That whole picture is worth 1000 words thing again….
sums it up quite nicely (in west vincent)
That whole picture is worth 1000 words thing again….
Tag Archives: west vincent township
meanwhile, business as usual in west vincent?
Wow West Vincent.
I mean REALLY? Is this true? Did you think no one would say anything? And truthfully, I have recently heard other West Vincent tales from people I have continued to meet socially who aren’t “active”. They are just ordinary people trying to live their lives. Suffice it to say their tales lend even more credence to everything Chickenman and others say.
I do not understand why the state doesn’t have a corruption squad to come into West Vincent? Silly me, I thought Corbett was a law and order kind of guy?
From Chickenman this evening:
Now, I wondered, why would that sign appear?
It seems there was a “private meeting” between township representatives and the Hilltop Road residents on August 14 about road ‘improvements’ estimated to cost over $100,000.
I discover that no surveying, engineering, or professional planning has been done. It seems, judging by the sign, that the residents don’t actually want the road improvements. They don’t want the bottom part of Hilltop widened and paved.
So I leave you, my dear reader, to ponder over the question over who might benefit from this road improvement scheme? Could it be something to do with money and not to do with local benefits? Could it just be that a local contractor needs the work and a certain local farmer might benefit indirectly? Answers on a postcard please, and there are no prizes.
If you don’t agree your tax monies being spent in this way, please follow the sign, and go to the meeting. Support your neighbors and follow the sign. YOU might be the next. It’s what happens in West Vincent.
Now a tiny little gripe. I only just heard about this. Please tell me earlier, I can often help. I can’t do anything if I don’t know about it.
To see my previous mailings please click on http://tinyurl.com/westvincentinfos
As usual, if you want to be on or off my list, or have some comments or suggestions, or know someone who would like to be on the list, please let me know. Feel free to forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested. Especially though, if you don’t want to continue to receive my mails, please tell me, it will be done. Just hit reply to this email or write to chestercountynews@gmail.comBest wishes Chickenman
Also don’t forget in addition to Chickenman there is also the group http://www.birchrunvillepeople.com/index.html – they point out how people might want to look at Second Class Township Codes to see how West Vincent follows the basics.
I found something interesting when reading about Second Class Townships:
Section 503. Removal for Failure to Perform Duties.-If any township officer fails to perform the duties of the office, the court of common pleas upon complaint in writing by five percent of the electors of the township may issue a rule upon the officer to show cause why the office should not be declared vacant. The officer shall respond to the rule within thirty days from its date of issue. Upon hearing, the court may declare the office vacant and require the vacancy to be filled under section 407.
Folks, it also wouldn’t hurt to remind Congressman Jim Gerlach the issues have issues in West Vincent. Call his Chester County office or campaign office in Eagle. You also need to write letters to the Daily Local. Go to meetings.
Again, I can write the occasional blog post but I do not live in your community. Small minded petty politicos only have as much power as you allow them to have.
daily salvo: eye on west vincent….again
This is just excellent! Feel free to share and to “LIKE” Daily Salvo on Facebook (and comment there if you like!). Daily Salvo is on 1180 WFYL.com every day somewhere around 8 a.m. and they have a website too. Smile West Vincent Township, tales of your escapades are spreading….just as bad news is wont to do….
Daily Salvo has also touched on West Vincent’s issues in two other pieces of commentary:
west vincent on the peoples’ radar again: rising up about birchrunville
I haven’t had much to say lately about West Vincent. First of all, nothing is changing, just more of the same old same old….including everyone but the cows at Ken Miller’s farm are being told they are the fine feathered friend Chickenman. That gets old, who cares, and besides they gave up burning witches at the stake centuries ago, right?
What doesn’t get old in West Vincent, apparently, are mysterious acts of retribution. Yeah, everyone knows it goes on and they are not paranoid delusions of residents. Stuff like that happens every day, and not just in West Vincent.
But West Vincent hasn’t been Mayberry Sleepy…. and there still seems to be stuff going on “on the down low”.
Chickenman’s e-mail the other day made me wonder if it was time for an update. He wanted people to read an article in The Daily Local about proposed development of the old township building property, which is apparently a historic school house.
Here we go again.
By SARA MOSQUEDA-FERNANDEZ smfernandez@dailylocal.com
WEST VINCENT — Residents are concerned about office buildings proposed in Birchrunville, and they want township supervisors to reject the plans as inappropriate for their historic village center.
The applicant for the Birch Run Village plan seeks to construct three two-story office buildings, each of about 2,500 square feet, on a total of 2.5 acres.
The property is at the corner of Flowering Springs Road and School House Lane. The school house on the adjoining parcel was built in 1833 and was formerly used as the township’s administrative building.
According to Supervisor Clare Quinn, the zoning for the area is mixed use, which allows small commercial development.
Suzanne M. Roth, who sits on the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee, hopes more residents realize what the proposal means.
