Sharon Thomas Wins Back Pottstown Mayor’s Post

Editor’s note:  Delusional to the bitter end, Missy Mayor told the Mercury “the perception of crime in the borough is often greater than actual incidents suggest.”  Numbers don’t lie and neither do drug baggies all over the sidewalks in the core neighborhood.  Bye Bonnie.  We won’t miss you!

POTTSTOWN, PA — Republican Sharon Thomas won back the mayor’s post Tuesday, reversing her loss to Democrat Bonnie Heath four years ago and taking back the post by a decisive 233-vote margin.

According to unofficial results from Montgomery County’s voter services website, Thomas received 1,198 votes, or 55.39 percent.

Heath collected 965 votes, or 44.61 percent.

Thomas has said her race would depend on the effectiveness of a “grassroots” effort and she said Tuesday night with the smile in her voice that those roots had “passed the test. We recruited people quickly and taught them what they needed to know,” she said.

Thomas declined to attribute any particular satisfaction to defeating the candidate who had defeated her.  (And there’s another difference between Sharon and Bonnie)

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/government-and-politics/20131105/sharon-thomas-wins-back-pottstown-mayors-post

Pottstown Council: Miller Ousts Chomnuk In 3rd Ward, Kirkland Defends 7th Ward Seat

Editor’s note:  At least there are two new faces on council!  We also read that Missy Mayor lost to Sharon Thomas.  Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus 🙂

POTTSTOWN, PA — Borough council will swear in two new members as a result of Tuesday’s election that will leave council with only one Republican member.

In the Third Ward race, Democratic challenger Sheryl Miller ousted incumbent Republican Jeff Chomnuk by a slim unofficial 13-vote margin, according to unofficial results posted on the Montgomery County voter services website.

However, in the Seventh Ward, incumbent Democrat Joe Kirkland successfully defended his seat for a second time against Republican challenger Cindy Conard, winning by a 77-vote margin, according to unofficial results.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131105/pottstown-council-miller-ousts-chomnuk-in-3rd-ward-kirkland-defends-7th-ward-seat

Pottstown Primary Candidates – Out With The Old And In With The New. Part II

Roy’s Rants spent a few hours this afternoon talking with two Pottstown Borough Council candidates and a Pottstown mayoral candidate running in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Primary Election.  We would like to share some of this information to help voters carefully weigh their options.  The outcome of this election will be crucial in either moving Pottstown down the road to revitalization or allowing it to continue in a downward spiral.

Cindy Conard is running for 7^th Ward Borough Councilor against incumbent Joe Kirkland.  Cindy and her husband moved to Pottstown several years ago.  They chose to buy a home and invest in Pottstown.  After sitting on the sidelines and watching the direction Pottstown has taken and the machinations of council, Cindy saw a leadership vacuum existed and wanted to do her civic duty by getting involved.

Cindy brings considerable management experience to the table.  She is paid to solve problems and look for solutions to problems that aren’t readily apparent.  Critical thinking is something Cindy excels at as well as her ability to ferret out the root cause of a problem rather than to simply address the symptoms.

Cindy would like to be part of a council that would: create a shared vision for Pottstown, be fiscally responsible, collaborate with the community, encourage economic development in downtown Pottstown, reduce crime and reduce “red tape” for residents to improve their homes and properties.  And most importantly, Cindy will strive to get people working together to produce results!

Former 6^th Ward Councilor and “man of the people” Jody Rhoads has officially endorsed Cindy Conard!

You can check out Cindy’s official campaign Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Conard-for-Council-in-the-7th-Ward/232676780206363?fref=ts

 

Sheryl Miller is running for 3^rd Ward Borough Councilor against incumbent Jeff Chomnuk.  Sheryl grew up in Pottstown and graduated from Pottstown High School.  Sheryl moved away for a few years but yearned return to the “town she loves” to live.  Sheryl and her husband bought a home in Pottstown and she has watched her hometown deteriorate.  She also feels compelled to do her civic duty and run for borough council.

Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Albright College in Crime and Justice.  Sheryl wants Pottstown to be a safe place.  She would be tough on crime issues if elected to Pottstown Borough Council.  She advocates community policing and wants to promote police visibility by utilizing foot and bike patrols.  She also promotes police officers getting to know residents the community.

Sheryl is concerned about neighborhood safety, clean streets, property maintenance; she advocates responsible spending and supports open government.  Sheryl wants to create policies to improve the quality of life for borough residents.

Sheryl wants to improve communication and cooperation between borough council and the community which would encourage citizen engagement.

You can check out Sheryl’s official campaign Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/SherylMillerForPottstownBoroughCouncil?fref=ts

 

Ross Belovich is running for Mayor of Pottstown against former Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas on Tuesday.  The winner of this primary contest will go up against incumbent Bonnie Heath in November.

I did an extensive interview with Ross which you can click on here:

https://roysrants.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/pottstown-mayoral-candidate-ross-belovich-a-breath-of-fresh-air-on-the-political-landscape/

If you have not read this I would ask that you to take a few moments and read the article.

You can check out Ross’s office campaign Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/MayorofPottstown

Ross is an articulate individual with many excellent ideas on how to move Pottstown forward.  The mayor oversees the police department and acts as an official representative of the Borough of Pottstown.  To many people, the mayor is the face of Pottstown.  It is important that this individual present themselves in a dignified and professional manner at all times.

