Tag Archives: chickenman

playing “chicken” in west vincent

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cluckThere has been a lot of discussion about “things” in West Vincent again, and once again the knee jerk reaction of someone is to post things which are tantamount to bullying at a minimum in a building that functions as a United States Post Office.

Posting harassing things to bully private citizens in a building designated a United States Post Office is like mailing the same things through the mail – it is not quite legal and that is why things like this are given to United States Postal inspectors, isn’t it?  Maybe it is past time to bump this up a notch?

west vincent harassment

So supporters, followers, politicians, township employees, whomever here is the 411: David Monteith is not and never has been “Chickenman”.  And Chickenman is not the one who started the inquiry into the problematic West Vincent Farmers Market.  Ordinary people did.  I have looked into it, does that make me Chickenman too?  Do the inconvenient facts that the Township Manager of Upper Uwchlan is following his zoning and the law make him , Cary Vargos , Chickenman?

I don’t know who Chickenman is and as an Auslander I stand a better chance of finding out than Ken Miller, Dave Brown, Claire Quinn and so on and so forth. Maybe Chickenman is Sam Cantrell and he is all organic? Maybe Ted Otteni or Gabe Pilotti is Chickenman?  What about West Vincent’s Township Manager and Township Solicitor? Are they in fact Chickenman?

I know David Monteith.  He runs a good business.  And because he stood up once upon a time in West Vincent he is harassed by supporters of “good government” as it currently stands in West Vincent.   These people stand in the shadows like vampires  afraid to be seen in daylight, don’t they?  And doesn’t this stuff oddly seem to happen to every other resident and taxpayer of West Vincent who stands up for the right things?  I figure it is only a matter of time before  John Jacobs and Maria Holderness will be targeted, right?  Maybe their residency will be challenged? How they tie their shoes? Maybe a case can be used against civilized, incorruptible, honest people some more in West Vincent?  Why does good = bad?

So are you going to attack me because I am sick of what you “good people” have been trying to do to an innocent man the past couple of years?  I get you are all working on mob mentality and like to hide in the shadows as bullies are wont to do, but sooner or later, probably sooner, you will be caught won’t you?  After all you never know where surveillance cameras lurk (other than in woods during private barbeques) do you?

The irony of this dumb as dirt thing posted today is the proposed farmers market for West Vincent is actually located in Upper Uwchlan .  So maybe Cary Vargo REALLY is Chickenman?  Hell maybe Jim Gerlach is Chickenman! Or what about that nasty Larry guy who left comments on this blog?  Is he Chickenman?

Lots of media follow this blog and eventually someone will say it is very odd the way West Vincent officials turn a seemingly blind eye while residents are bullied by government supporters.  And I bet that might include The Daily Local which some flannel mouth woman in West Vincent whose name begins with an “S” seems to think she controls, right? (I find that to be quite the accomplishment given she is neither editor, owner, nor publisher is she?)

If you people do not have the balls to come out of the shadows and man and woman up and have a conversation the right way maybe you should all just shut it?

But this bullying and harassing of private citizens who love where they live and want the best for residents IS going to stop. People get tired of it more and more every time. And the fact that May primary turned out the way it did and the fact that the placards in the United States Post Office are back says that someone or several someones are running scared and dare we say they are BIG CHICKENS?  Are they Chickenman????

Cluck, cluck, cluck.  This blog is my opinion as guaranteed by the founding fathers of this country via the First Amendment.  Guess they are Chickenmen too?

sigh….

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wv4West Vincent must think I have some super secret radar when it comes to that municipality.  I don’t.  It just seems to be the land of dumb stuff. But given the mental midgets who govern over there, is it any wonder? (And lest West Vincent officials get their panties in a knot over this post they can thank the public info that let this stuff loose. Yes, municipalities like this love to live under the radar, but they might as well accept that through their own actions this Warped Mayberry is now on the radar of many…)wv5

When State Senator Any Dinniman posted an article about fracking and stuff on his facebook page I learned what I thought was I don’t know what in West Vincent sandwiched between dense residential development and playing fields for children was indeed some kind  fracking or gas line thing.  So close. So close. That is kind of freaky if you ask me. I would never want to be so close to something like that. The thing is although we might need the gas, you don’t know really how the whole process can affect people that live close by, can you?

wv3

Senator Dinniman had a simple message:

We cannot allow natural gas pipeline companies to run indiscriminately throughout our open spaces, pristine waterways and backyards. In Chester County, we value the environment. And there are enough people who have the skills, talents, and financial resources to resist encroaches done insensibly and without proper community dialogue

wv 2a

No matter WHERE you stand on fracking and those pipe lines, you can’t disagree with that.  Here is the article:

In Chesco town, opposition helped stop proposed gas pipeline

By Aubrey Whelan, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: March 12, 2013

And then there is the latest from Chickenman, hence the title of his post “sigh”.  I am pleased to note that a lot of people who once thought Chickenman was “scary” now understand that it is the truth he puts forth that is scary.  His truth comes from public records and public sources.  Soon those friends of West Vincent supervisors will undoubtedly start putting up flyers in the post office again. Of course, they do so at their own risk because that is utterly illegal IMHO.  And if you are a victim of these flyers you can and should turn them over to postal inspectors to run through crime labs. Postal inspectors don’t play.

Anyway, here is what chickenman is saying and you can be your own judge but IMHO West Vincent is playing Russian Roulette with the environment again.  But then again, in West Vincent it is always about who you know.

