Yep, it is like a bad Lifetime TV movie, only it is real. I had heard about this at the beginning of the month at some point, only nothing came of it…until yesterday when NBC10’s Deanna Durante broke the story:
Dammmmmnnnn, it was fact, not fiction.
So let’s discuss: an elementary school age basketball team. 2nd grade I think? Like that is barely above pee wee. Were the bookies hot on these little people match ups or something? Do adults have so little control at kids’ games that it becomes this horrifying gaper delay watching scenario?
I am told the way this works for the Malvern Basketball League is you enter the league with an entire team. A lot of basketball recreation programs you enter just your child —pay the fee and then a coach is assigned to you. With Malvern, you pay the whole fee for a team of 10 and enter all the kids as one team. So are the “coaches” vetted like anyone else even volunteering in schools these days?
Her mugshot is total Elvira face. Who taught her to do lip liner like the crazy babysitter of one of my sister’s elementary school friends years ago? (Yeah seriously, this woman would do lipliner when driving kids around and it went everywhere.) Someone on X formerly known as Twitter had this to say about pops who is a financial services professional – “toupee should be charged seperately” , making this all the more ludicrous meets Lifetime insane and where’s his chapstick???
Oh and better yet? Her sister was one of those “alternative” code for cuckoo school board candidates in Tredyffrin Easttown School District – she was the blondie “diversity” candidate because yeah that is so diverse, right?
Overall I just can’t with these people. This was a second grade basketball game. So that is what? 7 and 8 year olds?
When I was growing up it was the ice skating moms who I thought were the worst. I had friends who were competitive skaters so I used to watch the momzillas in action over at the Humane Society in Ardmore. They were vicious. To each other, to their own kids, to other people’s kids. Then as we aged and friends had kids playing baseball and soccer –wowza. Then of course there were the high school ice hockey parents in recent past. I remember being embarrassed how my friend’s son’s high school team (and parents) were treated in Great Valley a few years ago.
Amazingly this happens – see Staten Island recently:
People wonder why kids fight and bully in school? Look at the fine examples being set by the adults? Anger management, fines, long and humbling community service, and no more youth sports for the win.
This story is not new. It has surfaced here and there, but there is possibly a court date next week it looks like.
Yeah ok, that is sadly not the only thing here. He was also a sergeant with East Whiteland Township Police Department as well as an elected official as a school board member for a few years in Octorara School District. He resigned from that position in April, 2025 not long after he retired from East Whiteland Police Department.
It is no secret that I do not believe serving PD member should be any kind of politician elsewhere. Maybe PD unions don’t say no, but maybe they should? I don’t think given the nature of both positions both can be done and well I am allowed that opinion, yes?
Initially there was a Pennsylvania State Police press or some sort of release 1/23/26:
That was just sort of a “holy cow, really?” thing to read. Mind boggling. Sad. Have I recorded PUBLIC meetings? Yes. But this was different. What is implied here and under investigation would be recording NON-public meetings. Executive session or pre-board or whatever and I know it happens, but utterly unexpected in this case to be honest.
So Goffredo the Superintendent who I have felt should be replaced back in the TikTok of it all is at it again. The TikTok of it all made international news. Essentially there was zero accountability on the part of the parents or offending students IMHO. Of course it is also my opinion that the teachers’ union should have been more supportive of the teachers talking to law enforcement, but hey can’t un-ring that homeroom bell, right?
In a time when our country is fraught with strife and anger and divisiveness and violence, Goffredo is allowing a club that is not some normal high school kids’ political club.
Let the not so subtley veiled attempts at indoctrination begin – the failed political Sabo duo want to “train” your kids and isn’t that special? If you have a problem with this: hcapetola@gvsd.org dgoffredo@gvsd.org jwexler@gvsd.org sotoole@gvsd.orgScreenshot
If this was a regular Republican or Democrat or even Independent or Libertarian political club, I personally wouldn’t give a damn. But this? This is something unlike all of the rest and well, even if in the end allowed, it puts forth a group think that is not actually peaceful or inclusive.
