ARRRRGGGGHHHH!
No, this is not write like a silly editor day. But with Barack Obama scheduled to appear at the Paoli and Downingtown train stations today, I expect the Editor of The Phoenix will write something like this:
Are you frustrated that Phoenixville is having another brush with presidential politics that is ending up with, again, a candidate ALMOST coming to Phoenixville.
Okay, it was great that Barack Obama will appear today at the Paoli and Downingtown train stations.
But he should have come here! What stopped him?
A TRAIN STATION, or, rather, reportedly, the lack of one.
Local gossip Dementia Blabberer said that she heard from the cousin of a great-aunt of a daughter-in-law of a friend of an Obama campaign worker that Obama was originally scheduled to ride the Schuylkill Valley Metro to Phoenixville, but changed plans when the campaign discovered that it didn't exist.
No, I'm not saying that we should build a multi-million dollar rail line just for an occasional campaign stop by a political candidate, but it is certainly as good an economic justification as anything else that's been put forward.
Lack of train service in Phoenixville can be an extreme inconvenience.
Phoenixville can use some good publicity and it's sad that yet another chance for a quick headline in the dying local paper is gone, perhaps forever.
But the train problem is more enduring and has broader implications than the occasional loss of bright opportunities like these.
Without a train line, it’s impossible to measure just how many people live on the right side of the tracks. But it’s known that some people do, because they tell us so.
That means lost status and self-esteem, sometimes not just for a day, but permanently.
I don't know whether Phoenixville should establish a Transportation Authority to handle the problem, or just set up a Transportation Department along with other borough offices. I’ve heard arguments on both sides.
But SOMEBODY needs to start building a train station downtown, or close to it, and soon. For special events at the high school or Reeves Park, organizers could set up a shuttle service using tumbrels, which is way easier to do from one central location like a train station.
'nuf said.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Clamor yes; answers, no.
“For Phoenixville pride, and for Phoenixville pocketbooks: Push Parking!”–Patricia Matson of The Phoenix.
I am reminded of the quote that ran in The Phoenix May 10, 2007:
“ ‘Get us our garage ...’ said Ken Beard of Jaworski’s Music.”
What I suggested to Mr. Beard at that time is reproduced below. Not Mr. Beard, Ms. Matson, Mr. Lawrence, nor anyone on the Council or the CDC has yet put forward in public any answers.
Dear Mr. Beard:
Thank you for your order to Garages ‘R Us. In order for us to process your order, please fill in the following information in our order form:
1. Size of garage (number of spaces): _________
2. Price per space: ____________
3. Base construction cost (1 x 2) = ___________
4. Land acquisition cost: ____________
5. Administration, miscellaneous costs: ________
6. Total price (3 + 4 + 5): ________________
7. How will you be paying for your new garage:_________________ (i.e., cash, credit, yours or someone else’s).
8. Will parking be free or will a parking fee be charged? _____
9. Estimated fee ___________, estimated occupancy ________, estimated fees collected (per month or year) _______________.
10. What are the estimated operating costs for your new garage: _______________/year.
11. How will you pay the operating costs: _______________
12. If you are financing your garage, what are the estimated payments (principal and interest) per year: _______________
13. How will you pay the principal and interest: _________________
14. Do the estimated fees cover the estimated operating, capital, and financing costs?
We look forward to receiving your completed order.
Cordially,
Garages ‘R Us
I am reminded of the quote that ran in The Phoenix May 10, 2007:
“ ‘Get us our garage ...’ said Ken Beard of Jaworski’s Music.”
What I suggested to Mr. Beard at that time is reproduced below. Not Mr. Beard, Ms. Matson, Mr. Lawrence, nor anyone on the Council or the CDC has yet put forward in public any answers.
Dear Mr. Beard:
Thank you for your order to Garages ‘R Us. In order for us to process your order, please fill in the following information in our order form:
1. Size of garage (number of spaces): _________
2. Price per space: ____________
3. Base construction cost (1 x 2) = ___________
4. Land acquisition cost: ____________
5. Administration, miscellaneous costs: ________
6. Total price (3 + 4 + 5): ________________
7. How will you be paying for your new garage:_________________ (i.e., cash, credit, yours or someone else’s).
8. Will parking be free or will a parking fee be charged? _____
9. Estimated fee ___________, estimated occupancy ________, estimated fees collected (per month or year) _______________.
