Exelon says it will shut two 50-year-old power generating stations known as the Cromby Generating Station located in Phoenixville. Exelon says they are no longer economic to operate and are unnecessary to meet shrinking demand for electricity in the region.
Two other units at the Eddystone Generating Station are also slated to close. Between the four units, about 280 jobs will be eliminated, but the company said Wednesday that it is looking for ways to reduce that number through such efforts as putting workers in other open jobs and buyouts.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Quality of Life/Drug Suppression Initiative
Memo from our Police Chief:
Two weeks ago, I requested a meeting with Chester County District Attorney Joe Carroll. DA Carroll met with me on Wednesday of last week to discuss a drug crime / quality of life crime suppression program that Sgt. Eckman and I put together. I presented a plan to DA Carroll in which the Phoenixville Police Department would deploy four officers in four hour staggered shifts to specifically target areas of the Borough where we have experienced recent drug dealing activity and/or quality of life disturbances and issues.
Working in two man teams on foot and in vehicles, these additional officers will augment the normal working force, but will be specifically targeting areas such as the down town business district, the 300 block of Church Street, the 200 block of Walnut Street, some areas of the north side and any area that we may deem a priority on any given night. These teams will maintain a high visibility presence every Friday and Saturday night throughout the holiday season (also on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving).
Our goals are to suppress crime through a visible presence, create a feeling of safety and order for our business and restaurant patrons, supplement the efforts of the officers working their normal shifts and support the overall mission of the Department.
My program required an $8,000.00 commitment from the District Attorney’s Office to pay for these officers who will be on overtime during this initiative. District Attorney Carroll granted my request and we began the initiative last Friday and Saturday night.
The good news and the bad news: Saturday night (10/21) we experienced two armed robberies; one on the north side and one in the central zone. These were separate incidents involving two different actors. The good news: Sgt. Eckman was one of the officers working the quality of life initiative mentioned above on Saturday night. By virtue of the initiative, he was in the area when the robbery in the central district occurred. Sgt. Eckman located and arrested the actor a short time later. During the course of his investigation, Sgt. Eckman located the weapon used and ultimately got a full confession from the actor. The bad news: we have not yet located the actor in the north side robbery.
Several months ago I suspected that we might experience an increase in crime as the holiday season approached and as the state of the economy had not dramatically improved. In the last several weeks, we have experienced the armed robbery of ten of our citizens. Nine of the robberies were solved (with the weapons used being recovered) in the very same day. This does not include the Norristown robbers that I wrote to you about the other day.
So you can expect to see an increased police presence downtown and in the trouble spots for the remaining five weeks of this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Wm. J. Mossman
Chief of Police
Two weeks ago, I requested a meeting with Chester County District Attorney Joe Carroll. DA Carroll met with me on Wednesday of last week to discuss a drug crime / quality of life crime suppression program that Sgt. Eckman and I put together. I presented a plan to DA Carroll in which the Phoenixville Police Department would deploy four officers in four hour staggered shifts to specifically target areas of the Borough where we have experienced recent drug dealing activity and/or quality of life disturbances and issues.
Working in two man teams on foot and in vehicles, these additional officers will augment the normal working force, but will be specifically targeting areas such as the down town business district, the 300 block of Church Street, the 200 block of Walnut Street, some areas of the north side and any area that we may deem a priority on any given night. These teams will maintain a high visibility presence every Friday and Saturday night throughout the holiday season (also on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving).
Our goals are to suppress crime through a visible presence, create a feeling of safety and order for our business and restaurant patrons, supplement the efforts of the officers working their normal shifts and support the overall mission of the Department.
My program required an $8,000.00 commitment from the District Attorney’s Office to pay for these officers who will be on overtime during this initiative. District Attorney Carroll granted my request and we began the initiative last Friday and Saturday night.
The good news and the bad news: Saturday night (10/21) we experienced two armed robberies; one on the north side and one in the central zone. These were separate incidents involving two different actors. The good news: Sgt. Eckman was one of the officers working the quality of life initiative mentioned above on Saturday night. By virtue of the initiative, he was in the area when the robbery in the central district occurred. Sgt. Eckman located and arrested the actor a short time later. During the course of his investigation, Sgt. Eckman located the weapon used and ultimately got a full confession from the actor. The bad news: we have not yet located the actor in the north side robbery.
Several months ago I suspected that we might experience an increase in crime as the holiday season approached and as the state of the economy had not dramatically improved. In the last several weeks, we have experienced the armed robbery of ten of our citizens. Nine of the robberies were solved (with the weapons used being recovered) in the very same day. This does not include the Norristown robbers that I wrote to you about the other day.
So you can expect to see an increased police presence downtown and in the trouble spots for the remaining five weeks of this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Wm. J. Mossman
Chief of Police
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Borough Holds Line on Tax Increase at Zero Percent
Borough Council this evening, with two members of the public in attendance, voted to advertise the 2010 budget with no tax increase. The first budget was presented to the Finance Committee in mid September and was presented to Council two weeks ago.
Some cost cutting measures, among others, included; reducing the CDC cost by 50 percent; limiting raises of non-union/non-uniform to 2 percent and eliminating video taping of the Finance Committee meetings. Removing leaf collection from the 2010 budget had a motion made but died due to a lack of a second thereby ensuring collection next fall.
With recommendations from Management and Committee, a little more than $34k was taken from the fund balance to achieve a zero percent tax increase.
The incoming Council can re-open the budget next January if they so choose.
Some cost cutting measures, among others, included; reducing the CDC cost by 50 percent; limiting raises of non-union/non-uniform to 2 percent and eliminating video taping of the Finance Committee meetings. Removing leaf collection from the 2010 budget had a motion made but died due to a lack of a second thereby ensuring collection next fall.
With recommendations from Management and Committee, a little more than $34k was taken from the fund balance to achieve a zero percent tax increase.
The incoming Council can re-open the budget next January if they so choose.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Apparently They Didn't Get the Memo
I’d like to update you on a significant arrest made by our officers last Thursday. Some background information:
On Wednesday 11/11/09 two men from Norristown burglarized a home in Norristown and stole the home owner’s vehicle (a silver Volvo). Over the course of the day on Wednesday these two men committed an armed robbery of a 7-11 store in Norristown, an armed robbery of a 7-11 store in Pottstown, an armed robbery of a Sunoco A-Plus store in Upper Pottsgrove, an armed robbery of a Sunoco A-Plus in East Vincent Township and an armed robbery of a Sunoco A-Plus in West Vincent Township.
Their luck ran out however when they decided to make their get-away by traveling through Phoenixville Borough. It is unknown if they had intended on robbing our A-Plus or if they were just looking to get away, but in any case, Cpl. Mark was monitoring traffic coming into the Borough looking for the stolen Volvo at about 2:00am (now Thursday morning), when he spotted the car. Cpl. Mark confirmed that the vehicle that he was following was the stolen Volvo from Norristown and he attempted to stop the car. The occupants refused to stop and the Volvo began to flee. Cpl. Mark and other Phoenixville Police Officers gave chase and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit went through Phoenixville and into Upper Providence Montgomery County where the Volvo eventually wrecked into a light pole on Egypt Road. The two occupants ran from the wreck and were eventually located and arrested by Phoenixville and assisting Montgomery County Officers. Recovered was a large amount of cash, the stolen vehicle and a Ruger .357 revolver. The men ultimately confessed to the burglary, the armed robberies and the attempt at fleeing and eluding police officers.
Through the diligence and courageous actions of Phoenixville Police Officers, a burglary and five armed robberies spanning two counties over the course of one day were solved, and an unknown number of future armed robberies were prevented. Two dangerous men armed with a .357 magnum revolver are off of the streets and the citizens of our neighboring communities can rest easy knowing that the Phoenixville Police Department captured their assailants and solved their cases with no injury to any citizen or police officer.
As you may all remember, this was the same fate met by the other two Norristown bank robbers (the ones who set the East Pikeland Elementary School on fire as a diversion for their bank robbery) who decided to make their get-away through Phoenixville some years back.
Apparently these two didn’t get the memo: Stay out of Phoenixville if you don’t want to go to jail!
Respectfully submitted,
Wm. J. Mossman
Chief of Police
On Wednesday 11/11/09 two men from Norristown burglarized a home in Norristown and stole the home owner’s vehicle (a silver Volvo). Over the course of the day on Wednesday these two men committed an armed robbery of a 7-11 store in Norristown, an armed robbery of a 7-11 store in Pottstown, an armed robbery of a Sunoco A-Plus store in Upper Pottsgrove, an armed robbery of a Sunoco A-Plus in East Vincent Township and an armed robbery of a Sunoco A-Plus in West Vincent Township.
Their luck ran out however when they decided to make their get-away by traveling through Phoenixville Borough. It is unknown if they had intended on robbing our A-Plus or if they were just looking to get away, but in any case, Cpl. Mark was monitoring traffic coming into the Borough looking for the stolen Volvo at about 2:00am (now Thursday morning), when he spotted the car. Cpl. Mark confirmed that the vehicle that he was following was the stolen Volvo from Norristown and he attempted to stop the car. The occupants refused to stop and the Volvo began to flee. Cpl. Mark and other Phoenixville Police Officers gave chase and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit went through Phoenixville and into Upper Providence Montgomery County where the Volvo eventually wrecked into a light pole on Egypt Road. The two occupants ran from the wreck and were eventually located and arrested by Phoenixville and assisting Montgomery County Officers. Recovered was a large amount of cash, the stolen vehicle and a Ruger .357 revolver. The men ultimately confessed to the burglary, the armed robberies and the attempt at fleeing and eluding police officers.