Anyway Chickenman’s missive of 3/22/2013:

Hi. A new business is opening in West Vincent Township. This is great news for the Township, a new business. Here is a copy of a brochure from the business.WestVinc1Seems you’ll be able to buy all of your hard landscaping supplies here. It is located on the far west side of West Vincent Township on route 401 just before getting into East Nantmeal Township.It looks to me like there may be a problem with this establishment, though. Here is a picture of the operation.                         WestVinc2What kind of problems, you may ask? All the trees next to the stream have been torn out in order to set the concrete barrier walls. It looks like the containment bins are too close to the stream. If mulch is going in those concrete bins, the drains would spill directly into the stream, which is not allowed. The CFO of the company that owns this property was a member of the Sustainability Committee in 2012. I wonder how the other members feel about this? Sounds a little like Pam Brown, doesn’t it? Of course, those are just the environmental issues. Then there is the problem of this project is being built in a residential area. While the trucking company has the right to be there from a previous zoning hearing board decision, I don’t think there is an allowance for a landscape supply or retail establishment. That would be another commercial use on top of the one already granted in an area that commercial isn’t allowed. This would be a violation of the Township Zoning.Why am I talking about this issue? Because it involves Katharine “Kit” Trolier. Kit Trollier, formerly Kit Greiner, is the CFO of Greiner Inc. the company that is expanding the business operations and is part of the family that owns that land. Kit is also a Ken Miller handpicked member of the Zoning Hearing Board in West Vincent Township. She is a Judge that decides people’s property rights within the township.You may remember Kit Trolier. She ran for Committeewoman twice and once for Supervisor. Every attempt was unsuccessful. But that doesn’t mean Kit Trolier isn’t without friends. While running for political office, she was supported by Supervisors Ken Miller and Zoe Perkins. During her run for Supervisor, she partnered with David Brown who was successful at becoming a West Vincent Supervisor. Kit was on a board for a company that West Vincent Township solicitor Steve Siana own. She bought the property where she resides from Steven Siana. One of her best friends is fellow zoning hearing board member Carl Brachwitz. And, I repeat, she herself is a member of the same Zoning Hearing Board. She is a former member of the Sustainability Committee and also a member of the Trash Task Force. She is well connected.From the township minutes Jan 7, 2013:Trash Task Force appointments and terms (1 year term to expire on December 31st of the listed year): Steven Bazil, 2014 Eugene Briggs, 2014 Chip Farnham, 2014 Penny Furgess-Hodgkins, 2014 Peter Gafer, 2014 Bob Kaiser, 2014 Ted Otteni, 2014 John Rieder, 2014 Harry Saunders, 2014 Kate Stanton, 2014 Kit Trolier, 2014 Michael Whitehead, 2014What will come of this issue now that this information is in the public? Will Ken Miller’s administration be able to protect his friend? For the environmental issues, it could go either way. After all, Supervisor Miller is probably the biggest polluter in West Vincent after Exxon/Mobil and he has been able to somehow skirt the PA DEP. (http://kenmillersepareport.blogspot.com/).I think it’s doubtful. But I could be wrong. After all, this is West Vincent Township.As far as avoiding the township issues, DL Fleck still operates illegally, in direct conflict with a Chester County Court of Common Pleas Order. The township doesn’t enforce the ruling or regulations when it involves friends. Kit Trolier has been a good lapdog for the Miller administration, even defending the motives for the Eminent Domain actions against the Ludwig’s Corner Horseshow grounds. There may be some posturing but in the end, it is doubtful that the zoning will be enforced. After all, Kit (Greiner) Trolier is the final enforcer at the township level.Here is a screenshot saved from www.goodgovernmentforwestvincent, Kit Trolier’s campaign website, a website which was removed after David Brown was caught contradicting his campaign statements on issues AFTER he was Supervisor. It shows she has been CFO for Greiner Inc. for almost 20 years.WestVinc3Best wishesChickenman 

NEW! more on justice for argus & fiona: chester county district attorney press release

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CHARGES FILED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

argus and fionaNow personally, I think the Chester County District Attorney’s Office should be thanking all of us for bringing the topic to their attention, and to thank the lawyers not involved who suggested that there was more to be looked at, but I will take gladly these baby steps towards justice as per below press release. Someone said to me the political translation loosely was: West Vincent was hog tied and couldn’t make it go away but even I don’t want to be that mean. – they after all have proven cruelty to chickens, right?  (HINT to West Vincent: treat your residents with respect at the upcoming meeting on Monday, they have a right to be heard.)

The charges filed by the DA seem to be animal cruelty and reckless endangerment.

But there is more to do, and laws to be changed.   So can we work together on this so Pennsylvania dogs are safe from harm like this?

Please write or Facebook or call your elected officials today.  Let them know that we want Justice for Argus & Fiona and other dogs who have suffered needlessly and tragically like and before them.

21308714_BG1Chesco sheep owner charged in killing of two dogs

Charges Filed In Shooting Of Neighbors’ 2 Dogs

Prior posts on this blog about Argus & Fiona:

justice for argus & fiona

intolerable cruelty

UPDATE 2.22.2013 8:12 PM – Here is the complaint in native format courtesy of NBCPhiladelphia

justice for argus & fiona

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poolWhen I posted “the post” almost 48 hours ago now, I hoped this would take off as an issue so this family could have peace and justice, but truthfully this has surpassed my wildest imaginings. Justice for Argus & Fiona has spread far and wide and the Facebook page set up for support by the Bock family’s friends has almost 1500 members and continues to grow. And a petition has begun as well so feel free to sign it!

The outpouring of support is so amazing.  From every day people to almost every media outlet that exists regionally, people care about what happens. People who sometimes normally can’t agree on anything have come together with this issue because they want better things to happen then two dogs getting gunned down within twenty minutes (give or take) from when they escaped their home yard for a tragic first and only time.

kidsTo be clear, I am not a big fan of West Vincent government.  I think they rule oddly over one of the prettiest places in Chester County.  And weird and unnecessary things always seem to happen. And for Pete’s sake, elected officials seem to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying and spreading nonsense about a writer called Chickenman don’t they?

