The CDC Director weighs in on his own conduct

Just an short excerpt from Mr. Cassidy's "shrimp boiled in beer" posing of July 24, 2008:



it was not without controversy and problems. some contractor whistled the three stooges theme every time i walked by his site for about a week...i did nothing and kept moving but them it got too much when they yelled stuff like is he a boy or girl...hey honey. i did confront...got a little verbal with him and he made a mistake in throwing a punch which hit me in the forehead...i hit him in the stomach and he doubled over...his workers were stunned...they just sat there and looked with their mouths open because this guy had a big bark...hit him in the nose with my knee when he was doubled over and whipped out my member and pissed in him. told him to notice i did not have to squat.

To read it all, go here

An 'authoritative' hour

The newly-created Phoenixville Parking Authority held its initial meeting Wednesday evening, July 9th. The five Authority members were joined by Borough Manager Krack and CDC Director Cassidy.

The one-hour meeting proceeded in a measured and businesslike manner. After introductions of the members, the discussion moved to a review of the 2004 “Parking Study Report,” Borough parking issues generally, on-street and off-street parking, downtown and neighborhood parking issues, and a possible parking garage. The Authority also plans more frequent future meetings and the active solicitation of public input. The members noted that, somewhat to their surprise, their task included all parking in the Borough, not just the downtown.

The funding sources for a downtown garage include potential federal, state, and county grants totaling $7.8–$8 million, according to Cassidy. Also, he suggested that a private donation of the land for a garage may be in the offing. The value of that donation would be used as the local match.

The Authority appears to realize that it has no current Borough appropriation or staff and that it will need to develop its own funding ability.

Anyone wanting an emailed mostly-complete copy of the 2004 parking study can email me at

morechickencacciatore@yahoo.com

Please put “parking study” in the subject line.

The urge to be urgent

Skip Lawrence suggests in his recent column that the Council should rapidly approve $5,000 toward the costs of moving the “Phoenix Pherris” wheel from Asbury Park to Kimberton for restoration. His reason for the supposed urgency: “there might just be other bidders for purchase.”

Of course, neither Mr. Lawrence nor anyone else suggests that there are really any other competing buyers. Nor does he enlighten us on how long the wheel has lain disused and rusting on the ground in Asbury Park. But, merely the imagined possibility of another buyer makes this an urgent decision, one for which time must be ‘compressed’ and, thus, judgment suspended.

Ms. Cohen told Council that the total project cost was about $152,000: $50,000 for the purchase, the rest for transportation and restoration. She also advised that she had a commitment for $25,000 toward the purchase price and that the seller was allowing the purchasers eighteen months to come up with the $25,000 balance.

One might well ask what competition there is to buy the wheel if the seller is willing to defer half the price for a year and a half interest-free.

One might also ask why Ms. Cohen wants or needs to move the wheel before it's been paid for. Is it her plan to refurbish the wheel first, before it’s fully paid, just to create more intense pressure to provide funding of the purchase price?

Has Ms. Cohen suggested where the wheel will go when it’s done? On whose land? Who will own it, secure it, maintain it? Until there is a more complete and coherent plan, there is no public urgency at all.

Oh council

With apologies to Walt Whitman

Oh Council, my Council, the meeting’s nearly done
Agenda long and tedious, and midnight’s almost come
The end is clear, adjournment near, the video is ending
Members clear out to go on home, it is too late for drinking

But oh town! Town! Town!
Oh precious burg of mine
The new motions that they have passed
Will haunt us for all time

Oh Council, my Council, rise up and do your jobs
Put on a tie and suit jacket and try not to be slobs
For you the public did elect, for government they’re yearning
But you’re not paid a salary, and nought you full are earning

Hear Council, our Council
This town around you sits
While you stay here and legislate
In awful starts and fits

My Council does not answer, it remains pale and still
My Council does not feel my vote, perhaps it never will
The Borough’s headed for the rocks, the Council couldn’t care
The Council presses claptrap, of facts it’s unaware

Arise arise oh public
And call your councilmen
Or else our Borough all too soon
Will sink into the fen

Hope for council

"Monkeys Think, Moving Artificial Arm as Own" -- headline in The New York Times, May 29th.

Feenick's Wocky

With apologies to Lewis Carroll


In Feenick’s Ville the slithy toves
Do gyre and gimble down Bridge Street
Out before the sea-di-sea
With pony tails replete

Beware the kas-e-dee my son
The pen that writes initials bad
Beware the skip-er-do’s reports
That obscure the facts so sad

He took the Phoenix in his hand
Hard with it he batted back
He blogged a bit for some relief
And watched the mural crack

And as in drunken daze he stood
Outside his fav’rite Bridge Street bar
Authority came upon him quick
“Garage for parking cars!”

One two one two and through and through
A fan that heats and then ignites
A house or two go up in smoke
Such things do give us frights

And has thou managed yet to get
All Feenick’s Ville’s good public dough
Oh frabjous day, Calloh Callay
They are such fools you know

$35,196.69 per space

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on May 9th that the new garage at Main and Cherry Streets in Norristown has 483 spaces and cost $17 million.

You are welcome to check my math.