Through the diligence and courageous actions of Phoenixville Police Officers, a burglary and five armed robberies spanning two counties over the course of one day were solved, and an unknown number of future armed robberies were prevented. Two dangerous men armed with a .357 magnum revolver are off of the streets and the citizens of our neighboring communities can rest easy knowing that the Phoenixville Police Department captured their assailants and solved their cases with no injury to any citizen or police officer.
As you may all remember, this was the same fate met by the other two Norristown bank robbers (the ones who set the East Pikeland Elementary School on fire as a diversion for their bank robbery) who decided to make their get-away through Phoenixville some years back.
Apparently these two didn’t get the memo: Stay out of Phoenixville if you don’t want to go to jail!
Respectfully submitted,
Wm. J. Mossman
Chief of Police
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Recent Police Events
Earlier this year when Council was discussing hiring several new Police Officers, Chief Mossman made the point that during down economic times, crime goes up. This is reflected in today’s Pottstown Mercury article “Increase in retail thefts strains Limerick police resources.”
It is also reflected in a memo provided by Chief Mossman to Council reprinted below. Council will be reviewing the 2010 budget during the course of the weeks ahead with the Police Department budget coming in at $3.48 million for 2010.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Late last week several juveniles were arrested for spray painting their “tag” on various vehicles and buildings throughout the Borough (mainly south and central Phoenixville). There were probably a dozen or so objects that were painted and we will seek restitution for all damaged property. This was not a gang related activity; just juveniles vandalizing and acting stupidly.
Last Friday we arrested an Eland Downe resident and charged him with the five Eland Downe burglaries that have occurred since April. He ultimately confessed to four of the Eland Down burglaries and one in East Pikeland Township. He fled to Philadelphia after we served a search warrant on his residence but was captured and returned to Chester County.
Most of you (Council) will remember signing a grant request that the Police Department wrote for security cameras for the Phoenixville School District. Utilizing the cameras at Barkley, we were able to identify a suspect who vandalized a teacher’s car for parking near his house. The actor took a rock and scraped it all around the victim teacher’s brand new car. We brought the suspect in today and he confessed to damaging the teacher’s car offering full restitution (over $1,500.00).
Lastly, we had three armed robberies (five total victims) over the weekend. In each case a male actor displayed a black handgun and held-up the victims (a couple in front of the Brown Cow Ice Cream store on Main Street), (two Spanish speaking men in front of the Post Office) and (a third Spanish speaking gentleman further down Gay Street). Police Officers stopped a guy fitting the general description of the robber later that evening and discovered that he was in possession of a black handgun which turned out to be a very realistic looking BB pistol. After extensive questioning the suspect would not admit to the crimes, but one victim positively identified him as the robber and one other victim was almost certain that it was him. The others could not be sure. Based on circumstantial and eye witness evidence we arrested this individual on five counts of armed robbery and associated crimes. He also resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of suspected crack cocaine.
Luckily for us, this was a relatively quiet weekend with only 93 calls for service including the usual public drunks and one fight behind the 212 Bridge Street club.
It is also reflected in a memo provided by Chief Mossman to Council reprinted below. Council will be reviewing the 2010 budget during the course of the weeks ahead with the Police Department budget coming in at $3.48 million for 2010.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Late last week several juveniles were arrested for spray painting their “tag” on various vehicles and buildings throughout the Borough (mainly south and central Phoenixville). There were probably a dozen or so objects that were painted and we will seek restitution for all damaged property. This was not a gang related activity; just juveniles vandalizing and acting stupidly.
Last Friday we arrested an Eland Downe resident and charged him with the five Eland Downe burglaries that have occurred since April. He ultimately confessed to four of the Eland Down burglaries and one in East Pikeland Township. He fled to Philadelphia after we served a search warrant on his residence but was captured and returned to Chester County.
Most of you (Council) will remember signing a grant request that the Police Department wrote for security cameras for the Phoenixville School District. Utilizing the cameras at Barkley, we were able to identify a suspect who vandalized a teacher’s car for parking near his house. The actor took a rock and scraped it all around the victim teacher’s brand new car. We brought the suspect in today and he confessed to damaging the teacher’s car offering full restitution (over $1,500.00).
Lastly, we had three armed robberies (five total victims) over the weekend. In each case a male actor displayed a black handgun and held-up the victims (a couple in front of the Brown Cow Ice Cream store on Main Street), (two Spanish speaking men in front of the Post Office) and (a third Spanish speaking gentleman further down Gay Street). Police Officers stopped a guy fitting the general description of the robber later that evening and discovered that he was in possession of a black handgun which turned out to be a very realistic looking BB pistol. After extensive questioning the suspect would not admit to the crimes, but one victim positively identified him as the robber and one other victim was almost certain that it was him. The others could not be sure. Based on circumstantial and eye witness evidence we arrested this individual on five counts of armed robbery and associated crimes. He also resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of suspected crack cocaine.
Luckily for us, this was a relatively quiet weekend with only 93 calls for service including the usual public drunks and one fight behind the 212 Bridge Street club.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Second Avenue Taken Back by Borough
After vacating a portion of Second Avenue and selling that portion to the Phoenixville Area School District for $1.00 for the library expansion project last April, Borough Council reversed that motion this evening thus taking back Second Avenue for Borough use.
The motion was made by Councilman Kendrick Buckwalter and seconded by Councilman Mike Handwerk and passed 7-0.
The action this evening was taken after the Library Foundation hand delivered a letter to Council President yesterday advising “the Phoenixville Public Library Foundation Board has voted today to withdraw its Expansion Proposal at this time, and to pursue strengthing (sic) the Library's endowment. This decision was made after serious consideration of current economic conditions and the budgetary concerns facing the Phoenixville Public Library.”
The motion was made by Councilman Kendrick Buckwalter and seconded by Councilman Mike Handwerk and passed 7-0.
The action this evening was taken after the Library Foundation hand delivered a letter to Council President yesterday advising “the Phoenixville Public Library Foundation Board has voted today to withdraw its Expansion Proposal at this time, and to pursue strengthing (sic) the Library's endowment. This decision was made after serious consideration of current economic conditions and the budgetary concerns facing the Phoenixville Public Library.”
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tomorrow South Meets North
A 11:00 AM, the ribbon cutting will take place at the top of the new bridge. If rained out, the ceremonies will take place at the Colonial.
However, tonight, the bridge is calm and rain soaked waiting to connect the town once again.
However, tonight, the bridge is calm and rain soaked waiting to connect the town once again.
Police Blotter Weekend of October 9th
The Phoenixville Police Department responded to 127 calls for service last weekend. Included in those calls were:
Friday – 6 arrests for Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct, 1 assault and 1 DUI.
Saturday – 6 arrests for Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct, 3 Open Container citations, 1 fight and 1 disturbance involving 150 people which required the assistance of 4 additional police departments.
Sunday – 1 DUI and 2 arrests for Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct.
The above was accomplished with no more than 4 officers working at any one time except for the disturbance involving 150 people.
Friday – 6 arrests for Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct, 1 assault and 1 DUI.
Saturday – 6 arrests for Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct, 3 Open Container citations, 1 fight and 1 disturbance involving 150 people which required the assistance of 4 additional police departments.
Sunday – 1 DUI and 2 arrests for Public Drunkenness or Disorderly Conduct.
The above was accomplished with no more than 4 officers working at any one time except for the disturbance involving 150 people.
Friday, October 02, 2009
It's Official; Gay Street Bridge Set to Open
The Gay Street Bridge, (soon to be renamed) is set to open Friday, October 16, at 11:00 AM. Below is the email sent out by the Borough Manager:
"We’ve confirmed with PennDOT that the opening of the Gay Street Bridge will be at 11:00 on Friday, October 16. PennDOT is in the process of sending invitations to all of the elected officials at all levels. It is my understanding that Les Toaso who is the District Executive for District 6 will be the MC for the ceremonies.
We are working with PennDOT to pull all of the logistics together. At this time we are planning to have the ribbon cutting at the center of the bridge. We are looking to have dignitaries and guests to gather at both ends of the bridge. At the designated time the procession will come from both ends and meet in the middle for the ceremonies and ribbon cutting.
We are working on everything from entertainment to classic cars. The biggest thing is getting the word out so that we have as large an audience as possible. As we get more information we will continue to put that onto our website and the government access channel. PennDOT will handle the formal press release and other media aspects.
Please take this opportunity to forward this email to as many others that you may know so that we have as large an event as possible. Posting on your own website is also encouraged. PennDOT has indicated there is no rain date."
"We’ve confirmed with PennDOT that the opening of the Gay Street Bridge will be at 11:00 on Friday, October 16. PennDOT is in the process of sending invitations to all of the elected officials at all levels. It is my understanding that Les Toaso who is the District Executive for District 6 will be the MC for the ceremonies.