West Vincent the truth shall set you free but that is a topic for another day.  Well, it won’t be if you aren’t respectful of your citizenry at the upcoming Supervisors Meeting on Monday February 25th at 7:30 pm.  I know full well residents have contacted you and requested that the matter of the shooting to death of puppies Argus and Fiona be put on the agenda.  If you try to stifle your people on this, West Vincent, the hue and cry over attempting eminent domain at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show will be child’s play by comparison.

West Vincent Township is located at :
729 St. Matthews Road
Chester Springs, PA 19425
 Phone: (610) 458-1601

a2Residents want to learn about firearm use in a residential area, what constitutes a farm, and how to make changes to bad laws.  And in addition to all of this, they strive to find a positive from this tragedy.  West Vincent, you owe decency and answers to your citizenry.

To the citizenry I urge you to make your voices heard respectfully.  Emotions are running hot on this issue and I was told by a reporter today about a woman who stood outside the dog shooter’s house yesterday  and just stood in his driveway yelling “Dog killer!!” at him for 5 minutes. That, I am so sorry, is not cool.   First of all he has guns and isn’t afraid to use them, and secondly he has neighbors who must feel under siege by all the media crawling around West Vincent, and third and most importantly things need to happen the right way with this.  Don’t stoop to the level of someone who shoots dogs, please.

Last evening on the heels of the truly remarkable coverage by NBC10 Philadelphia and CBS3 . Today came coverage from 6ABC, KYW News Radio 1060, Syndicated talk show host Michael Smerconish, Main Line Media News, The Daily Local, Patch, and a really good piece from Claudia Gomez at Fox 29. Tomorrow will bring more – the Inquirer and who knows what else.

dog killer signA friend of mine commented  something that is worth repeating. She was afraid of people getting too vigilante justice for lack of a better term. She is absolutely correct that cooler heads must prevail.
It is with that in mind that I must say that  encouraging people to call this guy who shot the dogs or stand outside his property is NOT the right thing to do. In my mind that falls into two wrongs don’t make a right.
If you want to help, show the Bock family support and condolences and empathy- losing a pet under ANY circumstances is so hard, and what happened to their dogs IS intolerable cruelty, but justice should be served under the law by those qualified to serve it.

If you want to help, get Pennsylvania lawmakers to update outmoded farm statutes and other laws so Pennsylvania’s dogs are PROTECTED.

If you want to help, go show support for these people at the upcoming West Vincent Board of Supervisors meeting and ask them to do their jobs as elected and appointed officials the RIGHT way.

If you want to help ask the Chester County DA to ensure that people use firearms responsibly as in DON’T fire them in residential areas and gun down dogs and possibly put unsuspecting humans at risk. Violence should NOT beget violence. As adults we have the free will and ability to pay this forward the RIGHT way.

And among other things, we need to pass that along to our children. Ok so lecture is over.

Let us get back to the business at hand: Justice for Argus & Fiona and peace and love for their humans.  Together we can enact positive change so other dog owners don’t go through this. thanks for reading.The momentum is growing.  Truly together we can enact change. It might take time, lots of petitions and bus trips to Harrisburg, but we can do it.  And if we are successful, other pet owners and their furry friends might be spared unspeakable tragedy.

Now as far as the Chester County District Attorney goes, the following message was sent to media today:
From: “Billela, Barbara C.” <bbillela@chesco.org>
Subject: Dog Shooting Incident
Date: February 21, 2013 4:31:28 PM EST
To: “Billela, Barbara C.” <bbillela@chesco.org>
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office will have a press release tomorrow with significant new information about the dog shooting incident in Chester Springs, PA.

 Barbara Billela

Administrative Assistant to District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan,
First Assistant Michael Noone, and Chief of Staff Charles Gaza
Chester County District Attorney’s Office
201 West Market Street, Suite 4450
Post Office Box 2746
West Chester, PA  19380-0989
(610) 344-6827

I have no idea what this means, but I hope it means they are taking a second look.

I am also taking this opportunity to share something from the Justice for Argus & Fiona Facebook page written by Mary Bock:

mary1

mary2

The outpouring of support has been amazing.  Can I say that again?  There is even support from elected officials like State Senator Andy Dinniman.  Congressman Jim Gerlach has also been made aware, so I urge anyone who reads this to contact elected officials about this horrible turn of events.

Now a lawyer I know sent me three things for people to read, so please do:

459-501 statute re dogs

Crueltytoanimals

Ingram

I have to say this whirlwind has left me dog tired, so I can’t imagine how the Bocks feel.  More media coming tomorrow I hear. And oh yes, please check out the Daily Local article by Michael Price:

Officials: West Vincent dog shooting legal under state law

 By MICHAEL N. PRICE mprice@dailylocal.com

Posted: Thursday, 02/21/13 10:31 am Updated: Thursday, 02/21/13 06:16 pm

WEST VINCENT — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office is expected to release new information Friday in the shooting deaths of two family dogs in Chester Springs last week.

According to a statement from a District Attorney’s Office spokesperson, authorities will release “significant” new details related to the killing of two Bernese Mountain Dogs who were shot on Feb. 12 after they escaped a fenced-in yard in the unit block

My previous post which was the first thing out there on this horrible tragedy can be found by clicking on this link called “intolerable cruelty”. And I know those funkadellic horse rescue folks think I have forgotten all of that, they should think again.  I am hoping now that the media knows how to get out to Chester County they will check it all out too. (Well Fairview Road in Glenmoore is not that far away from the scene of the dog crime is it?) Especially since Victor Fiorello wrote on Foobooz today about Philadelphia chefs wanting to add horse meat to the menu. (As an aside, can I tell you how I will now never go to a Mark Vetri or Peter McAndrews restaurant again as a result?)

