Lawyers (and other reptiles)

Politically Motivated Hatchet Job or Something To Be Considered?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:48:02 +0000

Curiouser and curiouser.... You know, it's always going to make us sit up and notice when the lead story in the Sunday Inquirer mentions the magic kingdom - i.e. Lower Merion and especially Gladwyne. I don't know what to think, other than wonder of the murkiness of Pennsylvania politics....the subject of this one article (and related to other two I suppose) lives in the Vatican City State locals have nicknamed Versailles. (Well, not all because some find it politically expedient to be suck ups, right?) But is this person being targeted because they are rich, because they are Republican, or because there is something wrong? Or all of the above? If he was getting on a bus to see Inauguration Day, would we even be thinking about this? Is this all just politically convenient? Or is there more? One point of interest? Dude got his start in Delco, and Delco Tom Paine wrote about this YEARS ago...and does this make the primary season of 2008 make more sense in a weird way? Here are the links to the articles and to what the Magic 8 ball known as Delco Tom Paine said way back in 2005:

Ken Davis in Inquirer: Wahhh, Wahhh, Wahhh, Blah, Blah, Blah?

carla — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:27:04 +0000

Wahh, Wahh, Wahh. Blah, blah, blah. I am tired of post-mortems on the election from those who used to be local politicians and party heads. I am not going to restate the obvious of why the overwhelming majority of voters in the entire country - Republican, Democrats, Independents, etc. voted the way they did this past November. The voters in this country voted the way they did so succintly as a vote of "no confidence" of the direction this country is headed economically and politically. Mr. Ken Davis, former head of the GOP in Montgomery County and former Lower Merion Township Commissioner states his case in a 12/11/2008 Philadelphia Inquirer editorial. I pity him actually because this old political lion is sadly out of touch. He doesn't get it. Not my job to educate him, but he never seems to get anything does he? Doesn't he GET that the same old same old isn't working? If he wants the GOP to get back their "big tent", well then he needs to stop knocking out their tent poles! Careful Mr. Davis, you arrogance might just be showing again, you hear? Mind you I am not in your demographic - a "conservative white Republican man over 55", but that is part of your perspective and acceptance problem isn't it? There are more in this country then "conservative white Republican man over 55", true? I also find it surprising that political strategy of the future is in an editorial? You want to "win" Mr. Davis? Listen to and possibly ACCEPT some of what you don't understand. Start there. Start with actually listening. We are not all made the same in any political party in this country, and why can't you understand that instead of continuing to fan the flames of divisiveness within your own political party that you claim to love so deeply? Posted on Thu, Dec. 11, 2008 The GOP lost its 'big tent' By Ken Davis (managing director of Duane Morris Government Affairs)

If you are a conservative white Republican man over 55, congratulations are in order: Yours is the only voting bloc that supported John McCain.

Kimco Withdraws Re-zoning for Suburban Square; Commissioners Keep Talking

carla — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:49:24 +0000

Last night goes down in the books as "Tales of The Strange and Fantastic". Kimco withdrew their petition to re-zone the Ruby's Lot in Suburban Square. Yep, like magic they folded their tent. But what happened before and after is just as interesting. Once we got past the oddities of the Budget Hearing where I tuned out for a while because it seemed like pick on Commissioner Brown night which I found, as always, distasteful....it was full on Ardmore.

Is it "Christian" For Child Evangelism Fellowship To Sue Haverford Twp. School District?

carla — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:27:51 +0000

I have to tell you, this article in the Inquirer today is one that makes you wrinkle your nose in distaste. I always thought when it came to religion in public schools, the seperation between church and state was supposed to be honored? How is it fair, in a non denominational, taxpayer funded public school to send home flyers with impressionable grade schoolers in the hopes of "converting them"? Converting them to what? What if they already have a faith or religion? Shouldn't their religious education remain under the purview of the parents of minor children? I am tired of overly zealous groups of any way shape or form trying to force the issue of religion on anyone. This country was founded on religious freedoms among others, and in the public schools I think should be left alone. Actually, I think this Child Evangelism Fellowship should leave everyone alone. What they are trying to do totally defeats the tenets of freedom of choice and freedom of religion. This group should respect other faiths, belief systems, and religions. I don't think they do. And I don't think this has a place in public schools, and this group just creeps me out. Religious education is a family decision, and I think this group shows a distinct lack of respect. Posted on Wed, Dec. 3, 2008 Evangelical group sues Haverford district over fliers By Joelle Farrell Inquirer Staff Writer