We are working with PennDOT to pull all of the logistics together. At this time we are planning to have the ribbon cutting at the center of the bridge. We are looking to have dignitaries and guests to gather at both ends of the bridge. At the designated time the procession will come from both ends and meet in the middle for the ceremonies and ribbon cutting.
We are working on everything from entertainment to classic cars. The biggest thing is getting the word out so that we have as large an audience as possible. As we get more information we will continue to put that onto our website and the government access channel. PennDOT will handle the formal press release and other media aspects.
Please take this opportunity to forward this email to as many others that you may know so that we have as large an event as possible. Posting on your own website is also encouraged. PennDOT has indicated there is no rain date."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
$100,000 Loan Guarantee Ordinance NOT Vetoed
The $100,000 Loan Guarantee Ordinance passed by Council September 8th did not get the veto stamp by Mayor Scoda as requested by Councilmen Senley and Buckwalter via e-mail last week.
Since the ordinance passed 5-3, a majority of Council, had the Mayor vetoed the ordinance, the Council would have had to produced a two-thirds vote to override the veto. If Councilmen Handwerk, Senley, and Buckwalter, who initially voted not to guarantee the $100,000 loan, stayed the course, the veto would have deep-sixed the ordinance.
However, the Mayor chose to put the Phoenixville taxpayer on the hook for the $100,000 loan should the Parking Authority fail to make payments.
Below is my e-mail to the Mayor requesting the veto and his response:
-----Original Message-----
From: Kendrick Buckwalter
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09 PM
To: Leo Scoda
Cc: Jeffrey Senley; Michael Handwerk; Kendrick Buckwalter
Subject: RE: Parking Authority Ordinance
Dear Mayor Scoda,
I would like to request that you veto the Parking Authority Loan Guarantee Ordinance. My reason for this request is the Borough is in no financial position to guarantee a $100,000 loan given the presentation the other night showing a $1.3 million budget gap in next year’s budget.
Vetoing the PA Loan ordinance now gives Council time to examine the revenue study that the Borough Council authorized last month. If the revenue study shows that sufficient revenue could be realized to pay back the loan, then Council could again pass an ordinance guaranteeing a loan, only this time supported by facts.
Vetoing the current ordinance passed by Council keeps the power in your hand until it can be shown the Borough is acting in a financially prudent manner. Letting the ordinance pass takes the power out of your hands for financial responsibility which the majority of Council seems to ignore.
A vote to accept the revenue study or not, cannot be vetoed where as an ordinance can. Then it is too late.
Kendrick Buckwalter
West Ward Councilman
From: Leo Scoda Sent: Tue 9/15/2009 1:01 PM
To: Kendrick Buckwalter
Cc:
Subject: RE: Parking Authority Ordinance
Ken,
I apprciate (sic) your input. I discussed this matter with Messers Lolli, Wagner, Kirkner, Rau,Krack and Cassidy and received assurances that without the good financial report the loan would not go forward. I did sign the ordinance yesterday.
Leo
Since the ordinance passed 5-3, a majority of Council, had the Mayor vetoed the ordinance, the Council would have had to produced a two-thirds vote to override the veto. If Councilmen Handwerk, Senley, and Buckwalter, who initially voted not to guarantee the $100,000 loan, stayed the course, the veto would have deep-sixed the ordinance.
However, the Mayor chose to put the Phoenixville taxpayer on the hook for the $100,000 loan should the Parking Authority fail to make payments.
Below is my e-mail to the Mayor requesting the veto and his response:
-----Original Message-----
From: Kendrick Buckwalter
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09 PM
To: Leo Scoda
Cc: Jeffrey Senley; Michael Handwerk; Kendrick Buckwalter
Subject: RE: Parking Authority Ordinance
Dear Mayor Scoda,
I would like to request that you veto the Parking Authority Loan Guarantee Ordinance. My reason for this request is the Borough is in no financial position to guarantee a $100,000 loan given the presentation the other night showing a $1.3 million budget gap in next year’s budget.
Vetoing the PA Loan ordinance now gives Council time to examine the revenue study that the Borough Council authorized last month. If the revenue study shows that sufficient revenue could be realized to pay back the loan, then Council could again pass an ordinance guaranteeing a loan, only this time supported by facts.
Vetoing the current ordinance passed by Council keeps the power in your hand until it can be shown the Borough is acting in a financially prudent manner. Letting the ordinance pass takes the power out of your hands for financial responsibility which the majority of Council seems to ignore.
A vote to accept the revenue study or not, cannot be vetoed where as an ordinance can. Then it is too late.
Kendrick Buckwalter
West Ward Councilman
From: Leo Scoda Sent: Tue 9/15/2009 1:01 PM
To: Kendrick Buckwalter
Cc:
Subject: RE: Parking Authority Ordinance
Ken,
I apprciate (sic) your input. I discussed this matter with Messers Lolli, Wagner, Kirkner, Rau,Krack and Cassidy and received assurances that without the good financial report the loan would not go forward. I did sign the ordinance yesterday.
Leo
Monday, September 14, 2009
It Was a Mistake, Folks
From the Borough's Web Site:
The Borough of Phoenixville apologizes for any
confusion due to the return envelope being included
in the Water Quality Report, Leaf Collection,
and Shred Event Notices.
The Quarterly Water, Sewer & Trash Bill
will not be mailed out until October 2009.
The Borough of Phoenixville apologizes for any
confusion due to the return envelope being included
in the Water Quality Report, Leaf Collection,
and Shred Event Notices.
The Quarterly Water, Sewer & Trash Bill
will not be mailed out until October 2009.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Think Twice Before Deciding to Deal Drugs in Phoenixville
Phoenixville is privileged to have a top notch Police Department protecting its citizens.
A posting on Phoenixvillefocus.com titled “Police Raid Moon Saloon” stated “I’ve heard from many reliable sources that the Moon Saloon was raided by police sometime this past Thursday or Friday. What I haven’t been able to gather from the rumor mill is exactly what was going down inside, or who and what were the targets of the raid.
Council received this communication from the Chief last week and may shed some light on Mr. Rooney’s posting:
I’d like to inform you about a significant drug arrest that was made on Friday afternoon culminating in the removal of two very dangerous men from the streets of Phoenixville. David Coulombe w/m 03-29-81 and Jason Emra w/m 08-20-80 were both fugitives from New Hampshire who moved into Montgomery County and started selling cocaine several months ago. They made the mistake of moving into Phoenixville three weeks ago and we arrested them Friday afternoon.
I’m particularly proud of this arrest because these men had been pursued by the United States Marshalls for the last four months and investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office in conjunction with the Montgomery County Detectives Office for the last three months. We (Phoenixville P.D.) learned about them three weeks ago and we put together an undercover drug operation culminating in their arrests and the seizure of ¼ pound of cocaine, 350 ecstasy pills, several grams of hashish, marijuana, a scale and 500 unused cocaine packets. Also recovered was a loaded .380 caliber handgun with the serial number obliterated and $4,000 in cash.
These men had fled New Hampshire to avoid prosecution on numerous criminal charges including; drug sales, parole violations, burglary and attempted murder. They were wanted by the U.S. Marshalls and the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force. They moved in to Montgomery County and started selling drugs several months ago. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office along with Montgomery County Detectives and Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) started an investigation on these guys. Several months into their investigation the two men moved into Phoenixville (three weeks ago).
We (Phoenixville P.D.) were approached by the Pa Attorney Generals (AG’s) Office and CC HIDTA three weeks ago asking for our assistance in this investigation. We (Phoenixville P.D.) put together an undercover drug operation and as a result, were able to secure a search warrant for their apartment above the Sav-More shop in the 200 block of Bridge Street. At 5:00am Friday morning, Sgt. Eckman and I conducted a briefing which contained members of the Phoenixville Police Department, Chester County Detectives, Pa Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Marshalls, NCCERT (SWAT) and Schuylkill Twp. P.D.
We served the search warrant at 6:01 am above the Sav-More shop to minimize and potential danger to residents, visitors and shop owners downtown. As it turns out, the two men were not home when we executed the search warrant. However, we (Phoenixville P.D.) along with two U.S. Marshalls staked out several other locations that the two were known to frequent and at about 2:00pm on Friday afternoon we located them in an apartment above Moon Saloon (Hotel Chester) in the 400 block of Bridge Street. At that time Phoenixville Police Department’s Third Platoon and two U.S. Marshalls arrested the two men without incident, injury or damage to any persons or property.
There is no doubt that these were two armed and dangerous men and we don’t need this kind in our Borough, especially setting up shop in our downtown district. I’m very proud of our ability to bring a case like this to closure so quickly. We are on top of our game here and that is evidenced by how readily other top law enforcement and drug enforcement organizations reach out to us for help.
Chief Mossman
A posting on Phoenixvillefocus.com titled “Police Raid Moon Saloon” stated “I’ve heard from many reliable sources that the Moon Saloon was raided by police sometime this past Thursday or Friday. What I haven’t been able to gather from the rumor mill is exactly what was going down inside, or who and what were the targets of the raid.