Ok people, thanks for reading, thanks for supporting Justice for Argus & Fiona.  Hug your pets and say a prayer to St. Francis.

Over and out.

Shooting of dogs sparks ill will in Chester Springs

Carolyn Davis, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: Friday, February 22, 2013, 3:01 AM

Contact Carolyn Davis at 610-313-8109, cdavis@phillynews.com, or @carolyntweets on Twitter.

And oh yeah, people from some church called Calvary Fellowship in Downingtown have been calling the Bock family and I have to ask why? And what do the West Vincent police have as far as info for the family?  Someone says they want to speak with them today?

these aren’t the salem witch trials west vincent are they?

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DSC_0069The problem with small towns is among other things, gossip.  Can that be said to be a huge issue in West Vincent Township?

As an auslander observing how these small Chester County Hamlets like West Vincent work, it can often be described as with fear and loathing can’t it? He said, she said with an unhealthy dose of incestuous politics, right?

So many I know would never live in West Vincent because of the convenient and batting of the eye inexplicable crap that happens to ordinary people who aren’t even doing anything half the time, right?

Want to know what I have noticed going through West Vincent of late?  The number of properties for sale on every road and dirt lane imaginable.  It is a small place and it seems that in it and abutting it, homes are going up for sale.  Some of them incredibly beautiful, slice of heaven worthy properties. Can that all be because of the economy?  Or is it deeper, darker, more sinister?  Could part of what is wrong also have to do with fears of unecessary development? (see letter here called 2February2013Bville ) Or taxes? Or how tax monies are spent? Township services?

But part and parcel of what is wrong with West Vincent is fear and loathing and whisper down the lane, correct? Political retribution?  Persecution of innocents?

persecution

Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and socio-economic levels.  Real Christian people abhor bullying.

So West Vincent officials of course you know nothing about this, right? But can it be said you might never lift a finger if you knew who was doing this?

So West Vincent, here is the 411: Do you want to be on my radar again?  Do you want to be under the microscope of media? 

We realize you are still obsessed and live in fear of Chickens and mobs of Birchrunville People but let’s grow up, shall we?  Not every one of your residents is going to agree with you.  You are not gods.  You were put there by the people and can be removed by the people, yes?  You are not immune to ethics inquiries and state investigations, either, are you?  Is that what you are trying to avoid?

The times they are a changing and it is time for twisted Mayberry to get with the program. Persecution and gossip are so Salem Witch Trials and February 1692 right?

And here is an idea to lay on the general public: accountability.  If you know who leaves persecution missives around town in this country hamlet, feel freee to speak up.  God don’t like ugly after all.

A final thought to file under God don’t like ugly and accountability are some flyers I have held onto, and in some cases for months.  People have been sending them to me for months.  They show up in places like the US Post Office in a couple of locations.  I believe Birchrunville and maybe Chester Springs.

It is of course damn stupid to harass private citizens via the US Postal Service – and FYI it doesn’t matter if you are posting on post office property or sending through the mail it can and all should be given to US Postal Inspectors, shouldn’t it?  They throw stuff like that through crime labs for prints and whatnot – sometimes state labs, but often Federal labs and would you want YOUR finger prints or DNA on them? And this isn’t CSI, they actually do this stuff. And if my name was on one of those flyers being left in post offices I certainly would contact the postal inspectors.

I have redacted the names but it is all obviously political in West Vincent because the citizen targets include one person who ran for supervisor and someone else was an honest Republican Committeeman.  And the type face  and phrasing is similar enough to give anyone with a brain pause that it is the same author or authoress as the notice above. But again, anyone with a brain wouldn’t do something this stupid because eventually it all comes out. And these people are doing this because they are obsessed with Chickenman.  As in who the writer Chickenman is.

And what are they going to “prosecute” Chickenman for anyway?  Telling the truth? (In that case Viva La Chicken, right?)Having First Amendment Rights? Exercising a very American tradition of having a pen name? (I will also note they tried this a few years ago in Delaware County with a blogger called Delco Tom Paine or something close to that.  He was never exposed, never prosecuted, and much of what he wrote about came to pass.)

Bottom line: government corruption is like mold until it sees the light of day.  And shame on whomever for persecuting private citizens for having two brain cells to rub together. And if these flyers end up being discovered as being created by West Vincent elected officials, appointed officials or with the knowledge of either well that might be a problem for a lot of people, huh?

West Vincent, it is 2013.  Knock it off.  The more you try to slide stuff by the more people seem to come forward and ask questions.  Trying to silence, bully, harass, initimidate, and harrangue residents is not working in your favor so why not try a little honesty instead of croneyism?

chickfilet 1

chickfilet2

final dumbass flyer

And now for the ultimate in Paranoia.  (And oh the irony they are ankle biting Jim Gerlach, eh? I bet the Congressman loves being up on post office walls next to the FBI most wanted, huh?) And at the end of the day is Chickenman silent? I still get mailings, don’t all of you?

