I don't like Senator Dinniman’s plan because it’s redundant. I think jobs for Coatesville residents in Coatesville is a red herring.

I mostly agree with the Daily Local Editorial:

City should get on track and make train station project a reality

The old train station cannot be used because it’s on a slight curve.  To comply with ADA standards the station platform needs to be raised to a walkout level. A walkout train platform cannot be built on a curve. The station is slightly to the east where the track is straight.

The old train station can be repurposed maybe as a restaurant of some sort.

The fires across the street from the new station have nothing to do with the location of the train station. The planners at “Plan theKeystone” want residential eyes on the train station for safety reasons. And to make passengers waiting for the train comfortable.

The fires did make a condo or apartment building across the street from the train station a possibility. 

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I don't like Andy’s new plan because it’s redundant.  There is already a plan to hire qualified Coatesville residents first. 

Chester County Commissioner Andy Dinniman did have a plan developed in I think 2003 that ultimately trained several Coatesville and local  people to work in the construction industry. The Hutchinson  Memorial AME Church was used as the sign up place for the construction job training. Even people that failed a drug test were not turned down. They were given the opportunity to sign into a drug treatment program and continue. The Coatesville RDA has a requirement already in place for developers to hire qualified Coatesville workers first. The important word is qualified. The training was at the Laborers' District Council (LDC)Education & Training Center in Exton, PA.

People that finished the training did work in construction jobs but not in Coatesville. And the bottom dropped out of construction in 2007.

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I don't think Andy understands the snake pit he has stepped into in Coatesville. 

I am familiar with some of the people involved in the “Community Benefits Agreement” There was a fake “demonstration” of people paid to carry signs and demonstrate at the Marriott Hotel site organized by some of the same people now involved in the "Community Benefits Plan". They appeared later at a Coatesville City Council meeting with "We want Jobs" signs, but they didn't stay long. $10 didn't buy that much of their time. 

I think the plan is actually a plan for local builders with connections to some Coatesville City Council members to develop in Coatesville. But I don't know of any local developers that are qualified to do a large construction project. 

I understand that some people make ends meet by selling drugs, but I don't support it. I don't agree with people like former Coatesville City Council President Patsy Ray who defended her convicted drug dealer friend in a letter to judge Riley; "I can confirm that (Murray) is a woman of great integrity, (and) is extremely dedicated to her family and neighbors ... I have not seen anything wrong with her behavior," A few of Coatesville's churches allegedly are at least partly supported by money drug dealers put in the collection plates to demonstrate their service to the community. You don't take from the hand of the devil. You especially don't take from the hand of the devil if you are a minister of God. 

It’s not as bad as 1998, but Coatesville’s primary roadblock to redevelopment and vibrant downtown shopping is still armed robbery of stores and restaurants and street muggings.

People that I believe are involved in Coatesville’s drug business still show up regularly at Coatesville City Council meetings. They seem to believe they can influence Coatesville City Council members.

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Concerning jobs for Coatesville residents

The last time most Coatesville residents worked in Coatesville was in 1944 when Lukens Steel Company employed 6,166 workers. There were clothing manufacturing businesses and retail stores were busy. A lot of people including my Dad walked to work.

Now most people in Chester County don’t work in the same community they live in. I think the jobs for Coatesville residents in Coatesville is a red herring. Just like the calls for a supermarket in Coatesville, a small town too small for a supermarket.

The new train station with SEPTA and AMTRAK service will make commuting to a job in points east including Philadelphia and even New York City easier. That is what Coatesville residents really need.