From the BCCT.
First off, congrats and good wishes to Councilman Albertson.
Now let's check the box scores:
* Dems 6, GOP 2 (a big swing from the GOP control of a few months ago)
* Council 3, PJRP 0 (this most recent defeat for PJRP might be better to call a forfeit since the plans were withdrawn. Anyone know the scoop on that?)
* Citizens: zero tax relief (let's hope Councilman Albertson can help turn that around. Can we afford to wait another year to sweep out the do-nothing council?)
Memo to the Dems: The GOP may have ruled the roost for many previous years, but you're in charge now. If you don't get your collective act together and get new life in this town, you'll be tagged with the error on the play and be relegated back to minority status.
P.S.: Go Phils!
Council appoints Democrat to fill vacant seat
The Morrisville Borough Council appointed Democrat Edward Albertson to fill a council seat left vacant last month by Republican George Bolos.
Albertson, who works for the Public Service Enterprise Group energy company in New Jersey, Monday night edged out Fred Kerner, vice chairman of the Morrisville Democratic Club, for the Third Ward council seat in a 4-3 vote.
Council Democrats Eileen Dreisbach and Rita Ledger, as well as Republicans Jane Burger and Stephen Worob voted to nominate Albertson. Democrats Nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta and David Rivella voted for Kerner, who works in the mail room at Rider University.
The face of the eight-member board is now made up of six Democrats and two Republicans.
Albertson was sworn in by District Judge Michael Burns. He shook hands with his new colleagues and took his seat behind the council’s dais.
Bolos resigned last month because he moved to Virginia with his family.
In other business Monday night, the council unanimously denied preliminary plans for an office building at East Bridge Street and North Delmorr Avenue that was developer Penn Jersey Real Properties’ second attempt of sorts for a Morrisville Gateway Center.
The controversial Gateway Center proposal was killed in May by a lack of council support. A month later, Penn Jersey proposed an office building that was less than half the size of the Gateway Center proposal.
The council denied the second project because Penn Jersey withdrew its plans, officials said.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching Penn Jersey officials for comment.
Showing posts with label Gateway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gateway. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Morning After
It seems pretty fitting that the front page of the BCCT this morning portrays Morrisville so similarly in two completely unrelated stories. Morrisville this morning awakens to find that it is nothing more than a dump. It's a place where dead bodies are dumped for convenience, and it's a place where progress goes to die.
R.I.P. Gateway. I doubt that most other developers would have stayed around long enough to endure the abuse that PJP has taken for the past two years. That building should be ready to rent by now. Instead the community that should have celebrated the new business remains sitting there in the quiet dead splendor of a long interred and long forgotten cemetery. A place where nothing ever happens. And nothing ever will. There's Morrisville's ignominious future. Graveyard to the region.
Remember the names of the council members who want Morrisville to remain dead: David Rivella, Rita Ledger, Kathryn Panzitta, Jane Burger, Steven Worob, Eileen Dreisbach.
All six of you: What's next? Like your brethren on the school board, what are you doing now to improve Morrisville?
R.I.P. Gateway. I doubt that most other developers would have stayed around long enough to endure the abuse that PJP has taken for the past two years. That building should be ready to rent by now. Instead the community that should have celebrated the new business remains sitting there in the quiet dead splendor of a long interred and long forgotten cemetery. A place where nothing ever happens. And nothing ever will. There's Morrisville's ignominious future. Graveyard to the region.
Remember the names of the council members who want Morrisville to remain dead: David Rivella, Rita Ledger, Kathryn Panzitta, Jane Burger, Steven Worob, Eileen Dreisbach.
All six of you: What's next? Like your brethren on the school board, what are you doing now to improve Morrisville?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Gateway Vote Tonight. Call your council member.
Below is an email I received from Dan Jones, the developer of the Gateway project. While it was not asked of me to forward this, I believe it is important for everyone to understand the level of commitment Mr. Jones has for the project and for Morrisville.
Call your council member and let them know you want the Gateway project to continue.
Ladies and gentlemen –
Monday evening, May 19, 2008, 7:30 PM will be a pivotal and historic moment for the Borough of Morrisville. Don’t miss it.
