In my opinion; if you are familiar with the Coatesville City Council, the top level management of Coatesville's city government, the actions of the "Coatesville Police Chief Matthews and the top level officers of the Coatesville Fire Department the seventy plus arsons in the last thirteen months or so could have been anticipated.
The Philadelphia Inquirer:
(Coatesville Fire Chief) "Johnson reported 295 in 2007, while union records show 733. When the union discovered the difference, it complained to city officials, but nothing was done, Poulson said. 'Fire-suppression services are in complete disarray,' Poulson said of Coatesville, adding, 'It's like the perfect storm for an arsonist.". Richard G. Poulson, is the attorney for the city's 13 paid part-time firefighters and four full-time firefighters.
More at:
http://www.phillymobile.com/topic/1180-Local%20News/articles/190914053
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
What’s up with the Coatesville West End Fire Company?
“Coatesville firefighter hiring practices criticized”
“Firefighter union's attorney argues background checks would have revealed suspect's criminal past
Friday, March 27, 2009
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
COATESVILLE — Just days after police arrested a city firefighter for allegedly setting houses on fire, city officials are facing criticism for Coatesville's employee hiring process.
Rick Poulson, attorney for the city's firefighter union, criticized the administration Thursday for hiring 37-year-old Robert Tracey Jr. as a paid firefighter just weeks before he was arrested in connection with two arson fires.
Poulson argues a proper background check should have kept the city from hiring Tracey, who has a criminal record. Additionally, Poulson said a background check should have kept the city from appointing Kevin Johnson to fire chief in 2006 due to his criminal record
”More at:
Coatesville firefighter hiring practices criticized
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
POSTED: 03/27/09, 12:01 AM EDT | UPDATED: ON 03/27/2009
When District Attorney had a meeting with the West End Fire Company officers it was at the Washington Fire Company. Why wasn’t the meeting at the West End Company? Do they have something to hide?
The word on the street is that the West End Fire Company is what the black population here in Coatesville calls “Old Coatesville”.
Coatesville Fire Chief Kevin Johnson was still on parole when he was appointed Chief by the Coatesville City Council.
CLICK HERE FOR JOHNSONS COURT DOCUMENTS:
http://www.box.net/shared/r21tbc210e
PAID HIT ALLEGED
At Joe Carroll's community meeting last night in Coatesville, Joe said that we may read in the papers that Jeremiah bush AKA Hanif Murphy has been captured in Philadelphia. Bush is wanted for the murder of Jonas"Sonny"Suber at Suber"s home on Walnut Street in Coatesville on Saturday morning at 9 am, October 21, 2006.
Joe said that the murder is allegedly a "paid hit". It is alleged that the "hit" was ordered by someone in Coatesville.
Jonas "Sonny" Suber is a relative of Coatesville City Council person Kareem Johnson.
From Jeremiah Young Bush AKA Hanif Murphy
MORE AT:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/police/doc49bbacfa12a55647024782.txt
From:
West Chester Unplugged v.2.0
CRIME - POLITICS - NIGHTLIFE - HOMETOWN: WEST CHESTER, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
http://www.wcunplugged.com/
Joe said that the murder is allegedly a "paid hit". It is alleged that the "hit" was ordered by someone in Coatesville.
Jonas "Sonny" Suber is a relative of Coatesville City Council person Kareem Johnson.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Below are two recordings from last nights Coatesville City Council Meeting.
Coatesville resident Keith Gargus addressed the Coatesville City Council at the Monday March 23, 2009 meeting during the “Citizen’s Comments” period.
Keith Gargus worked for a large corporation selling software to different levels of government mostly to Federal and also State and Cities.
Below is my transcription of the comments of Keith Gargus. I sometimes make mistakes in transcription so listen along:
CLICK HERE FOR A SOUND RECORDING:
http://www.box.net/shared/sg9h402fuq
I also attached a recording of The City of Coatesville’s Financial Consultant Donald McKensie. The City of Coatesville’s Financial Consultant is presenting February and January’s expense and quarterly budget and year to date budget. The other voice is that of Coatesville City Manager Harry G Walker. The city council members received a document to follow along. There were no questions asked.
CLICK HERE FOR A SOUND RECORDING:
http://www.box.net/shared/pozfd5qy5c
Keith Gargus worked for a large corporation selling software to different levels of government mostly to Federal and also State and Cities.
Below is my transcription of the comments of Keith Gargus. I sometimes make mistakes in transcription so listen along:
“It was common knowledge both on the government side and the sales side that three years software was an end-run against open bids and it was also a sucker play basically, usually unethical. I am not saying that happened here but no one has disproved it or explained how they came to the determination to pick this particular software and in particular, this particular deal.
Secondly:
It isn’t free because I think there is a number, either $8,700.00 or $7,800.00 for training. So it’s not free. And that same thing training; no one talked about who is getting trained, but I suspect that the consultants are being trained. And what happens when you train a consultant, he becomes a friend, he’s the person you work with. In essence he becomes indispensible and he becomes an employee. So whether you like it or not or you had any intention you are going to have a hard time getting rid of the person in a year.
Next:
One of the really uncertain things is the fact that you are not you are not going to enter the cities finances and full system simultaneously. What that’s going to do is basically everything is going to be in this new system. If you decide you don’t like it or you decide to go back to the old system you’re not going to be able to.
There are a lot of things that you need to consider here before you go very much further. If this system is not what you want. The other thing is, that disturbed me is he (Mr. McKensie) admitted or I think, one of the city council people brought it up; that the statements looked exactly like the old system from three years ago that we abandoned. Well it likely is the same system and again I’d welcome the administration to refute what I am saying.
The last thing that I want to say is: I am very disturbed about the fact that our financial consultant is making a financial consultant’s wage, what ever that is, and no one will tell us. But I suspect that after talking to current software people it’s probably the equivalent to about three quarters of a year salary. So you have to make the determination that do you want this guy at this consultant fee indefinitely while maintaining our financial officer to stay home at $80,000 or do you want .. And I welcome someone to refute me."
