Politics and Law

Politics, schmolitics. Enough already

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:31:11 -0700

Every politician almost on the Main Line needs to take a BIG OL' CHILL PILL.

Bloomingdale Avenue Issue Not Dead Yet

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:18:17 -0700

Well it seems all residents in Radnor are not throwing in the towel over the proposed demolition of Bloomingdale Ave homes. This developer is finding out the hard way that not all neighbors are willing to say good-bye to their neighborhood the way they like it in the name of progress. One of the problems, however, is that Radnor's HARB while well intended is in truth rather vague in places, which leaves too much pro and con open to interpretation. I do hope however, that the neighbors, in the end prevail.

UPDATE on PECO Issues in Ardmore

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:35:12 -0700

Now special thanks and double snaps should go to Christine Vilardo of the Ardmore Initiative who has worked like us towards resolution of this latest issue in Ardmore with PECO. We will point out for the record that PECO and other utility companies need to keep pace with development and redevelopment. They can't just talk about it, they need to DO IT. What is below ground is obviously problematic or we wouldn't have problems. Below are some updates:

Montco Judge Says No Dice To Wanna Be Magnum P.I.

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:18:18 -0700

So the former Deputy Constable from Ardmore has been told no dice by a Montgomery County Judge as well? So that means no living on the cottage on the estate and no Ferrari? No Magnum P.I. fame? OH well, he can always be a landlord or something, right? Check it out: Posted on Wed, Jul. 23, 2008 Montco man disqualified as P.I. By Larry King INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

"When You Lose Your Story, You Lose Your Soul"

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:22:18 -0700

Well, since the Main Line would probably love to be the Hamptons, thought it would be interesting to point out development issues in small towns like Sag Harbor. Now Sag Harbor is quite exclusive, and who woulda thunk they would have "supersize me" issues?

Got Dictionary?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:01:40 -0700

So...who types up the agendas for Radnor Township meetings? They always have typos... See this evening's humor for the July 21st, 2008 Board of Commissioners Agenda: A G E N D A Public Meeting Monday Board of Commissioners July 21, 2008 Radnor Township 7:00 p.m.

P. Introduction of an ordinance re: amend traffic code to prohibit parking on a portion of Popular Avenue

Errr? Got spellcheck? Got dictionary? Unless of course, they aren't referring to Poplar Avenue at all, but that new street next to Prom Queen Way and Homecoming Court(kidding, know of NO such street) .

Sunshine Posts (Including Radnor) on CRN

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:22:57 -0700

Check out this hot tip in the heatwave: Look out Radnor Township School Board, you are on everyone's radar it seems as the support for Judy Sherry and open records and fiscal responsibility grows...wait until CRN hears that RTSB is challenging judge's order... Right to Know Law and Sunshine Act July 21st, 2008 | by BGuzzardi |

An Opinion on Gambling in Upper Merion Mailed to SAC

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:48:08 -0700

As you may or may not know, there is gambling proposed for quite nearby in Upper Merion. Quite frankly,we don't know much. We are posting this one letter received as a neighborly courtesy,and if the sender in the future would like his letters posted, we encourage him to register for a free account and post his thoughts. If this is a group, we assume they will eventually have a website? If any of you out there have thoughts on this topic, please weigh in. Please note, we have carried articles about slots in the past in the realm of "current events and regional news". Dunno...just seems there is something seedy and problematic about gambling, eh? Casino Free PA's website seems to have a good handle on the issues... Here is the letter, and directly below this is what we can find on the web that is relatively current:

Please note this copy of our letter filed with the PGCB this week. Please forward to all interested parties and feel free to contact me with any questions. SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CITIZENS AGAINST GAMING Att: Jim Schneller 500 East Lancaster Avenue #111d Radnor, PA 19087 610-688-9471 noUMgambling@aol.com July 8, 2008 Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board PO Box 69060 Harrisburg, PA 17106 To the Board: We, the above named citizens and all relevant citizens of the Valley Forge region, oppose the application for a license for a gaming facility in the Valley Forge Convention Center in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, and we oppose any further efforts to place gaming facilities of any sort anywhere in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The proposed facility for Upper Merion Township would negatively affect a highly populated region including an inner ring composed of Upper Merion, Conshohocken, Norristown, Audubon, Oaks, Wayne, Bridgeport, Chesterbrook, Paoli, Berwyn, Villanova, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Malvern, Exton, Lionville, Kimberton, and Phoenixville.

