Happy Boxing Day world! Today, I’m tired of typing you get to hear me speak….
holiday musings
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‘tis the season, santa for a christmas meander…
This is a post which is still a bit raw form-wise. This has evolved over several days, ending with today, Christmas Eve.
I will admit this year that I have been having an off and on case of the bah humbugs. I think everyone has a year like that and I didn’t even decorate as much as I normally did.
I’m just starting the Christmas cookies today. Thank God, I remembered to get the Christmas turkey out of the freezer to put into the refrigerator to thaw.
Sometimes the cause of Christmas blahs can be traced to dealing with people who are selfish or unpleasant. I will admit that there’s quite enough of that to go around this year in general given the world and the odd environment in which we all find ourselves living.
I’m finding it hard to be positive because everything around us is so negative and the genesis of that is the grudge keeper in chief living in what was the White House. I don’t know what we call that place now, maybe the tacky palace with not a hall of presidents, but maybe a hall of vindictiveness?
Anyway, I found myself in an awkward situation the other day that I wasn’t even directly involved in but now it’s sitting in my head so I am going to write it out to release it.
We sent some presents to out-of-towners and received a phone call that there wasn’t a present for a particular person. I felt like I was living in the twilight zone because it’s someone who is not in regular contact with us and we don’t really know.
This is very much not a kid, but an adult who also doesn’t know us. If I was going to be in that particular home, I would come up with gifts for all, but since we are just mailing a couple things up and this isn’t someone who lives at that address, it simply didn’t occur to me. It wasn’t a slight.
Honestly it just doesn’t occur to me to get presents for everyone, especially people that don’t actually connect with you or see. I mean, honestly I don’t think I’ve ever received a present from this particular person so they are not on my radar. I’m not being mean or keeping book or anything, it simply doesn’t occur to me because it’s not somebody I never exchange presents with. Honestly, I don’t exchange anything with them except pleasantries if I see them somewhere.
And then there’s what do you do about someone that you were once very close to that seems to be just cutting people out of their life? I mean, this is someone with whom I used to speak with and see quite regularly, but they’ve put a wall up around me and lots of other people who were once in their circle.
They are literally withdrawing. And it’s not because of an argument or a major disagreement they’re just withdrawing.
Sometimes people do that for health reasons, I really don’t know what the case is here, but you know you do just get tired of trying although you don’t stop caring. If it is illness, they will have to tell people in their own way in their own time if that’s what they choose.
I don’t expect a lot out of people, but when you try to include people in things and it’s just like it goes nowhere after a while you’re like OK, the phone works both ways.
I have found that this was a year where I stopped tolerating people being mean. And I’ve gotten tired of the endless criticism of what I should be doing as a blogger, followed by then you should be writing about XYZ. Since I have started to push back on these things oh my goodness, the comments and the private messages that are unsolicited just blow my mind.
I write about what I want to write about, and the people that are in my world are the people that I want to be in my world. It’s pretty much that simple.
But honestly, I’m going to go make some Christmas cookies now because I need to find my Christmas spirit again.
As more random thoughts form I will come back to this post.
So now the cookie dough is prepared and I’m coming back to my readers on Sunday.
You know the simple gift of a thank you, or and I’m sorry when you’re wrong has immeasurable value.
This morning, I received a note from an elected official who said in part:
📌 I…want to thank you for your coverage on issues that always don’t make frontline news but are important for the community to know about and understand. Your coverage has helped me to be a better public servant, and person. Transparency, communication, coordination and humility are not just words but values I remind myself of everyday. Thank you again for being a strong voice! 📌
In an era when so many elected officials are literally trying to figure out how they can “get me” or non-elected officials that just don’t like what I write who are behaving in a similar manner, this means something. Especially because I’m not a compensated blogger I write about things that interests me because I care.
It’s like when you start to wonder if there is hope for humanity left, something happens to remind you it is indeed. And I’m not being overly dramatic saying that, I know plenty of people who have thought that especially this year.
I had one friend who came to our Christmas party who thanked me because she said she’s been having a fit of the bah humbugs. And then I had something unexpected this afternoon.
I heard from the now former sister-in-law of a friend of mine whom I love and miss very much. And it was just that simple contact and it led to me connecting with my late friends now former husband who always meant a lot to us as well. I swear the fey part of me felt like she sent them or it was just a nice god wink.
