I asked these fine feathered fowl if they had seen Chickenman, but *sigh* all they did was cluck….truth be told with all that clucking they sounded just like West Vincent Township Supervisors and officials…very amusing! Enjoy the day!
Tag Archives: clare quinn
it’s not easy being green….
It’s not easy being green…poor, poor West Vincent Township. So much darn odd stuff happens within the township boundaries, you just can’t make it up.
The latest is a gargantuan pot bust. Yes marijuana is apparently the new crop in that part of Chester County. I can’t see it from my window and that is good.
Before I post the article I would mention that West Vincent residents have an AWESOME and not connected to the current regime candidate for supervisor – John Jacobs. Given the odd things that happen to West Vincent residents have an interest in cleaning up local government, can it be said this man puts himself at great risk to run? Well of he can do that, you all should be able to vote for him. West Vincent residents all say they want change, well the only way to get that is to break the death grip the current network has with a new supervisor.
You want change, people? Vote the old out and vote in the new. John Jacobs has a website. Here is a link to other endorsed candidates if you are interested. Yes it is GOP and I would put up the Democratic info if I could find it. But the truth is who is representative of them in West Vincent? Clare Quinn? Lordy that isn’t something to brag about and are you all still paying her benefits? Also worth noting? Another fabulous upstanding and honest person that I think would be marvy is running for West Vincent Township Auditor – Maria Holderness. Seriously people, it is time for change in your neck of the woods. After all what does it hurt to consider people whose hands AREN’T in some cookie jar somewhere?
Here is the article and yes, it’s not easy being green:
DA: major West Vincent pot grow operation busted
Posted: Thursday, 05/09/13 01:24 pm Updated: Thursday, 05/09/13 07:14 pm
WEST VINCENT — Over 180 marijuana plants were seized and one man was arrested Tuesday after police discovered a “sophisticated” grow operation at a home in the 1200 block of Jaine Lane in Spring City.
“Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced the arrest of Christian Titone of Spring City Thursday for allegedly running what police said was a sophisticated hydroponic grow operation and that housed over 180 live marijuana plants .”;
According to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, 53-year-old Christian Titone was arrested after police executed a search warrant at his home. Officials said the home was located in a secluded area of the township.“Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced the arrest of Christian Titone of Spring City Thursday for allegedly running what police said was a sophisticated hydroponic grow operation and that housed over 180 live marijuana plants .”;
“The defendant thought he could outsmart the police trying to grow marijuana in a secluded section of Chester County. He was wrong,” said District Attorney Tom Hogan. “We have confiscated his drugs arrested him, and now will move to forfeit everything associated with his drug dealing.”photo courtesy of The Daily Local News via Chester County DAs Office
“A large number of grow lights removed from the West Vincent home of Christian Titone, who is charged with a large-scale marijuana growing operation.
Police said investigators executed a search warrant at Titone’s home during Tuesday’s early morning hours. Inside, they found a sophisticated hydroponic grow operation…also found processed marijuana ready for sale…Titone’s home also had a “state of the art” surveillance system…After the search, executed by the Chester County Detectives and the county’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Strike Force, members of the state police’s Clandestine Laboratory Team removed the marijuana and all of the growing equipment, officials said.
I notice the Daily Local lists a rather long list of law enforcement involved. Basically everyone except West Vincent’s own police department and why? Was West Vincent’s Chief out collecting Gabe Pilotti’s gun or something? Pilotti is the one who shot the dogs in cold blood, remember? One would have thought that the West Vincent police would have confiscated the weapon pending the outcome of the court case, right? But we’re not here to discuss dog killers today.
Anyway just chalk it up to more unpleasant spotlights shining down on West Vincent.
Also found coverage in the Philadelphia Inquirer:
POSTED: Thursday, May 9, 2013, 4:07 PM
Aubrey Whelan Philadelphia Inquirer
Chester County detectives have arrested a West Vincent man who, they say, was running “a major marijuana grow operation” in his house.
On Tuesday evening, detectives entered the home of Christian Titone, 54, on a search warrant. Inside, they found 188 marijuana plants — part of what Chester County prosecutors called a “sophisticated hydroponic grow operation” that included lights, ventilation and an irrigation system, according to court documents.
Titone had also set up a high-tech surveillance system that allowed him to monitor everything inside and outside the house from HD monitors, detectives said. The detectives also found processed, ready-to-sell marijuana in 12 different strains — with names like “Afrodite Mother” and “Ace of Spades,” they said
Kudos to the Kennett Times for a catchy article title that cracked me up.
The Kennett Times: Plethora of pot plants lead to drug bust
W. Vincent resident accused of marijuana-growing operation
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Authorities said an alleged marijuana grower thought his remote location and sophisticated surveillance system would protect him from police….“A high-tech, high-end drug operation like this would be providing drugs to suppliers from Phoenixville to Kennett Square and points beyond,” said Hogan….Titone has been charged with several drug-dealing offenses, including possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia, the criminal complaint said. Hogan said Titone was released after “promptly” paying $100,000 cash bail. He said a preliminary hearing would be scheduled in the near future.
argus & fiona’s laws? can we do that?
I woke up thinking of the laws that need to change, and in my mind a bunch of things need to happen:
- Punishment AND fines for animal cruelty need to be tougher all the way around. It needs to mean more than an inconvenience
- Pennsylvania as in the Commonwealth needs to recognize companion animals like dogs as more than property- people discussed that a few years ago when trying for stiffer puppy mill laws but I do not recall anything than some stuff getting watered down. I bet Tom Hickey from the state is watching this blog, and I would like him to connect with me.
- Also farm statutes must be updated so there is less “fuzzy” area. My thought is two-fold: protect the dog owners better, but still give farmers recourse. I have not fleshed that thought out anymore than that but in PA we need to remember the importance of farms as they do drive enough of state economy still.
- I believe that municipalities like West Vincent that used to be extremely rural need to be made to look at their zoning more closely. After all, when you get down to it development doesn’t happen without them does it? So it is incumbent upon them to work harder for better relationships between old and new. Also what defines a farmer versus a hobbyist with tax breaks?
- Gun and gaming laws. I do not want this tragedy to be overshadowed and used by a national political debate. My frame of reference is simple: school people on existing laws because one of the things so irresponsible about what happened is the fact a shotgun was discharged like that in what I am told is R2 residential as opposed to land area zoned agricultural and am I wrong in that?
State Senator Andy Dinniman who represents a lot of us and is a huge animal advocate is working on some law having to do with dog owners being able to sue for damages. He says and I quote ” I am drafting a law that would allow pet owners to civilly sue those who harm or kill their pets.” I do not know the specifics other than that but would ask that if some of his staff is watching this blog if they could post specifics as they occur.
I urge you to contact your lawmakers on a state and federal level and ask for change that will protect our dogs better. They are a part of our families not like an ear of corn.
In Chester County to connect with Andy Dinniman:
One North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610.692.2112
Fax: 610.436.1721
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m
In Chester County to bump it up to a Federal level to Congress:
Chester County
Jim Gerlach
111 East Uwchlan Avenue
Exton, PA 19341
610.594.1415 tel
610.594.1419 fax
Pat Meehan
940 West Sproul Road
Springfield, PA 19064
Phone: (610) 690-7323
Fax: (610) 690-7329
Together if we focus together and ask for Justice for Argus & Fiona, maybe we can propel that forward to someday mean Argus & Fiona’s Laws.
I will also comment briefly that in spite of media spin the Facebook page Justice for Argus & Fiona , it was set up with a peaceable goal of true justice. As in through the legal system, including changing laws to better protect dogs.
After all, one of the people who helped set up the Facebook page was Mary Bock, who is a truly lovely and gentle woman who has shown such grace and peace in the face of unbelievable family tragedy. Make no misunderstanding with regard to that page as it is not for deviant purposes and implication is resented. People are banned and comments are removed. Posting and commenting is a privilege, not a right.
However, the unfortunate reality is that in this world two of the most heated topics in the world are issues having to do with children and pets, and this issue involves BOTH.
Below are some media snippets from yesterday afternoon as the region learned the dogs would start to have justice, and did not die in vain. I will comment that I am struggling with the statement Mr. Pilotti is purported to have released about remorse and prayers for the family. Part of me hopes it is true, yet part of me wonders why he simply did not do that before the media and public got news of what happened? Correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t he have almost a week in between the actual date of tragedy and media whirlwind to pray and show remorse?
In any event, those of us supporting the Bock family do not support violence. Nor do we support nut jobs that stand outside anyone’s home screaming anything. No matter WHAT has transpired, we as a society cannot swirl downwards into utter lawlessness. More bad acts will not solve any issue.
So I ask all of you to use your energy to speak out for dogs. Get laws changed. And oh yes, no matter what West Vincent says if you live there you have a right to be heard at the Supervisors meeting. They may decline comment, but you have the right to public privilege of the floor or public comment. They do not have to respond, but as elected and appointed officials part of their job is to listen. Just be polite.
I am told that this coming Monday is a normal Supervisors meeting. Monday at 7:30 PM at their Township building 729 St. Matthews Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425
Media has reported that West Vincent has not really been chatting with anyone. I guess “unavailable” and “declining comment” would describe it best? In any event, they provide their township contact information on their website as:
729 St. Matthews Road Chester Springs, PA 19425
Phone: (610) 458-1601 Fax: (610) 458-1603
E-Mail office@westvincenttwp.org
As always, thanks for stopping by. And to that eternally curious woman who keeps asking a mutual friend about this blog to the point of obsession? Lady, if you have to ask you don’t need to know. Grow up and quit looking for chickenman conspiracies behind every bush and hillock in West Vincent. (No I do not know who chickenman is, nor do I care. Even chickens have First Amendment Rights…)
Face it, you live in warped Mayberry and the sooner you own that the more at ease your mind will be. I know it is hard for some to fathom that I post recipes and discuss politics and local issues, but so be it. Far more interesting than standing in someone’s kitchen telling birthing stories and discussing which mustard goes best with a honey baked ham, yes?
TTFN
NEW! more on justice for argus & fiona: chester county district attorney press release
CHARGES FILED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now 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.
Chesco sheep owner charged in killing of two dogs
Charges Filed In Shooting Of Neighbors’ 2 Dogs
Prior posts on this blog about Argus & Fiona:
UPDATE 2.22.2013 8:12 PM – Here is the complaint in native format courtesy of NBCPhiladelphia
justice for argus & fiona
When 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.
To 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
Residents 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.
A 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 IncidentDate: February 21, 2013 4:31:28 PM ESTTo: “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:
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:
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
The District Attorney’s Office previously determined that the shooting was legal due to a century-old state law allowing someone to kill animals that pursue their own livestock or pets.
Officials said Thursday afternoon that investigators received additional information in the case and that the investigation is ongoing.Mary Bock, the owner of the two dogs, spoke out Thursday about the experience and expressed hope that her pets’ deaths may lead to a change in the law that allowed their killing to initially be ruled legal.
Bock also spoke about the neighbor, Gabriel Pilotti, who told police he killed the dogs with a shotgun because they entered an enclosure housing his sheep. She said Pilotti expressed no remorse over the dogs’ deaths when her husband, William Bock, confronted him last week.
“It seemed like he almost enjoyed it a little bit,” Mary Bock said. “He was so cold and callous, he feels like he did nothing wrong. There were a million things he could have done differently, and he chose to pick up that gun and kill them.”
The dogs, 2-year-old Argus and 1-year-old Fiona, were shot less than 15 minutes after escaping the Bock’s two-acre property through a fence that was damaged by a falling tree limb several days before. The dogs eventually made their way to Pilotti’s nearby property, where they began an attempt to “herd” his sheep, Bock said.
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.
Inquirer staff writer Mari A. Schaefer contributed to this article.
To the Bock family of Chester Springs, the Bernese mountain dogs Fiona and Argus were happy, loving pets. To neighbor Gabriel Pilotti, they were apparently pests.
And when he found them loose among his sheep last week, he shot them dead.
“It was just really vicious,” Mary Bock said. The dogs had not touched the sheep.
As of Thursday evening, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the West Vincent Township police still were trying to determine what happened the morning of Feb. 12 in a part of Chester County where sheep, horses, and alpacas amble in yards larger than the patches of green in more urbanized suburbs and smaller than more rural farms.
On that day, the dogs, two-year-old Argus and one-year-old Fiona, got out of their enclosed backyard when a tree branch fell and collapsed part of the fence, Mary Bock said. The dogs ran through yards of residences on the street behind them and ended up on the 72-year-old Pilotti’s property, which includes a pen where he keeps sheep.
Around 11:30 a.m., Pilotti saw the dogs near his sheep, pulled out the 20-gauge single-shot shotgun he legally owns, and fired, said West Vincent Police Chief Michael Swininger. Mary Bock said police told her Pilotti first fatally shot Argus in the face, then shot and killed Fiona.
Police investigated and sent their report to the District Attorney’s Office. That office has not filed charges against Pilotti, citing a portion of the Pennsylvania dog law that says, “Any person may kill any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing or wounding or killing any domestic animal.”
That could change.
“We have gotten new information and are continuing to investigate,” said First Assistant District Attorney Michael G. Noone, adding that a development could come Friday.
Pilotti could not be reached for comment.
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?
The 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?
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?
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?
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):
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.
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.
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?
sums it up quite nicely (in west vincent)
That whole picture is worth 1000 words thing again….
hint to clare: buy a nespresso machine
So 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:
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.
morning ride
Snapped this in West Vincent. So perfectly peaceful and beautiful to watch riders go by in their full (and correct) attire. Except if development keeps on being the gift that keeps on giving, how long do you think we will have the privilege of seeing such things?
They used to ride like this in Gladwyne. They used to ride like this in a lot of places. And not too long ago. There is not room for cookie cutter development and horses and farms. Choices must be made. What is your choice where you live in Chester County?
sigh…..more drama in the hinterlands
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:
- You’re basically approving to open a BYOB restaurant in a school zone – directly across the street from an elementary school.
- 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?
- The proposed map was basically spot zoning by skipping over the property at 2735 and its frontage
- 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?