"Elsewhere, things are slow. Oliver Tyrone Pulver Corp.'s planned Seven Tower Bridge in West Conshohocken, and its hotel and office complex in Coatesville, are 'on hold' and waiting for more financing, according to Barilotti."
Philadelphia Inquirer
Monday, July 20, 2009
Slow times for union building fund
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/51225277.html
Showing posts with label City of Coatesville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City of Coatesville. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
About the Final Determination of the Pennsylvania Office of Public Records
I gave the report of the Finial Determination of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records to Coatesville City Council Chair Martin Eggleston at the Coatesville City Council Meeting last night. I asked if he had seen it before and he said no. He took the copy and said that he would make copies for all the other Coatesville City Council members.
It is very obvious to me that the sudden interest in public records by the City Administration is because of the finial determination of the Office of Open Records. And, the drop dead date for compliance to the Right to Know Law was June 26, 2009 only 4 days after the Coatesville City Council Meeting.
At the June 22nd Coatesville City Council Meeting I assumed that the Council members all knew about the finial determination of the Office of Open Records. I assumed that all the City Council Members were aware that the Administration was proposing the document shredding and appointment of a designated Open Records Officer because they were compelled to do so by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I was completely wrong on this assumption. I think that I can assume that the Coatesville City Council Members were completely in the dark about it.
Evidently, none of them read the Coatesville Dems Blog.
The finial determination is here:
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/fd/2009May/2009-0326_Shea-City_of_Coatesville_FD.pdf
This is me at the meeting:
http://www.box.net/shared/87va1nt2te
I just learned that Kathleen Brady Shea and the Philadelphia Inquirer recently won another final determination of the Office of Open Records. It is not yet on the PA Office of Open Records website.
It is very obvious to me that the sudden interest in public records by the City Administration is because of the finial determination of the Office of Open Records. And, the drop dead date for compliance to the Right to Know Law was June 26, 2009 only 4 days after the Coatesville City Council Meeting.
At the June 22nd Coatesville City Council Meeting I assumed that the Council members all knew about the finial determination of the Office of Open Records. I assumed that all the City Council Members were aware that the Administration was proposing the document shredding and appointment of a designated Open Records Officer because they were compelled to do so by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I was completely wrong on this assumption. I think that I can assume that the Coatesville City Council Members were completely in the dark about it.
Evidently, none of them read the Coatesville Dems Blog.
The finial determination is here:
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/fd/2009May/2009-0326_Shea-City_of_Coatesville_FD.pdf
This is me at the meeting:
http://www.box.net/shared/87va1nt2te
I just learned that Kathleen Brady Shea and the Philadelphia Inquirer recently won another final determination of the Office of Open Records. It is not yet on the PA Office of Open Records website.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ice Cream Festival
The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Coatesville festival set for Saturday
Friday, July 10, 2009
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
COATESVILLE — The city's annual Victorian Ice Cream Festival, concert and fireworks show will be held this Saturday.
The Graystone Society will host its 12th Annual Victorian Ice Cream Festival. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Graystone Mansion on South First Street.
MORE AT:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/07/10/news/srv0000005807843.txt
AND ALSO AT:
COME TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF COATESVILLE'S
ICE CREAM FESTIVAL AT GRAYSTONE
http://www.rotary7450.org/Coatesville/
Thursday, July 2, 2009
“A protected class of people”
Is there “a protected class of people” in Chester County?
The unmentioned Chester County State Representative is the Hon. Tim Hennessey 26th Legislative District. Lisa Johnson is Hennessey’s Administrative Assistant.
The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Aid in murder case lessens sentence for Coatesville man
David 'Science' Johnson to serve time for aggravated assault
Thursday, July 2, 2009
By Michael P. Rellahan, Staff Writer
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20090702/NEWS/307029960/aid-in-murder-case-lessens-sentence-for-coatesville-man
The unmentioned Chester County State Representative is the Hon. Tim Hennessey 26th Legislative District. Lisa Johnson is Hennessey’s Administrative Assistant.
The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Aid in murder case lessens sentence for Coatesville man
David 'Science' Johnson to serve time for aggravated assault
Thursday, July 2, 2009
By Michael P. Rellahan, Staff Writer
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20090702/NEWS/307029960/aid-in-murder-case-lessens-sentence-for-coatesville-man
Friday, June 19, 2009
TWO HANDS-ON IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN COATESVILLE
MULCHING / WEEDING: June 20th, 9 am
A group of volunteers will be mulching/weeding multiple locations throughout City of Coatesville on Saturday, June 20th, 2009 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Volunteers will meet at the parking lot behind the former Wachovia Bank at
4th Avenue and Lincoln Highway, Coatesville
The City will provide the mulch.
To volunteer or get additional information, call Matt Baker at 484-786-8868 or email me at matthewbaker19320@gmail.com
PAINTING CURBS: June 27th, 9 am
A group of volunteers will be painting corner curbs and other no parking areas on Lincoln Highway in the City of Coatesville on Saturday, June 27th, 2009 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Volunteers will meet at the parking lot behind the former Wachovia Bank at
4th Avenue and Lincoln Highway, Coatesville
The City has provided paint, brushes and gloves.
To volunteer or get additional information, call Matt Baker at 484-786-8868 or matthewbaker19320@gmail.com
A group of volunteers will be mulching/weeding multiple locations throughout City of Coatesville on Saturday, June 20th, 2009 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Volunteers will meet at the parking lot behind the former Wachovia Bank at
4th Avenue and Lincoln Highway, Coatesville
The City will provide the mulch.
To volunteer or get additional information, call Matt Baker at 484-786-8868 or email me at matthewbaker19320@gmail.com
PAINTING CURBS: June 27th, 9 am
A group of volunteers will be painting corner curbs and other no parking areas on Lincoln Highway in the City of Coatesville on Saturday, June 27th, 2009 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Volunteers will meet at the parking lot behind the former Wachovia Bank at
4th Avenue and Lincoln Highway, Coatesville
The City has provided paint, brushes and gloves.
