Oh look we got a letter from “Chester” – I guess it was supposed to say “Chester County” ?
This was to let us know my husband’s vote was counted….a month later. It was the smallest print imaginable and completely half-assed. It was also not even on county letterhead or Department of Voter Services letterhead. It was on cheap copy paper, cheapest weight possible . Dated 12/5/25 and mailed from West Chester.
It did not even say sorry we screwed up or more specifically that Karen Barsoum screwed up.
Obviously Barsoum is not sorry because she has had a month now to apologize to the voters of Chester County.
This entire episode has been pathetic. It was never an election or political conspiracy, it was gross incompetence….and it continues with this pathetic form letter.
So I think this is Tredyffrin Township and this is Stormwater funkadelic. The pipe drains to the public sidewalk. As ONTO the sidewalk along Lancaster Avenue – talk about a winter hazard for pedestrians especially, right?
This is the strip shopping center at 41 E Lancaster Avenue in Paoli where Our Deli etc is.
And no, I was not driving when I took this picture. I was a passenger in a car.
So whichever municipality this is they need to deal with this. It’s a fall hazard for pedestrians and this is going right out onto the road which causes another potential hazard trying to keep the road clear during winter icing events.
We all know the roads aren’t going to be perfect in the winter but something like this dripping over time in freezing weather could just be big enough to cause an accident. I mean, let’s face it. It’s problematic enough getting out of this weird little strip mall.
Developer Eli Kahn at 12/1/25 Tredyffrin Supervisors Meeting
So this is an interesting one at the end of the supervisors’ meeting last evening, Tredyffrin Township’s bumbling and inefficient zoning officer (I am entitled to my opinion and I’m being understated because I don’t understand why she has a job, but I digress) pops up rather nervously to announce to the supervisors that are developer was there with essentially a problem.
What was the problem? Something to do with the sewer and how his workforce housing project was essentially being potentially charged too much if it goes forward the way it is for sewer capacity they’re not going to use, right?
Here is the recording of that portion of the meeting:
I don’t understand how it was just sort of popped on the agenda like this do you? I’m not saying he shouldn’t be heard because he should be heard, and this is a developer whose projects I am not generally speaking fond of, but when you listen to this meeting snippet, do you really think he’s wrong? I actually don’t. (Shocker, right?)
This project was introduced at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025:
So this is a trend we’ve seen being proposed in other municipalities and not just by this developer. It’s all about redeveloping these old commercial properties and these office buildings that have become obsolete whales and making them into living units, and in some cases, schools?
So I have to ask are we potentially replacing one problem with another problem? To be clear l, I’m not saying I’m against workforce housing if it actually happens. But I also look at these plans for this housing and so many of the units are these little itty-bitty things so what about workforce housing for families?
But I’m not going off on that tangent today that’s just something I think about. We definitely need affordable housing for all stages of life, but do we really need more apartments? I keep asking that question.
So the reason Eli Kahn went to Tredyffrin has to do with sewer. And sewer capacity and what he is paying for. It’s an interesting conversation. Listen to the video. So he’s telling the supervisors that they have problems in their sewer fee structures I guess? Basically he’s saying it’s not a one-size-fits-all?
I find it interesting, just like I find it. Interesting how it all kind of got plopped at the end of this meeting.
What is it with sewer fees and sewer capacity and municipalities out here so you have the thing that West Goshen Sunshine uncovered that’s on her Facebook page about fees paying health insurance bills of supervisors?
And then, of course, we have West Whiteland Township, trying to do the right thing for residents being sued by the Exton Mall developer and why? If there isn’t really sewer capacity, how should they be able to build as much? I don’t understand. it’s not like that’s the only problem on that site is there? Not enough parking correct? Too many houses for the area because of the density already existing correct?
Around 6:30 AM this morning, Casella Waste Systems showed up to pick up residential garbage in a residential neighborhood. They are the successor to Whitetail and pretty much are just as bad as per the reviews.
