UPDATE 3.27.13 11:33 a.m: *UPDATE* Tom Hickey from DogPAC just called. He says that his sources have told him the hearing is STILL on for Pilotti (Argus & Fiona) 3 pm at 1130 Ridge Rd in Pottstown, PA. He asks that if you are able to come show support, to please do so in a peacable manner. No one expects this hearing to last more than five minutes – it will undoubtedly get waived to county court. But apparently, he does have to appear. This is all we know and what we have been told.
UPDATE 3.27.13 10:08 a.m.: Greetings – this morning greets everyone who want justice for Argus & Fiona with confusion. Some sources say Pilotti has waived his hearing so there is nothing today, other sources say everything is moving dates again. So the long and short of it is, we just don’t know. We will update when we do. Sorry to put folks in a holding pattern. We appreciate your support.
UPDATE 7:40 P.M. (and note this is a moving target so who knows if it will move again or not):
Tom Hickey from DogPAC was kind enough to connect and tell us the hearing date had indeed changed….to TOMORROW. YES ANOTHER CHANGE TOMORROW (Wednesday, March 27th) at 3 p.m . If you can be there to show your support, THANK YOU. You know , they can keep changing it and we will still come, 1130 Ridge Road Pottstown, PA 19465 Justice, Love and Change ~ Argus and Fiona ♥ spread the word! And VERY important – out of respect to the dogs and the Bock family, if you go tomorrow, PLEASE just bear witness quietly and show support. No drama or the dogs will lose out. It is my belief this district justice doesn’t want this in his court, but I could be wrong.
EARLIER:
I feel a bit like a puppy chasing it’s tail this morning. It seems that Justice for Argus & Fiona is not going to be so simple after all. We are hearing that the court date for Commonwealth v. Pilotti has been moved….again….we are hearing 3/28/2013 at 8:30 a.m. (We are waiting for media and other sources to confirm this 100% but that is what a law enforcement source has said.)
If you refer to the official court docket you will see that the date of the hearing in the court room of Magisterial District Judge James V. Deangelo has been moving about like a game of Chinese Checkers. The original hearing was 3/28/13 at 9 am. Then it was 4/4/2013 at 9 a.m. and then it was 4/4/2013 at 1 p.m. However on another docket most people never click on called the Public Court Summary is says “Next Action Date: 03/28/2013”
So we now have ANOTHER change that the court will neither confirm or deny: that the trial is BACK to 3/28/2013 or this THURSDAY as in the day before Good Friday and Easter Weekend.
I have to ask why this court date and the times are moving at such an extraordinary rate. Is this a ploy on the part of the defense, a/k/a Gabe Pilotti’s lawyer? Or is it because the District Justice Court in Pottstown keeps moving the date to avoid a media spotlight and crowds of Justice for Argus & Fiona supporters? Do the officials elected or otherwise in West Vincent have anything to do with this?
I want to remain calm, cool and collected and avoid conspiracy theories, but I have to tell you when you have VERY reliable sources telling you the D.A.’s office in Chester County is telling THEM the date is the 28th of March again or this Thursday as in two days from now, yet when I call out to the court and speak to a lovely woman named Rebecca who asks me how I heard this because (and I quote) “It is not the 28th…nothing formally has been changed…but you can check the docket later.” well it is darn frustrating.
So it seems to me something more is afoot. I can’t help but think someone is trying to sneak something past everyone AND the poor Bock family who have a right to their day in court for their beloved pets.
Here is the address and phone number of D’Angelo’s court:
Magisterial District Judge:James V. DeAngelo District Court 15-3-01 1130 Ridge Road Pottstown, PA 19465-8612
Phone: 610-469-1910 Fax:610-469-1913
Townships of Spring City, North Coventry, South Coventry, East Coventry, Warwick, East Nantmeal, East Vincent, and West Vincent
The Chester County District Attorney’s office telephone number is (610) 344-6801. Feel free to call D.A. Tom Hogan’s office and ask what the CORRECT date is and why the date to a simple hearing in a Magisterial District Court is jumping around quite so much.
Regional and local media, you have been so incredibly generous in your coverage of this issue. We hope you can see all this Tom Foolery over the magically moving court date will encourage you to resume coverage. After all, will justice be so thorough without the eyes of the region upon her?
Supporters of dog issues please watch the court dockets too. Apparently it is going to take more than a village to get justice after all.
West 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 actionsthis Warped Mayberry is now on the radar of many…)
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?
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
No matter WHERE you stand on fracking and those pipe lines, you can’t disagree with that. Here is the article:
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.Seems 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. What 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.Best wishesChickenman
Focus on Malvern Borough continues. The past couple of weeks I have been through Malvern Borough a lot. Just the luck of the draw. But driving up King past the “magnificence” being created by Eli Kahn and David DellaPorta is enough to give me nightmares.