After two years, the Borough Council will vote “yes or no” on the Gateway Center. I truly believe that a “yes” vote will mean a historic turning point for the Borough. But it will only happen if those who support the project are at the meeting.
Attend Monday night’s meeting. If you feel comfortable speaking at the public comment, do so and make a difference. If you do not feel comfortable speaking, cheer on those that do, and make a difference.
For the first time in two years the goal line is in sight. Be a part of this historic moment. In five years when you look at a wonderfully transformed Bridge Street, be able to smile and say,” I was there and I made a difference.”
Thanks to all for their continued support of the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Dan Jones
Penn Jersey Real Properties, LLC
56 E. Bridge Street, Suite One
Morrisville, PA 19067
(267) 799-4481 (O)
(267) 799-4482 (F)
danieljones@pennjerseyproperties.com
And another letter I received
Tonight at Boro Hall, council will be voting to show their interest (or lack of) in continuing to move forward with the Gateway project. Please come out and support this project and consider speaking at the mic. As many of us are busy with our daily lives, if you can't make the meeting, please call your ward officials and the ones outside of your ward too.
This will be the night when the naysayers will be strong. Don't let them outvoice us and allow them to force us to be silent once more. If you have never spoken before, now is especially your time to speak up. The more different faces and voices we have only show the support is larger than the usual suspects (on both sides of the fence).
Meeting starts at 7:30. Interviews for the Economic Development Council begin at 7:00.
Phone numbers to call:
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Ward 2: Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Ward 2: Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
Ward 3: George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Ward 3: Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Ward 1: Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Ward 1: Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
Ward 4: David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Ward 4: Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Call your council member and let them know you want the Gateway project to continue.
Ladies and gentlemen –
Monday evening, May 19, 2008, 7:30 PM will be a pivotal and historic moment for the Borough of Morrisville. Don’t miss it.
After two years, the Borough Council will vote “yes or no” on the Gateway Center. I truly believe that a “yes” vote will mean a historic turning point for the Borough. But it will only happen if those who support the project are at the meeting.
Attend Monday night’s meeting. If you feel comfortable speaking at the public comment, do so and make a difference. If you do not feel comfortable speaking, cheer on those that do, and make a difference.
For the first time in two years the goal line is in sight. Be a part of this historic moment. In five years when you look at a wonderfully transformed Bridge Street, be able to smile and say,” I was there and I made a difference.”
Thanks to all for their continued support of the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Dan Jones
Penn Jersey Real Properties, LLC
56 E. Bridge Street, Suite One
Morrisville, PA 19067
(267) 799-4481 (O)
(267) 799-4482 (F)
danieljones@pennjerseyproperties.com
And another letter I received
Tonight at Boro Hall, council will be voting to show their interest (or lack of) in continuing to move forward with the Gateway project. Please come out and support this project and consider speaking at the mic. As many of us are busy with our daily lives, if you can't make the meeting, please call your ward officials and the ones outside of your ward too.
This will be the night when the naysayers will be strong. Don't let them outvoice us and allow them to force us to be silent once more. If you have never spoken before, now is especially your time to speak up. The more different faces and voices we have only show the support is larger than the usual suspects (on both sides of the fence).
Meeting starts at 7:30. Interviews for the Economic Development Council begin at 7:00.
Phone numbers to call:
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Ward 2: Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Ward 2: Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
Ward 3: George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Ward 3: Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Ward 1: Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Ward 1: Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
Ward 4: David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Ward 4: Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Gateway Vote on Monday
Monday May 19, 2008. 7:30 P.M. at Borough Hall, Union Street.
Borough council to vote on Gateway Center proposal
Developers still need 2,000 square feet of land from the borough for the building to fit.
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
Morrisville’s council has scheduled a vote for Monday on the controversial Morrisville Gateway Center.
Such a motion would not make the project a shoo-in, however. It would simply say that the council likes the concept or it doesn’t. The developer would still have to go through the borough’s regular planning process, officials said.
But Penn Jersey Real Properties needs the borough vote because the project will require some borough-owned land and the developer can’t submit plans for land it doesn’t own.