To volunteer or get additional information, call Matt Baker at 484-786-8868 or matthewbaker19320@gmail.com
Is the COATESVILLE UNITY COMMITTEE united with the Walker Administration?
The COATESVILLE UNITY COMMITTEE is spending a lot of money on the campaigns of Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Jarrell Brazzle.
Andrew Lehr, Eddy Scrivens and Harry Walker have worked together for a very long time. Walker, Lehr, Pat Sellers and Harry Walker were involved in the Scott School project that fell though.
Lehr, Walker and Scrivens also worked together in the Wilmington, DE area.
Are Lehr and Scrivens now working together for certain people running for the Coatesville City Council?
The Political Committee Registration Statement of the Coatesville Unity Committee has Eddy Scrivens as it’s Chairperson, and Raelyn Stonewall as its Treasurer. The person submitting the Registration Statement of the Coatesville Unity Committee is Andrew Lehr.
CHESTER COUNTY VOTER SERVICES RECORD OF THE COATESVILLE UNITY COMMITTEE REGISTRATION STATEMENT CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.box.net/shared/1c8kx30af4
Read Eddy Scrivens’ own description of his relationship to Harry Walker and Andrew Lehr in the Minutes of the Coatesville City Council Meeting Monday, April 24, 2006:
The Coatesville Unity Committee is supporting candidates Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Jarrell Brazzle.
Hundreds of hand cards "paid for by the Coatesville Unity Committee" for Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Jarrell Brazzle were passed out on Election Day by people who were allegedly paid $200 each to hand them out.
You can see some of them here:
http://www.box.net/shared/k4og3tjxd6
Andrew Lehr, Eddy Scrivens and Harry Walker have worked together for a very long time. Walker, Lehr, Pat Sellers and Harry Walker were involved in the Scott School project that fell though.
Lehr, Walker and Scrivens also worked together in the Wilmington, DE area.
From the Daily Local News:
“Walker said he met (City Solicitor) Lehr several years ago through Ed Scrivens, a business associate from Wilmington.
‘He (Scrivens) asked me to come up to Coatesville and talk to city officials regarding economic development. I remember meeting with them in the council chambers, although I don’t remember whether it was council members or the city manager or members of the RDA,’ he said.
Walker said he made some suggestions regarding revitalization projects; specifically, he recalled talking about the concept of tax-increment financing, which the city has since adopted.
As the economic development director in Wilmington, he also worked with an organization called Phase V Community Development Corporation.
Scrivens and Lehr sit on the board of directors of Phase V, which was involved in converting an abandoned building into a charter school.
Walker worked with the company on the project, and later, after he left the city payroll, Phase V signed on as a client of Walker Marketing Group.
‘I don’t know Andrew Lehr well. Our relationship was about helping them get the school going,’ Walker said.
But that was not the only time Scrivens and Lehr worked with Walker.
The two served on the Coatesville Regional Development Corporation (CRDC), a nonprofit group that in 1999 sought to turn then-defunct Scott High School into a business and technology center.
Walker also reportedly worked on the project.
But it fell through after plans were delayed and the CRDC missed agreement deadlines.
Ultimately, the school district spent $22 million transforming the former Scott High School into Scott Middle School.”
The Daily Local News Article is HERE:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2006/04/30/frontpage/16558811.txt
Are Lehr and Scrivens now working together for certain people running for the Coatesville City Council?
The Political Committee Registration Statement of the Coatesville Unity Committee has Eddy Scrivens as it’s Chairperson, and Raelyn Stonewall as its Treasurer. The person submitting the Registration Statement of the Coatesville Unity Committee is Andrew Lehr.
CHESTER COUNTY VOTER SERVICES RECORD OF THE COATESVILLE UNITY COMMITTEE REGISTRATION STATEMENT CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.box.net/shared/1c8kx30af4
Read Eddy Scrivens’ own description of his relationship to Harry Walker and Andrew Lehr in the Minutes of the Coatesville City Council Meeting Monday, April 24, 2006:
Ed Scrivens, 133 Pennsylvania Avenue:
Mr. Scrivens spoke on behalf of Mr. Walker, a businessman, devoted father and an individual he has known for 14 years. What he’s read and heard about Mr. Walker is a debasement of his professionalism; Mr. Walker is overqualified for the position. Mr. Scrivens stated that Mr. Walker directed the economic development plan for the City of Wilmington under hostile conditions. Mr. Walker is for the little guy and elevates the lowest economic standard up to the highest.
He stated that Mr. Walker schooled Mr. Paul Janssen on TIF; he is a man with outstanding academic accolades. Mr. Scrivens stated that if the people want to turn the City around, hire Mr. Harry Walker tonight. Mr. Simpson asked Mr. Scrivens if he had submitted Mr. Walker’s name to Mr. Lehr for consideration. Mr. Scrivens replied, “I certainly did.”
Ed Scrivens, 133 Pennsylvania Avenue: Mr. Scrivens stated that revitalization starts with the little people. If you can’t elevate the standard of living and quality of life, the lesser people in your community, then you fail with community development and revitalization efforts. He mentioned the work of the Coatesville Redevelopment Corporation, and how the group was blocked by the then City Manager and the Economic Development Coordinator with the revitalization of Scott School. However, Harry Walker helped the Corporation to stop people from tearing it down. Mr. Scrivens spoke of what’s needed for regional economic development and community economic development. Mr. Simpson asked Mr. Scrivens if he were still associated with the Coatesville Redevelopment Corporation, and he replied yes. Mrs. Smith-Dowridge asked if Mr. Scrivens has any current development projects going on now. Mr. Scrivens said yes, they have other initiatives they’re exploring at this time. Mrs. Smith-Dowridge asked if they were working with any other municipalities, and Mr. Scrivens said their focus is only Coatesville. She asked if they did anything anywhere else, and Mr. Scrivens said not in Pennsylvania. They collaborated with a group in Delaware on refurbishing and bringing back into operation a 35,000 square foot school in the City of Wilmington. They worked with the Mr. Walker on the development of this project; Harry Walker is a financial wizard. Mr. Simpson asked if Mr. Lehr is on their Board of Directors. Mr. Scrivens said, absolutely, he was at the time and implored City Council to look out for the little guys.
