People have been asking me why there are articles in the Daily Local News about rebuilding Amtrak Stations in Chester County mention Paoli, Exton, Downingtown and Parkesburg but not Coatesville. I found out why this morning.

My source is someone who should have accurate information. It's my hope that he does not.

It’s my understanding that the funding for the rail improvements is a Federal grant of $66M and is administered through the DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission) and directed by the Chester County Planning Commission. And that the Chester County Planning Commission has allegedly determined that the City of Coatesville is not far enough along in their plans.

However, Downingtown and Parkesburg have just begun their planning. Coatesville began their planning last year.

I think it’s that same old story:

Coatesville is the transportation, wholesale and retail hub for illegal drugs in Chester County.

West Chester University is a part of the economy of the Borough of West Chester but the illegal drug business is the life blood of the Borough of West Chester. Without the illegal drug business there would be no reason for building a “Chester County Justice Center” and most of the restaurants would be out of business.

Yea, we get stuff like a $6M Section 8 apartment house from the County. The $6M Roymar Hall remodeling project was a complete surprise to the Coatesville City Council. I don’t believe any drug dealers have moved back into Roymar Hall yet.

I firmly believe that here in Coatesville we just have to learn that if the County has anything to do with it nothing will happen here that makes the drug business go away, such as revitalizing Coatesville. Sure they’ll arrest people and bring them down to West Chester; but that is West Chester’s “business plan”.

For anything that would actually move the drug business out of Coatesville don’t ask West Chester for help, it’s just not in West Chester’s best interest.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2010

Coatesville Train Station planning begins in Coatesville