This development which they are pretentiously calling Eastside Flats is unimaginative and looks like hulky, looming Lego buildings that are creating a complete canyon effect in tiny Malvern.
Of course on their artist renderings it is a veritable Vahalla with sweeping land and streetscapes. The reality is the street is narrow and at night it is the same canyon effect and feel that you get on dark streets in downtown Manhattan…only this is Chester County.
There is nothing about what is being built that truly ties into the quaint Borough of Malvern. The horse is out of the barn, so no bells can be un-rung, but lordy is what is being constructed ugly with a capital U. And I can’t wait to say I told you so on the parking. I predict it will be a problem upon completion. It looks like a problem now but I am just a mere mortal and a female. I feel sorry for any house or pre-existing small business that has to exist with this development.
And oh yes, the Whip has bailed so there is no cute anchor restaurant at present:
The owner of The Whip Tavern in Unionville said design shortcomings were behind his decision to cancel plans to open a second location on Malvern’s East King Street.
In a phone interview, Casey Kulp cited an insufficient kitchen ventilation system as one of the reasons he decided against opening in Malvern, after expressing interest in the idea in 2012….
In a recent interview, Kahn declined to comment on the circumstances of the change in The Whip’s plans.
Kulp said he thinks they’ll have a difficult time getting restaurants into the space
And speaking of restaurants, what is the deal with parking at The Great American Pub at 516 King Street in Paoli? As in how do they have sufficient parking? We almost went there last week for a quick bite to eat but opted against it because the only place to park was in that small neighborhood adjoining the restaurant and we did not want to take up residents’ parking at dinner time.
What municipality is that in? Willistown? Wow they sure approach things in a very interesting manner don’t they? They deny Woodlawn a business expansion in an existing structure on their property with ample parking yet they allow The Great American Pub to act like a bar leech and take all parking of a small neighborhood? The parking is a hot mess and I wonder exactly where the valets are dumping cars, don’t you?
Circling back to the original topic, one more article on Malvern’s development atrocity. Somewhat of a fluffy article from the Inquirer that buys David DellaPorta’s New Urbanism Fairy Tale hook line and sinker. (He has been spouting it for years every time he proposes anything.) Malvern isn’t the town time forgot, it is a little borough that has a borough council that was dumb enough to think supersizing will fix all woes. Urbanization of exurbia. Oh yeah, so fabulous because we all want to live in the inner city, right? They are just doing suburban sprawl of a different kind.
The developer calls Malvern “the town that time forgot” – its main street lined with Victorian-style houses, small boutiques, and local watering holes like the Flying Pig Saloon.
But Eli Kahn and his partners are betting that a $45 million apartment and retail complex on East King Street will help satisfy urban appetites in one of the region’s most venerable suburbs – and entice empty nesters and young professionals looking for a citified environment outside the city.
This development in Malvern has never in my humble opinion really been about the town of Malvern. If this was really about the town, the design would have been more complimentary. This project is all about developer pork and profit. Let’s not delude ourselves to the contrary. What will eventually happen here is people will start to avoid going through Malvern like they are starting to avoid going through Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, and even Wayne because of a lack of parking and congestion.
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!
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.
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:
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:
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
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?
When I saw a post on a friend’s Facebook wall this evening from one of their friends, I had to read it half a dozen times to make sure I wasn’t reading incorrectly. When I read what I read I started to cry, and also thought I would throw up. It was Just. That. Awful.
Here:
I have to ask why these things happen in West Vincent Township? I am told this occurred in West Vincent Township within the last week? This is crazy and it is sick and this guy shooting up dogs should not be able to hide behind antiquated farming statutes.
Do we really believe this guy with the gun doesn’t know his neighbors’ dogs? Do we believe that he really gave these dogs a chance? Can it be said if he had, they would be with their humans?
I am generally speaking a big supporter of farmers, and I get how farmers do not want livestock worried in a field. The thing is this: if you are a farmer or are dog saavy you know when a dog is herding, playing, or attacking.
Oh and here is a voicemail left for a neighbor (who turned this over to grieving family and police apparently) by the dog shooter:
I just don’t believe this farmer guy did not have any options other than to gun down two dogs who could still be considered puppies. The family knows nothing can bring back these beloved pets. But they do feel there should be some accountability – the wife said to me in a note:
[We] know that nothing will bring our pups back, but if we could save another family from having to go through this, we would do anything. This man will do this again, I know this in my heart. He is using this law as justification and is showing absolutely no remorse
These people have little kids. How the heck do you tell little kids their neighbor shot their beloved dogs? And yes I get there are laws designed to protect farmers, but most of the farmers I know wouldn’t just shoot puppies. They might round up the dogs and turn them over to animal control for return to their families but they wouldn’t just gun down a neighbor’s pets.