Someone commented on my blog’s Facebook page:
I recall similar groups throughout history who used to pass around flyers and recruit people. I think their activities were a little different but I’m sure the end goal is the same here. I don’t see this as a unifying club. Pretty clear how the language starts off with “Identify…” The only thing missing is a symbol and the letters. How about we start a club called “society” where EVERYONE is included and works together to find common ground and solutions that make sense rather than continuing to file every into Red or Blue and spreading hate while we all get fleeced by those in power.
Then of course we had these treasures who escaped from the echo chambers of hate:
Sigh…can’t even explain the difference between group and page to them, or point out their general ignorance. To not wish to live in the US when it feels like 1930s Germany with social media in the year of our country’s 250th anniversary is a very real feeling. Here we are loving our country, yet wondering why it has deserted her people in favor select factions, and yes this is a real feeling. Conflicted. Sad. Somewhat disgusted that freedom is only if you tow the party line.
So there is a school board meeting this evening. Great Valley School Board won’t do anything, honestly because I don’t know that they can or have the courage to do? However, they can get a new superintendent and exit Daniel F. Goffredo, Ed.D. and assistant superintendent Stephen O’Toole, Ed.D. (whose contract is up for renewal and is supposedly on agenda this evening?)
Below is the activities application which is tearing apart a high school….and community.
Oh and speaking of Great Valley? Kids upset with the new “club” who ripped down posters for it received detention and a fine? And rolling into this…
This “club” which does not have at it’s core an actual desire a real desire to embrace diversity of any sense of the word in a high school that does have a diverse population is really upsetting the KIDS. Not just parents. And the kids need to be taken into consideration here. Fair is fair and if that club gets a chance with this administration, why so punitive on kids upset about frozen feds everywhere? What is it that this school district doesn’t *get* about kids worrying that because of the shade of their skin or perhaps nationality that they will be safe going to school or going home from school?
Maybe Goffredo it is time to take your jackass self on out of this school district?
Today the bulldozers have arrived at 400 S. Leopard Road in Berwyn, Chester County and Easttown Township. We have been living this since the first fire in 2024. Charged with arson in one fire here is still Kathryn Calmus Frankel. She was charged in the new year with a dangerous fire in York County, PA. She was also charged with some sort of fire in Delaware County (Radnor Township.) I am uncertain as to which prison she is located in – I presume York County which is county of latest arson.
Frankel has not been tried in any of these cases as of yet, although I did notice this on the Delaware County, PA docket:
Is there a chance she pleads on all of these cases? Who knows. The media down here has not followed up and we haven’t heard anything out of the various District Attorneys’ offices about that have we?
I am so sad that this quirky old house is becoming something we will maybe remember for a while and then forget as ashes to ashes dust to dust…and we know a McMansion shall replace part of our Chester County history, but two brutal fires have killed this piece of history.
This is yet another reason why this country needs better mental health services.
Here is one more photo and then to follow current dockets from 3 counties and a couple of prior posts.
Bye house. You were once beautiful, quirky, and loved even by strangers driving by.
This whole billionaire is buying up a Main Line area village is disturbing, yet expected at the same time, isn’t it? Is it as simple as nothing says I’ve arrived like “I own you and all of this?”
Ok yes, slightly generalized and sarcastic but that is how this feels, doesn’t it?
Why Gladwyne village? Some might say “why not” but I honestly want to know why don’t you? To me, in my opinion, this doesn’t feel altruistic or having a love of historic structures. I can have that opinion, unless of course in this process the first amendment was purchased as well?
Doesn’t this feel more personal to you? I mean look, Jeff Yass, who is very much part of this is a self-made man of an extraordinary level? An impressive career and financial trajectory is undeniable. After all when you look up his Wikipedia page you see he was a guy from Queens, NY. Described as growing up in an average middle class family and now he’s the Sheriff of Yasswyne, err Gladwyne?
