I begin with a stop work order issued today at 4 PM against Sentinel Green Fig re: Data Center in East Whiteland. (Screenshot above.)
Next is a little ditty “explaining” a few things including East Whiteland saying on the record they did not sign NDAs with these data center people. I am glad to hear this.
Next will be some fun right to know dumps. From the EPA and more. Here below is a screen shot of a plan sent to EPA. Which one is this? And still I ask, Foote Mineral, really? Toxic AF much?
And then this one below and next, also EPA I think and how what an amended plan? Not an approved one?
Then I got this email from today:
In case you can’t read, here is the verbiage verbatim:
Subject:Data Center Project | Request for Immediate Review of Permits
Dear East Whiteland Board of Supervisors,
I’m writing to follow up on the comments I made at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, August 19 regarding the permits issued for the proposed data center project.
I am requesting an immediate review of Permit #B-2026-221 and any related permits issued for the 2024 approved Land Development Plan (the “2024 Plan”).
It is my understanding that this Permit should not have been issued without a commitment letter from Aqua specific to the 2024 Plan. It is also my understanding that the Township has not received that commitment letter. If Aqua has provided the required commitment letter, please share a copy with me. If the Township has not received it, I am requesting that the Township take immediate action to suspend or revoke the Permit until all requirements for its issuance have been satisfied.
I am also attaching documents received from the EPA through a Right-to-Know request that raise an additional concern. The documents appear to show that the developer/applicant submitted information in November 2025 (prior to filing an amendment with East Whiteland Township) reflecting the amended project design they are currently seeking approval for, rather than the 2024 Plan previously approved by the Township. Specifically, the submission references shallow foundations, rather than the basements included in the 2024 Plan.
This raises a fundamental question: What plan is the developer currently constructing and obtaining permits to build?
Until the Township can confirm that the work being permitted and performed on the property is fully consistent with the currently approved 2024 Plan, I am requesting that the Township suspend the issuance and effectiveness of all permits issued for work not associated with the 2024 Plan and halt work authorized by those permits.
At a minimum, I am requesting written confirmation of: 1. Whether the Township has received the required Aqua commitment letter for the approved 2024 Plan and, if so, a copy of that letter. 2. Whether Permit #B-2026-221 and all related permits were properly issued based on the requirements of East Whiteland ordinance in effect at the time of issuance and consistent with the approved 2024 Plan. 3. Which approved land development plan and plan revision supports the issuance of each currently issued permit. 4. Whether the construction and foundation design reflected in the EPA submission are consistent with the 2024 Plan. 5. What action the Township will take if permits were issued based upon an unapproved plan or design or without required documentation.
Given the questions surrounding the approved 2024 Plan and the permits currently allowing work to proceed, I believe this warrants immediate attention. Please confirm receipt of this email within 24 hours and provide an update regarding the Township’s review and intended action.
Thank you,
Jessica Larkin
Wowza! The residents of East Whiteland are ON FIRE!
Before I post a slew of documents allow me a couple of gems I saw one of on a right to know and now another one today (and both are on township website as of this afternoon.) Not sure of the who was on first prior because Ginny Keslake has done some calling out on her Facebook page:
You know I love a good drone video, here’s a recent fly by of the East Whiteland Data Center Site at Foote Mineral:
So then this showed up in someone’s right to know:
Then these little redacted gems:
Next I will load in all of the various things from people’s FOIA requests to the EPA that I have seen. They are not my work product. These are the residents who are amazeballs. I am only publishing what they received which is public. I would like to know where is the contaminated soil going? 2 stories approved plan drawing states 3 stories (includes basement)?? The approved plan requires them to excavate and move 5,000,000 cubic feet of contaminated soil- their number???Actually there are so many questions, all of or heads are spinning as to why in the Sam Hell is this still a project?
The residents of East Whiteland are on fire. They are amazing. I am in awe.
A dad named Ryan Contacted me. He and his wife and family lost a baby at a week old named Cayden. Literally they held him and loved him for 7 days and he was gone. I can’t imagine that feeling, wouldn’t want to, but I have had friends and family experience such losses of children.
