I’m always going to give you the straight story
April 7th, 2008I’m back in Harrisburg after an economic development announcement in Bedford County this morning. I was in attendance and spoke at an announcement at the Bedford Business Park this morning. Secretary Yablonsky from the Dept. of Community and Economic Development was there to make the announcement that a company called Captive Air was going to locate at that site. They will provide 75 jobs and spend about 6 million dollars to get started. I have told people since my campaign for the Senate that you would not see me at a cardboard check presentation and I have kept my word. This morning, the Secretary, during his remarks, pulled out a cardboard check and asked all of the elected officials to join him for a photo with the check. I told them that I would not have my picture taken with the check and sat in my chair while everyone around me posed for the shot. It was an awkward situation. My reason for not participating in the photo is that this is government money, not my money. I don’t think that it is appropriate to stand next to a government check and take credit for doing my job as a government official. Also, in this case and many others, I don’t deserve any of the credit since I didn’t do anything to help with this project. The people of Pennsylvania would be surprised to learn that very often the officials standing up and taking credit for the project in today’s paper have nothing to do with that project. This particular deal was between the owner of the business, the Bedford County Development Association and the Dept. of Community and Economic Development. None of the elected officials that spoke deserve any credit for this project. I’m sure some won’t appreciate this blog post but I’m always going to give you the straight story.
- John
April 8th, 2008 at 8:29 am
No Cardboard Checks…
One of my favorite sources for the inside scoop from the Capitol is Senator Eichelberger’s blog. In his latest post, he describes his refusal to participate in handing out giant cardboard checks funded by taxpayers, so much so that he boycotted a pho….
April 8th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Three Cheers!
April 9th, 2008 at 7:27 am
[...] Eichelberger refuses to have picture taken with giant cardboard check… [...]
April 9th, 2008 at 7:34 am
True to his word…….how refreshing.
John – thanks for being straight with the voters. If all the elected officials had half of your convictions we would not be so cynical of Harrisburg. Until then, thanks for being our 1 many army. Hopefully you get back up soon.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
This made me smile; you’re the best, John!
April 9th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
John,
Do you mean that you won’t even have your picture taken with WAM-MY, the nemesis of the cardboard check photo-op? See my blog for WAM-MY photos.
Dennis Baylor
April 9th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
If you had nothing to do with the project, why were you there on stage? Seems like you want it both ways.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Good for you Senator!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Dear John Eichelberger:
What do you think of the fact that School District of Philadelphia teachers are routinely placed in basements or rubber rooms, if they dare call the school district’s own, Safe Schools Hotline.
I was placed in a basement at 427 Monroe Street for merely calling the district’s Safe Schools Hotline. I was treated like an animal.
But of course the School District is doing a great job. They are in the news everyday with rapes, robberies, and attacks. Way to go School District of Philadelphia.