WAKE UP Lower Merion!

carla — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:54:20 +0000

You know what, it's time to ask why any of those folks are around governing us and/or working for Lower Merion Taxpayers as Township Staff if they can't run a better meeting? I used to wonder what magic the previous Board of Commissioners had that they could be so insulting to the public, discuss things like eminent domain and small groups of mean spirited individuals, yet seemingly get the meetings done?

How Would You Like A Truck This Big in Your Neighborhood By Right?

carla — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:23:47 +0000

That Sewer Deal JUST Smells in Gladwyne

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:44:46 +0000

It's not the question of a sewer going in, it is how much people on a fixed income should pay. Lower Merion Township is among the most wealthy and if the high rent district was going to have to pay one nickel more than it thought for something, well it just wouldn't happen. The developers should pay for this sewer. They are taking a lot more from this community then they will ever give willingly or with arm twisting. Maybe it's time for the constant screwing of the River Road community comes to an end?

Skulduggery and Suffering on Main Street/Main Line.

carla — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:57:14 +0000

It's almost Thanksgiving and all of you out there want to be with your families, but please, allow the indulgence of pointing things out for consideration: Everyone assumes that the Main Line is some magical Shangrila/Promised Land full of mansions, rolls royces, and Paris Hilton wannabes. Now of course, that is the spin that some would like perpetuated, but the reality is the economy is hurting this area...for the McMansion dwellers it might mean economizing on mani-pedis and botox for now, but for the real, working stiffs, well take a look at them.

What Does "No" Mean To This Property Owner and Citizen's Bank?

carla — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:34:11 +0000

Ok, so what is this? Flood the Lower Merion Township Planning Commission with multiple applications of virtually the same application until they say "uncle"? Serously? It's not like this is a new topic. It's a we have discussed this too much in this township topic. This Dunkin' Donuts site, abandoned by Dunkin' Donuts a year ago has been sitting like a big freakin' wart just off the center of Bryn Mawr for a year. The piggy developer and Citizens Bank wanted at first to add on to the existing building and add two drive thru lanes. Then they wanted to demolish and build new with two drive thru lanes...and then I remember an article written by I believe Cheryl Allison in Main Line Life and Main Line Times that it was denied, yet here we are, yet again? they are in front of the Planning Commission on December 1st with THREE applications of the the SAME bad idea?

Principles v. Process v. Plurality

carla — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:30:27 +0000

The three P's: principles,process, plurality. All were visible at the marathon meeting November 19th. My take home gift was waking up with a cold...Thanks Lower Merion for always keeping it real....

Full Moon in Lower Merion is Wednesday November 19th, 2008

carla — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:14:07 +0000

Wednesday November 19th has several very important items shoved into an unrealistic one night stand of a meeting schedule. Items of crucial, township altering, pocketbook altering importance. Are you all in Lower Merion OK with this? Residents of Lower Merion, are you o.k. with these ridiculous meeting schedules? Are you? Are you among those who attended the Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 Board of Commissioners who expected things to run according to the published schedule? As in:

Library Committee 11/12/2008 6:30 PM Economic Revitalization Committee - REVISED 11/12/2008 6:45 PM Finance Committee 11/12/2008 6:50 PM Building & Planning Committee 11/12/2008 7:00 Board of Commissioners Special Meeting 11/12/2008 8:00 PM

Cliff notes version: the schedule did NOT even come close. The meeting went until midnight or maybe later. I actually fell asleep watching it. And a lot of important stuff happened after all that.

What, No Waldorf on Lancaster Ave at Schaeffele Plaza?