CLICK HERE FOR A SOUND RECORDING:
http://www.box.net/shared/sg9h402fuq
I also attached a recording of The City of Coatesville’s Financial Consultant Donald McKensie. The City of Coatesville’s Financial Consultant is presenting February and January’s expense and quarterly budget and year to date budget. The other voice is that of Coatesville City Manager Harry G Walker. The city council members received a document to follow along. There were no questions asked.
CLICK HERE FOR A SOUND RECORDING:
http://www.box.net/shared/pozfd5qy5c
Monday, March 23, 2009
There is one simple way to eliminate the source of about one half of the drug trafficking in the United States of America.
And that is legalizing marijuana.
I think that drug trafficking violence is now a real probability in any neighborhood; rich or poor, city or rural, in the United States of America.
The citizens of the USA are currently on the losing side of the “War on Drugs”. With less money on tap for the drug traffickers; the “battlefield” of the “War on Drugs” would be more even. And part of the tax revenue from the sale of marijuana could go to law enforcement.
The article below centers on the drug violence from Mexico. A large amount of the marijuana sold in the USA also comes from Canada.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/us/23border.html?hp
The correct question to ask is; are the heath problems and social problems associated with marijuana use worse than explosive growth in the health and social problems associated with gun violence, kidnapping, home invasion and beheading?
I think that drug trafficking violence is now a real probability in any neighborhood; rich or poor, city or rural, in the United States of America.
In my opinion law enforcement in the USA cannot keep ahead of the drug trafficking business. Since the United States of America is by far the largest user country on earth; legalizing marijuana would cut an entire product and revenue stream from that product from the worldwide drug trafficking industry.
The citizens of the USA are currently on the losing side of the “War on Drugs”. With less money on tap for the drug traffickers; the “battlefield” of the “War on Drugs” would be more even. And part of the tax revenue from the sale of marijuana could go to law enforcement.
There are hundreds of millions of dollars available for bribing. I would be highly suspect of any politician that opposes legalizing marijuana.
The article below centers on the drug violence from Mexico. A large amount of the marijuana sold in the USA also comes from Canada.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/us/23border.html?hp
Friday, March 20, 2009
In Chester County Court- challenges to the petitions of several Magistrate Judge Candidates for Coatesville District Court 15-1-03.
Those candidates were Gabe Milanese, James Clark and Linda Lavender.
It was accepted by both sides that Gabe Milanese lost on the Democratic side and he may also lose on the Republican side. Only one disputed vote will disqualify Gabe on the Republican side. Gabe's attorney, Eric Brown is the Chair of Republican Area 14.
Mr. Brown put voters on the stand as witnesses. It may not be uncommon to do so, but I felt extremely uncomfortable at seeing voters on the witness stand. The voters signed both Greg Hines and Gabe Milanese’s petitions. The voters all signed Greg Hines’ petition first. They were questioned by Eric Brown as to whose petition they were signing. They all said that they did not know whose petition it was. That went well until someone replied that they did not know whose petition they were signing and their signature was one of the first names on the petition with Greg Hines name right there at the top. They were all asked by Eric Brown which one of the petitions that they really wanted their vote to go to. Not to be on the ballot, but their vote. They all said Gabe Milanese. It seemed to me that it was almost like the voters were on trial. I don’t think that voters should be asked to do things like this except in extreme circumstances.
Democratic Attorney John S Carnes presented the challenges to the petitions and the majority of those challenges held up. Eric Brown was not sorrowful, so will see what Wednesday brings.
I thought that Democratic Attorney John Carnes presented overwhelming evidence including several court documents and Clark’s drivers license that Magistrate Judge candidate James Clark lives in Thorndale. Clark had two relatives that claimed he lived at the address in Coatesville’s Second Ward that he listed on his petition. Clark said that even though a court document from October has Thorndale as his residence and driver’s license residence as Thorndale, he lives in Coatesville.
I understood Clark to have said that his driver’s license and his court documents residence is really his business address and his real residence is in Coatesville. Hmmm.
Even at the place he said he lives in Coatesville, he was only there a few months. State Law says that candidates for Magistrate Judge need to reside at least a year at the residence on the ballot. The proceedings concerning James Clark were a little confusing to me but I believe that one of Clark’s relatives who is a Republican collected most of his signatures on both Republican and Democratic sides. Clark might not be not be on the ticket for multiple reasons.
I wondered why Andrew Lehr was sitting right in front of me in the first spectator row. I found out when Lehr conferred with Clark and a woman named as his daughter, Shaina London in the hallway. Is Clark a spoiler to Greg Hines? If so why would Lehr support Greg Milanese? Lehr left when Clarks hearing was over.
Linda Lavender is a special case. Lavender says that she does not work for Tim Hennessey but works for the Republican Caucus of the Legislature. When Lavender was asked by Judge Ott what she does at Representative Tim Hennessey’s office in Coatesville, she told Judge Ott that Hennessey’s constituents come to Tim Hennessey’s office in Coatesville with their problems and she tries to help them. She said that her paycheck says “Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” on it. It’s my guess that since she is still working as Tim Hennessey's legislative assistant Lavender is by Commonwealth Law ineligible to run.
But that's not all: Lavender as a Republican collected most of the signatures for both parties. All the Democratic signatures she collected could be disqualified. She also did not have enough good signatures on the Democratic side, regardless of the other issues. So I think that we can assume that she didn't make the Democratic ballot. Linda disputes the State Law that Republican candidates cannot collect Democratic Signatures. Judge Ott suggested that Lavender can appeal the law if she wishes to.
On the Republican side Lavender has 96 good ones and 5 that are still disputed and will be checked at Voter Services on Monday. Linda had a little over 150 Republican and 150 Democratic signatures so reading off all the disputed signatures (well over 100) took a while.
Linda brought her about 6 foot 6 inch 300 lb. Uncle, Ronald London for support. London was wearing a black leather jacket and leather trousers
Linda said that she would ask Tim Hennessey to write a letter to Judge Ott saying that it's OK for Commonwealth employees to run for Magistrate Judge. Got to see this letter.
The results of all this could be that Democrat Greg Hines will be the only candidate on both the Democratic and Republican Ballots this spring.
We will know the almost final results by Wednesday.