6:30 AM is too early in a residential area. Noise ordinances exist for a reason.
Of course because I posted this on Facebook the great unwashed had to roll up and say I was being mean to trashmen. Duh, the guys driving the trucks don’t set the schedule. That’s why I didn’t call the police which municipalities say to do. (I also don’t believe that it is the role of police departments to babysit trash trucks who get their orders from the corporate offices.)
So the comments I am sharing are representative of the dumb dumb chorus and posted publicly.
One of my favorite comments is from a woman who posted a public photo on her Facebook page that I found very amusing for the tacky factor.
I am not being mean to the working man. Also my trash hauler NEVER does this holidays or not. And FYI my neighbors who use this company don’t particularly care to be woken up too early.
And again, the drivers don’t set the schedule, the offices do. So that is where I take my complaint. TO THE OFFICE.
Enjoy the obnoxious comments received before removing them and their authors.
The great unwashed and ignorant on social media are after all, national treasures!
This photo is from a Google search and it’s just a screenshot
Well, it’s no secret that election day was a total study in incompetence, gross incompetence, on the part of the Chester County Director of Voter Services Karen Barsoum. I am starting this post reminding the knee jerk reaction chorus in the rear of the attention span auditorium that I am not an election conspiracy theorist. I am not a voting conspiracy theorist I am not saying there was malicious intent, what I am saying is there was gross incompetence.
I am really, quite honestly tired of the people defending this woman. She’s been here long enough and worked in another voter services department in Berks County prior to this that she should not have screwed things up this election or the spring primary where she actually left an entire row office race off of the ballot.
This is something procedurally that it remains the same. There’s one procedure in the spring, there’s another procedure in the fall. Epic fail, pure and simple.
I have mentioned before the crazy amount of turnover in that office. That’s because people don’t want work with her, in my opinion. People need jobs, so if they aren’t taking jobs in that department or constantly leaving, there’s a reason.
Basically, we have heard from everyone, except Karen Barsoum. Her socials are suddenly quite quiet and seem scrubbed as well.
She should’ve been front and center at the county commissioners meeting yesterday, even if just to make a brief statement and leave the room. Everyone has been apologizing for this situation except her. And to be honest given how much she loves the sound bite going back to Berks County, I find that odd.
Obviously to stand up and own is not as fun as being on 60 Minutes or quoted in USA Today or whatever, but you have to have a accountability for the good and the bad and she doesn’t ever seem to have accountability and it’s time for her to be accountable. Then it’s time for her to go.
This is right off the social media of certain Democrat state representatives. I didn’t imagine this out of thin air.
I’m glad they see things the way average people do because I had some toadstool from Easttown or close to that vicinity basically accuse me of being a conspiracy theorist today over this whole debacle with voter services.
I’m not. I never have been.
This is a simple case of incompetency at the top of that department. The director is Karen Barsoum. This is on her.
And then there was the woman who said the only one I was impressing with my independent status was myself, and I should just shut up. Oh yeah, for real see below screenshot :
Now let’s review: I’m pretty sure if I remember what people told me in the past once they are ready to get the “books” printed for the election they have to check over everything and I’m sure there are all sorts of things that they have to check in some kind of a computer program, right?
At that point, they first have to generate the books in-house and then they go to an outside printer, correct?
Unless they changed it it’s not a magical overnight process is it it’s a process that would occur probably the week before the election last week right?
So who checked the work before it went to the printer? I mean with a problem this big if they even sampled random “books“ from around the county wouldn’t they have found this mistake? One of my sources told me they did not reprint the spring books so this is just a colossal screwup, isn’t it?
So working on the theory that the books would have been sent to be printed last week and delivered last week why didn’t anybody check them when they first came back in final printed for him to make sure they were correct?
Now I get that this department is now short staffed but wouldn’t a reasonable procedure be to check a sampling of the books to make sure they were correct?
