Road Cycling League Coatesville Classic July 4th Weekend

There is an article in today’s Daily Local News about the Coatesville City Council’s discussion of the National Velodrome Group’s offer to least 105 Harmony Street. 

The article is here:

Coatesville likely to lease property to velodrome group

Published: Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The discussion is here:

Velodrome 105 E Diamond discussion.mp3

The National Velodrome needs a place to store materials for bike races and the Harmony Street building is a natural site. Where the material for the races is stored is not that significant but the races are.

The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce has been involved in the Ice Cream Festival in the past. I made a comment at the March 28, 2011 City Council Meeting that a friend who is a Chamber member said the Western Chester County Chamber wants to  have all hands on deck for the 4^th of July events. Because, the "Coatesville Classic" bike races are developing into a very big possibly national event.

I think it probably will be a larger event for Coatesville than the Steel Trees was and remember that event had international interest.
Although the events over the 4^th of July may involve a large number of spectators the people involved in the race are some of same people that do the Philadelphia Bike race and I think it will go smoothly.

The 12 mile road racing cycling event will involve a number of other
municipalities. It's going to be a very big Fourth of July weekend in
Coatesville. It's still in the planning stages.

Coatesville Classic                                            
 

 Date-07/03/2011

 Type-Bicycle Stage Race 2-days, 3-stages

 Location-Coatesville area, Chester County PACourse

 This race starts with a TT on Sunday morning, July 3, 2011, followed by a cool figure-8 Criterium on Sunday afternoon. The Road Race is on a gorgeous 11-mile circuit on Monday morning, July 4th!

 Race Flyer- Flyer is not available at this time. Please check back shortly. 

 From: Road Cycling League

Coatesville City Council March 28, 2011 Fleetwood Street Transfer

There was a discussion of transferring the Fleetwood Street Property owned by the City of Coatesville to the Redevelopment Authority for $1.00.
Coatesville City Council Member Marty Eggleston was concerned about the city acquiring occupied homes.

Mr. Eggleston, “I’ve gotten two phone calls from residents on Fleetwood Street who were concerned about the future of their own homes.”

The train station is on the North side of Fleetwood Street. There are no residential buildings on the North side of Fleetwood Street. I believe the Redevelopment Authority owns most if not all the properties on the North side of Fleetwood Street. 

The Comfort Care building is owned by the RDA. The Comfort Care business is the only business property that is now in use that could be utilized in conjunction with the train station. It’s on the North side of Fleetwood Street. And there are plans for the station that allow Comfort Care to remain there. 


The property proposed to transfer to the RDA on Monday's City Council Meeting is an empty lot. The homes were destroyed in the fire and were torn down. 

This is a partial transcript of the Redevelopment Authority Meeting of March 21, 2011:

 Mr. Burkholder, “Consider a letter requesting the Fleetwood properties from the City. We discussed that the City is going to sell those properties back to us for a dollar.”

 Mr. Mancini, “That’s correct, these properties are essential to the complete the train station project which is starting to heat up.”

 Mr. Barry, “These were properties that were unfortunately subject to the arson fires and subsequently purchased by the City of Coatesville and demolished. They are now vacant lots."

”

 As far as I can tell from looking at the sketch plans for the train station, there are no plans to remove anyone from their homes in conjunction with the development of the train station. If the Comfort Care business is relocated and used as part of the train station development I believe there is even less likelihood that any additional property on the South side of Fleetwood Street would be used.

I am sure that the planners would all agree that it is desirable to have homeowners living across the street from the train station. There was some discussion at the meeting if there would be any view of the station from the homes remaining on the block. It's more comfortable to wait at stations in a residential area than a deserted area.

You can find the sketch plans here:

PLAN the KEYSTONE COATESVILLE STATION AREA PLANNING WORK IN PROGRESS PRESENTAION 

I think anyone who now lives near and especially across the street from the planned train station is sitting on a gold mine. The value of those properties will at least triple within a few years after the trains are running. Look at the communities down the line towards Philly and compare the real estate and rental costs of properties within 2 to 4 blocks of train stations with properties 8 or more blocks away. Real estate values are based entirely on location.

Are you tired of Coatesville being stuck with all the Section 8 housing in Chester County? This is your chance to do something about it.