Whatever the case may be, it was just so nice. And it was just so nice in a world where people don’t know how to be nice anymore. I’m not excusing myself from that statement because sometimes I’m not nice and I know that. I get pushed to a point where I’m just done.
But this has been a Christmas season where the Christmas spirit has been in fits and spurts. I am watching people I know, being hurt, unnecessarily, sometimes by the very community in which they live by the very government that they try to believe in, or should I say, tried.
Municipalities like many others in this country have actually forgotten about the U.S. Constitution and how citizens (mostly through the First Amendment) have the right to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a “redress of grievances.”
Residents can literally under the U.S. Constitution have the ability of direct appeals, which means they can contact government officials themselves. Residents can also perform very simple forms of advocacy and lobbying by using free speech and assembly – going to meetings, etc. they also have a right to peaceful protest. Yet in this crazy world in which we live, apparently our rights are subjective, and I think a lot of it depends on who you know these days which is not the way it was designed by our founding fathers was it?
Democracy is not supposed to be just a word is it?
I find all of that rather depressing. And these municipalities in some cases, need to get over their God complexes. Some are going after residents when there are even traditional media reports to back up their claims, and yes it’s kind of crazy when they’re going after residents isn’t it?
This was the year where I didn’t watch the news as much anymore. And a lot of that has to do with everything that is happening in this country. Most of it is beyond our control. Except then you think about people that live through World War II and other things and what they’re seeing, and in a lot of cases they see more than we do because they lived through that once already.
What was it Joan Baez said this summer? Truth doesn’t age, and neither does courage?
That statement of hers made me think. Just like another statement from Maria Shriver I saw on her socials this morning and am sharing:
May God bless you all during this holy season. May you hold those you love dearly. May you make time to be with those you care about and tell them so. And may you head into a new year filled with hope. I know it might feel tough right now to feel hopeful, but that is exactly why we must all take some time to reflect and find the light within.
So, I’m going to focus on my refilling my light, strengthening my spirit, and surrounding myself with love. I’m going to take a break from social media for the rest of the year, and I’ll see you back here in 2026! ♥️ #takingabreak
She’s not wrong. Maybe that’s what we all need to do? Unplug a little?
It’s now Christmas Eve and yes this is a disjointed meander. My mood has improved and the cookies are baked, Christmas Eve dinner is planned, and the turkey for Christmas Day is about to go brine dunking.
Today has had visits from friends and neighbors reminding me that goodness exists in spite of strife.
I started the day by calling into the WCHE morning show. Barry and Steve and Eric were talking about giant snowflakes. Talk about an amusing excuse to call in, right? Anyway we had a good giggle.
Earlier this week I played Santa with my neighbors. There is a tradition that started when this neighborhood started, way before my time. We leave little gifts for each other. Some have moved away, and others choose not to participate, and one family is so new they probably have no idea why people are leaving presents. It’s a nice tradition, and more people should do it but our neighborhoods are more transient, so in a lot of cases today, people don’t know their neighbors.
So maybe now it’s time to wind up this ramble and wish people Merry Christmas. 2025 has been a crazy year, but now we are on the precipice of a new year, right? What will our future be?
Merry Christmas readers.
….and to all a good night (a little early.)
bob lange’s last willistown meeting
I was asked to be there in person and life got in the way, and I was unable to attend the last Willistown meeting of the year and I am sorry I couldn’t be there. I saw no sewer rats in attendance so it probably would’ve been a nice meeting with the exception of Mrs. Golfball the lone public comment, which I have included. Complete segue but what does one expect when one moves next to a golf club and golf course? And do we really think some golfer meant to hit her with a golf ball? Why doesn’t she just ask them to or put up netting herself near the edges of her property to catch the golf balls so they don’t come onto her property?
Mrs. Golfball was quintessential of the types who move to Willistown and then complain about the color of the sky, the scent of horse and cow manure etc. and don’t get me started about sidewalks on twisty dangerous windy roads that won’t ever work, right?
Sorry, I digress.
Bob Lange gave way more many years than most people ever would to municipality.
He’s done an amazing amount of things for his home community in Willistown, and the meeting this week, reflected that. It was really nice to see some old familiar faces like Andy Dinniman.
I was glad to see that the Willistown Republicans or some Republicans got up to say job well done, especially after the treatment he received for exercising his right to choose his own political candidate to vote for in a presidential election as an American.