All snark aside, on its face it is impressive. BUT. And this is a big BUT. But why Gladwyne? Is it to be able to look out from what we grew up with as The Guard House, now part of the Union League Club to be able to wave and arm and declare ownership? I don’t have that answer only the little voice inside me says this is still not just about sprucing up a historically listed village, but most billionaires play things close to the vest don’t they? (Not actually a dig, it just makes sense.)
I don’t know that I like the idea of this all being bought up by a new entity who doesn’t seem to truly understand the history of Gladwyne or Gladwyne village. Or maybe it’s just I truly wonder do they care? Is this a passion project or an enormous exhibition of ego meets narcissism?
Things I really don’t like are the word of mouth and direct conversations with people who have been having land agents or realtors or whomever showing up unannounced and uninvited. Whomever these people or this person is, they are trying to chat people up to sell their property and why? They don’t seem to wish to disclose who they are representing and why? Is this deliberate vagueness? A question I have NOT heard asked is DO THEY HAVE SOLICITATION PERMITS FROM LOWER MERION?
What these smiley doorknockers are doing is door to door soliciting, so has the commissioner now representing Gladwyne actually looked into that matter? Shouldn’t he and shouldn’t Lower Merion? They aren’t exactly peddling Girl Scout cookies, after all.
In my opinion (again allowed to have) the more properties acquired means the project gets bigger. I found the house bought at the end of 2025 close to other acquired properties:
So this house is zoned residential, right? I guess then it has to be moved to like some kind of commercial zoning in order for it to be a viable part of the revamped village concept or whatever the hell they’re calling it?
When it comes to bending over for developers, the current director of building and planning at Lower Merion Township is an expert isn’t he? I mean, we all remember or some of us remember the days of eminent domain for private gain in Ardmore don’t worry?
I don’t trust Lower Merion Township. When Bob Duncan was head of Building and Planning you could always count on him doing the right thing, or at least giving you an honest answer, even if it was hard to hear. In my opinion, those days are long gone at far away. And then you look at the manager’s office – the guy formerly from West Chester Borough. He was at that job for 27 years until 2014. He is super development loving manager, look no further than the path he set for West Chester Borough, yes? So in my opinion, is he going to actually care about preserving the historic village center of Gladwyne, PA?
I don’t know enough about the composition of the current Board of Commissioners in Lower Merion to know if any of them really give a good goddamn about the Historic Village of Gladwyne being preserved and not turned into Peddlers Village do you? What I doknow is Lower Merion is prone to historically bad decisions. Look at the failed attempt at eminent domain for private gain years ago?
And for those who think houses can’t be torn down by subsequent owners? Remember La Ronda.
I grew up in Lower Merion and enjoyed it and loved the quirkiness of old Gladwyne. I laughed when with the presentation for the Yasswyne of it all people were ooohing over picnic tables. Why? Had they never visited the Gladwyne Lunch? Not new.
Again, adaptive reuse and restoration? Not a bad idea. But wobbly plans that seem too good to be true? Shall we contemplate they probably are? I’ve been looking at their plans and again no problem with restoration and adaptive reuse but there’s big question marks over the Walter Durham building that houses the pharmacy, etc. and it’s always been an awkward building.
That’s nothing new. I actually don’t think it’s worth saving as it doesn’t work. BUT what replaces it? This is listed historic district, correct? It can’t be too huge and average retail looking it has to be special. It has to fit with the historic district. Size and scale matters. Design matters and this is a historic village, it’s not a beige beige world with loads of stucco.
When you look at the back of the parking lot, which actually isn’t that expensive now you can’t help but wonder are those townhouses over that wall an eventual target of this “reimagining”?
And no matter what happens who protects the residential residents around this “reimagining” ? Why do I feel like the Civic Association isn’t doing much here? Are they afraid? Are they unsure? Are they ignoring it hoping it’ll all go away? And what about the commissioners, including the new guy in Gladwyne?