The Minutes of the Coatesville City Council Meeting of Monday, April 24, 2006 can be found here:
http://www.coatesville.org/minutes/council/060424.pdf
The Coatesville Unity Committee is supporting candidates Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Jarrell Brazzle.
Hundreds of hand cards "paid for by the Coatesville Unity Committee" for Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Jarrell Brazzle were passed out on Election Day by people who were allegedly paid $200 each to hand them out.
You can see some of them here:
http://www.box.net/shared/k4og3tjxd6
Monday, June 15, 2009
A CLIMATE OF FEAR BLANKETS COATESVILLE; that small town in Southern Italy with all the Mafia problems
Actually Coatesville is a small Pennsylvania town that I think has more in common with a Mafia controlled town in Italy than it does with its nearest neighbors.
Living in a place where families have known each other for more than 100 years can make you feel comfortable. But when it enables drug traffickers with operations that were set in stone decades ago to know all about all of your extended family it can establish an envelope of fear that covers the entire town.
I can't know for sure but I believe the drug selling "industry" in Coatesville could be the main engine of the economy here and in a good part of Chester County.
The population of Coatesville is about 12,000. There is infrastructure in place for 20,000 residents. New residents are much more likely to report crime than long time Coatesville residents with lots of family to protect.
Redeveloping Coatesville could take away the alleged control by fear that drug dealers have. The USDoJ knows that and even more importantly the drug dealers and all who profit from it know that redeveloping Coatesville and bringing new residents with new eyes on the street could end the drug game here.
I think that Bart Blatstein, Carl Chetty and Don Pulver need to take the “alleged Mafia town connection” into consideration when they propose building here. They need to consult with the DEA, Chester County District Attorney, FBI and ATF and integrate their development proposals with those law enforcement groups.
Don’t forget the public official connection.
Well established drug trafficking operations do not exist without the cooperation of public officials. (
Former Chester County Republican Party Area 14 Chair Richard Legree’s son got a light sentence because of his cooperation.
Another Republican Party official and State Constable Clayton Ayers (Area 14, Modena) has a son Clayton J. Ayers III doing six to 15 years in prison on similar charges to Richard Jr.
SEE:
Former Chester County Republican Party Area 14 Chair Richard Legree has a nephew Harvey “Bitsy” Legree who is a video producer.
The climate of fear that blankets Coatesville is very much in evidence in the murder trial of Earl Handfield II taking place right now in West Chester, PA. Bitsy Legree was alleged to have produced the “don’t snitch” video mentioned in the Daily Local News article below:
Murder trial's missing person
Published: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Living in a place where families have known each other for more than 100 years can make you feel comfortable. But when it enables drug traffickers with operations that were set in stone decades ago to know all about all of your extended family it can establish an envelope of fear that covers the entire town.
I can't know for sure but I believe the drug selling "industry" in Coatesville could be the main engine of the economy here and in a good part of Chester County.
The population of Coatesville is about 12,000. There is infrastructure in place for 20,000 residents. New residents are much more likely to report crime than long time Coatesville residents with lots of family to protect.
Redeveloping Coatesville could take away the alleged control by fear that drug dealers have. The USDoJ knows that and even more importantly the drug dealers and all who profit from it know that redeveloping Coatesville and bringing new residents with new eyes on the street could end the drug game here.
I think that Bart Blatstein, Carl Chetty and Don Pulver need to take the “alleged Mafia town connection” into consideration when they propose building here. They need to consult with the DEA, Chester County District Attorney, FBI and ATF and integrate their development proposals with those law enforcement groups.
Don’t forget the public official connection.
Well established drug trafficking operations do not exist without the cooperation of public officials. (
see "Police, Politics, Corruption (Hardcover)
by Colonel Frank McKetta PA STATE POLICE)
Former Chester County Republican Party Area 14 Chair Richard Legree’s son got a light sentence because of his cooperation.
Another Republican Party official and State Constable Clayton Ayers (Area 14, Modena) has a son Clayton J. Ayers III doing six to 15 years in prison on similar charges to Richard Jr.
SEE:
Drug dealer to serve 6 to 15 years in prison
Published: Saturday, May 3, 2008
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20080503/TMP01/305039988/drug-dealer-to-serve-6-to-15-years-in-prison
USA vs Richard Legree Jr. Sentencing
http://www.box.net/shared/disuv5gm2a
Former Chester County Republican Party Area 14 Chair Richard Legree has a nephew Harvey “Bitsy” Legree who is a video producer.
Daily Local News
Opinion
It’s not ‘snitching,’ it’s standing up for your community
Published: Saturday, May 6, 2006
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2006/05/06/opinion/16594178.txt
The climate of fear that blankets Coatesville is very much in evidence in the murder trial of Earl Handfield II taking place right now in West Chester, PA. Bitsy Legree was alleged to have produced the “don’t snitch” video mentioned in the Daily Local News article below:
Murder trial's missing person
Published: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
All that I need to check for criminal records is a name, a locality and a date of birth.
The City of Coatesville has so far refused to provide the date of birth and home town of non-police city employees to Kathleen Brady Shea, a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Upon appeal of the cities refusal the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records has made a FINIAL DETERMINATION that Kathleen Brady Shea’s appeal is granted and the city is required to release the information.
The City of Coatesville has 30 days after the mailing of the determination to appeal in Chester County Commonwealth Court.
Do some of the employees of the City of Coatesville have criminal records?
Is the city trying to hide them?
