Radnor

Main Line Millions Missing? Do We Have a Local Madoff in Our Midst?

carla — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:41:42 +0000

Wow! This is like the old Dana Girls Mystery "The Circle of Footprints", only it's a REALLY big cash box. Apparently,an unlicensed money manager named Joseph S. Forte is suspected of pulling a Madoff on the Main Line, as in he made off with MILLIONS? (Of course I wonder what charities or individuals on the Main Line may be affected by the entire Madoff mess?) Anyway, this Joseph Forte represented a rather large foundation and other non-profits according to published media reports, and I can't help but wonder why they would entrust all of this to someone who doesn't appear to have any of the licensing one would expect of an investment professional?After all, people do not just wake up one morning and become and investment advisor or broker do they? Does it or does it not require a heck of a lot of training? So the affected charity most discussed in the paper is called The Thornton D. & Elizabeth S. Hooper Foundation, and a little googling shows them to be a quiet force in many, many renown charities and non-profits including but not limited to places like Main Line Health, Semper Fi Injured Marine Fund, Bartrams Garden, PA Horticultural Society, Cradles to Crayons, etc. This foundation apparently might be based in Wayne, PA according to taxexemptworld.com, and foundationcenter.org showed them as one of the top 50 PA foundations by giving dollars circa 2006. Read the article in The Inquirer, and I am sure this is but the first of many stories on the mysterious Joe Forte, the Main Line Madoff from Delco. Posted on Tue, Jan. 6, 2009 Millions missing at Philadelphia-area charity By Harold Brubaker INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS

A charitable foundation on the Main Line has lost as much as $15 million entrusted to a self-employed Broomall investment manager, according to one of its trustees.

Radnor's New Year, New Scandal?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:48:06 +0000

I heard that Radnor has a big ol' juicy problem to start the year with? Something about employee vacation days not be compliant with state guidelines? Is it true that Radnor employees can accrue their vacation days indefinitely? Is that what Christine Perrone asserted? Mr. Solicitor man got upset with her? Did she ask for a Right to Know over his contract or something? I wasn't there, so I am asking, ok? But back to this vacation issue? Is it true what was brought up? That however Radnor employees accrue and earn their vacation might not match whatever state law allows?

Radnor Reorganized....

carla — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:02:06 +0000

News came from the west a little while ago. They are saying that the new President of the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners is the community and historic preservation minded Tom Masterson (Ward 6 - R- West Wayne) and the new Vice President is the equally community and preservation minded John Fisher (Ward 7 - Garrett Hill-D). One of the first orders of business was to address the business of the meeting minutes which Radnor published on their website www.radnor.com (why are they a dot com?)....I have to say wow, because I am not sure that I have ever seen meeting minutes on Lower Merion's website...

Greener Partners Sharecroppin' at The Willows?

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:54:43 +0000

So is it true that last evening's meeting at the Radnor Twp. Board of Commissioners included a conversation that went like this (see below)? In order to preserve the elusive heirloom tomatoes allow a relatively new and still sort of unproven venture that has only had one expensive season selling organic produce called Greener Partners, to be able to use 2 acres of land at the Willows and to use the Willows Cottage....FOR FREE?

A Video That Can't Be Ignored About Wayne, PA

carla — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:32:51 +0000

So, I found this you tube about flooding in Wayne near the Post Office. The video is this past October, and everyone should watch it. Radnor really has to take better care with keeping an eye on plans that mess with flood prone areas, right? (236 North Aberdeen comes to mind, of course) Now I know people in Wayne are terrified about that plan for South Wayne around the Post Office and Library. I saw the plans in full glory when I was over at the Radnor Historical Society Recently. These plans are TERRIBLE! The design makes one immediately think of simply an alien beamed down to squash a historic community.