Council received this communication from the Chief last week and may shed some light on Mr. Rooney’s posting:
I’d like to inform you about a significant drug arrest that was made on Friday afternoon culminating in the removal of two very dangerous men from the streets of Phoenixville. David Coulombe w/m 03-29-81 and Jason Emra w/m 08-20-80 were both fugitives from New Hampshire who moved into Montgomery County and started selling cocaine several months ago. They made the mistake of moving into Phoenixville three weeks ago and we arrested them Friday afternoon.
I’m particularly proud of this arrest because these men had been pursued by the United States Marshalls for the last four months and investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office in conjunction with the Montgomery County Detectives Office for the last three months. We (Phoenixville P.D.) learned about them three weeks ago and we put together an undercover drug operation culminating in their arrests and the seizure of ¼ pound of cocaine, 350 ecstasy pills, several grams of hashish, marijuana, a scale and 500 unused cocaine packets. Also recovered was a loaded .380 caliber handgun with the serial number obliterated and $4,000 in cash.
These men had fled New Hampshire to avoid prosecution on numerous criminal charges including; drug sales, parole violations, burglary and attempted murder. They were wanted by the U.S. Marshalls and the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force. They moved in to Montgomery County and started selling drugs several months ago. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office along with Montgomery County Detectives and Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) started an investigation on these guys. Several months into their investigation the two men moved into Phoenixville (three weeks ago).
We (Phoenixville P.D.) were approached by the Pa Attorney Generals (AG’s) Office and CC HIDTA three weeks ago asking for our assistance in this investigation. We (Phoenixville P.D.) put together an undercover drug operation and as a result, were able to secure a search warrant for their apartment above the Sav-More shop in the 200 block of Bridge Street. At 5:00am Friday morning, Sgt. Eckman and I conducted a briefing which contained members of the Phoenixville Police Department, Chester County Detectives, Pa Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Marshalls, NCCERT (SWAT) and Schuylkill Twp. P.D.
We served the search warrant at 6:01 am above the Sav-More shop to minimize and potential danger to residents, visitors and shop owners downtown. As it turns out, the two men were not home when we executed the search warrant. However, we (Phoenixville P.D.) along with two U.S. Marshalls staked out several other locations that the two were known to frequent and at about 2:00pm on Friday afternoon we located them in an apartment above Moon Saloon (Hotel Chester) in the 400 block of Bridge Street. At that time Phoenixville Police Department’s Third Platoon and two U.S. Marshalls arrested the two men without incident, injury or damage to any persons or property.
There is no doubt that these were two armed and dangerous men and we don’t need this kind in our Borough, especially setting up shop in our downtown district. I’m very proud of our ability to bring a case like this to closure so quickly. We are on top of our game here and that is evidenced by how readily other top law enforcement and drug enforcement organizations reach out to us for help.
Chief Mossman
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Phoenixville and Pittsburgh
From Arts to Industry: Reviving Downtowns Through Investment in the Arts
By: Joe Petrucci, 8/20/2009
For 25 years, Barry Cassidy has remade neighborhoods like so many investors flip houses. When he arrived in Phoenixville, a community of 16,000 about 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia in 2003, drugs and prostitution had driven many away from a downtown that for 200 years rode the fortunes of the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company.
An arts and entertainment strategy to redevelop the downtown started simply enough with the addition of 200 seats to the historic Colonial Theater, considered the plan's anchor building. A new arts center followed, along with streetscape improvements. Six years and well over $20 million in private investment later, thousands congregate every week for movies, live music, restaurants and galleries in Phoenixville, where most property values have quadrupled.
"People learned to say yes to creative ideas," says Cassidy.
Numerous corners of the Commonwealth have learned that lesson, resulting in redevelopment of both communities and economies. Despite a mountain of data that highlights the correlation between the arts and prosperity, the arts community finds itself in a familiar position--fighting for funding that has historically resulted in private investment and prosperity.
"We will have to be willing to make this case year after year," says Mitch Swain, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. "Part of the difficulty we've had is for so long the arts have tried to sell itself using arguments fueled by passion.
"We're most successful when we bring factual arguments alongside that passion."
In Pennsylvania, approximately $1 billion apiece is spent by non-profit arts and culture organizations and their patrons, according to a 2005 study by non-profit advocates Americans for the Arts. The sector is responsible for more than 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs, generates $367 million in household income, and directs $57 million and $74 million, respectively, to local and state government coffers.
Those numbers are only as meaningful as the organizations who promote them. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance works with nearly 400 non-profit arts and culture organizations in the five-county region in a variety of ways, like advocacy, research, marketing, and funding. Its policy department reaches out into communities to help connect arts organizations with local government, community development groups and the for-profit sector.
"It's central to what we do and how we think arts and culture is evolving," says Tom Kaiden, COO of the Cultural Alliance. "It plays a very important role in terms of economic development, property values, and enriching lives."
That's why corporations and foundations are still investing in the arts, even during a recession. PNC Bank, for example, launched this summer its five-year, $5 million Arts Alive funding initiative in Greater Philadelphia. In June, Pew Charitable Trusts announced $3.1 million in unrestricted funding for Philadelphia-area arts organizations.
The best investments, though, come from the artists themselves. A noticeable group of them had already arrived in Phoenixville when Cassidy got there six years ago. Attracted by the borough's dirt-cheap real estate and proximity to the big city, the artists represented the foundation of any arts redevelopment plan. The other part of the foundation is an anchor tenant, which Cassidy identified as the Colonial, a century-old movie house. Seats and an elevator were added to facilitate the re-birth of live shows at the venue.
That's when Cassidy and the Main Street Community Development Corporation really went to work, securing $4.6 million in federal, state and local grants for streetscape improvements in 2005. By then, the Colonial was hopping most every night, the Phoenix Village Art Center had gone from First Friday anchor to primary tenant in a historic former hardware store, and coffee shops and restaurants started opening their doors along Bridge Street. There's also a mural program, multiple festivals and an outdoor summer weekend concert series.
"You create the programming, and the investment starts," says Cassidy, who has performed similar makeovers on South Street in Philadelphia and in the nearby suburb of Doylestown.
"When we celebrate First Friday, you can't even walk down the street here. We might have to close the street soon. This is probably as successful an implementation of an arts and entertainment strategy I've been associated with."
An even larger-scale success on the other side of the state will soon be on display for the world. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is both an arts agency and economic development catalyst founded in 1984 when steel mills were abandoning the city. Through the vision of H.J. Heinz II, the Trust led the transformation of downtown Pittsburgh from red light district to cultural center.
Today, Pittsburgh's Cultural District is a 14 square-block destination that annually attracts 2 million visitors and generates $303 million in economic impact. When the G20 Summit comes to Pittsburgh next month to set a course for world economic recovery, three venues chosen by the White House for large-scale events including world leaders will be arts facilities--The Phipps Conservatory, the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Creative and Performing Arts High School.
"I can't tell you how many other cities have come to Pittsburgh and used it as a model of their own," says Swain.
In the heart of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown is one of the country's smallest cities to have a full-time symphony orchestra and museum of modern art. The city recently completed its brick-paved Arts Walk, the final phase of redevelopment of Allentown's downtown arts district, which connects Symphony Hall, the Baum School of Art and Allentown Art Museum.
The hope for Arts Walk, first conceived almost 20 years ago by the president of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation, is that it attracts more people, programming and corporate sponsorships. Mayor Ed Pawlowski says the City is also working on developing an arts incubator to grow smaller arts groups.
"It's difficult to create a creative class. It takes a lot of concerted effort and it doesn't happen overnight," says Pawlowski. "You have to capitalize on synergy."
Synergy is what organizations like Kaiden's and Swain's are trying to create in the arts community. The Cultural Alliance's $6 million Engage 2020 initiative, which aims to double Greater Philadelphia's arts participation by the year 2020, is setting a course for marketing and audience engagement that it hopes will grow similar opportunities for the arts to contribute to economic redevelopment.
"The real power of the arts in our region is it makes all the things we care about better and stronger," says Kaiden. "It's really central to our identity. If we were to lose that, it would put us at a severe economic and social disadvantage."
Joe Petrucci is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and one of Keystone Edge's Innovation and Job News editors.
By: Joe Petrucci, 8/20/2009
For 25 years, Barry Cassidy has remade neighborhoods like so many investors flip houses. When he arrived in Phoenixville, a community of 16,000 about 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia in 2003, drugs and prostitution had driven many away from a downtown that for 200 years rode the fortunes of the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company.
An arts and entertainment strategy to redevelop the downtown started simply enough with the addition of 200 seats to the historic Colonial Theater, considered the plan's anchor building. A new arts center followed, along with streetscape improvements. Six years and well over $20 million in private investment later, thousands congregate every week for movies, live music, restaurants and galleries in Phoenixville, where most property values have quadrupled.
"People learned to say yes to creative ideas," says Cassidy.
Numerous corners of the Commonwealth have learned that lesson, resulting in redevelopment of both communities and economies. Despite a mountain of data that highlights the correlation between the arts and prosperity, the arts community finds itself in a familiar position--fighting for funding that has historically resulted in private investment and prosperity.
"We will have to be willing to make this case year after year," says Mitch Swain, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. "Part of the difficulty we've had is for so long the arts have tried to sell itself using arguments fueled by passion.
