Your Pottstown Tax Dollars At Work

Editor’s Note:  Former Sixth Ward Councilor, Jody Rhoads posted this fine example of the Pottstown Public Works Department’s keen eye for detail when constructing a “curb cut” aka handicapped access ramp.  Imagine trying to get your wheelchair around the poles. Apparently, this didn’t seem like a flawed plan to whomever constructed the ramp? Really?

 

Jody writes “Here is another one where Pottstown’s Public Works wasted you’re money.  What is wrong here?  West St between Charlotte and Evans. Go look at it for yourself.  These are the type of things that need to come out so people can see what Pottstown and its leadership is really all about.  And I’ll bet no one will raise hell at a Council meeting about this! Leadership thinks this is doing a GOOD job?  This one should go VIRAL!”

Feast your eyes on this engineering marvel!  No, it’s not an April Fool’s joke…

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

Sheryl Miller For Pottstown 3rd Ward Councilor

Pottstown Borough Council Picks Political Newcomer For 6th Ward Seat

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

Editor’s note:   We wish Travis Gery good luck!  You have some big shoes to fill!  We are hoping for some leadership!

POTTSTOWN, PA — Council chose new blood over previous experience Thursday night, unanimously selecting High Street resident Travis Gery to fill the sixth ward seat vacated by Jody Rhoads, who resigned just six months after running unopposed for a new four-year term.

Gery, a lawyer who has lived in town since 2003, and former council president James Smale were the only two applicants to apply for the post.

“I’m kind of disappointed that in a ward of 4,000 people, only two came forward willing to help us,” said Councilman Dan Weand, who made the motion to appoint Gery.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120629/NEWS01/120629338/pottstown-borough-council-picks-political-newcomer-for-6th-ward-seat

Jody Rhoads Resigns As Pottstown Sixth Ward Councilor Effective Immediately

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

The Pottstown political cesspool has claimed yet another victim.  Man of the People and Sixth Ward Councilor, Jody Rhoads has called it quits in a two sentence email to Borough Hall.  After banging his head against the table, serving approximately four and a half years on Pottstown Borough Council, Jody has had enough.  The man who dared to fight City Hall wants his life back.

This is a huge loss for Pottstown on the heels of Jason Bobst’s recent announcement that he has accepted a job as the new West Norriton Township Manager.  Both of these men have worked to make Pottstown a better place and have tried in their own way to look at the big picture and find a way forward.  However, the “good old boy machine” is just too strong.  Mr. Toroney and his sock puppet majority on council like Pottstown just the way it is and have no intention of letting things change.  If you read the Fishwrap on a regular basis you see Pottstown is in need of sweeping changes based on the news presented.  It’s generally not good news.  The ULI Report may as well never have been written, since we constantly ignore it.  There is no desire to move forward by the majority of the leadership in Pottstown.  They say what they think people want to hear and do the opposite.

Jody was successful in neutralizing Thomas Hylton’s Shade Tree Commission and has been a tireless advocate for cutting costs, keeping taxes down and being a councilor at large for any citizen of Pottstown who needed assistance!  Jody is not a politician.  Instead, Jody is a concerned citizen who gave thousands of hours of his time to serve the residents of Pottstown.  Seeing Jody walking the streets of his ward and talking to his constituents was a common occurrence.  However, there comes a time when you have to cut your losses and move on.

Jody achieved a landslide election victory last November and was sworn in to serve another four years on Pottstown Borough Council in January.  The Sixth Ward and the entire Borough of Pottstown have lost a champion for the people.  It’s a sad day indeed!

We think losing a Borough Manager and a Borough Councilor so close together illustrate Mr. Toroney’s failed leadership as Pottstown Borough Council President.  We think Mr. Toroney needs to do the right thing and step down as well!  Somebody with some vision for the future needs to occupy that position as Mr. Toroney has no plan for the future of Pottstown.

Ask yourself why these two particular people would suddenly resign after being so involved.

Pottstown Councilor Jody Rhoads Is Looking For A Few Good Men And Women To Run For Pottstown Borough Council

Next year there will be four Pottstown Borough Council seats up for grabs:  Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7.  As many people know Jody is not a politician.  He is a life-long resident who truly cares about Pottstown and has been trying to make things better since taking office four years ago as Sixth Ward Councilor. 