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

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

Septa and Amtrak Continue On Their Good Neighbor Track Along Main Line?

carla — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:35:32 +0000

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, which is why I took a walk through North Wayne the other day to reaquaint myself with why the folks on Pennsylvania Ave and surrounding streets were so upset about the Wayne Train Station project, and therefore Septa and Amtrak. (Amtrak/Septa Stormwater Management "Solution" PA Ave North Wayne Pa Nov. 2008)

Hey Radnor! How About A PA Historical Marker For Wayne Natatorium?

carla — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:07:33 +0000

I think it is really terrific that Radnor Township has agreed to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Ceasar Waters and their part in the history of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, founded by Richard Allen. However, that is not the only important part of Radnor Township history that has gone too long without recognition.

Villanovan Sings The Blues...Blames Radnor Township

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:05:10 +0000

Ah yes, here we are with another rousing rendition of College Student Sings The Blues! This article from the Villanovan cries a river about living off campus...and complain about Radnor Township....you know, these kids and their parents when the kids go off campus know what they are getting into when they sign their leases and pick a place, don't they?

Is It TRUE What They Are Saying 'Bout Radnor Township?

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:42:51 +0000

...No not that it is one of the best places to live. So can it be said that while purportedly, Radnor Township has among the most stringent of student housing ordinances enacted by a previous iteration of the Board of Commissioners, that Radnor has the most lame enforcement?

Flooding and Stormwater Issues in Radnor

carla — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:43:07 +0000

Great article by Sam Strike in Main Line Life on a very under publicized storwater meeting in Radnor on October 23rd. Too bad more people did not know about this, or you would have had some folks from North Wayne with a thing or two to say, especially from Little Chicago. Like the People on Pennsylvania Ave who have been getting literally swamped with water since the work on and around the Wayne Train Station began? I am guessing removing all those trees and that wierd stone pit thing over there has something to do with it? As well as the fact that stormwater from both sides of the tracks seems to be now designed to run off on the Pennsylvania Avenue side? (I actually asked the railroads - Amtrak and Septa- about this, but haven't had a response).

Student Housing Discussed at Radnor BOC?

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:20:21 +0000

Well tonight at the Radnor Board of Commissioners a corageous resident of Callanan Avenue in Rosemont (Garrett Hill, correct?) came forward to complain about 3 student residences on their street during public participation. Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which houses --- they are listed on Villanova University's magic list of Off Campus by Municipality/Township : http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/assets/documents/dean/pdf/StudentApprovedHousing2007-08.pdf And one of the houses can be found on Cabrini's Off Campus Student Housing list: http://www.cabrini.edu/assets/cabrini/ResLife/Off-CampusHousing.pdf And that would be 241 Callanan Ave. ,245 Callanan Ave., and 249 Callanan Ave., right???

236 North Aberdeen - Check It Out and Save Lengel's House and a Neighborhood!

MainLineThoughts — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:22:01 +0000

[color=red]UPDATE[/color]- The agneda for Radnor's Board of Commissioners was finally posted late afternoon on Friday October 24th, 2008. 236 North Aberdeen is NOT on the agenda, so who knows what that means and if you do know, please post a response. However, it would not hurt if you are concerned about this application to take the time and go speak at public participation. Government doesn't read minds and if you want the 1st ward commish to pay closer attention to his ward, please respectfully go and remind him. (It is absolutely probelmatic that Radnor Township staff can't get these agendas posted in a more timely fashion) So, I hear through the grapevine that Radnor Board of Commissioners might hear that wannabe developing duo (who are in reality Prudential Residential Realtors who live at a fancy schmancy address in St. Davids)one last time on the issue of 236 North Aberdeen Ave in Little Chicago, a/k/a North Wayne? if it occurs, the last monthly RT BOC meeting will be on Monday October 27th, 2008 at 7:00 PM until end, but of course, Radnor Township Staff isn't rushing to post their agendas in a timely manner per usual, right?. All they have is this. A note. No agenda. But if yu live in Radnor, you are used to that, right? Descendents of Jonathan Lengel from waynepa.com So, will Hank Manhoney, Ward 1 Commissioner stick up for his constituents? Or will Hank play possum? You can ask him if you contact him at hgmahoney@dmvlawfirm.com or call 215-587-9400. (Ironically judging from the newspaper article that will be posted at the end of this, the VP of the Board was far more vocal in advocating for the small neighborhood, which is to be blunt, excellent on her part. So kudos to Ms. P for that. She did the right thing.)