"We're most successful when we bring factual arguments alongside that passion."
In Pennsylvania, approximately $1 billion apiece is spent by non-profit arts and culture organizations and their patrons, according to a 2005 study by non-profit advocates Americans for the Arts. The sector is responsible for more than 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs, generates $367 million in household income, and directs $57 million and $74 million, respectively, to local and state government coffers.
Those numbers are only as meaningful as the organizations who promote them. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance works with nearly 400 non-profit arts and culture organizations in the five-county region in a variety of ways, like advocacy, research, marketing, and funding. Its policy department reaches out into communities to help connect arts organizations with local government, community development groups and the for-profit sector.
"It's central to what we do and how we think arts and culture is evolving," says Tom Kaiden, COO of the Cultural Alliance. "It plays a very important role in terms of economic development, property values, and enriching lives."
That's why corporations and foundations are still investing in the arts, even during a recession. PNC Bank, for example, launched this summer its five-year, $5 million Arts Alive funding initiative in Greater Philadelphia. In June, Pew Charitable Trusts announced $3.1 million in unrestricted funding for Philadelphia-area arts organizations.
The best investments, though, come from the artists themselves. A noticeable group of them had already arrived in Phoenixville when Cassidy got there six years ago. Attracted by the borough's dirt-cheap real estate and proximity to the big city, the artists represented the foundation of any arts redevelopment plan. The other part of the foundation is an anchor tenant, which Cassidy identified as the Colonial, a century-old movie house. Seats and an elevator were added to facilitate the re-birth of live shows at the venue.
That's when Cassidy and the Main Street Community Development Corporation really went to work, securing $4.6 million in federal, state and local grants for streetscape improvements in 2005. By then, the Colonial was hopping most every night, the Phoenix Village Art Center had gone from First Friday anchor to primary tenant in a historic former hardware store, and coffee shops and restaurants started opening their doors along Bridge Street. There's also a mural program, multiple festivals and an outdoor summer weekend concert series.
"You create the programming, and the investment starts," says Cassidy, who has performed similar makeovers on South Street in Philadelphia and in the nearby suburb of Doylestown.
"When we celebrate First Friday, you can't even walk down the street here. We might have to close the street soon. This is probably as successful an implementation of an arts and entertainment strategy I've been associated with."
An even larger-scale success on the other side of the state will soon be on display for the world. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is both an arts agency and economic development catalyst founded in 1984 when steel mills were abandoning the city. Through the vision of H.J. Heinz II, the Trust led the transformation of downtown Pittsburgh from red light district to cultural center.
Today, Pittsburgh's Cultural District is a 14 square-block destination that annually attracts 2 million visitors and generates $303 million in economic impact. When the G20 Summit comes to Pittsburgh next month to set a course for world economic recovery, three venues chosen by the White House for large-scale events including world leaders will be arts facilities--The Phipps Conservatory, the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Creative and Performing Arts High School.
"I can't tell you how many other cities have come to Pittsburgh and used it as a model of their own," says Swain.
In the heart of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown is one of the country's smallest cities to have a full-time symphony orchestra and museum of modern art. The city recently completed its brick-paved Arts Walk, the final phase of redevelopment of Allentown's downtown arts district, which connects Symphony Hall, the Baum School of Art and Allentown Art Museum.
The hope for Arts Walk, first conceived almost 20 years ago by the president of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation, is that it attracts more people, programming and corporate sponsorships. Mayor Ed Pawlowski says the City is also working on developing an arts incubator to grow smaller arts groups.
"It's difficult to create a creative class. It takes a lot of concerted effort and it doesn't happen overnight," says Pawlowski. "You have to capitalize on synergy."
Synergy is what organizations like Kaiden's and Swain's are trying to create in the arts community. The Cultural Alliance's $6 million Engage 2020 initiative, which aims to double Greater Philadelphia's arts participation by the year 2020, is setting a course for marketing and audience engagement that it hopes will grow similar opportunities for the arts to contribute to economic redevelopment.
"The real power of the arts in our region is it makes all the things we care about better and stronger," says Kaiden. "It's really central to our identity. If we were to lose that, it would put us at a severe economic and social disadvantage."
Joe Petrucci is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and one of Keystone Edge's Innovation and Job News editors.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Help Fill a Bus Monday August 25th
The following is from the Chamber news letter:
A lot of people complained about losing the downtown Liquor Store. All of you that care about this issue or care about the downtown should take a ride to Harrisburg and help fill the room.
The date of the hearing is August 25th at 1pm at the PLCB monthly Board meeting. A free bus will leave Phoenixville at 11am and return at 4pm.
If we can put 45 people in that room, we will stand a great chance of getting a Liquor Store back in downtown.
Please contact Barry Cassidy at 484-880-1530 to reserve your spot.
A lot of people complained about losing the downtown Liquor Store. All of you that care about this issue or care about the downtown should take a ride to Harrisburg and help fill the room.
The date of the hearing is August 25th at 1pm at the PLCB monthly Board meeting. A free bus will leave Phoenixville at 11am and return at 4pm.
If we can put 45 people in that room, we will stand a great chance of getting a Liquor Store back in downtown.
Please contact Barry Cassidy at 484-880-1530 to reserve your spot.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
1961 Operation Coffee Cup Campaign
From the 1961 Operation Coffee Cup Campaign against Socialized Medicine as proposed by the Democrats, then a private citizen Ronald Reagan Speaks out against socialized medicine. There is no video because this was an LP sent out by the American Medical Association.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Ethics Resolution 2007-01
A recent posting by Elsworth Toohey "Back Up and Running but nothing has changed" mentioned an Ethics Resolution passed by Council February 13, 2007.
To download a copy click here.
To download a copy click here.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Council to Advertise Parking Authority Loan Guaranty
ORDINANCE No. 2009-
BOROUGH OF PHOENIXVILLE
AN ORDINANCE OF PHOENIXVILLE BOROUGH, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH TO INCUR LEASE RENTAL DEBT IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $100,000.00 BY GUARANTYING THE NOTE OF THE PHOENIXVILLE PARKING AUTHORITY, TO THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING CAPITAL PROJECTS AND PAYING COSTS RELATED TO PROJECT OPERATIONS; APPROVING THE FORM OF THE GUARANTY; AND AUTHORIZING OTHER NECESSARY AND PROPER ACTIONS.
WHEREAS, the Borough is a “Local Government Unit” under provisions of the Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth, as amended, reenacted and supplemented, from time to time, known as the Local Government Unit Debt Act, 53 Pa. C.S. Chs. 80-82 (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Phoenixville Parking Authority (the “Authority”) is duly formed and organized in accordance with the provisions of the 53 Pa. C. S. A., Chapter 55, Parking Authorities, as amended and supplemented; and
WHEREAS, the Authority is authorized, in part, to create, operate and maintain off-street parking facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Phoenixville Parking Authority has entered into a Lease Agreement and Cooperative Agreement with the Borough of Phoenixville to administer, supervise, and enforce both on-street and parking lot regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Authority has determined to improve create and/or improve parking lots on the properties set forth in the Lease Agreement, by lining, installing meters and other improvements necessary for the use of those facilities as well as other costs and related expenses associated with initiation of operations by the Authority (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Authority has determined to enter into financing arrangements with respect to the Project and in connection therewith the Authority intends to execute a Note for a line of credit (the “Note”) with Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust in the amount of $100,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the guaranty of the Borough with respect to the payment of the principal and interest on the Note is a condition of Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust’s agreement to provide financing for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Borough, in order to assist the Authority with the financing of the Project, is willing to guaranty the payment of the principal and interest on the Note, pursuant to the Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Borough Council of Phoenixville Borough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, as follows:
Section 1. The Borough Council hereby determines that the realistic useful life of the metering devices to be installed is approximately ten (10) years.
Section 2. The Borough Council hereby determines that the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Note to be secured by the Borough as guarantor is $100,000.00.
Section 3. The Borough Council hereby determines that the “debt” to be incurred by the Borough is defined as “lease rental debt” in the Act, in the form of a Guarantee Agreement, in connection with the Authority’s financing of the Project.
Section 4. The Guaranty Agreement shall be substantially in the form presented at this meeting, which form is approved.
Section 5. The Borough Council President, Manager, Secretary and Finance Director are authorized and directed to:
a. prepare, certify, and file with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (the “Department”), a debt statement as required by Section 8110 of the Act together with the Borrowing Base Certificate and application for approval of such indebtedness with the Department;
b. pay or cause to be paid to the Department any and all filing fees required by the Act in connection with the foregoing; and
c. take other action as maybe required, necessary and/or appropriate to effectuate the intent of this Section.
Section 6. Upon receipt by the Borough of the approval of the Department to incur lease rental debt, the Borough Council President or Vice President, and Secretary are authorized and directed to execute, seal and deliver the Guaranty Agreement on behalf of the Borough in substantially the form approved in Section 4 hereof, or with such changes as such officers shall approve, and their execution shall constitute conclusive evidence of such approval; provided that such execution and delivery of the Guaranty Agreement shall be subject to compliance with the provisions of the Act.