MainLineThoughts — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:00:38 +0000

Well, I love it when someone says "is that man ever going to build that phallic edifice in Ardmore?" because we all know what they are referring to: the building that MUST was really created for, right? So what about Schaeffele? Who knows. It is interesting though that the same team is reported today to be creating a Waldorf-Astoria for Philadelphia, isn't it? This is a high end Hilton, in truth, and also, there really only is one Waldorf-Astoria, the one in NYC, right? The one in the historic building? The rest are just corporate branding... So if Mariner is moving on to Philadelphia again,what does that mean for Ardmore? We all along the Main Line heard about this fabled Schaeffele Plaza project for years, yet where is it? And as for MUST, what good is it? Not very good in truth, but no one will believe it until a mistake structure is built and completed under it? Until people SEE how flawed the end product is, no one will revisit it, will they? Even if they should? Of course if places like Ardmore had a Master Plan, some of the other zoing and planning quirks might be worked out, but again, when will that happen? Look at the Comprehensive Plan that never happened...maybe for the 50th anniversary of the last Comprehensive Plan we will get a NEW Comprehensive Plan? But by then will Lower Merion Township still be a gem, or will it be a disaster? Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 9:46 AM EDT Mariner building Waldorf Astoria in Phila.Philadelphia Business Journal

Will Someone Please Tell Ken Davis To Shut Up?

carla — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:53:14 +0000

Courtesy of http://writemarsh.blogspot.com/ [size=14]Why is Ken Davis So Mean?[/size] [size=16]Why Can't Ken Davis Shut Up? [/size] Why does Ken Davis hate most of Gladwyne, especially River Road? I have friends down on the river whom I think are pretty darn cool. Let's face it Mr. Davis, isn't it true you not only hate bloggers and those who "opine" (nice big lawyerly word you used), you hate anyone that simply doesn't agree with what you decree is to be, right? So that would still make me selfish for disagreeing with you on eminent domain, correct? So that would make me selfish for liking the idea of trails, but being genuinely worried about the safety aspect of running part of a trail between the Surekill and Norfolk Southern Lines among other saftey issues that no one, NO ONE seems to be talking about? What is it about aging political lions when they seem to resort to becoming ankle biters and embarrassing themselves? Well congrats former commissioner, now former Montco GOP head, you have formally crossed a line that is intolerable and unfair, as well as embarrassing yourself by sounding like a petty and peurile ousted dictator, didn't you?

What is it?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:09:13 +0000

So, is a rental house in North Wayne grown ups or students? The house has been a rental for a while, and last year was reportedly definitely students, so this year, what is it? What say you all? What say the property owners? Residents say there are approved rentals on the street, but not student housing...but then again, guess things are different there, even if this house isn't on the "approved" list Villanova puts out?

Student Housing and 24 Rose Lane Rosemont, PA

carla — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:46:46 +0000

Apparently, the house at 24 Rose Lane in Rosemont, which used to belong to a delightful lady who also loved the color purple and beautiful flowers is now owned by a gentleman who has created an illegal student rental. But he did so without proper authority, so he is apparently NOW trying to make his rental forever student zoned. This is a little street of affordable housing that people have rented on for years if they did not own - it's also one of those streets where tenants stay. It's an affordable street in Lower Merion Township that has never to my knowledge had student rentals. If you have an opinion on student housing, and the process which seems in itself to abuse the process - (an appeal acts as a stay and a landlord who has created an illegal situation can continue to suck rent out of tenants and profit while this goes through the legal system.) - you might wish to attend not only the next Zoning Hearing Board where this situation is playing out in Haverford, but you might wish to address the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners on this topic as well as the local papers. Try tmurray@mainlinelife.com , sgreenspon@mainlinetimes.com This is not a comment on off campus student housing and students per se, but actually a comment on the abuse of process. (If colleges had enough housing students wouldn't have to resort to illegal student houses, right?) You can also write to the Zoning Officer of Lower Merion mwylie@lowermerion.org . Please note that several illegal student houses are in the process of a similar process: they know they can't just become a student or group rental, they do it, they get caught, they are told to stop, they appeal so they can make money even if they know in the end (and some do) that they will never be allowed to have a permanent rental of this time due to code restraints. Something needs to be done to level the playing field and tighten the code. This protects residents and students. I see a 24 Rose Lane listed up here as a new user, and wonder if he does indeed live in this house, was he told by his landlord that this was a legal off campus student residence? If so, I feel sorry for the students because they weren't told the truth.