The proposed Gateway Center on East Bridge Street between North Delmorr and Central avenues, if approved, is expected to bring about 180 jobs to the borough, Penn Jersey’s Dan Jones said. The 49,680-square-foot building would need at least 2,000 square feet of borough-owned land.
The developer would also need an agreement to either purchase or lease another 2 acres of borough land at the south end of Williamson Park for a parking lot, or to build a parking lot for the borough there and then license it from the borough.
The borough council met Tuesday night with the developer and the Morrisville economic development corporation at an agenda meeting, where it agreed to put a motion on next week’s agenda.
“Let’s not drag it out,” said EDC attorney John Warenda. “If you don’t like it, just say no.”
David Truelove, an attorney representing Penn Jersey, asked a similar question: “Do you want it to move forward or not?”
Morrisville’s borough solicitor, James Downey III, urged the council not to vote on anything more than “I like it or I don’t like it.”
On April 14, Morrisville’s EDC and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission came to an agreement of sale for 1 acre of bridge commission land on East Bridge Street, where most of the actual building will be built.
According to the agreement with the bridge commis sion, Penn Jersey needs to submit plans to the borough by mid-June and needs all borough approvals within 180 days after that, EDC officials said. If these restrictions are not met, the agreement is void and the land goes back to the bridge commission.
Some Morrisville residents have praised the proposed center, saying it could assist in Morrisville’s revitalization and bring in more tax money. Opponents are against the developer’s request to buy or lease about 2 acres of unused land at the south end of Williamson Park and are concerned about traffic and environmental issues.
Resident Patricia Schell urged the council not to sell any borough land to Penn Jersey. “If you sell the land, you give someone else control of the land,” she said.
Johanny Manning, a resident and former school board member, said the building would help the community.
“We need that building on that spot,” Manning said.
Morrisville’s regular council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at borough hall, 35 Union St.
Borough council to vote on Gateway Center proposal
Developers still need 2,000 square feet of land from the borough for the building to fit.
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
Morrisville’s council has scheduled a vote for Monday on the controversial Morrisville Gateway Center.
Such a motion would not make the project a shoo-in, however. It would simply say that the council likes the concept or it doesn’t. The developer would still have to go through the borough’s regular planning process, officials said.
But Penn Jersey Real Properties needs the borough vote because the project will require some borough-owned land and the developer can’t submit plans for land it doesn’t own.
The proposed Gateway Center on East Bridge Street between North Delmorr and Central avenues, if approved, is expected to bring about 180 jobs to the borough, Penn Jersey’s Dan Jones said. The 49,680-square-foot building would need at least 2,000 square feet of borough-owned land.
The developer would also need an agreement to either purchase or lease another 2 acres of borough land at the south end of Williamson Park for a parking lot, or to build a parking lot for the borough there and then license it from the borough.
The borough council met Tuesday night with the developer and the Morrisville economic development corporation at an agenda meeting, where it agreed to put a motion on next week’s agenda.
“Let’s not drag it out,” said EDC attorney John Warenda. “If you don’t like it, just say no.”
David Truelove, an attorney representing Penn Jersey, asked a similar question: “Do you want it to move forward or not?”
Morrisville’s borough solicitor, James Downey III, urged the council not to vote on anything more than “I like it or I don’t like it.”
On April 14, Morrisville’s EDC and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission came to an agreement of sale for 1 acre of bridge commission land on East Bridge Street, where most of the actual building will be built.
According to the agreement with the bridge commis sion, Penn Jersey needs to submit plans to the borough by mid-June and needs all borough approvals within 180 days after that, EDC officials said. If these restrictions are not met, the agreement is void and the land goes back to the bridge commission.
Some Morrisville residents have praised the proposed center, saying it could assist in Morrisville’s revitalization and bring in more tax money. Opponents are against the developer’s request to buy or lease about 2 acres of unused land at the south end of Williamson Park and are concerned about traffic and environmental issues.
Resident Patricia Schell urged the council not to sell any borough land to Penn Jersey. “If you sell the land, you give someone else control of the land,” she said.
Johanny Manning, a resident and former school board member, said the building would help the community.
“We need that building on that spot,” Manning said.
Morrisville’s regular council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at borough hall, 35 Union St.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Gateway Discussion at Agenda Meeting Tonight?