A wonderful piece of art on a building not owned by the current buyer uppers of the village
And other than the legal wrangling and wondering about commercial and residential deeds and commercial and residential zoning of it all, what about traffic and practical things? Like current traffic? The car rider lines for the Montessori school are no joke and even I have seen those over the years. And then there’s the car rider lines for the elementary school.
And parking. I think it’s a no secret that the Guard House doesn’t have sufficient parking right? So how do we know there will be sufficient parking for this proposed Shangri-La of a Main Line Peddlers Village?
I mean, come on wouldn’t that be better to start smaller and see how this all works? Restore and work with what they have and not tear down houses? or did they buy that house in December to put a business there? If so, what kind and where will the people park for that?
Should we ponder that this is about the soul, moral values of a community and what people want it to be in the future? Do these village purchasers actually want meaningful input from the community or are they paying the community lip service just to get what they want? Come on now, don’t act surprised that I said that because developers do that all of the time, don’t they?
I have written before that there’s a whole history here. That history should neither be ignored nor denied. One of the problems overall on the Main Line in general as newcomers have moved in is they’re there for the lore not the reality. You have all the funny bullshit of what the Main Line is supposed to represent and a lot of. It’s just realtor marketing, take Malvern, which isn’t actually the Main Line but every time you turn around somebody is saying it is.
The village of Gladwyne I first saw as a kid wasn’t perfect. It was quirky, it was old, it was historic, and it was kind of awesome. It still is kind of awesome and it doesn’t need to be tarted up, just spruced up and restored a little bit better.
But nothing is going to happen if concerned residents don’t get off of their behinds and start going to commissioners meetings. Every resident in that municipality has a right to public privilege of the floor as they call it. There is a section set aside for that for non-agenda items at every commissioners meeting. There is also public comment on agenda items, should any of these things about the village of Gladwyne come up on the agendas.
I have noticed that the Township of Lower Merion offers Zoom. I don’t know that they offer comment on Zoom but residents can ask. People can keep up with the agendas and things that have been filed that are loaded on the website as well.
Years ago, the then director of building and planning also often used to have specific mailing list for specific issues within the township. I don’t know if they still do that. But again, I do know that residents can’t depend on the civic or going to those civic association meetings alone. People have to go to the township meetings, when they can in person, an alternatively on Zoom. The residents need to speak for themselves.
But people should be polite. And I know it can be difficult when you’re dealing with a municipality and you don’t feel like you’re being heard. But taxes pay for those bureaucrats, etc., remember that.
It’s not hard to organize, but the people of Gladwyne have to want this for themselves. Because if they roll over now, no matter what happens they’re going to end up with stuff they’re not happy with because they did not participate.
These are just my opinions and observations. In my opinion on the specialist of Gladwyne, as in the village has lived in me since I was a kid. It does not have to be super expensive and overpriced. It just has to be nice. Gladwyne used to be a bit more inclusive.
At the end of the day, I’m also concerned because I have seen what random development does and I’ve seen it in Gladwyne in other parts of the 19035.
I actually do have friends who have had kids in Radnor School District past and present. And I’ve been asking them about this whole AI deep sexual fake thing that we all heard about for quite a while and then it exploded.
“Girls were pulled out of class after the situation was already widely known and visibly escorted to the principal’s office, increasing stigma, exposure, humiliation and distress. This happened despite the parents’ documented request to not interview the girls without speaking to a parent first. They were interviewed 1×1 by a 45 year old male.
So you have these hyper sexualized deep fake videos done by a freshman male who basically came right back to school yet the girls seem like they were doubted and grilled? And interviewed without parents permission or asked to be present in this situation?
“My daughter called me crying after being interviewed one-on-one by the assistant principal. This occurred after we had specifically requested that we be contacted before any such meeting took place, which did not happen. While crying, she said, “Mom, they think I’m lying,” and asked me to pick her up from school.
In my humble opinion, that’s a victim shaming.