The FINAL DETEMINATION DOCKET NO.: AP2009.0326 can be found here:
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/fd/2009May/2009-0326_Shea-City_of_Coatesville_FD.pdf
Pennsylvania’s New Right to Know Law
Act 3 of 2008, as signed by Gov. Edward G. Rendell on February 14, 2008
Effective January 1, 2009 - can be found here:
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/pa_righttoknowlaw.pdf
Upon appeal of the cities refusal the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records has made a FINIAL DETERMINATION that Kathleen Brady Shea’s appeal is granted and the city is required to release the information.
The City of Coatesville has 30 days after the mailing of the determination to appeal in Chester County Commonwealth Court.
Do some of the employees of the City of Coatesville have criminal records?
Is the city trying to hide them?
The FINAL DETEMINATION DOCKET NO.: AP2009.0326 can be found here:
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/fd/2009May/2009-0326_Shea-City_of_Coatesville_FD.pdf
Pennsylvania’s New Right to Know Law
Act 3 of 2008, as signed by Gov. Edward G. Rendell on February 14, 2008
Effective January 1, 2009 - can be found here:
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/pa_righttoknowlaw.pdf
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Coatesville unanimously approves Chetty and Mosaic developments for brownfeild sites in Coatesville
The Coatesville City Council unanimously approved Carl Chetty’s plans for the north side of the bridge on former steel company property in Coatesville. There was no opposition to Chetty’s plan by City Solicitor Andrew Lehr like there was in March of 2006.
The Coatesville City Council also unanimously approved Mosaic Development Partners LLC’s plans for the former steel company property south of the bridge.
Carl Chetty is a builder with a very long track record of successful developments.
Although Smallwood-Lewis and Reaves have experience working for a developer; Mosaic Development Partners LLC has no experience building anything. The two people that make up the company once worked for “The Goldenberg Group”.
Did they just decide to start out big and stumbled upon Coatesville? Or did they know someone in Coatesville? Did they know people in Coatesville through Smallwood’s former co-council on the case she was disbarred for; Attorney Michael Whitlow?
Whitlow had a law office within a 3 minute walk to Coatesville City Hall. Whitlow passed away in October of 2007 but was very much alive when he was Smallwood’s co-council. Whitlow was also one of the regulars in State Rep. Hennessey’s office "City Hall East" and a very big supporter of the Walker Administration.
“The Mosaic Flats Redevelopment Concept Plan” was created on May 30, 2008
Mosaic Development Partners LLC was created on July 7, 2008.
Mosaic Development Partners presented their “Flats Redevelopment Concept Plan” to the Coatesville RDA on July 21, 2008.
A copy of the “Mosaic Flats Redevelopment Concept Plan” dated "30 May 2008" is here:
http://www.box.net/shared/l4brrbca1c
The only information about Mosaic Development Partners anyone can find is a 4 page website, http://hstrial-greaves1.homestead.com/contact.html some things they presented here in Coatesville and their company:
“Mosaic Development Partners, LLC, Democratic Republic of the Congo (offshore registry) Created on July 7, 2008 at;
4950 Parkside Ave
STE 506
Philadelphia PA 19131
All of the “experience” they talk about is with their former employer. They have no letters of recommendation from anyone employed by their former employer “The Goldenberg Group”. Did they leave on good terms?
And they do have possible connections to some of the city council members and city administration through Whitlow. Even if Mosaic does nothing with the property it may be worth a lot in a few years.
I think the best hope we as Coatesville residents have is that Chetty Builders will make a go of it and Mosaic will be dragged along. At the very least the site may be left a little easier for some company to develop.
There are three letters of recommendation for Leslie Smallwood-Lewis and
Greg Reaves here:
http://www.box.net/shared/zi4pxou2ps
They gave a printout of this article to those at the Coatesville City Council meeting:
Friday, December 9, 2005
State backs retail center plan
Boost for long awaited West Philly project
Philadelphia Business Journal - by Peter Van Allen Staff Writer
http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2005/12/12/story1.html
There was also a copy of an Inquirer Article about “The Fresh Grocer” in West Philadelphia with no mention of Leslie Smallwood Lewis or Greg Reaves.
There is a Philadelphia Inquirer article not concerning Mosaic Development Partners but another company with little experience that started out big:
Developer leaving a legacy of failures
By Alan J. Heavens
Inquirer Real Estate Writer
Find this article at:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090531_Developer_leaving_a_legacy_of_failures.html
The Coatesville City Council also unanimously approved Mosaic Development Partners LLC’s plans for the former steel company property south of the bridge.
Carl Chetty is a builder with a very long track record of successful developments.
Although Smallwood-Lewis and Reaves have experience working for a developer; Mosaic Development Partners LLC has no experience building anything. The two people that make up the company once worked for “The Goldenberg Group”.
Did they just decide to start out big and stumbled upon Coatesville? Or did they know someone in Coatesville? Did they know people in Coatesville through Smallwood’s former co-council on the case she was disbarred for; Attorney Michael Whitlow?
Whitlow had a law office within a 3 minute walk to Coatesville City Hall. Whitlow passed away in October of 2007 but was very much alive when he was Smallwood’s co-council. Whitlow was also one of the regulars in State Rep. Hennessey’s office "City Hall East" and a very big supporter of the Walker Administration.
“The Mosaic Flats Redevelopment Concept Plan” was created on May 30, 2008
Mosaic Development Partners LLC was created on July 7, 2008.
Mosaic Development Partners presented their “Flats Redevelopment Concept Plan” to the Coatesville RDA on July 21, 2008.
A copy of the “Mosaic Flats Redevelopment Concept Plan” dated "30 May 2008" is here:
http://www.box.net/shared/l4brrbca1c
The only information about Mosaic Development Partners anyone can find is a 4 page website, http://hstrial-greaves1.homestead.com/contact.html some things they presented here in Coatesville and their company:
“Mosaic Development Partners, LLC, Democratic Republic of the Congo (offshore registry) Created on July 7, 2008 at;
4950 Parkside Ave
STE 506
Philadelphia PA 19131
All of the “experience” they talk about is with their former employer. They have no letters of recommendation from anyone employed by their former employer “The Goldenberg Group”. Did they leave on good terms?