Like I said before; some people will appreciate a Magistrate Judge in Coatesville who knows and follows the Law. I believe that Gregory Hines will be that Magistrate Judge.
It was accepted by both sides that Gabe Milanese lost on the Democratic side and he may also lose on the Republican side. Only one disputed vote will disqualify Gabe on the Republican side. Gabe's attorney, Eric Brown is the Chair of Republican Area 14.
Mr. Brown put voters on the stand as witnesses. It may not be uncommon to do so, but I felt extremely uncomfortable at seeing voters on the witness stand. The voters signed both Greg Hines and Gabe Milanese’s petitions. The voters all signed Greg Hines’ petition first. They were questioned by Eric Brown as to whose petition they were signing. They all said that they did not know whose petition it was. That went well until someone replied that they did not know whose petition they were signing and their signature was one of the first names on the petition with Greg Hines name right there at the top. They were all asked by Eric Brown which one of the petitions that they really wanted their vote to go to. Not to be on the ballot, but their vote. They all said Gabe Milanese. It seemed to me that it was almost like the voters were on trial. I don’t think that voters should be asked to do things like this except in extreme circumstances.
Democratic Attorney John S Carnes presented the challenges to the petitions and the majority of those challenges held up. Eric Brown was not sorrowful, so will see what Wednesday brings.
I thought that Democratic Attorney John Carnes presented overwhelming evidence including several court documents and Clark’s drivers license that Magistrate Judge candidate James Clark lives in Thorndale. Clark had two relatives that claimed he lived at the address in Coatesville’s Second Ward that he listed on his petition. Clark said that even though a court document from October has Thorndale as his residence and driver’s license residence as Thorndale, he lives in Coatesville.
I understood Clark to have said that his driver’s license and his court documents residence is really his business address and his real residence is in Coatesville. Hmmm.
Even at the place he said he lives in Coatesville, he was only there a few months. State Law says that candidates for Magistrate Judge need to reside at least a year at the residence on the ballot. The proceedings concerning James Clark were a little confusing to me but I believe that one of Clark’s relatives who is a Republican collected most of his signatures on both Republican and Democratic sides. Clark might not be not be on the ticket for multiple reasons.
I wondered why Andrew Lehr was sitting right in front of me in the first spectator row. I found out when Lehr conferred with Clark and a woman named as his daughter, Shaina London in the hallway. Is Clark a spoiler to Greg Hines? If so why would Lehr support Greg Milanese? Lehr left when Clarks hearing was over.
Linda Lavender is a special case. Lavender says that she does not work for Tim Hennessey but works for the Republican Caucus of the Legislature. When Lavender was asked by Judge Ott what she does at Representative Tim Hennessey’s office in Coatesville, she told Judge Ott that Hennessey’s constituents come to Tim Hennessey’s office in Coatesville with their problems and she tries to help them. She said that her paycheck says “Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” on it. It’s my guess that since she is still working as Tim Hennessey's legislative assistant Lavender is by Commonwealth Law ineligible to run.
But that's not all: Lavender as a Republican collected most of the signatures for both parties. All the Democratic signatures she collected could be disqualified. She also did not have enough good signatures on the Democratic side, regardless of the other issues. So I think that we can assume that she didn't make the Democratic ballot. Linda disputes the State Law that Republican candidates cannot collect Democratic Signatures. Judge Ott suggested that Lavender can appeal the law if she wishes to.
On the Republican side Lavender has 96 good ones and 5 that are still disputed and will be checked at Voter Services on Monday. Linda had a little over 150 Republican and 150 Democratic signatures so reading off all the disputed signatures (well over 100) took a while.
Linda brought her about 6 foot 6 inch 300 lb. Uncle, Ronald London for support. London was wearing a black leather jacket and leather trousers
Linda said that she would ask Tim Hennessey to write a letter to Judge Ott saying that it's OK for Commonwealth employees to run for Magistrate Judge. Got to see this letter.
The results of all this could be that Democrat Greg Hines will be the only candidate on both the Democratic and Republican Ballots this spring.
We will know the almost final results by Wednesday.
Like I said before; some people will appreciate a Magistrate Judge in Coatesville who knows and follows the Law. I believe that Gregory Hines will be that Magistrate Judge.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Interesting Courtroom Political Stuff
Ingrid W Jones and Patricia Ray will be on the Democratic Ballot for Coatesville’s Second Ward City Councilperson. In Judge Pamela Ott’s Courtroom today it was determined that Falaq Lucas had 8 good signatures for Coatesville City Councilperson Second Ward. Ten or more signatures are required. There are no Republicans running in Coatesville’s Second Ward.
There are more of petitions for insufficient signatures tomorrow, Friday, March 20, 2009. The really interesting political courtroom stuff concerns the race for Magistrate Judge in Coatesville District Court 15-1-03. Those hearings are:
• At I PM Gabe Milanese - R
• At 2 PM James Clark - D
• At 3 PM Linda Lavender - R
Linda Lavender is State Rep. Tim Hennessey’s Legislative Assistant.
If all goes well, Democrat Greg Hines may be the only person on both Republican and Democratic Ballots.
I think that the Republicans might be out in full force to support their endorsed candidate; Gabe Milanese. I think that Milanese could, just barely, make it on the Republican side of the Ballot.
The only person that I am aware of that took and passed the test for Magistrate Judge is Greg Hines. He passed the first time.
Some people will appreciate a Magistrate Judge in Coatesville who knows and follows the Law. I believe that Gregory Hines will be that Magistrate Judge.
There are more of petitions for insufficient signatures tomorrow, Friday, March 20, 2009. The really interesting political courtroom stuff concerns the race for Magistrate Judge in Coatesville District Court 15-1-03. Those hearings are:
• At I PM Gabe Milanese - R
• At 2 PM James Clark - D
• At 3 PM Linda Lavender - R
Linda Lavender is State Rep. Tim Hennessey’s Legislative Assistant.
If all goes well, Democrat Greg Hines may be the only person on both Republican and Democratic Ballots.
I think that the Republicans might be out in full force to support their endorsed candidate; Gabe Milanese. I think that Milanese could, just barely, make it on the Republican side of the Ballot.
The only person that I am aware of that took and passed the test for Magistrate Judge is Greg Hines. He passed the first time.