One of Radnor School District’s excuses? They thought it was created off campus. But was it? Did the kid use like a Radnor tablet or whatever they give students? And this student did this because why to other students? It’s also just freaking creepy.
These girls, they stood up, they went to adults, and look at the lesson they’re learning? Essentially, it’s like they’re slut shamed by their own school district, isn’t it? Blame the victim, play Pontius Pilate, and wash hands.
We always tell kids they should speak up if something’s wrong, right? So what lesson do they learn when they speak up and they’re looked at like they did something wrong for speaking up?
Maybe it’s inconvenient to deal with the parents of these kids doing things that are actually wrong like the AI deep fake videos, but guess what? That is the job you signed up for isn’t it, Radnor Township School District?
I have had problems with this district over the years just observing how they don’t address bullying enough. And that includes on the school buses.
And then remember when the middle schoolers were acting like packs of wild animals at businesses in downtown Wayne? And Radnor School District did what exactly?
I mean on one hand I agree that they shouldn’t be doing the parenting for parents who aren’t doing the parenting. However, does that mean that these kids get by with no accountability for their actions? And the people these kids hurt are just left feeling vulnerable and exposed and betrayed??
These deep fake things are just another form of bullying. It’s similar what happened at the Great Valley School District and the way they treated the TikTok bullying of teachers by students. That made national news and really those kids had no accountability did they? Or their parents did they? 
These kids might be minors, but there has to be actual accountability. And I don’t feel like there’s not real accountability for the kids or their parents. The parents of the kids doing this crap also have to be held responsible and accountable.
Radnor High School and the school district are sending a message with their in action and double talk that girls don’t matter in my opinion.
What happened to these girls does matter and it wasn’t a harmless prank. It’s all well and good that they’re now looking at changing policy, but look at the damage they’ve done to those young women?
That moment when you see a friend post something totally scary.
This is a big warning to everybody who drives a car please look before you go through a green yes green light! at about 2:00 today I watched a very large heavy recycling/trash truck fly through a red light doing about 45 MPH at the intersection of Valley Hill Road and 401 the truck was heading towards RT 202 I was on Valley hill heading towards Bodine road a very small car in front of me was making a rt on a green light and it had not just changed it had been green as I was heading towards the light the car was inches from getting T boned and rear ended this person I hope knows how lucky they were, I my self slammed on my brakes sent all my groceries flying all over the back seat of my truck. For me I was also lucky 2 seconds sooner it could have been me. This light has a warning light telling drivers that the light is red way before they get to the light, there is absolutely no excuse to blow a red light there and at a fast speed in such a large truck. Please tell your kids to always look both ways before going through a green light never never trust another driver will be stopping. Now to try and get my heart rate back to normal. Be safe !!
This company sucks. Even with new owners they suck.
They fly in and out of my street and some weeks I wonder if they are going to end up in our front yards if not worse. I don’t use them. We use Opdenaker and they are terrific and not sloppy dangerous crazy.
My friend went and literally knocked on doors to get security camera footage and she got video. I will share it.
She said to me:
I have a video but it does not look as fast as he was going and you can’t see it was a red light. In the video it took me 6 seconds to cross because I totally stopped and looked at the light to make sure I was not going through a red light. Then I crossed super careful but I was rt behind the car that almost was hit.
She continued:
I am the white truck.
At the point the video catches him he was slamming on his brakes.
Also when I got home I found our recycling can emptied and a bunch of recycling all over the road and also our neighbors recycling the same like 7-9 pieces of trash.
I wonder if it was the same truck.
Well probably at least the same company because that is their usual M.O.
I told my friend to also call the PA State Police because 401 and Valley Hill where this happened is Charlestown Township and well they don’t have local police, they have Staties.
Let the not so subtley veiled attempts at indoctrination begin – the failed political types want to “train” your kids and isn’t that special? If you have a problem with this contact:
I think in the unpleasant political environment of this country at present, I find it foolhardy for this to be a school sanctioned activity. I would love to know why a health and physical ed teacher is doing this? Will this be monitored?