And they do have possible connections to some of the city council members and city administration through Whitlow. Even if Mosaic does nothing with the property it may be worth a lot in a few years.
I think the best hope we as Coatesville residents have is that Chetty Builders will make a go of it and Mosaic will be dragged along. At the very least the site may be left a little easier for some company to develop.
There are three letters of recommendation for Leslie Smallwood-Lewis and
Greg Reaves here:
http://www.box.net/shared/zi4pxou2ps
They gave a printout of this article to those at the Coatesville City Council meeting:
Friday, December 9, 2005
State backs retail center plan
Boost for long awaited West Philly project
Philadelphia Business Journal - by Peter Van Allen Staff Writer
http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2005/12/12/story1.html
There was also a copy of an Inquirer Article about “The Fresh Grocer” in West Philadelphia with no mention of Leslie Smallwood Lewis or Greg Reaves.
There is a Philadelphia Inquirer article not concerning Mosaic Development Partners but another company with little experience that started out big:
Developer leaving a legacy of failures
By Alan J. Heavens
Inquirer Real Estate Writer
Find this article at:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090531_Developer_leaving_a_legacy_of_failures.html
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Harder to buy smack and crack
It’s harder to buy smack and crack in Coatesville right now. You can thank the boys that work for Eric H. Holder Jr.
Daily Local News
High-tech mapping program aids police sweep
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/06/03/news/srv0000005494009.txt
Daily Local News
High-tech mapping program aids police sweep
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/06/03/news/srv0000005494009.txt
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Agenda for tonight’s Coatesville City Council Meeting May 26, 2009
There are two action items:
Regular Action Items
1. Receive and consider a Resolution to approve Barbacane Thornton Company services to conduct 2008 Audit.
2. Receive and consider a Resolution to appoint Tax Collection Committee Delegate.
A PDF of the Agenda is here:
http://www.box.net/shared/f0lbyjn79x
Regular Action Items
1. Receive and consider a Resolution to approve Barbacane Thornton Company services to conduct 2008 Audit.
2. Receive and consider a Resolution to appoint Tax Collection Committee Delegate.
A PDF of the Agenda is here:
http://www.box.net/shared/f0lbyjn79x
Friday, May 22, 2009
Just in case any budding snitches out there are listening:
Prosecutors and detectives like evidence with all the t-s crossed and i-s dotted that can be presented in court.
It is very seldom that easy. Any intelligence that can lead to obtaining more evidence is desired. It might be a missing piece in a puzzle.
So if you know something don't keep it to yourself.
And the political climate here is changing it might be a little safer to snitch and still keep your job.
I would suggest calling the FBI.
It is very seldom that easy. Any intelligence that can lead to obtaining more evidence is desired. It might be a missing piece in a puzzle.
So if you know something don't keep it to yourself.
And the political climate here is changing it might be a little safer to snitch and still keep your job.
I would suggest calling the FBI.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Was Harry Gordon Walker III’s letter a campaign piece for Patsy Ray and Kurt Schenk?”
Walker's "From the City Manager" was hand delivered allegedly by teenagers paid by the City of Coatesville.
The City of Coatesville bulk mail is not first class and takes between 2 and 4 weeks to be delivered.
It had to be hand delivered to reach people before Election Day.
Is it a campaign piece for Patsy Ray and Kurt Schenk paid for by the taxpayers of Coatesville?
"From the City Manager" is now in the press release section of the City of Coatesville website:
http://www.coatesville.org/forms/CityManagerletter051309.pdf
The City of Coatesville bulk mail is not first class and takes between 2 and 4 weeks to be delivered.
It had to be hand delivered to reach people before Election Day.
Is it a campaign piece for Patsy Ray and Kurt Schenk paid for by the taxpayers of Coatesville?
"From the City Manager" is now in the press release section of the City of Coatesville website:
http://www.coatesville.org/forms/CityManagerletter051309.pdf
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Highlighting Recent FBI Public Corruption Investigations
Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 20, 2009 Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
Highlighting Recent FBI Public Corruption Investigations
Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top investigative priorities—behind only terrorism, espionage, and cyber crimes—and is the top priority of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. It can affect everything from how well our borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected to verdicts handed down in courts to the quality of our roads and schools. It also takes a significant toll on our pocketbooks by siphoning off tax dollars. It is estimated that public corruption costs the U.S. government and the public billions of dollars each year.
“Public corruption erodes public confidence and undermines the strength of our democracy. In investigating these crimes, the FBI can leverage tools such as undercover operations and electronic surveillance to root out those who betray the public trust,” said Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel09/highlight_052009.htm
JARRELL BRAZZLE FIRST LEARNED THAT HE AN PATSY RAY HAD THE VERY SAME POLITICAL COMMITTEE WHEN HE SAW THE PRINTED MATRIAL
They are both supported by the “COATESVILLE UNITY COMMITTEE”.
However on Election Day Jarrell Brazzle said that he first learned that the same campaign committee called the “COATESVILLE UNITY COMMITTEE” that supported and printed nearly identical campaign material for Jareel and for Patsy Ray was when he saw the campaign ads and handouts.
Jarrell said that he called the people that managed his campaign material and told them that he was very angry to see the printed material connecting him with Patsy Ray.
Jareel made it very clear that he had no connection at all with Patsy Ray and was not running with her and disliked the association with Ms.Ray.
Mr. Brazzle intends to contact the Daily Local News and declare his independence from Patsy Ray and Harry Walker.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Lavender Running Illegally
A news article in today’s Daily Local News concerning the elections for MDJ in Coatesville’s Magisterial Court 15-1-03; the Daily Local News failed to point out that it is illegal to run for office as District Magistrate Judge and be employed by a government agency at the same time.