Scathing Opinion of Radnor School District from Lehigh Valley

MainLineThoughts — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:08:42 -0700

Woweee. The smoke is coming off this blog post about to be promoted from the Lehigh Valley! Radnor Township School District is really taking it on the chin over open records and accountability...not that they shouldn't be, mind you. They did this to themselves, and this blogger from the Lehigh Valley also includes that McMeekin person's e-mail address in their post: Lehigh Valley Political Blog: Friday, July 18, 2008 More School District Shenanigans

PECO Problems Again in Ardmore?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:32:35 -0700

Many small businesses between Radio Shack and Pennywise Thrift Shop along Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore have been suffering dreadfully since this past Thursday. From Radio Shack at 9 E Lancaster Ave through to Suburban Office at 49 E Lancaster Ave, the power has been OFF as often as it has been ON.

Bike DUI? Who Knew?

MainLineThoughts — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:14:27 -0700

Who knew you could get a DUI on a bike? Do Letterman and Leno know? Posted on Thu, Jul 17, 2008 LM man gets jail time for riding bike while drunk By Margaret Gibbons

A drunken bicyclist will have to do county time for his crime.

Radnor in Delco Times....Well Worth A Read

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:02:07 -0700

[color=red]7/18/08 UPDATE[/color]!!! So...is it true? Has Radnor Township School District Filed For Reconsideration as of July 17th? Will is spend MORE taxpayer monies now and post a bond at taxpayer expense to defend itself from a taxpayer who merely wanted to see how her taxpayer dollars were spent? Is radnor Township School District trying to tell ALL it's students that it doesn't believe in things like open records and open government? How does it feel about the U.S. Constitution? What kind of mindless brainwashing will it be piping through the busses if that other thing happens? This article is very interesting and well worth a read....makes you wonder a LOT about about Radnor Twp School District. And about school board President John McMeekin II. What is the agenda here? Wasteful spending and secrets? Former board member wins her lawsuit Timothy Logue, tlogue@delcotimes.com 07/15/2008

RADNOR - As open records requests go, Judy Sherry's did not seem all that intrusive.

Dangerous Dogs or Bad Dogs/Bad Dog Owners?

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:58:01 -0700

When it comes to dogs, Pennsylvania is all screwed up. It has taken until Bill Smith and Main Line Animal Rescue put a billboard up under Oprah's nose to get PA to really sit up over puppy mills and do more then bark. But another area where PA is bass ackwards is with regard to dangerous dogs. Many other states regulate them, but in PA, well if your little poochie gets attacked by another dog out of control, lots of luck. (Of course to be fair sometimes a lot of the blame goes to careless dog owners with regard to out of control pets, right? Sometimes if the owner knew or cared more they wouldn't have angry, out of control dogs, right?)

Busy, Busy Radnor.....Getting Like Lower Merion?

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:00:55 -0700

Check out the news to the west in Radnor...economy is int he crapper, yet developers and development persist? Amazing. Can citizens ever truly stop the madness or be a part of it so communities can manage what they are forced to accept? Should communities have to accept so much development? But with all these mushrooming plans, Radnor is beginning to sound a lot like Lower Merion, right? "More, more, more. How do you like it, how do you like it?" (Sorry Andrea True Connection or whomever did the 70's disco song) Posted on Tue, Jul 15, 2008 It's a busy time for developers and residents in Radnor By Sam Strike

More Hospital Towns in Montgomery County/Check out East Norriton Residents Organization

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:28:30 -0700

Ahhh yes....it's not just Bryn Mawaa: 1 hurdle cleared By: CARL ROTENBERG, Times Herald Staff

WEST NORRITON - For the second time in four months, the board of supervisors unanimously approved two zoning ordinances Saturday afternoon that rezones a 20-acre section of Wood's Golf Center for a controversial 200-bed, $300 million hospital.

Graffiti Ordinance and Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:47:02 -0700

So... the other week the Board of Commissioners discussed the proposed amendment(s) to the Graffiti Ordinance at a public meeting.