Kirby Hudson, the Acting City Manager of the City of Coatesville is giving us a chance to do something about, but WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We can get together to things like cleaning up the city. We need to show up at this meeting in a big way.

Section 8 housing assistance was designed to desegregate housing and integrate low income and middle income people to give children of all income levels a fair chance but the amount of assistance in the form of FAIR MARKET RENT is too low for anything but Coatesville in a very wealthy county like Chester County.

You see the Fair Market Rent Section 8 voucher can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania. Except that the amount is too low for just about anything but Coatesville in Chester County.

HUD will soon be announcing as part of a Section 8 Vouchers Program a National Demonstration Project in an effort to create a more accurate and fair system for setting fair market rent.

Some landlords, some call them slumlords, allow property to deteriorate and ignore codes enforcement, fines and even ignore property taxes. Municipalities are frustrated by landlords such as those. HUD, through the County Housing Authority has enforcement powers with sharper teeth. It’s called abatements or withholding back rent until the property is brought up to code. Utilizing abatements will also be discussed at this meeting. 

THE CITY OF COATESVILLE HAS A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM BUT ONLY IF WE SHOW UP TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE SUPPORT IT.

This meeting on April 14th with Jane Vincent the regional director of HUD is a chance for the citizens of Coatesville to create an opportunity to make a diverse Chester County out of what is now a relatively segregated Chester County.

Kirby has been laboring to represent Coatesville virtually alone in an effort to make assisted housing work in all of Chester County and not be jammed down the throat of Coatesville. He needs our help from the entire community

The flyer for the meeting is here:

This is a transcript and a recording of Kirby’s presentation:

Acting Coatesville City Manager Kirby Hudson:

“This is not only for the Council, but also for the audience. On the back table you’ll see a flyer. The flyer states that a ‘Public Meeting on Regional Opportunity’ and this is going to be a meeting with the UUD Regional Administrator. Her name is Jane Vincent.

Now many of you, probably over the last year of so have heard me talk about First Suburbs Project. In essence the First Suburbs Project is an organization which is made up of now about 25 municipalities all geared to a common goal. Most of these municipalities, if not all, are municipalities very much like Coatesville are, financially strapped.

And one of the things, or I should say a couple of items that I have tried to address are many of the same that people of Coatesville have been saying since I’ve been here, which is almost 5 years.

What I want to say before I go any further is that this meeting that we have for the HUD Regional Manager is very important. I can’t empathize that any more than that. I’m hoping that at the end my little presentation, my manager’s report, that all of you at some point can make it to the back room and there’s a signup sheet back there. Because I’d like to have almost everybody that I can get come to this meeting which is going to be Thursday April 14^th it’s between 7:30 and 9:00, so it’s an evening meeting. It’s going to be in Audubon which is right next door to King of Prussia. The address and everything is on the sheet.

What I want to real quickly is I want to read to you a letter that I sent out to Mr. Bokovitz; Patrick Bokovitz Director Department of Community Development, asking him for an audience to meet with the County Commissioners. I also want to say that I’m very proud this same group of people on this little board, if I can use that word. We all met with Congressman Gerlach and we have his full support. As matter of fact I have a three page letter right here supporting everything that I have in my letter that we will be wanting support from the County Commissioners. So I am going to read it to you and you will have a better understanding of what I’m talking about.

Dear Mr. Bokovitz,

I am writing this letter for two reasons; first to express that the City of Coatesville’s support for the efforts of the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project and second to arrange a meeting consisting of myself a few members of the First Suburbs Project, to meet with the County Commissioners.

It is my hope that you as well as the County Commissioners at the conclusion of our meeting support are efforts to work with the City of Coatesville, HUD and to promote regional mobility fairness and balance in our region through the use of better housing policy and programs.

As you may be aware First Suburbs Project represents a coalition of municipalities, school districts, faith based organizations and other groups who are working toward the revitalization of their community. Their common agenda includes providing fair and adequate public school funding so that every child is educated to meet the demands of the Twenty First Century, rebuilding old infrastructure in our towns like sanitary and stormwater sewers roads and bridges and creating a new approach to housing policy and programs that promote regional diversity and housing opportunities with every community in our region.

Thus, a key objective of the First Suburbs Project is to change the direction of our current housing policy at every level of government to promote regional competiveness, social economic balance and diversity through the region.