So they’re going to be a lot of questions that need to be answered in the days ahead, but if the PA Attorney General gets involved, remember he’s having months long issues with some database, isn’t he?
My new hashtag is #firekarenbarsoum
I also have to ask is Chester County going to be able to certify these elections?
This is a huge debacle.
And it’s Karen Barsoum‘s fault this is her department. She’s made a big deal how she’s such a leader. A leader and competent manager would have checked her department’s work.
Judge Rovito has extended voting until 10 PM. The only issue I have with that is the Democrats and Republicans as far as registered voters weren’t disenfranchised today. It was those who are Independent or unaffiliated. So really why should Republican and Democrat registered voters get extra time to vote when it was in Independents and other unaffiliated who were in effect disenfranchised?
Talk about limp dicky political marketing right? Who’s your developer daddy, Dicky Ricky? Or should we say daddies? Who’s writing your copy? The illustrious mayor of the mythical Walkable Willistown? Or some other sewer rats?
I mean can we review ?
Willistown kept the sewer system and the sewer system needs work so how do you all propose to pay for repairs?
So what if Matt McCarry works for the Pennsylvania House Office of the Majority Leader (Democratic) AKA Matt Bradford? Do you think that gives him an inside track in Chester County? It doesn’t as the guy he works for is out of Montgomery County. What it does mean, however, is he has a very good idea of how things work, as opposed to Dicky Ricky.
So yeah, in Willistown, they love their nasty mailers. And if they aren’t sending out nasty mailers, they’re taking up time with voluminous right to know requests and basically harassing township staff.
Willistown, you have a chance for different things but if you vote for Dicky Ricky you get what you deserve. And the pathway to eventual true chaos.
The only thing that stinks in Willistown is whatever is emanating from the posteriors of the people sending out these stupid mailers. And the horse they are backing isn’t even a show pony. He never came to meetings or showed interest before being put up to run for supervisor. And his appearances since he announced his candidacy have been cameos at best.
Oh and Dicky Ricky is so bad Bob Lange sent a letter out to some constituents I got a hold of. I have sharpened the photo of it I was sent by a resident and warmed the background so people can read it. If you don’t believe me that Bob sent this, go buy a pumpkin and ask him. And try the salsa if there is any left in the cold case, it’s really good.
Now so you can follow the money here are some Ricky Reports I am fascinated by the often odd donation amounts:
So someone posted in a Malvern Facebook group about “is Malvern the Main Line?”
Eyes rolling, not this again.
No people it’s Chester County and always will be and that is totally fine and accurate to the history.
Saying Malvern is the Main Line is merely realtor/developer marketing by those who don’t know any better and/or don’t care.
The “Main Line” got the nickname from the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad mid-19th century. In the early 20th century it was attached more kind of socially and socioeconomically to the area beginning at the city line of Overbrook and ending in Paoli for social and historical reasons .
Malvern is part of the train line headed west but no more a part of the Main Line than Thorndale or Lancaster and Harrisburg are, which are also part of the same line that headed west.
It is like saying Downingtown and the edge of Coatesville is Chester Springs, which is also part of current day developer and realtor spin. And like Malvern should just be proud to be “Chester County”
Another example? People from Northeast Philadelphia don’t say that they live in Chestnut Hill do they? Or confuse Society Hill with West Philadelphia? Or say South Philadelphia is Rittenhouse Square? All of these places, including the Main Line and Chester County have their own unique history.
Those who didn’t grow up here also like to misstate the history, especially where the Main Line is concerned.
I grew up on the Main Line and lived there as an adult until I moved to Chester County to be with my husband, so I actually know the history and FWIW would rather be in Chester County because the Main Line isn’t what it used to be.
Of course for my efforts in attempting to explain this some turdsticker in that group called me a Karen. That is not a pejorative term that can be applied to me except by someone who is pig ignorant, but it helps him get through his day as an angry mansplainer.
I am glad Malvern and Chester County have their own identities and towns in Chester County can and should have their own individual and unique identities and don’t need to be plunked into inaccurate Stepford real estate marketing.
How come we have to keep discussing this?
People. Learn your railroad history. It is how these towns were built.
The Philadelphia Main Line, known simply as the Main Line, is an informally delineated historical and socially pretentious and ridiculous region of suburban Philadelphia, as freaking created by old railroad lines. These towns became more cohesive along the Pennsylvania Railroad’s once prestigious “Main Line”, which ran northwest from Center City Philadelphia parallel to Route 30 (Lancaster Ave to some Lancaster Pike to some Lincoln Highway to others.)
The railroad first connected Philadelphia to the Main Line towns in the 19th century.
They became home to sprawling country estates and hotels belonging to Philadelphia’s wealthiest families, and over the decades became a bastion of “old money”. People built their summer homes out here at that point. In the 18th century wealthy Philadelphians summered in places like Fairmount Park. In the 19th century the railroads moved them further west.
The Main Line has this fabled history. I lived there until coming to Chester County. My parents moved us there when I was about 12. So yeah, I know the history. In some regards I think I lived there in the sunset of it’s greatness. The Main Line as it exists today I find distasteful and gauche sometimes because well, the nouveau Main Line neither gets nor appreciates nor really cares about the actual history.
Until the railroads, the Main Line was a lot of country. Farms, quarries, mills, even factories. It became genteel versus rural/copuntry living by it’s very history. The Pennsylvania Railroad and 19th century real estate developers and speculators truthfully get the credit here.
Like Wayne, PA which was essentially a developer planned community of it’s day. Don’t believe me? Visit the Radnor Historical Society Website.
When this topic of what the Main Line actually is and what the actual historical boundaries are crops up on social media, someone always leaves a conversation feeling offended.
Sorry not sorry but Malvern isn’t and never will be the Main Line. As I have said before, it’s Chester County and everyone in the Malvern area should be ok with it as Malvern already has a wonderful identity and history.
One of my dear friend’s grandfathers was an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad. He moved his family from the city to Haverford near Merion Cricket Club. The road they settled on had several homes built as a direct result of the railroad. Like many of the homes in Wayne, it was desirable because one could walk to the train station.
Growing up, we never thought the Main Line was one centimeter past Paoli…because we knew the history. Today it’s like saying you are from Greenwich, Connecticut or similarly affluent and storied suburbs… when you are not. Or even what defines Manhattan, versus living in the other boroughs of New York City but saying you live in Manhattan.
When we were growing up there was this little thing we did to remember the order of the train stations. Old Maids Never Wed And Have Babies. Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr. You can find this mentioned here on this blog which I find amusing because they say they think the ditty ends with Bryn Mawr Station because it was thought of possibly by a Bryn Mawr College girl. This blog is called Philadelphia Reflections and I love it because they write about the most interesting stuff!
Growing up, we never thought the Main Line was one centimeter past Paoli…because we knew the history. Today it’s like saying you are from Greenwich, Connecticut or similarly affluent and storied suburbs. Or even what defines Manhattan, versus living in the other boroughs of New York City but saying you live in Manhattan.
And just so we are clear, I am not some old Main Line trust fund baby. We lived there because my parents decided to move us there as we got older for access to better schools and a way of life that included being able to play outside whenever we wanted. However, where I grew up was close to where one of my great-grandmothers was in service. Rebecca Nesbitt Gallen. She was a summer housekeeper for the Cassatt family(think Merion Cricket Club) at their Cheswold Estate. Of course Alexander Cassatt was also famous for his Chesterbrook Farm in Berwyn. We of course know Chesterbrook today as the giant development that popped the cherry of suburban density development. It’s hard to believe that Chesterbrook today was once a glorious 600+ acre farm, right?
And yes, Chesterbrook Farm was in Berwyn…yet Chesterbrook the development today has a Wayne post office zip code. Yup even Chesterbrook wasn’t o.k. where it really was, was it? Again, real estate/developer marketing.