The mayor can be involved with PDIDA, PAID and other boards/entities in Pottstown that promote economic development and revitalization.  The office of the mayor could be used as a force to help affect positive change and present council with researched ideas for their consideration during the monthly Mayor’s Report.

The mayor acts as a tie-breaker in the event a vote on council ends in a draw.  The mayor should be well versed on all matters on the agenda and be able to make an informed decision if called upon.  When only six councilors are at a meeting, this scenario could happen.

Roy’s Rants officially endorses these candidates!

Pottstown Primary Candidates – Out With The Old And In With The New. Part I

It’s time for Pottstown voters to purge local politics of the ostriches on council and replace them with outside the box, critical thinkers who actually have a plan for Pottstown (other than status quo).  In case you haven’t noticed, Pottstown is teetering on a precipice.  Depending on which way the wind blows will determine if Pottstown rises from the ashes like Phoenixville or becomes the next Chester or Camden.

Frankly, I would hope residents would choose the revitalization option.

My BFF, the one and only Missy Mayor Bonnie Heath thinks Pottstown is all sunshine and puppies.  Anybody who dares to pull back the curtain and expose the truth is labeled a trouble maker, malcontent etc… and accused of casting Pottstown in a negative light.  I think that impression has already been seared on the minds of most people and they have their opinion about Pottstown.  Rampant crime, drugs, a Section 8 housing/social services overload, slumlords and a shrinking tax base speak for themselves.  You can’t put lipstick on this pig and make it look good.  Even with glitter and puppies.  People say things like, “If you have to drive through Pottstown, roll up the windows, lock the doors and pray you don’t break down”.

The current crop of bobbleheads on council and their fearless leader Steve Toroney seem to think all is peachy is Pottstown.  Look at the decisions this body has made in the last year.  Look at the crime rate, look at the “for sale signs” all over town, look at your tax bill, look at the state of the downtown (it would be worse if it weren’t for a few brave souls like ArtFusion, Steel River Playhouse, the Brick House and Sheila Dugan) and the list goes on and on.

What vision has this auspicious group proposed for the betterment of Pottstown?  Insert cricket sounds here.  Although, if you read Evan Brandt’s interview with Councilor Kirkland you would think Pottstown is a “boom town” with new businesses springing up like mushrooms and borough council is just one big love fest of unity.  For these reasons and other equally laughable ones, he thinks the incumbents should all be reelected.  Councilor Kirkland can’t seem to wrap his mind around why anybody would run against him on the Democratic ticket???  Talk about a WTF moment.

If you think your vote doesn’t make a difference, you are very wrong.  Sharon Valentine-Thomas lost to Teflon Bonnie by a few dozen votes.  Indifference and apathy are what keep these people in office.  If you would like to live in a revitalized community, a safe community and a community with an excellent quality of life, you should see what the challengers in these races are all about and what they are proposing for Pottstown.  Look at the track record of the people on council.  Are you better off today than you were four years ago?  Are you proud to say you are from Pottstown?  Can you afford to pay your property taxes?  Do you feel safe walking the streets?

These are all things you should ponder before pulling any levers on Tuesday.  Your well-being depends on it.

Pottstown Homicide – When Is Enough Violent Crime Enough?

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you read today’s Mercury, you undoubtedly noticed there was a fatal shooting at Brian’s Cafe on the corner of North Charlotte Street and Jefferson Avenue around 2:00 am this morning.  A 27-year-old male died at PMMC after being transported there from the crime scene.

It appears the leadership of Pottstown doesn’t care about crime.  They are more concerned about saving paper and buying 23 iPads instead of spending money on surveillance cameras, police overtime, more police, crime tracking software, cops walking a beat and/or any other assorted method(s) to combat crime.

Pottstown will never revitalize until it gets cleaned up.  Cleaning up Pottstown won’t happen until somebody takes crime seriously and (a).  allocates some resources to solve the problem or (b). asks for help from the state or (c).  all the above.   Keeping a “lid on the powder keg” isn’t a strategy, sorry!

Criminals are not afraid of the police.  Drug deals take place is broad daylight.  Vagrants wander the downtown chasing away potential customers who are trying to patronize one of the few businesses on High Street.  The laws already on the books are not enforced.   Yet borough council meetings have plain clothes police officers in the audience to keep the unruly taxpayers quiet. Maybe those police officers should be patrolling the streets instead of being used to intimidate the very people who pay their salaries.

The Codes Department is a shambles and has contributed to the problem by allowing absentee landlords to carve up homes into substandard rental units.  You have all been following this debacle in the Mercury, I’m sure.  Absentee landlords fail to conduct background checks and will rent to anybody willing to pay in cash.  Pottstown is overrun with social service agencies, Section 8 housing, vagrants, drugs and criminals.

Pottstown keeps promoting from within which is perpetuating the leadership vacuum.  How many borough employees live in Pottstown?  Do any police officers live in Pottstown?  Does Pottstown have any minority or female police officers?  Does Chief BM live in Pottstown?  Did Jason Bobst live in Pottstown?

Has anybody noticed all the for sale signs dotting the borough?  What about all the Sheriff’s sales? People just walk away from their homes.

Before Pottstown becomes the next Camden or Chester, somebody needs to do something.  As voters, you can do something by cleaning house this fall and getting new blood on Pottstown Borough Council and electing a new mayor.  If things don’t change soon, there will be no going back.  The day of reckoning is almost at hand.

We urge voters to check out the Reform Party candidates for Pottstown Borough Council and Ross Belovich for mayor as alternatives to the current bumper crop of ostriches on council and the illustrious Missy Mayor.  You can make a difference.