My heart bleeds for these people. I think West Vincent resdients should bring this up in person at the next township meeting. I think the media should investigate. I think the Chester County SPCA and Humane Society should investigate.
2.20.2013 UPDATE:
I am told by sources that the Chester County SPCA is going out to investigate today? Here is hoping they check things out thoroughly. Sources tell me this guy really isn’t much of a farmer that the sheep mostly keep his lawn cut? Also if this guy is in a R2 (think that is the residential zone) in West Vincent, does he legally have enough acres to keep farm animals/livestock which is what sheep are? If his acreage with the amassed lots he owns is under 10 acres how does that work? I mean out there you must have a minimum of 2 acres to keep one horse for personal use, right? But farm animals are different and how many years has this guy had sheep? I ask because is it not true if he does NOT have the correct acreage he could be in violation of current zoning and prior to the 2010 revisions as well? Are all his grazing or “pasture” areas fenced in? Is he connected over there or something? Also, if this guy is in a residential zone, is he compliant with PA gaming laws in a residential area with regard to the safety zone for discharging rifles and shot guns?
I had more farmers contact me today. Some who were very amusing to me because they scoffed at the idea of this guy really being a farmer. (I don’t know so I leave it up to the experts as it were.) Including one who said he had to shoot a feral dog years ago because it mauled and killed two of his sheep – he said he hated to do it, but in that case the dog was wild and was caught in the act. This farmer said to me if he had seen these dog he would have maybe fired a warning shot, but most likely he would have plunked them in a stall in his barn and called the police to return the dogs to the owners with a warning.
I found a reference to PA law below – not a lawyer, not sure if it applies, but read it:
§ 2505. Safety zones. (a) General rule.–Except as otherwise provided in this
title or to any political subdivision, its employees or agents,
which has a valid deer control permit issued under section
2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits), it is
unlawful for any person, other than the lawful occupant, while
hunting game or wildlife, taking furbearers of any kind, or
pursuing any other privilege granted by this title, to hunt for,
take, trap, pursue, disturb or otherwise chase any game or
wildlife or to discharge, for any reason, any firearm, arrow or
other deadly weapon within or through a safety zone, or to shoot
at any game or wildlife while it is within the safety zone
without the specific advance permission of the lawful occupant
thereof. (b) Penalty.–A violation of this section is a summary
offense punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than
$500. A second or subsequent offense within two calendar years
is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500
nor more than $1,000. (c) Definition.–As used in this section, the term “safety
zone” means:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the
area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the
highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or
other building or camp occupied by human beings, or any barn,
stable, or other building used in connection therewith or any
attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school
or day-care center.
(2) When applied to properly licensed persons hunting
with bow and arrow or crossbow, the area within 50 yards
around and that area which is below the highest point of any
occupied dwelling house, residence or other building or camp
occupied by human beings or any barn, stable or other
building used in connection therewith and the area within 150
yards around and that area which is below the highest point
of any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery
school or day-care center.
(Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; Mar. 29, 1996,
P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff.
60 days; June 28, 2002, P.L.474, No.79, eff. 60 days; June 23,
2004, P.L.435, No.43, eff. July 1, 2004)
Cross References. Section 2505 is referred to in section
2741 of this title.
So this Bing image shows how residential this is, right? Maybe Chester CountyDA needs to look at discharge of weapons in R2 zone ? Do you all not see
numerous dwellings that *possibly* could be well within the 450 ft gun safety zone? I am told the area where he keeps the sheep is fenced, but in poor repair, with a section patched with plastic garden fence? If dogs as big as sheep can get in, sheep can get out, right? Again, is he possibly in potential violation of zoning and gun laws? Pine Drive is the first development approved in WVT in the late 60’s or early 70’s, correct?Isn’t it the only development ever approved with 1 ACRE LOTS? So what about that safety zone in the entire residential development and discharging a weapon? Guns are a hot nationwide topic are they not? Even in PA?
FIVE people have sent me photos. Here are the ones pertinent to this discussion:
Sigh….do people really think that what they write on the Internet is private? And when they yickety yack no one will dish on them?
And I so love (yes love) when I am referred to by those who just ummm…doth protesteth too much.