This family while working through their grief developed a tribute to their infant son in a West Pikeland Township Park that was a sand lot fo other kids to enjoy. It was named and dedicated “Cayden’s Corner.” Over the past two years, Cayden’s Corner has become both a memorial to their deceased son and a place where who knows how many hundreds of children have played. It was built and dedicated in Pine Creek Park.
So apparently, West Pikeland Township which always seems super secretive (like do they record meetings yet?) and insular in an unhealthy way has been pursuing a larger playground improvement project at Pine Creek Park using grants and donations. A committee was formed to assist with that effort, but despite Ryan Leithead’s involvement in creating Cayden’s Corner and assisting with playground grant efforts, he was not included in those discussions? Like for real? How crass, right?
To add to this, Ryan also learned that the proposed playground redesign may involve relocating Cayden’s Corner and altering or removing the existing memorial signage and dedication that were part of the original project, and for real? Nice way for the township to make this family experience more grief and literally feel shat upon in my humble opinion.
So Ryan went to the Board of Supervisors meeting I guess last evening to speak about his concerns. During the public discussion that followed, it became clear that there are differing opinions regarding the future of Cayden’s Corner and the memorial elements associated with it.
To be very clear, Ryan Leithead is NOT opposed to improving the playground.
He supports investing in Pine Creek Park and creating an even better playground for the families of West Pikeland.
His only request is that every effort be made to preserve the memorial that already exists and that his family be included in discussions affecting something that was built in memory of their son.
Here is video:
Here is Ryan’s written statement:
Good Evening Supervisors, My name is Ryan Leithead. I am a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, a West Pikeland resident, and most importantly, Cayden’s father. My wife Denise is here with me tonight, and this is her first time attending a Board of Supervisors meeting. In December of 2022, my wife and I experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when our son Cayden passed away just seven days after he was born. Like many families who suffer a loss like that, we struggled to find a way to channel our grief into something positive. Working with the Township, I proposed the creation of a sand play area at Pine Creek Park that would become known as Cayden’s Corner. What was created was far more than a donation. I personally funded the project. I selected the equipment and design with the assistance of a trusted and certified local playground contractor. I helped raise additional funds and secure labor and material donations from members of our community totaling more than $25,000 in value. I personally built much of the project with my own hands over the course of several months, working from plans reviewed by the Township engineer and supported by Township leadership at the time. I also assisted with the original playground grant effort by securing a professional playground design and layout at no cost from the same playground contractor and by providing letters of support and community-impact information for both grant applications. The project was completed and dedicated just before the first anniversary of Cayden’s passing. For my family, Cayden’s Corner is not simply a playground feature. It is a memorial. It represents countless hours of work, healing, remembrance, love, and community support during one of the most difficult periods of our lives. Over the past two years, I have watched hundreds of children enjoy that space. That has brought comfort not only to me, but to my family as well. It was recently brought to my attention that the current playground planning process may significantly alter Cayden’s Corner, including the potential relocation of the entire sand play area and associated equipment, as well as the possible removal of the memorial sign and designation. That is why I am here tonight. I fully support improving Pine Creek Park Playground and I am not asking the township to halt the project. I am asking the Township to preserve Cayden’s Corner as part of that project, consistent with the commitment the Township made in writing when the project was donated, approved, and dedicated to the memory of my son. If there are accessibility improvements that need to be made, I have repeatedly asked to be included in those discussions and would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively toward solutions that improve accessibility while preserving the memorial. But I am asking that every effort be made to preserve the memorial that already exists before deciding that it must be removed or relocated, particularly when it was created through significant personal effort, community support, and Township partnership. I am also deeply concerned by discussions regarding the potential removal of the Cayden’s Corner memorial sign and designation. For my family, the name, sign, and dedication are an important part of the memorial. After everything that went into creating Cayden’s Corner in the aftermath of our son’s passing, the possibility of removing that dedication feels deeply hurtful and difficult to understand. The name, sign, and dedication are an important part of the memorial and should not be discarded. Before any final decisions are made, I respectfully ask the Board to consider what Cayden’s Corner means to my family, the circumstances under which it was created, and whether there is a path to improve the playground while preserving the memorial that already exists. When most people look at Cayden’s Corner, they see a sandbox. When they hear out story they begin to see what my family sees. We see a memorial built for a little boy whou never had a chance to play there. We see a place where our two living children can play along side their brother in spirit, and where community children can play in Caydens Memory. And I see something I built for my son. Thank you for your time.