Councilor Rhoads just won a landslide re-election and will be in office another four years.  We need more people on council like Jody.  We need concerned citizens who want to do the right thing by Pottstown, not bobbleheads who go along with whatever their party tells them to do!  We need independent thinkers and doers in leadership positions if Pottstown is ever to turn the corner, clean up its act and revitalize.  One maverick on council can’t get things done.  We need four people with a like-minded vision to get the job done!

If you are interested, talk to Jody and see what’s involved with being a councilor!  He knows the ropes after serving four years!  Start attending council meetings or committee meetings to see exactly why Pottstown is not moving forward!  It’s a question of leadership!  The right leadership WILL move Pottstown forward!

Pottstown Councilor Jody Rhoads Sworn In For Second Term

I had the pleasure of witnessing Man of the People, Jody Rhoads get sworn in this morning for his second term as Pottstown Sixth Ward Councilor.  Congratulations to Jody for a spectacular win!  See photo’s below!

 

Jody writes:

 

For my Oath of Office I had various options to choose from.

I made the decision to have our newly elected Magisterial District Judge, Scott Palladino, administer my Oath of Office.

I am looking at : 1-A new term

                                  2-A new year

                                  3-A new Judge

                                  4-My ceremony being the first on the list

                                  of 2012 for District Court  #38-1-11

  

   

  

  

Pottstown Sixth Ward Councilor Jody Rhoads Votes NO For Tax Increase

Image via Wikipedia

A prepared statement was read by Councilor Rhoads at Monday night’s Pottstown Borough Council meeting outlining why he can not support any tax increase for Pottstown Borough property owners.

Jody writes:

“We all know our staff has been working hard on the budget, and have done a good job.  I keep hearing there are a lot of positive things happening in Pottstown.  A tax hike whether $10 or $100 is not one of them, especially when it involves a 2% raise for management*.

Apparently there are some who are happy about giving out tax dollars away for raises, when in fact a good portion of the taxpayers:

1. Are jobless
2. Can’t find work
3. Had their pay and hours cut
4. Are on a fixed income
5. Are losing or lost their house to Sheriff Sale
6. Cannot pay their bills
7. Cannot afford health insurance

Well, I’m not happy about it.”

End of prepared statement.

*The 2% increase is for staff not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  This amounts to $25,145.53. 

Councilor Rhoads suggested to President Toroney (via email) that the $5,335.61 allotted to the General Fund for raises in 2012 should be removed from the budget.

In an email response to Councilor Rhoads, President Toroney stated “Management salary is an easy target for cuts, while union workers get their increase for next year, making the disparity between rank and file and management even closer, that, management will soon be making less than rank and file.  Freezes need to be across the board for fairness which I would support.”

This year’s budget will include a 1.68% property tax increase, which translates into a $14.35 per year increase for a home assessed at $85,000.

Why Councilor Rhoads Voted To Remove HARB’s Jurisdiction From Pottstown’s Central Business District

Sixth Ward Councilor and “man of the people”, Jody Rhoads shared his thoughts with me about the recent action taken by Pottstown Borough Council to remove the Historic Architectural Review Board’s (HARB) jurisdiction over the Downtown Commercial District.  The motion as stated on the Council Agenda was:

13. Motion to adopt an Ordinance amending the boundaries of Certified Local Historic Districts to eliminate a portion of the Downtown Commercial District from the Old Pottstown Historic District

The motion passed by a 4-3 vote at Pottstown Borough Council’s November 14^th meeting.  Councilors voting in favor of the amendment were Toroney, Allen, Chomnuck and Rhoads.  Councilors voting against the amendment were Gibson, Kirkland and Weand.

Councilor Rhoads’ reasons for voting in favor are:

• I believe anyone who wants to open a business or buy a property in town will do so and keep the architecture we have.
• There is nothing holding anyone back from consulting any HARB member for opinions if they are interested in a downtown property.  HARB members who are so interested can keep tabs on issues coming through Borough Hall.
• I believe there is now such a significant awareness of the concerns that we will not lose the architecture we have.
• Pottstown is stuck in a rut and no one wants to make changes.  For the good of the community, we need to move forward.
• And most significantly; this decision can be reversed if needed.

