Editorial

                The Upper Perkiomen Valley region is full of compassionate, caring people.  People willing to roll up their sleeves and help others when the need arises.

                This newspaper is proud to know Bob, Rosie, Vince and all the others at Vince N Friends Restaurant and Bar in Upper Hanover Township and we are inspired by their support of Gary Lester Keller in his battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma.

                Below is their note about a recent fundraising event they held for Gary and a special  “Thank You” to those who helped:

                Vince N Friends Restaurant and Bar wishes to thank everyone who helped us raise over $3,100 for 18-year-old Gary Lester Keller on Monday, June 28. Gary left CHOP on Monday and, at his request, his dad brought him directly to Vince N Friends so Gary could personally thank everyone for helping him. Gary had to fight back tears when he learned how much money was raised. Thank you to the following businesses and people for their donations:

                Vince N Friends Dart League, Natural Wellness Formulas, Denise's Salon, Redners, Red Hill Greenhouse, YMCA, Professional Pharmacy, New Dawn Deli, Valley Star Gifts, Dairy Queen, Valley Beverage, Weis Markets, AMPA Dollar Store, Pennsburg Diner, Dentmasters, Rita’s Water Ice, CR Dampman, Gardner’s Candies, Stars Restaurant, Good Things, East Greenville Flowers, Blommers Chocolate, Alternative Hair, Pet Valu, Caribbean Hot Spot, Super Cuts, Greenville Cleaners, Walmart, Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, D&K Auto, Upper Perk Physical Therapy, Wendy Koffel, Frank and Phyllis Buza, Tarra Duffy, Amy and John Poulson, Mark and Janet Walther, Laura Walther, Jayne and Brandon Reed, Linda and Ed Davidheiser, Jenni and Nate Wolfe, Bob and Rosie Seville, Barbara Osbourne, J. Ronald and Kim Miklos, Glenn and Besty Hammill, Curt Noack, Melinda Phillips, Sharon Ross, Carmen Beagle, Kathy Kulp, Johns and Butler Family, Linda Mack, Rick Bickhart, Stacey Foster, Bernie Frey, Jennifer Strobel, Lucas Buck, Elizabeth Miller, Jim Robinson and Kelly Umberger, Tom Reeves, Judy Nace, the anonymous man who gave $100 in cash, anyone we may have accidently missed and to EVERYONE who came out and donated cash or merchandise to help Gary in his time of need...

                A special thank you to Wendy Koffel for going to most of the above businesses and collecting donations.

                To all who quietly work for the good of their community and the people within it, we quote Pennsburg native and world peace advocate The Rev. Dr. Frank N. D. Buchman when he said, “though your names may not appear on earth’s scroll of fame, may they appear on heaven’s roll of honor.”

                During these days of economic uncertainty, it is indeed a relief that the Upper Perkiomen School Board and educators have reached an agreement that will carry them through the next two years.

                Not everyone got what he or she wanted – that’s why it’s called a negotiation.   Taxpayers got a break (not as much as they would have liked) and teachers got a raise (not as much as they would have liked).

                There were dissenting votes – and disagreement is not a bad thing if both sides are willing to put aside their differences and move forward now that the vote is over.

                According to the outline of the agreement, as posted on the school district’s website, teachers will get a 3.01 percent increase in the first year and a 3.3 percent raise in the second year.  According to officials, that represents figures slightly below the market for surrounding school districts.  There is also an increase in the amount that teachers will contribute to their health care.  There were other give-and-takes on both sides.

                The contract is only for two years and in today’s volatile economic climate, that could be a good thing for both sides.  If the economy continues to tank, taxpayers only have to worry about the existing contract for two years.  If the economy takes off, teachers only have to live under the existing contract for two years.

                While you and I may not agree with everything, one item should be noted.  District officials should be commended for posting the outline on their website shortly after it was announced at last week’s school board meeting.

                There was another “hot button” issue at last week’s meeting – the formulas by which real estate taxes are fixed.  The Commonwealth provides up to four different formulas to use.  Officials were presented the options and chose the one they felt was fair.  It meant about a 1.4 percent reduction in the amount of increase that Montgomery County property owners were expecting.  It also meant about a 10 percent decrease in the amount that Berks County property owners were expecting their taxes to go down.

                When the Upper Perkiomen School Board voted earlier this year to forego applying for a waiver that would allow them to increase property taxes higher than the maximum allowed by state law, they were expressing a confidence in themselves that they could get the job done within the limits that voters agreed to several years ago.

                Both the teachers and school board should be congratulated on getting this important piece of business completed at the same time the 2010 school budget was approved.

                There probably is nobody who agrees with very aspect of the agreement, but it was negotiated, voted on and approved.  And it was done in a timely manner.