Tag Archives: Vista Today

why is vista interpolating a daily local article on west whiteland vs. exton mall drama?

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Above are screenshots of what was push button published on Vista Today by some woman named Ashley Pierce, who ironically has a full time gig as paid staff for the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce in Coatesville.

I will now share with you all with the ACTUAL Daily Local News article written by Bill Rettew:

Township limits size of development after a planned demolition of Exton Square

Daily Local: Township limits size of development after a planned demolition of Exton Square
Residents turn out in force for West Whiteland supervisors meeting

By Bill Rettew | wrettew@dailylocal.com | Daily Local News
UPDATED: February 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM EST

I would like to know WHERE in the Daily Local News article that Vista Today’s Ashley Pierce who works as paid full time staff (Communications and Membership Coordinator) at the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce sees that the reporter actually said that West Whiteland blocked demolition and development of the decrepit Exton mall? Because someone with a communications position one would hope had a better grasp of just plain reading an article?

What happened last week was a public hearing for an ordinance amendment in West Whiteland pertaining to a West Whiteland Township zoning ordinance, correct?

77d72cec-6d6c-4eb9-9b6a-35e5b3a9f259 ordinance amendmentDownload

Quite literally the recommended motion was to tweak the zoning, right? It was advertised etc properly, correct? Wasn’t it discussed at a meeting towards end of 2024? Aren’t municipalities allowed to tweak zoning? And again, where did West Whiteland say they were blocking a demolition or development? Where did the reporter in The Daily Local say that? Does Ashley Pierce have imaginary friends she plays with still too?

You know sometimes I think Vista Today and the various other publications under their umbrella are ok, but the thing is this; what are they actually writing and researching? Are they just a news aggregator? It’s confusing, right? When they first started they did have some original content but now not so much?

Here is how they self-describe (and visit American Community Journals their “parent” so to speak):

So they aim to make a positive impact? How is oddly interpolating what a local paper’s reporter wrote and not accurately representing what West Whiteland did a positive impact? Funny how a news aggregator is becoming the news but not necessarily perhaps how originally intended?

Here is a YouTube that Vista had in their piece:

And I found this video from a couple of months ago:

Now when this mall was in it’s heyday, I was on the Main Line. We went to King of Prussia or took the train into Philadelphia. I do remember coming out here for stores in a strip mall. It has been too long but it was I want to say it was when Exton Crossing was built because a friend of mine at the time had an older sister who when newly married was living in Exton Station which was new at the time and not completely built. I don’t remember what strip mall, honestly. I think maybe where the Kohl’s is today.

Anyway, I think Vista Today owes West Whiteland and the Daily Local reporter an apology. Maybe they should go for more original content versus sharing everything from everyone else all of the time?

Here are two recordings from the West Whiteland Zoom on this that were made the night of the contentious meeting:

And dayummmm, West Whiteland JUST put out a press release on this. After I share that I will post things I found pertaining to the Exton Mall in deeds etc. It’s not just one parcel. And do any of you see new ownership reflected yet? I didn’t so I guess it is still in process? Whatever, this is kind of mall drama and the sad thing is an ordinance change is not prohibiting development or a mall demolition is it? And a final note is simply to ask if it is well past time for the Building and Planning guy Weller to retire?

Thanks for stopping by.

WWT Press Release_2.18.25Download
10230503 Exton Sq prop deed 1Download
Exton Sq Prop Quit Claim DeedDownload
10891674 Exton Sq Prop Quit Claim related attachment 2008Download
11500444.pdf 2016 exton mall subdivision planDownload
11549962.pdf 2017 exton mall subdivision planDownload
11634485 deed 1Download
11638830 deed 2Download
11667375 deed 3Download
11711878 deed 4Download
12016344 PR EXTON SQUARE ANCHOR M L deed 2024Download
12016344 PR EXTON SQUARE ANCHOR M L deed 2024 attachnentDownload

a thank you is in order

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In 2016 I wrote five pieces for Vista Today. As many know, including my writing mentors, the editor at that time stiffed me. Also the person had all of these weird reasons for not paying like all of a sudden I was supposed to charge the people I was doing articles about which really made me scratch my head because a couple of the things I had done were obituaries so what did I do send the estate a bill or something? And of course also telling me I was a horrible writer and it took too long to edit me. (People who had edited me professionally actually laughed out loud at that when I asked them was I so bad.)

I chased what I was owed for a while and then I felt well screw them they can choke on the money. But still it sat with me a little bit because it was the principle of the issue.