I received this email from a trusted source and would like to ask everyone who supports the Gateway projects to contact their borough council members. Let them know you support Gateway and that you expect their affirmative vote in council.
Go to the borough website from the link on the sidebar to the left and find your council members. Let them know you support Morrisville.
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Heard that Gateway will be discussed this evening during the agenda meeting tonight at Boro Hall. Meeting begins at 7:30.
Also heard that a conversation was held with Jane Burger and that Ms. Burger mentioned that she CAN'T think of any reasons to support this project!!!
To put it simply, this could be the end of the Gateway project.
Please make an effort to attend and voice your opinion and call your ward representatives.
Go to the borough website from the link on the sidebar to the left and find your council members. Let them know you support Morrisville.
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Heard that Gateway will be discussed this evening during the agenda meeting tonight at Boro Hall. Meeting begins at 7:30.
Also heard that a conversation was held with Jane Burger and that Ms. Burger mentioned that she CAN'T think of any reasons to support this project!!!
To put it simply, this could be the end of the Gateway project.
Please make an effort to attend and voice your opinion and call your ward representatives.
Friday, May 9, 2008
The State of Apathy
I received an email today that has me absolutely shocked and downright despondent at the same time. I was asked to not provide the specific details, so I've removed some of the information and changed some other items, but the general message is unchanged.
The writer asks for feedback, so let's open it up for discussion.
I have some friends who live in Morrisville. They are young, have no children yet and have lived in town for several years.
We were talking other day, and as it happened, the conversation came around to (OK, I brought it up) the various goings on in town. I wanted to get their views on things.
Much to my shock, they had no idea what was going on. They were vaguely aware of the “build a new school” issue, and asked what side of the fence I was on for that. I mentioned that since it was all but over and the district had moved on to other issues it didn’t matter how I felt. They nodded. They were unaware of the politics, of the infighting, of all the things that your blog and the papers cover.
I asked how they felt about the Gateway center, and about the Stockham building. They were unaware of those issues also. They did mention that they were glad that there was a new restaurant going into the “new building” on Bridge street.
These are intelligent and articulate people who monitor national and state issues.
They are oblivious to local issues.
I just had to shake my head over this. I was aghast.
It got me to thinking, in light of all that has been said about voter turnout, about people from Morrisville making bad choices in leaders and turning a blind eye to issues, that maybe there is a majority of people in this bedroom community, who only look at Morrisville as a place to eat and sleep. That they don’t have a care or interest at all in how the town is run, or where it is headed.
I’d be curious to read your thoughts on this, and to read the thoughts and experiences of others as well.
The writer asks for feedback, so let's open it up for discussion.
I have some friends who live in Morrisville. They are young, have no children yet and have lived in town for several years.
We were talking other day, and as it happened, the conversation came around to (OK, I brought it up) the various goings on in town. I wanted to get their views on things.
Much to my shock, they had no idea what was going on. They were vaguely aware of the “build a new school” issue, and asked what side of the fence I was on for that. I mentioned that since it was all but over and the district had moved on to other issues it didn’t matter how I felt. They nodded. They were unaware of the politics, of the infighting, of all the things that your blog and the papers cover.
I asked how they felt about the Gateway center, and about the Stockham building. They were unaware of those issues also. They did mention that they were glad that there was a new restaurant going into the “new building” on Bridge street.
These are intelligent and articulate people who monitor national and state issues.
They are oblivious to local issues.
I just had to shake my head over this. I was aghast.
It got me to thinking, in light of all that has been said about voter turnout, about people from Morrisville making bad choices in leaders and turning a blind eye to issues, that maybe there is a majority of people in this bedroom community, who only look at Morrisville as a place to eat and sleep. That they don’t have a care or interest at all in how the town is run, or where it is headed.
I’d be curious to read your thoughts on this, and to read the thoughts and experiences of others as well.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Poutpourri for $1000, Alex
Wow. It's nice to be back online. It just goes to show you that virus and trojan applications are not 100% effective 100% of the time. I got a nasty trojan that wreaked the proverbial havoc with my hard drive. While my current puter was down, I was working on an old machine that was state of the art in the early 90s, which is to say, prehistoric. Dialing into AOL via modem for the first time in years was another piece of nostalgia that I did not miss in the least.