The taxpayers of Pottstown need to take control of their own destiny.  You’re footing the bill so you should be calling the shots.  Get people on council who will truly represent your interests instead of electing those who foster their own private agendas and could give a rip about your needs.

Power to the Pottstown People!

Pottstown Officials All Get iPads To Save On Paper Costs.

Editor’s note:  While I am ALL about technology, there might be better uses for taxpayer money at this time.  I would have been far more impressed if security cameras were purchased for high crime areas in Pottstown to act as a crime deterrent and a means to solve crime faster. Pottstown‘s crime problem isn’t going away (even if we stick our bobbleheads in the sand and make a wish).  

Another item sorely needed, as pointed out by the Golden Cockroach, is a street sweeper.   The first block of North Charlotte Street looks like a landfill there is so much debris blowing about. Maybe suck up a few loitering souls down by the clock tower too.  I am as sick and tired of looking at vagrants standing around doing nothing as I am the trash!

Considering the scope of Pottstown’s problems, this is a waste of money.  Especially giving Missy Mayor an iPad.  What on earth will that woman do with an iPad?  Hope you bought the extended warranty and service contract.

POTTSTOWN — If you’re thinking that you might like to get yourself an iPad, perhaps you should instead consider running for borough council whose members, it was revealed Monday, have all received a shiny new electronic device courtesy of you the taxpayer.

In addition to the eight members of borough council, also receiving the popular electronic device were the five members of the Pottstown Borough Authority.

(It should be noted that one fewer iPad is needed for the borough authority board given that Council Vice President Jeff Chomnuk is also a member of the borough authority.  It is presumed he will only receive on iPad and not two.)

All total, Pottstown taxpayers have purchased a total of 23 iPads “for borough councilors, the mayor, the authority board members, and department heads,” according to information provided in an e-mail from Borough Manager Mark Flanders.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130313/NEWS01/130319690/pottstown-officials-give-themselves-ipads-to-save-on-paper-costs#full_story

Pottstown Council OKs Business Tax Break With 4-3 Vote

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — With a 4-3 vote, borough council Monday night approved a tax-abatement incentive for a hearse and limousine business seeking to take over the vacant former 84 Lumber building at 451 Keystone Blvd.

Councilmen Dan Weand, Travis Gery and Joe Kirkland voted against extending the Keystone Opportunity Zone property tax break, while it was supported by Council President Stephen Toroney, vice president Jeff Chomnuk and council members Mark Gibson and Carol Kulp.

The matter now moves to the school board, which oversees a much larger slice of the borough’s tax burden and stands to sacrifice substantially more money under the proposed agreement.  It is expected to vote on the matter at its March 25 meeting.

The Montgomery County Commissioners, who must also approve the deal, have indicated they will approve it as long as the borough and the school district do, according to Steve Bamford, Pottstown’s chief economic development officer and an advocate for the deal council approved.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130311/NEWS01/130319844/pottstown-council-oks-business-tax-break-with-4-3-vote#full_story

Pottstown Carousel Of Flavor Big Hit, Large Crowd

Yesterday’s Ninth Annual Carousel of Flavor in Pottstown was a smashing success.  The very large crowd was happily eating, listening to live music and people were catching up with old friends they kept running into.  The weather, in the upper sixties, was perfect to work up an appetite.

Pottstown needs to do a large downtown event at least six times a year to draw people into the borough.  If there is something worthwhile going on, people will show up; as evidenced by the thousands who came out yesterday to enjoy themselves.

We were happy to see former Pottstown Borough Manager Jason Bobst in attendance.  Jason looked well-rested and refreshed as he greeted the many people who were clearly glad to see him.  Evidently his new job is agreeing with him!  We think that showed a great deal of character for Jason to show up and support Pottstown.  How many borough councilors were there yesterday?  I didn’t see any.  I only saw the mayor.

Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to make yesterday’s event a huge success!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Many Questions About Jason Bobst’s Departure

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Below is a Letter to the Editor in today’s Fishwrap.  We give two big Roy’s Rants thumbs up to Glenn Mooney of Pottstown for raising his very valid points.  There is far more to Jason’s story, but unfortunately we will never know all the details.  Pottstown politics are nasty and people get tired of beating their head against a wall.  Sometimes you just have to walk away to preserve your own sanity.  Mr. Toroney has learned nothing from Jason’s departure.  We can only hope enough new people get on Council in November to pick a new Council President.  It’s time to clean house!

Referring to the most recent Mercury article by Evan Brandt, dated Aug. 15, I have some questions not about his report but about the mayor and borough council’s account of losing Jason Bobst.  Let me understand, Councilman Toroney stated, and I quote from the article, “He did a fantastic job for us.  But age and experience were not on his side.  He didn’t have the battle scars.  We need someone with experience who has the wherewithal to do a good job for us.”  My bet is Jason could elaborate quite a bit about battle scars!

This sounds a little funny regarding whose choice it was for his leaving Pottstown?  Then we have Mayor Bonnie Heath and Jeff Chomnuk stating that the borough has begun to gain traction in its recovery efforts, due largely to the efforts of Bobst and Finance Director Janice Lee.  Hhmm?  These comments were to help justify going outside to hire a new manager at a 30-percent higher salary.  Then Mayor Heath stated and I quote, “It’s actually kind of an awkward fact that we were paying Jason less than $100,000.”