Decisions, decisions. Which little lies are better to listen to? I think East Whiteland Supervisors meeting is the correct choice at 6:30 PM on Wednesday August 19th, 2026.
East Whiteland in my opinion is doing the pat the residents on their heads and give them a lollypop and tell them there is nothing to see here.
Every meeting has something to see, and as long as data centers are on the township menu EVERY meeting is an opportunity to be heard (politely even if some township supervisors are not.)
The residents of General Warren Village know this all too well and if you notice they show up still for most meetings to tell the township how they feel about Bishop Tube.
Last week the township released a data center word salad. The best comment I saw on social media said:
Their “word salad” will give you Cyclospora.
The reality is EVERY meeting has to legally allow public comment. People can do it virtually or in person. If the township wants to play kick the can with the data center issue just like they do with Bishop Tube, that is on them but legally they still have to provide time for public comment and allow it. So show up Wednesday and bring a friend. BE POLITE.
And in other burning East Whiteland news apparently Ginny Kerslake and I are hot topics at the Great Valley Democrat zone meetings held at East Whiteland Township in the township building. I am in good company with Ginny, yes? I am but one woman as is Ginny so do you have questions for us or something Supervisor Peter Fixler?
East Whiteland at that time kind of said that Foote Mineral as a site was all better but was it even then?
This politician doesn’t have to like me as I don’t care for him either, but for me to be a topic for discussion at Democrat Zone Meetings like I am public enemy number one and so is Ginny Kerslake? Really? Your zone meetings are held in the township building and not all of your residents are Democrats, so I hope the Democrats are contributing to the costs of having the meetings there after hours?
Residents are not the enemy, Supervisor Peter Fixler. We live here. We have a right to our opinions even if you don’t agree as an elected official that the majority of us are concerned about another truly bad plan for East Whiteland Township.
I haven’t drunk any Kool aid as has been previously alluded to. I have not liked this concept since jump.
If Fixler is a politician with a pro-environmental bent, he should act like it. But cut the middle school lunch table nonsense of serving up residents at political meetings. His political problems are self created on this topic. Neither I nor Ginny nor anyone else created them.
(In case you were wondering why East Whiteland needs more and better representation as in 2 more supervisors look no further that this guy IMHO.)
Bill Holmes was handing out this flyer to East Whiteland residents 7/29/26
What is the WORST thing a politician desperately seeking continued political relevance can do? Do we want to start with being a misogynistic asshat?
The opening screen shot is a flyer that former East Whiteland Supervisor Bill Holmes was handing out on July 29th, 2026. It was at the Battle of the Clouds Park at the petition signing – 7 PM is what residents who shared this flyer told me and guess what? I believe them for the simple reason that this was when some of them realized how dirty East Whiteland politics was.
So Billy Bully who still wants people to “Get On Board With Bill” doesn’t realize is that Ginny supported East Whiteland residents to get a question on the ballot about increasing the number of supervisors from 3 to 5, but this was initiated by East Whiteland residents. She did not originate the idea, and even if she had, why is it a bad idea? Because Bill Holmes doesn’t like it? Waaaaahhhh!
Point of fact is I also brought this up a few years ago and was told by a supervisor to drop it or they would stand a chance of losing control of the board. I didn’t pursue it then and NOT because of what I was told, but because residents were not into the idea back then.
This topic also was discussed by people when Holmes was actually still on the board. But no one wanted to act on it then at that point in time either.
The whole thing is about representation. Current bad situations like data center plans and other issues have made people think that 3 supervisors is simply not enough representation given how the township has grown. This is any resident’s right to ask for this under the second class township code of the Commonwealth of PA and it IS that simple. Easttown has 5 supervisors, for example. So does Charlestown. So does East Goshen. So does West Goshen. And those are the municipalities that I remember off of the top of my head.
Tredyffrin acts like they are a second class township with a board of 7 but it became a rather messy Home Rule Charter in 1976 and that is a story that needs telling. But that is another day, and not my story. Suffice it to say it’s rather surprising that the media has not picked up on that.