Even a candidate for Coatesville City Council cannot take office and work for any government agency. Ask Calvin Culclasure, he recently withdrew his candidacy. He was unaware that people who work for a government agency cannot take for office without first resigning their job. Since the position as Coatesville City Council member does not pay very well, the decision is an easy one to make.
But Lavender is very well aware that she is breaking the law.
It came up in Judge Ott’s courtroom on Friday March 20, 2009. Lavender has been working as Hennessey’s Legislative Aid and running for Magistrate District Justice. She made the claim to Judge Ott that she is employed by the House Republican Caucus and not Tim Hennessey. Judge Ott quizzed her further and asked what it says at the top of her paycheck. Linda Lavender replied, "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”. Lavender stated that Tim Hennessey told her that she could run and work as a legislative aid at the same time. She told Judge Ott that Rep. Tim Hennessey would write a letter explaining it to Judge Ott. Judge Ott said that she would like to see that letter.
In spite of Judge Ott very well pointing out that Lavender is an employee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lavender continues to break the law and run for election. Lavender did not have sufficient valid signatures to be on the ballot for Magistrate District Judge in Coatesville. She was taken of the ballot for this reason. If there was sufficient time she could also have been removed by the ballot by proving in court that she was is employee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I think that it is a spectacular failure of news reporting for the Daily Local News to not include the fact that Lavender is running illegally as MDJ and would be removed if she won the election. Her “certification” may be also be removed by the Judicial Conduct Board whether she wins or not. She may even have some difficulty in keeping her job as Hennessey’s Legislative Aid.
The Daily Local News article is here:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/05/15/news/srv0000005341236.txt
Even a candidate for Coatesville City Council cannot take office and work for any government agency. Ask Calvin Culclasure, he recently withdrew his candidacy. He was unaware that people who work for a government agency cannot take for office without first resigning their job. Since the position as Coatesville City Council member does not pay very well, the decision is an easy one to make.
But Lavender is very well aware that she is breaking the law.
It came up in Judge Ott’s courtroom on Friday March 20, 2009. Lavender has been working as Hennessey’s Legislative Aid and running for Magistrate District Justice. She made the claim to Judge Ott that she is employed by the House Republican Caucus and not Tim Hennessey. Judge Ott quizzed her further and asked what it says at the top of her paycheck. Linda Lavender replied, "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”. Lavender stated that Tim Hennessey told her that she could run and work as a legislative aid at the same time. She told Judge Ott that Rep. Tim Hennessey would write a letter explaining it to Judge Ott. Judge Ott said that she would like to see that letter.
In spite of Judge Ott very well pointing out that Lavender is an employee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lavender continues to break the law and run for election. Lavender did not have sufficient valid signatures to be on the ballot for Magistrate District Judge in Coatesville. She was taken of the ballot for this reason. If there was sufficient time she could also have been removed by the ballot by proving in court that she was is employee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I think that it is a spectacular failure of news reporting for the Daily Local News to not include the fact that Lavender is running illegally as MDJ and would be removed if she won the election. Her “certification” may be also be removed by the Judicial Conduct Board whether she wins or not. She may even have some difficulty in keeping her job as Hennessey’s Legislative Aid.
The Daily Local News article is here:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/05/15/news/srv0000005341236.txt
Thursday, May 14, 2009
I decided to add this as a post instead of a reply
I revised the introduction to the Coatesville Dems blog to reflect exactly what it is I do here.
I decided to add this as a post, instead of only a reply, to this comment of the post SMALLWOOD DISBARRED ATTORNEY SMALLWOOD MOSAIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS:
I stand by what I have said about Mosaic and I can back it up if necessary.
I have checked for any criminal records of all the candidates in this and all other elections since I have lived in Chester County. At times I have hired CFR-Cloud, Feehery, & Richter, Inc. when I had trouble finding information myself.
I have law enforcement contacts at local and Federal levels.
Since this is Coatesville, PA it is not surprising that a few of the candidates now running in this local Election do have felony convictions that they are hiding. If they should win I will do what I can to remove them from office.
The candidates supported by the Coatesville Democratic Party have no criminal records, not even misdemeanor criminal records. That is part of the reason they were chosen.
It is my opinion that pubic corruption in the City of Coatesville is at a truly astounding level.
In some parts of Coatesville the social life is a closed loop of families that go back for generations. Not necessarily a bad thing. “Coatesvillians” are a very friendly and loving people. I have spent some very good and memorable moments with long time Coatesville residents.
Think of Coatesville like a village in Sicily or the suburbs of Naples. It is not that bad here. The drug dealers here are not even close to being as effective or as brutal as the Mafia or the Camorra. But I think that the money from drug trafficking trickles down and spreads into nearly every corner of Coatesville and is major portion of the economy and political life here. The fact that many people know not only your immediate family but nearly all of your extended family and where they live makes it very easy to for a climate of fear to spread in certain areas of the city. The money and the fear make people be inclined to not hear or see things.
It is very hard to sit and listen to the victims of violent crimes here tell their stories. I don’t know how the police, district attorneys and social workers can do it.
I believe that public corruption and organized crime in the form of drug trafficking is the primary impediment to the redevelopment of Coatesville.
The current administration eliminated the CPD Narcotics Division, the CPD Bicycle Patrol and a Police Lt. who is said to have more knowledge of the players in drug trafficking than any other single person and that District Attorney Joe Carroll said was extremely important in his investigations. Joe Carroll said “I want Lieutenant Matt Gordon back”. Joe never got him back. Those facts arouse my suspicions about the city administration.
I believe that Coatesville has the potential to become the primary destination place in Chester County PA; but right now it is the primary destination place of anyone who wants to move “product” in Chester County.
That needs to change.