More Pork For Ardmore and Related Tales....

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:57:25 -0700

Well here, read it yourselves: Posted on Wed, Jul 9, 2008 $15 million in Pa. budget for Ardmore Transit Center By Cheryl Allison

Red Leaf Manor: Will it be Supersized by Ugliness?

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:44:35 -0700

Red Leaf Manor. Another grotesque example of profit margin missile seeking greed? In this case, holding a Frank Furness treasure hostage? And watching the replay now of the Commissioners' meeting last evening July 9th, I have to ask: why the grilling of the neighbors? Brutal grilling in some cases? Why are neighbors always WRONG in Lower Merion? At least some other commissioners like Mr. Rosenzweig took the time to explain a couple things of the neighbors, and I will note did it without making anyone feel badly. He was very nice. But back to Red Leaf Manor. Was that the developer for Red Leaf Manor protesting from the cheap seats when a neighbor recounted under oath a conversation he had with the developer and this neighbor stated the developer said he couldn't make things on a smaller scale because he wouldn't make enough money? Wowee, what a shocker, the developer's lament? More, more, more? And if the applicant has the burden of proof why are the NEIGHBORS from surrounding streets being grilled?

Congratulations Judy Sherry of Radnor Township!

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:46:57 -0700

Go out and buy Main Line Life and check out the front page! The title of the article by Sam Strike is "Sherry Gets Wright Decision!" [color=red]Congratulations Judy Sherry! Way to go for ALL of us on Open Records Law![/color] In a nutshell, Judy Sherry sued Radnor Township School District on a right to know basis under Open Records Laws and the Judge in Delaware County found in HER favor on June 30th.

Pigs in a Poke, Indeed?

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:51:18 -0700

Nutter's Nutty Over Tour Guides....

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:06:15 -0700

Totally embarassing...Philadelphia in the news again over dumb stuff...Seriously, Philadelphia has so many problems, and Nutter promised sooo much like the second coming....but while people ask daily when Nutter is gonna get down to it, he takes a side street over to Philadelphia Tour Guides. Mayor Nutter seems to think that it's the City's right to regulate tour guides? Is it the City's right to regulate Freedom of Speech in the birthplace of it? Or is it just another way to grub money? Isn't the visitor's tax...err unregulated parking fees enough? Shouldn't he be worrying about real issues? Murder? Drugs? Crime? Homelessness? Education? The economy? If Nutter thinks a priority is regulating tour guides does that mean he is going to be giving money RIGHT now to all the historic sites in Philadelphia that need money? Landmarks like the Powell House and Hill Pysick Keith House which need help? The Todd House? The Bishop White House? The Shambles at Head House Square? Independence Hall? Grublethorpe? The Fairmount Park Houses? Should Nutter be worried about things like the fact that it's not Philadelphia but Filthadelphia? Shouldn't Nutter leave free speech alone in the birthplace of this country? Is this to be Philadelphia's Fourth of July Message then? That free speech is regulated by government? Is this Moscow?

D.A. Risa Sez Sokoloff No "Spenser For Hire"?

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:39:56 -0700

Sooooo....remember a while, a long while ago there was this guy going postal on camera on local TV? The guy was a deputy constable in Montgomery County? Well it was this guy named Sokoloff, and his wife Julie ran and was elected constable of Lower Merion around a few years ago, and wasn't he then appointed deputy after she got in or something? ...well here's an update: Ex-Montco constable scrutinized Steven David Sokoloff is seeking a private investigator's license. By Kathleen Brady Shea Inquirer Staff Writer

Despite support from two lawmakers, an ousted Lower Merion Township deputy constable hit a hurdle yesterday in his attempt to obtain a private investigator's license.

Summer Musings Along The Main Line

carla — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:43:11 -0700

Check out my editorial in today's Main Line Life: Posted on Tue, Jun 24, 2008 It may be summer, but that doesn't mean that it's quiet By Carla J. Zambelli for As I See It

Greetings from the sidelines. There are so many things to follow, even in the dead of the summer, that I am worried about whiplash.