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120901/OPINION02/120909989/many-questions-about-jason-bobst-s-departure

Pottstown Mayor Whines About Budget Cut

Image via Wikipedia

Only in Pottstown!  Our illustrious Missy Mayor, Bonnie Heath is upset with Pottstown’s new $38.9 million budget.  In an effort to cut frivolous expenditures and luxuries we cannot afford, her $300.00 Mayor’s budget was reduced to $50.00.  Well cry me a big fat river!  I find this absolutely amazing for several reasons:

a. Bonnie was whining about eating “fuel costs” for attending events.  Excuse me, but the last time I checked, driving around a 5 square-mile borough does not exactly use much gas.  You might consider buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle if gas to drive around Pottstown is such a strain on your budget.  You already require a free ticket to attend an event!  Or better yet, don’t make unauthorized and secret trips to Norristown to undermine binding votes of Council you disagree with.  That would save a couple bucks!

b. Does the totally ceremonial position of mayor even need a “budget” to be a ribbon-cutter and baby-kisser?  I think not!

c. Considering the state of the economy and the state of Pottstown; does this petty whining about $250.00 seem out of touch with reality to anyone else?  People are starving, a large percentage of PSD students are on reduced or free lunch, homes are being foreclosed, jobs are hard to come by and our mayor has the chutzpah to carp about her “budget” being cut when we are trying to avoid raising taxes!

Two Roy’s Rants thumbs down for this selfish behavior from a public servant.  Why don’t you try being part of the solution instead of being part of the problem, Bonnie!

The Brick House Versus The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority

It never ceases to amaze me how The Fishwrap inserts itself into Pottstown’s affairs.  There is a fine line between reporting the news and “creating” the news.

The most recent article about the dispute between PDIDA and Brick House owner Dave Walsh is a sterling example of taking a bad situation and making it worse, under the guise of “the public has a right to know”.  The article is slanted in favor of PDIDA and against one of the most successful merchants downtown.  It paints an unflattering picture of Dave Walsh.

I have read the study on the use of opera and classical music to remove vagrants from business districts.  I agree it was worth a try.  I also understand business owners have a right to their opinion, even if that opinion disagrees with PDIDA.  Without business owners there would be no PDIDA.  Frankly, downtown Pottstown is in the worst shape I have ever seen it; since moving here in 1983.  Antagonizing and bad-mouthing Dave Walsh is spitting in the face of one of the few reasons to even go downtown.

I interviewed Dave Walsh a while back and found him to be one of the most down-to-earth people I have ever met.  He answered all my questions, he was forthright, polite, genuine in his desire to help Pottstown and was a pleasure to talk with.  It was the first conversation I ever had with him.  He was a wealth of information.  Instead of pissing him off, maybe PDIDA should pick his brain and find out why and how he is so successful!  He readily shared that information with me.

As for Bonnie trying to mediate this “crisis” I LOL!  Bonnie is firmly on the side of PDIDA, or should I say her agenda. 

Andrew Monastra had the only sensible comments that were reported.  And trust me Andrew, you are right on when you say Dave has valid points which are not personally driven.  Dave Walsh could be a great asset to PDIDA.  He is already a great asset to Pottstown.

As for the loitering problem downtown…we do have a police department, don’t we???  We have laws on the books.  As usual we don’t use our existing tools to solve problems.  The only way to turn Pottstown around is to clean it up.  The police department is a key part of the equation.  Playing opera only keeps undesirables away while the music is playing.  We need to send a clear message that we will not tolerate this behavior on our streets and that can only be done by enforcing the law.  Private citizens can not do that.

I really do applaud PDIDA for trying something.  Sometimes things do not work, for a variety of reasons, and we need to regroup and move on.  Demonizing Dave Walsh is neither productive nor proper.  Dave is not the problem here.  You should extend an olive branch and tap into what Dave knows.

The Cesspool That Is Pottstown Politics

Last night, the smell was much worse in City Hall than passing by the sewer plant on Moser Road in the summer.  The stench of political agendas, the overt pandering to those agendas, the lack of leadership (not applying to Rhoads and Weand) and the undeniable rewarding of poor behavior left me reaching for a barf bag.  I might start bringing my own if I continue to sit through these council meetings.  I think we need a “honey wagon” STAT at City Hall as the municipal diaper is FULL!

A total travesty is what I would call that meeting.  Only two Councilors had the chutzpah to call Missy Mayor on the carpet.  The other four (Allen absent) were falling all over themselves trying to kiss her derriere.  The mayor’s position is “ceremonial”.  If the mayor is so gung-ho to monopolize every council meeting, let her run for COUNCIL!  And yes Steve, you are correct, it is your fault for letting her talk too much.  She talks more than most of the Councilors we elected into those positions.  The woman has an opinion about everything!

WEAK MAYOR – WEAK MAYOR – WEAK MAYOR!!!!  Capiche??

We need a total change of leadership – Weand/Rhoads or Rhoads/Weand need to be President and Vice-President of council.  Stick a fork in the rest of y’all; you’re done!

While we’re at it…since we pay Jason a tidy sum, why don’t we stop tying his hands behind his back and let him do his job.  He’s an educated, municipal expert who we are paying to manage Pottstown.  We hire a professional manager for a reason.  Council people are not experts in municipal government.  Most have full-time day jobs.  This is Jason’s full-time job which he is highly skilled at.

That is as polite I can be.  I have waited 28 years for Pottstown to “come back”!  I am sick and tired of waiting.  I am sick and tired of the “good old boy” network in this town that continues to hold it hostage.  At this juncture, I highly doubt this town will ever change.