Paranoia

If I was an elected or appointed or connected person in West Vincent I sure wouldn’t want to be caught along with whomever is putting harassing flyers up in US Post offices around West Vincent, would you? LOL this is some kind of truth for West Vincent isn’t it? And my final thing on this post is to post the list of “contributors” to two blogs no one reads (they are possibly vegan and at the very least chicken-free LOL):

Truth for West Vincent

I am a West Vincent resident and I set up this blog in 2009 to invite my neighbors to share information and enter a discussion about our township, what’s working and what’s not. Please continue to share your thoughts.

contributors

WVT Open Forum

This is a place to post signed messages, no hidden authors, no unsubstantiated allegations.  Please speak your piece and share your opinion. We ask posters and commenters to identify themselves; we would like this to be a discussion forum for West Vincent Township residents only.  Thank you.

contributors2

Twisted Mayberry….there is no substitute.  You people would eat your young if it meant having your own way, don’t you all think so?

hint to clare: buy a nespresso machine

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http://chestercountyramblings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tacie-1.jpgSo a while ago I wrote that West Vincent Supervisor Clare Quinn was going into the cafe-hospitality-bakery business.

Well, apparently Tacie’s is open.  I encourage everyone to go because West Vincent taxpayers are still paying Supervisor Clare’s health benefits, right? (If they aren’t and she is once again self-supporting in that area, by all means leave a comment so I can correct the post!)

Unfortunately for our burgeoning Chester County Barefoot Contessa the first review is *not* so good.  It’s a yelp that yelps alrighty.  ONLY 1 star given? Yikes!

Here is what the Yelp reviewer said:

Tacie’s Cafe and Bakery

Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries

11/30/2012

Terribly disapointing…Build up and PR led one to expect a comfortable coffee cafe with free wifi where sitting with your computer, having a cup of fine coffee and a homemade pastry or sandwich would fill a huge void in this area (The only other close spot of this sort is St Peters Cafe and they have very limited hours)
The atmosphere is NO different from the old, dowdy, church-lady style of the former Coventry Tearoom. Coffee was awful—as bad as Wawa and no one even knew what roaster they were using which made it clear that it was just standard Aramark type coffee.
I was given the tiniest cup I’ve ever had in my life for a takeaway. Sticky bun which I took home was ok, nothing special.
But the main disappointment is that this place opened as if we were in 1965 and that the population out here hasn’t changed since then. Not even an attempt in a comfortable decor or even any current great background music.
Completely unsophisticated and mediocre. Youd at least think that with Kimberton Roaster so close by they’d make an effort to have a great coffee if nothing else!!
With all the money being saved on quality/decor and such, the should hire a consultant to bring them into the 21st Century! Being cosy in the country is not the same as being cultural crap…..and according to the review above, obviously no one in the kitchen realizes that we now ( those of us who care in any case) eat with a thought to our heart health. The last thing this area needs is more fat fried in fat disguised as ‘food’.
Really , really a shame…..

Now I won’t ever go to Pottstown just for coffee and a bun, so honestly it is doubtful I would ever darken her door.  Also doubtful because much like Farmer Ken she supported eminent domain for private gain a year ago at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show. How can I support a business that has an owner who supported even the thought of eminent domain for private gain? It’s a personal thing with me, but it is how I feel.

However, don’t let me stop you from going to Tacie’s because if she makes money she gets off the dole in West Vincent for health benefits, right?  Even if we all know she and some other petty people in West Vincent are not so supportive of fellow West Vincent residents and their businesses, right?  Even if they see magical  chickens behind every bush and tree, right? (I am somewhat disappointed as she has never accused me of being Chickenman – LOL it makes one feel left out of the fowl club!!!)

But Clare, wow, maybe you should just buy a Nespresso machine. They make fabulous coffee.  There are few things worse than a bad cup of coffee in a cafe.

As for the rest of it, you either have style or you don’t.  You can either cook and bake or you can’t. You are either hospitable with a generous spirit or you aren’t.  Maybe you can fake it til you make it? And a Yellowbook coupon? really?

I wish her luck, but the truth is so many people who don’t know boo about running a cafe or restaurant open them up.  I love to cook for example, am very good at it, but I know that doesn’t make me Julia Child.

in case you thought things couldn’t get more strange in tredyffrin….

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So in the end will we discover that John DiBuonaventuro had the approval of all his fellow supervisors regarding his infamous September letter in Tredyffrin?  Will he write a personal note back to Sam Stretton who is representing Pattye and sent Tredyffrin a letter ?

Before I get to the crux of this post, as far as background check out  article by Rich Ilgenfritz of Main Line Media News on November 5, 2012, and post by Pattye on November 2nd.  Also check out post by Pattye on November 4th.

So Tredyffrin has as their mouthpiece it seems the solicitor Vincent Donohue, who paints such a rosy picture of Tredyffrin and how the residents are treated that many can’t help but wonder has he actually been there? I also wonder why we have not heard from Tredyffrin resident/Radnor Township ex-pat/Tredyffrin Manager Bill Martin?  Where is he on all of this or is he somewhere in the Tredyffrin Township Building hiding under his desk? (Don’t laugh, I heard a story once of someone in Tredyffrin hiding under their desk and why couldn’t it happen?)

Anyway, my eyes are popping because of this article I just finished reading in Main Line Media News:

Majority of Tredyffrin supervisors may not have approved DiBuonaventuro letter posted to website

Published: Thursday, November 08, 2012

By Richard Ilgenfritz
rilgenfritz@mainlinemedianews.com

It might appear that a majority of the Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors did not see or approve a controversial letter that a Tredyffrin Township supervisor posted on the municipal website in September, according to an open records request made by a local media outlet.

Crikey!  They aren’t riding the train to a new station in Paoli, these people seem to be riding the un-sunshine friendly crazy train don’t they?

So what does that mean if this was not in fact approved by a legal quorum/majority of supervisors?  What are any additional implications involving the former Tredyffrin Township Manager ?

How does John DiBuonaventuro get away with something like this?

Sign me confused.