“We just really want to make sure that people understand the amount of development that’s being proposed for this property, the impact that it’s going to have on all of our lives,” said Roth. “This keeps changing, but at the moment it looks like there will be (three) two-story buildings.”
According to Township Manager Jim Wendlegass, Birch Run Village Leasing LLC originally submitted a land-development application in late 2004. That was denied, he said, and a new plan was submitted last year.
The township’s Planning Commission advised supervisors to reject waivers sought by the developers for the project….“This is an historic village with roads to match,” said Roth. “If the property is developed as planned for each parking space allotted, there will be eight car trips anticipated to travel our roads.”
That would mean about 256 to 270 more cars passing her house daily or turning around somewhere in the village to enter the office complex, Roth said.
“Township police cannot enforce the 15 mph speed limit on the lower portion of School House Lane now,” she said.
Ethan Schofield, whose property also neighbors the site, hopes that more residents will become aware about the issues at hand…Kenny Carroll, a resident of the township since 1973, said he was specifically concerned with impacts on the environment. “The Birchrun Creek, an exceptional value creek, will be seriously impacted by this development,” said Carroll…According to Carroll, another issue is the development’s impact on the schoolhouse building. “This building is an historical building,” said Carroll.
….Roth and other residents have put together a website, http://www.birchrunvillepeople.com/, with more information about their concerns on the project, hoping to inform the township and community members about these and other issues.
Clare Quinn? How can anyone believe a thing that comes out of her mouth? Isn’t she Chester County’s reigning queen of eminent domain is a good thing? And well, don’t all the residents pay her health insurance via tax dollars, making her right up there with sucking off the proverbial public teat, yes?
In general, where is the need for this development? Did residents request it? Are there businesses lined up with signed leases waiting to move in? How does this work? This isn’t just a suburb, it’s the country, and one of the largest problems with Chester County as beautiful as it is, are these odd business developments that never look exactly full. Who decided there was an actual need, or is this a build it and they will come scenario? I don’t understand.
Malvern is already learning how their development that will be super-sized and traffic clogging will impact the borough economically. Suffice it to say, it will not be the cash cow officials thought it would be. And lordy it has taken David Della Porta long enough to get one of his New Urbanism Fantasy Plans through. He’s a nice man, I have met him, but I have heard him chirp this all before – it’s just with the Borough of Malvern he finally found his perfect rubes. He said at a ground breaking after the fact:
“What I mean by that is, the first urban-esque, mixed-use, transit-oriented development,” he said. “There’s really nothing in Philadelphia suburbs like this, where you have retail-residential involved in a great existing place that already has a beautiful little town, the services and the train station within walking distance.”
Urban-esque? Hello, why do people move to the suburbs? Why do people move to the country? Is it so they can eventually feel the urban of it all they moved away from? Call me crazy, but I don’t think so.
So West Vincent residents, lovers of Birchrunville, what say you? Is this what you want? It seems to me that a lot of different voices are saying “no”, aren’t there?
The problem is, this dopey plan will go through unless fought tooth and nail. And I hope people get political. Let your Congressman up for re-election know how you feel too. Hasn’t he received a tidy sum of donations from power brokers and decision makers in West Vincent? Donations are nice, but votes get an elected official where they need to go, so always let them know how you feel about local issues even if they are not directly involved. Especially during a big election year.
Now, let’s also use this as a reminder as to why West Vincent needs term limits and new supervisors.
And here is the new website Birchrunville People: Preserving the Village of Birchrunville:
Check out the TRAFFIC TAB:
4-Way Stop Sign is Being Planned for the Intersection of Flowing Springs Rd. and School House Lane!
See the photo below of the new notice marking at the intersection, and scroll down to see the Caruolo Associates’ Traffic Report which “strongly disagrees” with the creation of the 4-way stop at this intersection! This will be an extremely hazardous intersection for vehicles driving up and down Flowing Springs, especially in the the winter!
Why should the People of Birchrunville be put in danger for the sake of one corporation’s financial interest?
Check out the History Tab and The Actions Tab:
What Can You Do?
- Attend the West Vincent Township meetings (see Calendar). Share your thoughts with the township Board of Supervisors and the Planning Committee. Keep your comments and questions civil and respectful– these township officials are our neighbors and friends and they are committed to serving the township and upholding its laws.
- Stay informed. We will try to keep this website up-to-date with the latest developments.
- Write letters. Put your concerns and questions in writing and send them to:
West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors: 729 St. Matthews Road Chester Springs, PA 19425 Pennsylvania State Senator: Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman One North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380
Chester County Historical Preservation Network: http://www.cchpn.org/contact.htm
PennDOT (PA Dept. of Transportation): Francis J Hanney Traffic control services manager fhanney@state.pa.gov
Fire Safety:Birchrunville’s first responder: Kimberton Fire Company P.O. Box 99 Kimberton, Pennsylvania 19442 Phone: 610 935-1388 Fax: 610-935-3956
Others Serving West Vincent: Ridge Fire Company #1 480 Ridge Road Spring City, PA 19475-9678 Phone: (610) 495-6063 Fax: (610) 495-5106 RidgeFH@RidgeFireCompany.com
Ludwig’s Corner Fire Company 1325 North Pottstown Pike Glenmoore PA 19343 Station #73 Phone: (610) 458-8479 Fax: (610) 458-2562
Check this page regularly for more opportunities to get involved and make a difference!