So color me still crabby today!

Cathy Paretti’s Speech As Read At Tonight’s Pottstown Borough Council Meeting

Below are Cathy Paretti’s remarks, in their entirety, as read to Pottstown Borough Council!

June 13, 2011

I feel compelled to speak tonight so all facts are on the table concerning the Gallery School and what has happened with the county funding this year.  First, to get the information correct about the Gallery School of Pottstown, we are a 501c3 non-profit community art center.  We attained our non-profit status in 2005 in order to fulfill our mission of being a positive attraction not only for the downtown district but Pottstown as a whole.  We specifically kept the name Pottstown in our title, even though at the time it was more fashionable to claim to be a tri county entity.  We wanted to make Pottstown a name that was recognizable and associated with a positive reaction.  Erika Hornburg-Cooper and myself are the co-founders of the organization. The Gallery School rents 254 High Street from CLE Properties, of which Erika and myself are partners along with a third person who owns 51% of the property.  The third partner has no interest in the school.  The Gallery School is seeking to purchase the property from CLE in order to renovate the third floor of the building so we can expand our programming and also attain an asset to make us more financially stable.  Our board of directors will not invest in raising funds to renovate a building that it does not own, and the third partner of CLE will not invest money in the building, as she has no faith that Pottstown will pull itself out of its current downturn.  As per the guidelines of the county revitalization program, we are well within the parameters of applying for the funds to purchase the building, just as Tri Pac has done in the past.  Our current proposal only includes money to pay off the mortgage on the building, as well as any transfer fees that will occur from the transaction.  As for the payout of the partners, our board of directors will be responsible to raise those funds as agreed to by the partners.  All money secured by us from the county will go towards paying off the mortgage, and we provided ample evidence to the county to prove that this is the case.  Neither Erika nor myself will receive any financial gain from the funds.  We understand how this proposal may have raised some eyebrows, and went above and beyond to make ourselves available for questioning in the hopes of achieving maximum transparency in the matter.  In short, we have nothing to hide.  I have worked at this organization for the past seven years without taking a paycheck and am constantly paying out of my own pocket for expenses to keep the building and the organization running.  Our only interest is in making sure that the organization is secure for the future.

I’d now like to discuss the events leading up to the mess we currently find ourselves in.  As the facts currently stand, on March 14^th council voted on the prioritization of projects to propose to the county.  The results were that the Gallery School was chosen as the top priority and the Western Gateway was chosen as the second priority, with the vote breakdown being four for Gallery School, two for the Gateway, and none for the Skyline project.  The borough staff was also on board with this decision.  However, when it came time to present our projects to the county, they were to be presented in the order prioritized by council, and suddenly the Skyline project was now being presented as the second priority.  At the time I wondered why this would be but, against my better judgment, decided not to question it, as we were not involved with either project.  But now I can’t help but ask why, without a single vote from council, the Skyline project was suddenly presented as the second priority?  The only entity against council’s decision of prioritization was Mayor Heath, whose opinion in the matter does not override that of the council.

In addition to this, Mayor Heath then took it upon herself to contact Commissioner Hoeffel and advocate for a project that was not supported by one member of borough council as far as any record of the matter is concerned.  Her actions make our town look as if we do not have our so-called ducks in a row, and has once again cast Pottstown in a bad light with the county.  Please correct me if I am wrong, but I did not feel at any time that our council and our borough staff were at odds with each other over the decision of March 14^th.

I would also like to speak about recent events which I believe call into question the extent of the Mayor’s involvement in the county’s decision.  On Friday, June 3^rd, Mr. Mason Craig was approaching people in town and informing them that the Skyline project had been awarded funding by the county per recommendations by the county staff.  This is important because that information was not to be made public until Monday, June 6^th, when the county staff’s recommendations would be emailed to all involved parties.  In those recommendations emailed on June 6^th, it was outlined that the Skyline had been awarded $241,000, while the other two projects were not to receive funds.  It wasn’t until June 7^th when the revitalization board made their first ever decision not to follow the county staff’s recommendation and instead leave the decision to the commissioners.  Still, I’d like to know how Mr. Craig was aware of the staff’s recommendations three days before they were to be announced.

To be clear, I have no political agenda.  I only want to ensure that the Gallery School of Pottstown can keep its doors open to serve the community and help the town move forward.  As for Mayor Heath, her actions may have serious consequences.  Because of her and Mr. Wildrick’s appeal to Commissioner Hoeffel, Pottstown is now in a position where we may not see any county funding at a time when the economy is in serious turmoil.  I understand that borough council cannot control the actions of its citizens, but Mayor Heath is an elected official.   You may correct me here, but I believe Pottstown has a council – manager form of borough government, which means that the mayor did not have the authority to go against borough council’s wishes.  Her interference in this process is, I believe, unethical, and I do hope that council reprimands her for her actions.

I have given all council members a copy of what I have said here tonight.   I have also included copies of letters that we receive from students and parents of the children that attend our programming and classes.  We have dozens more in our files.  I hope these speak to the impact that we do make and can continue to make in the Pottstown community.

Thank you all for your attention.

Cathy Paretti,

Co-Founder, Gallery Director of the Gallery School of Pottstown

Cathy Paretti Blasts Pottstown Mayor Bonnie Heath Over Gallerygate

Cathy Paretti, Co-founder of the Gallery on High/Gallery School of Pottstown read a prepared statement during the Comments from Citizens Present part of tonight’s Pottstown Borough Council Meeting.  Evidently only Councilors Weand and Rhoads were listening.  Bonnie appeared unphased (probably because she knew four members of council support her bad behavior).