This isn’t something that the status quo in East Whiteland politics wants. They say they can’t get people to run, but the truth of the matter is they can’t get people to run the way they are recruiting them and isn’t that correct? As a matter of fact, it’s not just unique to East Whiteland. It’s countywide. Part of it has to do with the bizarro world of endorsement events for the primary.
The way a primary is supposed to work is water seeks it’s own level, and the people decide who they want as their candidates. Only they totally engineer it and it backfires.
Now back to Bill Holmes. After he and Jerry the diseased Pyne tree were being rather aggressive with residents on that evening where they handed out the assholes delight flyer making crap up about Ginny Kerslake etc we had the next thing: being nasty and a bully to a female resident and small business owner yes?
Well yes, sadly that happened too.
Daddy knows best or daddy will take your Barbies away doesn’t work with grown women not in the Bill cult but umm really Bill? Are we all supposed to be pregnant barefoot and in the kitchen too? Silent unless spoken to, Stepford Wifey in every way?
And then there is that Jerry Pyne email about data centers, right?
Why are they behaving so desperately anyway? What is in it for these particular Democrats? What do they lose if East Whiteland gets 2 more supervisors? What do they lose if a data center doesn’t happen?
Do we see a pattern about what happens if women in particular don’t get on the Papa DOES Preach train of do as you’re told politics? And the favorite targets seem to be women including me at times? Doesn’t that make Democrat politicians like Bill Holmes truly no better than dare I say it, Trump? You know that man that all male Democrat politicians will tell you that they don’t want to be like?
Yet here we are, right?
So Bill Holmes (and Jerry Pyne) and whomever else is on this trash women train? Thug politics never works no matter what side of the aisle. And Bill, we see you. So knock it off.
And East Whiteland residents should also remember who brought Bill Holmes to the supervisors’ table yes? Was it not Michele Vaughn?
Look it’s a petty vicious political circle all the way around in Chester County and neither major political party is innocent. It’s time for this crap to end.
And circling back to East Whiteland for a moment. Who stands to lose what specifically if East Whiteland adds two more supervisors? Who stands to lose what specifically if residents keep fighting the data center and other plans?
Who what where when? And will Bill Holmes ever behave like a gentleman?
Villa Grove Colorado is on fire. It’s a little unincorporated town in Colorado and they’re already suffering a severe drought and water shortage and there’s not enough water to put the fire out and literally the whole town is on fire. This includes peoples homes a few small businesses in the town and this amazing pottery business that was a big tourist attraction.
Apparently there were helicopters being flown in from Colorado Springs that I guess they’re like those special ones equipped for fires, but the town is up in flames.
So this is a place experiencing extreme drought and water shortages. It’s on fire and the residents of this community and neighboring communities are also fighting data center issues in Colorado.
For me it really hits home that this is a place that doesn’t have water to spare, yet government wants to look the other way and allow data centers in the vicinity which suck water and energy.
Also, why am I posting this because I have friends that live there. This is personal.
Fellow residents are getting outreach from outraged types past and present over us having the nerve to want additional representation in local government. This tells all of us that we are on the right track.
People this is our right. It’s not political. It’s decidedly non-partisan and it’s about representation.
It is literally our right as residents in a second class township in Pennsylvania to wish to go up to five supervisors from three. Our mechanism for doing this is to get something on the ballot, a referendum. It costs us nothing and it doesn’t increase our taxes, but it does increase our representation and perhaps gives us balance which I think is lacking in a lot of local governments no matter how good the representation is.
People who think it’s a bad idea are people who have something to lose. They’re being narcissistic and selfish, it’s personal to them. We might not ever know why it is personal and frankly, I don’t care.
Keep up the good work. Regardless of political affiliation, we are stronger together than apart. And that residents is what people are really scared of who don’t want two more seats on the East Whiteland Board of Supervisors.
One more day for signatures.
Well allow me to expand upon that with real world experience. Back in the day when I was part of Save Ardmore Coalition and we were fighting eminent domain for private gain in Ardmore, we experienced every dirty trick possible.
