Harrisburg Road Hazards

Once again this morning, 2 tie ups on the Capitol Beltway from the same old issues and still no action from Penndot or police.

First, another wreck 581 east to 83 south. Same old problem - no merge area and drivers not waiting for an opening on 83 south. I still have yet to see a ticket being written to a driver failing to yield coming down the ramp, although you can see it daily in any 10 minute span. Penndot's solution - close the ramp to 83 northbound which is almost never a danger, just a long wait sometimes for those using it.

Second, one more tail gate crash on 83 south bound. Cause, as always, following too close. It would only take about a week of police handing tickets to tailgaters to get this to stop. But no they would rather run speed traps. Which is more dangerous - the driver 2 car lengths behind the car in front at 50 mph or the driver running 10 miles over the limit at 65 with no traffic around him? Just watch for the weekly wrecks to get your answer. They mostly happen when no one is even going at the speed limit.

And of course our Legislature still sees no need to require liability insurance.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

One of the benefits of the new stimulus bill is the increase in the Federal Tax Credits for making your home more energy efficient.

The eligible improvements are things like insulation, windows and doors and heating and ventilation.

They are not looking for exotic improvements to qualify for 30% tax credit. The more exotic things like solar products qualify for more.

The link below to Energystar gets you more specifics on what you need to do to qualify.

Energystar

As always when dealing with the IRS, consult your tax professional

Breakfast Ride Season is Upon Us

The weather is better, so clean off the bike and get ready to ride to breakfast and support local causes at the same time.

In the case of Ephrata and Lawn there are so many in attendance that you get a bike show too.

Sunday April 5
Ephrata First Sunday
Citizens Fire in Mechanicsburg

Sunday April 19
New Kingstown

Saturday April 25
Summerdale

Sunday May 3
Ephrata
Citizens Fire in Mechanicsburg

SundayMay 17
Lawn - first one of the year. If youhaven't been in a while, last year they doubled their serving capacity
New Kingstown

How to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Energy - REDUCE AMERICAN PRODUCTION

In one of its first steps to reducing our dependence on foreign energy, the new administration in Washington has STOPPED THE ISSUANCE OF ALL permits for coal strip mining of mountain tops.

We have lots of coal but the current administration would rather see it stay in the ground.
Did you notice what's happening to the price of oil this week?

Sort of reminds me of when the Rendell Administration chased out the companies that had already mobilized to go for natural gas on Marcellus shale. They just pulled out and went to West Virginia to hit the same structure.

Wonder why the Chinese economy is still growing? Their coal production is going up and they open another coal fired generation plant every month or so.

Hope I'm wrong

I'm seeing more and more reports of folks who have taken the attitude that since it is reported nationally that there is a housing crisis that they will okay if they just walk away from their home.

Not talking here about people who have lost their job or had a health problem. Just people who for whatever reason, have decided they don't feel like paying their debt any longer.

These are people who are someday going to be applying for another professional job. Their credit report will probably be run as part of the hiring process. Would you hire someone to manage a budget for your firm who couldn't manage their own budget? Would you hire someone to teach your children who had no problem abandoning their personal resposibiilties?

Hopefully these are just overblown reports. Like the reports of housing tanking everywahere.

Let's have some leadership and hard work.

Saint Patricks Day Music

If you have any love at all for Irish Music treat yourself to Fire in the Glen at Appalachian Brewery in Camp Hill on Saint Patricks Day, March 17 from 7 'til 10

Breakfast Ride for March 15

Good Breakfast ride for a good cause at New Kingstown Fire Department.

6-11

New Kingstown Fire Company
277 North Locust Point Road
New Kingstown, PA 17072-0247

How to help kill a real estate recovery

President Obama's budget cuts the mortgage interest deduction.

Guess what that does to the value of the home.

Guess what that does to the banks and others (including retirees) who hold the mortgages on these homes.