Off Campus Student Housing

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:54:20 +0000

In Lower Merion Township, student housing ordinance was amended earlier this year (2008), to in essence accomodate Bryn Mawr College near their campus. I think they were the only municipality to do any updates in 2008.

WriteMarsh Blog Hassled By First Amendment Hater?

MainLineThoughts — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:20:13 +0000

So, if The Washington Post calls someone a slumlord, The Times Herald repeats it, and a blogger promotes it, why is it the blogger gets hassled? Well that appears to be happening, or has happened, and well it's just silly, isn't it? To follow is a excerpt and link to the WriteMarsh post, Washington Post articles that reference this guy with his knickers in a twist, and the thing from The Times Herald and then you decide if you think this person hassling Writemarsh is justified, ok?

Last Word on Central Avenue in Bryn Mawr

carla — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:26:43 +0000

This is what Central Avenue used to look like:

Former Commissioner Ettelson Says Kimco Going Forward With Suburban Square Plans?

carla — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:44:45 +0000

It was announced at the September 25th, 2008 Ardmore Ad Hoc meeting that Kimco Realty is moving ahead with their plans to develop every inch of the Ruby's lot in Ardmore, PA. There will be one of those extra special commissioners' meetings to hold a public hearing to decide if there will be a public hearing to re-zone the property. As the Ruby's lot is currently zoned, Kimco is unable to be piggy. Perhaps that is why the lot is zoned the way it is and should remain the way it is?

Thoughts From Radnor Worth Reading

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:43:40 +0000

A blog that is well worth reading is called "Round Radnor". At least someone who lives in Radnor has the guts to say things are a little funky. (In Radnor is it like against some township ordinance to blog or something? They all act like it's something really racy.) Here are a couple of posts worth clicking over to: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 I really don't understand Radnor ZHB Garrett Hill Hits a Bump in the Road

Radnor Rules Against Residents....Is This Becoming a Habit?

MainLineThoughts — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:35:43 +0000

Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board is the board that can't say no...and they ruled against neighbors in favor of developers for things that North Wayne residents in particular have good reason to worry about. Appeal 2782 in Ward 1 got passed.

It Always Comes Back To Ardmore....

carla — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:58:59 +0000

It always comes full circle to Ardmore, and development worries have landed Ardmore and Cricket Avenue on the Lower Merion Conservancy's 10 Ten Most Endangered List.....again. Wow. It must be some kind of record if you go through Mike Weilbacher's lists over the years to see how many things Ardmore have landed on the list, and how many things Ardmore have then been lost because by gosh, by golly, every square inch of Ardmore is a development opportunity, isn't it? Oh yes, the nasty by product of a well intentioned redevelopment plan: all the others who want to ride on the coattails. And yes there is such a thing as the "The Coattail Effect", although it is generally applied to politics, I believe it applicable here as well. Do we need all this development? In a word "no". Do we need a Master Plan for Ardmore? In a word "yes". Does anyone really listen to what anyone concerned about Ardmore has to say? Hard to say, actually. Depends on who you talk to, and when it comes to dealing with government, listening and hearing and acting are all dependent upon who you are talking to because the problem with Ardmore is the problem with dealing with local government: too many visions and not enough common sense at times, right? Ardmore's largest problem has been competing visions combined with simply not hearing what the residents ask for. And you have to consider that different residents have different wants, needs, and desires.

Bravo, Merion Community Coalition, Bravo

carla — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:46:39 +0000

Last night as we settled on the sofa for the Channel 7 version of "must see t.v." (AKA The Board of Commissioners Meeting), I wondered if there was anyone in the audience. The meeting skipped along rather smoothly with Maryam Phillips' hand on the gavel, and I thought several commissioners were rather fabulous on various issues, and along came "Public Privilege To The Floor". And might I say "wow!"?