Is Wayne the New Conshohocken?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:30:11 +0000

A friend sent me a link to a spiffy new website called Around Main Line. Seems rather pretty, and one little thing caught my eye - an article about The Wooden Iron closing. But not really since it's partially owned or owned by the Flanigan's Boathouse family? Anyway, it's now going to become another "Boathouse". So that makes downtown Wayne samey-same as downtown Conshohocken: Boathouse followed by Great American Pub.

Radnor Update - Eyesore Sought For School Lane and Louella Avenue Awaits

schnlj — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:10:20 +0000

Ever wonder what happened to the condo planned for School Lane at Louella Avenue in Wayne ? In September of 2007, builders applied to demolish the existing garages and office that many folks remember as Riley Tree Surgery's headquarters, at the corner of Lancaster Pike, Louella Avenue, and School Lane, across from the athletic field, and next to the parking and stairs leading up to the shopping district's east end. The new application added a ninth condominium, changed the residences from townhouses to flats, and added additional garages.

236 North Aberdeen Developers Take It On The Chin?

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:51:30 +0000

(Or they would have had they bothered to show up at the Radnor Board of Commissioners Meeting when their plan was discussed last evening?) Spies from the west said last night was almost as fun as a Tredyffin Township Board of Supervisors meeting!

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?

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

Is VFMA Experiencing Bad Mojo?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:25:59 +0000

Wow, first their was the gun thing this summer, and now two things which are really sad: a kid having a heart attack and a toddler getting hit by a car...both on VFMA campus. Sounds like bad mojo to me.... Toddler Struck By Car In School Parking Lot Child Struck In Valley Forge Military Academy Parking Lot POSTED: 11:57 am EDT September 4, 2008 UPDATED: 1:30 pm EDT September 4, 2008

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.

Does Radnor Township Care More about Developers or Residents?

MainLineThoughts — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:00:32 +0000

It is beginning to seem like Radnor Township cares more about developers than people, doesn't it? It's all about the ratables baby, only they are a little late to the party, and the market is crashing, not booming. Follow this LINK for the Monday September 8th, 2008 Radnor Board of Commissioners meeting at 7 pm at Radnor Township.

Radnor Was Right, PA DEP and Delco Judge Were WRONG

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:31:02 +0000

How many of you out there were pissed off that the PA DEP didn't think enough about us as residents to give us more notice as to aerial mosquito spraying from low flying planes? Is it or is it not true that most of us have no problem with anyone zapping this summer's voracious 'skeeters, only we should have been given more notice? We have seen e-mails from commissioners in multiple municipalities other than Lower Merion send out e-mails saying how sorry they were they could not give their constituents more notice. It's not their fault, they tried. In Lower Merion, the first one out with news was Commissioner Lance Rogers. We're not sure other that he and Brenda Viola who sent notification out. All we know is this website had this spraying event posted before most media knew it was happening, and that was kinda cool: the positive power of grassroots and all. Radnor Township challenged the DEP in Delaware County Court over their lack of notice as being punitive towards unsuspecting residents. Radnor is absolutely absurd when it comes to lots of things like "sunshine" and development, but on this topic, they were spot on and should be congratulated for their efforts. Radnor's efforts were tossed by a judge, but in this case, they get an "A" for effort because they got this one RIGHT. The PA DEP is supposed to work in the best interest of the citizens of this Commonwealth, right? Posted on Thu, Aug. 28, 2008 Radnor loses bid to halt mosquito spraying By Sandy Bauers Inquirer Staff Writer

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?