There is also a forum with comments worth reading
Good for these residents for stepping up and having a say! But it is West Vincent, so who knows how it will end up. All I know is little country roads are just that: little. And you only get so many chances to keep water sources clean and once an environment is gone, etc., it’s gone.
It’s a damn shame that the politicians in West Vincent and the taxpayer-funded staff do not really get the value of the charm of this area that will disappear once they turn it into Little Eagle. I can’t wait for the CVS with fake Victorian gables.
Sigh. More dumbness.
.
when a community needs to get back to basics. and save itself.
When West Vincent Supervisor Ken Miller’s wife, Sue of Birchrun Hills Farm got up at a recent meeting to speak her peace in West Vincent, I watched it as an outsider and counted my lucky stars I did not live in West Vincent Township. Which truthfully, I hate to say because it is a wonderful community and has a lot of beauty….or it will until the developers all have their way, but I digress.
I received something from Chickenman that has given me pause for thought (you can read it HERE.) As did a letter that was directed towards West Vincent in March.
So this letter from March seems to have something to do with some property that West Vincent used to own? That has now a commercial use with few or no restrictions? If this is true and they are so big on preservation, why didn’t they at least sell this land with some sort of conservation stuff to go with? Something about an old township building and whether it is in or out of compliance with use, as in was it too long ago and should prior uses be considered abandoned? And why does anyone need another “office park”? (I hate that phrase “office park”.) Is there enough business to sustain this? And something about waivers? (Maybe it is just me, but as I have watched development in 3 counties in PA I always love when developers come in asking for waivers when sometimes it seems the hardship is not on them, but the community left questioning their own property rights when it comes to saying no to development.)
So back to Sue Miller, the Farmer-Supervisor’s wife. She spoke up at this meeting, which is cool, don’t have a problem with that, it’s just the bully pulpit of it all and the irony of her words that continue to stick in people’s craw.
Sue Miller has issue with Chickenman, claims the fearless fowl is trying to put her and her hubby out of business. Seems to me, all he is asking for is for a level playing field and honesty. That Clare Quinn who used to work for The French and Pickering Conservation Trust while she voted for eminent domain for private gain (because nothing says conservation/preservation like eminent domain) doesn’t like Chickenman, either? (Clare seems to live off the fat of the community in so many ways, doesn’t she?)
But why is it that any resident or other who speaks up a liar? There seems to be a lot of residents speaking up, which generally speaking could be a divining rod to major issues, yes?
I am going to have to agree with Chickenman when he said in his e-mail June 6th that like it or not, Ken Miller is not just a private citizen but an elected official. And as such, indeed subject to the same public scrutiny as a public official, elected or appointed.
The irony of Mrs. Miller claiming all the good people are trying to put her out of business in her township doesn’t escape me. Since I started to pay attention to this area (they did it themselves with eminent domain), all I hear about is what is done dirty to residents, so what is she talking about? And she speaks of Chickenman and Chickenman “Posse” (have you heard anything so stupid and paranoid?) retaliating? Who is actually retaliating?
Mrs. Miller stood on her soapbox for quite a while, and then there were comments from the peanut gallery and this guy in the meeting who seemed like he was threatening another resident in the meeting and no one did anything? This same person also used profanity, and nothing was done?
No I don’t understand. But I do know that there is too much nastiness in this bucolic community.
What is community? Defined it is:
com·mu·ni·ty
nx1fkx’,en:’wotdau’,io:’0′,b:’wotd’,tp:’lrl’,m:’wotdau’})” href=”#”>
/kəˈmyunɪti/ Show Spelled[kuh-myoo-ni-tee] Show IPA
noun, plural com·mu·ni·ties.
1.a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.2.a locality inhabited by such a group.3.a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually preceded by the ): the business community; the community of scholars.4.a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.5.Ecclesiastical . a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.
Some people would describe West Vincent as merely rural. The more I read, the more meeting tapes I see and hear about, I think it is positively feudal.
Ahhh yess, feudalism:
Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, which, broadly defined, was a system for structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.
Although derived from the Latin word feodum or feudum (fief),[1] then in use, the term feudalism and the system it describes were not conceived of as a formal political system by the people living in the medieval period. In its classic definition, by François-Louis Ganshof (1944),[2]feudalism describes a set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs.[2]
There is also a broader definition, as described by Marc Bloch (1939), that includes not only warrior nobility but all three estates of the realm: the nobility, the clerics, and the peasantry bonds of manorialism; this is sometimes referred to as a “feudal society“.
