I did not think that I was going to an amusement park last night, but that is what happened at the Borough Council Meeting. I think none of us had the idea we were getting on a roller coaster once the meeting opened. First up a citizen from Johnsontown Community Group got up during citizens to be heard and requested and answer as to what was going on with the oil spill in the Brandywine coming from the vicinity of a house on Bradford Ave right near Glenside. He got the typical bureaucratic pass the buck to the environmental agencies that are apparently taking care of the situation, yet the borough has not had an update in awhile. Yeah OK we believe that.
Then those of us in attendance got to sit through a very contentious resolution discussion on the parking issue for the Classic Diner. A gentleman who seemed to be a partner in working on the building was extremely upset that the council wanted to pass a resolution that would move the building forward. He spoke out of turn and generally made the council members uncomfortable, which at first made me a bit angry until our turn came, but I digress. Some of the questions that came from council were valid, but there were some that could have held for another time as the diner is still looking to get their permits and ducks in a row. Another resolution that I will have to do some research on was passed and then it came time for Johnsontown Community Group's turn. We were requesting that the process be started to rectify the parking issue on East Church Street. We had done our due diligence, spoke with Chief McGowan, Jack Law and the residents to come up with what we thought was the best solution to the problem. We suggested that one parking permit be issued per household for parking on East Church Street excluding the two houses at the top of the street and the two houses at the bottom of the street since they have access to their own parking. We had discussed at length this issue with the residents at various times and had come with petition in hand. We had made a suggestion that the overflow or visitors would be given a grace permit to park in the Johnsontown Park parking lot if it was needed. It seemed like a simple request, but it turned into a nightmare. First of all none of the council members truly listened to what our president Nick Winkler had said. They got stuck on the topic of the overflow parking and that is not our main concern. It was also brought up that if it is different than what the borough usually does then it could become a problem. Then the coup de grace....Steve Henning who apparently heads the parking committee in the Borough quashed everything with a few well placed words and the council put us on the back burner until the parking committee could go over the issue. Jaime Bruton looked at us and said, "I know this is not what you want, but it is how it needs to be handled for council to make an informed decision." Really? If you had listened to what was presented one person with the ego the size of an elephant would not have been able to derail a simple request from a community group who had done their homework and did not come to the table willy nilly with no solution just suggestions.
After the meeting Steve Henning was approached by a member of Executive Council for Johnsontown Community Group and a resident on East Church Street. She politely requested that he attend our next meeting to speak with the residents about the issue as it is easier for some of the older residents to only have to travel to our meeting at night. Mr Henning declined in a not so polite way. In fact we were told that this was not an issue for an open forum by Mr. Henning. I am not sure where you got that idea Mr. Henning, but I abhor people who are not willing to work with the residents that will be impacted by your high handedness.
That was not the end of the rancour last night. The appointments to boards and commissions got very heated also. I could honestly see both sides. Councilman Gazzarro and Councilwoman Feldman both made good points that the council usually goes with the committees recommendations or the most qualified which I can certainly see. But Council President Bruton, Councilman Benner and Councilman Smith had a another good point too that new blood is needed on and around these positions. A compromise I saw was to move the alternate into the voting position and then place the "new blood" in the alternate position, but who am I?
After the meeting we at JCG spoke to several council members and I believe got some of their support for the parking issue. They had time to actually listen to what we wanted...our immediate concern was to get permits for the residents of East Church Street and worry about overflow later. I personally had to swallow my pride and bias and ask for help from the person you would least expect me to approach, but when I truly thought about it Kardon Park is one issue in the borough and that will be there later and if Ann is truly willing to help then I will work with her any way I can to help our community in Johnsontown.
However, I still have to work on my resentment towards Steve Henning as I see him letting his ego get in the way of the job he needs to do and that is the worst kind of bureaucrat there is.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Little Cheese With The Whine
So many people have been complaining today and it's not just the normal eww it's Monday kind of lament it seems to be because it's Valentine's Day. As a kid I was usually sick around this time of year so Valentine's Day used to mean a trip to the doc for strep or bronchitis. However, for so many it's a time when they express their love. What I find a shame is that they have to wait for one particular day. What is wrong with treating your loved ones to chocolate candies, cards of appreciation, hugs, kisses and dinners more than once a year? Does Valentine's Day mean that you can treat your loved ones like crap the rest of the year and make up for it in one day?
