BARC official taken to task
Alison Carroll-McConnell’s statement, “Brownsville is just fine” made me roll with laughter; she must live in the world of “Alison in Wonderland,” with her nice salary she is paid to be the director of Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. Hmmm … no wonder she is on the defense. Alison is not a resident or taxpayer of Brownsville Borough, so the tax increase of $35 or $45 dollars a year does not affect her in any way. As far as my math goes, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the $50,000 to renovate the Odd Fellows building would have reduced the borough’s deficit. I stand on what I said, “The office should have been in the borough building, it did not need renovated, it was ready to use!” The $50,000 would have been placed in the borough’s general budget and all the citizens of Brownsville would have benefited, not just a few members of B.A.R.C.
You did say one true statement: “What Brownsville needs is a tax base.” B.A.R.C. (a non profit organization) pays $0 in taxes.
As far as the drug problem, I know it is all over the country; however, three years ago 53 residents, taxpayers and concerned parents formed a group called Citizens Against Drugs. Three members of our group were men of the cloth. Norma Ryan was mayor and she stated, “We should have a meeting and form a crime watch committee.”
I believe two meetings were held. We planned a march; three people showed up. I believe one more meeting was held. Mission accomplished, group dissolved, business as usual! I believe, as many others do, we should have stayed as citizens against drugs. I believe the dealers would have left our town. You name a town where a mother and son tag-team selling drugs – all day long – in front of everyone. It happens everyday in “good old” BARKville.
Brownsville is gone; facts are facts, and prejudice has nothing to do with it. However, it does bring something to one’s attention: The former mayor and president of B.A.R.C. and now president of the newly formed crime watchers group. I wonder what the agenda is. Maybe it is another political move? Maybe it is a council seat in the May primary? Who knows?
As far as your blood, sweat, and tears go, Alison, I am sure you are paid well. As for me, you have no idea the amount of tax dollars that I have saved the residents of Brownsville. For instance, I went to Harrisburg and brought back $280,000 for asbestos removal so our children could be educated in a safe environment. This directly saved the taxpayers a large amount of money and helped keep our children’s health safe. I never patted myself on the back, I have never tooted my own horn as you have done, and I do not need recognition for anything that I have done for our community. I have never been compensated – it is at my own expense – while you are compensated quit well.
Looks as though the only one bitter is you. I wouldn’t know you if I tripped on you. As for your invitation to visit your office, I don’t think so. Your personal attack and the use of the words “savior” and “crucified” to get your point across was uncalled for, Alison Carroll-McConnell. You should get in line while you are healing Brownsville; maybe you will receive a healing. Your crude attitude and demented comments sickened a lot of readers.
Of course, that is what defense is all about. You have to defend your salary and your boss. In my world, I go by facts. You can juggle the figures any way you want; I know that game. However, figures don’t lie, but liars figure.
In closing, I would like to say that I have always been a watchdog for the taxpayers. There should be a complete audit done on all the books of B.A.R.C. Opening your books would be a positive gain for the taxpayers of Brownsville Borough.
Alison Carroll-McConnell, this could be your legacy. The audit should be done by an auditor, or perhaps the Attorney General’s Office. With the good rapport you have with the governor, the Attorney General should not be hard to reach. What about that, Alison?
Stella Broadwater resides in Brownsville.