The Austin Boro News Blog is a Community Service Project and was started to bring you the news the newspaper community does not provide, or, does so on a limited basis.
Furthermore, there are many times when newspaper reporters are unable to attend school board meetings, borough council meetings, etc., but rely on the information distributed by the organizations.
When this happens, more times than not, we are going to receive filtered information favorable to the organization which does not cover all issues of the subject.
For example, I remember the time the title of an article which appeared in a local paper read something like "School Passes Inspection/Examination, etc.", or, words to that effect, when, in fact there were twenty-seven (27) specifications the school needed to correct. This was not mentioned in the article.
Of course, it would be nearly impossible for the newspapers covering a large area such as ours to attend all meetings.
The point is: Don't believe everything you read and attend as many meetings as you can where your tax dollars are involved. My personal experience is that government officials are not as fiscally responsible with tax dollars as they are with their own dollars, especially here in Austin.
The Austin Boro News Blog researched and has written articles on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law after I, a Borough Councilman, was denied access to the Borough's Water and Sewage Accounts.
When this information was finally made available to me, I learned that three members of the governing body owed substantial amounts of money for past-due water and sewer fees.
Additionally, a former councilperson had abandoned their place of residence and quit paying their water and sewer fees. This amount was written off last year as uncollectible.
Furthermore, as a result of questions posed to me by a citizen of this community, I learned that there was over $40,000.00 past due in water and sewer fees.
You should also know that any money earned by the Austin Boro News Blog is donated to non-profit organizations serving Austin or the Austin Area.
To date, we have donated money to the following organizations:
- Austin Boy Scouts
- Austin Cub Scouts
- Austin Dam Memorial Association
- Austin Pride Committee
- School Path Lighting Project
- E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society
- Austin Baseball Association
Please visit the Austin Boro News Blog at www.austinboronews.blogspot.com regularly, as I try to find information on a daily basis which should be of interest to the citizens of Austin.
The blog you are reading now, The Awesome Austin PA Blog, does not generate any money of any kind, as it does not contain Advertising. This Blog is a passion promoting the Community of Austin. I enjoyed a wonderful experience growing up here and received a solid educational foundation which has served me well throughout my lifetime. I am deeply saddened watching businesses fold, the bank closing and the apathy exhibited by the majority of the citizens of this community.