If you look up who Valentine's Day is named after each one of the many "saints" and others were martyrs. Now I don't know about you, but celebrating peace love and understanding on a day that someone chose for martyrdom is not my idea of romantic love...or even familial love.
I appreciate the many times that my sons will hug me or kiss me on the cheek during the year, or when my husband tells me, "I love you" or my friends tell me that they have my back. I don't want to wait till one day a year to hear those kinds of things....and we are not guaranteed that we will make it each year to that particular day. So is it really in our best interest to make such a big deal over a day that should only enhance the relationships that you have that you wouldn't trade for anything? I love each one of my friends in a special way, my family is the light of my life and I don't want to wait for ONE day out of the year to tell them that....so make the most of the time you have with each of your loves everyday, because who knows what tomorrow may bring.
.
If you look up who Valentine's Day is named after each one of the many "saints" and others were martyrs. Now I don't know about you, but celebrating peace love and understanding on a day that someone chose for martyrdom is not my idea of romantic love...or even familial love.
I appreciate the many times that my sons will hug me or kiss me on the cheek during the year, or when my husband tells me, "I love you" or my friends tell me that they have my back. I don't want to wait till one day a year to hear those kinds of things....and we are not guaranteed that we will make it each year to that particular day. So is it really in our best interest to make such a big deal over a day that should only enhance the relationships that you have that you wouldn't trade for anything? I love each one of my friends in a special way, my family is the light of my life and I don't want to wait for ONE day out of the year to tell them that....so make the most of the time you have with each of your loves everyday, because who knows what tomorrow may bring.
.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Crisis of Faith
I was baptized and raised Catholic until just about 2007 when I threw in the towel and realized that the feeling like my puzzle piece just did not fit was not all in my head. I went to several different parishes throughout my life and attended CCD classes for most of my school years. I hung on dearly to the teachings of my mom who taught me that I was a Christian first and Catholicism was the religion we practiced. I defended my beliefs and got indignant when the Catholic religion was ridiculed, but then one day I just couldn't do it anymore.
To say that I am not horrified by the allegations of the parish priests and Msgr. Lynn would be lying....but I knew it was coming at least for Lynn. I belonged to St. Joe's Parish from the time we moved to Downingtown in 1994. I tried to attend church regularly, but it was difficult if a priest that I did not like was serving mass. Then in 2004 or 05 Msgr. McFadden left to become a Bishop and the parish got Msgr Lynn who seemed like a quiet mannered man. Now my memories of the years up until a few years ago are foggy due to life circumstances, but I distinctly recall Msgr. Lynn giving the parishioners a mea culpa when serving for a late mass on a Sunday. That to me was it...I was done. I never felt welcomed at St. Joe's...too many parishioners appeared to be too caught up in the cliques of the church. Prep as it was now called was going to cost me an arm and a leg for my boys to get additional religious education, they wanted me to tithe 33% of my earnings (they got $5 a week from me) and then I was to look the other way when someone I was to confess my sins to and to turn to when I needed spiritual guidance had proven himself to be a sinner of the worst kind and had apparently guaranteed himself a place in hell? I couldn't do it. So I went looking for my spiritual being because she no longer existed at that church. It took awhile and a few false starts, but I found my way and a church where I feel comfortable and welcomed.
But now I read the stories and the Grand Jury testimony about the alleged abusers and Msgr Lynn's part in it and I feel shaken and a bit betrayed. Even though I no longer call myself Catholic and I would not go back I have always tried to show others who are less tolerant of the religion that it is not all that bad. Now what do I say to them? Can I really defend Catholic priests and the vow of celibacy and any other sacrament when it has happened in our own backyard? I have been on my knees lately figuratively and literally trying to reconcile what this all means to me and I have not found and answer...tears come when I read or hear the stories and a sinking feeling in my heart. So I will for the time being accept that a crisis of faith in times like this is not exactly bad if it keeps you on your knees.
To say that I am not horrified by the allegations of the parish priests and Msgr. Lynn would be lying....but I knew it was coming at least for Lynn. I belonged to St. Joe's Parish from the time we moved to Downingtown in 1994. I tried to attend church regularly, but it was difficult if a priest that I did not like was serving mass. Then in 2004 or 05 Msgr. McFadden left to become a Bishop and the parish got Msgr Lynn who seemed like a quiet mannered man. Now my memories of the years up until a few years ago are foggy due to life circumstances, but I distinctly recall Msgr. Lynn giving the parishioners a mea culpa when serving for a late mass on a Sunday. That to me was it...I was done. I never felt welcomed at St. Joe's...too many parishioners appeared to be too caught up in the cliques of the church. Prep as it was now called was going to cost me an arm and a leg for my boys to get additional religious education, they wanted me to tithe 33% of my earnings (they got $5 a week from me) and then I was to look the other way when someone I was to confess my sins to and to turn to when I needed spiritual guidance had proven himself to be a sinner of the worst kind and had apparently guaranteed himself a place in hell? I couldn't do it. So I went looking for my spiritual being because she no longer existed at that church. It took awhile and a few false starts, but I found my way and a church where I feel comfortable and welcomed.
But now I read the stories and the Grand Jury testimony about the alleged abusers and Msgr Lynn's part in it and I feel shaken and a bit betrayed. Even though I no longer call myself Catholic and I would not go back I have always tried to show others who are less tolerant of the religion that it is not all that bad. Now what do I say to them? Can I really defend Catholic priests and the vow of celibacy and any other sacrament when it has happened in our own backyard? I have been on my knees lately figuratively and literally trying to reconcile what this all means to me and I have not found and answer...tears come when I read or hear the stories and a sinking feeling in my heart. So I will for the time being accept that a crisis of faith in times like this is not exactly bad if it keeps you on your knees.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Litigation Agitation
If anyone has been following the less serious news lately one would have found and watched the video of the woman walking and texting and then falling into the mall fountain. Anyone who has seen that video knows that the woman cannot be identified and one can also see that she was not seriously injured since she climbed back out of the fountain and went on her way with a look around like most of us have done when we have fallen on ice in the winter or tripped up stairs;we look around to make sure no one saw our klutziness. Shortly after the video aired everyone found out who the woman was when she went public with the intent to litigate the whole issue. Were the security guards who put the video on YouTube a bit callus, they might have been, but since the viewer could not see the woman's face, there really was no harm no foul. It's a bit like the suit brought against McDonald's by the woman who got burnt by a cup of their coffee. Thanks to her there are now warnings on all hot beverages stating that one must be careful as the contents are hot....well duh. We have turned into a society of litigious people and it has gotten us things such as silly warnings on coffee cups all the way to serious things like losing government grants.
Just recently Downingtown was denied a grant to extend Struble Trail through Kardon Park. No one knows exactly why it was denied, but there is plenty of speculation and I believe it has to do with the pending appeal of the Kardon Park development and the current litigation of the E. Caln property. Why would the government want to give a grant for something that could very possibly wind up in court....I know I would be trepidatious in giving money for something that may never come to fruition. So here we are looking to revitalize our town even in a small way and we can't because a few people have an issue with progress and have the borough tied up in court. Now before you try and rake me over the coals I know that Ms. Feldman voted for it and I am thankful that Mayor Maxwell was able to help her to see that it would be a good thing.
It's a shame that a few misguided people can cost others so much. Lawsuits for malpractice that pay the plaintiff millions of dollars which won't bring people back, people suing McDonald's because they bought a cup of coffee, put it between their legs and then had to hit their brakes hard enough to make the coffee spill in their lap, people texting while walking and not looking where they are going, falling into fountains and then hire a lawyer because they were humiliated, people tying up a borough in court over something that could have been hashed out long before there was a desperation that a park would be lost. No one wants to take personal responsibility anymore and no one wants to discuss change with those proposing it because, I guess, that would be too easy AND too hard and God forbid anyone make an effort anymore.
Just recently Downingtown was denied a grant to extend Struble Trail through Kardon Park. No one knows exactly why it was denied, but there is plenty of speculation and I believe it has to do with the pending appeal of the Kardon Park development and the current litigation of the E. Caln property. Why would the government want to give a grant for something that could very possibly wind up in court....I know I would be trepidatious in giving money for something that may never come to fruition. So here we are looking to revitalize our town even in a small way and we can't because a few people have an issue with progress and have the borough tied up in court. Now before you try and rake me over the coals I know that Ms. Feldman voted for it and I am thankful that Mayor Maxwell was able to help her to see that it would be a good thing.
It's a shame that a few misguided people can cost others so much. Lawsuits for malpractice that pay the plaintiff millions of dollars which won't bring people back, people suing McDonald's because they bought a cup of coffee, put it between their legs and then had to hit their brakes hard enough to make the coffee spill in their lap, people texting while walking and not looking where they are going, falling into fountains and then hire a lawyer because they were humiliated, people tying up a borough in court over something that could have been hashed out long before there was a desperation that a park would be lost. No one wants to take personal responsibility anymore and no one wants to discuss change with those proposing it because, I guess, that would be too easy AND too hard and God forbid anyone make an effort anymore.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Too Much Energy
I'd like to address something right here and right now......Do I hate FOKP and or Ann Feldman? No, I don't, to hate something like that group or to hate Ann takes way too much energy on my part and is a wasted emotion. Do I think that FOKP are misguided, disingenuous, a bit hippy-like and hurtful to the borough? Oh yeah. Do I think that Ann Feldman belongs on council, is misguided herself, and does not seem to be prepared to do the borough any good? No, yes and yes.
I said that so that it should be clear where I am coming from. First of all I am not speaking out in this particular blog from a legal standpoint. I am speaking from the standpoint of a resident who is a bit peeved at other residents.
Now on to the big issue. A group of leaders is only as effective as it's members and to be perfectly honest Borough Council could be much more productive if certain things were to happen. First on my wish list would be for Ann to step down. My reasoning behind that is this....she is involved in litigation with the very body of government that she has a duty to. If I were involved in a lawsuit with JCG I would not be in the position I am currently holding, simply for the fact that I do not see how I could possibly be effective when I would be at odds with the governing body. There are many other ways to "fight city hall" other than to be city hall and have the governing body at cross purposes with you. Another reason is that other council members, right wrong or indifferent, do not want to nor do they work well, answer questions or respect her comments specifically due to the fact that she is FOKP. While the budget rangling was going on and at the last meeting for the year I felt Ann and Mayor Maxwell had a valid point about the Delta contract versus getting rid of the assistant borough manager and it seemed that that idea was deemed impossible simply because she is the one who suggested it. So you tell me what good is she really doing on council?
The other reason ties into the first one. The other members of Borough Council need to step up their professional game. I don't care how much you personally hate, despise, distastefully regret having to work with another person it does not give anyone the right to speak to another member of a governing body as has been done the past few meetings and most possibly even further back. Regardless of how long your term may be or what is left of it you are stuck with that other individual until such time as they step down, you lose your post or you are re-elected and they lose their post, so you need to learn to suck it up and deal with it as a professional and the esteemed borough council person that you are. Just because you intensely dislike a person does not mean you dismiss them and their ideas from the get go without some thought.
With all that being said the borough did manage to not raise taxes, but at the cost of two people and maybe some services to the residents.
I said that so that it should be clear where I am coming from. First of all I am not speaking out in this particular blog from a legal standpoint. I am speaking from the standpoint of a resident who is a bit peeved at other residents.
Now on to the big issue. A group of leaders is only as effective as it's members and to be perfectly honest Borough Council could be much more productive if certain things were to happen. First on my wish list would be for Ann to step down. My reasoning behind that is this....she is involved in litigation with the very body of government that she has a duty to. If I were involved in a lawsuit with JCG I would not be in the position I am currently holding, simply for the fact that I do not see how I could possibly be effective when I would be at odds with the governing body. There are many other ways to "fight city hall" other than to be city hall and have the governing body at cross purposes with you. Another reason is that other council members, right wrong or indifferent, do not want to nor do they work well, answer questions or respect her comments specifically due to the fact that she is FOKP. While the budget rangling was going on and at the last meeting for the year I felt Ann and Mayor Maxwell had a valid point about the Delta contract versus getting rid of the assistant borough manager and it seemed that that idea was deemed impossible simply because she is the one who suggested it. So you tell me what good is she really doing on council?
The other reason ties into the first one. The other members of Borough Council need to step up their professional game. I don't care how much you personally hate, despise, distastefully regret having to work with another person it does not give anyone the right to speak to another member of a governing body as has been done the past few meetings and most possibly even further back. Regardless of how long your term may be or what is left of it you are stuck with that other individual until such time as they step down, you lose your post or you are re-elected and they lose their post, so you need to learn to suck it up and deal with it as a professional and the esteemed borough council person that you are. Just because you intensely dislike a person does not mean you dismiss them and their ideas from the get go without some thought.
With all that being said the borough did manage to not raise taxes, but at the cost of two people and maybe some services to the residents.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Merry Christmas
No I am not afraid of offending someone saying, "Merry Christmas" since I am not offended if my Jewish neighbor down the street chooses to wish me a Happy Hanukkah or someone else in my travels says, "Happy Festivus for the rest of us," and if I was I would need to seriously get over myself. A really funny comedian Brad Stine made a very good point the people who primarily don't say or are offended by Merry Christmas are those who don't believe in God or the birth of Jesus. Therefore it really makes no sense if you are offended by something you don't believe in, so as Brad says, "PUT A HELMET ON!"
I have heard all the arguments...it's not His REAL birth date, how can you believe a baby was born of a virgin, Horus was really born on December 25th blah blah blah. I won't knock your spiritual beliefs so hows about you don't knock mine. I am willing to share with you what I feel, and believe deep in my heart and soul, but I am not going to tell you you are wrong and then proceed to list your shortcomings.
So when someone says to you, "Merry Christmas" don't grumble and growl if that is your usual SOP smile because someone cared enough to share their joy with you.
Merry Christmas to All.
Elaine
(A beautifully decorated house on 322 in Downingtown)
I have heard all the arguments...it's not His REAL birth date, how can you believe a baby was born of a virgin, Horus was really born on December 25th blah blah blah. I won't knock your spiritual beliefs so hows about you don't knock mine. I am willing to share with you what I feel, and believe deep in my heart and soul, but I am not going to tell you you are wrong and then proceed to list your shortcomings.
So when someone says to you, "Merry Christmas" don't grumble and growl if that is your usual SOP smile because someone cared enough to share their joy with you.
Merry Christmas to All.
Elaine
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Continued Musings
Lately I have been in a quandary about the goings on in Downingtown. For a few weeks now I have been considerably concerned about the budget proposal for 2011 and how it started out with a $230,000+ shortfall yet budget proposals for many things were thousands of dollars more than they had been or even what had been actually used in the past year. I do have to say that in the Borough Council meeting last night I felt a bit better when Council President Jamie Bruton stated that he, Councilwoman Ann Feldman and Director of Finance Judith Walters had been scrutinizing the budget and had found $53,000 dollars that could be additionally cut from the budget. In many ways that does not seem like much, but when a resident is faced with a 10% increase in taxes as opposed to maybe 8% it's a lot of money. I felt more confident that with the push from Mr. Bruton there will be a continued effort to look into more cuts if possible.
The large debt load that Downingtown does have was brought up and it was brought up by Ms. Feldman, which I thought was a bit ironic when she has the borough caught up in a court battle that would lessen the debt load if she would back down and let the development of Kardon Park go through. After the meeting Ms. Feldman came up to me and spoke to how she felt that she did not know how it had gotten personal in my ire towards the FOKP and her, but that the photos that I have taken for my business and specifically of Kardon Park were pretty. I tried to answer her as honestly as I possibly could. In my professional life and private life I have a few pet peeves and it really doesn't matter who gets on the bad side of them, they tend to really irk me to no end. One of them is when in a business or professional setting one must conduct themselves in a manner that cannot be misconstrued as whining or a stuttering oratory. The other really big peeve is being at least on time to a commitment and fulfilling the commitment regardless of other interests. Almost three years ago I committed myself to a group and while other things are pulling in my life I WILL finish out the commitment until 2011 and I will not schedule meetings, doctor appointments, family outings and other such things when I know I must be in attendance. My only recourse is that I DO have an alternate to attend the functions if necessary, but if I did not I would make sure that unless something dire was occurring I would be there.
There have been times when I have agreed with Ms. Feldman, but the ire that has been produced by the lawsuits tends to color not only my vision, but I am quite sure those of the others on Council who are on the opposite side of the aisle, but also citizens who feel that FOKP are helping Downingtown to die a slow death. While I am not a fan of how Ms. Feldman has been spoken to nor treated at times, I can understand why....I won't excuse the behavior though, because no matter personal thoughts, it is business.
With that said, I was looking on various sights to see what other municipalities were up to AND also to read more about passive parks and open space. I was perusing the FOKP site when I came across the "dedication picture" of Kardon Park in 1978. I could not tell exactly what part of the area it was taken but when I read the caption it said that it was 12 acres of park. What made me sit up and take a good look was that the FOKP are saying that with that dedication ALL of the "park" had been dedicated. How can that be when it is a parcel of land over 40 acres? I truly do understand that some people feel that developing the area that is contaminated will alter the experience or some other reason, but I ask this.....What good is an overgrown, contaminated parcel of land that is not that pleasing to the eye to a dying town? Can you really and truly say leaving it as is benefits each and every resident and business in Downingtown? You might want to think about that.
The large debt load that Downingtown does have was brought up and it was brought up by Ms. Feldman, which I thought was a bit ironic when she has the borough caught up in a court battle that would lessen the debt load if she would back down and let the development of Kardon Park go through. After the meeting Ms. Feldman came up to me and spoke to how she felt that she did not know how it had gotten personal in my ire towards the FOKP and her, but that the photos that I have taken for my business and specifically of Kardon Park were pretty. I tried to answer her as honestly as I possibly could. In my professional life and private life I have a few pet peeves and it really doesn't matter who gets on the bad side of them, they tend to really irk me to no end. One of them is when in a business or professional setting one must conduct themselves in a manner that cannot be misconstrued as whining or a stuttering oratory. The other really big peeve is being at least on time to a commitment and fulfilling the commitment regardless of other interests. Almost three years ago I committed myself to a group and while other things are pulling in my life I WILL finish out the commitment until 2011 and I will not schedule meetings, doctor appointments, family outings and other such things when I know I must be in attendance. My only recourse is that I DO have an alternate to attend the functions if necessary, but if I did not I would make sure that unless something dire was occurring I would be there.
There have been times when I have agreed with Ms. Feldman, but the ire that has been produced by the lawsuits tends to color not only my vision, but I am quite sure those of the others on Council who are on the opposite side of the aisle, but also citizens who feel that FOKP are helping Downingtown to die a slow death. While I am not a fan of how Ms. Feldman has been spoken to nor treated at times, I can understand why....I won't excuse the behavior though, because no matter personal thoughts, it is business.
With that said, I was looking on various sights to see what other municipalities were up to AND also to read more about passive parks and open space. I was perusing the FOKP site when I came across the "dedication picture" of Kardon Park in 1978. I could not tell exactly what part of the area it was taken but when I read the caption it said that it was 12 acres of park. What made me sit up and take a good look was that the FOKP are saying that with that dedication ALL of the "park" had been dedicated. How can that be when it is a parcel of land over 40 acres? I truly do understand that some people feel that developing the area that is contaminated will alter the experience or some other reason, but I ask this.....What good is an overgrown, contaminated parcel of land that is not that pleasing to the eye to a dying town? Can you really and truly say leaving it as is benefits each and every resident and business in Downingtown? You might want to think about that.
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