Again, I noticed that it didn’t seem as if the sewer rats were in attendance, and I will mention them again because in my opinion they are the most horribly rude people consistently in Willistown Township and I would love to know how much money the Township spends per annum on the often frivolous right to know requests that they file? Anyway did they think they were punishing Bob by denying their presence? I am sure they will be back, don’t you?
But back to Bob Lange’s last meeting.
I first met Bob when I came out here to be with my husband. The picture you see in the post above I took in 2012 when I happen to be on the farm one day because he was nice enough to let me take pictures of some of the fields one fall. They were just so beautiful even then getting ready for winter.
Willistown is a beautiful township. A lot of that is down to Bob’s part in the stewardship. For 27 years. People talk about public service, Bob Lange has lived it.
As human beings, we are all flawed. Bob Lange in my estimation has never pretended or pronounced himself to be perfect like a lot of his armchair critics seemingly self-proclaim, but in Willistown you have always known that he cares about the township and acted proactively. And sorry not sorry, the abuse heaped on the supervisors there in general and the manager over the past few years has been astounding and that’s not a positive. (Yes, sewer rats and your motley band of malcontents I am speaking about all of you. You have made yourselves public figures via your antics.)
One of my favorite parts of this meeting was listening to Andy Dinniman. So many pearls of wisdom last night. And he spoke of when we were all still different political persuasions but essentially we behaved better.
Anyway, job well done Bob and thank you and Merry Christmas and we will see you around your farm!
Also Bob? Episcopal Academy has always been a sentimental favorite of mine as a Shipley gal because of some of the amazing friends I still have from there.
sometimes a christmas party can do good too!
On a snowy afternoon, what’s a fun thing to do? Hmmm…maybe go to a Christmas party in an antique market of course!
You also need music …
And some nibbles….
And add some friends and #shoplocal !
We did this at Frazer Antique Market and it was magical. Most importantly besides friends coming together at Christmastime? Supporting a local business and vintage/antiques and crafts people.
It’s not about the influencers who want a ridiculous photo for their Instagram and Snapchat, this is about supporting our local businesses.
And no, I was not compensated for this post OR this event. We paid to host it.
This was our Christmas present to friends and loving what’s local.
Also many, many thanks to the acoustic duo The Dunns for the festive music to add to the atmosphere. You can hear them locally at places like VK Brewing and Myrtos as well as other local spots and places like Cape May in warmer weather months. And they are occasionally available for private events!
#shoplocal
love note from “chester” (and fire karen barsoum)
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.
Fire Karen Barsoum for Christmas.
oh ok, the current west vincent township manager and that federal law suit from east cocalico which seems to have reactivated and other curiosities….as the west vincent turns lives large, eh?
Holy run on title Bat Man! Yes I know but there’s so much right?
So West Vincent Township definitely in the opinion of many not only has a sketchy track record with supervisors (I mean hello? Everything old is new again 2x former manager Jim Wendelgass is now a supervisor, right?) and managers and solicitors? Things might be good or ok for a couple/few years and then it’s a swirling hot mess again, right?
So the newish manager, Tommy Ryan? First of all what kind of shlub later middle aged man goes by the name of Tommy? Does he have a Bobbie Sue and Jimmy John in his family tree too? So Tommy boy (that’s a fitting nickname right?) seems to play municipal hopscotch?
So this post on Facebook, December 8th made me take notice.
Cue the screenshots:
So if the doctor of this Fox Run Road property in question is the same one I researched from California, why would he pick West Vincent for his little real estate project?
So this is at 2 Fox Run Road in West Vincent. It’s 4.4 acres.
Here was a Zillow on it:
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2-Fox-Run-Rd-Chester-Springs-PA-19425/54730468_zpid/
Here’s the deed etc:
Here’s the website:
So….the website describes it as a site for micro events and a bed & breakfast?
I have no problem with a bed & breakfast inn but what defines a “micro event” ? Maybe Tommy boy should elaborate on the “gray area”? For a bed and breakfast inn, there is zoning in West Vincent but they had issues with short term AKA Air B n B rentals a while back right? Now I do not know enough about West Vincent Zoning to know if B & B owners have to be on site or not. I know they have a form:
Now I noodled around on the West Vincent website looking for historic commission mentions of this property. Couldn’t find anything and that property and barn did major reno right?
So yes, this is all curious, and might not be a problem if people simply understood what is going on, right?