What Happens When a Development Plan Doesn't Happen?

carla — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:57:57 +0000

What happens when a development plan doesn't happen? Your neighborhood might begin to rot or show blight. Such is the case, in my opinion, with the development that has not happened to date in Haverford. The development that made me join a civic association so they didn't just rubber stamp something else no one wanted.

You Think WE Have Development Issues? How About a Casino Next To the Liberty Bell?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:17:23 +0000

Almost fell over when I turned on the news this morning ----yep the announcement that Foxwoods Casino has found an even "better" site just about did me in...The Gallery at Market East. First I thought wow, what an added treat: in additon to the panhandlers, homeless people, junkies, and muggers that lurk at Market East at the smelly Septa Station, we will also be treated to a CASINO. And not even a real casino, a take all your quarters slots super palace.

Another Country Heard from on Ardmore

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:40:05 +0000

So, I found a new blog talking about Ardmore today. I am going to post an excerpt and open the floor for comments. Conservative Reform Network:Subsidies Suck: Dranoff and Ardmore Development Project September 7th, 2008 | by BGuzzardi |

Welfare to the Kings and Queens of Lower Merion?

"Use of taxpayer money on a public-private project is a key issue"

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:40:13 +0000

I am about to post a story from Lancaster that will resonate locally. It's all about new development and whose money goes where. It seems that no matter where you go in Pennsylvania, these projects are a problem, doesn't it? When it comes to public - private partnerships and politicians, are we ever sure where the line in the sand is? So, I am looking for feedback here. Any takers? Posted on Tue, Sep. 2, 2008 Tower sparks controversy in Lancaster

Kimco in The News.....

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:07:51 +0000

So, Kimco owns Suburban Square. They purchased the mall and didn't pay transfer taxes to Lower Merion Township because of the same itty bitty loophole that deprived Radnor Township taxpayers of transfer taxes on a couple big land sales...it was in the paper...anyway, so Kimco wants to supersize the Ruby's lot and put in like 175 units wrapped in yet MORE retail. Some commissioners in Lower Merion did sabre rattling FOR the project not so many months ago which would require re-zoning, and some did sabre rattling AGAINST the project. I think that in the end, it will be like everything else in Lower Merion, where these commissioners will once again say they have never met a developer they didn't capitualate to and North Ardmore will get saddled with this bit of piggy development. Of course, this bit of piggy development could be the death knell to Lancaster Avenue merchants, especially if Kimco gets approval to build before the redevelopment plans even begin. Why? Simple - saturation point. But of course, here in Never Never Land we can't have too much development, we need more, more, more. It's quite ridiculous, actually. And this Kimco thing is just a bad idea waiting to turn into another bad plan. Kimco purchased a successful shopping center/mall to increase their lot in business life. There is no hardship. They don't have to or need to develop. They just want to. That's piggy. And Suburban Square has not been a great neighbor consistently, and they have issues especially surrounding parking and traffic that will get worse not better if they are allowed to develop further. And they hired former LMT commissioner Jim Ettleson to represent them on this, haven't they? Wasn't Mr. Ettleson was also represnting the wannabe developers of 130 Cricket in Ardmore until that went to court? So the whole point is this: I am going to provide snippets of articles where Kimco is in other parts of the country. Check it out and decide if you think we need more development on Suburban Square, ok? See where your trust level is on this one, ok?

Why Doth Mr. Zajac Protesteth So Much?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:39:53 +0000

Now the Danieal Kelly case is a horrible thing we've had countless media reports on. People, understandably had quite the reaction when Radnor School Board Member Eric Zajac made front page news by taking on a civil suit that smells to high heaven. This week's local papers are showing some damage control. But the basic question which has never been answered is : Why did he take the case, really? As a civil action, Mr. Zajac had the free will to turn it down. And he should have. Is this case really worth all the problems he is going through by deciding to take it?

File Under Rewarding Bad Behavior?

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:31:41 +0000

Hmmm, nothing takes the joy out of my morning coffee and perusal of my local paper than having to look smack dab in the face of the King of Eminent Domain, does it? Image courtesy of the creative folks at http://writemarsh.blogspot.com/