Despite a difference of opinion by three councilors and the HARB Board, the majority of Council has spoken.  As Councilor Rhoads pointed out, if down the road this decision proves to be flawed, it can be changed by a vote of Council.

Members of the Historic Architectural Review Board are:

Joseph Fay, Chairman
Levi S.Wolf
Stephanie Stranick
Jeffrey Leflar
P. Richard Frantz
Andrew Monastra

Keim Street Bridge Comments By Councilor Jody Rhoads From Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting

The following comments were made by Councilor Rhoads on August 3rd, at the Committee of the Whole Meeting during the Pottstown Borough Council’s discussion about the Keim Street Bridge situation.  There is debate about whether Council should stop pushing PennDOT to replace the Keim Street Bridge and seek other alternative solutions that are cheaper and have a better chance of being approved.

What I would like to see, with all the studies and tons of money that has been spent over the years on studies, studies, studies, is the county (Montgomery) send a survey out to all the people in the area who have been using the bridge.  I have heard a lot of complaints since the bridge was closed.  A lot of people want to see it open. 

That bridge was there a long time.  I believe before I was born.  The Keim Street Bridge is the in middle of both of these improvements (the Stowe and Armand Hammer Blvd interchanges) and for this revitalization that has been talked about for probably over 25 years, Bethlehem Steel* is there, if that does ever go.  That access in and out of town in important.  As far as I am concerned, it is there and to take that bridge away I think would do us harm.  There is a lot of traffic that goes up and down Keim Street.  That is an important road.  *The former Bethlehem Steel site is now the Pottstown Industrial Complex.

Hanover Street (the interchange) has no entrance to westbound 422.  That is a deficiency.  If there were some changes there, I know there are houses right there in South Pottstown.  At least if there was an entrance to 422 westbound there, that would help somewhat. 

You are talking about improvements at either end of Industrial Highway, but there is nothing in the middle.  I think this is important.  Keim Street does have, it is all there, (the ability) to go west as it is now.  You could go over it (Keim Street Bridge) and go west.

Others do not live here, we do.  Once the bridge is gone, it is not coming back, I will guarantee you that.  If it is in the background hanging in limbo, that chance is in the future, who knows what the future brings.

Once it is gone, you know how that works….

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!

“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

Pennsylvania Primary Election, Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Tomorrow’s election is crucial to the progress of Pottstown.  Everyone needs to get out and vote!

The Pottstown School Board race will decide how well the school district and the borough continue to work together.  If we are going to move forward as a community, cooperation between these two bodies is essential.  We can continue to work together or go back to infighting and agendas, which have gotten us exactly nowhere.   The choice is yours, but at least make a choice and vote!

If you truly want “citizens for responsible government” running Pottstown, then Friends of Pottstown Public Education and Sixth Ward Councilor Jody Rhoads need your vote tomorrow and NOT the people on the glossy postcards from 222 Chestnut Street (that have flooded our mailboxes in the last several days).

Sixth Ward Councilor Jody Rhoads Running For Re-election – May 17, 2011

The Pennsylvania Primary Election will take place next week on Tuesday, May 17th.  “Man of the people” Jody Rhoads is running for re-election as Sixth Ward Councilor.  Jody is asking Sixth Ward residents for their vote on Tuesday.

As your Councilman I

1. voted against 3 consecutive yearly tax increases
2. speak up and ask the hard questions
3. fight for the rights of ALL Pottstown residents
4. helped re-write and adopt a new and friendlier tree ordinance which eliminated the dysfunctional Tree Commission
5. worked to get railroad crossings repaired on a heavily traveled road in the east end of Pottstown
6. was the ONLY Councilman who voted against top administrative pay raises
7. have helped scores of residents around town with their problems and concerns

                                                                    Fight When You’re Right!

Councilor Rhoads Explains Why He Could Not Approve Salary Increases For Pottstown Borough Manager and Chief Of Police

Pottstown’s Sixth Ward Councilor and “man of the people” cast the only NO vote at tonight’s Pottstown Borough Council meeting for raises for the Borough Manager and Chief of Police.

Here are Councilor Rhoads’ reasons for his NO vote:

For those who continue to say how rosy things are, look at the real picture and talk to the person who:

Just lost his job

Can’t find work

Had his pay cut

Is on a fixed income

Cannot pay his bills

Lost his house to Sheriff Sale

Lost his health insurance

Is in financial trouble due to severe health issues

Is just plain struggling

I have talked to many people with these situations.

The house across the street from me is empty because the person just up and left it. 

A house two blocks away on Queen Street is empty because the family abandoned it.

Some neighbors behind me recently walked away from their house.

A house a block away on South Roland Street just sold at Sheriff Sale.

A house just a few doors away is going to be empty due to Sheriff Sale.

A house three doors away has been for sale for almost a year.

Wednesday’s Mercury lists at least five more Sheriff Sales in the Sixth Ward alone.

Need I say anymore?

With all these issues, I cannot vote for this and the following item on the agenda.

Pottstown Council Approves Raises For Borough Manager And Police Chief

Two agenda items on this evening’s Pottstown Borough Council meeting were the approval of contract addendums for Jason Bobst, Borough Manager and Mark Flanders, Pottstown Chief of Police.

Basically the contact addendums are raises.  Council was asked to approve a three percent increase for both gentlemen.

Councilor Rhoads read from a prepared statement on why he would vote no in both of these instances. (I will make this statement available in another post).  There was no other discussion.

A roll call vote was taken with Councilor Rhoads casting the only NO vote.  Mr. Bobst’s salary was increased to $96,820.00 for the 2011 calendar year.  Mr. Bobst’s benefits include a vehicle for business use and his dues for the ICMA ($800).  Mr. Bobst was exempted from the borough residency requirement but must live within 15 miles of Pottstown.  He currently resides in Douglassville.

Mr. Flanders’ salary was increased to $100,425.00 for the 2011 calendar year.

Why I Voted No For A 3.1% Tax Increase For Pottstown Borough! By Sixth Ward Councilor Jody Rhoads

Image via Wikipedia

Councilor Rhoads cast the only NO vote at last night’s Pottstown Borough Council meeting for a 3.1% tax increase.  Councilor Rhoads had previously stated he would not vote for any tax increase for Pottstown. 

Evan Brandt and I were handed a list of reasons why Councilor Rhoads chose to cast a NO vote.  Here is the complete list of why Jody voted NO:

Ask the person who just lost his job.

Ask the person who can’t find work.

Ask the person who had his pay cut.

Ask the person who had his hours cut.

Ask the person who is on a fixed income.

Ask the person who cannot pay his bills.

Ask the person who lost his house to Sheriff Sale.

Ask the person who lost his health insurance.

Ask the person who is in financial trouble due to severe health issues.

Ask the person who is just plain struggling.

 ————————————————————————————————————–

Councilor Rhoads is a friend of the working class citizen.  He is not a politician.  He fights for the rights of all Pottstown residents.  That is the platform he campaigned on and that is what he has done while in office.  Fight when you’re right.

Pottstown Borough Council Meeting 12/13/10

The meeting was called to order by President Toroney.

Invocation was given.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call – all Councilors were present

Approval Of Minutes – the last council meeting and special budget meeting minutes were approved.

Comments From Citizens Present:

Dave Garner – Requested that Council not adopt the 2011 budget.  Mr. Garner feels we are rushing to approve this budget and there is still time to continue looking for ways to cut spending.  Dave feels Council is happy to “settle” for 3.1% and basically call it a day.  Mr. Garner believes Council should explain and justify the increase and that the public was not given enough time to study the proposed budget.

Don Read – Also commented on the proposed 2011 budget.  He agreed with Mr. Garner about amount of time the budget was advertised.    

Mr. Read questioned Fund 11 which has a $147,000 deficit.  Don suggested that this fund should be offset in the budget with a surplus or a taxpayer “bailout”. 

Fund 14 had a $55,000 increase or 40% over last year.  This can be increased at council’s discretion.  Mr. Read feels the borough should not pay for dependent children to age 26.  The employee should bear that cost themselves as it does not benefit taxpayers. 

Newstell Marable – President of the Pottstown NAACP wants the new Intermodal Transportation Center named after Charles Dixon. 

Mr. Marable again raised the question of renaming Armand Hammer Boulevard to MLK Boulevard.  He has spoken with PennDOT and said we should involve Senator Rafferty and PennDOT to get this approved.  PennDOT said they are willing to do this.  Mr. Marablel said if Lower Pottsgrove Township will not rename their section, Pottstown should rename the section of Armand Hammer Boulevard that falls within the borough.

Mr. Marable also questioned the borough’s minority hiring practices.

Mayor’s Report – Bonnie said the Police Department has been “quiet” lately.  She spoke about how well the Hometown Holiday events are going and how these events are bringing people together.  The mayor asked people to continue to be involved and thanked everyone for their positive efforts.

Manager’s Report – The Keim Street Bridge.  Jason is meeting with North Coventry Township as well as Chester and Montgomery Counties regularly about the impact of this vital link being closed.  A traffic impact study revealed that a new temporary signal will be placed at Industrial Highway and Moser Road.  There will be a cost sharing with Lower Pottsgrove for the temporary traffic signal and will cost about $5.00 a month for each municipality.  The bridge was in far worse shape than originally thought after the inspection was completed.

Jason is having all borough staff attend customer service training and is working with MCCC West Campus to offer this training.  This is the result of complaints Jason has received from residents about their dealing with borough staff during his tenure as Manager.  (Good idea Jason and glad you are using MCCC West as a resource!)

Our Codes Department is working with Phoenixville and Norristown on the new rental changes software.  The group has become a good resource.

The bridge over the “Mighty Manatawy” on High Street will be closed for 12 – 18 months starting in 2011.  Construction will hopefully begin in March to replace the bridge.  College Drive will be a detour route.

Jason talked about the Fair Housing issue that was raised along with Norristown about the overabundance of Section 8 rentals in Pottstown and Norristown in proportion to the rest of Montgomery County.

Jason talked about the revitalization fund for Montgomery County.  It appears there could be $11 million dollars to be divided up between Montgomery County municipalities in 2011.

Jason is looking at making the monthly ward meetings quarterly in 2011 and coming up with a format change to make the meetings more productive.

Jason is looking into a program that could make Pottstown Borough government more transparent (in light of recent comments circulating around town.)  He reviewed a model program being used in Ocean City, MD that offers a 14-week course on how municipal government functions.  In our case it would be how Pottstown’s government functions.  This would be a great tool for residents and would go along with the planned Citizen Code Academy already in the works.

The long anticipated conversion of the Pottstown Walmart into a SUPER Wallyworld will finally begin this spring if the borough will cooperate with Walmart’s internal needs.

Committee Reports –

Nothing much to report except PDIDA Manager Leighton Wildrick addressed council and gave a brief report about the Hometown Holiday events.  They are a great success!  He thanked the many people who have helped make this possible and stated the word is getting out about how Pottstown is changing and how these large events and a big reason for the buzz.  President Toroney thanked Mr. Wildrick a job well done.

New Business –

Motion to approve the $39,246,650.00 2011 Budget passed.   5 Yes, 1 Abstention (Gibson) and 1 No (Rhoads).  Councilor Gibson abstained because he is a paid driver for the Fire Department.  Since the Fire Fund was one of the reasons for the tax increase, Mr. Gibson felt this was a conflict of interest. (We feel Councilor Gibson did the right thing).

Motion to adopt an Ordinance to fix the borough tax rate for real property for the Year 2011 for several funds including fire and parks and recreation – 5 Yes, 1 Abstention (Gibson) and 1 No (Rhoads)

Janice Lee was appointed to act as Liaison Officer with Berkheimer, Inc. as Berkheimer, Inc. will now be the tax collection agent for the Borough of Pottstown.

The motion to approve PennDOT’s request for a revised detour plan for the High Street Bridge closure using College Drive passed.

Council passed a motion to authorize a letter of intent to the Towns and Tours Grant Program to enhance the Schuylkill River Heritage Area and the marketability of the downtown.

Council passed a motion authorizing Jason to send a letter of support to WGI Holdings, LLC to submit a grant application to the Montgomery County Economic Development Program on behalf of Dave Walsh and his desire to purchase the First Fidelity Building at the corner or High and Hanover Streets.  All Councilors were signing the letter of support.

After much debate Council passed a motion to adopt an official name for the new Transit Center at One Security Plaza.  Councilor Kirkland tried to get a motion on the table to delay this vote, however it was defeated.  The original motion passed 4 – 3 with Rhoads, Gibson and Kirkland voting No.  The majority of council felt there has been enough notice and time given for public comments about the naming of the Transit Center and further delays in passing this motion were unwarranted.

Council approved a motion to authorize borough staff to open negotiations with PCTV.  Councilors Weand and Chomnuk volunteered to be council’s representatives on the committee.  (Good luck gentlemen!)

Council added and passed Motion 28 to work with Walmart so that the expansion of the Pottstown store meets Walmart’s internal scheduling and budgeting.  This means a great deal of money for Pottstown in terms of taxes and fees.  It is in our best interest to work with Walmart in this instance.

Report of Bills – Councilor Weand said they have been paid!

Announcements – There was some unpleasantness between a spectator and Councilor Gibson that was ended by President Toroney banging his gavel and telling them to “take it outside” before things got out of hand. 

Meeting was adjourned.

Pottstown’s $86,602.64 Question

With the recent abolition of the Shade Tree Commission, a lingering question remains.  What should be done with the $80,000+ remaining in the Trees Inc. checkbook?  There was some debate in council about this money and it was mentioned that since the borough made donations for several years, that money should be returned if it was not spent.  The problem is that taxpayer money was commingled with other funds and Mr. Hylton has not provided an itemized list of how the taxpayer’s money was spent.

Council would like to use some or all the remaining money to set up a tree fund.  It would seem right that this money be turned over to the borough now that the Shade Tree Commission is no more and the borough will be responsible for tree maintenance in Pottstown going forward.  What exactly does Trees Inc. need this money for now?  Trees Inc. and the Shade Tree Commission seem, to many people, to be the same entity.  For example, by clicking on the Shade Tree Commission link on the borough website, one is redirected to the Trees Inc. website.  Mr. Hylton was in charge of both entities, simultaneously.

Trees Inc. received $104,970 from Pottstown Borough between 2003 and 2007, according to what is published on their website.  Yet looking at a screen print from the Trees Inc. website there was a paragraph that stated beginning in 2001 the borough began contributing about $21,000 annually.  Another curiosity is that under Financial Info there appears to be no record of any contributions between 1988 and 2003?  I must admit to being rather mystified that either no records were kept or no fundraising was done to keep adequate reserves for the maintenance of over 2500 trees for more than a decade!

Councilor Rhoads sent emails to former Shade Tree Commission Chairman Thomas Hylton requesting copies of all the original donations to Trees Inc. showing specifically what the money was used for, per contributor.  This information would pinpoint what taxpayer money was or was not used for.  Councilor Rhoads also requested a copy of the Trees Inc. budgets for 2001 and 2002 regarding the above mentioned paragraph stating Trees Inc. received contributions beginning in 2001 from the borough.  Mr. Hylton has never responded to Councilor Rhoads’ request for this information.  Also, the paragraph mentioning borough contributions starting in 2001 was removed from the Trees Inc. website.

The Trees Inc. website claims that “Pottstown has among the best maintained street trees in Pennsylvania at no cost to the taxpayer.”  Since public funds were contributed this appears to be an inaccurate statement.  Having sat through the last several Shade Tree Commission meetings, I can attest to the fact that taxpayers were treated very poorly when they approached the Shade Tree Commission for financial help with shade tree problems.  Taxpayers were repeatedly told there was no money to aid them with tree problems.  This cavalier attitude left homeowners to make choices like paying their property taxes or having a problem tree removed.  I would say there was certainly a “cost” to the taxpayer.  Trees Inc. had money available but refused to help residents claiming if we help you we will have to help everyone and then all the money will be gone.  Did it ever occur to anyone to raise more money???  Fundraising should have been a continuous process thereby ensuring adequate money was available to maintain thousands of street trees.  Again, what went on between 1988 and 2003???

Like the Shade Tree Commission, it would seem there is no longer a need for Trees Inc.  Taxpayer money was given to Trees Inc. so unless Mr. Hylton can produce an itemized list showing specifically what the $104,970 was used for, he should give the remaining Trees Inc. money back to the people of Pottstown for the establishment of a tree fund.  We are a financially challenged community, so do the right thing Mr. Hylton.