Mrs. Paretti broke down the series of events which lead to Gallerygate.  Mayor Heath meddled in a council decision and caused the Gallery’s request for grant money (to pay off the mortgage on their building and expand their services) to be denied.  Mrs. Paretti also brought some interesting facts to light about an inappropriate release of information, by the mayor’s husband, before it was to be made public.

If Mrs. Paretti would like to have her remarks published on Roy’s Rants, in their entirety, we would be glad to do so!

We applaud Cathy Paretti and Erika Hornburg-Cooper for not allowing the mayor’s highly inappropriate behavior to go unchallenged, and for all they have done to help the Borough of Pottstown and the Greater Pottstown Area.  You ladies ROCK!

“Teflon Bonnie” Dodges Bullet – Escapes Pottstown Council’s Ire Over Gallerygate

Image via Wikipedia

Where to begin! 

Bonnie’s Mayor’s Report started off as the usual cheerleading session and turned into making excuses for her bad behavior, which she is not sorry for.  Bonnie said she did what she did because she is “passionate” and she felt the Gallery School Project was a bad idea.  She blithered on about differences and stepping on toes etc… but any apology in all that was missing, from what I could tell.

During the Announcements part of the meeting, which comes right before Adjournment, Councilor Weand raised a motion that we limit the mayor’s speaking at council meetings to the Mayor’s Report, if she was asked a direct question or if she needed to break a tie vote.  The other part of the motion was to forbid Bonnie from speaking negatively in public against Borough Council, like on WPAZ or to the County Commissioners, for example.

Councilor Gibson seconded the motion but only for the sake of debate.  Only Councilor Rhoads sided with Councilor Weand.  Maureen Allen was absent.  Chomnuk, Gibson, Kirkland and Toroney all sided with the mayor.  Councilors Gibson and Toroney expressed their displeasure at Bonnie’s recent behavior but felt it was not proper to limit her “face time” at meetings.  Councilors Kirkland and Chomnuk did not think her speaking time should be limited.

So once again, bad behavior in Pottstown is rewarded.  It’s okay to go outside the chain of command, bad mouth at will and undermine binding votes of council, all in the name of being “passionate”.

Expect more bad behavior, more diatribes and insubordination from our mayor in the future, now that she has been further empowered to do so.

Two Roy’s Rants thumbs up to Councilor Weand for doing the right thing and to Councilor Rhoads for backing him up and voting yes.

At this time, I will refrain from comment about the rest of Council until such time as I can think of a polite way to say what is on my mind.

Sixth Ward Councilor Jody Rhoads’ Comments From Wednesday’s Committee Of The Whole Meeting

You will note that the local print newspaper did a report on Jody’s comments at the end of Wednesday’s COTW meeting.  Councilor Rhoads has given me a copy of his comments which I am printing in their entirety.

Jody’s comments:

It’s been ten years since I retired.  It wasn’t long after that I started attending council and committee meetings.

Since then, I have pretty much gotten to know “who’s who” and “what’s what”.  I now have some observations and opinions, and am appalled at some of the “grown up” behavior in this town.

1. I have heard of those who say they are the most powerful person in town.
2. I have seen first hand and heard of those who name call frequently using the term “idiot”
3. I have come across those who try to discredit others for their efforts and accomplishments.
4. A few, just plain think and act like they run the town.
5. I have seen personal agenda’s that are not for the good of the community.
6. And I have witnessed some, who when they don’t get their way, pack up and leave.
7. And those who send hateful, anonymous letters.

For all the above behavior I list as:

1. irresponsible
2. childish
3. insulting
4. unprofessional
5. inappropriate
6. disrespectful
7. embarrassing
8. disgusting
9. unproductive

Until this type of behavior disappears, our community will continue to stagnate.  I’m seeing a big problem concerning the paid advertisements in our local newspaper by The Citizens for Responsible Government.  These articles have been attacking, at one time or another, the school district, the administration, the school board, school board members, the Task Force, Pottstown Borough, past Economic Development Directors, Borough Council and individual Councilors.

These ads are nothing more than someone’s desperate attempt to use the print media as part of a strategy to promote a political campaign and to buy someone’s victory in the election process.

What is really strange and upsetting is our local newspaper has been known to refuse any type of political comments until just before an election.  It appears to me that advertisements are being use for political reasons all year-long.  The individual behind this group always asks for transparency and complete factual information, but refuses to practice what is preached.

There is a common denominator between Citizens for Responsible Government and Trees Inc., that being Thomas Hylton – Secretary/Treasurer.  The Trees Inc. website is www.pottstowntrees.org.  There is conflicting information on this website.

The home page clearly states “Today, thanks to Trees Inc., Pottstown has among the best maintained street trees in Pennsylvaniaat no cost to the taxpayer.  Let me repeat, at no cost to the taxpayer.  We’ve heard this many times.  Then searching the financial page we see the following:

Councilor Rhoads had a handout of the budget information from the Trees Inc. website which he distributed…it was relating to the years Pottstown Borough gave money to Trees Inc.

Next comes requests for information.

I submitted the following emails to Thomas Hylton regarding Trees Inc. Councilor Rhoads had a handout with this information.  Councilor Rhoads sent eight emails to Thomas Hylton, requesting various information, regarding Trees Inc.  Councilor Rhoads never received a response.  The emails were sent between February 24, 2010 and April 9, 2010.

