Editorial

Opening up our mail last week we found the annual request for donations from a local volunteer fire company.  It was the start-up of their annual request asking the public to help themselves by helping the organization.  Sound advice.

Thirty years ago, local volunteer firefighters responded to less than 100 emergency calls each year.  Today, our locals respond to one about every 36 hours.  Twenty-five years ago, the engines and trucks of our community fire companies were staffed with six or eight firefighters each.  Today, they’re pleased if they get four qualified volunteers with each responding unit.

Twenty years ago, local businesses and industry were proud to have volunteer firefighters working for them and showed a high level of respect and care for the community by permitting them to leave their work station to respond to a neighbor’s cry for help – especially during the daytime, when volunteers are hard to find.  Today it’s all about the money – a check for a contribution to the locals, with a set amount, that may or may not represent a fair contribution, determined by a home office or accountant located miles away from the community.  We sign the check, go about our business and sleep well at night.

Back in the day, to volunteer one simply needed to show up at the firehouse and, after a short training period, became a qualified firefighter.  Today it takes hundreds of hours to become qualified and maintain the level of efficiency required in today’s world of chemicals, biohazards and other potentially deadly combinations of man-made or natural hazards.

Years ago we took for granted the knowledge that our local business and industry leaders had about the volunteer fire service.  After all, some of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other volunteers in heavy gear and equipment, experiencing things you would never want someone else to go through.  Those who couldn’t stand with you sent, in their stead, qualified employees to help save the day.  It was a commitment to the community that money couldn’t buy.

Today, many of the businesses and industries in our region have few personal ties to the community and are schooled in the concept that a token donation based on corporate policy is good enough.

Yes the volunteer fire companies appreciate your donation – they appreciate anything they get.  They will not complain because they’re volunteers.  They don’t do what they do for money.  They will never tell you not to call them; even if you’re not sure that you have an emergency.  Any delay in calling for help could endanger employees and firefighters.  Their creed is that it’s better to be called and not needed than needed and not called.

We encourage business and industry leaders to learn more about their local volunteer fire companies and their policies, procedures capabilities and needs.  This is not something you’ll likely do during a daytime breakfast or luncheon – remember, they’re volunteers who leave their jobs for emergencies, not socials.  The only thing you’ll learn from a phone call is that you need more information.  It would be disappointing to learn that business and industry leaders would base their opinions and decisions after talking to just one person.  After all, these are organizations comprised of members.

This year, as a community business leader, make it a point to learn about your local volunteer fire company before you write your check.

                The tremendous financial crises looming for the state pension system hangs over Pennsylvania taxpayers like the sword of Damocles.  Yet people know little about it and many legislators have yet to address it.  Nearly a year ago, the Town and Country offered an editorial describing it.

                We stated in part, “It was just eight short years ago when the Pennsylvania Legislature agreed to increase teachers’ pension benefits by 25 percent as part of a political deal that also saw their own pension benefits increase.  To make that action politically acceptable, legislators delayed increasing taxpayer contributions until 2012.” 

                That’s when somebody will have to pay.

                These plans are “defined-benefit” which means that beneficiaries receive a predetermined amount regardless of the pension investment plans’ performance.  Those who argue that their defined-benefit plan is responsible and doing well need to ask themselves the question, “Is the value equal to or greater than what I am contracted to receive?”  The difference between the pension’s value and what is guaranteed needs to be paid by someone (read taxpayer).  Don’t let anyone fool you – the figures don’t come close to balancing.

                More and more school district officials in Pennsylvania are aware that when the horsehair breaks and the sword drops, they will be the ones standing under it – through no fault or decision of their own!  Taxpayers will be standing with them.

                The issue will be addressed at the upcoming meeting of the Upper Perkiomen School Board on February 11, starting at 7 p.m.

                Board President Harry Quinque wants to offer the public the opportunity to hear about the issue and the discussions that should follow.  There is a real possibility that current state law will not allow school boards to raise taxes high enough to cover the payments that will be required by – you guessed it, state law.  If the Commonwealth fails to come through with increased contributions to the retirement fund, what will happen?  This is not a problem brought on by the school boards.  It was inherited from state legislators in 2001!

                The continuing practice of state legislators failing to plan for the impending 2012 debacle is getting worse.  The budgeted state contribution to the school employees’ retirement has dropped from $451.2 million in 2008 to $334.5 million in 2009. 

                Part of the problem is that government employees are due to receive the same pension benefits. 

This newspaper supports Quinque as he brings this issue to the board table to educate the public about it.  We hope and support any efforts for a board resolution to send a message to Harrisburg to reform the pension system and increase the state’s share of the payments.

                Without action taxpayers may have to brace for an enormous property tax increase (estimated at 29 percent in 2012). 

                Attend the meeting on February 11 and become informed.  The Upper Perkiomen School Board meets at the Education Center, 2229 East Buck Road in Upper Hanover Township.