I believe that we need a massive increase in drug trafficking enforcement to do that. That level of drug trafficking enforcement does not need to be permanent. It does need to happen so that drug crime Coatesville is ordinary manageable level like it is similar cities like Phoenixville or West Chester. When that is achieved the redevelopment of Coatesville will be possible.
I decided to add this as a post, instead of only a reply, to this comment of the post SMALLWOOD DISBARRED ATTORNEY SMALLWOOD MOSAIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS:
“I would like to see someone do a background check on the candidates for City Council. I am sure all of them have made some mistakes in their life. This is a good company. Instead of trying to smear their name perhaps people should argue the merits of the proposal!”
I stand by what I have said about Mosaic and I can back it up if necessary.
I have checked for any criminal records of all the candidates in this and all other elections since I have lived in Chester County. At times I have hired CFR-Cloud, Feehery, & Richter, Inc. when I had trouble finding information myself.
I have law enforcement contacts at local and Federal levels.
Since this is Coatesville, PA it is not surprising that a few of the candidates now running in this local Election do have felony convictions that they are hiding. If they should win I will do what I can to remove them from office.
The candidates supported by the Coatesville Democratic Party have no criminal records, not even misdemeanor criminal records. That is part of the reason they were chosen.
It is my opinion that pubic corruption in the City of Coatesville is at a truly astounding level.
In some parts of Coatesville the social life is a closed loop of families that go back for generations. Not necessarily a bad thing. “Coatesvillians” are a very friendly and loving people. I have spent some very good and memorable moments with long time Coatesville residents.
Think of Coatesville like a village in Sicily or the suburbs of Naples. It is not that bad here. The drug dealers here are not even close to being as effective or as brutal as the Mafia or the Camorra. But I think that the money from drug trafficking trickles down and spreads into nearly every corner of Coatesville and is major portion of the economy and political life here. The fact that many people know not only your immediate family but nearly all of your extended family and where they live makes it very easy to for a climate of fear to spread in certain areas of the city. The money and the fear make people be inclined to not hear or see things.
It is very hard to sit and listen to the victims of violent crimes here tell their stories. I don’t know how the police, district attorneys and social workers can do it.
I believe that public corruption and organized crime in the form of drug trafficking is the primary impediment to the redevelopment of Coatesville.
The current administration eliminated the CPD Narcotics Division, the CPD Bicycle Patrol and a Police Lt. who is said to have more knowledge of the players in drug trafficking than any other single person and that District Attorney Joe Carroll said was extremely important in his investigations. Joe Carroll said “I want Lieutenant Matt Gordon back”. Joe never got him back. Those facts arouse my suspicions about the city administration.
I believe that Coatesville has the potential to become the primary destination place in Chester County PA; but right now it is the primary destination place of anyone who wants to move “product” in Chester County.
That needs to change.
I believe that we need a massive increase in drug trafficking enforcement to do that. That level of drug trafficking enforcement does not need to be permanent. It does need to happen so that drug crime Coatesville is ordinary manageable level like it is similar cities like Phoenixville or West Chester. When that is achieved the redevelopment of Coatesville will be possible.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Kurt Schenk was doing OK at last nights Coatesville City Council Meeting.
He was very reasonable and sensible. He got a little loud but was doing OK. Then suddenly a demon took possession of him and threw himself out of the room. Once out of the meeting and in the hall the demon continued to shout incomprehensively.
Listen here:
http://www.box.net/shared/6snfnq3hyu
Listen here:
http://www.box.net/shared/6snfnq3hyu
Saturday, May 9, 2009
MORE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
When the plans to revitalize Coatesville were made; jobs for Coatesville residents were not forgotten:
Bart Blatstein and all other developers building in Coatesville RDA land were compelled by Coatesville Redevelopment Authority contract to hire qualified Coatesville residents first, then Coatesville School District residents, then Chester County residents and finally from any area. But the construction industry, especially the high rise building construction using Steelworkers Union workers, can be dangerous and demanding. It demands trained and skilled workers.
You can make demands for developers to hire Coatesville residents but if there are no residents that qualify for the jobs they will be filled by outside people.
Some Coatesville community activists, religious leaders and government representatives got together with a plan to train willing Coatesville residents for those jobs in a trade that they could carry with them all through their lives.
Coatesville activists Elwood Dixon and Bill Washington, Andrew Dinniman (then Chester County Commissioner), PA Career Link, The Laborer's District Council Education and Training School and former Coatesville City Manager Paul Janssen (sorry if I forgot anyone) formed and put in place an education and training program at the Laborer's District Council Education and Training facility in Exton, PA for Coatesville residents.
That education and training program has so far enrolled more than 200 Coatesville residents and residents from the Coatesville School District. Coatesville residents signed up and took preliminary testing at several sessions in the Hutchinson Church, on Chestnut St. in Coatesville.
Even drug users were not turned away. If you passed the written test and failed the drug test you could still enter the program by enrolling in a drug rehabilitation program. Upon completion those students will be and many are ready for employment as apprentice construction workers in various union trades.
Many Coatesville residents could have pointed out one of Bart Blatstein’s buildings and said I helped build that; could have.
Bart Blatstein and all other developers building in Coatesville RDA land were compelled by Coatesville Redevelopment Authority contract to hire qualified Coatesville residents first, then Coatesville School District residents, then Chester County residents and finally from any area. But the construction industry, especially the high rise building construction using Steelworkers Union workers, can be dangerous and demanding. It demands trained and skilled workers.
You can make demands for developers to hire Coatesville residents but if there are no residents that qualify for the jobs they will be filled by outside people.
Some Coatesville community activists, religious leaders and government representatives got together with a plan to train willing Coatesville residents for those jobs in a trade that they could carry with them all through their lives.
Coatesville activists Elwood Dixon and Bill Washington, Andrew Dinniman (then Chester County Commissioner), PA Career Link, The Laborer's District Council Education and Training School and former Coatesville City Manager Paul Janssen (sorry if I forgot anyone) formed and put in place an education and training program at the Laborer's District Council Education and Training facility in Exton, PA for Coatesville residents.