The First Suburbs Project believes that HUD is responsible for playing a key role in the following future effort. It is the First Suburbs Projects understanding that HUD will soon be announcing as part of a Section 8 Vouchers Program a National Demonstration Project in an effort to create a more accurate and fair system for setting fair market rent. Better known as FMRs. As I am sure that you are aware the current system for setting FMRs has been long criticized for limiting the voucher holder’s ability to move into higher opportunity neighborhoods thus creating a tendency to steer families only into higher poverty and lower opportunity areas.

This is a major concern for the City of Coatesville as well as First Suburbs Project. The municipalities of Coatesville, Norristown, Pottstown just to mention a few; have a long history of experiencing a high concentration of vouchers within their communities. All these communities would like to see HUD make a financial commitment to adjust our FMRs that are known again as the Fair Market Value, thereby allowing and providing more options of mobility to those families enrolled in the Section 8 Program.

I am also looking for the County Commissioners leadership on two other issues. Many of the First Suburbs Project members have long standing complaints having to deal with landlords who participate in the housing voucher program and do not adequately maintain their rental units or their property. Adequate property maintenance is in the interest of everyone and will certainly have a positive impact on communities that currently are posing resistance. That has (N-I-M-B-Y) which stands for, Not In My Back Yard.

The First Suburbs Project requests that HUD via the powers of the local Housing Authority, increase its enforcement regarding HQS which stands for Housing Quality Standards by providing more property inspection and holding slum landlords to accountable for their lack of property maintenance. Section 8 families and tenants will be able to live in a more safe and clean decent and sanitary environment. This is a win, win for all.

Finally there are some absentee landlords who are delinquent on their local property taxes and fees and yet continue to receive their rental payments, their voucher payments, from HUD. It did not seem reasonable that some landlords should neglect their local tax obligation while receiving taxpayer dollars from the Federal Government.

It is my hope that the County Commissioners will also work with the City of Coatesville and the First Suburbs on these issues. I am very appreciative of the County Commissioners, of their consideration for the problem brought forward in this letter. Mr. Bokovitz, I am gratified that you and the County Commissioners may allow a small group of us to meet with the Commissioners and to ask for their support and working for the First Suburbs prior to our first scheduled meeting with HUD on April 14, 2011.

Now again, what I said and what I’m hoping what I just said makes sense. Now I’ll quickly go over it again.

Right now we have a disproportionate number of vouchers that are crammed down the necks of certain municipalities; Coatesville, PA being one of them. It’s not fair to Coatesville and it’s definitely not fair to the families that may want to move to other areas but they cannot their vouchers only make them go into certain areas because of the dollar value that’s there.

What First Suburbs is asking is that more money be put into that bank so that whereby allowing folks to move where ever they want. As opposed to be only restricted to only a certain area.

Secondly again, when you’re looking at certain properties those properties should be able to blend in with everybody else. There’s no reason why a landlord receiving top dollar for his rent and we have residents who are stuck living in properties that are not up to snuff.

In other words, when you go down the street and you see missing spindles on a railing well why can’t the landlord fix the rail. Or why do steps have to be broken. Or why does the grass have to be this high with weeds.  Or why do we have to have trash. We need to have more enforcement on property inspections.

Now I’m not talking about putting all that load on our department. The reason why I’m saying that is because yes, the Codes Department on the outside can go ahead and put all sorts of fines. But the fines are very small in comparison to a housing inspector who comes a from out of the housing authority. Because what ends up happening is that the housing authority gives that landlord a certain amount of time to fix those deficiencies. If that is not corrected then what they perform is called an abatement. What they’ll do is hold back the rent and they’ll continue to hold the rent back until those deficiencies are corrected. So there really needs to be a balance between the two, the Housing Authority as well as local codes.

And then lastly we do have absentee landlords, a lot of them and we also have some that live nearby that are just not paying their taxes. They’re going ahead, they’re still getting money from taxpayers, they’re getting money from rent and they’re not paying their taxes.

So these are things that I’m asking for support in coming to this meeting. Right now the City of Coatesville is the only municipality in the entire County that’s been going to these meetings. Or should I say me. I’m the only one and I’ve been fighting for years, now we finally got an audience. And what this audience is all about with Pottstown, Norristown and many other municipalities; they’re bringing boatloads of people to be there. And what we’re looking at is potentially a pilot program that’s going to come out of this. And only certain municipalities are going to be able to enjoy this. I want Coatesville to be one of them.