I have also received a request for information to Thomas Hylton from another individual who was also refused.  A Right To Know request was sent to Mr. Hylton on 3/10/2010 regarding the May 2009 audit done on Trees Inc. by Rabowski & Company.  A follow-up request was sent on March 23, 2010.  No response was received.

Here again, where is his (Mr. Hylton’s) transparency?

There’s some things out of control and we better start coming to grips. 

END

Pottstown Borough Council And Task Force Derailed By Heath And Hylton

It would appear we have no need for a borough government or a school board in Pottstown.  We have two people who have managed to insert themselves into two separate processes and derail them both. 

Why bother to have a borough council and a professional manager when the mayor can “pull people aside” at functions and override decisions made by our town leadership?

Why bother to have a task force and a school board when Mr. Hylon’s advertorials have the task force sputtering and some members have drunk the Kool Aid?

It would appear Pottstown only needs two people to run it.  If we get rid of the entire borough staff and the school district staff, and let Bonnie and Tom run our town and educate our children, just think of the cost savings!

We can shepherd all the children into the football stadium every day, give Tom a bullhorn and he can educate them himself.  Bonnie can use her influence with the county to get things done in Pottstown so why pay people to run our town?  Bonnie can handle it.

Is this really what you people want?  As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s closer to the truth than fiction.

Pottstown Mayor Bonnie Heath Tops Roy’s Rants Most Wanted List

I never thought the day would come when someone in this community would irritate me more than Mr. Hylton.  However, that day has now arrived.

Mayor Heath’s recent behavior is that of a petulant child.  The mayor stormed out of the last Pottstown Borough Council meeting after not getting her way on a vote.  Following close behind was her husband (Mr. Mayor), who as I reported in my last council coverage, made a derogatory comment about the collective intelligence of our council.

Pottstown has a weak mayor, strong council form of government.  We employ a professional manager (Jason) and the council dictates the course of action we take as a community.  Everyone takes direction from council.  Those seven elected officials, representing each ward of our borough, make the decisions that shape our future.  The Office of the Mayor is ceremonial (aka spirit bunny/ribbon cutter) and in the event of a tie vote on council the mayor is called on to cast the deciding vote.  The mayor also “oversees” the police department, which again appears to be fairly ceremonial as Chief Flanders runs the department.

After Bonnie’s stellar performance last month she went on WPAZ to bad mouth council and whine about the PDIDA vote, which Mo Gallant reported on her Pottstown’s Blog.  Again, is this a professional way for a mayor to act?  She may only be ceremonial; however, she is an elected official!  I suggest Bonnie run for council if being mayor does not have enough “teeth” for her liking.  Stop trying to make your job more important than it is!

Now we come to the most disturbing and egregious offense the mayor committed recently.  During the dedication ceremony at Pottsgrove Manor a few weekends ago, Bonnie approached two Montgomery County Commissioners and pushed for the PDIDA Downtown Lighting Project to be the number one priority for funding as Pottstown’s revitalization project.  Pottstown Borough Council had already voted and approved the Gallery School project as our top priority in March.  A presentation was made to Montgomery County, by the borough, supporting the Gallery School project as our number one priority for funding.  There was much debate by the Councilors about what Pottstown’s priority project should be at March’s council meeting.  A roll call vote was requested by President Toroney and the Gallery School project won.  This should have been the end of any debate!

In Bonnie’s “talks” with the Commissioners she relayed that the Galley School would profit greatly if the county funded the purchasing of their building.  This “information” was taken back to the committee who decides the funding.  This “information” is one of the reasons cited for their hesitation in funding the Gallery School project.  The final decisions have yet to be made, but Pottstown may get cut out completely for this round of revitalization dollars.  Once again, it appears to the county that Pottstown does not have its act together – a common complaint from them.  Unity of vision and speaking with one voice is essential when applying for grants and any kind of funding.  The ULI Report remarked that Pottstown’s in-fighting was a serious problem.

I must say this behavior is shocking.  This one woman side-show could not only hurt Pottstown but it could hurt one of the few businesses on High Street.  Council has gotten its act together and has worked better as a group lately.  They can agree to disagree.  As Councilor Gibson stated after Bonnie stormed out of the meeting – he doesn’t get mad when a vote doesn’t go his way; he has to respect his fellow Councilors and the will of the majority.  That is how things work in a democracy.  This meddling by the mayor could seriously jeopardize our downtown revitalization.  The mayor should be held directly responsible for any negative repercussions that her loose cannon behavior causes.  I again call upon Pottstown Borough Council to formally reprimand/censure, whatever terminology you would like to use, Mayor Bonnie Heath for totally overstepping her authority as Mayor of Pottstown; and knowingly and willfully undermining a binding vote of council (toward the revitalization of our central business district.)

Lastly, Mayor Heath was asked to do something that actually falls within her limited realm of mayoral responsibilities.  The mayor was asked to speak at a welcoming event for a family who is bicycling across the United States.  They were making a stop in Pottstown for the BMX event at Trilogy Park.  The mayor agreed to speak at the welcoming event on May 26^th at PMMC.  As part of the welcoming event, the family was to be presented with gift certificates to cover their meals while in town.  The mayor also agreed to go to three restaurants to get donated gift certificates for the family.  On May 26^th, the Mayor never showed up at the hospital to welcome the family nor did she speak with any businesses.  After the ride was finished down High St., people went and got the three gift certificates and presented them to the family the next day.  If you check out the family’s blog, they wrote a nice article about their stay in Pottstown.

http://www.ridethenation.org/1/post/2011/05/good-food-good-friends-good-racing.html

The next council meeting is Monday, June 13^th at 7:00 p.m. in Pottstown Borough Hall.  If you are as outraged by this behavior as I am, I would invite you to address council during the portion of the meeting that allows residents to comment.