But then West Vincent Township Manager Tommy Ryan appeared in a second post on Facebook December 9. Allow me to present verbiage and screenshots:
Thank you to those who have reached out to me about the new event venue that West Vincent Township is turning a blind eye to in my residentially zoned neighborhood (its apparently a “gray area” for how commercial businesses can be in residentially zoned spots). But who is this bumpkin that is running the township and making these decisions? Buckle in folks, and let me give you the background i found online about Tom Ryan…. complete with a lie he put on his resume when he applied at WVT (wait… maybe it’s a “micro” lie??).
When Tom Ryan applied to WVT for the manager spot, his resume stated the following jobs:
* 2010-2015: West Bradford Township Manager
* 2015-2022: Worcester Township Manager
* Jan 2023-current: East Cocalico Township Manager
The resume is an item you can RTK as is his cover letter. How do I remember these dates? Because I googled him to see what his history was, and what I found didn’t match the dates on his resume. Odd, isn’t it? And then I had other secretaries and his former coworkers who reached out to me before he started at WVT to “warn” me about him because his reputation as a horrible boss and questionable person compelled them to reach out. If you ever bump into me and want to hear MY stories as one of his employees, just ask. I’ve had many people ask me things, and I have zero-problems giving my impression and experiences (and I wrote down EVERYTHING as it happened).
Back to his work history that can be found online, and what I found that made me scratch my head…
* 4/2008-4/2010 (2 years): Trappe Borough Manager.
This was the SECOND job where Tom worked with WVT solicitor, Dave Onorato (the first place being at Towamencin Township). This was one of the jobs where I received “warning” calls about Tom from previous coworkers and various secretaries. I won’t detail those conversations in writing since legally some of that information was hearsay (although I fully believe this info since various sources told me the same naughty things). However, the information I received about how he treats people and his persona? SPOT ON! And I witnessed those things first-hand when he started (as have many of you). It does not surprise me AT ALL that he was no longer there after 2 years. I’ll leave it at that.
* 4/2010-3/2011 (11 mos): Hatboro Township Manager.
This is interesting because he said on his resume which he submitted to WVT that he was working at WEST BRADFORD in 2010. How is that so?? And he only held this job for 11 months. I found an interesting newspaper article mentioning that shortly after Tom was hired, the solicitor resigned. Here’s a portion of that article:
…..Interesting article, no?
And Tom was gone from that job before his one-year anniversary in March 2011. Sooooo, it doesn’t look like he was in West Bradford in 2010 like his resume detailed.
* 5/2011-9/2015 (4 years): West Bradford Township Manager (this was the job he said he started in 2010, but WBT BOS meeting minutes don’t show him being appointed until mid-2011).
Someone said this is the township where he lived. Hmm, so why leave? Ironically, he resigned when the Public Works Director resigned (accepted at the same meeting). I read some interesting articles about this double-resignation. When a boss and his employee leave like this, there’s always a story. I found out some questionable news about this, but we still have more jobs to cover, so let’s move on, shall we?
* 9/2015-8/2022 (7 years): Worcester Township Manager.
Sure, Tom was here for 7 years. But coincidentally, Tom’s resignation was at the same meeting where a Public Works Laborer resigned as well. A repeat of his last job maybe? The stories about this double resignation run rampant there, too.
* 1/2023-2/2025 (2 years): East Cocalico Township Manager.
Interestingly enough, the tax collector of that township filed a Federal Lawsuit right after Tom left alleging him and others of First Amendment violations. I’m sure the lead-up to this had nothing at all to do with him leaving.
* 3/2025-current (9mos and counting): West Vincent Township Manager.
And now he’s here in WVT. And he’s back together with Dave Onorato who is our solicitor (job #3 with him). OH! And I believe there was a short stint as the VP and Director of Water Services at ARRO Consulting. But I was told by ARRO-peeps that it was only a few-month thing “for obvious reasons” (didn’t ask for elaborations on that… I already got a good picture in my mind).
Now think back to when John Granger was WVT manager (SURPRISE: John also worked with both Dave and Tom at a previous job like three amigos; Tom spoke very highly of John Granger when he started at WVT). People asked about whether background checks were done on Granger. Did anyone do them for THIS hiring? And if they did, did they ask about these things that were found with simple googling? And if so, were all these things just easily explained (although that year assigned to West Bradford seems a bit harder to let go)?