Some people will appreciate a Magistrate Judge in Coatesville who knows and follows the Law. I believe that Gregory Hines will be that Magistrate Judge.
The United States of America is the top user country of illegal drugs.
Ask anyone that was involved in fighting the “War on Drugs” for a long time. They will tell you that reducing the number of drug users in the United States of America is the way to really hurt the illegal drug business. I don’t know enough to suggest how that could be done.
The United States of America is the top user country of illegal drugs. Reducing illegal drug use at the person to person level would have a real effect on the market for illegal drugs. It would reduce the violence and despair in our own country and also in the increasingly desperate situations in countries to our South. The violence there has become a war; a war not on drugs but a war between drug dealer armies and the police and armies of those countries. Thousands of people are caught in the crossfire.
SUR-13 members tried to make a connection here in Coatesville last year. I believe that the 3 SUR-13 members that were arrested by East Fallowfield Police were a part of a group in Virginia and Maryland. An older man with 1 and 3 shaved eyebrows was in a Coatesville laundromat at about that same time. An investigation lead to the break up of that SUR-13 group. I have not seen any new SUR-13 graffiti since then.
See:
Mexico Under Siege The drug war at our doorstep
Los Angeles Times coverage of Mexico Under Siege
http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war
The United States of America is the top user country of illegal drugs. Reducing illegal drug use at the person to person level would have a real effect on the market for illegal drugs. It would reduce the violence and despair in our own country and also in the increasingly desperate situations in countries to our South. The violence there has become a war; a war not on drugs but a war between drug dealer armies and the police and armies of those countries. Thousands of people are caught in the crossfire.
SUR-13 members tried to make a connection here in Coatesville last year. I believe that the 3 SUR-13 members that were arrested by East Fallowfield Police were a part of a group in Virginia and Maryland. An older man with 1 and 3 shaved eyebrows was in a Coatesville laundromat at about that same time. An investigation lead to the break up of that SUR-13 group. I have not seen any new SUR-13 graffiti since then.
See:
Mexico Under Siege The drug war at our doorstep
Los Angeles Times coverage of Mexico Under Siege
http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Are you concerned about the corruption in companies like AIG or Bear Sterns?
Something not mentioned by President Obama:
The FBI and USDoJ are “going gang busters” on a hiring spree that has not been seen in decades. Convictions and prison are coming for the boys and girls of investment banking.
The FBI and USDoJ are “going gang busters” on a hiring spree that has not been seen in decades. Convictions and prison are coming for the boys and girls of investment banking.
Are they two pops behind the ear guns, with "attached Parker Hale silencer "?
More stuff that happens behind the bucolic countryside screen in Chester County:
"The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Grand Jury: O'Neill Sr. used sham marriage to stay in U.S.
Federal indictment released Tuesday
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 7:07 AM EDT
By MICHAEL P. RELLAHAN, Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — A federal grand jury on St. Patrick's Day added charges to the case against Sean O'Neill Sr., the Irish-born father of a Willistown teenager who shot and killed his friend during a party at the family's home.
The indictment released Tuesday alleges O'Neill entered into a "sham marriage" to obtain his green card to stay in the United States after coming here from Northern Ireland and that he later lied to authorities about being a U.S. citizen.
Federal authorities had already accused O'Neill of staying here illegally without informing authorities of his involvement with an IRA subgroup.
O'Neill had been scheduled to stand trial on weapons charges in May in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. It was not immediately clear what the new charges would do to that court date.
According to the superceding indictment, O'Neill, 49, was born in Coalisland, Northern Ireland. He came to the U.S. when he was 23 after having served time in a Northern Ireland prison for his involvement with Fianna na h'Eireann, a youth group associated with the IRA."
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/18/news/srv0000004924693.txt
Monday, March 16, 2009
ARE THE RUSSIANS COMING?
Gas firm petitions for 'quick taking'
Company asks court's permission to begin pipeline work on 36 properties
Monday, March 16, 2009 6:38 AM EDT
By ANNE PICKERING, Staff Writer
WEST WHITELAND — Williams, a natural gas company that has filed eminent domain actions through its subsidiary Transco against 36 Chester County landowners, last week asked a judge to allow the company access to all 36 properties by May 4.
More at:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/16/news/srv0000004900881.txt#blogcomments
Thursday, January 15, 2009
FERC Approves AES LNG Terminal In Baltimore
A five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) panel voted 4-1 to approve Virginia-based AES Corporation's proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the site of the former Sparrows Point shipyard in eastern Baltimore County. The proposal also includes construction of an 88-mile pipeline to Pennsylvania for the former Bethlehem Steel site [later Mittal Steel and now Severstal (Russian-owned)]. The approval of the $400 million project came at the urging of organized labor groups eager for hundreds of jobs. It was opposed by community associations and nearly every elected official in the area.
More at:
http://aaenvironment.blogspot.com/2009/01/ferc-approves-aes-lng-terminal-in.html
Company asks court's permission to begin pipeline work on 36 properties
Monday, March 16, 2009 6:38 AM EDT
By ANNE PICKERING, Staff Writer
WEST WHITELAND — Williams, a natural gas company that has filed eminent domain actions through its subsidiary Transco against 36 Chester County landowners, last week asked a judge to allow the company access to all 36 properties by May 4.
More at:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/16/news/srv0000004900881.txt#blogcomments
Thursday, January 15, 2009
FERC Approves AES LNG Terminal In Baltimore
A five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) panel voted 4-1 to approve Virginia-based AES Corporation's proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the site of the former Sparrows Point shipyard in eastern Baltimore County. The proposal also includes construction of an 88-mile pipeline to Pennsylvania for the former Bethlehem Steel site [later Mittal Steel and now Severstal (Russian-owned)]. The approval of the $400 million project came at the urging of organized labor groups eager for hundreds of jobs. It was opposed by community associations and nearly every elected official in the area.
More at:
http://aaenvironment.blogspot.com/2009/01/ferc-approves-aes-lng-terminal-in.html
Saturday, March 14, 2009
New arson in Coatesville; 20th this year
"The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Saturday, March 14, 2009 9:11 AM EDT
COATESVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say there has been another arson in the suburban Philadelphia city of Coatesville.
