Apparently, Bruce Castor took a tour of the Barnes on Sunday and has this to report courtesy of Writemarsh blog:

Monday, June 9, 2008
CASTOR TOURS BARNES FOUNDATION COLLECTION IN PREPARATION FOR MEETING WITH FRIENDS OF BARNES

The Montgomery County Commissioner is “overwhelmed” by the collection.

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr. accepted an invitation extended by Lower Merion Commissioner Lance Rogers to tour the Barnes Foundation collection on Sunday, June 8th.

“I was certain the Barnes was an asset to our county and was important to the residents of Lower Merion before. Now that I have seen the collection in person I must say my resolve has been strengthened to do everything in my power to see that the Barnes collection remains in Montgomery County where Dr. Barnes intended it to be.” said Castor.

“It was Lance who called me and suggested I tour the Barnes and see for myself what a treasure we would be allowing to leave our county. I was overwhelmed. I will strenuously argue that we should do all in our power to keep the Barnes in this county. I hope my colleagues see things the same way” Castor said....The County Commissioners will meet with representatives from the Friends of the Barnes foundation tomorrow.

And also, there is a press release from Lance Rogers floating around, and since it is floating around, here it is:

ROGERS TAKES STRONG STANCE ON KEEPING THE BARNES MUSEUM IN LOWER MERION

(Lower Merion, PA) – After touring the Barnes Museum yesterday with Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor, Lower Merion Township Commissioner Lance Rogers renewed his call to keep Dr. Alfred Barnes' art collection in his home in Lower Merion Township.

"We respect property and estate rights in Lower Merion, and our elected officials should be doing everything they can to keep this collection right where Dr. Barnes directed that it remain after his death. Taxpayers should not be burdened with breaking Dr. Barnes' estate planning by shipping his collection to Philadelphia, to the tune of more than $100 million. Using just a fraction of that amount will keep the foundation solvent in Lower Merion," said Rogers. "The state should repeal the $107 million in taxpayer funding allocated for this move, especially at a time when there is a state budget shortfall. To put this in perspective, $107 million dollars constitutes the total amount collected by the Township from property taxes for a four year period. We should not be spending exorbitant amounts of money to move artwork."

Commissioner Rogers has supported initiatives to keep the Barnes sustainable in Lower Merion Township, by allowing for increases in attendance and parking, which have been projected to add over $1.6 million in new revenue each year.

"It came to my attention that our County Commissioners are discussing the possibility of appealing Judge Ott's recent ruling concerning the Barnes. In speaking with Commissioner Castor, I learned that he had never visited the Barnes before, so I invited him to join me for a tour," added Rogers. "Even if there is the slightest chance of keeping this foundation in Lower Merion, the County should make the investment by filing an appeal to help preserve Dr. Barnes' estate planning, maintain one of Montgomery County's true treasures and save Pennsylvania taxpayers $107 million. I'm calling on the County Commissioners to do what is in Montgomery County's best interests – to appeal the recent ruling."

It's good to know that Bruce Castor and Lance Rogers are there to have the back of Lower Merion Township Commissioner Brian Gordon. Mr. Gordon's ward in Merion contains the Barnes. Mr. Gordon has been working tirelessly for QUITE some time on this, so it is awesome he is getting some additional support! Wonder what Hoeffel the Waffle is up to? Or Old Pass the Buck Jim Matthews who thought he was just going to take a nap on this one?

No great news that the Barnes belongs in Merion. Sheesh any of us who have seen the collection could have told y'all that all along....