Here’s the 411: I did not go looking for irregularities in horse rescue. I am not rescuing a horse, have never rescued a horse, no longer ride. This all started because of strange postings on Craig’s List. Not really knowing many in the horse community, I had no idea how this issue would literally explode. I still have no clue who put up those Craig’s List postings. But whomever they are, they exposed a seedy underbelly.
All these people rolled up and started commenting. Apparently this is a HUGE issue in the racing and horse community. Once Pandora’s stall was opened more stuff was found on the internet and more and more people left comments.
This is not an advertised blog. Yet here are all these people caring about the same thing.
So it ends up this horse hurricane is centered around a non-profit called Turning For Home and as I understand it a woman who helps dole out these horses leaving the professional life named Barbara Luna? As I have come to understand it based upon the MANY MANY comments of others left on these posts she works with horse rescues? The one that piqued my curiosity, was the one that kept cropping up as a topic on those Craig’s List ads was Off The Track Rescue run by a woman named Jessica Basciano . Until the Craig’s List ads I had never heard about ANY of this.
Off The Track Rescue unless someone can tell me differently does not appear to be a non-profit or even a formerly formed business, does it? Can anyone find anything other than a fictitious name registration? Note, that is nothing illegal, but most rescues I know of are non profits so they can accept donations for which people get a tax write off and so they can apply for grants. Because why? Rescue is EXPENSIVE. Comments on these posts from people involved with this Jessica and from Jessica herself seem to indicate that the Barbara Luna seems to give like an allowance per horse she places with them? Is that enough money and quite honestly without a non-profit status or falling under the umbrella of another non-profit isn’t that a taxable nightmare?
Anyway, the fur has been flying since I first mentioned funky Craig’s List ads. Back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. Some of the comments left by those PRO-rescue can indeed be interpreted as harassing or threatening and the tales of what happens when the horse sets complain about this rescue is a little odd isn’t it?
And also odd the Where’s Waldo of it all as far as locations of this rescue. They say Glenmoore, but then there are also references to Phoenixville and Oxford and then lots of refuting a couple of the locations like they don’t exist but people see these rescue horses in these fields so what is up with that?
And then there is the chatter between some of this crew on Facebook after they read things here and comment. And they do things LOL like refer to “that blogger” and “everyone who thinks they are a writer”. (Oh honies, silly youse gals, I am a writer)
Yes, if I perceive something as a threat, harassment, or anything else I will indeed publish the name, e-mail addy and I.P. address publicly. Duh. It’s my blog and maybe in the further reaches of Chester County bullying and harassment is ok, but not where I live. And I want it to be clear who is saying what. This is all something very ordinary, and if they were talking to a reporter in traditional media do they seriously think they would all be unnamed sources? And who the heck is making them verbally regurgitate all over the Internet?
I said it before, will repeat it again: if everyone is on the up and up and all these horses have a proper paper trail in and OUT of state – if they all have tattoos that match those coggins things (never knew what that was until this started), if all the prospective homes for these horses have been properly vetted like they do for other animal rescues, if ALL the vet records are made available for prospective families and those who have already adopted horses, why fuss? If it is all on the up and up, no worries necessary, right?
But is all the right stuff happening or just more questions and layers and layers of innuendo and comments I sure as hell didn’t seek out? And there are so many questions now that yes, the traditional media is looking at all of this as I understand it. Apparently what happens to horse once they leave race tracks is somewhat of a hot button topic across the country, isn’t it?
Also at issue here for me is what this group called LAPS actually does. After all if they actually did their job would there be so many darn comments on horse rescue???? And what about this Barbara Luna and Turning for Home?? Of all people, she can explain what the heck is going on. She can definitively state what horse went where, what monies went with, what records went with and one would also think she would know the ultimate destination of these large, expensive animals, right?
Lurking media? Please cover this and settle this issue once and for all. I am tired of much ado about horse rescue. And yes, if I think of something as being menacing, threatening, or harassing, I will post a comment in its entirety including e-mail and IP addresses. Truthfully I can do that with ANY comment.
(To avoid any belly aching about the screen shots from Facebook, if you don’t have your privacy settings on and the little globe is showing, it means you are showing these posts to the world. )
If nothing bad is happening, then the record will be corrected, but posturing is not proof is it? So when this gets back to being about the horses, let me know ok?
At the end of the day people, I did not originate this topic. It was out there with plenty of stuff publicly available. But hey, I am just a ninny, right? So what do I know?
I see this as a made for Lifetime TV Moment of Truth Movie some day there is so much yackety yak…..
Photo courtesy of Off The Track Thoroughbred Rescue and their public Facebook Page
Here I was minding my own business, moving onto other topics, taking care of my family, seeing a dog through chemo and WHAM! I get sucked back into Horsegate, not yet a movie. As in Much Ado About Off The Track Thoroughbred Rescue.
When last I heard about all this stuff, I heard from the owner of Off The Track Thoroughbred Rescue, Jessica Troxell Basciano. It was 12/8/2012. She sent me comments she asked me not to publish. I decided to honor her request for the time being (as in not forever). I am beginning to regret that as it seems this blog is being contacted by her posse, her protégés, her employees or her pals? (Just a hunch, yes?)
I am generally speaking an experienced blogger and tolerant and understanding when people get upset or heated about a topic. I also know when to call a spade a spade when comments cross the line.
Yesterday the comments on “the funny thing about asking questions about horse rescue” exploded. So I nosed around the horse community and someone tells me there was some sort of court date yesterday? Possibly near Oxford PA? (I am asking because I don’t have the docket so can’t say definitively – if I did have the docket which is indeed public information I would post it.)
Anyway, comments from a Christina, Alice, and I don’t remember who. At first I thought they were comments threatening towards me for writing about this in the first place. That in and of itself kind of pissed me off in the whole First Amendment of it all. I saw crazy ads on Craigslist, so why couldn’t I write about and ask questions about them and a horse rescue? But the comments as per a clarification by the poster Christina (thank you for apologizing to me by the way), were directed at someone else – someone who must have testified in court.
I said to “Christina”:
I wrote about this topic, I have moved onto other topics and for a topic that is purportedly such a “non-issue” it seems to be a problem. ….If you took in horses on the up and up, have all the records, have those coggins things people talk about and so on and so forth you are good, so why respond to anyone anywhere in a threatening matter?
I have been patient with people on both sides of this issue and have tried to be fair to whomever this Jessica is. As a matter of fact at her plea, I did not post some comments she left when obviously upset.
Then there was a post by someone named “Heather” who told someone else she wasn’t angry and couldn’t care less (but she still felt the need to comment.)
Alrighty, quite the tempest in the stable teapot don’t you think?
My Spidy Sense is tingling and if there wasn’t something funkalicious going on, why would people keep leaving comments?
Jessica Basciano and Barbara Luna what say you on this? The horses start with Barbara and Turning for Home before coming to Jessica and Off The Track Throughbred Rescue right?
Again, if this Off The Track Thoroughbred Rescue ends up being totally legit with a good non-profit status, etc, etc I will update the posts. Just like if this Off The Track Thoroughbred Rescue doesn’t end up being legit and isn’t really a non-profit, etc, etc I will update the posts.
But it is four days before Christmas and I am sick of the happy horse manure quite frankly.
I do not take threats lightly, and I live in a part of Chester County with very helpful and friendly law enforcement. More importantly, a lot of people read my blog, including fairly influential Chester County folks any rescue or rescue owner might wish to cultivate.
So rein it in ladies. I don’t do girl fights and intimidation. I am a lot of years out of high school, so let the mean girl of it all go.
If this is supposed to be about the good of the horses, then stop making it about the people and personalities.
And media out there that I know watches this blog a story on this would be nice as it is getting to be a bit much in the drama of it all, don’t you think? Besides since it is in some court room somewhere in Chester County there might be something to all of this after all, maybe?
And for you true horse rescue types, here is yet another Craigslist Ad that makes me scratch my head – it is out of Douglassville, which I have no clue where that town is:
For those wondering who is on first, let alone who is on third, here are links to the posts and comments….except the ones I am withholding for the time being that is:
This case caught world-wide attention, and even late yesterday was in the news in the UK and Europe. Of course, as many feared, this greedy ignorant woman not only stole history but damaged it as well. Between the Federal and local charges pending against Andrea Lawton, I hope they throw the book at her.
I am still curious to know whether or not she was part of a larger theft ring. Or just one stupid woman acting on her own.
PUBLISHED:21:38 EST, 24 September 2012| UPDATED:07:40 EST, 25 September 2012
A bungling housekeeper turned thief was arrested Friday for stealing a precious sculpture of Benjamin Franklin she managed to break in the heist.
Andrea Lawton, 46, was briefly employed by Philadelphia attorney George A. D’Angelo, 85, this summer when she first spotted the 18th century bust when she was told to be careful cleaning around it because it was ‘extremely valuable.’
Today when the news came that Brian O’Neill was continuing with Uptown Worthington’s next phase, I was not one of the ones cheering. First I thought of my former township (Lower Merion) and the O’Neill projects in moth balls and sites looking shabby. Then I started to think about the development I have seen since I moved to Chester County, and I am concerned.
With regard to Malvern, I will say again, You know what I think Eli Kahn and Jack Loew’s project is going to be like when it is done? A super-sized Charleston Greene. And over the years, how has Toll’s Charleston Greene worked for you ,Malvern?
