The hot,hot,hot political scene in Montgomery County seems to be fueled by the ongoing saga of the Barnes Museum? Apparently, we have learned yet another GOP heavyweight throwing his opinion into the ring regarding the Barnes Museum....of course the truth of the matter is that opinion ain't gonna get the Barnes Collection saved and preserved in Merion...it would be nice if the PA AG did something, or if Fast Eddie convinced the deep pocketed fat cats to leave the Barnes Art alone...is this Barnes issue becoming an excuse for the two political parties to duke it out in Montgomery County and in the end nothing will stop Filthadelphia from stealing Lower Merion's art collection? Is this all for naught and for show only? Sure hope not.

Posted on Thu, Jun 12, 2008
Kerns to Montco commissioners: Time to step up to save Barnes
By MARGARET GIBBONS

COURTHOUSE — A new voice chimed in Wednesday on Montgomery County’s efforts to keep the renowned Barnes art collection in Lower Merion.

County Republican Chairman Robert J. Kerns issued a press release calling for the county to continue pursuing its legal efforts to prevent the approximate $6-billion’s worth of Impressionist art from moving to a new but not yet built museum in Philadelphia.

“All the commissioners are on record saying they would do whatever they could to ‘save the Barnes,’” said Kerns. “Now is the time to step to the plate.”

The county has until Monday to file an appeal of a ruling handed down last month by county Orphans’ Court Judge Stanley R. Ott ....Kerns came down squarely on the side of Republican County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., who has urged his two fellow commissioners to file the appeal.

Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews, a Republican, and Democratic Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III are hesitant of filing an appeal for fear that it would leave the county open to financial sanctions if the appeal is determined to be frivolous.

The three commissioners Tuesday met with members of the Friends of the Barnes, who are also urging the county to appeal Ott’s decision.

Following that meeting, Hoeffel said he, personally, still is not inclined to file an appeal that could put the county at financial risk but that county Solicitor Barry M. Miller is doing additional research on the matter.

Kerns said that Castor, a lawyer by profession and the county’s former district attorney, already has researched the issue and determined that there is no “settled law” on whether the county has the right to intervene in the litigation. As a result, Kerns said, the county would not be subject to sanctions if it files an appeal

So why is Joe Hoeffel only ever out for Joe Hoeffel? He seems rather wimpy, wimpy, wimpy on this issue, doesn't he?

Here is something floating on Writemarsh (wish this blog wiould include article hyperlinks not just cut and paste the articles most of the time):

Monday, June 16, 2008
No Decision Regarding Barnes Issue

,em>Margaret Gibbons wrote this report for Friday's Times Herald:

Commissioners remain split on whether to file appeal
By MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff

UPPER DUBLIN — The Montgomery County Commissioners Thursday night did not reach a decision on whether to continue their legal efforts to keep the renowned Barnes art collection in Lower Merion.

County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. made a motion to file an appeal of an unfavorable county court ruling, but it died for lack of a second.

However, no formal vote is necessary for the commissioners to make an appeal