Personally, I think our mayor should resign.  This is disgraceful behavior and harmful to Pottstown.  She should hang her head in shame!

Pottstown Police Department’s 2010 Officer Of The Year – Jonathan Gallagher

At tonight’s Pottstown Borough Council meeting, Officer Jonathan Gallagher received the 2010 Officer of the Year award from Mayor Heath and Chief Flanders.  Officer Gallagher is a hometown hero.  Officer Gallagher’s efforts contributed to the arrest of 46 drug dealers in Pottstown.  Officer Gallagher is a member of the Community Response Unit and the Honor Guard. 

According to Mayor Heath, Officer Gallagher excels at everything he does and is very deserving of this award.  After receiving the prestigious award, Officer Gallagher got a thunderous round of applause from all in attendance which included his family, friends and many fellow officers.

Roy’s Rants gives Officer Gallagher two thumbs up for a job well done.  There is no more pressing need than keeping the citizens of Pottstown safe.

Pottstown Mayor Storms Out Of Council Meeting After PDIDA Vote

Pottstown Mayor Bonnie Heath stormed out of tonight’s Pottstown Borough Council meeting after agenda item 7 did not pass (followed by her husband who made a derogatory remark about Council’s collective intelligence).  A roll call vote was requested by President Toroney.   The vote went as follows: Chomnuk – No, Gibson – Yes, Kirkland– Yes, Rhoads – No, Weand – No, Toroney – No.   Councilor Allen was absent.

During the Mayor’s lengthy report, Bonnie spent a great deal of time asking Council to vote yes for agenda item 7 which was a resolution authorizing the filing for funds with Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in the amount of $60,000 for the Main Street, Exit Grant, New Communities program.  What this means to the average taxpayer is that by voting yes the Borough of Pottstown would have been on the hook for the $60,000 matching funds if the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) failed to raise the other $60,000.  If PDIDA failed to raise the necessary $30,000 contribution each year, the Borough of Pottstown, by default, would have had to match the DCED grant.

The Finance Committee recommended that Council vote no because there is too much risk to the Borough to move forward, according to Finance Chairman and Fifth Ward Councilor Dan Weand.  The confidence in PDIDA’s ability to match this grant is very questionable.  According to Mayor Heath, PDIDA’s assessments would generate $42,000 a year leaving a positive balance for PDIDA of $12,000 each year.  Mayor Heath said there is no risk to Pottstown to approve this grant match because the DCED felt PDIDA would be able to match the funding based on their assessment figures.

President Toroney said PDIDA should look more toward volunteerism instead of paying a Main Street Manager.  He referenced Pottstown’s Riverfront Park as an excellent example of volunteerism.  President Toroney also said that Council does support PDIDA and downtown Pottstown, however, in this instance the majority of Council feels the financial risk is too great.  Councilor Kirkland said he was confident that PDIDA would be able to raise the needed funds.  Councilor Gibson said he supported PDIDA and voted yes for the resolution but did so “hoping” he made the right decision.

The majority of this money goes to pay the Main Street Manager’s salary.  Frankly, my experience with Mr. Wildrick is that he does not return emails.  Other than purple lights on the trees downtown and the Hometown Holiday events in December, did we get our bang for the buck in a year and a half?????  Evidently there are four members of Council who have the same question.  The other project Mr. Wildrick was working on was a skyline project to outline the downtown buildings like Boat House Row.  While this is a cool idea, it might make more sense to have a full downtown before we worry about ambient lighting.

Councilor Rhoads wondered how many businesses downtown are doing well.  If a number of businesses close that would hamper PDIDA’s ability to generate the sufficient funds to pay the DCED grant match.

President Toroney also stated that PDIDA needs to come up with a vision and a long-range plan.  We agree.

Councilor Gibson made the suggestion that PDIDA expand their territory to include more businesses in Pottstown.  The example he gave was the High Street Redner’s.   Redner’s makes money and as a company they give money to community projects and events in the form of corporate sponsorships.  Councilor Gibson said there are businesses that would love to be allowed to join PDIDA but are outside of their limited territory.

This vote means that unless PDIDA finds private sector funding (which is available) they will not have the funds to pay the Main Street Manager’s salary.

My suggestion to PDIDA is that you contact places like Lancaster and York, who have strong downtown organizations, and see what information you can glean from them.  I am sure they would gladly be of assistance and would be a wealth of information.

My other suggestion is that Mayor Heath should receive a formal reprimand from Council for leaving the meeting before adjournment.  As Councilor Gibson stated, every vote does not go his way but he respects the opinions and decisions of his fellow Councilors and does not get mad about it.  Councilors Rhoads and Weand echoed Councilor Gibson’s sentiments and were thanked by President Toroney.

Mayor Heath is an elected official who has an obligation to attend these meetings.  Because there were only six Councilors in attendance this evening, had there been a tie vote, the mayor casts the tie-breaking vote.  By leaving after agenda item 7, the mayor missed the voting for the remaining six agenda items! 

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!