Here is Pattye’s post on the topic.  She continues to be a lady about this.  I bet Tredyffrin wishes this would go away, but what is that phrase? Truth will out?

Re Personal Letter on Government Website — Did Tredyffrin Supervisor DiBuonaventuro receive approval from his fellow supervisors?

Posted on November 8th, 2012   5:32 PM  by Pattye Benson

Did John DiBuonaventuro actually have approval from fellow supervisors before using government resources and government letterhead to post his personal letter of September 5 on the government’s website?  The answer to that question is not entirely clear, and the answer also depends on whom you ask.

As the resident targeted in DiBuonaventuro’s diatribe to the citizens of Tredyffrin Township, I was very interested to read the Main Line Media News article, “Majority of Supervisors may not have approved DiBuonaventuro letter posted to website”.  In the article, Rich Ilgenfritz explains that the newspaper filed an open records request with Tredyffrin Township asking for all information pertaining to DiBuonaventuro’s letter on the township website.  However, it is interesting that MLMN only received one record; an email from DiBuonaventuro to Patricia Hoffman, executive secretary for Tredyffrin Township….

One of several troubling unanswered questions in regards to DiBuonaventuro’s personal use of the township website, is did he act alone?  Or, … was there discussion (approval) from the other members of the Board of Supervisors.  In her response to my question on this matter, Gleason stated the following in her email dated September 7:

“ … In answer to your question, it is unusual to post a statement from an individual Supervisor, but given the inaccurate and derogatory statements and innuendo publicly made about John DiBuonaventuro, I decided to approve the posting of the letter on the Township website.  In this case, he was the subject of baseless public speculation simply because he is a Tredyffrin Supervisor.  The circumstances justified the use of the website to publicly defend him, carrying with it the implicit endorsement of the Township to the accuracy of his statements.  The Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and the Township Solicitor agreed that it was appropriate for the letter to go on the website.”

Gleason’s email states that the use of the government’s website by DiBuonaventuro carried with it the “implicit endorsement of the Township”.  She further states that the Chairman [Kichline] and the Township Solicitor [Vince Donohue] agreed the letter was appropriate for the website.  But did Kichline really see the actual letter?…Subsequent to DiBuonaventuro’s letter going on the website, there has been no public statement from the other 6 supervisors on this matter, except by Kichline who said that the Board would work on a website policy.  Why the silence from the other supervisors?  Privately, some of the supervisors have told citizens that they never saw the letter and some have stated that they would not have approved of the letter on the government’s website.  Why don’t the supervisors own these opinions in public?….Another interesting thing to note on this email is that there was a private meeting of 3 supervisors – DiBuonaventuro, Kristen Mayock and Kichline.  Why was Mayock involved but none of the other supervisors?  As chair of the BOS, I understand the rationale behind Kichline attending the meeting but it is unclear if she actually attended or not.  Mayock and Kichline are the two attorneys on the Board – was that the reason behind their request to attend this meeting?  And it should also be noted that DiBuonaventuro states in this email, that he has approval from the solicitor Vince Donohue for the letter on the website. Everyone seems to be in agreement that Donohue saw and approved the letter – DiBuonaventuro, Kichline and Gleason all state that Donohue approved the letter.  Interesting that this short email is all that is contained in the files in regards to DiBuonaventuro’s letter.  Just interesting…..Supervisor Mike Heaberg read a statement in regards to the website policy which suggested that there would be a policy presented at the November 19 Board of Supervisors meeting.  It was unclear whether or not the public would be permitted input into the website policy.  Public input could prove important when you read the response from the township solicitor Vince Donohue to my attorney Sam Stretton… (click here to read all of Pattye’s post)

This whole scenario still smells rotten.  What else can you say except are the residents of Tredyffrin REALLY being served? Seems to me this twisted Chester County Kingdom needs an overhaul, doesn’t it?  Darn good thing that Tredyffrin and West Vincent aren’t next to each other, right? (But if Tredyffrin was it would just be more opportunity for certain people to accuse more people of being “Chickenman”, right? After all, as I here told you aren’t anyone until you are accused of being Chickenman, huh?)

Pattye, keep on keeping on.  Truth will out. Truth will out.

sigh…..more drama in the hinterlands

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On the news today they announced that the FBI has a new toll-free government corruption hotline.  The toll-free hotline number is 855-FBI-TIPS (855-324-8477). They did it for Philadelphia, but will accept tips for any municipalities and see where they lead.  File under food for thought. Not saying anything, not accusing anyone of anything, it is public information released today and I found it interesting.

Now onto other curiosities du jour:  quizzle me this: how does a property owner in Chester County not get notified at a potential zoning change they describe as “40 feet” from their front door?

Calling West Vincent, your slip is showing again.

The long and short of it is some chef wants to open a BYOB.  Not only is there residential to be considered, but it is in a school zone too, apparently? Funny thing is people love quaint country BYOBs, but hey proper notification is key, correct?

Now I have a resident’s permission to post this drama in a country beat, but I am afraid they will be retaliated against for speaking up, let alone speaking to a blogger. And well this blogger hopes that West Vincent shows some style here and just tidies up their mess in a legitimate, above board, sunshine-friendly fashion, ok?

So this nice guy named Kevin Miller is a little upset.  Mostly because he says he never received a written notice of this proposed use and how is that possible?  Was it just an innocent oops that they skipped notifying this property owner? Wasn’t anything posted at the property in question for people to see?  Are there innocent oopsie daisies in West Vincent?  If only a couple of properties within this little stretch were being zoned commercial is that spot zoning?  (I am not a planner or land use specialist or zoning guru, so I am just asking.)