Section 7. The Borough Council further authorizes delivery of the Guaranty Agreement to Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust for the purposes set forth in the Guaranty Agreement.
Section 8. The Borough hereby guarantees the full payment of the principal of and interest on the Note of the Authority and in furtherance thereof covenants and agrees that if the Authority shall fail to pay the full amount of the principal and interest on the Note when the same become due and payable, at the times and place, under the terms and conditions and in the manner prescribed in the Note, the Borough will pay the full amount of such principal and interest at the times and in the manner set forth in the Note.
Section 9. The Borough covenants and agrees that it shall include the amounts payable in respect to its guaranty of debt service on the Note for each fiscal year for which such sums are payable, in its budget for that fiscal year and that the Borough, in the event the Authority shall fail to pay the full amount of principal of an interest on the Note when due and payable, at the times and place, under the terms and conditions and in the manner prescribed in the Note, shall appropriate from its general revenues and duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid from any other of its general or specified funds or revenues the full amount of such principal and interest on the dates and at the place and in the manner prescribed in the Note. For such budgeting, appropriation and payment this Borough hereby does pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power and hereby agrees that this covenant shall be specifically enforceable.
Section 10. The Borough agrees that the estimated debt service in each fiscal year with respect to the Note to which the foregoing guaranty shall apply is as follows:
Fiscal year ending December 31st Estimated Debt Service
2009 $23,760
2010 $23,760
2011 $23,760
2012 $23,760
2013 $23,760
Section 11. The proper Borough officers are authorized and directed to execute all documents and to take such other action as may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this Ordinance and the undertakings of the Borough under the Guaranty Agreement.
Section 12. If any sentence, clause, section, or part of this Ordinance is for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, parts, or sections hereof. It is hereby declared as the intent of the Borough Council that this Ordinance would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid sentence, clause, part or section thereof not been included herein.
Section 13. All ordinances or parts of ordinances conflicting or inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 14. This Ordinance shall become effective as provided by Section 8002 of the Act.
PASSED by Borough Council this 25th day of August, 2009.
By: __________________________________________
President, Borough Council
APPROVED by the Mayor, this 25th day of August, 2009.
By:_________________________________________
Leo J. Scoda, Mayor
ENACTED this 25th day of August, 2009.
By:__________________________________________
E.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the said Ordinance duly adopted at a regular meeting of Borough Council held on the 25th day of August, 2009.
By:__________________________________________
E.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Citizen Informers Wanted
From The White House Blog Posts (click here to read the entire piece along with videos)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2009 AT 6:55 AM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2009 AT 6:55 AM
Facts Are Stubborn Things
Posted by Macon Phillips
Opponents of health insurance reform may find the truth a little inconvenient, but as our second president famously said, "facts are stubborn things."
Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to "uncover" the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions...
...For the record, the President has consistently said that if you like your insurance plan, your doctor, or both, you will be able to keep them. He has even proposed eight consumer protections relating specifically to the health insurance industry.
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov....
To read entire blog post with videos, click here
Monday, August 03, 2009
Obama's Revealing Body Language
This picture truly is worth at least a thousand words.
Update from Thomas Lifson:
"I think this photo constitutes another major Obama blunder.
As some AT commentators point out, this picture becomes a metaphor for ObamaCare. The elderly are left in the back, with only the kindness of the Crowleys of the world, the stand up guys, to depend on. The government has other priorities."
Obama's Reveling Body Language
Update from Thomas Lifson:
"I think this photo constitutes another major Obama blunder.
As some AT commentators point out, this picture becomes a metaphor for ObamaCare. The elderly are left in the back, with only the kindness of the Crowleys of the world, the stand up guys, to depend on. The government has other priorities."
Obama's Reveling Body Language
Sunday, August 02, 2009
A Short Course in Brain Surgery
After watching the video, click here to read the one thousand seventeen pages of 111TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H.R.3200 bill "To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes" that most in Congress haven't read by their own admission.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Presidential Appearance at Community Garden on August 4th
On Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7 pm, Phoenixville Borough Council President Henry Wagner (who is running for re-election in November) and his campaign manager, Middle Ward Council Member Mike Handwerk, will be touring the community garden (412 Fairview Street) and take questions from voters.
This is your chance to directly ask two Borough Council Members (whose final vote determines if the Fairview Development – including what happens to the community garden -- happens or not) their positions about the future of the community garden and any other issues that are before the Borough. Remember that the Borough Council President sets the agenda and tone for how Borough government handles issues.
If you have questions about any Borough issues, come to the community garden at 7 pm on August 4th and ask those questions! ALL are welcome and whatever questions YOU want to ask are “on-topic.” If you are a member of the Phoenixville Area Time Bank, you can receive TimeDollars for participating in this event.
The community garden is at 412 Fairview Street, Phoenixville PA 19460 -- simply park in Bethel Baptist Church's parking lot and go through the open gate in the back of the lot to enter the community garden. Dogs that enjoy playing with other dogs are welcome. If you would like to stay for the Perennial Garden Volunteers potluck dinner afterwards, bring your own place setting and either a covered dish or beverage to share.
Any Tuesday evening from now until the election in November is open for any candidate for public office to tour the garden during the Perennial Garden Volunteers (5:30 pm to dark). The garden schedules no more than 2 candidates per evening both to leave plenty of time for questions and because it takes time to view the survey stakes which are now present on the property. They have found that the stakes really help people visualize the proposed plans so they want people to have the time they need to view the stakes and reconcile what is before them with what is proposed.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
We Won!
Received the following email late yesterday:
To All:
To All:
Good news. i put us in for the preservation Pennsylvania statewide award for historic restoration and we won! The Foundry and the Super's building were taken as one project and won in the best commercial and industrial restoration catagory. award ceremony on the 17th of september at the state capitol.
barry cassidy
Good job barry.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
What does one TRILLION dollars look like?
All this talk about "stimulus packages" and "bailouts"...
A billion dollars...
A hundred billion dollars...
Eight hundred billion dollars...
One TRILLION dollars...
What does that look like? I mean, these various numbers are tossed around like so many doggie treats, so I thought I'd take Google Sketchup out for a test drive and try to get a sense of what exactly a trillion dollars looks like.
We'll start with a $100 dollar bill. Currently the largest U.S. denomination in general circulation. Most everyone has seen them, slighty fewer have owned them. Guaranteed to make friends wherever they go.
For the rest of the article click here........
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Council Agenda for Tuesday July 28th
PHOENIXVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
7:00 PM
I. Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance - Chair
II. Roll Call – Borough Secretary
III. Appointments/Public Resolutions
IV. Presentations – Audit Presentation
V. Minutes of Previous Meetings: July 14, 2009
VI. Public Participation – 30 minutes
VII. Communications
VIII. Council Participation
IX. Resolutions
X. Public Hearings
a. Consider Adoption of Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 4, “General Parking Regulations” By Creating Additional Handicapped Parking Zones in the Borough of Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania
b. Consider Conditional Use Application of
XI. Reports of Committees, Boards, Commissions and Authorities
A. Planning Commission
1. Consider a Motion to Grant Preliminary Plan Approval for the New
Land Annexation Plan (McLaughlin-Raser)
2. Consider a Motion to Grant Preliminary/Final Approval of a Subdivision Plan which is Being Sought for a Lot Line Adjustment in Accordance with the Planning Commission Action Memo Dated July 21, 2009 – Such Approval Shall be Contingent Upon the Proper Adjustments Being Made to the Plan with Respect to Lot Lines Being delineated and the Proper Agreements Being Finalized with Respect to Stormwater Management Facilities and Easements All Done to the Satisfaction of the Borough Engineer and Borough Solicitor
B. Regional Planning Commission
C. Parking Authority
D. Historical Architectural Review Board
1. Consider Approval of the Application for
2. Consider Approval of the Application for
3. Consider Approval of the Application for
4. Consider Approval of the Application for the Rear of
E. Council Action referred from Council Committees
1. POLICY COMMITTEE
a. Consider Approval of the IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code) Code (Approved in Committee by a Vote of 2 to 0)
b. Discussion Regarding
c. Discussion Regarding
d. Discussion Regarding No Thru Traffic in
XII. Public Participation (con’t)
XIII. Executive Session
XIV. New Business: Consider Replacement of Police Vehicle(s)
XV. Staff Reports
1. Manager’s Report
2. Code Enforcement Report
3. Public Works Director’s Report
4. Fire Chief’s Report
5. Finance Director’s Report
6. Mayor’s Report
Other Reports
1. CDC Report
2. Fire Liaison Report
XVI. Old Business
XVII. Adjournment
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Passing of John Messina
We just received word that former Council President John Messina passed away last night. Our condolences to his family.
Friday, July 17, 2009
If a Bank Won’t Risk 100k, Why Should Taxpayers?
by Joe Rooney
July 16, 2009
The Parking Authority, created nearly 15 months ago when Phoenixville Borough Councilmen Ciruelos, Gill, Handwerk, Speck, and Wagner all showed their favor for the ordinance, stating, “Aye,” at the April 29, 2008 council meeting in Borough Hall, has yet to implement change to resolve the parking inconveniences that exist in the borough’s business district, or generate a single dollar in revenue.