If we don’t have a strong showing those dollars and that participation may go somewhere else. So we have an opportunity to do things. We have an opportunity to make a change. And again I’m asking everybody before you leave please would you sign that back there. If you have any questions and you want more information, you know I’ll give you my cell phone number; 302-229-5200 you can ask me whatever you want.”

When the meeting was over and only a few people yet to leave the room; only three people had signed the sheet. Kirby was visibly upset at the poor response. 


We have to get a good turnout from Coatesville. This pilot program could make a tremendous difference in the quality of life in Coatesville.

Many people disparage Section 8 Vouchers. But in most cases families would be homeless without them.

The Section 8 program was to enable low income families to live seamlessly interspersed in a cosmopolitan manner among middle class families. Instead of living a segregated life in low income neighborhoods and needing to travel to another area to interact with middle class people. 


The Section 8 Voucher Program took a big hit when President Reagan’s staff made up a story about “welfare queen” that drove around in a Cadillac. That story was a total fabrication but it worked to get Reagan elected. Once elected he cut the funding for Section 8 Vouchers in half and Section 8 was never able to achieve its goal to move families out of poverty.

See:

Reagan’s Legacy: Homelessness in America

By Peter Dreier

Our competition for city manager?

Right now:

"Yeadon, PA (11,500) Borough Manager. ICMA (CM) recognized in 2001. The Borough of Yeadon is accepting applications from qualified applicants who indicate substantial background in municipal management, long range/strategic planning, budgeting and economic development. Yeadon is a first generation suburb and has a council-manager form of government with a seven-member council. Resume w/ cover must be mailed to: Yeadon Search Committee, P.O. Box 1087, Yeadon, PA 19050"

Less than 2 years ago:

"Posted on Mon, Aug. 17, 2009 

Council boycott paralyzes government in Yeadon

 By WILLIAM BENDER

Philadelphia Daily Newsbenderw@phillynews.com 215-854-5255

 “Yeadon Borough, like other Delaware County municipalities that hug the Philadelphia border, is no stranger to cutthroat politics or the occasional out-of-control council meeting.

But at least its neighboring boroughs have fully functioning governments.Over the last month, Council President Vivian Ford and two other allies of deposed Councilman Terry McGirth, a convicted embezzler, have refused to attend five council sessions.”

See article for more

 

 

The Daily Local News interviewed Mr. Rawlings today.

1. “What I have to do is try to stop spending and get the revenues and expenditures to balance without using the reserve fund they have,” Rawlings said.

2. Beyond the finances, Rawlings said he will spend the first six months on the job meeting staff and residents and doing “a lot of listening” before working with council to set goals.

It’s just my opinion but I can translate those two points:

1. I’m recommending that we layoff police officers.

2. I’m going to ask the staff how to do my job. 

From:

Coatesville managerial candidate brings range of experience

Published: Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The “bloc of four” tried making revenues and expenditures balance, laid off police to do it and Coatesville nearly burned down as a result. 

Cutting back won't work, the only thing left to cut back is the police force. 

The real story is we need to bring new residential and commercial buildings into Coatesville to raise tax revenue and the quality of life in Coatesville. Those things will make a workable budget. In other words revitalize Coatesville. I think that if Mr. Rawlings just did a little homework and read up on Coatesville a tiny bit he would have known that; Instead of just making an off the shelf comment.

But even if he just muddles through the first year:

The plans that were first laid in Coatesville about a decade ago are bearing fruit. The drug dealers are not out but they down by about 8 counts (Thank District Attorney Joe Carroll, the Coatesville PD and hard working and courageous citizens). And any battles over eminent domain are in the grave. Coatesville will do brilliantly. 

The City of Coatesville has a tremendous potential for economic development. It will be the place to go to for business and shopping and to live and play in about 5 years from now. You can get an idea of how building up and revitalizing Coatesville to both bring in more tax revenue while at the same time lowering the tax rate needed to sustain city services in part by reading and listening to Robert Gibbs presentation during the Plan the Keystone Charrette in Coatesville. 

