This is Joe Hamrick talking to the Coatesville City Council at the Monday, November 30th Budget Workshop Meeting.
Joe does not like the idea of doing away with the professional fire fighters.
http://www.box.net/shared/no411eofcg
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Is there a home for homeless firefighters in Coatesville?
It may be that our paid firefighters will be needing one soon.
Friday, March 27, 2009
What’s up with the Coatesville West End Fire Company?
“Coatesville firefighter hiring practices criticized”
“Firefighter union's attorney argues background checks would have revealed suspect's criminal past
Friday, March 27, 2009
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
COATESVILLE — Just days after police arrested a city firefighter for allegedly setting houses on fire, city officials are facing criticism for Coatesville's employee hiring process.
Rick Poulson, attorney for the city's firefighter union, criticized the administration Thursday for hiring 37-year-old Robert Tracey Jr. as a paid firefighter just weeks before he was arrested in connection with two arson fires.
Poulson argues a proper background check should have kept the city from hiring Tracey, who has a criminal record. Additionally, Poulson said a background check should have kept the city from appointing Kevin Johnson to fire chief in 2006 due to his criminal record
”More at:
Coatesville firefighter hiring practices criticized
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
POSTED: 03/27/09, 12:01 AM EDT | UPDATED: ON 03/27/2009
When District Attorney had a meeting with the West End Fire Company officers it was at the Washington Fire Company. Why wasn’t the meeting at the West End Company? Do they have something to hide?
The word on the street is that the West End Fire Company is what the black population here in Coatesville calls “Old Coatesville”.
Coatesville Fire Chief Kevin Johnson was still on parole when he was appointed Chief by the Coatesville City Council.
CLICK HERE FOR JOHNSONS COURT DOCUMENTS:
http://www.box.net/shared/r21tbc210e
Saturday, March 14, 2009
New arson in Coatesville; 20th this year
"The Daily Local (dailylocal.com), Serving Chester County, PA
Saturday, March 14, 2009 9:11 AM EDT
COATESVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say there has been another arson in the suburban Philadelphia city of Coatesville.
The 1:30 a.m. blaze struck two homes on East Valley Road in the city, and firefighters say they were badly damaged.
John Hageman of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says the latest blaze was deliberately set.
It's the 20th arson in the city this year."
MORE AT:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/police/doc49bbacfa12a55647024782.txt
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Did tampering with the Coatesville PD present the opportunity for arson in Coatesville?
Just in case there are any lingering doubts as to why many members of the City of Coatesville Police left the PD for more secure employment elsewhere in 2007.
Here is the letter from Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews to Chester County District Attorney Joseph W Carroll, May 18, 2007. "...Because of lay-off we will lose six (6) patrol officers."
http://www.box.net/shared/ha1zzj1b7d
The order to lay off police was rescinded shortly after May 18th but the police officers knew about it and many officers looked for better more secure jobs in other departments. The police officers did not know if and when the lay-off order would be reinstated. We lost some of our most experienced officers and detectives that had extensive knowledge of the community.
• The Narcotics Division was disbanded and its officers transferred to patrol.
• The bike unit was disbanded.
• The community relations officer was put on regular duty.
• Non-uniformed office staff was laid off. This added to the regular officers duties.
In all 15 Coatesville Police Officers left the 32 person Coatesville Police Force.
Lt. Matt Gordon was described by Joe Carroll as the most knowledgeable narcotics investigator in Chester County. Lt. Gordon was removed from the Coatesville PD and put on “administrative leave” by Chief William Matthews in October of 2007 and has not been on the force since then.
The results of all the tampering with the Coatesville PD were predictable; armed robbery, muggings, and shootings all increased dramatically. The news spread that the drug business was good again in Coatesville and drug dealers, some violent street gangs and guns came into Coatesville.
No one could foresee the dramatic increase in arson but the general lawlessness presented an opportunity for arson.
The Walker Administration was alleged to be resistant to requests from the PA State Police and ATF to come into Coatesville and investigate the arson for nearly a year. It was only after the Fleetwood Street fire that Governor Rendell forcefully asked the City of Coatesville to declare an emergency and the PA State Police and ATF began their investigation.
Here is the letter from Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews to Chester County District Attorney Joseph W Carroll, May 18, 2007. "...Because of lay-off we will lose six (6) patrol officers."
http://www.box.net/shared/ha1zzj1b7d
The order to lay off police was rescinded shortly after May 18th but the police officers knew about it and many officers looked for better more secure jobs in other departments. The police officers did not know if and when the lay-off order would be reinstated. We lost some of our most experienced officers and detectives that had extensive knowledge of the community.
• The Narcotics Division was disbanded and its officers transferred to patrol.
• The bike unit was disbanded.
• The community relations officer was put on regular duty.
• Non-uniformed office staff was laid off. This added to the regular officers duties.
In all 15 Coatesville Police Officers left the 32 person Coatesville Police Force.
Lt. Matt Gordon was described by Joe Carroll as the most knowledgeable narcotics investigator in Chester County. Lt. Gordon was removed from the Coatesville PD and put on “administrative leave” by Chief William Matthews in October of 2007 and has not been on the force since then.
The results of all the tampering with the Coatesville PD were predictable; armed robbery, muggings, and shootings all increased dramatically. The news spread that the drug business was good again in Coatesville and drug dealers, some violent street gangs and guns came into Coatesville.
No one could foresee the dramatic increase in arson but the general lawlessness presented an opportunity for arson.
The Walker Administration was alleged to be resistant to requests from the PA State Police and ATF to come into Coatesville and investigate the arson for nearly a year. It was only after the Fleetwood Street fire that Governor Rendell forcefully asked the City of Coatesville to declare an emergency and the PA State Police and ATF began their investigation.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Coatesville-Radio Times-• Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane-talks with Philadelphia Inquirer writer KATHLEEN BRADY SHEA
Kathleen Brady Shea gets it right. It brought tears to my eyes.
Jim
Hour Two
At least twenty-six fires from Arson have been reported in Coatesville,
PA since last year. A state of emergency has been declared and many
people are homeless in the already economically challenged town of less
than 12,000 people. Two alleged arsonists were arrested last week. We
speak to Philadelphia Inquirer writer KATHLEEN BRADY SHEA for an update
on the town. Then, local singer and composer, VENISSA SANTI, comes into
the studio to explain how she integrates her Cuban background into
original songs and creative arrangements of jazz and Cuban standards. In
2008, she received the prestigious Pew Fellowship in folk and
traditional arts. We'll listen to a few songs from her upcoming release,
"Bienvenida," a bilingual album of Afro Cuban, jazz and pop soul songs.
It will be released April 21st on Sunnyside Records. Listen to the mp3
http://www.whyy.org/podcast/022409_110630.mp3
Jim
Hour Two
At least twenty-six fires from Arson have been reported in Coatesville,
PA since last year. A state of emergency has been declared and many
people are homeless in the already economically challenged town of less
than 12,000 people. Two alleged arsonists were arrested last week. We
speak to Philadelphia Inquirer writer KATHLEEN BRADY SHEA for an update
on the town. Then, local singer and composer, VENISSA SANTI, comes into
the studio to explain how she integrates her Cuban background into
original songs and creative arrangements of jazz and Cuban standards. In
2008, she received the prestigious Pew Fellowship in folk and
traditional arts. We'll listen to a few songs from her upcoming release,
"Bienvenida," a bilingual album of Afro Cuban, jazz and pop soul songs.
It will be released April 21st on Sunnyside Records. Listen to the mp3
http://www.whyy.org/podcast/022409_110630.mp3
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Why all the arson in Coatesville?
What do you think would happen if the Mayor of Philadelphia laid off one half of the Philadelphia Police Force and eliminated the narcotics division.
And, turned the supervision of the Philadelphia Fire Department over to volunteer officers with a volunteer chief who was not certified as a firefighter in Pennsylvania?
Do you think that the Philly PD would have their hands full with drug gang violence and not have time to look for fire starters?
Would Philadelphia look like Disneyland to an arsonist?
And, turned the supervision of the Philadelphia Fire Department over to volunteer officers with a volunteer chief who was not certified as a firefighter in Pennsylvania?
Do you think that the Philly PD would have their hands full with drug gang violence and not have time to look for fire starters?
Would Philadelphia look like Disneyland to an arsonist?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
CRACKING DOWN ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION
Why We Take It So Seriously...and Why It Matters To You
Q: Does public corruption really have an impact on people's lives?
Dan: Absolutely. Public corruption can take funding away from your child's school and even prevent your street from being re-paved. Police who take bribes endanger your neighborhood. And guess who ultimately foots the bill for these crimes? We all do...through higher taxes. The Government Accountability Office estimates that at least 10 percent of the funding for federal government programs is lost to public corruption and government fraud every year. We're talking tens of billions of dollars.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june05/obrien062005.htm
Your local field office is:
Philadelphia
FBI Philadelphia
8th. Floor
William J. Green Jr. FOB
600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(215) 418-4000
philadelphia.fbi.gov
Q: Does public corruption really have an impact on people's lives?
Dan: Absolutely. Public corruption can take funding away from your child's school and even prevent your street from being re-paved. Police who take bribes endanger your neighborhood. And guess who ultimately foots the bill for these crimes? We all do...through higher taxes. The Government Accountability Office estimates that at least 10 percent of the funding for federal government programs is lost to public corruption and government fraud every year. We're talking tens of billions of dollars.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june05/obrien062005.htm
Your local field office is:
Philadelphia
FBI Philadelphia
8th. Floor
William J. Green Jr. FOB
600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
(215) 418-4000
philadelphia.fbi.gov
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Special Coatesville City Council Meeting Tonight at 6pm
In describing the city's problems, Walker said in his letter to Casey that "Coatesville continues to grow its deficits." However, when council voted to approve this year's budget, they were told by Walker it was balanced.
"One of those is a lie," said Eggleston.
More at:
http://chestercountyreporter.com/109overduebills.html
"One of those is a lie," said Eggleston.
More at:
http://chestercountyreporter.com/109overduebills.html
Is Coatesville City Manager Harry G. Walker holding up $250,000 of immediate help from Governor Rendell for police and firefighter overtime?
As the Philadelphia Inquirer article states; “the cash-strapped city is just a six-page, online application away from receiving up to $250,000 from the state, Mike Smith, a spokesman for Gov. Rendell, said yesterday.”
Is Walker deliberately holding up a grant from the state in order to make his case to the Coatesville City Council to withdraw $900,000 from the City Trust Fund?
Investigative reporting by the Daily Local News alleges that most of the $900,000 proposed by Walker was really an effort to hide $780,000 in unpaid bills.
Read between the lines in these two articles and see what conclusion you draw from them.
Manager hid city's debts, officials say
Some call for his resignation or firing
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 6:08 AM EST
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
COATESVILLE — After learning the city has a hidden budget hole of nearly $780,000, some City Council members called for City Manager Harry Walker's resignation Tuesday.
Financial information that administrators presented to council last week and to the Daily Local News on Tuesday shows the city entered the new year with roughly $660,000 in outstanding bills. Since then, the sum of unpaid debts has grown to nearly $780,000.
That led some council members to say Walker acted deceptively when he claimed the 2009 budget was balanced.
More at: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/02/18/news/srv0000004726987.txt
Posted on Wed, Feb. 18, 2009
Coatesville grapples with covering arsons' costs
By Kathleen Brady Shea
Inquirer Staff Writer
While the emotional cost of Coatesville's unsolved series of arsons remains incalculable, the financial price tag continues to climb.
At a specially scheduled public meeting in City Hall at 6 tonight, City Manager Harry G. Walker III will repeat his controversial request for the release of $900,000 from a city trust fund to pay bills.
In the meantime, the cash-strapped city is just a six-page, online application away from receiving up to $250,000 from the state, Mike Smith, a spokesman for Gov. Rendell, said yesterday.
Smith said the state had taken steps "to expedite" the emergency funds by briefing city officials on the application process, which involves describing the city's needs and itemizing costs.
Smith said "a very quick turnaround" was expected once the application was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; however, he could not provide a more specific timetable.
More at; http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/39769152.html
Is Walker deliberately holding up a grant from the state in order to make his case to the Coatesville City Council to withdraw $900,000 from the City Trust Fund?
Investigative reporting by the Daily Local News alleges that most of the $900,000 proposed by Walker was really an effort to hide $780,000 in unpaid bills.
Read between the lines in these two articles and see what conclusion you draw from them.
Manager hid city's debts, officials say
Some call for his resignation or firing
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 6:08 AM EST
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
COATESVILLE — After learning the city has a hidden budget hole of nearly $780,000, some City Council members called for City Manager Harry Walker's resignation Tuesday.
Financial information that administrators presented to council last week and to the Daily Local News on Tuesday shows the city entered the new year with roughly $660,000 in outstanding bills. Since then, the sum of unpaid debts has grown to nearly $780,000.
That led some council members to say Walker acted deceptively when he claimed the 2009 budget was balanced.
More at: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/02/18/news/srv0000004726987.txt
Posted on Wed, Feb. 18, 2009
Coatesville grapples with covering arsons' costs
By Kathleen Brady Shea
Inquirer Staff Writer
While the emotional cost of Coatesville's unsolved series of arsons remains incalculable, the financial price tag continues to climb.
At a specially scheduled public meeting in City Hall at 6 tonight, City Manager Harry G. Walker III will repeat his controversial request for the release of $900,000 from a city trust fund to pay bills.
In the meantime, the cash-strapped city is just a six-page, online application away from receiving up to $250,000 from the state, Mike Smith, a spokesman for Gov. Rendell, said yesterday.
Smith said the state had taken steps "to expedite" the emergency funds by briefing city officials on the application process, which involves describing the city's needs and itemizing costs.
Smith said "a very quick turnaround" was expected once the application was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; however, he could not provide a more specific timetable.
More at; http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/39769152.html
Monday, February 16, 2009
"Walker seeks $49 million in Emergency Grant Request"
"Chester County Reporter
by Allen Davis
Staff Writer
Posted: Friday, 16 Feb. 2009 2 p.m.
Coatesville City Manager Harry Walker is asking the federal government for $49 million to improve public safety and to salvage what remains of the city's redevelopment which has stagnated since the present council was elected three years ago.
The money will be used to hire 10 additional police officers and more paid firefighters. But the bulk of the money, $21.5 million, will go to developer Carl Chetty to build 222 apartment units in downtown Coatesville. Construction costs for the two buildings are estimated at $52 million.
The request for the money comes days after U.S. Sen. Bob Casey toured Fleetwood Street were 15 row homes were destroyed last month by an arson-related fire. The funds, if made available, will come through an Emergency Grant Request. Walker told council Monday night, Feb. 9, that he was confident Coatesville would get the grant. "Then we can start filling in some of these holes," he said."
More at:
http://chestercountyreporter.com/109walkergrant.html
by Allen Davis
Staff Writer
Posted: Friday, 16 Feb. 2009 2 p.m.
Coatesville City Manager Harry Walker is asking the federal government for $49 million to improve public safety and to salvage what remains of the city's redevelopment which has stagnated since the present council was elected three years ago.
The money will be used to hire 10 additional police officers and more paid firefighters. But the bulk of the money, $21.5 million, will go to developer Carl Chetty to build 222 apartment units in downtown Coatesville. Construction costs for the two buildings are estimated at $52 million.
The request for the money comes days after U.S. Sen. Bob Casey toured Fleetwood Street were 15 row homes were destroyed last month by an arson-related fire. The funds, if made available, will come through an Emergency Grant Request. Walker told council Monday night, Feb. 9, that he was confident Coatesville would get the grant. "Then we can start filling in some of these holes," he said."
More at:
http://chestercountyreporter.com/109walkergrant.html
Sunday, February 15, 2009
"A Woman stabbed a man... A woman allegedly stole a cell phone..."
"Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:09 AM EST
COATESVILLE — A woman stabbed a man in the arm multiple times at a residence on the 900 block of Lumber Street on Feb. 9, leaving him with severe lacerations, according to a police report.
COATESVILLE- A woman allegedly stole a cell phone and $1,000 from a man as he walked into his apartment on the 100 block of North Fourth Avenue on Feb. 11, according to a police report."
Can you guess what I thought was unusual about these two violent crimes?
It’s the “according to a police report” part.
I think Harry G's. alleged “gag order” on the Coatesville Police Department is lifted.
Do you think that alleged "gag order" had something to do with this?
"2005 Violent Crime
102 Robbery-46 Aggravated Assault 50 Burglary 91"
"2006 Violent Crime
151 Robbery-81 Aggravated Assault 63 Burglary 101"
"2007 Violent Crime
169 Robbery-78 Aggravated Assault 88 Burglary 150"
From:
http://www.fbi.gov/publications.htm
Was there a "gag order" on reporting arson too?
Woman charged with stabbing victim in his arm
Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:09 AM EST
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/02/15/news/srv0000004707524.txt
COATESVILLE — A woman stabbed a man in the arm multiple times at a residence on the 900 block of Lumber Street on Feb. 9, leaving him with severe lacerations, according to a police report.
COATESVILLE- A woman allegedly stole a cell phone and $1,000 from a man as he walked into his apartment on the 100 block of North Fourth Avenue on Feb. 11, according to a police report."
Can you guess what I thought was unusual about these two violent crimes?
It’s the “according to a police report” part.
I think Harry G's. alleged “gag order” on the Coatesville Police Department is lifted.
Do you think that alleged "gag order" had something to do with this?
"2005 Violent Crime
102 Robbery-46 Aggravated Assault 50 Burglary 91"
"2006 Violent Crime
151 Robbery-81 Aggravated Assault 63 Burglary 101"
"2007 Violent Crime
169 Robbery-78 Aggravated Assault 88 Burglary 150"
From:
http://www.fbi.gov/publications.htm
Was there a "gag order" on reporting arson too?
Woman charged with stabbing victim in his arm
Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:09 AM EST
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/02/15/news/srv0000004707524.txt
Friday, February 13, 2009
Number of Arsons?
I am hearing that the actual number of arsons in Coatesville may allegedly have been about 60 in the last 24 months. Because of alleged inaccurate incomplete records the real number may be unknown.
When the new administration took over the fire reporting system moved into the hands of the volunteer firemen. There is alleged to be poor recording of fires or in some cases no reporting at all.
It is alleged that in 2007 the reporting was about 60% of actual fire department activity.
I believe the Sunday that Walker, Matthews and Johnson did declare an emergency they only did so under extreme pressure from Governor Rendell.
Last night I asked District Attorney Joe Carroll if he knew that there were 27 fires by August or September of last year; would he or Governor Rendell have demanded that Coatesville declare an emergency? His answer was yes.
I have heard that even with the 15 or so number of arsons the city was acknowledging; the DA, State and ATF repeatedly offered help to the city and that help was refused.
When the new administration took over the fire reporting system moved into the hands of the volunteer firemen. There is alleged to be poor recording of fires or in some cases no reporting at all.
It is alleged that in 2007 the reporting was about 60% of actual fire department activity.
I believe the Sunday that Walker, Matthews and Johnson did declare an emergency they only did so under extreme pressure from Governor Rendell.
Last night I asked District Attorney Joe Carroll if he knew that there were 27 fires by August or September of last year; would he or Governor Rendell have demanded that Coatesville declare an emergency? His answer was yes.
I have heard that even with the 15 or so number of arsons the city was acknowledging; the DA, State and ATF repeatedly offered help to the city and that help was refused.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Coatesville United?
I hear a lot of talk about how the arson fires united the people of Coatesville. For the first time in decades the people here are working together.
But what the way that I think of it is that ordinary homeowners are united with the some of the Johnsons, Legrees, Subers, Pittmans, Koons, Peoples, Flamers and Cannons of Coatesville.
They all want the arsonists caught but one group is equally disturbed by the volume of PA State Police, FBI, DEA, County Detectives and ATF police in Coatesville.
But what the way that I think of it is that ordinary homeowners are united with the some of the Johnsons, Legrees, Subers, Pittmans, Koons, Peoples, Flamers and Cannons of Coatesville.
They all want the arsonists caught but one group is equally disturbed by the volume of PA State Police, FBI, DEA, County Detectives and ATF police in Coatesville.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Harry G. makes grab for $900,000 from the Coatesville City Trust Fund
Update in Today's Daily Local News:
Arson Stretching city's finances:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/02/10/news/doc4991673c0c38f768420574.txt
"Councilman Ed Simpson questioned the preparation of Walker’s proposal, saying it did not provide details on the city’s current finances that would allow council to make an informed decision.
Walker claimed he had previously given financial reports to Council.
“I swear to God,” Walker said.
“Right now I’m going to call you a liar and you’re going to hell,” Simpson said.
Walker promised to deliver the city’s current financial update to council today"
I don’t believe it Channel 3 News reported that the city council turned down Walker’s request for $900,000. But they did not report the reason the council rejected Walker’s grab for the money.
They TV people did not talk about the Jamaican guy that is supposed to be their financial consultant. The “financial report” was on about ½ of a single sheet of paper.
Ed Simpson called Harry Walker a liar because the city council has never received a year to date financial report. That is for a three year period.
I thought the cameras were still there but maybe they were not. The city council always puts any controversial item to the very last on the agenda. By that time most of the people there for the meeting have went home. They have been doing this way for 3 years.
Listen to it here:
http://www.box.net/shared/zrimkpf86z
Jim Pitcherella
Every politician and law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania should read:
“POLICE, POLITICS. CORRUPTION ‘The mixture dangerous to freedom and justice” By Colonel Frank McKetta, Retired Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner
Arson Stretching city's finances:
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/02/10/news/doc4991673c0c38f768420574.txt
"Councilman Ed Simpson questioned the preparation of Walker’s proposal, saying it did not provide details on the city’s current finances that would allow council to make an informed decision.
Walker claimed he had previously given financial reports to Council.
“I swear to God,” Walker said.
“Right now I’m going to call you a liar and you’re going to hell,” Simpson said.
Walker promised to deliver the city’s current financial update to council today"
I don’t believe it Channel 3 News reported that the city council turned down Walker’s request for $900,000. But they did not report the reason the council rejected Walker’s grab for the money.
They TV people did not talk about the Jamaican guy that is supposed to be their financial consultant. The “financial report” was on about ½ of a single sheet of paper.
Ed Simpson called Harry Walker a liar because the city council has never received a year to date financial report. That is for a three year period.
I thought the cameras were still there but maybe they were not. The city council always puts any controversial item to the very last on the agenda. By that time most of the people there for the meeting have went home. They have been doing this way for 3 years.
Listen to it here:
http://www.box.net/shared/zrimkpf86z
Jim Pitcherella
Every politician and law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania should read:
“POLICE, POLITICS. CORRUPTION ‘The mixture dangerous to freedom and justice” By Colonel Frank McKetta, Retired Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner
Thursday, February 5, 2009
"Bring change to Coatesville in the 2009 elections"
"Several Coatesville people who are working to get Obama's agenda passed by the Congress and also to bring change to Coatesville in the 2009 elections are holding an Obama volunteer reunion next Saturday morning.
President Obama has called on his supporters to mobilize to get his stimulus package passed and to remain active to bring about change in their communities.
Please attend. We will implement President Obama's instructions on the stimulus package and update folks on the 2009 Coatesville elections.
What: Coatesville Obama volunteer reunion (Obama supporters also welcome)
When: Saturday, February 7, 10 am - noon
Where: Jubilee Church, 920 E. Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville
Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. President Barack Obama, Jan. 20, 2009
Phila Back
Organizer
Working Families Win
232 N. 5th Street, Reading, PA
610-334-5563
610-683-8629 (FAX)
Phila_Back@verizon.net
http://www.wfwin.org/ "
President Obama has called on his supporters to mobilize to get his stimulus package passed and to remain active to bring about change in their communities.
Please attend. We will implement President Obama's instructions on the stimulus package and update folks on the 2009 Coatesville elections.
What: Coatesville Obama volunteer reunion (Obama supporters also welcome)
When: Saturday, February 7, 10 am - noon
Where: Jubilee Church, 920 E. Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville
Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. President Barack Obama, Jan. 20, 2009
Phila Back
Organizer
Working Families Win
232 N. 5th Street, Reading, PA
610-334-5563
610-683-8629 (FAX)
Phila_Back@verizon.net
http://www.wfwin.org/ "
Some previous actions of Coatesville Police Chief Matthews and Coatesville City Manager Harry G. Walker:
I believe that when Lt. Fitzgerald of the Philadelphia PD was interviewed by Harry G. Walker at the King of Prussia Mall for the position of Coatesville Chief of Police, Walker was accompanied by Richard Legree. I think Lt. Fitzgerald said Walker demanded that Fitzgerald appoint Legree as his first Lieutenant or Assistant Chief. Lt. Fitzgerald said “would not hire Legree due to his ‘checkered’ background”. I think that Lt. Fitzgerald may have been referring Legree’s conviction of selling 145 bags of heroin and a separate conviction of selling nine bags of heroin to undercover agents in Coatesville in1975.
It may be a little thing but in my opinion Richard Legree appeared to be treated by the “bloc of four” as almost god like. For instance: the time limit rule for citizen’s comments is 5 minutes. Richard Legree went on as long as he wanted. I watched as the minutes went past 7 and Don Wilkinson laid the timing clock down on its face. Legree spoke for 22 uninterrupted minutes.
Richard went all over the country in his capacity as Administrator of the Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of the Philadelphia LECET. When he was in Coatesville he was at city hall.
Richard was also Chair of Area 14 of the Chester County Republican Committee (Coatesville, Modena, Valley North and Valley South).
Richard’s son is now awaiting sentencing on February 24th in his conviction of selling Crack Cocaine in Coatesville.
And From:
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : CRIMINAL NO. 06-504
v. :
RICHARD LEGREE, JR. :
GOVERNMENT’S MOTION FOR PRETRIAL DETENTION
1. Although the defendant has considerable ties to the Coatesville area, he is currently unemployed and has been captured on audiotape arranging drug deals while residing in his father’s house on home confinement.”
http://www.box.net/shared/6xa2stfhbo
Soon after Matthews was given the job as Chief of Police the word spread that the city was considering laying off Coatesville Police Officers. The lay off did not happen but did result in about 15 officers leaving. The officers that were concerned with job security looked elsewhere. You see before Walker and Matthews the Coatesville Police Department was the envy of small PD’s all across Pennsylvania. Five years of serving in Coatesville under former Coatesville Police Chief Dominic Bellizzie was said equal to a lifetime of extremely good training in most Pennsylvania small town police departments. Coatesville police officers could nearly double their salaries in another police department.
Lieutenant Matt Gordon, referred to by Chester County DA Joe Carroll as “the Coatesville PD’s very best narcotics investigator, a man who knew all the “players” in Coatesville”, was put on administrative leave for years and eventually retired. Even when 200 police officers and police chiefs from all over Eastern Pennsylvania paid a surprise visit to a Coatesville City Council meeting and District Attorney Joe Carroll pleaded that he needed Lt. Gordon for his narcotics and murder investigations; the city council and city administration would not budge. “I need Matt Gordon back,” he said to the council. “If you could handle that as soon as possible, it would be greatly appreciated.” “Schenk was the lone council member to voice his unequivocal support for Matthews”. I believe that the actions toward Lt. Matt Gordon were an effort to remove him and replace him with Richard Legree.
The bike squad was extremely effective in squashing drug dealer activity. The lookout system of the dealers did not work well against the Coatesville Police Bike Squad. The bike squad was squashed by Chief Matthews.
In my opinion the news that “the money is good again in Coatesville” spread all over the nation. We rapidly had dealers from Philly and New York taking up residence in Coatesville. SUR-13, KOD, Cripps and other gang recruiters came to Coatesville. The guns poured in with them. Gunshots were heard and people were picking bullets out of walls and vehicles almost daily. Armed robberies and muggings, nearly all of them unreported in the press, rocketed up.
At about the same time the arson began.
Take all this into consideration and then ask yourself why did the city administration resist implementing a Town Watch for more than 3 years?
Take all this into consideration and then ask yourself why is Matthews resisting implementing a curfew for adults?
See:
“Daily Local News
Pusher called "danger to community',
Friday, September 10, 1976
By BRUCE MOWDAY (Of the Local News Staff)
Richard "Stretch" Legree of Coatesville, named as the number one drug pusher in Chester County by District Attorney William H. Lamb, was convicted last night of selling 145 bags of heroin to an undercover agent in January.”
"DAILY LOCAL NEWS
04/24/2007
CHIEF NOT RULING OUT LEGREE
JENNIFER MILLER , Staff Writer
BUT WILLIAM MATTHEWS ALSO SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE PLANS TO REORGANIZE COATESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT “
COATESVILLE — One year has passed and the matter of an inactive police lieutenant remains unresolved.
http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19949657&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=8
SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT
FORMER DETECTIVE CRITICIZES COATESVILLE CHIEF FOR PERSONNEL, SAFETY DECISIONS
Saturday, December 1, 2007 3:00 AM EST
By R. JONATHAN TULEYA and JENNIFER MILLER
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration revealed Operation Trickle Down in May.
It was the code name for a two-year investigation by various federal authorities, the Coatesville Police Department and other Chester County law enforcement agencies into a cocaine pipeline connecting Philadelphia to Coatesville…
’The sad truth is that although continuing drug investigations and arrests are necessary, Matthews wrote, they rarely make a real difference on the street. Simply put, we cannot arrest our way out of the illegal drug culture’,,,
Murrin, 41, worked eight years for the Coatesville police, including 3� years as a narcotics detective. Matthews’ reaction to Operation Trickle Down was not the only reason he left, but it contributed to his decision….
I was one of the guys (saying) ;don’t leave, don’t leave. It’s going to get better, Murrin said.
Seven officers, including Murrin, have left Coatesville’s department since Matthews took over in March. An eighth, former Lt. Matthew Gordon, remains suspended with pay as a result of a dispute with the chief about vacation time.
Murrin said he left reluctantly, and it was not until he felt concerned for his safety, mostly because of the Coatesville’s manpower shortage, that he made his decision. There were nightshifts, he said, being covered by only two officers.
‘That’s crazy. That’s scary crazy. Somebody is going to get hurt,’ Murrin said. The problem with that is you have to be reactive instead of proactive…
One former candidate for chief, Philadelphia Lt. Joel Fitzgerald, confirmed he met with Walker and Legree, who was not on the appointed search committee and is not a city employee, at the King of Prussia shopping mall.
During the meeting, Fitzgerald said, Legree tried to negotiate a position for himself in the police department as well as convince Fitzgerald to fire one of the department’s two lieutenants.
Roughly two months after the secret meeting, police arrested Legree’s son, Richard Legree Jr., on drug charges as part of Operation Trickle Down. Legree Jr., who earlier had been convicted of drug charges in the county court, still has pending drug distribution charges in federal court in Philadelphia.”
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2007/12/01/past%20stories/19941502.txt
Daily Local News
EDITORIAL
Wake up chief, you are putting the city in danger
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 3:00 AM EDT
People being kind would say Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews and Councilman Kurt Schenk are unrealistic; others would say they�re delusional.
We think it’s the latter.”
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2007/10/23/past%20stories/19943361.txt
DAILY LOCAL NEWS
10/03/2008
Police dispute still on
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
http://www.dailylocal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20149013&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=635398&rfi=6 “
Daily Local News
Monday, September 11, 2006
Controller questioning transport
Eight constables provided security
By MICHAEL P. RELLAHAN
Staff Writer
…In addition to DiGiorgio’s concerns, the transportation arrangements for the defendant, Odell Cannon, are drawing some scrutiny from Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh. She said she was alarmed when told that Cannon may be related to one of the constables chosen by Davis to take him to the hearing, Richard Legree."
It may be a little thing but in my opinion Richard Legree appeared to be treated by the “bloc of four” as almost god like. For instance: the time limit rule for citizen’s comments is 5 minutes. Richard Legree went on as long as he wanted. I watched as the minutes went past 7 and Don Wilkinson laid the timing clock down on its face. Legree spoke for 22 uninterrupted minutes.
Richard went all over the country in his capacity as Administrator of the Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of the Philadelphia LECET. When he was in Coatesville he was at city hall.
Richard was also Chair of Area 14 of the Chester County Republican Committee (Coatesville, Modena, Valley North and Valley South).
Richard’s son is now awaiting sentencing on February 24th in his conviction of selling Crack Cocaine in Coatesville.
And From:
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : CRIMINAL NO. 06-504
v. :
RICHARD LEGREE, JR. :
GOVERNMENT’S MOTION FOR PRETRIAL DETENTION
1. Although the defendant has considerable ties to the Coatesville area, he is currently unemployed and has been captured on audiotape arranging drug deals while residing in his father’s house on home confinement.”
http://www.box.net/shared/6xa2stfhbo
Soon after Matthews was given the job as Chief of Police the word spread that the city was considering laying off Coatesville Police Officers. The lay off did not happen but did result in about 15 officers leaving. The officers that were concerned with job security looked elsewhere. You see before Walker and Matthews the Coatesville Police Department was the envy of small PD’s all across Pennsylvania. Five years of serving in Coatesville under former Coatesville Police Chief Dominic Bellizzie was said equal to a lifetime of extremely good training in most Pennsylvania small town police departments. Coatesville police officers could nearly double their salaries in another police department.
Lieutenant Matt Gordon, referred to by Chester County DA Joe Carroll as “the Coatesville PD’s very best narcotics investigator, a man who knew all the “players” in Coatesville”, was put on administrative leave for years and eventually retired. Even when 200 police officers and police chiefs from all over Eastern Pennsylvania paid a surprise visit to a Coatesville City Council meeting and District Attorney Joe Carroll pleaded that he needed Lt. Gordon for his narcotics and murder investigations; the city council and city administration would not budge. “I need Matt Gordon back,” he said to the council. “If you could handle that as soon as possible, it would be greatly appreciated.” “Schenk was the lone council member to voice his unequivocal support for Matthews”. I believe that the actions toward Lt. Matt Gordon were an effort to remove him and replace him with Richard Legree.
The bike squad was extremely effective in squashing drug dealer activity. The lookout system of the dealers did not work well against the Coatesville Police Bike Squad. The bike squad was squashed by Chief Matthews.
In my opinion the news that “the money is good again in Coatesville” spread all over the nation. We rapidly had dealers from Philly and New York taking up residence in Coatesville. SUR-13, KOD, Cripps and other gang recruiters came to Coatesville. The guns poured in with them. Gunshots were heard and people were picking bullets out of walls and vehicles almost daily. Armed robberies and muggings, nearly all of them unreported in the press, rocketed up.
At about the same time the arson began.
Take all this into consideration and then ask yourself why did the city administration resist implementing a Town Watch for more than 3 years?
Take all this into consideration and then ask yourself why is Matthews resisting implementing a curfew for adults?
See:
“Daily Local News
Pusher called "danger to community',
Friday, September 10, 1976
By BRUCE MOWDAY (Of the Local News Staff)
Richard "Stretch" Legree of Coatesville, named as the number one drug pusher in Chester County by District Attorney William H. Lamb, was convicted last night of selling 145 bags of heroin to an undercover agent in January.”
"DAILY LOCAL NEWS
04/24/2007
CHIEF NOT RULING OUT LEGREE
JENNIFER MILLER , Staff Writer
BUT WILLIAM MATTHEWS ALSO SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE PLANS TO REORGANIZE COATESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT “
COATESVILLE — One year has passed and the matter of an inactive police lieutenant remains unresolved.
http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19949657&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=8
SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT
FORMER DETECTIVE CRITICIZES COATESVILLE CHIEF FOR PERSONNEL, SAFETY DECISIONS
Saturday, December 1, 2007 3:00 AM EST
By R. JONATHAN TULEYA and JENNIFER MILLER
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration revealed Operation Trickle Down in May.
It was the code name for a two-year investigation by various federal authorities, the Coatesville Police Department and other Chester County law enforcement agencies into a cocaine pipeline connecting Philadelphia to Coatesville…
’The sad truth is that although continuing drug investigations and arrests are necessary, Matthews wrote, they rarely make a real difference on the street. Simply put, we cannot arrest our way out of the illegal drug culture’,,,
Murrin, 41, worked eight years for the Coatesville police, including 3� years as a narcotics detective. Matthews’ reaction to Operation Trickle Down was not the only reason he left, but it contributed to his decision….
I was one of the guys (saying) ;don’t leave, don’t leave. It’s going to get better, Murrin said.
Seven officers, including Murrin, have left Coatesville’s department since Matthews took over in March. An eighth, former Lt. Matthew Gordon, remains suspended with pay as a result of a dispute with the chief about vacation time.
Murrin said he left reluctantly, and it was not until he felt concerned for his safety, mostly because of the Coatesville’s manpower shortage, that he made his decision. There were nightshifts, he said, being covered by only two officers.
‘That’s crazy. That’s scary crazy. Somebody is going to get hurt,’ Murrin said. The problem with that is you have to be reactive instead of proactive…
One former candidate for chief, Philadelphia Lt. Joel Fitzgerald, confirmed he met with Walker and Legree, who was not on the appointed search committee and is not a city employee, at the King of Prussia shopping mall.
During the meeting, Fitzgerald said, Legree tried to negotiate a position for himself in the police department as well as convince Fitzgerald to fire one of the department’s two lieutenants.
Roughly two months after the secret meeting, police arrested Legree’s son, Richard Legree Jr., on drug charges as part of Operation Trickle Down. Legree Jr., who earlier had been convicted of drug charges in the county court, still has pending drug distribution charges in federal court in Philadelphia.”
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2007/12/01/past%20stories/19941502.txt
Daily Local News
EDITORIAL
Wake up chief, you are putting the city in danger
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 3:00 AM EDT
People being kind would say Coatesville Police Chief William Matthews and Councilman Kurt Schenk are unrealistic; others would say they�re delusional.
We think it’s the latter.”
http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2007/10/23/past%20stories/19943361.txt
DAILY LOCAL NEWS
10/03/2008
Police dispute still on
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer
http://www.dailylocal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20149013&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=635398&rfi=6 “
Daily Local News
Monday, September 11, 2006
Controller questioning transport
Eight constables provided security
By MICHAEL P. RELLAHAN
Staff Writer
…In addition to DiGiorgio’s concerns, the transportation arrangements for the defendant, Odell Cannon, are drawing some scrutiny from Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh. She said she was alarmed when told that Cannon may be related to one of the constables chosen by Davis to take him to the hearing, Richard Legree."
Rendell provides $500,000 to Coatesville arson investigation, victim's aid
Here is an answer as to what other elected officials are doing for the City of Coatesville:
Jim
________________________________________
Rendell provides $500,000 to Coatesville arson investigation, victim's aid
by Allen Davis
Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, 4 Feb. 2009 11:45 p.m.
Gov. Ed Rendell today promised Coatesville $500,000 to help fund the hunt for an arsonist who has terrorized the city with 21 house fires in 25 days. The money will be used pay for overtime for the local police and fire departments so that they can expand the investigation and assist fire victims.
"Coatesville is in a local state of emergency and panic today as the city is under seige by an arsonist or band of arsonists," said Gov. Rendell. "The community is struggling. The city's $4 million budget for fire and police services can't keep up and give the victims the services they need and deserve in response to this crisis."
More at Chester County Reporter:
http://chestercountyreporter.com/109rendellarson.html
Jim
________________________________________
Rendell provides $500,000 to Coatesville arson investigation, victim's aid
by Allen Davis
Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, 4 Feb. 2009 11:45 p.m.
Gov. Ed Rendell today promised Coatesville $500,000 to help fund the hunt for an arsonist who has terrorized the city with 21 house fires in 25 days. The money will be used pay for overtime for the local police and fire departments so that they can expand the investigation and assist fire victims.
"Coatesville is in a local state of emergency and panic today as the city is under seige by an arsonist or band of arsonists," said Gov. Rendell. "The community is struggling. The city's $4 million budget for fire and police services can't keep up and give the victims the services they need and deserve in response to this crisis."
More at Chester County Reporter:
http://chestercountyreporter.com/109rendellarson.html
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Town Watch training program
A Town Watch training program conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and organized by Joe Carroll, Governor Rendell and PA Police Commissioner Pawlowski will begin 7 pm at the Scott Middle School, 800 Olive St. in Coatesville, PA.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Scott+Middle+School,+8th+Avenue+and+Stirling+St,+Coatesville,+pa&sll=38.9594,-95.2655&sspn=119.526,360&ie=UTF8&v=2.2&cv=4.3.7284.3916&hl=en&latlng=39984448,-75806793,12755655471584712594&ei=n7WJSbrCCYXaNZ-y2KAE&cd=1#
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Scott+Middle+School,+8th+Avenue+and+Stirling+St,+Coatesville,+pa&sll=38.9594,-95.2655&sspn=119.526,360&ie=UTF8&v=2.2&cv=4.3.7284.3916&hl=en&latlng=39984448,-75806793,12755655471584712594&ei=n7WJSbrCCYXaNZ-y2KAE&cd=1#
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