So when I now hear from my neighbors that there is a “gray area” over having a commercial event venue in a residentially zoned neighborhood, I have to look at the man allowing it to happen (and being paid $160k to do so). And ultimately I need to look at the people who hired this man which is our elected Board of Supervisors (and I’m sure they are appointing him to another year as manager come the January reorg meeting). If zoning is open to this much “interpretation”, then maybe we need to get someone who can do a better job interpreting.
And a huge thank you to the county employees who reached out to me today to get more information about my previous post. At least they understand the difference between commercial and residential. I hope the township pays attention when they come knocking to discuss this with them.
Thanks for listening to my history lesson. Again, feel free to keep goggling and see what YOU come up with.
Kristina Casey used to work for West Vincent. So she is a woman who left a municipality this guy managed? Maybe I would not think twice except for this:
Excerpt:
Hatboro’s solicitor, Christen Pionzio, faced with a situation she felt put both the borough and her law firm at risk, took everyone by surprise when she announced her resignation at Hatboro Council’s committee meeting Monday night.
In a prepared statement, she told officials it wasn’t working with the new borough manager, Tommy Ryan, because his way of operating prevents her from protecting the borough, exposing herself and her firm, Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell and Lupin, to liability.
“To continue to represent Hatboro under these circumstances would not only jeopardize the integrity of the borough, but my law firm as well,” said Pionzio, who has been Hatboro’s legal counsel since the winter of 2009.
Ryan, who came to Hatboro last month, declined to comment for this article.
“He told me directly that he has the expertise to identify legal issues and that he would let me know when my services were needed,” Pionzio said. “To have a non-lawyer prepare legal documents that could have far reaching liability for the borough is dangerous.”
According to Pionzio, Ryan will now draft documents, such as resolutions and ordinances. He had also requested Word documents of the easement agreements she had drafted for the borough, which she emphasized was her legal work product.
Resolutions are sometimes drafted by staff and always reviewed by solicitors, Pionzio said, but ordinances have real legal implications, such as granting rights to property owners or taking them away.
So yeah, Tommy boy was in Trappe for 2 years before Hatboro:
Then (plot twist), not even a year after Tommy boy took his job in Hatboro and the solicitor (female) resigned, he leaves:
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/horsham/hatboro-manager-may-resign
Excerpt:
Before some members of Hatboro Borough Council even heard the news, two residents inquired about the resignation of Borough Manager Tommy Ryan.
During Monday’s meeting, a man said the news was already out there and asked when the council would discuss Ryan’s replacement.
Council Vice President Nancy Guenst, who chaired Monday’s meeting, refused to comment. …Ryan, who last spring filled the position vacated by Police Chief James Gardner, told Patch afterward that he has received a “conditional offer” from West Bradford Township in Chester County.
https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/2011/03/07/hatboro-manager-resigning/17053408007
Excerpt:
Hatboro Council will hold a meeting Wednesday at 7:15 at Borough Hall to consider the resignation of Manager Tommy Ryan.
https://patch.com/pennsylvania/horsham/hatboro-to-hold-special-meeting-wednesday
https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/2011/03/09/republicans-blamed-for-hatboro-manager/17148993007
Excerpt:
Two weeks shy of the anniversary of his hiring, Hatboro manager, Tommy Ryan is moving on.
Borough council voted to accept Ryan’s resignation Wednesday night at a contentious session during which Democrats claimed that Ryan was leaving because of the “intimidation” of the Republican minority.
Ryan was not present at the meeting. His last day is March 16.
So then traveling Tommy boy went to West Bradford where it also seemed messy:
Excerpt:
WEST BRADFORD >> Two township employees recently resigned, one being a mutual agreement with the township.
West Bradford Township supervisors accepted the resignations of both Public Works Director Randy Behmke and Township Manager Tommy Ryan during their September meeting. Additionally, supervisors accepted the “execution of a settlement agreement” with Behmke.
During that time, supervisors also appointed Douglas K. Kapp as interim township manager, among other duties.
The Daily Local News obtained the information via a Right-to-Know request, including the resignation letters from both Behmke and Ryan, the settlement agreement with Behmke, and the salary of Kapp….Ryan recently told the Daily Local News that he resigned to become a manager in Montgomery County.
“I resigned my position after being appointed township manager in Worcester,” Ryan said. “I loved my time in West Bradford – great community, great employees, great board (of supervisors). But I was offered a great opportunity in Worcester, and it was an opportunity I could not turn down.”