West Vincent residents, you need to be involved where you live. Even you the McMansion dwellers. I can’t believe you aren’t bothered (for example) when the agendas for the meeting aren’t posted or easily found and it is the Friday before a meeting. I mean LOOK at the website. Agendas are public documents to be provided in a timely manner prior to a meeting. When is the last time they posted an agenda and since I don’t live there I can’t say it was timely, but it appears by their own website to have been 4/23/2012:
04/23/12 7:30 PM: Board of Supervisor Meeting
Written by Tammy Swavely. Posted in Event Dates – Township Meetings
05/14/12 7:30 PM: Board of Supervisor Meeting
Written by Tammy Swavely. Posted in Event Dates – Township Meetings
Board of Supervisor Meeting at the Township Building
Written by Tammy Swavely. Posted in Event Dates – Township Meetings
Board of Supervisor Meeting at the Township Building
Written by Tammy Swavely. Posted in Event Dates – Township Meetings
06/04/12 Special Board of Supervisor Meeting
One of the oldest dumbing down tricks in the book: don’t post things in a timely fashion and keep taxpayers and residents ignorant and in the dark. But does that violate Sunshine Laws in PA? Or will I open a discussion on the letter of the law versus the spirit? (If you think I do not like eminent domain, I dislike sunshine slayers as well.)
Did you know Pennsylvania has an Open Records website? With the Right to Know Law and a handy Citizen’s Guide and FAQs?
I also can’t believe you think it’s ok when anyone threatens or bullies a resident in public at a meeting.
None of this is o.k.
It’s not my community, people, I am but a observor. I am grateful for the community I call home (even if there has been a bit of a reach at me from there to here for my opinions), glad I got out of a community that was a political cesspool on a much larger stage that West Vincent. (So I have indeed been there and I do get it.)
I would think you all wanted better for yourselves. I understand how many of you are fearful or intimidation and retaliation, but the truth is these yokels only have as much power as you allow them. Go above them on a state and federal level if you have to.
Who is your Congressman? Is it Jim Gerlach? Show up at his town hall meetings or his freaking campaign office and ask for equal time in the community. No incumbent is completely immune to elections, no outcome is guaranteed. Gerlach used to be my Congressman, and I found him very easy and fair to deal with. From a practical standpoint, his elections have also been squeakers. He was redistricted again, so that might help, but you never know. Those who write his campaign donation checks are not the only people an elected official will listen to in an election cycle, trust me. And I say that as someone who does not as a matter of choice, donate to political campaigns.
Who is your state rep? Your state senator? Get busy with them.
Community is what you make of it. I can’t do this for you, nor can others. A community must rally to save itself. And it is a lot of hard work. I know it can be frustrating, but if you are not happy with the way things are, you need to change it.
I have said it before, and I will say it again: you live in a beautiful area. Please fight to save it, and change the faces of who govern you. Shine a little sunshine. Do supervisors have term limits? Maybe West Vincent is an example of why they should.
And to the person on the meeting tape who referred to Facebook? I am sorry, will there be a blog burning and banning of Facebook in West Vincent? Kindly remember what this country is founded on – you know, that little thing called the First Amendment? Just saying.
a fine how-dee-do
Readers, I have been sitting on something. I have debated writing about it for nearly a week, and that is my litmus test on writing about something.
I make no apologies for my opinions. After all, we all have them, it is what makes this country great.
A little over a decade ago I became a community activist in Lower Merion Township. What spurred me towards something I was hardly raised to do was respect and love for my friends the Foos who own a restaurant in Ardmore called Hu Nan.
It all started one night long ago, when my friend Betty, who is one of the most serene and lovely women I know said to me with tears in her eyes “they want to take my building.”
That was it. That was my defining moment that I could no longer just be a casual observer in the place I called home. Eminent domain for private gain just does that to a person.
Over the years I have worked hard on issues important to me and those I care about. I have the respect of many in municipal government and politics, some who scorn me, some who fear me. It is what it is. Of all the amusing things there is even a regional Patch editor who has never met me but who cut my freelance for certain Patches because I was a community activist and blogger. (yes, she has never met me.) I found that very limited in her, but then again, if you are looking for someone to photograph and write about disposable diapers, that is not me anyway, so we’re cool. But I am grateful that I have the respect of many others in the local, regional, and even national media. And ditto for many people in many different communities.
When I heard about the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds being threatened by eminent domain for private gain late in the fall of 2011, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut on the topic. I just despise eminent domain for private gain. The Daily Local even published an editorial I wrote on December 13. Main Line Media News picked it up a couple of days later.
