It seems that in West Vincent Township, it’s still a cloudy day? I have this e-mail from ChickenMan which also contains part of an interesting update from the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Folks which I also received. Wow talk about murky and no sunshine.
Are these people for real? And how come they can’t produce a lease for the taxpayers to review if this Township Supervisor Ken Miller (who makes that cheese I no longer buy from Birchrun Hills Farm) rents land from the township? Doesn’t that make in some sense the residents/taxpayers of West Vincent his landlord? And he does this (rents this land from in essence the taxpayers), yet he thought it was a good idea to seize Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds via eminent domain for private gain? And if West Vincent owns all this land and is so hot to trot on a “plan”, why not use the land they already own before looking to seize privately owned land?
And who is this Pam Brown, other than she seems to be part of French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust? Call me crazy, but damn that non-profit seems to have issues or am I imagining that?
And what’s up with this zoning issue? Shouldn’t residents be able to discuss any potential changes in full sunshine even typos? That seems to be the norm for other municipalities in Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties doesn’t it?
Also, why is it again this Clare Quinn can’t get benefits on COBRA from her former employer and it is such a good idea for the taxpayers of West Vincent to pay for her health benefits? I would love for someone to pay my health benefits, but I live in the real world and pay my own. Just sayin’.
Anyway, read on from ChickenMan:
Hi
This came in to me from the Friends of the Horse Show and I am copying it here for you.
Dear Friend,
Once again interested residents of West Vincent Township packed the township building anxiously awaiting the zoning hearing that was postponed in December. Once again, the residents of the township were turned away, as the zoning hearing was postponed yet again. The hearing is now set for January 23, 2012. Explanation: They sent the “insignificant changes” (one change and a few typo’s) back to the County, because the County could determine that they were “significant changes”. That’s right folks, I couldn’t make this stuff up, it’s double talk at its best!To refresh your memory, the zoning hearing is to approve major changes to the township zoning ordinance. The changes to this ordinance are vast, and will certainly change the look and feel of West Vincent Township in the future. Even more important than the depth and breath of the changes, is the fact that the changes proposed will attempt to right the zoning violation that occurred when Pam Brown was permitted to built her accessory dwelling on her deed restricted property.Frustration levels were high as the residents of the township voiced their displeasure in the manner in which the zoning changes are being handled. They are complicated, difficult to read, and cumbersome, yet the supervisors and township manager along with solicitor do not intend to hold a town meeting or provide a plain language document for residents to better understand the future effects of the changes.Since the township website makes it difficult to locate documents referred to at the meeting, I have provided you with the links to follow along. Get cozy and read along.Click here to see the changes to the amendments.
Fast Facts taken from the meeting:
- The meeting once again required two attorneys working on behalf the supervisors. During the budget approval meeting of December 27, 2011, the supervisors said they were going to control the expenses of the attorneys in 2012, I wonder when they will start? My guess Monday night cost the township a minimum of $1710 and possibly much more, might I remind you….nothing was accomplished! The supervisors knew the hearing was not going to take place, yet they kept 2 attorneys at the table…..Good Job watching that budget!
- When questioned about the decision to pay 100% of Clare Quinn’s benefits, the board said they would determine the percentage in March when Clare will go on the policy. Keep your eyes on this one, how will the supervisors spend your money?
- Remember when the Horse Show supporters showed up at the meeting, and mysteriously chairs were missing from the meeting room, forcing people to stand or sit on the ground? The chairs have returned! Personally I want to thank my township for treating their residents with such care that they actually removed chairs from the meeting room when the supporters of the horse show attended meetings.
BUDGET REVIEW UPDATE
As promised, I have been inspecting records at the township building over the last two weeks. This is a slow process, however I will keep you updated as things of importance are revealed. The 2012 budget did not include rental income for the farmland and farmhouse leased by the township. After I pointed this out, Jim Wendlegas was not able to determine why they were missing. During my review and on Monday evening, Jim took responsibility for “missing” the income from the farm land in the budget. The supervisors decided to vote to amend the budget to make this change at the next meeting. As part of my review, I have asked for copies of the leases on the farm land along with the farmhouse lease. What I was provided was an expired lease (lease expired 9/30/08) on the Farmhouse and an expired lease for the farmland that Ken Miller leases from the township (expired 12/31/10). When asked for lease renewals, extensions or addendums to the leases, Jim looked surprised, and said he would have to “look” for them. Jim did not have them available at the next meeting even though I stressed the importance of seeing them. Just to be clear, the leases do not have an automatic renewal, and do require renewals in writing…Stay tuned more to follow….
Thank you for staying interested in what is going on in West Vincent Township. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone who may have an interest in what’s happening in West Vincent Township. If the e-mail has been forwarded to you, and you would like to receive future mailings, please click on the link below!
Sincerely,
Maria Jacobs
Friend of the Horse Show
“Be the change you wish the world to see” – Ghandi
To join the Friends of the Horse Show Mailing list click here
To see my previous mailings please click on http://tinyurl.com/westvincentinfos As usual, if you want to be on or off my list, or have some comments or suggestions, or know someone who would like to be on the list, please let me know. Feel free to forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested. Especially though, if you don’t want to continue to receive my mails, please tell me. I’ll take you off the list immediately. Just hit reply to this email or write to chestercountynews@gmail.com
Best wishes
Chickenman