Excerpt:
Tommy Ryan likes what he sees in the people of Trappe Borough. “I’m impressed with the pride and the passion of the residents, and with the sincerity and dedication of the elected officials,” Ryan, the new manager of the borough, said via e-mail last week.
A native of Boston, Ryan has lived in the Philadelphia region for 15 years and earned a master’s degree at Villanova University in public administration. He comes to the borough from the Heritage Building Group, a Bucks County-based property development company, where he held the positions of planning manager and approvals manager. His resume also includes stints as zoning officer and community planning director for Towamencin Township.
He is no stranger to Trappe. Ryan became familiar with the community through his previous positions, but many of the elected officials he’d come to know have since moved on.
“I previously worked with the borough’s solicitor, engineer, and zoning hearing board solicitor, so this has helped to smooth the transition,” Ryan said.
Then after a jaunt at ARRO, you know where West Goshen Casey LaLonde was for a while, Tommy Boy pops up at East Cocalico in Lancaster County? Tommy Boy gets around, huh?
Excerpt:
What: East Cocalico supervisors meeting, Jan. 12.
What happened: The board announced that Thomas Ryan will serve as the new township manager. He is vice president and director of water services for Lititz-based ARRO Consulting Inc. His start date is yet to be determined pending his notice to his current employer.
The cost: Ryan’s salary will be $130,000, plus a $5,000 annual vehicle allowance and a $1,200 cell phone allowance.
Background: Ryan has served as township manager in Worcester Township in Montgomery County and in West Bradford Township in Chester County. He also worked as borough manager in Hatboro and in Trappe, both in Montgomery County. An instructor for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Ryan will be allowed five days off per year to attend PSATS.
Quotable: “We have put countless hours into this search. We feel we have found the right person,” said Lorenzo Bonura, East Cocalico supervisor.
Wellll….then it gets spicy, right?
Oh here’s the first filing on the part of the tax collector and it does include Tommy boy, now in West Vincent:
United States District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania Jill Cordan vs. East Cocalico Township et al_RedactedDownload
Excerpt:
WEST VINCENT — The board of supervisors has appointed Tommy Ryan as the latest township manager.
The township has been on a bit of a merry-go-round with township managers of late.
On Jan. 1, 2023, John Granger was appointed as West Vincent township manager, but he resigned on June 13, 2023.
So the board of supervisors appointed Jacqui Guenther as interim manager and then on Jan. 1, 2024, they made the job permanent, naming her as the new township manager, but it didn’t last long.
By August, she had resigned to become borough manager of Marcus Hook in Delaware County.
So the township appointed Jim Wendelgass to serve as interim manager, an appointment that was re-affirmed by resolution on Jan. 6. Wendlegass served previously as township manager, but his appointment was not renewed in 2016.
According to the township website, although Ryan is listed as the township manager, Wendelgass remains in the township administration as the township’s treasurer.
According to a press release issued by the township on March 17, “Ryan brings 15 years of management experience to the post, including most recently serving as East Cocalico Township Manager in Lancaster County. Prior to that, he served as manager in Worcester Township, Montgomery County, and West Bradford Township, Chester County.
So Tommy Boy likes to do videos:
But hey now so in October, East Cocalico announced the case filed by the tax collector was over:
But heyyyyy it’s NOT over. it was refiled and here’s what I found:
So do West Vincent residents even know all that their current manager has been up to? What kind of background checks were performed prior to his hiring? Were thing of a litigious nature like this wild case that is not over yet made known?
I found part of his contract and what is he making at West Vincent? $160,000? And he’s the zoning officer too?
So interesting to note, that the lady of the screenshots? Was the township or municipal secretary? Can’t seem to find one so is Tommy boy Jack of all township trades doing that too? Oh no wait for it….found an interesting item in the proposed 2026 budget:
Funding for a part-time receptionist position in lieu of a full-time Township Secretary position, saving an estimated $105,000 per year.
Ok that is SUPER offensive. A township secretary is more than a random office admin. It’s actually pretty specialized. I have had a few friends perform this job, and I actually interviewed for such a position gosh almost 15 years ago out of curiosity but was glad I was first runner up in the end when I realized how late meetings could go in this particular municipality not in Chester County I was peeking at. It’s a very important job for any municipality large or small and can’t just be a spot plugged by a part-time receptionist. If that is what Tommy boy is proposing well then that position will end up being advertised more than filled in my humble opinion.