Using the word “train” has very unpleasant implications. It’s very 1930s Germany of Great Valley School District isn’t it?
Dustin Kasper is the advisor. Why are they meeting in a weight room? I mean, I get that he’s a health and physical teacher. What are they going do sets in between the indoctrination sessions? Kasper went to West Chester University with graduate work at Immaculata. He also apparently served in the military unsure of what branch. He’s also listed as a Realtor at Keller Williams.
So is somebody else leading this group? Or is it an essence led by the faculty advisor?? Sorry I don’t know I’m asking because when I was in high school I did sports and I was on the student newspaper. I never had a desire to be an Alex P. Keaton. I also belong to a service club and we used to do things like beautification projects around the community.
I think if this was just a high school Republican club or a high school Democrat club I wouldn’t care. It’s that other component and I don’t know Turning Point is not my jam and it has a religious component and if this is supposed to model that this is a public school and how does that work?
I have no problem with the restoration of a veterans memorial but where is this veterans memorial? But a weightlifting competition for a pseudo religious political organization? Isn’t that a little odd?
I just think it sounds a little vague. And it’s powered by a group that I don’t really believe promotes good as much as it promotes assimilation, but those aren’t mutually exclusive.
Whatever. The parents who are of a certain political bent will be delighted. I wonder if they will all have cute little uniforms?
I received some very interesting text messages this afternoon. And for those who will try to figure out who it is, it’s a reliable source and it’s not in my usual cadre of contacts.
I forgot all about the Chester County Democrats endorsement convention or whatever the heck they call it. Under the current leadership it has turned into an engineered circus. In my not so humble opinion, utterly defeating the purpose of PRIMARIES.
Anyway it seems the kids are starting to revolt on Grandma Charlotte and some of the others given the messages also passed to me.
This. Is. VERY. INTERESTING no?
Then the next question is, after will Charlotte Valyo resign before the end of her tenure and is she going to try to run unendorsed after drubbing it into people’s heads for the last 4 years that you can’t run unendorsed when of course that is the point of a primary, yes? If she tries to run unendorsed, she needs a T-shirt that says HYPOCRITE.
Now Brian McGuinness is on West Chester Borough Council. He was also at one point in time head of the Chester County Democrats – he had replaced Michelle Vaughn who is currently Register of Wills. But he had some political scandal time circa 2014, didn’t he?
Hans is I presume referring to Hans van Mol, a fairly newly minted Tredyffrin Supervisor with seemingly endless political aspirations. He even had a little campaign for state committee video. I loved his carefully chosen photos in said video , although I don’t know if having Cherelle Parker in the mix was good but it was at least A+ for obvious right?
At one time Hans ran for State Rep, and Warren Kampf defeated him which I still find amusing for many reasons.
And newly minted Downingtown Borough Mayor, Erica Deuso, was not endorsed as well. As of 38 minutes ago however, Ms. Runs for Everything is still trying to get on the ballot for state committee… although she absurdly says something to the effect of just because you get me on the ballot, doesn’t mean you have to vote for me. (Mmkay and I am the tooth fairy.)
I’ll be honest I’m still not an Erica fan and it’s solely because she’s always running for something. It’s not about service, it’s about her. So I guess we call that political narcissism, huh?
Deuso ran unsuccessfully for Downingtown Borough Council. Then with I still believe was Charlotte Valyo’s blessing she tried to primary Danielle Otten and well?
Those who were actually endorsed in the end, I am not certain of at this point in time. I guess I am just sort of stunned that the status quo didn’t just get a hall pass. And I think that is what’s important here.
Democrats in Chester County are sending other Democrats in Chester County a message, as well as the rest of the state. So I think this is interesting and is well worth watching. I am taking this as a positive.
Of course, the next thing I’m wondering is will Charlotte finish out her term? I think it ends at some point this year, right? Or does she have other ambitions? What are the ambitions of the others not endorsed this week?
Tick tock. Politics is a dance meets a multi act play, is it not?