10. What are the estimated operating costs for your new garage: _______________/year.
11. How will you pay the operating costs: _______________
12. If you are financing your garage, what are the estimated payments (principal and interest) per year: _______________
13. How will you pay the principal and interest: _________________
14. Do the estimated fees cover the estimated operating, capital, and financing costs?
We look forward to receiving your completed order.
Cordially,
Garages ‘R Us
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
What is cheaper than The Phoenix?
Looking for something cheaper than The Phoenix.
Try stock in the Journal Register Company, which owns The Phoenix.
Trading at $0.24 this morning (April 8th, 2008).
Try stock in the Journal Register Company, which owns The Phoenix.
Trading at $0.24 this morning (April 8th, 2008).
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Phebruary in Phoenixville
Go to the Borough's OFFICIAL website.
Click on "Calendar."
Yes, it's still Phebruary in Phoenixville.
Ever wonder what year it might be?
No meeting minutes yet, but the all important Easter Egg hunt is still on for March 15th. (Oops, it's April 2.)
Click on "Calendar."
Yes, it's still Phebruary in Phoenixville.
Ever wonder what year it might be?
No meeting minutes yet, but the all important Easter Egg hunt is still on for March 15th. (Oops, it's April 2.)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Klaatu barada nikto
Go to Phoenixville's homepage.
Click on "calendar."
Watch February's calendar appear.
Remind yourself that it's March 20th.
I can't wait for the saucer to land in Reeves Park.
Gort, where are you now that we need you?
Click on "calendar."
Watch February's calendar appear.
Remind yourself that it's March 20th.
I can't wait for the saucer to land in Reeves Park.
Gort, where are you now that we need you?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Ignorance is no excuse
Willful ignorance is even less of an excuse.
Other than Councilman Buckwalter, who has attended numerous courses and has been designated as a Certified Borough Official, have any of the present Council Members, either newly-elected or incumbent, ever taken any of the courses to inform themselves about their responsibilities as Borough officials?
For $150 and two days of their precious time, Council Members could have taken the "Newly Elected Borough Officials" course, which was offered on February 15th and 16th in Media or March 7th and 8th in Fort Washington.
Ask your Council Member what he has done to learn about what he ought to be doing.
Ask your Council Member exactly how much longer he intends to remain willfully ignorant about the job to which you elected him.
Other than Councilman Buckwalter, who has attended numerous courses and has been designated as a Certified Borough Official, have any of the present Council Members, either newly-elected or incumbent, ever taken any of the courses to inform themselves about their responsibilities as Borough officials?
For $150 and two days of their precious time, Council Members could have taken the "Newly Elected Borough Officials" course, which was offered on February 15th and 16th in Media or March 7th and 8th in Fort Washington.
Ask your Council Member what he has done to learn about what he ought to be doing.
Ask your Council Member exactly how much longer he intends to remain willfully ignorant about the job to which you elected him.
Give us a reason. . . how about a good reason
It's March 16th. The Borough's now-official website still doesn't carry a single set of minutes for this year.
There must certainly be a reason.
The problem is that there's no good reason.
Why should Phoenixville tolerate more government in secret?
There is, however, a link to a really important piece of government business: an Easter egg hunt.
Call your Council Member
Henry Wagner (Council President) 484-363-4956
Michael Handwerk (Assistant Borough Secretary) 610-933-0309
Carlos Ciruelos 610-415-1370
Michael Speck 610-933-5499
Richard Kirkner (Council Vice President) 610-935-1397
Jeffrey Senley 610-935-2227
David Gill 610-935-1198
Kendrick Buckwalter 610-933-8106
There must certainly be a reason.
The problem is that there's no good reason.
Why should Phoenixville tolerate more government in secret?
There is, however, a link to a really important piece of government business: an Easter egg hunt.
Call your Council Member
Henry Wagner (Council President) 484-363-4956
Michael Handwerk (Assistant Borough Secretary) 610-933-0309
Carlos Ciruelos 610-415-1370
Michael Speck 610-933-5499
Richard Kirkner (Council Vice President) 610-935-1397
Jeffrey Senley 610-935-2227
David Gill 610-935-1198
Kendrick Buckwalter 610-933-8106
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