Here is the e-mail this nice man sent to his supervisors:

————————-email to claire quinn and kenneth miller—–

I am the property owner next to Elaine’s flower shop ([HOUSE NUMBER REDACTED] Conestoga rd.).  Last week a neighbor informed me that there was a planning commission meeting in which a proposed change to the zoning map was being considered that included my property.   Apparently Elaine Horton is attempting to sell her barn to a person who wishes to open a BYOB restaurant 40 feet from my house.

I must say that when I attended this meeting to express deep concern over this, I was even more shocked that apparently, this was pretty much mapped out and set to be approved by the planning commission.  Maybe I am naïve in not randomly checking the West Vincent website to see if someone’s trying to rezone my house, but I’m beyond shocked that no one from the township made any effort whatsoever to communicate this to me, in any form.

The concerns I expressed to the planning commission were as follows:

  1.  You’re basically approving to open a BYOB restaurant in a school zone – directly across the street from an elementary school.
  2. I assume this restaurant will be open at night?  Which mean I and my family with 3 small children will have to deals with parking lot lights, noise…etc at night now?
  3. The proposed map was basically spot zoning by skipping over the property at 2735 and its frontage
  4. Concern over the viability of a restaurant in a less-than-optimal retail location given the amount of construction work it would take to get the building up to code.

Fortunately, it appears the planning commission at least paused on approving this until November.  I and a number of neighbors in the immediate area think the idea of a restaurant at this location is bad in many ways.  I’ve communicated my concern over a BYOB restaurant, which will be open during school hours, to the West Vincent PTA and the initial reaction from them was what I would classify as quit negative.

I did not email you today to complain about a proposed restaurant next to my house because frankly, the notion of changing that bat-ridden barn in a place where is food is served is laughable.  What I am taking issue with is the simple fact that the township knowingly made zero effort to communicate with me that you were you going to re-zone my house.

Thankfully, and unlike  elected officials, my neighbors cared enough to bring this to my attention.

I would like an explanation as to why the township made no effort to communicate with  me on  this.   I received multiple communications about the proposed sidewalk from Jim Wendleglass and that’s not even close to happening from what I understand.  My house was basically mapped out with Elaine’s to be spot zoned commercial!  The fact that I didn’t know about this is nuts.

Here is the e-mail that Kevin Miller sent to me that his wife got from the real estate agent when she inquired about the property:

Hi – Unfortunately, there was no attachment indicating which listing you are referring to but it might be the florist business located on RT. 401 called “Elaine’s Flowers”. It has a commercial variance for a gift shop relating to the floral business. There are many uses under the current zoning. Currently, an offer is on the table regarding an organic restaurant. West Vincent is discussing change a “block” of parcels into a commercial district. We are currently involved in those meetings. Please call me at (610) 952-3600.

Barb Kondrath

So this involves Elaine’s Flowers.  Now interestingly enough I found a Prudential Page about this address.

Seems to me that West Vincent has done everyone a disservice here and put backs up all the way around, yes? These things are ALWAYS 100% worse when municipalities don’t take the little steps to ensure comfort, yes?

See PDFs of WVT documents: 001, 2, 3 (incidentally these were NOT sent to me by the potentially affected resident.) I guess they are applicable here?

It is indeed a shame that it appears that West Vincent has screwed a lot of stuff up for a lot of people? I mean don’t you also feel sorry for this woman trying to sell her florist shop?

the forecast is continued cloudy in west vincent

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I found an article this morning which leaves me slightly stunned.  West Vincent Township, that tiny hamlet in Chester County that seems to have an inordinate amount of issues and examples of bad government and municipal thugginess, is at it again.

Apparently, sunshine and transparency in government is for other people. The Daily Local is reporting the following:

By SARA MOSQUEDA-FERNANDEZ smfernandez@dailylocal.com

WEST VINCENT — The Board of Supervisors unanimously repealed its policy of publishing official documents to the township’s website, saying that the policy is “unnecessary” and has had adverse effects.

The decision came during the supervisors’ meeting on Monday, coupled with the announcement that the policy would be reduced to an informal guideline.

The policy to post certain township documents, including meeting agendas, minutes, announcements and policies, was “created as a courtesy to some residents,” said Supervisor Clare Quinn.

According to Quinn, the decision to repeal the policy stemmed from an overwhelming number of requests for additional documents….Brown said one of the issues with the policy was that there was difficulty posting documents on the website within a week of their original publication, and that reducing the policy to a guideline would help resolve the matter.

Well blow me over, someone get those poor people some Internet technology.  They can pay well enough to have moving photos and silliness on their municipal website but not information that would actually be helpful to the residents let alone show that West Vincent Township complies with sunshine and transparency laws in PA? Yowza people!

This is deeply, deeply troubling.  When municipalities go this far to say why they should not release what should be public information in a timely manner, does that mean they are hiding things???  Here is a link to their Right to Know Form . They deserve to be flooded.

Sigh…this municipality is so scary backwards.  So much beauty where it is located and such decay underneath…

And speaking of Clare Quinn, does she have a new business?  If so, are the taxpayers of West Vincent going to continue to be on the hook for her healthcare benefits?  Because correct me if I am wrong but if she is opening a small business she can at least get benefits for herself under the business, right? Self-employment is employment, right? It is easier to get benefits as a business versus an individual, right?

So anyway I have some gal pals who love tea rooms and they told me a place called the Coventry Tea Room was closing – so I looked up their website:

I was curious about Tacie’s so I dug around. So Tacie’s is owned by Coventry Enterprises LLC whose address tags back to Clare Quinn if that where she actually lives ? (And you have to put the corporate names into the forn and submit to see info – see screen shot photos at bottom of this post)   Well, if all true, good thing I do not travel to Pottstown much as I just can’t by a moral sense of right and wrong support a business whose owner once attempted eminent domain for private gain (Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds). And it is a shame because I love little local places like this.  But in this case, I can’t overlook ownership, and I am truly sorry….