We will start with I had a price put on my head by a then publicist doing contract work for Lower Merion Township. You see, we as a group of local community activists were at first fighting an issue that wasn’t sexy enough for media coverage. So we had to get creative. We joined what was anew thing called Twitter (now X.) We also joined a new thing, kind of a grandmother of regional blogging called PhillyFuture.org
PhillyFuture.org was a community blog and aggregator launched in the early 2000s (founded by a wonderful human named Karl Martino) that served as a central hub for the Philadelphia political and local blogosphere. It was early days when I and a couple of friends discovered it. It was the most marvelous thing. We learned about things going on all over the region. Even Natural Lands had a blog on this blog.
PhillyFuture gave us a voice. It was the beginning of blogging. We didn’t have publicists or anything like that. It was just us. So we had to get creative. While we were on this platform fighting for Ardmore’s historic business district, Lower Merion Township which still wanted eminent domain for private gain in Ardmore did not like it. The small group of malcontents or whatever it was they called us was starting to get traction. The township at some point for a while hired an outside publicist for in my opinion damage control of a very unpopular and bad plan. Said publicist put a price on the head to know the identity of the Save Ardmore Coalition blogger. At that point there were a few of us, but I always believed they were after me.
What we went through was the stuff Netflix and Prime series are made for. We were literally targeted as residents for wanting to stop eminent domain. Small businesses were targeted in a most petty manner as well. Back then one of the businesses threatened with eminent domain for private gain was HuNan Restaurant. That was actually WHY I got involved. The family that owned HuNan were dear to me. So when they said no to eminent domain, all of a sudden township folks who always ate lunch at Hunan because it was literally next door to the township building stopped eating lunch there.
Why is this pertinent today? Because everything old is new again and politicians always regurgitate the same old stuff. See this text message screenshot I was sent last night:
Former Supervisor and Chair/Co-Chair of Great Valley Dems has a nasty streak doesn’t he?
Meet Bill Holmes and his charming text message. For the last 10 years or so he and the Great Valley Democrats have eaten lunch together at Dixie Picnic. So he sends this text – to a woman named Tracey who has been a devoted Democrat and supported him as a supervisor AND when he was head of Great Valley Democrats. And she is an owner of Dixie Picnic.
Today none of them showed up. So they all followed daddy to where? Wegmans or Wendy’s?
I first met Tracey not that long after we moved here. I can tell you that she feels such a sense of betrayal by these people. Like literally she’s one of the most devoted Democrats, and always has been. I think she may have even had some sort of gathering for Bill Holmes in the past? I’m a little fuzzy on that detail because that was around the time we were just coming into East Whiteland or before.
But do we see the irony here that she actually lived up to her Democrat and personal values by wanting to put a petition out for people who were interested in enlarging the Board of Supervisors by two that is allowed under the 2nd Class Township code? So she exercised her right as an American and as a resident of this municipality East Whiteland Township and now this guy wants to punish her as a small business owner and a resident? Talk about acting like petty bitch, right?
Also there were signing events for this ballot petition initiative to add two more supervisors and guess what has been reported? Bill Holmes showing up with some unidentified man and one guy named Jerry Pyne whom I believe was the vice chair of the county Democrats and is now on the following committees: Property Committee, Collaborative Planning Committee (WTF is that? The give out gold star stickers committee?), and System Administration Committee? LOL LOL LOL how many committees do they need?
Ok so the fact they showed up is not the problem. The problem was they reportedly showed up with signs to essentially harass other residents into not signing the petition? They literally had “Do Not Sign” signs. Below is a photo taken of him and his cohorts being gently spoken to by the lovely woman who organized the petition. She was a lot nicer than I would have been. Sadly no sign was being held up in that moment.
This was at a petition signing event. Bill Holmes far left in mad for plaid shirt.
This further cements, why change must happen.
If you don’t regularly go to Dixie Picnic in Lincoln Court shopping center I am urging everyone to go and support Tracey because of what is being done to her which is petty, chauvinistic, and misogynistic.
And so we are all clear on who Bill is he is somebody who is a politician. He still plays politics. He’s the past chair of the East Whiteland supervisors as well as a supervisor and he was the past chair or cochair of whatever the Great Valley/East Whiteland Democrats. A man who wants to hurt someone with a small business who’s also a great human is just a tool. Oh and didn’t he come to power thanks to Michele Vaughn? makes you re-think her on county row, doesn’t it?
