Westmont deterioration update

[psycho]

I just spoke with a friend who is a real estate agent. She informed me that there are currently 18 homes in the Westmont Hilltop School District that have either been abandoned (7) or heve been foreclosed upon (11)and are awaiting auction within the next couple of months. These homes are mostly in Westmont Borough which currently has more homes for sale that the next 4 municipalities combined. According to this very seasoned real estate professional "people are fleeing the hilltop because of school taxes". Many cannot sell their homes and are "leaving their homes to the bank".

As a result it takes an average of 673 days to sell a home in the Westmont Hilltop School District and then homes sell for an average of 62% of their original asking price. Some homes have been on the market for over 5 years.

Now the Westy folks are holding bake sales and car washes, selling script, and having numerous "fundraisers" to "try to make ends meet" because the "evil" Tom Corbett has cut their handouts. OHHH.....The HORRORRRRR. Earth to Westy....consolidate with Johnstown and the national poster child for public school consolidation in the U.S., FERNDALE, and your problem is solved.

Special thanks to the PSEA and their defined benefit pension plan catastrophe that will forever change the face of communities across the Commonwealth. Westmont is toast.....

[SRV]

Are they going to hire a football coach before August?

Such a shame...

[Guru]

Before we start making claims about the taxes and vacant homes in Westmont lets not forget that 250 NDIC employees just lost their jobs and that a fair share of them resided in the Westmont school district. Also, over the years there have been numerous others who have left NDIC for one reason or another bringing the total to more than 300. I don't have the exact figures but I'm guessing that the reason for some of the problems in Westmont and other local districts is because of the lack of local employment opportunities. As for consolidation there are many more schools in the area that should or could be merged. Just my opinion...

36.84 Days Until Football Camp!

[psycho]

Westmont is THE prime candidate for consolidation in the Greater Johnstown area (besides national poster child Ferndale). It really makes sense. The mental midgets at Ferndale will do whatever they can within the realm of human endeavor to see that they do not aid the rich people of Westmont and so will obstruct and resist any possible consolidation attempt as long as they can, but a merger with Johnstown would be much easier.

My best guess is that Westmont will declare bankruptcy within a year to 18 months. My understanding is that a bunch of people have quit paying their school taxes and many are in arrears 2 years or more. This trend is increasing as more people are refusing to pay their school tax every year. With the monsterous teacher pension plan deficit that the Westy property owners will be called upon to "make up" next year, bankruptcy seems the only way out at this point.

This is really a sad situation.

[hilltoppanther]

[uhttp://www.whsd.org/uploaded/documents/distric ... ment.pdfrl][/url]

This may help you understand.

[ramfan]

Thanks, for the link

[psycho]

When Corbett was in town last week he met with a pro-consolidation group, including several prominent Westmomt residents. It is my understanding that they asked the Governor to force a consolidation of Westmont and the national poster child for consolidation, Ferndale. But I also learned that there are bigger plans being laid for the consolidation of Westmont and the national poster child for consolidation, Ferndale, with Johnstown.

With the aging school infrastructure in Westy and Ferndale, the Kernvillization of Westmont, the continuing flight of Westy residents from their beloved community because of ridiculous school taxes and the inability of Ferndale to live off of everyone else's money (because the money is gone), both Westmont and Ferndale will be unable to build new facilities or significantly upgrade their outdated physical plants. Floating a bond is out of the question as both "municipalities" are in serious financial distress. So the only choice that makes sense is to add onto JHS (there are empty acres right beside the school).

As the Westy and Ferndale populations continue to dwindle, this will become a reality. You heard it here first.

[SRV]

That will go by the wayside once someone has the balls to go after Corbett with his involvement in the PSU incidents. The last person that tried "disappeared." But the FBI has enough information they are just waiting for the PA DA. Corbett will be running for the hills (as he already is on the down low). Westmont and Ferndale will remain intact... you heard it here first.

[richaboli]

Why isn't Richland in this Westmont-Ferndale-Johnstown financial equation?

[knowitall]

psycho, please CEASE with this nonsense.

I have heard from a prominent source (my dental hygienist's brother's mother cuts the neighbor of the superintendent's sister's wife's hair) that Westmont is in serious talks to merge with Conemaugh Valley, the Richland Volunteer Fire Department and Ameriserv.