A friend said to me a little while ago “You can’t spend other people’s money and generate prosperity. ”
Further township discussion of a controversial Bala Cynwyd development plan has been postponed until next month.
Developer Ed Morris of Traditional Properties LP had hoped to take his new plan for an assisted-living facility at 27-33 Old Lancaster Road to Lower Merion commissioners this week….Morris got zoning-hearing board approval in late July of a special exception to build a “home for the aged” on the parcels, which today are occupied by two single-family homes. The stone colonial houses would be demolished.
The plan was a switch from development plans approved by the township in 2006 for a four-story, 21-unit condominium building. Morris has said that marketing efforts to sell units in the proposed building were not successful as the housing market stalled….A number of residents in surrounding neighborhoods in Bala Cynwyd and Merion objected to the change in direction, saying that the assisted-living facility is a more commercial use, out of character with the area.
Then there is the thought of how many malls and mall like places do we need? Exton is but minutes away with the Exton Square Mall, Main Street at Exton and the countless other smaller strip malls in and around it. King of Prussia is also fairly close with the giant King of Prussia Mall and all the other various and assorted strip malls and sub-developments in the vicinity. (And don’t forget that charming casino because you know nothing says U.S. history like a slots parlor next to where George Washington literally slept.)
In addition to these larger malls and newer strip malls are all the other strip malls and often funky shopping centers on Route 30, Paoli Pike, Route 3, pick a road.
Really Chester County, how much development do you want? How much development do we need as residents? Are we actually getting new stores or are businesses just hop-scotching between retail developments, moving every few years to whatever the next sweetest deal is? And do you want a steady stream of fill-in-the-name-big-box-retailers and chains? What of the independent local business where they know their customer base and might be your neighbors?
I saw the development of Chester County in a most unusual way on my 9/11 hot-air balloon ride. I saw the development from the air. From high up in the sky it looked like miles and miles of Legos – developments all cookie cutter.
Chester County on a county level needs to get a real grip on the future. The economy is not recovering, and still these developments proceed. Developers will say they bring jobs, but once you get beyond retail shift work and minimum wage, what is there? And you need more than that to fill up the condos, town homes perched on formerly rural highways, and the communities of McMansions. (Don’t forget about the fact they are trying to supersize Birchrunville in West Vincent. And then there is other potential residential development in the future, right?)
Once the open space is gone, it is not coming back. Once the charming cross-roads towns are gone and the farms are gone, they are also not coming back. That’s all. Just think about it.
My wish for Chester County is a revolution of common sense.
I will preface this post with the fact that I honestly do appreciate the jobs that those in the public sector do.
Firemen, policemen, nurses, teachers, EMTs, etc. I know many, many amazing people in these job categories. But there has been this photo making its rounds on the web that just irritates me.
Check it out and then I will tell you how it makes me feel as someone in the quote end quote private sector.
Have you read it now?
You know how this makes ME feel? Like I am the enemy. I also live within my means, did not accept bailout money, do not live in a multi-million dollar home, did not crash the markets, and so on and so forth. This simple statement smacks of class warfare, and that is unfair.
Getting a bit more controversial, many of these public service employees have fabulous health and benefit plans. Yes there are hiring freezes and things like that because guess what? The economy is in the toilet and almost everyone is feeling a pinch. Millions of people are out of work.
Maybe this sector of people would get more in this country if say, more municipalities and hospital systems were willing to trim upper management fat, and give back. Check out this link for an interesting list of salaries from Main Line Today Magazine which says for example that an assistant township manager in Lower Merion makes $122,921 and a township manager makes $193,324 …and it is going up and I will get to that.
Like it or not, and average workers do not identify with upper level management in the public service area, but you want to know where your increases go if you are from that employment sector? To management level employees. The article in Main Line Today was from 2011 and it lets you get a peek as to a whole lot of salaries.
The other truism is this: reality is someone will always be doing better or earning more than you. It’s life.
And when it comes to benefits, well I don’t know coming from the private sector how much sympathy I have. I used to work for an employer who did not offer benefits or access to benefits. So for a few years now, I have been self-pay on my benefits. Including self-pay through breast cancer. So to me, everything is relative, and if I had employer or taxpayer-funded benefits that were for the most part paid for, I would not object to chipping in. Again, because my perspective is different and I do this myself for myself. (which of course opens the whole conversation about Obamacare, and sorry, I haven’t seen the benefits, and don’t know that I ever will.)
But let me remind all of you, just because I have these opinions, it doesn’t mean I don’t respect public service employees. I just think that sometimes people need to get a little bit more realistic about life.