Here is Dixie Picnic’s website: https://www.dixiepicnic.com/ They are an amazing scratch kitchen and home of the UPcake and nice positive things. You can order through GrubHub and I think Instacart and you can place orders on their website for pick up and they do catering and their hours are your basic lunch hours. This is a restaurant which is also an amazing little community hub.
Now I fully expect the Great Valley Democrats powers that be and think they are still powerful will have a hissy fit over my posting this but they should KNOW that a MAN saying something like this to a woman who owns a small business, lives in East Whiteland, and is a supportive member of their political party is literally indefensible. Is this the only female Democrat he’s had issues with as a perennial politician now without an office?
And so we are clear on how I feel about this bullshit aspect to local politics, allow me to share more of my personal experiences with Great Valley Democrats.
When this all happened to me, I was still a Republican. In 2016 when a certain someone became the presidential nominee, I left the party because as a woman it had already kicked me and my rights as a woman to the curb I felt. I tried on the whole being a democrat but between Chester County Dems and Great Valley Dems it was so institutional, bad corporate and often soulless and that’s being polite. So again, once more I am an Independent.
It doesn’t matter in the big picture but I thought it is good for people to know. Just like it is good for people to know Bill Holmes also ran unsuccessfully for state rep once upon a time. Oh and he only beat his 2013 challenger when he was supervisor by 10 votes. In 2007 he only beat Rich Orlow by 7 votes. Rich Orlow eventually became a Republican supervisor in East Whiteland and then was defeated by Scott Lambert. Then in the true nature of flip floppy politics, Rich Orlow became a Democrat to finish out Bill Holmes term when he stepped down, didn’t he?
Below are some articles about East Whiteland politics and one about East Whiteland population growth. And old blog posts.
Politics is a dirty business and it’s time for people like Bill Holmes to retire and just sit down to begin with. If someone is doing something they believe in personally, don’t you encourage them especially if it is something positive?
These tired ass folks like Bill Holmes think better representation for a community that has grown exponentially is a threat to Democracy and they don’t actually get that it is literally Democracy in action. Behavior like he exhibited is thug politics and it’s time for him to stop.
Also please visit Dixie Picnic. You will be glad you did.
I completely expect I will be targeted with unpleasantness for this post. After all I have never been “on board with Bill” and I have been targeted by unpleasantness before because I believe in growing three person boards to five and I think the data center is a bad plan. Some of those folks should be glad I don’t share their emails calling me what was it? A back stabber? And why? Because I think the three person board in East Whiteland should be five person and I think the East Whiteland data center plan is a bad plan.
East Whiteland your political slip is showing in the most unattractive way possible. Put that in your proverbial pipe and smoke it.
People, if they don’t want this then get out and vote for it in November if t makes the ballot this time. If not, we will do it again.
#ShopLocal and #LoveWhatIsLocal and #ShopSmall and remember that community transcends politics in the end. Always.
East Whiteland residents and registered Chester County voters we have a very important task this week: to rock the petition to get 2 supervisors added under the second class township code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!
We. Can. Do. This!!!!!
Years ago when this township was founded and they formed a Township government there were far fewer people. Over the last 15 years I would say, this township has grown exponentially. It is time to add two more supervisors to the three so we have better representation as residents and taxpayers.
Five supervisors is perfectly attainable and normal. If I am completely honest, I wanted to do this a few years ago and I was talked out of it. I was told it was a mistake. I should have listened to my inner voice because I knew it was right and I believe it’s right for residents now.
We need more representation in our 3 board member municipalities. More representation does not create chaos, in fact, it helps restore order and balance, and we should want that.
And in East Whiteland there are already people who are interested in running for office!
Here is the Google doc where you can sign up to be contacted for an in person visit. The important thing about this petition is you have to sign in person, you cannot do it online so to speak.
This petition can only be signed by legal residents of East Whiteland Township who are registered to vote. If you are not registered to vote, you cannot sign this petition.
“Should two additional supervisors be added to the board of 3 supervisors, creating a board of 5 in East Whiteland Township?”