Monday's BIG Story: Is LMPD's Daly Leaving?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:27:26 -0700

It pays to peruse the weeklies online. On www.mainlinelife.com in an article teaser by Rich Ilgenfritz it says Lower Merion Police Department's top cop, Supt. Joe Daly might be leaving? To go to Springfield (Delco) PD? WOW. Joe Daly is the image of LMPD....when you think of Lower Merion's Police Force, you think of him, because he has been part of the fabric of the community for more than 30 years, right? Isn't Supt. Daly sort of synonymous with Lower Merion? Wow. But you know what? It's pretty amazing we have had the continuity with him all of these years, and in the end he has to do what is best for him and his family. Stay tuned, this will be interesting: LM's top cop leaving? By Richard Ilganfritz

Lower Merion Township Police Supt. Joseph Daly has been offered another job and could leave the township within the next several months.

A Stinging Opinion on Ardmore

MainLineThoughts — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:45:51 -0700

Can't say this opinion is off base, can you? Of course it remains to be seem if anyone cares.. Posted on Wed, Jun 18, 2008 One step forward, one step back for Ardmore Natural Selections By Mike Weilbacher

Disappointing Barnes Update

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:52:47 -0700

Saw this over at Writemarsh:

"...it was just a matter of when....How can they fight so hard to keep it and then just "roll over"?"

So yes, The Barnes Friends are abandoning their fight in the court system, which is their right of course, as the legal fees must have been high....How will this impact the Attorney General issue? Ahh well, cheer up, now that Lower Merion will cease to be known for a world famous art collection, it still has the fallback position of being the township of poor development decisions..... A suggestion for the Barnes friends if they are giving up an appeal, but not the fight? An old fashioned protest. Get your marching sneakers on and don't worry about being so polite. Make some noise...try Philly City Hall to start.... Posted on Wed, Jun 18, 2008 ‘Friends’ will not appeal ruling By MARGARET GIBBONS , Times Herald Staff

Development: A Matter of Personal Opinion

carla — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:24:53 -0700

If you are hypersensitive, please skip this post. Otherwise understand that I am entitled like everyone else in this country to an opinion. It's called the First Amendment I am sick to death of dancing around the topic of development in our communities. I am tired of being politically correct. I do not think that all this development has ever been solely about community betterment, I think it is often about bottom lines and personal legacies at the expense of ordinary people, o.k.? Do I think all developers are bad or we should have NO development in our communities? No, of course not. Do I feel the need to vent? Yes. Does that make me anti-development? NO, it does not.

The Shame of Montgomery County: Matthews/Hoeffel and The Barnes.

carla — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:30:28 -0700

Rolling in His Grave: Albert C. Barnes

Narberth Says No Thanks To LMPD Bid

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:15:46 -0700

Recently, our local papers and television stations have been chattering about a bid by Lower Merion Township to take over Narberth Borough's Police Department. Well, according to the Main Line Times, Narberth has decided "no". Many questions remain over this takeover bid, namely the politics of origination. Posted on Wed, Jun 11, 2008 Narberth to keep its police force By Richard Ilgenfritz

NARBERTH –The Narberth Borough Council Wednesday night voted to halt its consideration of a plan by Lower Merion Township to take over Narberth's police responsibilities to save money for both municipalities.In a unanimous voice vote, the council approved a motion to inform Lower Merion that the borough was no longer considering the township's offer to take over the borough's policing duties because the township hadn't provided enough detail on cost savings for the borough.

Will Ardmore Survive?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:39:04 -0700

Will Ardmore Survive "MUST" see t.v..... we have had a full night in Lower Merion of development, development and more development. Apparently 106 Cricket seems to be moving forward? Despite the block house feel? And some commissioners are "excited" by the prospect of this thing? Maybe, Lower Merion, it would be more exciting if plans like this weren't so darn large? Maybe, Lower Merion, it would be more exciting if MUST was not so contradictory as well as existing only to service developer interests? Where is MUST good for the people of Ardmore? So, this marathon meeting this evening trucked along...right to the issue of Suburban Square. Residents of Ardmore on sofas all over town almost fell off their seats when once again when certain commissioners described this project as exciting? (Just curious but does LARGE=EXCITING?) Why did one Commissioner tried to "move" what was supposed to be a presentation to a motion to vote to get a public hearing going in JULY when no one is around?