Now, as to respect. Which to me seems to be an underlying theme in the photo of that statement above.
Respect is earned. I have met and know some fabulous firemen (volunteers), EMTs, police, and so on. I have also met some who leave a lot to be desired. For example, as a photographer of public events I have been what only can be described as menaced a few times by police personnel who have no clue what no expectation of privacy in a public space actually is. The most memorable occurred at a music and food festival a few years ago.
There I was with friends, taking photos (and there were a few dozen cameras around me at the time, some with those super long and fat “paparazzi” lenses), and speaking to the person who happened to be the driving force behind this event. I was not even using a flash. I was on a public street, at a public event, taking photos.
All of a sudden out of nowhere is this police officer. Literally so close to me, that it could be described as invading my personal space. He tried to take my camera. As in made a grab to yank it off my neck. As in touch me. He singled me out and ordered me to stop taking photos. Mind you all around me, camera after camera was still snapping away.
I stepped back, away from him and asked why and reminded him this was a public event on a public street. I also believe I asked why he was not attempting to confiscate any other cameras. I did not get an answer other than telling me he could do this. At that point, someone I knew, a lawyer, stepped in and he disappeared.
That event really upset me. It ruined the event, I felt bullied and harassed and I know I had done nothing wrong. Some would have filed a complaint, I chose not to. I figured maybe everyone is entitled to a bad day and working crowd control at a huge summer event couldn’t be much fun.
But a few years later, when I see things like that slogan above, this is something I think about.
On July 4th, 2012 Paoli Fire Company proudly participated in the 2012 Wawa Welcome America Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA. Afterwards, the fire company was made aware that a member of the company made an obscene hand gesture while riding in the rear of the engine. Not only was this gesture apparent to spectators, but was also captured on the live television broadcast. First and foremost, the Paoli Fire Company would like to express a profound and sincere apology to the parade organizers, event sponsors, 6abc and the City of Philadelphia for this inappropriate and disrespectful act. Moreover, Paoli Fire Company apologizes to all of the citizens who witnessed the gesture; both live and on the televised broadcast.
Paoli Fire Company does not condone such behavior, nor does it believe that these actions should be tolerated. We expect the highest level of professionalism and respect from all of our members in all situations, especially when interacting with the public. As such, the member in question has been indefinitely suspended pending further disciplinary review, and we are currently reviewing our internal policies related to conduct and training.
The fire company, comprised almost exclusively of volunteers from Chester County, prides itself on providing highly skilled fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the community of Paoli and its surrounding areas. We recognize the importance of a strong and supportive relationship with the citizens that we serve and other first responder organizations that work with us. This trust is not easily earned, but we will do all that is necessary to demonstrate the momentary lapse in judgment by an individual member does not reflect the principles and operating standards of the organization.
Respectfully,
John Beatty Ira Dutter
President Chief
Check out what Bob Byrne wrote in Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch:
The volunteer firefighter, riding in a rear-facing seat in the back of a Paoli Fire engine cab, flipped the TV camera – and the world- the bird in a live broadcast originally aired on Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV/6ABC and then rebroadcast around the globe on CNN. The video now also lives in infamy and (most likely) perpetuity on the internet.
The gesture and the way the fire company first responded touched off a flurry of bad publicity and angry comments on websites across the internet.
At first the Paoli Fire Company said viewers did not actually see what they thought they saw.
So now, let’s talk about upper level management who eat all the monies that should perhaps be more evenly disbursed in a municipality. Your taxes pay for this. Whether local, state, or federal, taxes pay for this.
In Lower Merion Township where I used to live a controversy is in full bloom. Douglas Cleland, the Township Manager is renegotiating his contract.
Cleland’s contract if approved, as per Main Line Media News, means that his salary will end up around $207,000 per year. If I recall prior conversations about this salary, this means Cleland makes more than the Mayor of The City of Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter, more than high-ranking members of Congress, and more than United States Supreme Court Justices. And for what? In the scheme of things, some are speculating that his package would come out over $240 and up to $300K and over is you count all the perks and deferred compensation and so on.
As a former resident of Lower Merion I can tell you, this is not a man who is user-friendly or accessible to residents. He in fact controls the majority of the commissioners more than they control him. Through his dictums you have a hard time reaching other management level employees, like the township solicitor – and the truth of the matter is, usually township managers and so one are accessible to the public. Of course, it doesn’t help that the President of the Board of Commissioners Liz Rogan used to be his employee before a former commissioner made it possible for her to go into politics. And the Vice President of the Board in Lower Merion? Paul A. McElhaney? His brother is the head of the workers’ association. (It’s not a true union, nor is membership mandatory.)
