Posted on 05/26/2009 12:09:13 PM PDT by jazusamo
A $15,000 federal grant for police computers in one Monongahela Valley city slipped unnoticed past council and was awarded without competitive bids to a firm run by the son of then-Mayor Ken Cole, city officials said today.
The contract is one of dozens under scrutiny by federal investigators who are looking into defense firms with ties to U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown. Mr. Murtha, who chairs the powerful House Appropriations defense subcommittee, was instrumental in securing millions of dollars in grants through the Department of Justice to upgrade communications systems for small towns.
In one of those towns, Monongahela, the current mayor and police chief contend that their predecessors did not inform the city council of a $15,000 grant in 2005 and spent the entire amount with one firm -- J.K. Networking, which was co-owned by Ken Cole Jr., the mayor's son.
"It should have gone through council," said Bob Kepics, a councilman who succeeded Ken Cole Sr. as mayor of the Washington County town.
Mr. Kepics said suspicions were raised after agents from the Inspector General's fraud detection unit served a subpoena on police chief Brian Tempest last fall, asking for any records concerning MountainTop Technologies, a Johnstown company hired to administer millions of dollars in federal grants to police departments. MountainTop, which also holds the federal contract to oversee the John Murtha Airport in Johnstown, has received $36 million in earmarked defense contracts through Mr. Murtha.
Mr. Kepics and City Clerk Carole Foglia said they learned the grant was handled through Mayor Cole and then-Police Chief Dennis Mendicino.
"One thing I don't do is I don't lie to anybody. Was this bid? No, I believe not, no," said Mr. Tempest. "Did we get computer equipment? Yes. Did we get $15,000 worth of computer equipment? I don't know...
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
“Over 40% voted for Bill Russell last year”
Two votes from my household! I am still in shock that my fellow western Pennsylvanians are so inept that they keep Murtha (and most of the other chumps) in office. It’s like they are gluttons for punishment.
PA is a beautiful state, if you can get past its politics. There’s no place like home for me, but I’m consistently disappointed in where our pols take us.
Bill Russell is running a real grassroots campaign, needs all the help he can get, not getting much support from the RNC.
I did notice this video by the RNCC for Russell a while back on his site, it was a pleasant surprise. I also have a Russell For Congress ping list.
NRCC Launches New Web Video: Democrats Airport for No One
We had a place out in western pa my grandfather put together and Paid for over the course of Fifty years Great old house stables work shops Fruit trees grapes a natural spring absolutely pure, a coal mine it was to be the family estate when they were gone. Anyway they built highway system through it and gave grandma a bag of pennies..Crazy out there you need a large wad of money to use those toll roads to nowhere on that side of the state.
It would have been nice to have grandads place for between divorces and a summer place.
put me down on your list, also if anything is in the works
for July 4th Tea Parties in this area.
thanks
Welcome to the Russell list, you’re on.
Will ping list for any Russell or Tea Party function
on July 4th that I become aware of.
Hi Jaz! Hope you had a pleasant Memorial Day.
Here’s an interesting development...
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/05/26/rep-murtha-gets-primary-challenge/
Hiya Smooth! Had a nice Memorial Day and hope you and Mrs. Smooth did also.
That is interesting and news Murtha can’t be too happy about.
Sounds like Ryan Bucchianeri could bring up many things Murtha won’t want to talk about, especially in a primary, with Bucchianeri being a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
You suppose Fat Jack feels like a black cloud has been following him the last six months or so? LOL!
Meant to ping the both of you to #28, dang memory! :-)
It’s unfortunate but that happened to a lot of people I know when they put in the new toll road. I’m sorry to hear that your pap was one of them.
We can see that eye sore from our house. It kind of PO’ed me, too, because they named the one bridge to the road after Joe Montana because he’s from Monongahela. The a-hole never comes back for anything except when he’s being honored for something (the High School stadium and the bridge) and doesn’t stick around for any of the after celebrations.
They just raised the toll road to 1.25. My in-laws live out towards West Mifflin, so we use it occasionally. From our house, we literally drive 2 miles on the road. 2.50 to drive 4 miles. It’s ridiculous.
jaz, can you add to that Russell ping list, also?
I would like to keep up on what he’s doing in the area.
They just raised the toll road to 1.25. My in-laws live out towards West Mifflin, so we use it occasionally. From our house, we literally drive 2 miles on the road. 2.50 to drive 4 miles. Its ridiculous.”
I was shocked at what I saw it was like a trap the way it was setup. The Property taxes must be going through the roof as well.
You bet! Welcome Jen, you’re on.
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