Then a few days ago I got an email asking for nominations for something Vista was doing and I was feeling cranky. I replied back that I wouldn’t nominate Mickey Mouse essentially since they ghosted me on what I was owed a few years ago.

Guess what? They paid me. I received the check today just like they promised.

It was never, ever a dollar amount that would have broken me financially, it was the principal of the thing: I did the work, they have kept the articles on their website. And when you work for yourself and you’re a freelancer, it can be really difficult when people either stiff you or are slow pay. I am fortunate that this is the only time something like this happened to me.

So while I don’t agree necessarily with the way they do business all of the time, or the fact that they have some kind of involvement with Energy Transfer Company – it’s called “An Affiliated Partner”, I am saying thank you for making my issue right and paying me. (But I do think Energy Transfer anywhere on your website is not a good look.)

Thank you Ken Knickerbocker and Vista Today for paying me for those articles. I appreciate people who keep their word.

mr. west chester has died

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dick yoder

 

How do you write about a man that everyone described as amazing,  kind , giving and generous just for starters?

Suffice it to say that it was really difficult and so wonderful all at the same time to dig into the life of the amazing Dick Yoder, former Mayor of West Chester and institution at West Chester University who passed away a few days ago.

To take this journey, I was guided not only by my editor Lance at Vista.Today but by many present and former West Chester notables like current Mayor Carolyn Comitta (and Tom Comitta!) and former Mayor Tom Chambers and Chairman of the Chester County GOP Val DiGiorgio,, Gneneral Manager Bill Mason of WCHE 1520 AM, and former West Chester Borough Manager Ernie McNeely.

What a guy Dick Yoder was!  I wish I had met him.  I hope my words do him justice. I am only featuring an excerpt of my article here – please visit Vista.Today to read it in its entirety.

Former West Chester Mayor Dick Yoder Dies at 79

Posted By: Lance Knickerbocker Posted date: May 04, 2016

by Carla J. Zambelli

Richard “Dick” Yoder, a native West Chester son and two-term Mayor of West Chester,  passed away last Sunday, May 1. He was 79 years old.

….Yoder ran for West Chester Mayor in 2001 and again in 2005. He was elected both times. After reaching the eight-year term limit, Yoder he was succeeded by Carolyn Comitta in 2010.

Mayor Comitta, who served on Borough Council during Yoder’s tenure as mayor, credited Yoder as her inspiration to seek higher public office.

“When I was thinking of running for mayor I met with him regularly at Gramm’s Kitchen. We would have lunch and I would ask what it was like to be mayor; what makes a good mayor. He was always generous with his time,” Comitta said.  “After I was elected, I continued to have lunch with him regularly. I continued to learn.”

…..Former West Chester Mayor Tom Chambers issued a brief statement about the loss of his dear friend Dick Yoder:

“Dick and I were both born and raised in West Chester and I have known his family practically all my life. We were personal friends. We were also fellow former members of the U.S. Marine Corps……I have lost a good friend and comrade. My condolences and heartfelt sympathy go out to his wife, Jean, and his great family. It was my privilege to have known him and I am grateful that he counted me as one of his many good friends.”

Ernie McNeely, Borough Manager during most of Yoder’s tenure and current Township Manager of Lower Merion, described Yoder as a true gentleman.

“Dick Yoder was a dedicated public servant. He transcended any political label as Mayor of West Chester and had broad support from all parts of the community,” said Val DiGiorgio, chairman of the Republican Party of Chester County, echoing McNeely’s comments…..WCHE General Manager Bill Mason described Dick Yoder as Mr. West Chester.  “It was literally god, country, family, and West Chester,” Mason said. “To meet him was to become a friend. He was beloved by everyone he came in contact with.”

 

Also check out this video tribute done in 2015 when he received Citizen of the Year from The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce:

Citizen of the Year-Yoder from The Media Message on Vimeo.

saying good-bye to a brandywine valley legend: frolic weymouth has died

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Frolic Weymouth Courtesy of Brandywine Conservancy

Frolic Weymouth Courtesy of Brandywine Conservancy/ Fig®

 

Today I was asked by VISTA.Today to write another piece. (I had written one about Loch Aerie last week at their request) Today I was asked to write about the great loss to Chester County over the weekend: the death of Frolic Weymouth.

The Way Back

The Way Back

August Frolic Weymouth

August

Mr. Weymouth is a legend. A giant and pioneer in land conservation and environmental consciousness along with being an amazing artist and mighty fine sportsman. Writing about someone so fine a human being was humbling and daunting at the same time.  What a legacy he leaves.

