Friday, June 7, 2013

Duplicity

I wonder sometimes if people actually know the definition of the word duplicity.  It means-deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing.  The reason that this word comes to mind is due to the last council meeting.  The conditional use hearing was continued for River Station East (no daycare, Dunkin Donuts proposed...yeah that is going to help traffic ).  East Caln has been making money on this project since 2008 and yet here we sit.  Council members questioned the witnesses ad nauseum and asked the same question several different ways (I'm not sure if it was because they wanted to look like they had the borough's best interest at heart or that they didn't listen the first time).  This piece of land could be developed if the planning commission and council would get their selves together and let it move forward.  It would be beneficial to the borough and it would get rid of the eyesore that exists on that block now.  We won't go into River Station West as that is a burr under my saddle.

Then wonder of wonders new business actually got discussed and one of the issues was in conjunction with Messiah Lutheran Church on Business Route 30.  There is a piece of land behind the church that Messiah would like to make into more parking and a bigger play area since they have a pre-school.  The borough from the explanation of Mr. Sullins, the borough manager, wants to make a land grab.  Three options were proposed and the church leadership, specifically the pastor, will only accept option #2 and even then it's a stretch for them.  The piece of land would be made into the play area and parking lot, but also an access road that reached Viaduct Ave.  What amazed me is that it was mentioned that council could vote for Messiah to build their parking lot and play area and then condemn the lot and grab the land to do with what they want.  For the first time in a long time I agreed with Council President Gazzerro when he said that would be wrong to do.  Others like Council member Winkler asked why we were even bothering?  I bet I can hazard a guess.....easement granted to the borough for River Station West to have the Boot Rd. extension through Johnsontown Park anyone?  But what really made me angry, upset and completely disgusted is that council can make a decision like this that has no real benefit to anyone, yet they drag their feet on a project that could potentially bring multiplying revenue to the borough.

It makes me frustrated that the borough can welcome a new bar and grill like Molly McGuire's, make it difficult for a mainstay like Georgio's, bring in Firecreek under the KOZ and let them off so easily and have yet another Italian food place come in.  Please don't get me wrong, I am glad the building won't go vacant, but how easy are you going to make it for them to replace Firecreek?  Do they get to utilize the KOZ and not live up to any of the codicils placed on them too.  Council flies headlong into some projects and yet moves like molasses in January on others and then it's called being cautious.  Being cautious would be to not bring in one more opportunity for the residents of Downingtown to drive drunk or have a drunk driving accident.  Being cautious would be making sure that we don't alienate businesses that are already there for ones that our mayor and his followers think are cool.

Think about this and maybe attend a council meeting because your voice deserves to be heard whether you agree with me or not.