Editorial

                With a newly signed Pennsylvania State budget that cuts 1,000 state jobs, does little to address the growing needs of the Commonwealth’s crumbling bridges and roads and contains significant funding cuts for many worthwhile programs and services (including libraries) it’s hard to believe that $10 million dollars was allocated to fund a John Murtha public-policy center in Johnstown and another $10 million to fund the Arlen Specter library in Philadelphia.

                Murtha, a Democratic U.S. Congressman for 19 terms, died last February.  Specter, a Democratic/Republican U.S. Senator for 46 years, lost his bid for reelection in May.  Both individuals had their supporters and their detractors and plenty of highlights and lowlights in their political careers.  But should taxpayers fund these tributes - especially in these tough economic times?

How many other line items in the 2010 budget should be facing the same question.  Why did it take until July 4, four days after the budget was passed, for the information on these two projects to surface to the public? 

                According to official statements, the money comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and requires matching funds.  The money is available for projects that carry “significant potential” for improved economic growth.  RACP began a decade ago with a debt limit of $400 million but has grown to $4.05 billion today!  That includes $600 million that’s being added this year.  The money is borrowed from the regular sale of state bonds to private investors and taxpayers will be financing these projects for decades.

                There’s no published figure for how many jobs need to be created with this $20 million or whether those jobs must be permanent.  There’s no published figure for the economic impact these projects must have in the Johnstown and Philadelphia areas in order to be approved.  The only real figure we have so far is that it will cost taxpayers across the entire state $20 million dollars!

                Since July 4, we’ve heard that the Specter library project has been scaled back.  It doesn’t matter – it’s still being paid for with taxpayer’s money.  And, if the project fails to fit the mold of creating (and keeping) jobs as well as positively impacting the economy of the state, then it must be paid with private dollars.

                There are many projects on this year’s list for RACP funding and many of them are worthy, but politicians need to get their priorities straight.

                Rules and guidelines for allocating the funds must be clear and followed by all, and funding for tributes to long-time politicians should be paid for private dollars.

                Route 663, in particular the stretch of road that connects Pennsburg and Quakertown, has claimed too many victims.  With six traffic lights to control the major intersections and wide roadways and shoulders to help drivers safely navigate the six-mile journey, you might think that it is one of the safest roads in our area.  But it isn’t.

                Before the new road was constructed more than three decades ago, Route 663 used to wind through the hills and valleys of Upper Hanover and Milford townships on what is known today as Quakertown Road, Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown Road and Milford Square Pike.  It was a bumpy ride on a narrow road with unforgiving shoulders.  The only traffic light was at the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange.

                Then the road improvements came and getting from Montgomery County to Bucks County was a breeze.  What happened? 

                Yes, the road becomes somewhat crowded when you approach the square in Pennsburg or cross the turnpike in Milford Township.  But, most of the time that congestion is confined to “rush hours” and peak travel times.  What about the rest of the time?

                So far in 2010 there have been dozens of accidents on the seemingly easy-to-travel road, resulting in more than four-score injuries.  Route 663 has claimed two deaths over the last two months.  In the last week there were four accidents between Pennsburg and Quakertown that injured a dozen people and claimed the life of another.

                The incidents are spread across the six-mile stretch.  Some accidents occurred at intersections, some at curves and some on straight stretches of road.  The drivers of the vehicles involved spanned different age groups and both sexes.  The accidents happened at different times of the day and night.  Where are the similarities?

                Last Friday, the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic enforcement detail on a section of Route 663 between Pennsburg and Quakertown and issued 40 traffic citations, towed one vehicle because the owner didn’t have insurance and cited two drivers for driving while their operator’s licenses were suspended.  They did this over a period of just four hours!  It was their second all-out enforcement detail on Route 663 in the last month.

                The Pennsylvania State Police also conducted two Driving Under the Influence checkpoints on the Pennsburg to Quakertown road over the last two months, taking several suspected drunk drivers off the highway.

                The traffic lights work, the speed limit and other signs are in place and the laws are being enforced.  Why is this seemingly tame stretch of road turn into a nightmare with such regularity?  If it’s not the fault of the road, then perhaps it’s us - the drivers.

                Some claim that driving is privilege, but it is also a responsibility.  Drive responsibly, obey the speed limit, stay in the marked lanes and off the shoulder, yield to merging traffic, keep your mind on the road and stay alert.

                The laws and courtesies apply on all of the roads, all of the time. But for those who travel Route 663, respect that stretch between Pennsburg and Quakertown.  It has already claimed too many victims.