Hope Clare doesn’t borrow any fabulous recipes without attribution, right?  But I bet Clare will have lots of yummy products from Birchrun Hills Farm, another business I unfortunately also choose not to patronize because of Ken Miller, who is as everyone knows also a supervisor in West Vincent who was in favor of eminent domain for private gain at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show. (Farmer Ken has been remarkably quiet at meetings hasn’t he?)

And what is up with the Chicken Man is dead posters in Birchrunville Post Office?  And not just about Chicken Man.  Is this how they govern in West Vincent?  Fear and thuggery?  How come the developments in West Vincent are getting fresh paving and none of the older back roads?

The shame of West Vincent is that if they spent half the time doing positive things in this twisted hamlet versus what they actually do, this would be among the most desirable places to live, wouldn’t it?

more clucking cluck back clap trap in west vincent

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Elected officials are the flora and fauna of local municipalities.  But sometimes they say stuff which, well, they should re-think.

One of those people is West Vincent Supervisor Clare Quinn – you know the one the West Vincent taxpeyers pay health benefits for? You know the one who in her public capacity voted for eminent domain for private gain, yet saw no conflict with her then private sector capacity at French and Pickering Conservation Trust?

She has a website, where her phobia of chickens is well in evidence.  She devotes a whole segment to bashing both whomever Chickenman is and a rather nice guy named Barry.  She calls it “Clare Clucks Back”  and, well if I was her publicist I wouldn’t have it out there that a female elected official clucked, but who am I but a mere mortal and a female?

So I guess a week ago give or take, a nice guy named Brian who is part pf a group concerned about Birchrunville sent Chickenwoman (well if Clare says she clucks, she must be a chicken, right? ) an e-mail.  He sent out her response so people could see he got one.  Someone sent it to me, so I hope he doesn’t mind me posting it?

The reason I am posting it is because even when she responds to someone in a purportedly professional capacity, she still kinda takes pot shots.  Gotta tell you if the taxpayers I was supposed to represent fairly were paying my health benefits, I so wouldn’t do that.  But hey, she’s just working her own version of Obamacare, right?  Can we call it Clarecare?

Clare, as an outsider looking in, I gotta tell you, you have an obligation to respond to your constituency.  In a perfect world, everyone signs their name, sometimes people forget.  And sometimes people are so tired of being harassed in their own community they are afraid to. It still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to respond, or direct someone else to do so in a timely fashion.

So Clare, I don’t want a patronizing pat on the back for reading your e-mail.  Also as re: your comment about cell phones and supervisors, that doesn’t fly – I know several elected officials in several communities who pay for their own cell phones and unless they have a “burner” (reference the HBO show The Wire), most cell phone plans are fairly inclusive and if you are with a major company unless you have a gijillion family members on the same  plan you won’t use all your minutes assigned.

I also know plenty of elected officials in various municipalities who have fairly big deal job and businesses who manage to return all phone calls. And yes, some people don’t have voice mail, but most people have caller ID.

And if Supervisor Miller is being reimbursed for cell phone calls, that is something residents could get a hold of under a Right to Know Request, right?  As in bills submitted where itemized items being reimbursed can be clearly seen and then corresponding copies of township reimbursement checks? I mean if he is so worried about his bills, maybe someone could suggest a better plan?

And FYI Radnor Township puts their checkbook online, basically.  If you go to their website and check their meeting agendas you will find reports on a monthly basis showing monies in and out.  With great detail, I might add. Lower Merion does it too, though not as detailed or consistently current.

Also, there is nothing that outrages residents more than inadequate notice.

So Clare, if you have read this entire post, good for you Chickenwoman, and here is a virtual pat on the back and big juicy kisses. (eyes rolling)

Here is her e-mail:

———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Clare Quinn <cquinn0919@comcast.net>

Date: Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 6:37 PM Subject: brian curry’s email

Dear All:

Many thanks to Brian for signing his email so someone could respond to it and many thanks also to the person who forwarded it to me.

It is truly unfortunate that Brian felt intimidated and inconvenienced by the signage on his road last week, but I believe the fear he experienced was unwarranted. The sign Brian was referring to said Road Closed Ahead.  The section of the road where Brian lives was not closed and he would not have been ticketed for going by a Road Closed Ahead sign.

If township staff said it was okay to go around  a Road Closed sign, it meant there was to be no local police enforcement (of the new state law regarding road closed signs) for that sign so there was no danger that Brian or anyone else would have been ticketed.  It is a shame the new state law has caused Brian, and no doubt many others, such confusion.  It should be remembered, however, that it allows police to use discretion in enforcement.

With regard to notification of residents: In addition to the website notification on Friday for work to start on Monday, signs were posted on the road on Friday informing residents and all passersby that the road would be closed Monday through Thursday the following week. In the end, the road was closed fairly briefly on Monday, not at all on Tuesday, and from midday to end of work on Wednesday and all day Thursday till end of work.

With regard to Brian’s effort to reach Ken Miller: As some of you know, Birchrun Hills Farm is Ken Miller’s home. Ken Miller tried several times to return Brian’s call but Brian had no voicemail so he could not know Ken had tried to reach him.

No supervisor has a township cell phone. The Road Master is reimbursed for calls he makes on his personal cell phone to members of the road crew and staff pertaining to road issues.

Finally, the second number Brian posted for me is no longer my number.

If you have read through this entire thing, please give yourself a well-earned pat on the back!

Regards,

Clare Quinn