Scroll down to Robert Gibbs presentation;

Plan the Keystone Coatesville Station Area Planning Work in Progress Presentation 

Listen to it here:

Coatesville City Council chose Gary Rawlings of Charlestown, WV for our next City Manager

His previous experience as a city manager was 2 years in Charlestown, West Virginia. Before that, well; does anyone need a backrub or a golf lesson?

A quick Google search brings this up:

"28 apply to be next Lake Wales City Manager

By PHIL ATTINGER
News Chief

Published: Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 6:54 a.m. 
Last Modified: Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 6:54 a.m.

LAKE WALES -- The applicants for city manager, so far, run the gamut. Among the 28 people who have applied for city manager, the City Commission may choose from war veterans, construction professionals and municipal administrators with experience running departments as diverse as human resources to utilities and maintenance. Of course, several city managers have also applied, and applicants hail from as far away as the Pacific Fleet of the Navy and as close as Babson Park.Here is a look at the applicants: 

 • Gary Rawlings of Charles Town, W.Va., was city manager there from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that he was self-employed as a professional golfer in Florida, as a licensed massage therapist and as a massage therapy instructor. He also worked as administrator or consultant for municipalities in Michigan." 

Go to page 4 of this article for Mr. Rawlings:            

28 apply to be next Lake Wales City Manager

Notice that the City of Lake Wales conducts its entire city manager search in public, not in total secrecy.

OK, maybe I’m too harsh. Hopefully he will do a good job and last more than 2 years.

He appears to qualify for Medicare, which could make his health insurance cost less.

From Monday's Coatesville City Council meeting:

City Council President Karl Marking Coatesville, “Conditional offer letter for permanent City Manager…salary $95,000 per year. Health medical, vision and dental under the non-uniform employee plan. Or the City could also purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan. Residency with the City. Pension, in lieu of participation in the City’s plan the City will issue an amount of 7% of base salary with deferred compensation Act 457 plan and complete all required documentation. Vacation 4 weeks per year. Sick days earned at a rate of 1 per month. 3 personal days. The standard 10 holidays. Mileage reimbursement, the City would pay the maximum IRS allowance per mile for the use of personal vehicle on City business. Relocation expenses, the City would reimburse in the cost of moving to Coatesville. The candidate currently lives in Charlestown, West Virginia. And a severance of 3 months whether for cause or no cause if terminated by City Council. The manager would give 30 days written notice of intent to resign.”



Vote on Gary Rawlings:

March 21, 2010 meeting of the City of Coatesville RDA

The RDA Chairperson Joseph Disciullo was not present.

Jack Burkholder, Vice Chairman of the Coatesville RDA, “Welcome to the March 21^st meeting of the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority…We have a full agenda which is good, for us and the City of Coatesville.”

Mr. Burkholder, “Our first consideration is extending the purchase option agreement for the National Velodrome Center.”

Mr. Vince Mancini, RDA Councilor, The Velodrome has had the sales agreement with the escrow agreement council… for about 10 days. He’s had a number of emergencies…Mr. Cosby been traveling. The last option is going to expire tomorrow. This is just basically to keep the agreement going.”

Mr. Rob Barry Executive Director, “The extension is until April 25, 2011.”

Mr. Burkholder, “Consider a letter requesting the Fleetwood properties from the City. We discussed that the City is going to sell those properties back to us for a dollar.”

Mr. Mancini, “That’s correct, these properties are essential to the complete the train station project which is starting to heat up.”

Mr. Barry, “These were properties that were unfortunately subject to the arson fires and subsequently purchased by the City of Coatesville and demolished. They are now vacant lots.”

Mr. Burkholder, “Discuss the RDA Property Manager.

Mr. Barry, “The RDA Board had issued a RFP, Request For Proposal for RDA Property Manager. The board has received two responses for RDA Property Manager and started considering them. Mr. Vice Chairman, It’s up to the Board’s pleasure how to proceed with the two proposals that were received for the Property Manager.”

Mr. Colon, “I believe we should table this item and review the proposals and come back to it another time. I’ll make that a motion.”

The Item was tabled.

Mr. Burkholder, “Now… The RDA Engineer/Architect.”

Mr. Barry, “The RDA issued an RFQ for RDA Engineer/Architect. The RDA received a total of 33 responses. Of those 33 responses 2 of them came in late and therefore were disqualified. So there are a total of 31 considerations.”