The 1:30 a.m. blaze struck two homes on East Valley Road in the city, and firefighters say they were badly damaged.
John Hageman of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says the latest blaze was deliberately set.
It's the 20th arson in the city this year."
MORE AT:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/police/doc49bbacfa12a55647024782.txt
LISTS OF CANDIDATES in COATESVILLE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Here are downloadable PDF’s of a list that includes Coatesville Republican and Coatesville Democratic Candidates in the Spring Primary Elections. It includes the ballot positions:
Click for Republican Candidates in Coatesville City Elections:
http://www.box.net/shared/mya5x3uu35
Click for Democratic Candidates in Coatesville City Elections:
http://www.box.net/shared/kf629a9trj
Click for Republican Candidates in Coatesville City Elections:
http://www.box.net/shared/mya5x3uu35
Click for Democratic Candidates in Coatesville City Elections:
http://www.box.net/shared/kf629a9trj
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Still on edge despite arrests
The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Thursday, March 12, 2009 1:47 PM EDT
By PATRICK WALTERS, Associated Press Writer
COATESVILLE — Sgt. James Audette is patrolling the business district when a man sitting on a bench calls out the question everyone has been asking in this fire-plagued town: "Has there been any more arsons?"
"No there haven't been," Audette tells him.
More at:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/12/news/doc49b9472666801918145921.txt
And at:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7067087
And at:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/6307637.html
And at:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/946317.html
And at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/12/national/a083544D17.DTL&type=education
And at:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/12/ap6160915.html
I guess that Harry Walker, Kurt Schenk and Patsy Ray will have to add some newspapers to their “condemned list”.
Thursday, March 12, 2009 1:47 PM EDT
By PATRICK WALTERS, Associated Press Writer
COATESVILLE — Sgt. James Audette is patrolling the business district when a man sitting on a bench calls out the question everyone has been asking in this fire-plagued town: "Has there been any more arsons?"
"No there haven't been," Audette tells him.
More at:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/12/news/doc49b9472666801918145921.txt
And at:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7067087
And at:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/6307637.html
And at:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/946317.html
And at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/12/national/a083544D17.DTL&type=education
And at:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/12/ap6160915.html
I guess that Harry Walker, Kurt Schenk and Patsy Ray will have to add some newspapers to their “condemned list”.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Reverend Council Person Patsy Ray’s sermon in praise of Chief Matthews
“We lynched him before he got here.”
Was Reverend Ray (as Coatesville City Manager Harry Walker refers to her) thinking of the alleged "incident" with the sweater and East Whiteland Police at Boscov's when she spoke about Chief Matthews being there when she needed him?
As usual Council person Ray's council comment is filled up with Biblical references. What “Saturday Night” could do with this.
Listen here:
http://www.box.net/shared/d6xokofyfz
“Our police department has come a long, long way. We are going on to national acredidition You probably don’t know that you wasn’t accredidated. Because you didn’t even think of it. All you had was a bunch of cops arrestin people takin care of you.”
Was Reverend Ray (as Coatesville City Manager Harry Walker refers to her) thinking of the alleged "incident" with the sweater and East Whiteland Police at Boscov's when she spoke about Chief Matthews being there when she needed him?
As usual Council person Ray's council comment is filled up with Biblical references. What “Saturday Night” could do with this.
Listen here:
http://www.box.net/shared/d6xokofyfz
“Regardless of what the Daily Local News says or the DA says I believe our police department is better off now than it was before you came.”
Below is a link to a recording of Coatesville City Council person from Coatesville's Fourth Ward, Kurt Schenk at last night’s Coatesville City Council Meeting:
Council person Schenk is speaking of Chief Matthews:
“I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life for what you have brought to Coatesville.”
Kurt said of Chief Matthews “you have been a good chief, you were a great chief”.
“Regardless of what the Daily Local News says or the DA says I believe our police department is better off now than it was before you came.”
Then Kurt Schenk talked about the “other” Walker; Zack Walker that was lynched about 100 years ago. Schenk compared Matthews to Zack Walker:
“I believe that Chief Matthews was put in a fire and we had the DA and Andy Hachadorian and the Daily Local News standing there pushing him back in with a pitchfork.
The statement at the end is from Ronnie Suber.
http://www.box.net/shared/r970o9jol7
Council person Schenk is speaking of Chief Matthews:
“I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life for what you have brought to Coatesville.”
Kurt said of Chief Matthews “you have been a good chief, you were a great chief”.
“Regardless of what the Daily Local News says or the DA says I believe our police department is better off now than it was before you came.”
Then Kurt Schenk talked about the “other” Walker; Zack Walker that was lynched about 100 years ago. Schenk compared Matthews to Zack Walker:
“I believe that Chief Matthews was put in a fire and we had the DA and Andy Hachadorian and the Daily Local News standing there pushing him back in with a pitchfork.
The statement at the end is from Ronnie Suber.
http://www.box.net/shared/r970o9jol7
Monday, March 9, 2009
High speed Rail
We have no high speed rail in the United States of America. We have a few fast trains.
• Our air traffic control is not up to 21 Century standards.
• Our truck freight system is not very safe.
• Our rail freight system is not all it can be.
• Our manufacturing has been moved to other countries and an economy that was once based on manufacturing is now based on consumers buying stuff, mostly made in China.
• Our financial system is based on buying imported manufactured items, USA consumers buying them and China and other countries buying our Treasury bonds. USA manufacturing is all but dead.
There is a common thread that binds all those together:
Unions and the anti-union mission of the Republican Party; unions mostly support the Democratic Party. Among other things the Rush-publicans have rejected any transportation form that may involve unions and has driven out USA manufacturing. It is very clear to me that they did this for purely political reasons.
The Obama Administration has a bold new plan to bring high speed rail to the United States of America.
President Obama's initiative will fund high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs. It includes $8 billion in stimulus money and $5 billion more over the next five years.
"The money represents the first major step toward establishing a genuine high-speed train network in the United States and has sparked a stampede among states, advocacy groups and lobbyists who are not accustomed to this level of funding." Washington Post
• Our air traffic control is not up to 21 Century standards.
