Thursday, February 6, 2014

Enough!!!


Whomever accused me of helping the crier for Downingtown DOES write the article about the council meeting needs to re-evaluate whom they accuse of what and make sure that you have your facts correct.  The crier for that site is a capable individual with fantastic writing skills.

I attended that meeting as a citizen and as a waiting to be ousted commissioner.  Let's be perfectly clear on a few things.  Whatever is written on Downingtown DOES has nothing to do with me what so ever.  What is written HERE is what my thoughts and feelings are on the corrupt council that now sits.

I am NOT under anyone's thumb and if you had your facts straight then you would know that for the longest time I was against Ann Feldman and her group and in fact filleted her several times in this blog.  However, my ego does not get in the way when I need to work with someone for the good of everyone like it does with council members.  Do I wish to see Kardon Park developed now.  No not really because we have spent way too much time and effort on something that now would not bring in as much money as was promised has caused several money issues for the borough and is now setting a bad precedent for the parks in the area.

As for Ginny.  While I worked with her she was a dedicated and delightful woman.  However, she did a 180 when she resigned from her position as Vice Chair.  She let many people know about her displeasure (and that is a nice way to say it) over the things that Josh had been doing and she was just as irate when council would blow past us, over us or around us for things done in the borough.  Unless she was an extraordinary actress that is how she conducted herself in our meetings.  Then the Ghost Walk issue with the mayor happened and while we had a major in house issue with several commission members it was resolved and the Ghost Walk went on and was successful despite the mayor.  When Ginny resigned she NEVER informed ANY commission member that she was doing that and even spoke about commission business with me before the meeting.  SHE made it personal and I now wonder what was on the back burner with this council as I look back on what she stated in her resignation letter about being brought back on at another time if the council would have her.  Really?  Sounds to me like some council members and the mayor were not the only ones making plans.  I do not doubt Ginny's dedication to the Log House and she has worked tirelessly for it, but we also deferred to her on many issues when we were apt to spend money on projects such as the Log House walkway (PW needed to do it according to Ginny) or "council wouldn't approve it" therefore many projects did not get off the ground or done.

I am tired of being blamed for downfalls or dissention.  Do I like most of council?  NO.  Do I respect the mayor?  Not in the least.  His reasoning for dissolving the H&P was the same unfounded, unproven accusations that he brought to an H&P meeting in June of 2012.  He hasn't changed his tune one bit.  He has never forgiven me for calling him out on his DUI and the fact that it was completely irresponsible for him to have driven once having a few drinks.  You decide when you see him in town next.  As for the others on council.  Cara DeStefano was friendly with me until I called her on her behavior over the election in which her campaign produced a flyer that basically called her opponent an uneducated dolt.  It was completely wrong on her part and she got into office under false pretenses as far as I am concerned.  She originally told people she was running so that Heather Bruno would not have a chance and get into office.  Ask her how much did Sara Peck donate to the campaign?  Chip Gazzerro just doesn't like anyone who sees through his "good ol' boy" routine and calls him out on his bullying and mean attitude in a council meeting.  He also doesn't like it when he is called on the fact that he will say and do one thing and then conveniently forget it when someone mentions his bad behavior.

I am relieved that I do not have to spend as many hours making sure that we please council and the mayor.  All I wanted to do was to help preserve the historic beauty of this town and to help create and work events in this town that could be attended by everyone for enjoyment and entertainment.  THEY made it the nasty business that it is, not I.  Backroom deals and walking the line of legality is not my idea of a person who wants to serve the residents, but then again maybe I am wrong and if I am then I will certainly be glad if I am not around in 10 years to see the trashy two bit tourist trap that could very well happen if what has been heard occurs.

5 comments:

  1. Sorry to hit such a nerve, Elaine. You and your husband are part of the minority.
    You say you have no respect for our mayor or the majority of the council members.
    Personally, I think you are the bully. “Calling him or her out”. Who are you again,
    the minority? Your interpretation of Cara’s flyer was just that, YOUR subjective interpretation.
    Rather than support and respect your elected officials, your paranoia makes you attack,
    suspect, and distrust the majority of our elected officials. Perhaps it would behoove you to
    try a different approach, don’t make it sooo personal. We are all just doing the best we can with what
    we have. No one is trying to hurt our town, except of course for AF. Please, try to think more openly
    and positively. After all, we all really want the same things….safety, prosperity, pride and happiness.
    Let’s all try to just work together for the common good.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is unfortunate that the Lemmings of the Borough do not speak out or vote when necessary.
      It is equally unfortunate that the Mesmerized minority vote for presumed friends instead of candidates who really do care what happens in and to the Borough.

      The Mesmerized has not helped the Borough financially, economically or environmentally.

      Having been to most council meetings over many years, the council that voted Gazzerro president has been the most disrespectful to the residents attending their meetings. Be it another council members or a resident, the Mayor and the Council President will interrupt, speak over and ignore the concerns of the speaker. “I’ll take your concern into consideration” or similar statements made by Gazzerro means absolutely nothing. He and three other council members and the mayor have already made a decision that suits their agenda, not one that would be best for the community. We've all seen this happen before with previous Councils for the past 10 or more years where they follow their own agenda.

      Having seen the flyer that Cara sent out just prior to the election apparently did turn intelligent residents against her. Also apparent, not enough did… or voted.

      Many residents who voted for the council members obviously did support and respect them and were initially happy to see their friends and neighbors sitting on the ‘stage’ in Council chambers. It did not take much time for them to realize their mistakes. The façades the elected candidates held up for much of 2011 and 2013 fell and shattered the good intentions they presumably had. The respect many residents had for their neighbors also fell.

      I consider this Council and the previous two councils a charade. I see the majority of this council plus the employed administration pretending to act in the residents’ best interest.

      Since 2007, Borough Councils have been beholden to the developers who signed the illegal agreement of sale of a dedicated public park.

      From what Anonymous #1 wrote, Mrs. Babcock is ‘paranoid’ and wrongly claims she is the ‘target.’

      According to Anonymous #1, “AF” is to blame for everything.
      Anonymous #1 also fails to see the whole situation from all sides.

      According to Anonymous #1, the juvenile, disrespectful and unethical behavior is also AF’s fault.

      Mrs. Babcock, you’re off the hook here. It’s not your fault.

      Pat

      Delete
  2. BRAVA, ELAINE! BRAVA!

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  3. Minority my behind! Bully? Really and who are you hiding behind an anonymous name. You have a lot of nerve calling anyone out when you won't even post under your own name. That is the coward's way out. You may not like my opinion and that is fine, but bully means a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people. So if I am intimidating to people like council members and the mayor then I have much more power than I ever thought. Gee does that mean I can get rid of those who have committed acts that skirt the legal system?

    As for Cara's flyer I was not the only one who thought it was a campaign tactic that was beneath anyone. But yet that is the one thing you pick out, nothing about her motivations or campaign contributions. Oh well I guess blinders are not just for horses.

    It would BEHOOVE you to maybe attend a meeting before you spout off or wait could this be a council member who has to hide behind anonymity to get a point across?

    I have no problem working with people that I don't particularly like but I do have issues with people who are legally and morally bankrupt and if that is who you want to align yourself with then that is your choice, but don't you DARE come here and accuse me or anywhere else of things that you have no knowledge of.

    See my blog is not a democracy nor is it a republic and I can delete you as easily as you sign on to type anonymously. You all can give me lip about the first amendment all you want, but I don't have to put up with garbage and I will take it to the curb where it belongs.

    ReplyDelete