But being active in the communities where I live has never been all I have been about. I volunteer not just for community activism purposes but to help out friends who do cool stuff – like my friend Molly who was the driving force behind the establishment of the now very popular Bryn Mawr Farmers Market. I lent her my voice when she needed it and a few photos in the beginning because I believe in what she was doing. And then there is my friend Janet, the brains behind Clover Market in Ardmore. I love vintage and antiques, so when I can take photos for her at one of her markets, it is absolutely my pleasure. And on a monthly basis, save major holidays, you will find me in Ardmore with my dearest pal Sherry, snapping away for First Friday Main Line and so forth.
I have also spent years off and on volunteering for Historic Harriton House in Bryn Mawr, where my first volunteer gig was when I was 12 years old. A memorable adult volunteer experience was getting Willard Scott to wish the house happy 300th birthday a few years ago live on the Today Show.
And when I had breast cancer a year ago, these people were among my supporters to get me through. Paying it forward – it is what it is all about. And these people are fully and completely aware of my activism side when a crazy issue arises, and they respect me for that. And they do not judge me for it.
I just like people, and I like cool community stuff, so when I stumbled upon the East Goshen Farmers Market I was thrilled. So I wrote about it a couple of times up here on this blog and have taken some glorious photos the past few markets.
About ten days ago, one of the market organizers contacted me about this blog and said they would like to link to this blog, chestercountyramblings. I was so happy at that news. But then the link didn’t happen. The woman who had e-mailed me was very apologetic, she had been out-of-town, etc. But to make sure to stop by their table at the market to say hi.
So last Thursday, along with taking more fabulous photos, I did. The ladies were super nice, but the one who had corresponded with me pulled me aside and said she hoped I understood, but everything was so political that they couldn’t link to my blog.
Huh?
Aha. I knew immediately – it was because I have written about West Vincent Township politics and the supervisors Ken Miller, David Brown, and Clare Quinn. And I like to read Chickenman and say so. Who would have thunk the warped Mayberry of Chester County had a reach into pristine East Goshen? Well they do, because Ken Miller’s farm, Birchrun Hills Farms sells product at the East Goshen Farmers Market. And I have said, and I mean it, that I will NOT purchase products from his farm because of the part he played in an attempted eminent domain land grab of the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show, along with being part and parcel of what ails that beautiful community.
Now trust me, that is very tame for me. If I decide to get my Irish up, it can often be much worse. But because I took that position, the people who created the East Goshen Farmers Market won’t be able to link to my blog and I doubt will ever use my photos. That is their right, they are uncomfortable, that farm I won’t support is one of their vendors. I am sad that they had to go all super political PTA mom on me, especially since I am now a resident of East Goshen, but hey I am different, I get that. Some women can’t handle that. They see what they want to see, and do not take the time to get to know the person. It’s cool, it’s life.
So anyway, I had told some of you that the market people had approached me to link up my blog to them, but since they hadn’t, I wanted to let you know and why it wouldn’t happen.
Life isn’t fair sometimes, but for the record I am not sorry about what I have said about West Vincent because there is a big bag of wrong going on there. With publicly stated opinions come consequences – my blog has been shunned by my local farmers market so to speak. And that is o.k. People have to do what they are comfortable with, and play politics the way they know how.
I will of course continue to support the East Goshen Farmers Market because I think it is simply awesome. I will support my favorite vendors too. And I strongly encourage all of you to do the same.
Have a great day y’all. And if the spirit moved you, remember to nominate this blog for a Blue Ribbon Blogger Award with Country Living Magazine – it is very politically correct to do so :<}
what is it with west vincent?
As an outsider I marvel that one tiny municipality has so many odd issues. I don’t understand how residents continue to allow these people to be in office? I applaud those who speak up at public meetings and encourage those who whisper from the side lines to also get up and speak.
These local yokel government officials like “Queen of Eminent Domain” Clare Quinn, “Shucks the Farmer” Ken Miller (and if Restaurant Alba in Malvern is serving his farm’s meat I won’t be patronizing them any time soon – and I am allowed to make that personal choice), and “Squire” David Brown only have as much power as the residents allow them to have. If Chickenman can put it out there and others can get up at meetings and speak, then it isn’t just a couple of malcontents as this local government would have you think. And that is what they want you to think.
It seems apparent to all who peek inside West Vincent that this municipality is run by very ambitious people who seem to do whatever it takes to preserve their fiefdom, but should it remain their fiefdom?
West Vincent used to be this cool little crossroads place full of woods and rolling fields. People wandered comfortably about in their Wellies and old trucks and it was fine. Then West Vincent was discovered. All of a sudden you have McMansion dwellers complaining about skeet shooting. Lordy I bet they complain about the sirens at the fire house too, don’t they? I guess it can be said shiny nouveau has discovered a pretty part of Chester County, and that is fine, but it doesn’t mean that the place has to be developed into oblivion complete with nine thousand soccer fields and whatever that will not only never get used, but will never be maintained properly.
