Parkesburg Yesterday

Here's a video of candidate Barack Obama's whistle (almost) stop in Parkesburg during the Pennsylvania Primary in May of 2008.

Following his visit to Parkesburg, Obama went on to lose the Pennsylvania primary to Hillary Clinton. 

In the end however, he captured the Democratic nomination at that party's August convention in Denver and eventually the Presidency in November's general election, winning convincing majorities in Parkesburg, Chester County and Pennsylvania in the process.

The next presidential election in 2012 promises to be a spirited debate between the now President Obama and his yet-to-be-determined worthy Republican opponent.

Lets hope both candidates find their way to our town during the campaign and maybe, just maybe, find a few minutes on their busy schedules to actually stop and speak to their Parkesburg friends and supporters.

Area Swimmer's Relay Team Wins

Congratulations to Cierra Runge, a freshman at Octorara High School, for swimming to the USA Swimming Relay Women's 50 Freestyle championship.  Cierra now qualifies for the USS Senior National Championships that will be held in August.

Read more about Cierra on her Facebook page or get her fastest times here.

An Editorial

Dwight D. Eisenhower (R), 34th President

Left, Right And Time

By Andrew Sullivan 

 

I suffer, it seems, from an affliction that bedevils many. I now find myself largely opposed to most Republicans and in favor of a Democratic president as an even tempered pragmatist. But I have not reimagined myself as a leftist. Others have, of course, but I wince a little every time. Take the issue of taxes - and you see where the right-left paradigm is totally insufficient to the occasion.

Income tax rates are now lower than they were under Ronald Reagan and far lower than they were under Eisenhower. And yet it has become a [Conservative] non-negotiable that no taxes can be raised at all on anyone, let alone the beneficiaries of the last thirty years - and those who differ must be "leftists" - even when the US is facing debt of historic and dangerous proportions.

Someone advocating what Eisenhower was perfectly comfortable with would be regarded by the Republican right today as a communist. And yet, of course, Eisenhower was emphatically not a Communist, whatever the John Birch society believed. In retrospect, he might even be seen as the most successful small-c conservative of the 20th century. (This was indeed Paul Johnson's take in Modern Times.)

Similarly, those who view Obama as some kind of radical have to come to terms with what Glenn Greenwald spells out here:

Since Obama was inaugurated, the Dow Jones has increased more than 50% -- from 8,000 to more than 12,000; the wealthiest recieved a massive tax cut; the top marginal tax rate was three times less than during the Eisenhower years and substantially lower than during the Reagan years; income and wealth inequality are so vast and rising that it is easily at Third World levels; meanwhile, "the share of U.S. taxes paid by corporations has fallen from 30 percent of federal revenue in the 1950s to 6.6 percent in 2009."

Conservatism cannot be defined as whatever is the most extreme right-wing narrative of the moment. Time matters. Conservatism needs to be flexible enough a governing philosophy to be able to correct for conservative ideology itself. When such an ideology threatens fiscal balance, a prudent foreign policy, and a thriving middle class, it has become the enemy of real conservatism, not its friend.

Quarry Development Halted

The 320 unit housing development slated for the 52 acre parcel behind the Parke Mansion and Brandywine Quarry on Route 10 at the east end of Main Street has hit a snag.

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The developer, Provident Homes Corporation of West Chester, announced the project in 2004 by bringing together three area property owners into a single land development partnership.

From its inception Provident Homes representatives, led by project manager Randy White, worked closely with borough, county and state officials to meet and exceed ever evolving code and zoning ordinances.

Provident Homes offered the borough many concessions along the way in response to concern borough officials had about specific aspects of their plans for the site.  For instance Provident Homes agreed to plant twice as many trees on the site as were required by statue and pay the borough $1,000 per townhouse upon settlement.

Pennsylvania's state transportation agency, PennDOT was involved throughout the approval process given both access roads emptied on to Route 10, a state road.  Numerous traffic studies were done by PennDOT culminating with the agency agreeing to place a traffic light at the Main Street and Route 10 intersection, a frustrating and dangerous intersection for drivers turning north on to Route 10 from Main Street.

Having received the local and state approvals required to move forward, the company and had hoped to begin excavating the site as early as next month and start construction on the project's first wave of townhouses this summer.

Instead, Provident Homes will shelve their plans anticipate removing their sales trailer and taking down the big white sign (pictured above) within the next several weeks.

Yard Waste Pickup Begins Next Monday

The Borough of Parkesburg will begin their weekly yard waste pickup next Monday, April 4th.

Residents are asked to place their yard waste at the curb using containers or biodegradable bags - NO PLASTIC TRASH BAGS.

Also no plastic or other trash can be mixed in.  Soil, dirt and rocks are also verbotten.


Contact Wendy Keegan at Borough Hall (610.857.2616) for more information.

Octorara Budget Challenge - Update

"The only person who likes change is a wet baby."  

So begins Ellen Brown in her Octorara Report blog as she describers Wednesday evening's parents budget meeting at the Middle School.

Ellen mixes parent comments with her own editorial slant to offer a realistic assessment of the district's budget challenges.

The bottom line according to Ellen: "It will be OK."

Read more here.

What's Happening At The Library

According to the Daily Local and the library's own web site, Parkesburg Free Library on West Street hosts several family-friendly activities each month including:

• An Adult Book Discussion on the first Monday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM.

• A Poetry Group that reads and discusses poetry meets every third Saturday at 10 AM in Westminster Place Community Room at 320 West 1st Ave., Parkesburg. Those interested in participating should call Jeffrey Bullock at 484-321-1630 for more info.

• PAWS for Reading lets kids improve their reading skills by reading to a friendly dog. Parents can sign up for a 15 minute session every Tuesday 5-6 PM, Thursdays April 7th, 21st, or May 5th or 19th from 6-7 PM.

• A group for anyone interested in knitting or any other handiwork, from beginner to advanced, meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month for an hour or two beginning at 6:00 PM.

• Music with Sue leads kids with guitar through song and dance.  The activity happens from 10:45 to 11:30 AM on the first Thursdays of every month and costs $3.00 per child/$5 per family.  Parents are asked to register their child at library. 

Find out more about library activities by visiting their website here.

Parkesburg Yesterday

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By Gerry Treadway

The Parkesburg Opera House at the corner of First Avenue and West Street was built in 1915 and quickly became the gathering spot for the latest Hollywood release, local theatrical productions and community gatherings.

Many well known movies including Gone With The Wind and Yankee Doodle Dandy were shown at the Opera House as were movies starring Bob Hope, Gregory Peck, John Wayne, Roy Rodgers and some obscure actor named Ronald Reagan.

The back end of the Opera House was torn down in 1958 when a snow storm collapsed the roof.

Today the front portion of the Opera House serves as the dental office for the father and son team of Dr. John and Dirk Hagen.

Rocco and Anna's By A Slice

The people of Parkesburg prefer Rocco and Anna's pizza over Pizza Villas' or Pasquale's by a vote count thinner than a slice of pepperoni.

In a poll started a week ago and ending last night at midnight, 22 Parkesburg Today's readers indicated they preferred pizza from the Main Street eatery to 20 readers who voted for Pizza Villa.  Only nine readers voted for Pasquale's.

So what keeps R&A and Pizza Villa neck-and-neck in the hearts and stomachs of Parkesburg Today readers?

Weigh in by leaving a comment on why one vendor or another got your vote.

Who Makes the Best Pizza In Parkesburg? - You Decide

Just a few hours remain in the race to name Parkesburg's top pizza maker.

Over in the upper right hand corner of the blog, Parkesburg Today is asking readers to name their favorite pizza pie maker in Parkesburg.

As of 7:58 Friday morning, Rocco and Anna's has a slight lead (1 vote).

You may have a different opinion.  Let your voice be heard.  Vote now!

Alene McDermott Memorial Scholarship Fund Raiser

ALFEST 2011

May 7, 2011

Festival: bands, food, and fun

Gap VFW
4498 Lincoln Highway, Gap, PA  17527
12pm-10pm, Rain or Shine

For tickets to the May 7th festival, please email
Annie Straley or Dinah Farr

Visit Alene McDermott Memorial web site.

Parkesburg Point's Annual Banquet Slated for April 2nd

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Phillipians 4:8

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Read more about the Point's great ministry on their new website.

Police Nab Two In Brutal Stabbing

Parkesburg police apprehended two men believed to be responsible for stabbing a 23-year-old male in the head and then stealing a large amount of cash from the victim.

Police arrested Adolfo Ramos, 28, and Agustin Perez-Chilen, 22, both of Avondale, for allegedly stabbing the victim and then robbing him of $500 just before 11 p.m. Tuesday on First Street at Avondale Apartments, according to Parkesburg Police Chief Brian Sheller.

Read the entire article in The Daily Local.

Free Community Breakfast

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The Poor Tax Payers of Octorara

Ever wonder why property taxes are so high in Octorara compared to more affluent areas of the county like West Chester and Unionville?

One fact, amongst many, presented by district business manager Dan Carsley at Monday night's School Board meeting tells the entire story.

Here it is.  One Mill in the Octorara Area School District generates $665,464 of revenue for the district to use to fund the public school system.  

In West Chester School District, roughly 20 miles to the east of Octorara, that same Mill generates $8,207,667 in revenue for that district's classrooms, an 1,100% difference.  

Eleven hundred percent!  Hard to believe.

What that means is one, any school board candidate that tells you the reason why property taxes in Parkesburg are high is because school district spending is out of control, hasn't done their homework and is misleading you. 

Two, the only sure way of lowering your property taxes is to buy a nice house in an affluent district closer to the city.   

To read other news from Monday night's school board meeting check out Ellen Brown's informative Octorara Report.

Truck Driver's Folly Shuts Culvert

A truck driver's stupidity and ineptness Monday evening damaged the Amtrak bridge over Culvert Avenue and forced the Borough to close Culvert between Main and First for several hours Tuesday afternoon.

Seeking to avoid the light at 10 and 372, the tractor trailer driver took a short cut down Main.  Turning left on Culvert, the driver, who's mental capacity was not as current as all his licenses, attempted to maneuver his 11' 6" rig under the 11' Amtrak bridge over Culvert.

It didn't fit.

The foolhardy move damaged the steel beam on the side of the bridge closest to First Avenue.

Repair to the damaged beam was schedule to be completed Tuesday afternoon.

The trucking company's insurance is covering the cost of the repair to the bridge.

Council Pays The Bills

A list of the bills Borough Council approved for payment during Monday evening's council meeting:

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And the rest of the list:

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March 21st Council Meeting Notes

BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG

COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

March 21, 2011

7:00 P.M.

Call to Order ...........Charles Persch Conducting

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call – Mel Keel, Kathleen Rick not present

Approval of Agenda – agenda approved with no changes

Review and Approval of Minutes of the February 21, 2011 Regular Council Meeting  - Minutes approved

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer’s report read and approved, pending correction.  Must be edited.  Wendy Keegan was uncertain of a number in the report.

Approval of Bills – A copy of the list of bills to be paid was not available for pickup at the beginning of the meeting. Jim Thomas stated it was because of the Freedom of Information act.  Solicitor Carnes said such documents could be made available at councils discretion.  Standard practice is to release documents 5 days after council meeting.   

Public Comments (Agenda Items Only)

Ken Knickerbocker commented on the bills not being released

Department Reports:

Police Chief’s Report .................. Brian Sheller

523 incidents during February, a .5% reduction over the previous month. $26,488 in receipts

There was an accident at the Culvert Street underpass.  A truck got stuck and may have damaged the bridge.  Culvert street bridge will be closed on Tuesday afternoon to allow a damage assessment and repairs by iron workers.

Fire Chief’s Report ...................... Richard Klingler

Chief Richie Klinger – Fire Company report - 21 calls, with an average 9 minute and 11 second response.

Ambulance Report – 68 calls with 32 transport and 36 scratches where the company was unable to respond

Councilperson Persch asked if scratches are getting better or worse? Chief Klinger responded that it wasn’t clear.  Exploring options.  Most scratches are during the day when we don’t have staff.

Engineer’s Report ................... Mendi Lowe

The report is in the packet council receives and not available to the public

Zoning Officer’s Report ........... ARRO Consulting

The report is in the packet council receives and not available to the public

Building Code Official’s Report ... John Coldiron

The report is in the packet council receives and not available to the public

Manager’s Report ....................James Thomas

State street – design for the curbs have not been approved by PennDot.  Hunt is working on it.  Pushing to get an answer asap.

Received a letter regarding the Planning Commission from borough resident.  Jim Thomas will share the letter with council.

John Carnes will cover a couple of topics in his report, I’ll add color.

Public Works Report ................. Melinda Keen

937 miles driven, a lot of snow miles            

Starting yard waste first Monday in April

Fire Marshal’s Report ................ Raymond Stackhouse

Ray Stackhouse is not present

Mayor’s Report .......................... John P. Hagan, II

Mayor Hagan is not present

PABA .......................................... Eric Jamison

No report

Solicitor’s Report ....................... John S. Carnes, Jr.

Knoll Development, Chetty portion.  Chetty will address the storm water issue.  His excavator will put in the foundation.  Weather will allow him to start as early as this week.  Lien for $15,000.  Chetty is offering to pay $9,000+ of the lien.  Carnes told him to file a grievance.  The borough manager and Borough Council will review.

Davis Tract – moving forward

Crystal Springs – The developer filed for chapter 11, plans to reorganization, borough manager will review and file any claims against the developers.

Police Contract – We received comments back from our labor council, reviewed the changes this evening and will be reaching out to the police to schedule a meeting to review the desired changes.

Amtrak – West Bridge Street.  Discussed in detail how to get West Bridge Street back on track.  Further communication between Borough Engineer Jeff Hunt and Amtrak.   Hunt needs funds from PennDot to do the required work.  A scope document from Norfolk Southern.  The Borough is ready to move forward on the Amtrak agreement.  NS Railroad did issue an agreement whereby they want the borough to pay for their engineering expenses to bring the scope document up to speed $15,680 at $100 per hour and additional administrative fees.  There’s money in the budget to do this and the item is on tonight's agenda.  John Carnes is also working on the temporary easements needed from nearby residents to move the project forward.  Jim Thomas mentioned he was impressed with the meeting between Chester County officials, Amtrak and the Borough.  Chester County is focused on the Borough.  We have the right people at the table from Amtrak.  Everyone is thinking through what can be done to fast track the project.  Chester County officials are quarterbacking to push the project forward.

Meeting on Tuesday (3/22) with Amtrak to discuss improvements to train station platforms, handicapped access, parking lot paving, etc.

Unfinished Business

New Business

• West Bridge Street Bridge - Agreement for Preliminary Engineering

review Services with Norfolk Southern Railway Company

$15,680 cost, we do need to put this in place.  Request the council act on it tonight.  Sharon Wolf asked about the grand total $17,680.  Reviewed and approved by council.

Committee Reports:

Parks Recreation ........................Kathleen Rick


No Report

Progress Development ...............Sharon Wolf

Had a review meeting for the zoning revisions.  Grafton Associates is making the changes.  Next meeting scheduled for 4/12 at 7PM to review changes, review draft.

Streets and Property ............................ Melinda Keen

We’ll be filling some pot holes in the coming weeks

Finance ......................................... Charles Persch

We have nothing to report at this time

Police Fire ..................................... Charles Persch

Consolidation committee is recommending that consultants be hired for 4500

Library Board Representative ........Melinda Keen

No report

Emergency Management Coordinator ......... Richard Irwin

Homeless survey done in January

Volunteer roster requested.  Handled by the police

A hazardous action plan for trucks and trains being developed, hope to have a draft by the end of June

Public Comments

Bev Ely –stated it was sad to see all the empty storefront.  New Market – Seawell’s Market.  Everything there you would need for dinner.  Saturday is the grand opening. 

Bakery possible on Main Street according to Chuck Persch

Council Comments

Mark Agen - Congrats to Octorara's boys basketball.  Nice to see so many people from Parkesburg at the game supporting the teams.

New Business – a tanning salon on Main Street

Comcast - Channel 965

Verizon requires sophisticated equipment, too expensive and more than we need.

Adjournment

Scheduled Public Meetings:

Committee Time Date Location

Parks & Recreation 6:00 p.m.   Monday,  April 4, 2011  at Borough Hall

Progress 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2011  at Borough Hall

Streets & Property 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2011 at Borough Hall

Finance 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Borough Hall

Fire & Police 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Borough Hall

PABA 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Borough Hall

2011 Scheduled Council Meetings:

April 18th

May 16th

June 20th

July 18th

August 22nd

September 19th

October 17th

November 21st

December 19th