• Our truck freight system is not very safe.
• Our rail freight system is not all it can be.
• Our manufacturing has been moved to other countries and an economy that was once based on manufacturing is now based on consumers buying stuff, mostly made in China.
• Our financial system is based on buying imported manufactured items, USA consumers buying them and China and other countries buying our Treasury bonds. USA manufacturing is all but dead.
There is a common thread that binds all those together:
Unions and the anti-union mission of the Republican Party; unions mostly support the Democratic Party. Among other things the Rush-publicans have rejected any transportation form that may involve unions and has driven out USA manufacturing. It is very clear to me that they did this for purely political reasons.
The Obama Administration has a bold new plan to bring high speed rail to the United States of America.
President Obama's initiative will fund high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs. It includes $8 billion in stimulus money and $5 billion more over the next five years.
"The money represents the first major step toward establishing a genuine high-speed train network in the United States and has sparked a stampede among states, advocacy groups and lobbyists who are not accustomed to this level of funding." Washington Post
“High-Speed Rail Drives Obama's Transportation Agenda
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 8, 2009;
A01
The Northern Lights Express is little more than an idea –
a proposal for a 110-mph passenger train between Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., that has crept along in fits and starts for years. But the slow ride may soon be over. The project is one of dozens nationwide that are likely to benefit from President Obama's initiative to fund high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs, including $8 billion in stimulus money and $5 billion more over the next five years in the administration's proposed transportation budget.”
More at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/07/AR2009030701794.html?nav=hcmodule
Saturday, March 7, 2009
"Rush-publican Party?"
They can’t brag about the new “Great Depression” they created, Katrina, “Mission Accomplished”, “Dead or Alive, it’s all total failure for “Conservavites”. So, they are going hip with sex, drugs, cigars and personal airplanes.
"Published on Capitol Hill Blue (http://www.capitolhillblue.com)
Sex, drugs and rock'n Rush
Created 03/05/2009 - 10:13am
Rusty Republicans are getting a rush on with Rush Limbaugh who amazingly has replaced Sarah Palin as the sex symbol of the GOP. Creaky old conservatives who missed the fun of the free love generation [1] are getting stoned breathing in Rush Limbaugh's hot air. If they end up in control of the party agenda, Republicans who know they can never regain power in D.C. without the independent vote will challenge the Rushites current strangle hold on the GOP.
Do these shrinking violet Republicans fear that Limbaugh will become a modern Haystack Calhoun? Are they afraid he'll deliver his version of Haystack's "Big Splash", the "Blubber Squish", by lumbering off the ropes and smothering them under his blubber?
If the far right becomes the glassy eyed stoned Republican Party of Rush most Democratic Party candidates in all but the reddest of red states will win handily. (Image from Wikimedia Commons free use.)
There's also a real chance we'll see more third party candidates winning national elections based on who they are and what they stand for, not the party affiliation.
The best thing for the Democrats is to run against Rush-publican candidates.
They know this."
More at:
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/16498
"Published on Capitol Hill Blue (http://www.capitolhillblue.com)
Sex, drugs and rock'n Rush
Created 03/05/2009 - 10:13am
Rusty Republicans are getting a rush on with Rush Limbaugh who amazingly has replaced Sarah Palin as the sex symbol of the GOP. Creaky old conservatives who missed the fun of the free love generation [1] are getting stoned breathing in Rush Limbaugh's hot air. If they end up in control of the party agenda, Republicans who know they can never regain power in D.C. without the independent vote will challenge the Rushites current strangle hold on the GOP.
Do these shrinking violet Republicans fear that Limbaugh will become a modern Haystack Calhoun? Are they afraid he'll deliver his version of Haystack's "Big Splash", the "Blubber Squish", by lumbering off the ropes and smothering them under his blubber?
If the far right becomes the glassy eyed stoned Republican Party of Rush most Democratic Party candidates in all but the reddest of red states will win handily. (Image from Wikimedia Commons free use.)
There's also a real chance we'll see more third party candidates winning national elections based on who they are and what they stand for, not the party affiliation.
The best thing for the Democrats is to run against Rush-publican candidates.
They know this."
More at:
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/16498
Thursday, March 5, 2009
COATESVILLE VICTORY GARDENS
Coatesville Victory Gardens (CVG) had their birthing meeting last evening at the Senior Center in Coatesville. If you have ever had a vegetable garden, herb garden, rock garden, conifer garden or micro-orchard, you know that there are times when you have an overabundance that you have shared with neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family. CVG will give you the opportunity to share the harvest and experience the joy of gardening. CVG will start as a network of satellite community gardens. It is an opportune time of the year to begin when we are all yearning to get back outside and shake off old man winter.
MORE AT:
http://coatesvillevictorygardens.blogspot.com/
MORE AT:
http://coatesvillevictorygardens.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
THE NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM is a direct threat to our ability to build community gardens and city farming in of Coatesville
This post is related to the Meeting concerning Community Gardens in Coatesville:
http://coatesvilledems.blogspot.com/2009/03/do-you-want-community-gardens-and-city.html
It is almost a monthly ritual, nationwide peanut butter fecal contamination, beef fecal contamination, lettuce fecal contamination, tomato fecal contamination and whatever is next. The source of the contamination is self evident:
More at:
ACTION PAGE:
http://www.peaceteam.net/action/pnum942.php
See also:
the ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_16869.cfm
http://coatesvilledems.blogspot.com/2009/03/do-you-want-community-gardens-and-city.html
“Radio Chip Animal Identification Would Do ALL Harm To Our Real Food Safety, And No Good”
It is almost a monthly ritual, nationwide peanut butter fecal contamination, beef fecal contamination, lettuce fecal contamination, tomato fecal contamination and whatever is next. The source of the contamination is self evident:
“It's the huge factory farms that overflow with seas of untreated animal waste, that then spill into our food supply, including through our agricultural plant crop fields.”
More at:
ACTION PAGE:
http://www.peaceteam.net/action/pnum942.php
I believe that industrial farming is a bio hazard. It is not only all our non-organic food supply that is subject to biological contamination emanating from the raw sewage in the open effluent pits of factory farms. The larger factory farms dump raw fecal effluent into their pits that can be equal to the entire fecal effluent output of New York, NY.