Look around Chester County, Chester County residents and you will notice if you open your eyes that Chester County is being developed at a pace that needs to pause and think. Once the land and open space is gone, it’s gone. And given the economy, I still do not understand how all this development can be justified. And how many box stores are needed? Who is paying for all this zoning that often runs contradictory unto itself as well as being rather confusing? Who REALLY benefits from all these grand plans and zoning changes? How high will taxes go to compensate for all this? Who will be a steward for the land and practice true conservation, not just preach about it because it gives good sound bytes? Once Chester County is all developed where will all the farm critters and horses go? How can people not try to preserve more of the farmland which is historically quite fine? Who will preserve the historic homes and other structures? Does the world also really want to live in plastic townhouses perched on the edge of highways? Do you want that world that loves plastic houses shaping your community that you were born and raised in or do you want to be a real and viable partner in your futures? Are you content to let petty municipal leaders to pat you on the head and say “good resident, you work for us”?
Sorry, don’t mean to be on a soap box, but what I see happening in Chester County is the same nonsense that has ruined parts of the Main Line.
Whether you are politically liberal or conservative it doesn’t really matter, this is about where you live so everything is local. Don’t be an ostrich, that is all I am saying.
Chickenman has some interesting updates that I think people should read. Is it true regional media is still watching West Vincent? Very interesting if true.
And why is it that West Vincent public meetings do not seem to be televised anywhere? All municipalities in PA have access to public access channels and the minutes are slow to load on the West Vincent website and quite sanitized when posted and why is that? Is West Vincent also anti-sunshine? Why can’t they say for example split a channel with their local school district? Shouldn’t people be able to see meetings live on TV like most other municipalities?
5 April Length of meetings:
Hi, Just a couple things for today. I was interested in the length of the meetings since David Brown thinks the meetings take too long and is working on Township legislation to limited public comment. I thought that perhaps if the meetings lasted 2-3 hours, he could have a point. So, in fairness to Mr. Brown, I decided to review all of the minutes for the last year (2011). I listed the dates and the lengths of each meeting, per the record…..42 minutes on average. That includes all public comments. 42 minutes. Where’s the problem? Since David Brown became Supervisor, the average has jumped to 1 hour, 7 minutes, an increase of 30%. I am sure it is an anomaly. Either way, I cannot find a reason to stop people from voicing their concern. I would have calculated the other posted years, 2010 and 2009 but the minutes are not there. They are listed, but not there. They were promised to be posted “soon”, back in the Fall of 2011, over 4 months ago.
8 April Millers debts. Again.
Hi On Monday, April 9, 2012, West Vincent Township will open bids for the mowing of sprayfields for Weatherstone and Matthews Meadows, approximately 21 acres. To review for the new(er) readers and for the long term subscribers, the award of the mowing bid last year was given to Ken Miller, Roadmaster and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of West Vincent Township. The value of that contract was around $21,500. Last year several sprayheads were damaged. Only AFTER I did research and exposed the fact the the only person that could have done the damage was Ken Miller, he was forced into paying. Even then he only took claim for two. The third was left to the taxpayers, between a $400-$500 bill. Thanks Ken……TOTAL: $114,357.59. Say it out loud. ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY-NINE CENTS. Bigger than ever. All the Judgments/Liens follow this submission for review. There are 12 pages. I urge the readers to look them up in the Chester County Courthouse. It is public information. Don’t worry. Ken should be able to pay these off once the bond re-fi comes through because there will be lots of roadwork money to skim. Your kids can cover it through the year 2031. Or, as Clare Quinn says, “You can move”.
11 April Ken Miller’s Lawyers
Hi
After posting the most recent Judgments for Ken Miller, Roadmaster and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of West Vincent Township, I thought I would look into his legal representation. In the Land O’ Lakes lawsuit, Ken is protesting and has a lawyer to defend him. The Attorney’s name is Michael Thomas Taylor and here is what I discovered. Mr. Thomas works for the firm of Siana, Bellwoar and McAndrew, LLP. This means that the West Vincent Township attorney Steven Siana is representing Ken Miller. Has this happened before? In short, yes.Ken was sued by Eleanor Morris (the co-founder of the French and Pickering Conservation Trust) in 2005 for $118,000 and who represented Mr. Miller at that time? Stephen V Siana and Michael Thomas Taylor.
When Ken was being sued by East Coventry Township in 2011 for not paying rent on ground for 3 years, guess who tried several times to orally negotiate a lower settlement? Steven V Siana. In the end, Ken was forced to pay the entire bill.
We all know now that Ken Miller has less than no money. How does he pay his legal bills? If the Township attorney is representing him,is there a better than good possibility that the West Vincent taxpayer and voter is paying his bills? ……The legal documents are attached.
To see my previous mailings please click on http://tinyurl.com/westvincentinfos
If everything Chickenman has up is true I guess the old adage is true if you are part of the “in crowd” , huh? That there is no place like home? Only if I was Dorothy, I might grab Toto and click my heels three times to escape….wow The Land of Oz indeed.