There’s no hidden message. It’s not like playing the Beatles White album backwards. It is what it is. It is as it is stated.
So come on East Whiteland let’s do this for ourselves. 
3 to 5 supervisors. It’s time to modernize.
Git’ R Done… we can do this this week! It literally takes like a minute and a half to sign and fill in your address. Again, you read the ballot question as presented to you in person and you sign your name like you do your signature for all legal documents. Then you print your name so it is legible along with your legal mailing address in East Whiteland Township as in the physical mailing address no PO Box. And the last thing you do is you date when you’re doing it.
It’s easy and it’s important. We get the government we deserve, and our vote is our most powerful tool. Some people will get very up in arms about this and the thing is it’s not a threat to democracy, it’s about democracy and our right to do this.
Plymouth Township just said NO to the data centers?
Why?
Simple there is NO permitted use under the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of PA for data centers. It’s NOT a warehouse. Ginny Kerslake has been saying this forever and places like East Whiteland keep telling her she is wrong, right?
Further and somewhat related apparently developer is trying to get these places classified as warehouse locations even though it’s energy and isn’t that nuts sounding?
Last question for people is do we think developers are going through approval processes for data centers in order to flip the properties? Didn’t that come up at recent Upper Merion Planning Commission meeting?
Sign of the times taken by someone NOT trespassing.Not my photo, saw it on social media. Corporate welfare bought to you by Governor Josh Shapiro. Residents are always optional in his equations.
East Whiteland Township, Chester County is just a place where most honestly feel government pays lip service for every shitty thing that happens. Well not everyone. Some just ignore us altogether like State Representative Kristine Howard. She literally does nothing and says nothing. Never shows up for anything in her district. But she is BFFs now with neighboring State Representative Danielle Friel Otten whom people elected as a pipeline activist and that didn’t last long as she just wanted to sit at the popular kids table in Harrisburg and is a sell out.
Governor Josh Shapiro is everywhere as he is up for re-election. But he is busy having his literal neighbors dislike him and handing out corporate welfare as that sign in East Whiteland indicates. Yes I can have that opinion while I say I told you so. Shapiro has always been exactly who he is.
If anyone had been paying attention except for some of us, they would have seen it back when he was former Congressman Joe Hoeffel’s Chief of Staff (1999-2003). We certainly saw it when we were starting to fight eminent domain for private gain in Ardmore, PA. It was literally his job to help and/or at least listen to Hoeffel’s constituents. He didn’t and I can distinctly remember him avoiding residents in Ardmore at a town hall meeting in early eminent domain days. The meeting was at a senior center in Ardmore.
Now we don’t really have a viable choice on the other side of the aisle, just Marge Simpson, err Stacy Garrity. That woman was pro-data center until a lightbulb went off and she thought she could maybe get two extra votes and she flip flopped to being sort of against them.
There is one person whom we know cares 100%: State Senator Katie Muth. She is a fierce mama bear for all of us. She cares. She shows up.
I guess I just don’t understand how anyone thinks this data center or any data centers are OK. I also don’t understand one of the East Whiteland Supervisors after finding this video:
Now he is only one of three supervisors. But like with many other municipalities, you have at least one who thinks data centers are wonderful and the hypocrite tree hugger in that video from NBC 10 above that’s on YouTube is the one in East Whiteland. According to this media report and subsequent research, he apparently works for Morris Arboretum owned by the University of Pennsylvania so does that mean Morris Arboretum and Penn are pro data centers?
But the rest of the East Whiteland board? It’s like they are doing fear based governance. They are so afraid of what might happen to them that they’re not thinking about what will happen to the all of us and aren’t I allowed to have that opinion? Shouldn’t the courage of your convictions mean something when you’re an elected official? I mean, if you can’t stand up for the people who elected you why are you in office? What are you getting out of it?
Today, as I was standing outside in my garden, looking into my woods, I was pondering all of this. I will share my thoughts next in a little video, and then I will share some video snippets from the most recent East Whiteland meeting and some other stuff.
I’m sad. I am sad that we don’t matter. I’m sad that our local environment doesn’t matter. And I am fearful we will run out of water and not be able to afford our power. No one has been able to allay these fears and I don’t think they really can and I’m allowed to have that opinion too.