This package will get passed, and so if people think things are wacky in places like West Vincent, they also should check out Lower Merion. Lower Merion in a manner which makes people understandably hate local governments is vetting and voting on this in the dead of summer.
However, in all fairness, when discussing public sector employees, you need to look at the cream of the crop. Some of whom are in Radnor Township. Newly promoted Lt. Andy Block and Lt. Chris Flanagan are two examples. These two men deserve the accolades they receive from their home township and community at large.
Another public sector employee who is the cream of the crop is Radnor Township’s Manager Bob Zienkowski. I am a huge fan of this man. Not only has he taken a township and turned it around after a huge scandal involving the former manager Dave Bashore could have tarnished Radnor forever, but he is the real deal when it comes to public sector employees.
Recently, instead of asking for more, he voluntarily gave back. Lower Merion Commissioner Jenny Brown wrote to constituents recently and summed up what Zienkowski has done:
Last week, the Manager for our neighboring municipality, Radnor Township, showed the type of leadership that we should be able to expect from a first class township manager. According to a Radnor Township Commissioner, the Radnor Township Manager recently went to his Board of Commissioners and offered to reduce his overall compensation. Among the things he offered (and that have been incorporated into his new contract):
1. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to no increase in salary for as long as he works for the Township (his salary, which is significantly less than Lower Merion’s manager’s salary, will remain at its 2010 level);
2. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to pay for his own life insurance (previously funded by taxpayer dollars);
3. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to personally pay for (the Township will not have to pay for) his attendance costs at any conferences or training;
4. Radnor’s Manager has agreed to pay 10% of his family health insurance premium in 2013, 11% in 2014, and 12% in 2015.
5. Radnor’s Manager will contribute 2% of his gross salary towards OPEB (other post-employment benefits)
In addition, I note that while Radnor’s manager may participate in his township’s deferred compensation plan, it is only with his own money, there are no employer contributions (Lower Merion’s manager gets an 8%, legally questionable, taxpayer-funded contribution). As well, unlike Lower Merion, the Radnor manager is required to live in the township he manages.
In Lower Merion, not only is the manager paid excessively more than any other township manager, he has demanded a raise for next year and expects the township taxpayers to pay for all sorts of perks, including the nearly unrestricted personal use of his township-owned car and he wants the taxpayers to continue to pay for all of the gas he puts in his car – can you imagine not feeling any “pain at the pump”!?! There are other inappropriate perks that I don’t have room to detail in this email but will discuss at the meeting.
That is leadership. That is a public servant in the most positive and proactive sense of the word. I am sorry, but there is something to be said about a man who gets where a lot of us are who don’t have government or public sector jobs.
I felt it was important to show good form along with the “bad form” I am writing about in this post. Radnor’s Manager is not taking the fat for himself, he is sacrificing when he doesn’t have to. He is leading by example.
Here is the article from Main Line Media News and Philadelphia Inquirer about Lower Merion’s manager issue. While not a Chester County issue or topic, it is well worth reading because it is just so outrageous. But then again, this is a municipal manager who kept his job after a failed bid years ago of eminent domain for private gain.
There are many fine individuals who work in Lower Merion Township, don’t misunderstand me. But I think Lower Merion needs different leadership. This is a well-heeled municipality, yes, but you would never know to drive through it. Check out the condition of their public parks, or even the roads.
Lower Merion Township has now posted terms of a proposed new two-year contractfor its manager, Douglas Cleland. ….He would receive a 2-percent pay hike, to $207,049, effective Jan. 1, 2013, and extending until the end of the contract period on Jan. 6, 2014.
He would also continue to receive longevity increases the same as other township employees, based on his base salary for 2012.
In addition, according to the terms, Cleland would continue to receive deferred compensation of 8 percent, slightly higher than most other township management employees.
So when we hear about situations like firefighters getting caught on camera giving people the finger on 4th of July, or township managers up for fat contracts which are utterly outrageous in this economy, it is easy to understand why emotions might run high when people discuss “public servants.” (I hate that phrase, incidentally.)
But when we hear about the negative things, we should also remember the positive.
At the end of the day however, we are experiencing an economy that probably hasn’t been felt as keenly since the Great Depression. That means that all of us have to give a little.
How do you feel about the public service people in your community? I believe they do deserve our respect, but I do not feel one size fits all. I also think other communities should pay attention what goes on in their neighboring municipalities.
I for one hate to say it, but am very glad I am out of Lower Merion Township. Lower Merion in my childhood was such a beautiful place to live. Now it is well, tarnished. Radnor on the other hand, is really an example of what can happen when government and residents work together for a common good as opposed to pandering to special interests.
In August, I told you about the 