But I am very curious about this manager. It’s literally intriguing the way West Vincent gravitates to certain kinds or classes of people isn’t it?
And Tommy boy is hardly universally loved is he?
Why is he there and how much of a raise is he suggesting for his position for 2026?
Just when you think West Vincent might stop the madness, they merely enlarge the lunatic asylum there don’t they?
Yikes, pass the popcorn, cue the drama, and good night.
according to federal court dockets, no kings guy kevin krebs to take a plea next week?
On the Federal Court Docket, the charges read: 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d), (f) and § 5871 unlawful making and possessing of unregistered destructive devices
I have been keeping an eye out since we learned the federal authorities took custody of No Kings
We last heard about Krebs in October when Deanna Durante from NBC10 broke the news that Kevin Krebs was no longer the guest of Chester County, but was becoming a guest of the Feds.
I wrote a post about it at the time:
Well guess what? He is pleading guilty as per the court dockets I just peeked at:
So that’s all I’ve got. He’s pleading guilty, do not know the particulars. Here is all the docket stuff:
humans suck some days
This post from the Pennsylvania SPCA had the following verbiage on Facebook :
Her name is Tangi.
Yesterday, she was found outside our shelter, sealed inside a taped-up box in the freezing morning air.
When we opened it, scared eyes looked up at us. She was shaking and so stressed that she was hypersalivating, clearly overwhelmed by everything around her. And yet, the moment a hand reached toward her, she leaned in, gentle and searching for comfort despite everything she had been through.
Throughout the day, during medical testing, behavioral exams, and every check we needed to do, Tangi just wanted to be near someone. She followed staff closely, rested her head against anyone who knelt beside her, and cried when she was left alone. All she wanted was to feel safe.
We are incredibly grateful someone spotted that box when they did. It was less than 30 degrees outside when she was abandoned. We truly sympathize with the circumstances her previous owner may have been facing, but we also want everyone, including pets, to remain safe. If you ever need help with a pet, please reach out to us, or any shelter or rescue in the area. And if you must surrender an animal urgently, please come inside and speak with someone.
Tangi is currently on a stray hold in case an owner comes forward. If no one does, she will be made available for adoption, and we know she’ll steal hearts quickly.
For now, she is safe, and so, so loved.
⬇️ to see Tangi.
I would like to know what in the hell is wrong with people? You’ve all these people in all these stupid social media groups wanting to get their Joey and Jill a puppy for Christmas. Well half of those puppies will end up in rescue after Christmas and I’ve said it before that’s how I got one of my best dogs. He was a Christmas puppy years ago who held no interest after a couple of months.
Then you have these people that are just dumping puppies. Case in point is a puppy that was posted to Ludwig‘s Corner Veterinary Hospital.
The post was updated to say no owner was NOT located and the dog is probably going into an already overcrowded rescue system.
Who dumps a puppy at Christmas?
Who tapes a dog up in a box and leaves it in bitter cold weather outside a shelter, where the box was almost missed?
And then they’re all the dogs that Main Line Animal Rescue has been posting that seemed to have been dumped in Lancaster City and other parts of Lancaster County.
I just can’t with this. It’s bad enough when dogs end up in rescue because their humans die and there’s no one to take them, but I just don’t understand people dumping their dogs.
Dogs give us unconditional love and so much joy. And people irresponsibly get dogs and then they just dump them.
It’s not just around here or PA in general. It’s like an epidemic all over the country. Our animal companions, much like human beings are not just disposable.
And then there are the people who assume if something happens to them, that certain people in their families or in their lives in general will take their pets. You can’t assume that you need to have a conversation.
All of these rescues are short on funds and often supplies. So if you want to do something meaningful this Christmas, don’t just shove a cute puppy under the Christmas tree that your kids may or may not really want. Adopt a rescue instead and meet your furever friend that way.
I’m sorry but human beings in 2025 have shown themselves in a lot of cases to just be assholes , whether it’s politics or pets.
Rant over. We need to be better humans.
back to demolition by neglect at 310 lancaster avenue malvern, pa (the rotting clews and strawbridge house)
Let’s go back to East Whiteland. To 310 Lancaster Avenue in Malvern, you know where Clews & Strawbridge Boats is?