That education and training program has so far enrolled more than 200 Coatesville residents and residents from the Coatesville School District. Coatesville residents signed up and took preliminary testing at several sessions in the Hutchinson Church, on Chestnut St. in Coatesville.
Even drug users were not turned away. If you passed the written test and failed the drug test you could still enter the program by enrolling in a drug rehabilitation program. Upon completion those students will be and many are ready for employment as apprentice construction workers in various union trades.
Many Coatesville residents could have pointed out one of Bart Blatstein’s buildings and said I helped build that; could have.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
It was Bart Blatstein that first realized the potential of the large tract of new undeveloped land in the center of Coatesville created by the brownfeilds that were then becoming available.
Bart Blatstein was the person who got the other developers thinking about Coatesville. He was the man whose interest in Coatesville inspired Baker Properties to purchase land in Coatesville right out from under another developer during the three days that he was getting funding together. And Baker sealed the deal sight unseen from New York City.
Bart Blatstein brought other developers to see Coatesville as a gold mine for development. The youth of Coatesville also saw possibilities for a future Coatesville as a place to go to instead of a place to get away from. But the downtrodden older residents of Coatesville saw no possibility of change and were even uncomfortable thinking about change. And maybe most importantly some of the more bigoted residents in nearby townships could not see any possibilities in what they considered a “black” city. They even had their zip codes changed so that Coatesville would not be a part of their address.
Plans for the revitalization of Coatesville once lined the meeting room at City Hall. As recently as a month ago, I overheard City Council Members at Coatesville City Council meetings talking about those plans for Coatesville drawn up by Bart Blatstein’s company; "Tower Investments". They talked about the crazy absurdity of something like that being built in a poor run down town like Coatesville and what a sham artist Bart Blatstein was. To this day the mention of Bart Blatstein among some members of the Coatesville City Council will bring derogatory comments for his “off the wall unrealistic plans for Coatesville”.
I remember how Bart Blatstein was pilloried with shouted cat calls by "bloc of four" supporters when he talked about his plans at Coatesville City Council meetings. I remember how Bart Blatstein was vilified and treated as a liar and fake by the "bloc of four" supporters. The shouted out mantra of the “bloc of four” supporters was; "IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN HERE".
Check out what could have been. Check out what Bart Blatstein did in a section of North Philly that was once much tougher than what we have in Coatesville:
Tower Investments website:
http://www.towerdev.com/
The assets of Coatesville are:
• A large tract of undeveloped land on one of busiest intersections in Western Chester County
• Easy access to major North and South and East and West Interstate Highways.
• A mid size airport with international capability just outside the city limits
• Coast to Coast Amtrak service at the Coatesville train station
• Much lower costs for property and lower construction costs than Philadelphia
• A small city of nearly 11,000 with the infrastructure already in place to accommodate a city of 20,000 residents
• Rolling bucolic countryside partly occupied by a group of extremely affluent people just outside of the city limits.
• Last but not least a city with a “sense of place” where you wake up in the morning look out of a window at the hills and homes and know exactly where you are. Something that Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Dean of the Miami School of Architecture said was “to die for”. See the “Coatesville Charrette Report and Urban Design Plan":
http://www.box.net/shared/4g292ny6nn
Bart Blatstein was the person who got the other developers thinking about Coatesville. He was the man whose interest in Coatesville inspired Baker Properties to purchase land in Coatesville right out from under another developer during the three days that he was getting funding together. And Baker sealed the deal sight unseen from New York City.
Bart Blatstein brought other developers to see Coatesville as a gold mine for development. The youth of Coatesville also saw possibilities for a future Coatesville as a place to go to instead of a place to get away from. But the downtrodden older residents of Coatesville saw no possibility of change and were even uncomfortable thinking about change. And maybe most importantly some of the more bigoted residents in nearby townships could not see any possibilities in what they considered a “black” city. They even had their zip codes changed so that Coatesville would not be a part of their address.
Plans for the revitalization of Coatesville once lined the meeting room at City Hall. As recently as a month ago, I overheard City Council Members at Coatesville City Council meetings talking about those plans for Coatesville drawn up by Bart Blatstein’s company; "Tower Investments". They talked about the crazy absurdity of something like that being built in a poor run down town like Coatesville and what a sham artist Bart Blatstein was. To this day the mention of Bart Blatstein among some members of the Coatesville City Council will bring derogatory comments for his “off the wall unrealistic plans for Coatesville”.
I remember how Bart Blatstein was pilloried with shouted cat calls by "bloc of four" supporters when he talked about his plans at Coatesville City Council meetings. I remember how Bart Blatstein was vilified and treated as a liar and fake by the "bloc of four" supporters. The shouted out mantra of the “bloc of four” supporters was; "IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN HERE".
It looks like the "bloc of four" came through on that promise.
They drove Bart Blatstein away from Coatesville.
Check out what could have been. Check out what Bart Blatstein did in a section of North Philly that was once much tougher than what we have in Coatesville:
"Friday, May 8, 2009
Piazza opens in N. Liberties
$100 million project creates a destination
Philadelphia Business Journal - by Natalie Kostelni Staff Writer
For nearly a decade, developer Bart Blatstein has coddled, envisioned, worked on and tweaked his bold plans for Northern Liberties. Now, at a cost of $100 million, he is completing one of the most integral parts of his vision for the Philadelphia neighborhood.
Called the Piazza at Schmidt’s, it is the second of three phases of Blatstein’s overall redevelopment plan for the area surrounding the former Schmidt’s Brewery at 2nd Street and Girard Avenue. There his company, Tower Investments, has assembled more than 100 parcels totaling 28 acres and invested a total of $150 million since he embarked on refashioning the neighborhood beginning in 2000.”
More at:
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/05/11/story1.html
Tower Investments website:
http://www.towerdev.com/
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