Mr. Mancini suggested that perhaps each member should review every response.

The item was tabled until the next executive session.

Mr. Burkholder, “Consider the MauTiste RFI response. These are people that sent us a project that they were interested in doing in the City of Coatesville involving RDA property.”

Mr. Barry, “In a nutshell they are asking for the RDA to donate property to them. They are a residential housing developer who, as I understand, has some experience already  in the City and is looking to expand upon that... Unfortunately, in my opinion their RFI response lacked a little, clear explanation as to exactly what the defined project would be as well as the financial statements required in the RFI. In a nutshell that’s what their response was.”

The RDA will notify MauTiste Developers that at this time the RDA is not going to move forward and thank you for considering us.

Mr. Burkholder, “Consider the Staff Sharing Agreement. This concerns us using City employees in RDA positions such as Stacy Bjorhus and Rob Barry.”

Mr. Mancini, “Basically what the agreement does, it’s really for efficiency, the City is the primary employer of all the staff that the Authority utilizes and It just empathizes that if we are sharing that staff the primary employer is the City and we would be reimbursing the City for whatever expenses are incurred. In this fashion we try to keep costs down with multiple employers.”

Ms. Bjorhus, “These two paychecks (cost us) $107.00 a month.

The Staff Sharing Agreement passed.

Mr. Burkholder, “Discuss Brandywine Health Center Request for 731 E. Lincoln, Highway.”

Mr. Barry, “The Brandywine Health Center has submitted a request to the Redevelopment Authority to lease and or purchase 731 E. Lincoln, Highway. Their intentions are to construct a temporary parking lot that will allow for additional parking to the activities that they are engaged in at the Center. The terms of their request are enclosed in your packets and at this time the staff is looking for some direction from the Board about how to proceed to their response.”

Mr. Burkholder, “As we said in item E, they wanted us to give them the land.”

Mr. Mancini, “E, That’s MauTiste.”

Mr. Burkholder, “That’s why we turned them down. We’re not giving land away.”

Mr. Barry, “Perhaps I could just read the letter here. The Brandywine Health Center and Housing…proposes to lease the lot at 731 E. Lincoln, Highway for a term of 5 years with renewal option at a rate of $! Per year.” (After this point I can’t understand the recording well enough to do justice to the reading of the letter.) J.P.

The RDA directed a letter be sent thanking the Brandywine Health Center for their participation but at this time we are unable to do business with them.

Mr. Burkholder, “Consider opening a mail account.”

Mr. Barry, “From time to time the RDA will need to overnight official documents related to settlements to legal action whatever.” Currently we don’t have that ability.”

It costs no more to have a Fed X account for the city and the RDA. The charges are per. use.

Mr. Barry, “And in some cases we would have the ability to charge that to the developer…”

A mail account for Fed X and a Post Office Box was approved. 

Mr. Burkholder, “Consider Vegetation Management Permit for the Pulver Hotel Site. They want to clean away some vegetation. Mr. Mancini had some concerns about it.”

Mr. Mancini, “I was just concerned with two things. One… we want to retain the right to review the property ultimately should we have occasion to utilize it for development. And number two, if there is going to be some replanting or of some grass planted that’s going to require some ongoing maintenance as opposed to the conditions that are apparently there now, that those maintenance features would be assumed by Pulver.”

Mr. Barry, “There was one more thing to add and that was that the amendment indemnification to the RDA. So that would be a separate motion to a letter to the developer asking the developer to indemnify the RDA.”

Mr. Baker, “What are they using to get rid of the vegetation?”

Mr. Barry, “I don’t know…

Mr. Baker, “I saw across the street, where one day we had green and the next day we had dessert.”

Mr. Mancini, “Strong stuff.”

Mr. Barry, There are permit applications on the second page; there are some requirements that come along with trimming trees or pesticide activity. So there are some requirements that PENDOT can adhere to. I don’t know what they are using, if they are just going to use equipment or chemicals to remove it.”

Mr. Mancini, “Is there a stream nearby?.”

“The Brandywine”

Mr. Mancini, “So this area would drain towards the Brandywine?”

Mr. Baker, “Where is the proposed…”

Mr. Barry, “Along the 30 Bypass.”