Yeah, I know this has been quite the ramble. But I just don’t think Chester County needs to be completely annexed to the freaking Main Line. It’s preposterous. Stick to the history. It tells you the boundaries. And yes, there are several towns (and townships) that have parts of themselves which are part of the Main Line historically, although not in their entirety. Like parts of Chester County. Chester County has a rich history that is far more interesting than the mere history of the Main Line which was created by the railroads.
Thanks for stopping by….writing today as always from beautiful Chester County, PA. (NOT the Main Line.)
Yes, Virginia, there may indeed be a Santa Claus, but Malvern will always just be Chester County and not the Main Line. This is another example why actual history matters, not what revisionists wish to reimagine it as.
Hello Chester County! Welcome to the nastiest race in Chester County! The Honey Brook Thug Politics Cabal is in a FULL ON swivet because people like Valerie Shultz and they want better in local government than those people.
Sadly, every day these pathetic humans are harassing people including the executive branch of the Chesco GOP in West Chester, aren’t they?
I mean, I guess this is a step up and intimidation and harassment tactics from some rando truck following people around in Honey Brook Township on occasion, including somebody’s kids right? But how you know it’s Honeybrook there’s nothing to see here, right?
What’s next? Mythical complaints to voter services about campaign signs without a disclaimer or whatever? Note to cabal: buy better readers at The WalMart because they are there, however where bubba was a hoodie is concerned what is it with him referencing a benefactor on his signs yet say something like paid for by the candidate?
And is he taking down his own signs to say they are being stolen? Or is he placing them on private property where he doesn’t have explicit permission to post his lame signs?
Honey Brook, stop the badness and the madness with these people and #vote4val
My disclaimer: I’m exercising my first amendment rights. I am not part of any campaign. I do not donate financially to political campaigns and never have. I believe in paying it forward and that is what I am doing here.
Honey Brook deserves better than the thug politics cabal which also extends to the Twin Valley School Board. Vote for change; break the cabal with a #vote4val
The other day I saw the most disturbing thing go by in a parenting group on Facebook.
A woman posted seeking doctor and even hospital referrals for a friend who is concerned about weird physiological and physical symptoms being exhibited by their adult child and her friend wasn’t on Facebook. For expediency, because the random things that this young adult is facing, the woman posting posted some of the “what happeneds” as a way to explain ER visits.
Well the comments went from Doctor Google to Doctor Grok at the ChatGPT minute clinic. It was literally astounding. You see instead of saying try certain hospitals for ERs and specialists, these people put what the woman wrote into AI and were cutting and pasting AI diagnoses!
It was literally like watching a car crash unfold. All I kept thinking was these were women with children, and kids get sick, so are they no longer taking kids to the doctor but using artificial intelligence to diagnose their kids?
That totally freaked me out because of the sheer stupidity of it. They ran a stranger’s symptoms through AI, which along with everything else demonstrated a complete and utter lack and disregard for what was actually asked.
Look I know it’s ridiculously hard sometimes because of this country’s messy healthcare system to get in front of a specialist, but there is absolutely no substitute for real medical professionals getting eyes on a patient and performing necessary tests, scans, bloodwork. There is no substitute for speaking face to face with someone who is trained in a particular medical specialty.
Because of our cumbersome healthcare system it is often the case that we are left with only the option of going through an ER to get to specialists. That is definitely not fun, I get it, but you can’t replicate a human doctor via AI nor should you.
It’s a pain in the ass dealing with healthcare systems. I totally concur with that statement as I’ve had to deal with it far too often in the past few years, but I’m still not going to go to some AI platform on my phone to seek medical advice and no one should do it and the fact that people consider doing it with their kids is crazy.
I think this is just another example of the laziness and lack of intellectual curiosity in people today.
People have lost their common sense. I guess it’s too much effort?