I believe that Monsanto, industrial meat producers such as Cargill and Tyson have reached into our land use laws. Our aquifers and waterways in rural areas of Pennsylvania that are nearby the open sewage pits of factory farm operations are in danger of fecal contamination. Our zoning laws were recently revised so that the small municipalities cannot regulate the industrial farming operations in their townships. Our tiny townships can have the potential of a New York City sized fecal effluent dump in their township with no ability at all to regulate it.
Jim Pitcherella
More at:
"Living a Nightmare: Animal Factories in Michigan"
A 24-minute documentary about the horrors of industrial agriculture in Michigan.
Click the "play" button at the bottom of the screen to watch the movie
http://www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/nightmare_documentary.asp
See also:
the ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_16869.cfm
DO YOU WANT COMMUNITY GARDENS AND CITY FARMING IN COATESVILLE?
We are exploring ways to bring city farming, availability of healthy foods, community gardens and jobs to the City of Coatesville.
We are considering modeling our Coatesville project after "GreensGrow" in Philadelphia, PA
http://www.greensgrow.org/
OUR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:
Wednesday March 4, 2009
at 7:00PM
at the Senior Center on North Fifth Avenue(opposite the City Library)
THE MEETING IS TO DECIDE ON THE DIRECTION (S) FOR ESTABLISHING CITY FARMING , AVAILIBILITY OF HEALTHY FOODS, COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND JOBS RELATED TO THIS PROJECT.
Any one interested in involvement in any aspect of this, or volunteering, please attend.
Questions?
Please call
Keith Gargus 484.947.1937
or Phila Back 610.334.5563
We are considering modeling our Coatesville project after "GreensGrow" in Philadelphia, PA
http://www.greensgrow.org/
Mary Seton Corboy is the co-founder of GreensGrow Farms, founder of the Neighborhood Urban Agriculture Coalition, and co-founder of the Farmers Market Alliance. She is an advocate for improving access to fresh food in low-income communities and brownfield redevelopment in Philadelphia.
Listen to Mary on WHYY's Broadcast of "THIS I BELEIVE"
http://www.whyy.org/podcast/thisibelieve/tib20090213.mp3
Monday, March 2, 2009
"Case May Define When a Judge Must Recuse Self"
How about this scenario; the judge is a relative of the alleged suspect in a drugs and guns arraignment. Is recusal necessary? What if that scenario comes up often?
In my view judges should not be a part of any election. I believe that the election of judges is an open invitation for the corrupting influence of organized crime and unscrupulous business practice.
Appointment, instead of election, of common pleas judges could come with the blessing of the Bar Association and something like the Judicial Review Board.
Magisterial judges are of the people and not of the law profession. It gets more complicated to appoint instead of elect magisterial judges. However the magisterial judges are the first step and sometimes a crucial first step in the criminal justice system. I believe that steps should be taken to minimize the intrusion of corrupting influences into our justice system.
The case below has international press attention and scrutiny. On a local level the judiciary may attract no reporters and may never come to the public’s attention.
Jim
"Case May Define When a Judge Must Recuse Self
W.Va. Justice Ruled for a Man Who Spent Millions to Elect Him
By Robert Barnes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 2, 2009; A01
BECKLEY, W.Va. -- Hugh Caperton was born into the coal business, but for more than a decade he has spent more time in a courthouse than in a mine. The complex, intrigue-filled legal tale he will present to the Supreme Court this week was literally enough to spawn a suspense novel, but it boils down to this:
Caperton and his little coal company sued a huge coal company on claims that it unlawfully drove him out of business, and a jury agreed, awarding him $50 million.
That company's chief executive vowed an appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court -- but first, he spent an unprecedented $3 million to persuade voters to get rid of a justice he didn't like and elect one he did."
MORE AT:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/01/AR2009030102265.html?hpid=topnews
In my view judges should not be a part of any election. I believe that the election of judges is an open invitation for the corrupting influence of organized crime and unscrupulous business practice.
Appointment, instead of election, of common pleas judges could come with the blessing of the Bar Association and something like the Judicial Review Board.
Magisterial judges are of the people and not of the law profession. It gets more complicated to appoint instead of elect magisterial judges. However the magisterial judges are the first step and sometimes a crucial first step in the criminal justice system. I believe that steps should be taken to minimize the intrusion of corrupting influences into our justice system.
The case below has international press attention and scrutiny. On a local level the judiciary may attract no reporters and may never come to the public’s attention.
Jim
"Case May Define When a Judge Must Recuse Self
W.Va. Justice Ruled for a Man Who Spent Millions to Elect Him
By Robert Barnes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 2, 2009; A01
BECKLEY, W.Va. -- Hugh Caperton was born into the coal business, but for more than a decade he has spent more time in a courthouse than in a mine. The complex, intrigue-filled legal tale he will present to the Supreme Court this week was literally enough to spawn a suspense novel, but it boils down to this:
Caperton and his little coal company sued a huge coal company on claims that it unlawfully drove him out of business, and a jury agreed, awarding him $50 million.
That company's chief executive vowed an appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court -- but first, he spent an unprecedented $3 million to persuade voters to get rid of a justice he didn't like and elect one he did."
MORE AT:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/01/AR2009030102265.html?hpid=topnews
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"HOME INVASION IN COATESVILLE ... AND A ROBBERY SPREE UPDATE"
"28 February 2009
HOME INVASION IN COATESVILLE ... AND A ROBBERY SPREE UPDATE
Coatesville Police have put out a county-wide alert for as many as seven subjects who were reportedly involved in a home invasion robbery earlier today."
From:
West Chester Unplugged v.2.0
CRIME - POLITICS - NIGHTLIFE - HOMETOWN: WEST CHESTER, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
http://www.wcunplugged.com/
I believe that the owners of the "Pizza Peddler" on the 100 block of North 2nd Avenue have called it quits after several armed robberies and have closed. Maybe it was the "pistol whipping" the last time that did it.
Jim Pitcherella
THE COATESVILLE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS A WONDERFUL AND STUNNING “PROBLEM”
Twenty eight people attended a Democratic Meeting at my home on Saturday afternoon, February 28, 2009.