Friends of mine who knew or met him have been posting photos and memories. I especially love the carriaging photos.

Below is an excerpt of my article. Please visit VISTA.Today and read the entire piece. Frolic Weymouth was amazing. I only wish I had ever had the opportunity to speak with him. Last time I saw him anywhere was May 2012 at the East Goshen Farmers Market. Sporting a beard and wearing a farm shirt with khakis and suspenders, he strolled through the market checking out what was going on.

VISTA.Today: George Alexis “Frolic” Weymouth, Artist and Visionary Conservationist, Dies at 79

 By: Carla Joy Zambelli Posted date: April 25, 2016

George Alexis Weymouth, known as “Frolic” passed away yesterday April 24, 2016.  He would have been 80 years old in June….

Jeffrey M. Nielsen, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Brandywine Conservancy described Mr. Weymouth as “an inspirational and visionary leader.”  According to Mr. Nielsen, Mr. Weymouth was known to all as a gentleman with a divine sense of humor and penchant for fun (Mr. Weymouth once served scrapple with chutney on a silver tray). It never mattered who Frolic entertained, he was always himself, said Mr. Nielsen.

From the Queen of England to the man serving French fries at Jimmy John’s, Mr. Weymouth had a genuine love and respect for the people around him and those he met.

To those who knew Frolic Weymouth, that showed his heart: that life should be lived with purpose, but also fun. A family friend described him as a very private yet caring man who was simply magnificent; that the mold has been broken with his passing.

Jeffrey Nielsen also noted how Frolic Weymouth leaves such a rich and layered legacy of art, land stewardship, and environmental passion. Mr. Weymouth’s legacy will live on under the stewardship of the Brandywine Conservancy.

 

Big Bend Carriage Shed By George Weymouth

More tributes to Frolic Weymouth can be found:

Beloved ‘environmental icon’ is mourned

Posted by Kathleen Brady Shea on April 25th, 2016

George Weymouth, founder of Brandywine Conservancy, museum

Updated: APRIL 25, 2016 — 1:08 AM ED
by Chris Palmer, Staff Writer

Brandywine Cinservancy and Museum of Art: GEORGE A. “FROLIC” WEYMOUTH

JUNE 2, 1936 – APRIL 24, 2016

Brandywine Conservancy founder ‘Frolic’ Weymouth dies

Ken Mammarella and Brittany Horn, The News Journal 12:32 a.m. EDT April 25, 2016
My favorite thing I have read today about Frolic Weymouth was in Delaware Online. It kind of summed up a lot of what the people I spoke with today for my article told me of his personality and how humble and grateful for his life and those in it he was:

When Weymouth constructed a chapel on his property, he inscribed the following words: “This chapel was built to thank God for a wonderful life filled with fun, humor, work, sport and beauty. A close loving family; loyal and unique friends, and a fabulous son, Mac.” G.A.W. 1995

Each time he talked to his son, he would remind him to “look for something beautiful every day.”

Frolic Wymouth photo courtesy of Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art

Frolic Wymouth photo courtesy of Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art

grande dame has hope for future

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DSC_3735

In a matter of minutes, less than half an hour, Loch Aerie had a new owner.  CZ Patel of New Jersey.  I was standing there when he said in a soft spoken voice that he was interested in converting Loch Aerie to a hotel.

That is welcome news to all who were worried about her facing a wrecking ball.

New Loch Aerie owner CZ Patel speaks with reporters after winning auction

New Loch Aerie owner CZ Patel speaks with reporters after winning auction

 

The room was packed with residents, bidders, reporters, and even folks from other historic commission members from other Chester County municipalities. I am not sure if anyone from East Whiteland Historical Commission were present, although one member was quoted in Kristin Holme’ follow up article.

DSC_3761

Here is the link to Kristin’s Inquire article and my byline courtesy of VISTA.Today. I was really honored the VISTA.Today editor reached out to me.  I have poured my heart and soul into covering Loch Aerie the past few years.

I look forward to when I can cover Loch Aerie in her next life as a hotel.

Hotel owner bids $710,000 to win historic Chesco mansion

Updated: APRIL 22, 2016 — 1:08 AM EDT
by Kristin E. Holmes, Staff Writer

 

Update: The Grande Dame of Lancaster Pike Loch Aerie Has a New Owner

Posted By: Lance Knickerbocker Posted date: April 22, 2016

By Carla Zambelli

 

Here is a LINK to auction photos I took yesterday.