from listing his contact information on the STOP pages, he has all but disappeared. As a consequence, STOP supporters have been left to fend for themselves---and the politicians in Harrisburg sense this!

I noticed that one message posted here requested that Mr. Logue once again become actively involved. That was several days ago, but I have not seen any evidence that he has made his re-appearance on this message board, or on the STOP Home Pages. If the STOP movement is to experience a re-birth, and once again become a force for the abolishment of taxes on citizens' homes, Mr, Logue, as well as his other appointed leaders, are going to have to take a more active part. As far as I can detect, the last message he posted on the STOP pages referenced the action of Senator Logan on or about May 17, 2007. Certainly something relaltive to STOP must have transpired since that time! I do want to say, however, that I am in no way attemnpting to infer that Mr. Logue has any obligation whatsoever to do anything. I believe he started the STOP movement with the expectation that citizens would join with him and actively participate. He may sense that the citizens have not, and are not, doing their part. And frankly, I believe he may be right!

Another reason I've not currently posted any messages here, is that, of those messages I have read, none provide (at least for me) any positive information or direction for STOP supporters that might be of benefit to them in gathering further support for STOP. And again, I believe this is where Mr. Logue and his leaders could make a huge impact.

What I believe the STOP movement needs most, is for Mr. Logue and others in whom he might harbor confidence, to contact legislators in all districts and demand that they be present at open public meetings and be questioned by concerned citizens. This did occur early in the STOP movement, but again, and I beleive due to lack of leadership, those public meetings seem to have vanished, also. As a consequence, how can citizens now, (aside from sending useless eMail messages to their politicians that are seldom answered), express their concerns about property taxes. Long distance messages to legislators never have, and never will, succeed in accomplishing the STOP goals. The one thing I believe would help accomplish STOP goals, is a mass demonstration on the steps of the capital building in Harrisburg. I hope you recall Russ Diamond, Gene Stilp and the PIG! That demonstration got the attention of the complacent politicians in Harrisburg.

But, it most likely will be the case that those reading this message will say that I am exactly like the rest; I talk a good game, but do not play it very well. They will blurt out and say; what have you done recently. They will say that if I start something, they will join with me. All of such blabberings re-enforce my belief that it is the leadership of STOP that must take the initiatve to organize STOP supporters. Too many chiefs and not enough indians is no good! If those leaders will not take the initiative; then who can be expected to take it?

And speaking of leaders, I would be remiss if I didn't give credit where credit is due. Senator Sean Logsn has long been one of the most ardent supporte of STOP. His dedicated work on behalf of all Pennsylvanins, and STOP, cannot be questioned. But, again, he cannot do it all by himself---and that's where the leadership of STOP must step forward and assist him. STOP leaders must began a concerted effort to organize its supporters, again urge them to attend schoolboard meetings, their local public meetings, and join in open and peaceful public demonstrations. I trust you will agree that such tactics do work; for all you need do is recall the actions of Martin Luther King and others like him.

And finally, I would like to suggest that if STOP leaders will not step forward and provide sound direction, then we should begin a campaign of our own. But then again, who would you ask to be the leader of yet another propery tax revolt? Worse, who needs yet another such camnpaign?

Again, thanks for your kind remarks.

Joe Potato

Joe Lehigh County: 7-20-07 says :

Joe, your latest writing was disheartening to say the least. Lets end the week on a positive note. I just called Rep. Mantz's office (4:45). Mr. Royal Furer, an Aide to Rep. Mantz answered the phone. Mr. Furer is one Class Act! Why is Royal a Class Act? First, he is working at 4:45 on a Friday. Second, not once did I feel hurried during our 30 minute conversation. Third, Royal is very knowledgeable regarding Property Tax Elimination. Fourth, Royal provided information on the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Cyber Coalition (www.ptcc.us) within a letter that he sent on 7-16-07. This letter was sent one day after our first phone conversation. Within the letter he states that Rep. Mantz is committed to the complete elimination of school property taxes for the primary residence. He is willing to work with anybody on any plan that would achieve this goal.

Rep. Mantz, you are very fortunate to have as an Aide, Mr. Royal Furer. Royal, once again, thanks for your time and effort.

Carl F. MIller says :

To All STOP supporters"

This is the message I sent this day to the captioned Senators. If and when I receive any type response, I will post it on this forum.

Carl F. MIller

Dear Senators:

It is my understanding that on June 25, 2007, SB718 was referred to the Finance
Committee. Aside from its simply still languishing there, would you be so kind
as to inform me of it status?

Also, and aside from yourselves, Senators Costa, LaValle, Fontana, Boscola, O'Pake
and Ferlo, would you be so kind as to provide to me the names of any others who
have indicated their co-sponsorship of SB718?

Too, I've read SB718 (Section 3(a) Lines 15 and 16) and am unsure as to its
meaning. The language contained therein states in part: Levy..."no political
subdivision" may levy. My question is; "Are school districts/school boards
considered to be political subdivisions?" I trust that you understand the
importance of this question.

While I am most appreciative and proud of your dedicated efforts on behalf of
all Pennsylvanians; "and especially apreciative and proud of your dedicated
efforts in regards to the elimination of property taxes on our primary residences";
time is running out for thousands of Pennsylvanians facing the tax sales of their
homes. I've learned that in Westmoreland County alone "approximately 5,100
citizens' homes are scheduled for sheriff sale on September 10, 2007. This
is "immoral" and should be a cause for shame for all of us!

I offer my sincere gratitude for all you are attempting to do on behalf of Pennsylvanians.
You have been in the forefront of this struggle since its inception, and despite
opposition from those who are indifferent to the plight of thousands of Pennsylvanians
(even those in their own voting districts); we citizens are keenly aware and cognizance
of the fact that you will not be deterred in your valiant efforts to bring some
degree of civility to society when it comes to "taking" a citizen's
home. Your valiant efforts have not gone un-noticed by your constituents, and as
witnessed by your being repeatedly re-elected---citizens' respect and admiration
for you continues to grow. Yuo are to be commended for your honesty, your integrity
and your dedication; and I so commend you!

Knowing of the strain already being placed on your valuable and limited time,
I shall await with great patience your kind responses.

Respectfully yours,

Carl F. Miller

Ohio supporter says :

This movement needs new life and I intend to get the movement going in Ohio and then nationally. Private property is a sacred right and inviolate. We either own it or we do not. You cannot be taxed on something that is yours in perpetuity. Furthermore as my wife and I homeschool our children at our own expense we should not be forced to subsidize the mediocre public school system.

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