Once upon a time that farmhouse looked normal. It is part of 3 separate parcels of land totaling about 5 acres. Main Line Watercraft Realty is the name, but looking into the deeds and mortgage, a name emerged. I will post those documents and you can look for yourselves. But hey, this man sits in a very nice house on pricey real estate in the region (not Chester County), while one of Chester County’s historic assets just ROTS and that is so truly terrible isn’t it? And if this property owner cared about the house and historic barn, wouldn’t they be better looked after? Now I am not writing this man’s name, although he has appeared in many public facing media things, especially for his day job so to speak right? No he’s not a real estate developer is he?
All I know is this historic house was once owned by artist Margaret Strawbridge Clews, who died at 91 in 2010. She must be turning over in her grave at the condition of that house, right?
I found her obituary. Here is a link and allow me to share from it:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/seacoastonline/name/margaret-clews-obituary?id=24425566
HANOVER – Margaret Strawbridge Clews died August 6th at the age of 91 – just six days after she warmly welcomed each of her children, grandchildren, and all eleven great grandchildren as well as nearly 100 friends to the opening of her one-woman art show at the Howe Library in Hanover, NH. Born into the postwar debutante world of Philadelphia in 1919, the year women got the right to vote, she was a life-long activist and artist – devoting much of her art to her favorite causes of women’s rights and peace.
Mrs. Clews was the granddaughter of the founder of Philadelphia’s landmark department stores, Strawbridge & Clothier. With Mancha Madison Clews, her husband of 66 years, she was the proprietor of their family boat business, which thrives to this day in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Their company, Clews and Strawbridge, was the only combination marine & Saab automobile dealership in the USA.
She was a graduate of The Shipley School and of Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Exhibiting her first work at the age of 16
Do we think Margaret would love this decay? The decay of a once lovely 18th century farmhouse? She came up in a post I wrote in 2019:
Here is Margaret’s engagement announcement from the New York Times in 1940:
Here are some more clippings including Margaret’s husband’s death in 2006:
Here’s a post about Margaret’s in-laws and their French Chateau:
Another bunch of posts written by one of her children, and Mr. Clews’ obituary:
https://www.snodoglog.com/Margaret-S-Clews.html
https://www.snodoglog.com/10-Family-Photo.html
https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2006/12/19/mancha-clews/52554614007
https://www.snodoglog.com/M-Madison-Clews.html
Now Lincoln Highway/Lancaster Pike/Lancaster Ave was laid out in 1732 according to the Tredyffrin-Easttown Historical Society. This farmhouse I was told years ago was built in 1734. And the current property owner just lets it sit and rot? And the rest of the property looks pretty shabby too, doesn’t it? I remember how nice it once looked because years and years ago when the Saab dealership was there, I had friends who got their Saabs there.
I found a brochure advertising the property from a realtor. Don’t know if this is still being marketed by this person or not. So who else is concerned about this property? It narrowly escaped being a very dense residential development a few years ago correct? So now what?
The house COULD be saved, but not unless the owner sees the light right? He lives far enough away he doesn’t drive by it every day so it’s just something in an investment portfolio, correct?
Is there anyone who can encourage him to see it as the valuable historic asset that it is? Maybe he can make an old house call? Do the right thing?
To follow are the deed and some other things found on public records. Perhaps some reporter somewhere will be inspired to write a real story about the history of this house and the current ownership?
If not, tick tock East Whiteland. It’s time for this guy to respect Chester County’s historic architecture, right? And yes I can have that opinion.
another wonderful surrey holiday house tour!!!
And that’s a wrap until next year! Another amazing holiday house tour from Surrey Services for Seniors
I am an in kind and regular sponsor which I am just mentioning so you know WHY I do the photos and that they are done as a volunteer. (Otherwise you’re not allowed to take pictures inside people‘s homes obviously.)
This year, the houses were so beautifully and perfectly festive!!! I have to say the homeowners knocked themselves out for all of us and it was much appreciated!
I loved all the homes and will be going through photos over the next couple of days, but I will be sharing a little video with you guys below so you can get a flavor for the tour and the shops afterwards, which were also so much fun!
I do have to say my favorite house was on Poplar Avenue in North Wayne. I love that section of Wayne. It is so historic and just being in the neighborhoods there makes you happy because mostly everyone decorates.
If you would like to give a Christmas donation to Surrey, which does so much for people follow this link:
Here is the little compilation video: