A Man To Honor

This man was my social studies teacher during my time at Columbine. We moved back to PA shortly after graduation. I never thought that the next time I would hear of Columbine would be in the news. Any innocence I had left, I lost that day in April, but this man managed to bring back respect and honor to a place that by all intents and purpose should have been forever tagged as a violent example of what not to do. Good for you Mr. D! And while some friendships have faded and others gone completely, I am and always will be a Columbine Rebel and still proud to say it because of this man!

http://www.5280.com/magazine/2013/11/final-bell
Final Bell

Frank DeAngelis has been in charge of Columbine High School since the mass shooting there nearly 15 years ago. That’s about to change.

  

Just Sad Today

Why am I just sad today?  Because I gave someone the benefit of the doubt and thought they were smarter than what has been shown.  Who did I give the benefit of the doubt?  The voters and residents of Downingtown.

Now before you say or think it's just sour grapes.....I will admit I don't understand why more people did not see what I see in my husband and yes I am sad that this election went the way that it did, but I like the rest of you, will have to live with this salmagundi that was created yesterday.

What I don't quite get is how voters don't see past the smarmy smiles and the prevaricating laughter.  The gentleman that will again be mayor creates abilities in his job and himself that he has no control over.  The Mayor of Downingtown has no say in a business coming to town, he cannot fix a situation with a bus route or bus service as a voter was lead to believe yesterday at the polls, and he most certainly has no more "work to do" in the borough.  That is unless he wishes to clean up some of the messes he has left behind by overstepping his boundaries?  Would he like to apologize to businesses and residents alike for going to the Liquor Control Board hearings to force Molly Maguire's liquor license through under the KOEZ at the expense of several other businesses? Or help the residents personally who are now not able to park on their own street because of a new business being opened before they were ready?  Oh wait he can't do that because he can't seem to move his own car out of  a two hour parking zone with only one ticket on it before it was towed.  Would he like to explain why he had to put one of two violations accrued in Coatesville on the payment plan, but could be out looking for a new vehicle in September?  Would he like to personally apologize to the young people whom he disenfranchised during the last Ghost Walk because a supporter asked him to put his daughter in a program for years that was running smoothly when an age limit was placed on it for participants to be 16 and costumed characters to be 18 and he arrogantly side stepped the Commission putting on the walk and had a 12 year old in costume and then flat out denied his culpability in the action?

And then we get to council president.  I am not sure how the voters could in good conscience vote back in a man who has been seen by many harassing other council members and others who attend meetings.  How does one reconcile placing a bully back on a presiding council that decides your future?  A bully who will only let a person speak or an idea to be heard if he agrees with it and interrupts, talks down to and is plain nasty when he doesn't?  Who was heard making fun of the people of Downingtown at the polls when they ask questions and want things done, but are not part of his crowd of cronies. 

I am sad today because honor and integrity are not part of my home towns make up.  That people still vote in others that they know are doing things that are either illegal or walk a fine line between legal and criminal and sleep soundly at night.  I am sad today because so many voices did not make themselves heard and a good man lost an election and a borough lost their chance to be redeemed just a bit and given back some honor, dignity and virtue.

When To Shut Your Mouth

When is it time for borough officials to own up to their mistakes?  When they have made them.  When is it time for them to shut their mouths?  When others are speaking.  When is it time to vote out officials from their office?  NOW!

Chip Gazzerro as council president needs to understand that he cannot bully people because his council seat is not his own personal bully pulpit, but that is what he uses it for, to bully people.  Tonight for the first time several council members stood up to him and called him on the carpet for using Downingtown Borough as his own little fiefdom.  Nick Winkler made it perfectly clear that council listens to other arms of the borough sometimes without even talking about it, but when it comes to the Historic and Parks Commission Chip Gazzerro has been heard saying if he doesn't like that commissions recommendation he will just change the ordinance.

Mayor Josh Maxwell's job is very limited in scope yet he constantly oversteps his bounds.  He would like to residents to think that he has nothing but the good of the borough in his thoughts and actions, however he ran against Becky Corbin for State Rep and we will be redistricted in 2014 and it is well known that he will campaign to fill that State position.  He will be campaigning at a crucial time in our borough and he will not be interested in the residents unless he can count on their votes for Harrisburg.

So on Tuesday when it comes time to vote you as the voter and resident need to consider these things.  Do wish for a Mayor who is only using you as a stepping stone or one that really cares about you and has no aspirations for higher office so dedication will not be an issue?  Do you also want a council member who feels it is within his rights to speak down to and bully other council members because he has a gavel and a title.  Twelve years is long enough.  Even diapers need to be changed to avoid the smell.

Hubris Abounded and Disrespect Dished Out

I don't think I have ever been more disappointed and discouraged than I was last night at Borough Council's meeting.  I was waiting to sit there for more testimony and questions that could wait for the conditional use hearing, but thankfully that record was closed and the meeting continued.  However the rudeness, hubris and ignorance that abounded afterwards was of epic proportions.

The Comprehensive Plan was next on the agenda and a gentleman from the Urban Research and Development Corporation was there named Paul and I am certainly remiss in not hearing his last name.  This gentleman had about as much finesse as a bull in a china shop and was rude on all fronts.  In fact at one point he had to tell him self to take a chill.

The Comprehensive Plan is a document that is primarily used for the obtaining of grants and other such things for the borough.  It is also to be a guide for which we continue to move forward with projects etc.  Mr. Sullins at one point said, "Who really reads the Comprehensive Plan?"  My question then is why did we even pay over $17,000 for something that is not going to be utilized as it properly should?  The planning commission in conjunction with the borough just cost the taxpayers money for a document that is not really going to be used according to the borough manager.

Back in February there was a public meeting where comments and issues were addressed by the constructors of the document and the planning commission and we the public should have expected that NONE to very few recommendations made by anyone were going to be added or subtracted due to the attitude of those present from the planning commission and the creators of the document that night.

The Downingtown Historic and Parks Commission, after much study of the Comprehensive Plan of 1994 and the Open Space Plan of 1993 along side with the current draft of the Comprehensive Plan submitted their additions and suggestions in writing to both the Urban Research and Development Corporation and the planning commission.  The H&P is an arm of the Borough and as such should carry as much weight in their suggestions and recommendations, however that is not the case.  During the meeting last evening when a representative from Historic and Parks asked to be recognized and proceeded to ask Paul why the recommendations to the Comprehensive Plan were not added, he nastily asked Tamara if these were different concerns than were submitted before.  When Tamara said no and that not only were these the same ones, but these were also the ones that had been submitted to council with a formal letter (which Mr. Sullins told council that they were not the same that were in the letter that was drafted and he purposely did not use the title of or the arm of the borough that the suggestions came from, so that they would seem less important.).  He told Tamara that all recommendations were brought before the planning commission and they were given a yay or nay.   Which is fine however, the very fact that one arm of the borough other than council over riding the recommendations of the very entity that is tasked with preserving the parks and historical buildings in the borough is hubris and is not their responsibility within the codes of this borough.  Just as the Historic and Parks Commission makes recommendations to the Council so does the Planning Commission.  While there are many educated individuals on the Planning Commission there are just as many on the Historic and Parks who have done their homework, compared maps and are truly concerned with the esoteric and infrastructure of the borough and to hold fast to the historical balance and flavor of this town.

One of the more serious issues that H&P had with the Comprehensive Plan is that from the 1993 Open Space Plan to this plan there are 11.1 acres missing from Johnsontown Park.  Councilor DeStephano suggested that mistakes can be made for which we can concede however, not an 11.1 acre mistake.  No one could explain how a park went from 25 acres to 13.9.  Another concern which was voiced was the fact that no contingency plan was written if a project or court case would go the way that the borough hoped it would not.  Councilor Winkler brought this very thing up in part.  But what was most ignorant on the part of this Paul gentleman was that if a man was speaking to him he used a tone that was slightly less obnoxious and repugnant and was more amenable to their suggestions than if a woman was speaking other than Council DeStephano because she is on the Planning Commission.

To blatantly ignore recommendations from a corresponding arm of the borough is presumptuous and downright disrespectful to those who volunteer their time just as others on various committees and commission do.

But the fun did not stop there.  A business in Downingtown took it upon themselves to paint the outside of their building without ascertaining from neither codes nor the Historic and Parks Commission, since the building is in the Historic Overlay whether they first could do what they wished and secondly if the color that was chosen was historically correct and corresponded with the rest of the historic overlay.  Council decided that was not important and over rode both Tom Yuhas and the Historic and Parks without any consideration and Chip Gazzerro was completely and utterly rude and disrespectful in how he spoke to Councilor Feldman when she attempted as H&P liaison to explain the intent of H&P in this matter.

It is becoming more and more clear that council needs an influx of new blood.  People who don't have an agenda who are not on the planning commission and will fall in lock step with them, but ignore other arms of the borough.  A wish is that the mayor who is supposed to be the face of this town to actually stand up for those who have no voice or little input because they are considered to be beneath consideration instead of rocking back on his chair and laughing and respect given for ALL who give their time and talents to the borough. 

 

It's Just Business

It started out that Downingtown was going to be on Fox 29's Jenny On The Block, but then the decision was made to move to Kennett Square where the downtown noise from traffic is not as loud.  Originally, it was rumored that all that is great about D'town would be featured, but then Kennett got the go ahead and D'town was out.

Now Downingtown is back in the running, but what puzzles me is why they are featuring Victory Brewery only.  Yes Victory does sponsor a lot of events, but they aren't the only thing that is great about Downingtown, in fact I think they come in a slow 10th maybe.  D'town has awesome parks, great trails, abundant history and is all about being a Good Neighbor.  THAT is what this town should be known for not the restaurants and certainly not for the many drinking establishments.  We have some of the best fireworks on the 4th, Halloween in D'town hasn't been rivaled in years, the best Christmas Parade, businesses within walking distance of home, an above average school system and yet all of those are not what is being featured? 

We seem to forget in chasing the spotlight that which has made us great.  The restaurants that have been here 30 years, the new ones who sponsor local events (not put on by the restaurant itself) without question, the history that busts at the seams when you walk through the town, the beauty of the Brandywine even at flood stage.  So I ask again, Mr. Mayor, Main Street and the Chamber why those things are not what was chosen to highlight in Downingtown...because those are what make it desirable to be here in the borough.

Roots and Wings

I know I usually talk about local politics here or issues that got my dander up, but this is something different.  If you read it thank you.  If not thank you for even checking in.

My boys turned 18 the first of July and it all came rushing over me that while I have always worked to give my boys roots AND wings they were going to use their wings soon.  I remember back to the day we were told that it was twins and how scared my husband and I were, but that would be nothing compared to the lifetime of love, struggles, laughter, tears and what seemed sometimes like insurmountable obstacles to come.

When the boys were small I knew that something was different with my one son Daniel.  He didn’t respond as other infants did to stimuli and he had a hold me, but don’t touch me type of personality.  As they grew Dan did not speak, his twin Dustin did most of the “interpreting” for him and he pointed a lot.  We found that his frenulum was too short at age two (something which should have been caught by his first pediatrician before his first birthday).  Once surgery was completed Dan began to speak, but not like the other children.  He didn’t play like other toddlers and he much rather would be on his own or with the adults.  Dustin was an energetic child and was into everything.  He loved music and he loved his brother, but we weren’t too sure that sentiment was returned by Daniel.  The boys grew as boys will and while I knew something was different it wasn’t until at 2 years old Dan was said to have a severe speech and developmental delay.  Later on when I finally sent them to preschool at age 4 and he was tested again it was first diagnosed as PDD NOS and later Asperger’s Syndrome.   It was ok we would work through this and Dan would be fine.  The boys entered elementary school and the public school system was as good as it gets helping us navigate the waters of special education.  Then in second grade it happened again.  Dustin was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome also.  He was higher functioning than Dan and could be kept in a regular classroom for 90% of the time, but all I could do was scream in my head, “Not BOTH my babies!”

Life has not been the easiest of travels, but I would not change a thing as far as my boys are concerned unless I could make life less challenging for them than it is presently.  One thing is I never tested them for this or that.  Changed their diet because the newest fad said it would help.  Blamed the pharmaceutical companies because the vaccine MIGHT have had a hand in this (although Dan was different from birth before any vaccines), or had an advocate for this and a therapist for that.  If they were having trouble we found the help that they needed then, we didn’t anticipate that they MIGHT need this or that MIGHT happen.  I let my boys be boys, let their hyper focus grow and become some great skills.  Dan’s eye hand coordination is better than most because he played video games that involved shooting and history.  Dustin’s love of music has made him a wonderful musician, he can name any plane that flies in the sky and knows most of the NASCAR drivers and their records.  Dan can discuss political events and WILL tell you his opinion of how the country is being run.  He can engage in a serious discussion of his spiritual beliefs and ask pertinent questions about world history.

They say that children are the reflections of ourselves, but when I look at my boys I know that is not completely true.  Oh once in a while I see a smirk that is mine and Dustin looks like a mini Tony (he’s not so mini anymore).  They both try their hand at sarcasm, but mom still wears the crown and both Tony and I love music, but they like it loud and fast like their dad and I like it a bit softer, and the list goes on.  If the boys are reflections of us they are only the best each of us had to give back to the universe and while “mommy” is adjusting to them using their wings, “daddy” reminds me that we gave them roots too.

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.