Mr. Baker, “Is there any vegetation flowers, animals around there that are endangered? That, if we kill it we will be responsible for?”

Mr. Barry, “That is a good question.”

Mr. Collins, “There’s also some nice ornamental pine trees left up there. That was kind of semi-landscaped. I hope they’re not talking about chopping those down.”

Mr. Barry, “The permit application says to remove trees and vegetation from the PENNDOT right of way on the South side of SR-30 Bypass to on the West side of the Brandywine River SR-82.”

Mr. Mancini, “I don’t think our entire property is within the right of way.”

Mr. Mancini, “I think we should get more definitive information.”

Mr. Mancini, “I think they want to get a clear line of sight.”

Mr. Baker, “We need to find out if Valley (Township) is involved and to give them a heads up that we’re not moving forward until we talk to them.”

The item was tabled until more information could be provided.

Mr. Burkholder, “Art Partners request to use downtown storefronts of the RDA for their artwork.”

The RDA approved the Art Partners use of RDA properties with the caveat to indemnify the RDA and indemnify the release and wavers of all and any employees and volunteers who 
would enter the building.

Auditor RFP was approved.

Citizens Comments:

Chris Williams of McMahon Associates spoke, “We’re a local Chester County firm. We specialize in transportation engineering so although the RFQ had a wide variety of services, architectural, engineering, public works, we chose to submit on our own specializing on transportation. So we look forward to the selection process and please feel free to contact us if there’s anything that we can do. We’re a Chester County firm. We do a lot of work for municipalities, DOT.  We have great contacts. We also have great developer relations as well,. Our bread and butter started as firm representing developers so we understand the goals of the RDA to promote sound development, as it relates to transportation. Thank you for your consideration.”

Mr. Mancini, “I just wanted to report back that the Penn Crossing settlement’s been completed all checks are cleared.” 



MAUTISTE INVESTMENT GROUP

The Brandywine Health Foundation

McMahon Transportation Engineers & Planners

Alaska militia leader Schaeffer Cox & Federal Reserve

Just a thought, do you see any similarities in the videos here, such as Federal Reserve views:

- Hatewatch | Southern Poverty Law Center - http://www.splcenter.org/blog -

Alaska Congressman Seeks Distance From Accused Militia Plotter

Posted By Bill Morlin On March 22, 2011 @ 4:24 pm In Antigovernment, Extremist Crime | 8 Comments

Rep. Don Young Signed Militia Leader's Revolutionary Declaration

 March 11, 2011 6:57 pm ET — David HolthouseA video posted online in June 2009 shows Alaska Congressman Don Young signing a revolutionary "Letter of Declaration" written by Alaska militia leader Schaeffer Cox, who was arrested yesterday along with four compatriots for allegedly plotting to kidnap and murder Alaska State Troopers and a Fairbanks judge.

Some more local information: 

 Intelligence Report, Winter 2010, Issue Number:  140

 'Patriot' Rhetoric Becomes Increasingly Violent

 By Leah Nelson and Larry Keller

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — The Forces of Freedom are ready for war.
In mid-August, about 100 self-described “Patriots” and “strict Constitutionalists” gathered in a hotel ballroom here for the Freedom Action National Conference organized by the conspiracy-minded American Policy Center (APC). United by rage at a federal government they believe is undermining state sovereignty in collusion with the “New World Order,” they were determined to take back the country for the people.

Active “Patriot” Groups in Pennsylvania:

PENNSYLVANIA (20)
2-4 MACHSA*
Hanover
America First Party of Pennsylvania
Ridgway
Berks County Tea Party
Reading
Confederate States Home Guard*
Grove City
Constitution Party
Blawnox
Keystone Freedom Fighters*
Gettysburg
Oath Keepers
Kutztown
Statewide
Pennsylvania 1st Rifle*
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Citizens Militia*
Statewide
Pennsylvania Unorganized Militia*
Ford City
Sisyphus Press
State College
We Are Change
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Scranton
We the Aboriginal People
Philadelphia
We the People
Statewide
WING TV
State College
Wolf Creek Rangers (100th) North Liberty Militia*
North Liberty

From:

Active ‘Patriot’ Groups in the United States in 2010

Nativist Extremist Groups in Pennsylvania:

PENNSYLVANIA (9)
Federal Immigration Reform and Enforcement (FIRE) Coalition
Albrightsville
Berks County
Northeast Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Spring City
Great Lakes Minuteman Project (MMP)
Union City
Pennsylvania Minuteman Project (MMP)
Statewide
Pennsylvanians for Immigration Control and Enforcement
Warminster
Voice of the People
Shenandoah

From:

'Nativist Extremist' Groups 2010

Some others to watch: 

The Chester County Campaign for Liberty

Valley Forge Patriots

Let Freedom Ring

The Coalition for Advancing Freedom

ALSO SEE:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2011

Larry Pratt and Coatesville's Pat Sellers

Attorney General Launches Law Enforcement Officer Safety Initiative

"WASHINGTON – In the wake of an increase in law enforcement officer fatalities, Attorney General Eric Holder launched a law enforcement officer safety initiative today, directing every U.S. Attorney to meet with federal, state and local law enforcement officials in their districts to ensure the department’s resources are made available to help stem officer deaths. In addition, Attorney General Holder convened a meeting of law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C., to solicit input for further action to improve officer safety.
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to ensure the safety and security of the American people in cities and communities across the country, and we need to do everything we can to protect them,” Attorney General Holder said.

After a two-year decline in law enforcement fatalities, 2010 was one of the deadliest years on record for law enforcement in nearly two decades.
More at:
Attorney General Launches Law Enforcement Officer Safety Initiative

March 14, 2011 Coatesville City Council Meeting Matt Baker

This recording is from the March 14^th Coatesville City Council Meeting:

Matt Baker.mp3

Matt Baker brought up the issue of the City’s contract with the SPCA.  Chief Canale said that their letter (SPCA) said they are increasing the fees because of the economic troubles that they were going through from $35.00 to $65.00. The Chief has indicated that he is looking into alternatives.

Matt, “Mr. Molina, the last time I was here I brought up a garage that’s basically collapsed on Lumber Street between 4^th and 5^th. Can we get an update on it?”

Mr. Molina, “That’s under enforcement. Notices have been sent out, I could email you those possible citations issued.”

Matt, “I ran the PA Docket list on the owner of the properties; he’s never been cited on this.”

Mr. Molina, “I’ll check on my staff.”

Matt, “537 Cedar, I also pulled up the records for Mr. and Mrs. McCain and there have been no citations on their property either.”

Mr. Molina, “That’s correct. I can give you an update on that property. We’ve been trying to locate the owner who’s.. we finically realize is in a nursing home. And since we weren’t getting any response since this violation has gone out, I requested Harry Troupe to… conduct an estimate of what it would cost to…secure the property and to remove all the rubbish. In that process, (the contractors) ran into the owner’s daughter and we were able to establish a contact. I requested that (the contractor) continue to conduct his estimate of what would be entailed in the process of sealing and removing the rubbish from the property and requested a meeting with Ms. McCain who subsequently contacted her mother and we the meeting about two weeks ago. And that was the first contact we had with one of the owners. Per our discussion we gave Ms. McCain the mother an opportunity to remove the rubbish and address some of the issues concerning the property. If not we would be taking enforcement action with her up to and including proceeding with sealing and securing the property at that point. I would have to have the interim City Manager and the City Council to review the cost estimate so we can proceed with the work…”

Matt, “1255 East Lincoln Highway, where are we on this? Because the reason I ask that is, it’s time sensitive because I pulled up the docket on that, I looks like William F. Bailey is the gentleman who owns the property. There hasn’t been a citation since June 25^th.”

Mr. Molina, “That’s correct, that’s correct as I indicated, we stopped going after Mr. Bailey because he didn’t appear in court and we had felt that warrants would be issued. In the interim I asked Mr. Wagner to issue tickets every other week until the matter’s addressed. The other option is… to proceed with certain actions…

Matt, “I would suggest talking to Judge Hines because the docket clearly says there should be a bench warrant; but yet the case is closed. So it needs to be reopened and then a bench warrant can be issued and the constables can go out and pick him up.”

Also see:

Coatesville dems

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

From the FEBRUARY 28, 2011 Coatesville City Council Meeting-Matt Baker comments.

And:

The Epitome of Incompetence

Posted on March 15, 2011 by MattBaker