In that time the only entity to profit from paid public parking in the Borough of Phoenixville has been the Main Street CDC. In the June 5, 2008 edition of the Phoenix, CDC director Barry Cassidy shared with the reporter that the lot on the former Phoenix Steel sight could hold 200 cars Friday and Saturday nights, that the CDC would be asking those wishing to park there to contribute a $5 donation, and that the lot was being donated by the property owners.
A blogger on watchingphoenixville.com lamented that day that, “The Borough, rather than the CDC, could have used this lot as a learning experience into parking which in turn could have become a revenue generator for the Borough to expand parking facilities via a parking department.” (North Main Street Site of New Leased Parking)
Parking Authority discussion was quite for the better part of a year after the Authority’s adoption under the Borough umbrella of politics.
Discussion began again when a column that appeared in the March 27, 2009 edition of the Phoenix stated that as part of the Parking Authority’s “preferred way of proceeding,” “The Authority would assume ownership of the Prospect Street public parking lot…that lot would be ‘used to secure a collateralized loan’ to cover authority costs.”
Step one of the above described “preferred way of proceeding” was a success. The Authority obtained the Prospect Street public parking lot (a nearly 1 acre parcel of land valued at an estimated $450,000-500,000 when unencumbered by deed restrictions) for the token price of $1.
Step two, use the lot to secure a collateralized loan, has yet to bear fruit.
At last Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting Barry Cassidy, Director of the Parking Authority, expressed the difficulty the Parking Authority was having in obtaining a collateralized loan, stating, “The bank has issues with the way the agreement [of sale] is written.”
After some discussion on the issues a member of the public passed Councilman Michael Handwerk a note. Shortly after taking the note Handwerk raised his hand and the Chair called on him to comment. Handwerk addressed Cassidy and asked if the Parking Authority had tried other banks? Cassidy said he would try other bank options.
If the language reads the same way to every bank that Cassidy approaches, and it comes into public discussion at the next Borough Council meeting that the Parking Authority is unable to secure a loan on it’s own, it is possible that the Parking Authority might ask the Borough to guarantee a loan of at least $100,000. ($100,000, should the Parking Authority default on its loan, that the Borough doesn’t have without pulling it from other budget line items.)
Two years ago the Parking Authority might have been able to secure the collateralized loan it is looking for today—the marking is so much tighter and it is so difficult to get a mortgage or loan today banks are crossing all the “i’s” and dotting all of the “t’s” and then some to give themselves every assurance the person or entity they are loaning money to will be able to pay that money back.
The entity in question here is the Phoenixville Parking Authority—a year old Authority with out a business plan on public record.
If the bank isn’t willing to assume the risk of lending the parking authority at least $100,000, why should the taxpayers?
If you are a reader that desires an answer to this question, or if you have any thoughts, issues, or questions for your representative body, be sure to attend the next Borough Council meeting July 28th at 7pm at 140 Church Street in Borough Hall.
July 16, 2009
The Parking Authority, created nearly 15 months ago when Phoenixville Borough Councilmen Ciruelos, Gill, Handwerk, Speck, and Wagner all showed their favor for the ordinance, stating, “Aye,” at the April 29, 2008 council meeting in Borough Hall, has yet to implement change to resolve the parking inconveniences that exist in the borough’s business district, or generate a single dollar in revenue.
In that time the only entity to profit from paid public parking in the Borough of Phoenixville has been the Main Street CDC. In the June 5, 2008 edition of the Phoenix, CDC director Barry Cassidy shared with the reporter that the lot on the former Phoenix Steel sight could hold 200 cars Friday and Saturday nights, that the CDC would be asking those wishing to park there to contribute a $5 donation, and that the lot was being donated by the property owners.
A blogger on watchingphoenixville.com lamented that day that, “The Borough, rather than the CDC, could have used this lot as a learning experience into parking which in turn could have become a revenue generator for the Borough to expand parking facilities via a parking department.” (North Main Street Site of New Leased Parking)
Discussion began again when a column that appeared in the March 27, 2009 edition of the Phoenix stated that as part of the Parking Authority’s “preferred way of proceeding,” “The Authority would assume ownership of the Prospect Street public parking lot…that lot would be ‘used to secure a collateralized loan’ to cover authority costs.”
Step one of the above described “preferred way of proceeding” was a success. The Authority obtained the Prospect Street public parking lot (a nearly 1 acre parcel of land valued at an estimated $450,000-500,000 when unencumbered by deed restrictions) for the token price of $1.
Step two, use the lot to secure a collateralized loan, has yet to bear fruit.
At last Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting Barry Cassidy, Director of the Parking Authority, expressed the difficulty the Parking Authority was having in obtaining a collateralized loan, stating, “The bank has issues with the way the agreement [of sale] is written.”
After some discussion on the issues a member of the public passed Councilman Michael Handwerk a note. Shortly after taking the note Handwerk raised his hand and the Chair called on him to comment. Handwerk addressed Cassidy and asked if the Parking Authority had tried other banks? Cassidy said he would try other bank options.
If the language reads the same way to every bank that Cassidy approaches, and it comes into public discussion at the next Borough Council meeting that the Parking Authority is unable to secure a loan on it’s own, it is possible that the Parking Authority might ask the Borough to guarantee a loan of at least $100,000. ($100,000, should the Parking Authority default on its loan, that the Borough doesn’t have without pulling it from other budget line items.)
Two years ago the Parking Authority might have been able to secure the collateralized loan it is looking for today—the marking is so much tighter and it is so difficult to get a mortgage or loan today banks are crossing all the “i’s” and dotting all of the “t’s” and then some to give themselves every assurance the person or entity they are loaning money to will be able to pay that money back.
The entity in question here is the Phoenixville Parking Authority—a year old Authority with out a business plan on public record.
If the bank isn’t willing to assume the risk of lending the parking authority at least $100,000, why should the taxpayers?
If you are a reader that desires an answer to this question, or if you have any thoughts, issues, or questions for your representative body, be sure to attend the next Borough Council meeting July 28th at 7pm at 140 Church Street in Borough Hall.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Intensive Care
At the start of last night's Council meeting, President Wagner asked for a moment of silence for former Council President, John Messina, who is hospitalized in intensive care.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Borough to Receive Water Infrastructure Grant
Mayor Scoda announced at tonight's Council meeting that he received a call from Senator Dinniman earlier in the day informing the Mayor that Phoenixville will receive a 1.8 million dollar grant for water system upgrades. This is good news for the Borough as parts of our water system is over 100 years old.
It is also good news as the amount represents about half of what Borough Council earlier in the year approved to borrow to start the upgrades.
It is also good news as the amount represents about half of what Borough Council earlier in the year approved to borrow to start the upgrades.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Free Speech Again Quieted in Phoenixville
A local newspaper, whether printed daily or weekly, is the life blood of communication to the community to which it serves. When that lifeblood is cut off, in this case telling a freelance reporter that he is “no longer welcome to write for The Phoenix as of today, July 8,” then those actions, at the very least, are reprehensible.
The freelance reporter in this case is Joe Rooney. On July 8, 2009, Rooney was canned from The Phoenix. To this blogger, the reason is not known. However what is known appears below.
From: Joe Rooney
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 1:12 PM
To: 'kbuckwalter@phoenixville.org'; 'mhandwerk@phoenixville.org'; 'hwagner@phoenixville.org'; 'cciruelos@phoenixville.org'; 'mspeck@phoenixville.org'; 'rkirkner@phoenixville.org'; 'jsenley@phoenixville.org'; 'dgill@phoenixville.org'
Subject: Council participation for Joe Rooney
Your responses are for use in a news story to appear in the Saturday, July 11, 2009 edition of the Phoenix. Please forward responses to joerooney@comcast.net before 6pm July 9, 2009. I will report that I contacted all 8 Borough Council representatives and provided the benefit of a 48 hour window in which to respond. I again thank you in advance for you participation.
#1 Are you satisfied with Borough Council procedures with regard to operation and financial oversight of the Main Street CDC?
#2 What do you believe are the merits or problems with regard to the Borough’s oversight procedures? Please elaborate on the specific benefits or short comings you believe are in place or missing with regard to how oversight procedures protect the best interest of Borough residents.
Best,
Joe
From: Joe Rooney [mailto:joerooney@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 9:51 AM
To: kbuckwalter@phoenixville.org; mhandwerk@phoenixville.org; hwagner@phoenixville.org; cciruelos@phoenixville.org; mspeck@phoenixville.org; rkirkner@phoenixville.org; jsenley@phoenixville.org; dgill@phoenixville.org
Subject: Fwd: council participation
Council,
I am making every effort in my report this week to tell the truth about how the Borough oversees the activities of its most prominent redevelopment contractor, the CDC.
The elected leaders of the Borough are responsible for the agreement in place between the Borough and the CDC, and in every effort to be fair and balanced in my reporting I am asking for your cooperation.
Two have responded to the questions I asked on Tuesday. If these are the only representatives that contribute, then my reporting might be seen as slanted, and I will not take the fall for that. I always have and always will make every effort to tell both sides of an issue. It is not my fault if only one side is speaking.
I hope for your cooperation.