It included the nine Democratic candidates currently running for Coatesville City Council. And Chester County District Attorney Joseph W. Carroll.
There are four positions on the Coatesville City Council up for the Spring Election.
We have a problem, but it is a wonderful and a stunning problem to have. The candidates decided, on their own, to run for office. And there are too many candidates. Those nine Democratic Candidates need to decide among themselves who is going run and who is going to step aside and support those candidates.
Chester County Democratic Committee Chair, Michele Vaughn led the meeting. PA 13th Legislative District Representative Tom Houghton, United Steelworkers Union representative, Dave McLimans; CCDC Secretary, Adam Thomas; Tom McCann, candidate for Chester County Clerk of Courts; Phila Bach, Organizer, Working Families Win and Fern Kaufman were in attendance.
Chester County District Attorney Joe Carroll began our meeting by addressing our gathering.
He stated that from a law enforcement view the Coatesville Administration had to change. Joe believes that Coatesville cannot sustain another four years of the current administration.
Joe said that he would support any candidate Democratic or Republican who he thought would bring about the needed change to get Coatesville back on track.
What I wrote in my previous post "Did tampering with the Coatesville PD present the opportunity for arson in Coatesville?" is my synopsis of part of Joe's presentation on Saturday.
James J. Pitcherella Zone Leader, CCDC Zone 18, Coatesville
It included the nine Democratic candidates currently running for Coatesville City Council. And Chester County District Attorney Joseph W. Carroll.
There are four positions on the Coatesville City Council up for the Spring Election.
We have a problem, but it is a wonderful and a stunning problem to have. The candidates decided, on their own, to run for office. And there are too many candidates. Those nine Democratic Candidates need to decide among themselves who is going run and who is going to step aside and support those candidates.
Chester County Democratic Committee Chair, Michele Vaughn led the meeting. PA 13th Legislative District Representative Tom Houghton, United Steelworkers Union representative, Dave McLimans; CCDC Secretary, Adam Thomas; Tom McCann, candidate for Chester County Clerk of Courts; Phila Bach, Organizer, Working Families Win and Fern Kaufman were in attendance.
Chester County District Attorney Joe Carroll began our meeting by addressing our gathering.
He stated that from a law enforcement view the Coatesville Administration had to change. Joe believes that Coatesville cannot sustain another four years of the current administration.
Joe said that he would support any candidate Democratic or Republican who he thought would bring about the needed change to get Coatesville back on track.
What I wrote in my previous post "Did tampering with the Coatesville PD present the opportunity for arson in Coatesville?" is my synopsis of part of Joe's presentation on Saturday.
James J. Pitcherella Zone Leader, CCDC Zone 18, Coatesville
Did tampering with the Coatesville PD present the opportunity for arson in Coatesville?
Just in case there are any lingering doubts as to why many members of the City of Coatesville Police left the PD for more secure employment elsewhere in 2007.
Here is the letter from Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews to Chester County District Attorney Joseph W Carroll, May 18, 2007. "...Because of lay-off we will lose six (6) patrol officers."
http://www.box.net/shared/ha1zzj1b7d
The order to lay off police was rescinded shortly after May 18th but the police officers knew about it and many officers looked for better more secure jobs in other departments. The police officers did not know if and when the lay-off order would be reinstated. We lost some of our most experienced officers and detectives that had extensive knowledge of the community.
• The Narcotics Division was disbanded and its officers transferred to patrol.
• The bike unit was disbanded.
• The community relations officer was put on regular duty.
• Non-uniformed office staff was laid off. This added to the regular officers duties.
In all 15 Coatesville Police Officers left the 32 person Coatesville Police Force.
Lt. Matt Gordon was described by Joe Carroll as the most knowledgeable narcotics investigator in Chester County. Lt. Gordon was removed from the Coatesville PD and put on “administrative leave” by Chief William Matthews in October of 2007 and has not been on the force since then.
The results of all the tampering with the Coatesville PD were predictable; armed robbery, muggings, and shootings all increased dramatically. The news spread that the drug business was good again in Coatesville and drug dealers, some violent street gangs and guns came into Coatesville.
No one could foresee the dramatic increase in arson but the general lawlessness presented an opportunity for arson.
The Walker Administration was alleged to be resistant to requests from the PA State Police and ATF to come into Coatesville and investigate the arson for nearly a year. It was only after the Fleetwood Street fire that Governor Rendell forcefully asked the City of Coatesville to declare an emergency and the PA State Police and ATF began their investigation.
Here is the letter from Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews to Chester County District Attorney Joseph W Carroll, May 18, 2007. "...Because of lay-off we will lose six (6) patrol officers."
http://www.box.net/shared/ha1zzj1b7d
The order to lay off police was rescinded shortly after May 18th but the police officers knew about it and many officers looked for better more secure jobs in other departments. The police officers did not know if and when the lay-off order would be reinstated. We lost some of our most experienced officers and detectives that had extensive knowledge of the community.
• The Narcotics Division was disbanded and its officers transferred to patrol.
• The bike unit was disbanded.
• The community relations officer was put on regular duty.
• Non-uniformed office staff was laid off. This added to the regular officers duties.
In all 15 Coatesville Police Officers left the 32 person Coatesville Police Force.
Lt. Matt Gordon was described by Joe Carroll as the most knowledgeable narcotics investigator in Chester County. Lt. Gordon was removed from the Coatesville PD and put on “administrative leave” by Chief William Matthews in October of 2007 and has not been on the force since then.
The results of all the tampering with the Coatesville PD were predictable; armed robbery, muggings, and shootings all increased dramatically. The news spread that the drug business was good again in Coatesville and drug dealers, some violent street gangs and guns came into Coatesville.
No one could foresee the dramatic increase in arson but the general lawlessness presented an opportunity for arson.
The Walker Administration was alleged to be resistant to requests from the PA State Police and ATF to come into Coatesville and investigate the arson for nearly a year. It was only after the Fleetwood Street fire that Governor Rendell forcefully asked the City of Coatesville to declare an emergency and the PA State Police and ATF began their investigation.
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