An end note is that I have been warned not to talk so much about West Vincent because they come after people? Really? Freedom of speech and public information and opinion are for other people? West Vincent is hardly the sole focus of this blog, but it keeps opening itself up to public scrutiny. When a municipality runs the way it is supposed to and the politics are clean, no one finds it interesting. It’s when things seem ok in part, but odd in part, or curious in part or residents’ questions and concerns go unlistened to and un answered that people start looking inside the proverbial barn, so how is this my fault???? I mean really.
supporting free speech and true good government is not “nonsense”
First of all, when I write an editorial, I sign my name to it. And that includes in Journal Register publications of which The Daily Local is part of.
I am wondering today about whomever wrote the editorial on West Vincent Township. They did not sign their name so Santa Claus with a bad hangover could have scribbled it. And while entitled to their opinion as I am mine, I think they are being misguided and are also perhaps being misled.
The long and short of it is, one would *think* that a newspaper would be supportive of initiatives that preserved freedom of speech and good government, yes? Well I am thinking this writer today prefers Pravda. It is tempting to ask them why it is they always seem to go on the offensive with the people in West Vincent who seem to want to get better government and better government best practices in place.
For them to sort of kind of imply that West Vincent’s attempt to not regulate, but in fact, limit the public voice is perhaps not so bad is worrisome indeed. Because that is what David Brown and the Supervisors of West Vincent want to do. David Brown in his own words during his campaign said that he wanted more participation, that more people should come to meetings and in essence speak up. Well they are starting to attend meetings and they are starting to comment, only West Vincent doesn’t like it because it runs contra to the township party line. The people of West Vincent are trying to take back where they live and have a say in things.
I think a lot of people were happy to go along just to get along until West Vincent attempted eminent domain for private gain on Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show around Christmas. That woke people up to their government. Something like eminent domain generally does.
I find it incredulous that The Daily Local would put forth an opinion that the people of West Vincent are in essence wrong for wanting a say in where they live. And they are criticizing some of the people who have in fact bought stories to them that sell their papers. And how dumb are they that they can’t see what David Brown refers to as “outshouters” are in fact not. Why is it o.k. for a female supervisor to be heard cussing at a public meeting and calling a resident a foul name, yet when the public is frustrated by the very government process that is wrong?
The Daily Local in their royal we should be looking at what is upsetting people, not supporting efforts to render them mute or close to it at public meetings.
Just my opinion as an outsider looking in, but I feel *very* strongly about public process, open government, good government and public participation. The government in West Vincent doesn’t seem like they can follow their rules and structure that they have now, they can’t even manage to not “lose” meeting tapes according to residents can they? So now they want to give the rules rules so everyone can follow them? Am I following that correctly? And *none* of this has anything to do with a small town government that is somewhat out of its depth in a modern world and really just at the end of the day might not want to work so hard? Lordy if that is what some officials believe, step down, it seems there are more than enough people interested in rolling up their sleeves and doing a good job for the home team, right?
And if I can sign my name to what I write for newspapers, and so can some of the editors I have written under, I think so can the editorial staff of The Daily Local.
Here is the editorial:
We are going to assume that Tom Helwig, a resident of West Vincent and a representative of that township’s Republican Party, was speaking hyperbolically recently when he compared the township’s board of supervisors’ attempt to reasonably regulate the manner in which the public is given the opportunity to speak to the remnants of the failed communist system in Russia.
Helwig accused the supervisors of attempting to hinder the comments of those with opposing viewpoints….“Our purpose is to create a structure within which all West Vincent residents can speak freely at public meetings, rather than to continue permitting a few individuals to outtalk and outshout everyone else,” said newly elected Supervisor David Brown. “Those outshouters complain that our intent is to limit public participation. Nonsense.”
Supporting free speech and true good government is not nonsense. Making light of people concerned with true good government in my opinion is also not right. Enough said, except this is my opinion and I am entitled to it.
it’s not nice to criticize, but…
……It took that reporter from the Daily Local/Mercury almost a month to report on skeet shooting leaving Ludwig’s Corner. I think that’s a bit ridiculous.
By SARA MOSQUEDA-FERNANDEZ smfernandez@journalregister.com
Posted: 03/05/12 12:57 pm
WEST VINCENT – Ludwigs Corner Horse Show Grounds will no longer be home to the Chester Springs Skeet Shooting Club.
The gun club, which had been established on the grounds for about 60 years, disbanded on Monday, Feb. 6….According to Jacobs, the contract for the gun club’s use of the property as a shooting range allows for a 12 month notice to end the lease, giving them until February 2013 to stop using the site for skeet shooting.
“It’s just amazing that they were thinking of us instead of themselves,” said Jacobs…….Most of the complaints related to the noise [WERE] caused by the sport, however, according to Jacobs, when the neighboring houses are sold, the contracts inform new owners that they will be living next to a gun club.
