Lancaster General Health Compensation: Plenty, But Not Out Of Line

For the guy who just opened a $300 bill from Lancaster General Health for five minutes worth of blood work, the six- and seven-figure compensation for top LGH officials may be enough to get that blood boiling.

But LGH’s compensation appears to be in line with industry standards.  In fact, you might make a case that Lancaster General President and CEO Tom Beeman is underpaid.

To put LGH compensation in context, Lancaster Newspapers compared it with compensation at five regional hospitals or health systems about the same size as Lancaster General: Wellspan Health, in York County; Pinnacle Health, in Dauphin County; Reading Health, in Berks County; Lehigh Valley Health, in Lehigh County; and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, also in Dauphin County.

The figures show that Beeman got less than the top executives at four of the five comparable institutions.

In 2010, Beeman made $1.35 million in total compensation.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/791279_LGH-compensation–Plenty–but-not-out-of-line.html#ixzz2EfKsV6QH

Governor Seen As Key To Reading Crime Summit

Editor’s note:  While you are at it, include Pottstown.  The crime rate is just as bad as Reading!

As Berks County residents digest the latest spate of violence in Reading, retailer Albert R. Boscov has taken center stage in the protracted effort to pull together a crime summit.

Boscov said Wednesday that it was crucial for both federal and state officials – preferably Gov. Tom Corbett – to take part in the proposed group discussion of Reading’s crime problems.  He said both U.S. Sens. Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey have agreed to take part and that he was working to secure Corbett’s participation.

“I think he will come,” Boscov said.

A spokeswoman for Corbett said Wednesday night that he had not been invited to a summit but was open to the concept.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=433457

Baby Pigs Abandoned On Route 222, Now At Berks County Animal Rescue League

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These little piggies were indeed going to market, until all 55 of them got left in the medial strip of Route 222 in Bern Township on Wednesday.

Today, they’re eating like little pigs at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County in Cumru Township, waiting for the owner to come get them.

“This is an interesting place,” said the league’s marketing director, Chris Shaughness. “You never know what you’re going to get into.”

The months-old piglets, weighing 20 to 30 pounds each, were still in the 5-by-7-foot trailer when Bern police got there about 2:30 Wednesday afternoon.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=433587

PetSmart To Open $50 Million Warehouse In Bethel Township

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

National retailer PetSmart plans to open a $50 million distribution warehouse in Berks Park 78 in Bethel Township, creating 500 permanent jobs and 390 construction jobs.

This is the second Fortune 500 company slated to open in the park by January 2014.

A Dollar General distribution center, which plans to employ 500 workers and an additional 75 truckers, announced its plans last month.

Thomas C. McKeon, executive director of the Berks County Industrial Development Authority, said he is ecstatic the two large companies selected Bethel.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=398727

CNA Insurance To Move Operations Out Of Reading

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CNA Insurance said Thursday that the company plans to move its operations from its building at 401 Penn St. to another location in Berks County.

Mayor Tom McMahon confirmed that the insurance company officials told him they want to move to smaller quarters because only 25 percent of the building is in use, so it has become difficult for the company to support it financially…

Read the rest of the article here: http://readingeagle.com/Article.aspx?id=339019

Judy Schwank (D) To Replace Mike O’Pake In 11th Senate District

A former Berk’s County Commissioner has been voted into office by special election to replace Pennsylvania Senator Mike O’Pake, who died in office after suffering complications from heart surgery.

Judy Schwank handily beat her Republican challenger Larry Medaglia according to the unofficial results.

Schwank will serve out the remaining two years of Mike O’Pake’s 10th term.

Even In Death, Pennsylvania Senator Mike O’Pake Gives To Back The Community

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Recently deceased Pennsylvania State Senator, Mike O’Pake is paying it forward, even in death.  The senator’s will includes generous donations to local institutions.

St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where Mike O’Pake graduated from, was bequeathed $2 million dollars.  The use of this gift was left to the discretion of the university.

Alvernia University, in Reading, will be the repository for the senator’s entire political memorabilia collection, which chronicles his 42-year career in politics.  Eventually the collection will be made public for use by students, scholars and for viewing by the public.  Alvernia University was also entrusted with the archives of Shillington native and world-famous author John Updike.  Alvernia University said it was “humbled” to be entrusted with the senator’s collection.

Alvernia is slated to receive money from the senator’s estate.  However, the amount is unclear at this time.  Also in the senator’s will are the Jesuit Center in Wernersville and St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Reading.  What ever money remains, after all other bequests and bills are paid, is to be split between these three institutions.  Senator O’Pake’s properties and their contents were bequeathed to a caretaker of a disabled family member.

RIP Senator O’Pake.

Murder-Suicide In Cumru Township, Berks County

Police have released details regarding the two bodies that were found on Tuesday inside the Governor Mifflin Apartments in Cumru Township.

Karen Wanner, 54 of Shoemakersville, was stabbed numerous times and then shot in the head by Edward Arrivello, Jr., who also took his own life. 

The two had previously lived together.  Police were following up an a missing persons report on Karen Wanner when they found the two bodies in a rear bedroom of the apartment. 

Police were unable to determine the exact time of death and it is unclear who reported Karen Wanner missing.  A knife and gun were found at the scene.

Funeral Services For PA State Senator Mike O’Pake

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Viewing and funeral information for Pennsylvania State Senator Mike O’Pake has been announced.  Senator O’Pake was a devout Catholic and services will be held at his beloved St. Margaret’s RC Church, 925 Centre Avenue in Reading, PA.

Public viewing times are Sunday, January 2, 2011 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday, January 3, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon.  Interment will be private.

Senator O’Pake was a true public servant who worked tirelessly for all the people of Berks County.  He will be sorely missed.

Pennsylvania State Senator Mike O’Pake Dies From Heart Surgery Complications

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PA State Senator, Mike O’Pake, a tireless advocate for Berks County and Reading has died after undergoing heart bypass surgery on November 22, 2010.  Senator O’Pake seemed to be doing better, so his death today took many by surprise.

Read the entire story in the Reading Eagle:

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=274929