Best,
Joe
From: Henry Wagner [mailto:hwagner@phoenixville.org]
Sent: Thu 7/9/2009 2:46 PM
To: 'Joe Rooney'; Kendrick Buckwalter; Michael Handwerk; Carlos Ciruelos; Michael Speck; Richard Kirkner; Jeffrey Senley; David Gill
Cc: lpettit@phoenixvillenews.com; agould@journalregister.com
Subject: RE: council participation
Joe,
Below is a copy of an email I received from the Phoenix’s editor Leann Pettit:
Mr. Wagner—
I wanted to e-mail you to let you know that there is no need for you to respond to Joe Rooney’s questions about the library (I believe this is referring to the CDC questions – Henry). Joe Rooney has been told today that he is no longer welcome to write for The Phoenix as of today, July 8.
If you have questions or wish to speak with me directly, please call at the number below.
Thank you.
----------------------
Leann Pettit
Editor, The Phoenix
www.Phoenixvillenews.com
610.933.8626 ext. 627
Click here to read Rooney's last article that appeared in The Phoenix on Saturday, July 4th.
The freelance reporter in this case is Joe Rooney. On July 8, 2009, Rooney was canned from The Phoenix. To this blogger, the reason is not known. However what is known appears below.
From: Joe Rooney
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 1:12 PM
To: 'kbuckwalter@phoenixville.org'; 'mhandwerk@phoenixville.org'; 'hwagner@phoenixville.org'; 'cciruelos@phoenixville.org'; 'mspeck@phoenixville.org'; 'rkirkner@phoenixville.org'; 'jsenley@phoenixville.org'; 'dgill@phoenixville.org'
Subject: Council participation for Joe Rooney
Your responses are for use in a news story to appear in the Saturday, July 11, 2009 edition of the Phoenix. Please forward responses to joerooney@comcast.net before 6pm July 9, 2009. I will report that I contacted all 8 Borough Council representatives and provided the benefit of a 48 hour window in which to respond. I again thank you in advance for you participation.
#1 Are you satisfied with Borough Council procedures with regard to operation and financial oversight of the Main Street CDC?
#2 What do you believe are the merits or problems with regard to the Borough’s oversight procedures? Please elaborate on the specific benefits or short comings you believe are in place or missing with regard to how oversight procedures protect the best interest of Borough residents.
Best,
Joe
From: Joe Rooney [mailto:joerooney@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 9:51 AM
To: kbuckwalter@phoenixville.org; mhandwerk@phoenixville.org; hwagner@phoenixville.org; cciruelos@phoenixville.org; mspeck@phoenixville.org; rkirkner@phoenixville.org; jsenley@phoenixville.org; dgill@phoenixville.org
Subject: Fwd: council participation
Council,
I am making every effort in my report this week to tell the truth about how the Borough oversees the activities of its most prominent redevelopment contractor, the CDC.
The elected leaders of the Borough are responsible for the agreement in place between the Borough and the CDC, and in every effort to be fair and balanced in my reporting I am asking for your cooperation.
Two have responded to the questions I asked on Tuesday. If these are the only representatives that contribute, then my reporting might be seen as slanted, and I will not take the fall for that. I always have and always will make every effort to tell both sides of an issue. It is not my fault if only one side is speaking.
I hope for your cooperation.
Best,
Joe
From: Henry Wagner [mailto:hwagner@phoenixville.org]
Sent: Thu 7/9/2009 2:46 PM
To: 'Joe Rooney'; Kendrick Buckwalter; Michael Handwerk; Carlos Ciruelos; Michael Speck; Richard Kirkner; Jeffrey Senley; David Gill
Cc: lpettit@phoenixvillenews.com; agould@journalregister.com
Subject: RE: council participation
Joe,
Below is a copy of an email I received from the Phoenix’s editor Leann Pettit:
Mr. Wagner—
I wanted to e-mail you to let you know that there is no need for you to respond to Joe Rooney’s questions about the library (I believe this is referring to the CDC questions – Henry). Joe Rooney has been told today that he is no longer welcome to write for The Phoenix as of today, July 8.
If you have questions or wish to speak with me directly, please call at the number below.
Thank you.
----------------------
Leann Pettit
Editor, The Phoenix
www.Phoenixvillenews.com
610.933.8626 ext. 627
Click here to read Rooney's last article that appeared in The Phoenix on Saturday, July 4th.
Another Good Planner Bites the Dust
July 7, 2009
Mrs. Deb Johnston
Chairperson, Phoenixville Planning Commission
Deb:
Please accept my resignation from the Phoenixville Planning Commission. I have enjoyed my time working with you and the rest of the commission both past and present. I am grateful for all that I have learned from you and the others and I hope that my impact has been a positive one.
Not being one to go away quietly, I would like to give my impression of where the Planning Commission is and a suggestion or two on how it can be improved.
1) The meeting should really be digitally recorded and available to the public. It would be a wonderful resource for the public so that they can understand the whole process.
2) The Planning Commission needs to get away from bypassing the ZHB by enacting zoning changes. By adding changes to the ordinances for specific projects, we have been flirting with (if not crossing the line) spot zoning.
3) Applications should come to the Planning Commission without the pre approval of Borough Council. For some projects, it has transformed the Planning Commission from a recommending body to a justifying body. We have made defensive approvals on these applications when we felt that the project was not in the best interest of the Borough. We half heartedly approved applications, with some recommendations, because we wanted there to be some guidance on plans that were basically approved before we received the application. The correct procedure is being bypassed in the same way that we bypass the ZHB with zoning changes. It is not the right way to work through the projects.
4) When a member requests a legal interpretation of a planning issue prior to a meeting, they really should be given some kind of answer. Even if the request is denied, there should be some response. There are issues that we deal with that needs legal interpretations for members to make informed decisions.
5) The Borough needs to realize that a lot of seasoned members have left or been removed from the Planning Commission. The turnover has left an unseasoned body that will need some more time to gel. Remember that I was not always as cool and level headed as I am today. When I started on the Commission, I would go on a rant but it would be Charlie Berger and Tom Carnevale that would follow up with a cool level headed observation. That is what the Planning Commission needs to get back to. It has been decimated by years of removals and resignations and it will be a long time before things stabilize. Council started this by removing Charlie Berger and has continued until last year. Hopefully this game will stop.
6) Members should be required to take the Chester County Planning Commission’s Master Planning Course.
7) The Borough should spend some money to hire someone to do the minutes.
8) Members and Council need to realize that an opposition to a project does not mean that you are an obstructionist. As long as you have studied the application and talked to the people affected, it is the right thing to do to oppose a project if you believe it is not in the best interest of the Borough.
9) The comp plan need to be a community wide project and though a 9 or 13 member committee is manageable, it will yield a very limited plan. There should be sub committees studying individual aspect of the plan and reporting back to a centralized committee. Then it will be well thought out.
It’s been fun!
George Martynick Jr.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Block of Five
No, the title of this post is not in reference to members of Phoenixville Borough Council. Rather it is a reference to the five OJR School Board Members who voted to remove their current School Superintendant at their previous meeting.
About 1,200 people attended last night’s OJR School Board meeting, which lasted six hours, which consisted of a vast majority of the large audience clearly supporting the reinstatement of School Superintendant, Myra Forrest. (Click here to read news story)
During that time parents, students and community members pleaded to bring Forrest back as District Superintendent. Four motions were made to try to reinstate Forrest but were defeated by the same block of five who originally voted to “terminate without cause” Forrest at a meeting last week.
It seems that four of the five School Board Members who initially voted to remove Forrest, lost their bid for re-election during the last primary election.
So much for representative democracy.
All the more reason to know your candidate and not the party.
About 1,200 people attended last night’s OJR School Board meeting, which lasted six hours, which consisted of a vast majority of the large audience clearly supporting the reinstatement of School Superintendant, Myra Forrest. (Click here to read news story)
During that time parents, students and community members pleaded to bring Forrest back as District Superintendent. Four motions were made to try to reinstate Forrest but were defeated by the same block of five who originally voted to “terminate without cause” Forrest at a meeting last week.
It seems that four of the five School Board Members who initially voted to remove Forrest, lost their bid for re-election during the last primary election.
So much for representative democracy.
All the more reason to know your candidate and not the party.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Library Expansion Poll
What do you think about the planned library expansion?
More
1. Great! Phoenixville needs a bigger better library
2. Not now, we need the money for infrastructure not vanity projects
3. Its a boondoggle and a land grab
The above is the current poll on The Phoenix web site. A comment posted by TruthBTold stated "I read the POLL. If the formulated questions are any indication of the expectation of quality reporting and probing the thoughts of readers....we have serious problems ahead of us."
So we took his suggestion and used his questions for a poll of our own. The questions appear to the left of this posting.
It seems the School Board will vote on the issue tomorrow night.
More
1. Great! Phoenixville needs a bigger better library
2. Not now, we need the money for infrastructure not vanity projects
3. Its a boondoggle and a land grab
The above is the current poll on The Phoenix web site. A comment posted by TruthBTold stated "I read the POLL. If the formulated questions are any indication of the expectation of quality reporting and probing the thoughts of readers....we have serious problems ahead of us."
So we took his suggestion and used his questions for a poll of our own. The questions appear to the left of this posting.
It seems the School Board will vote on the issue tomorrow night.
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