Jacobs also said that the club, which was founded primarily by World War II veterans, was not only renter of a portion of the property, but also gave the association significant donations, and provided several volunteers for the events held at the grounds, most notably the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show.
Oh and here’s a lil’ update from the Sainted Chicken (think maybe The Daily Local can check this out?):
Hi
People have asked what happened at the township hearing (Feb 13, 2012) for the Pam Brown Corrective ordinance. The video is on the Township website. In a quick synopsis, there was a resident that asked what the changes were and would the changes be explained. He was told that “the ordinance had been on the website for months and that he should have read it” (paraphrased). Shortly thereafter, several people (Patty Kozac, Michelle Thomas, unidentified others) pointed out that there was change towards INCREASE in density, not reduction. The Supervisors denied the claim for several minutes stating that is was a decrease. It was realized that the wording did INCREASE density. The Supervisors took almost a ONE HOUR executive session while the crowd waited and now will perform further review. Apparently, the Supervisors did not read the ordinance either.Nor do they follow the law, once again. To meet in Executive Session, the subject must meet certain criteria.http://www.lgc.state.pa.us/deskbook06/Issues_Citizens_Rights_02_Pa_Sunshine_Act.pdf See page #42
For the density discussion Meeting February 13, Video Part 1, 24.24 minutes to 32.30 minutes. The rest of the hearing is gone. Poof! Disappeared. I understand that the hearing went from 7:30 pm to about 11:00 pm. Only 30 minutes of the hearing is available. Why? ANOTHER video missing. Most likely to prevent the viewer from hearing the Pam Brown discussion. Just like the missing December 16 video which most likely is to keep the viewer from catching Clare Quinn calling a resident a “bitch”, (which Clare Quinn denies).
The hearing has been continued to April 2 for the Pam Brown Corrective Ordinance and will continue to field questions and figure out what has been changed and why. I recommend people be there. I understand the last hearing was well attended.
By the way. In today’s Pottstown Mercury, a sad article on the demise of the Skeet Club in Ludwig’s Corner.
http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120305/NEWS01/120309793/ludwigs-corner-skeet-shooting-club-disbands&pager=full_story
It is my belief this is the strategy of the township to erode finances from the Horse Show to push them towards a sale of the property to the township. Support the Horse Show. Become a member. Attend the event. Remember those that are still attempting to take it away, albeit subversively.To see my previous mailings please click on http://tinyurl.com/westvincentinfos As usual, if you want to be on or off my list, or have some comments or suggestions, or know someone who would like to be on the list, please let me know. Feel free to forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested. Especially though, if you don’t want to continue to receive my mails, please tell me, it will be done. Just hit reply to this email or write to chestercountynews@gmail.com
Best wishes
Chickenman
Disappearing public meeting tapes? Wow that is so Good Government for West Vincent, isn’t it? I mean good lord, I criticize Lower Merion but they make the meeting tapes available and run them on public access television. Radnor is even easier access to things of a sunshiney nature. Look at West Vincent and their “minutes may be available” of it all. Seriously? Aren’t they required to make things like this available, not lose meeting tapes, minutes, etc? Who are the state reps and state senators that serve in and near West Vincent? I am also curious to know is West Vincent this bass ackwards because they seceded from the rest of the Commonwealth of PA and possibly the U.S.? Seriously, the more I hear about West Vincent the more I wonder how the State hasn’t looked closely at them and the way they do business at a minimum. Mayberry politics at their worst. West Vincent needs sunshine and a good broom.
judgement day in west vincent
Hmmmm. Seems like someone had better sell more cheese? So yes, it’s Judgement Day in West Vincent and it seems that some certain supervisor might want to consider the whole “judge not lest ye be judged” thing of it all?
What is behind Curtain Number One? Curtain Number Two? Curtain Number Three?
The irony of the photo I found and (it links back to Philly Homegrown) is it shows Sue Miller. Hmmm, wonder what they did to get this super posed shot? I don’t recall any of them being this pleasant the whole time they have been at Bryn Mawr Farmers Market. I swear this woman in the photo was the one who was kind of rude to me the one time I tried to buy a little something from them.
You see, when the Millers come to market in Bryn Mawr they price for what they think Main Line prices should be. Truthfully, their prices are worse than what I see in farm markets in the Hamptons. Birchrun Hills Farm is incredibly over-priced in Bryn Mawr. (The irony is that if you go to some other Farm to City Markets some vendors price differently from market to market and of course that is incredibly dumb because a lot of us patronize more than one market in season.)
The other thing about Birchrun Hills Farm is they make such a big deal out of their blue cheese. Personally, I think it has the consistency of rubber and about as much flavor. If you really want to taste excellent local cheeses try Shellbark Hollow or especially Yellow Springs (Yellow Springs really is front and center in goat cheese in my opinion.)
So, I wonder, since Mr. Miller purportedly partially farms on township i.e. taxpayer farm land does he offer residents a cheese discount ever?