The Danieal Kelly Lawsuit: Should This Guy Stay on Radnor School Board?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:49:35 +0000

[color=blue]Mr. Zajac: You might not like my opinion, but like any other humble citizen in the U.S.A. I am allowed to have it. You are a lawyer and you chose to take on a very unpopular case (the Danieal Kelly thing) as a matter of free will, correct? You will be compensated for your work on this case, correct? 33.3 percent is what the Daily News is reporting, right? So this is the case of now representing an estate of a minor child who dies without a legal will, correct? So can you say with absolute certainty that those blood-sucking parents would never, ever see a dime as her parents? I don't think you can, can you? As I see it, you had a choice to say no here since this is a civil action. You didn't. So now you and your co-counsel have other lawyers acting as mouthpieces? What is next a publicist? Do any fees accrued for these efforts get added into whatever settlement might hope to be achieved? Therefore, if say money goes to the remaining siblings now on taxpayer dime in the foster care system, don't additional expenses incurred by counsel [i.e. you and your pal] eat into whatever monies you were hoping to gain? And I still don't get it, how can you sleep at night and take a case like this? The people you represent killed their child. No one held a gun to their head and made them do it. They chose to do it. And all the while they were doing that, they kept popping out babies like hampsters - children the taxpayers are now responsible for supporting. Andrea and Daniel Kelly should be spayed and neuteured. Yes, they should be fixed so they can't spawn anymore. Mr. Zajac, you made a tactical career error here, and I almost feel sorry for you...except, I now wonder how does this affect your ability to be what Radnor Township needs in a School Board member? It lends itself to judgement, does it not? Mr. Zajac, do the right thing: drop out of this case. It's worse than a dog with fleas. It's a loser of a case that will haunt you forever, isn't it? Which do you value more: helping the children you were elected to help by getting voted on Radnor's School Board, or hanging onto this case? [/color]

OK, well here are the articles which made me think:

Lentz to hold third public meeting on dog cruelty bills. Bill Smith will be in Attendance

JohnN — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:13:40 +0000

Thought the SAC Readers might be interested: Bill Smith, Main Line Animal Rescue founder and featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, to attend RADNOR, Aug. 13 – State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, will hold a discussion on three bills currently being considered in the House that would strengthen current dog and animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 at the Radnor Township Building, 301 Iven Ave. in Wayne.

Radnor Twp. School Board Member Involved in Disgustingly Despicable Danieal Kelly Case? "All About The Kids", huh?

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:35:30 +0000

http://www.caica.org/danieal.jpg [color=red]8/16/2008 UPDATE:[/color] Well, it's funny, the fire in Conshohocken had me so "consumed" (poor choice of play on words) that I had forgotten to come in and update this post. When I posted this story, these coffin chasers were indeed representing the parents, as well as the estate of this young girl who was neglected to death, Danieal Kelly....so then after a lot of folks were understandably and publicly in an uproar including Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, I guess the complaint was amneded? So now they are repesenting the estate? So if the estate is the estate of a minor child dying intestate, wouldn't the law then see her legal heirs as those who were supposed to be her parents? Not a laywer, don't play one on TV, so what happens next? :jawdrop: Apparently one of the lawyers has hired a lawyer to defend his honor? Then there will be a press conference? And this lawyer's lawyer is saying that these lawyers are being unfairly commented about? The best defense is the truth, and what has been said that is not true? Mind you I haven't read ALL of the multiple newspaper articles or seen all TV reports, or read all 43,300 links on Google or all 1,111 blog posts that Google has picked up on, but seriously, are these lawyers going to challenge First Amendment Rights too? :shocked: Well the articles roll out one after the other ...so now the long and short of it is that lawyers are hiring lawyers and I guess publicisits? All to spin their personal choice in accepting this despicable case that is "all about the kids"? Now seriously, correct me if I am wrong, this is a civil action, correct? There is no court appointed lawyer, this isn't a everyone-is-entitled-to-a-good-defense-story...there is a certain amount of FREE will involved, correct? As in the lawyers did NOT have to take the case? So how do you spin THAT? None of these guys, let alone someone who sits on a local school board like Mr. Zajac, had to take this case, did they? Didn't they choose to bring this civil case forward? As in did something out of free will? Isn't that true? Why should anyone profit from the horrible death of an abused handicapped child? Are the lawyers involved in this case, involved in this henious civil suit doing pro-bono? Or are they donating ALL billable hours and fees and possible contingency fees to a charity that helps children? How can it be all about the kids if anyone profits at all from this case monetarily? How do you spin that? Now if they were insituting a class action suit on behalf of those children abused by Philadelphia DHS and the Philadelphia DHS system who are still alive, well that might be reasonable considering the history of Philadelphia DHS, right? But they are not, are they? They are sinking their teeth into a case that has tugged at all of our hearts since it first broke when little Danieal Kelly was reported dead, right? PA Watercooler has hit on something interesting: doesn't it seem strange that people would sue for the rest of Danieal's brothers and sister who are being publicly funded in foster care? Of course if these attorneys use this case as an excuse to challenge the First Amendment rights of others including a sitting Mayor of a major metropolitan city, it will just make it worse, right? Especially in Radnor where the public associates that school board and it's members with having serious issues over Sunshine Laws, Public Acocuntanbility and The Right To Know? Read some of the updates starting with PAWatercooler:

Well, Apparently Wayne Can Get Moving on THEIR Train Station

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:05:52 +0000

See? When municipalities and public transit want to get moving on things, they actually can get moving. See, here's Wayne Train Station: It's delightfully authentic. They aren't worried over there about building foolishness and political mayhem over the tracks, are they?

Radnor School District Loses On Reconsideration? Is Sunshine Upheld For Now?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:55:42 +0000

Well, everyone on the Main Line has sure been following Judy Sherry's passionate quest for open records and accountability in Radnor. Her story has been discussed several times on this web site, including this post and this post and over at Round Radnor here and here. There have also been several newspaper accounts which have been very unflattering to Radnor. Today we have news that Judy Sherry's victory has maybe once again upheld and Radnor School District was DENIED? As a matter of fact, read it for yourself HERE. So is this the end of it? Will Judy be able to see what she requested to see or will this municipal tragedy of Shakesperian proportions continue to evolve? Read the Order dated July 29th, 2008...the end of it seems to contain a NEW wrinkle? Something about a June 30, 2008 Order being VACATED? Now what? How much is this all costing taxpayers anyway? Will political pressure come to bear and will Judy EVER get her open records? Thoughts on this are welcomed.

Radnor Twp Gets an Inquirer Spotlight Over Sunshine

MainLineThoughts — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:28:09 +0000

Wow, Radnor Township School District sure needs some good P.R. about now...here is yet another story. So Mr. McMeekin, maybe this will be your Waterloo? Remember, Waterloo might make a nice Main Line overpriced garden center, but it wasn't exactly a positive experience for Napoleon. Posted on Wed, Jul. 23, 2008 Ex-school board member wins ruling on data By Dan Hardy INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Bloomingdale Avenue Issue Not Dead Yet

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:18:17 +0000

Well it seems all residents in Radnor are not throwing in the towel over the proposed demolition of Bloomingdale Ave homes. This developer is finding out the hard way that not all neighbors are willing to say good-bye to their neighborhood the way they like it in the name of progress. One of the problems, however, is that Radnor's HARB while well intended is in truth rather vague in places, which leaves too much pro and con open to interpretation. I do hope however, that the neighbors, in the end prevail. But I like old houses....and detest McManisons or McMansionettes...I think we are destroying too much of our past along the Main Line and will eventually regret it. And it was who, Fisher and Masterson, who did not want the township involved in this litigation? Radnor has some planning issues now, doesn't it? It's apparent who the pro development factions are, which should be a big thought next time elections come up, shouldn't it? Posted on Tue, Jul 22, 2008 Radnor board's decision to demolish houses appealed in court By Sam Strike