I'm working with a new hard drive that has 3x the capacity of my old drive, and since I had actually backed up this farking thing in March, I only lost a little bit of data.
My PSA for the day: If you play online, make sure you play safely. Always use a backup.
I have missed a lot. There was a borough council meeting where Gateway again was a topic of conversation but gained no forward momentum; we had another school board business meeting and ambulance crews were not involved (unless, shhhhh...it was a secret ambulance crew); budget work sessions are coming up; and there's a new solicitor coming to town.
There's a lot of feedback as a result of the mention from Kate Fratti, and maybe we can discuss that as well. Are we the "sour grapes brigade", or are we well and truly pointing out the Emperor sans culottes?
Morrisville: We can do better than this. You need to get up from the front of the TV and get involved. Become educated on the issues and show up at the borough council and school board meetings. Speak your mind, and keep them accountable. Those people up on the dais? Keep in mind they work for you, not the other way around.
I also understand that I've been branded a traitor and a coward by a member of the borough council. Should I be offended or grateful? I'm not sure.
I'll pick up the ball again and be posting more as I sort through items. Please let me know if there are any topics you want discussed as well.
Thank you everyone for your emails of concern and interest. It was really great to see all those emails piled up.
Thank you for the flames as well. The emails delighting in my silence and potential demise were greatly exaggerated and premature. They're also one heck of an incentive.
I'm working with a new hard drive that has 3x the capacity of my old drive, and since I had actually backed up this farking thing in March, I only lost a little bit of data.
My PSA for the day: If you play online, make sure you play safely. Always use a backup.
I have missed a lot. There was a borough council meeting where Gateway again was a topic of conversation but gained no forward momentum; we had another school board business meeting and ambulance crews were not involved (unless, shhhhh...it was a secret ambulance crew); budget work sessions are coming up; and there's a new solicitor coming to town.
There's a lot of feedback as a result of the mention from Kate Fratti, and maybe we can discuss that as well. Are we the "sour grapes brigade", or are we well and truly pointing out the Emperor sans culottes?
Morrisville: We can do better than this. You need to get up from the front of the TV and get involved. Become educated on the issues and show up at the borough council and school board meetings. Speak your mind, and keep them accountable. Those people up on the dais? Keep in mind they work for you, not the other way around.
I also understand that I've been branded a traitor and a coward by a member of the borough council. Should I be offended or grateful? I'm not sure.
I'll pick up the ball again and be posting more as I sort through items. Please let me know if there are any topics you want discussed as well.
Thank you everyone for your emails of concern and interest. It was really great to see all those emails piled up.
Thank you for the flames as well. The emails delighting in my silence and potential demise were greatly exaggerated and premature. They're also one heck of an incentive.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Gateway Meeting Update
Was anyone at the borough meeting last night? How was the Gateway presentation?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Phoenix Rising? Gateway Presentation TONIGHT
Here's a chance to do some good for the entire borough. Come on out TONIGHT! and support the Gateway project. The DRJTBA will sell the needed land to the Morrisville EDC, so Dan Jones can make his long awaited official presentation.
Please come on out and support Dan Jones; Penn Jersey Realty; the Gateway Center; and/or Morrisville. All of them are deserving of your support.
Hi Everyone,
Many of you may be aware that Dan has been working very hard for the last 2 years to get past lots of Morrisville red tape so that he and his partners can build an office building (The Gateway Center) at the foot of the Trenton Makes Bridge. Dan really believes in this project and knows that a structure of this sort in Morrisville would bring good tax relief to the residents and much needed customers to the businesses of Morrisville. This Tuesday evening at 7:30 in the Morrisville Borough Hall Dan will make yet another presentation to the Council. He would LOVE to be able to show community support for this project. So, if any of you who have an interest in the future of Morrisville could attend this meeting Tuesday night it would put a big smile on Dan's face and make a difficult job much easier. The presentation should begin right at 7:30 and take about an hour.
Thanks so much!
Jennifer Jones
Please come on out and support Dan Jones; Penn Jersey Realty; the Gateway Center; and/or Morrisville. All of them are deserving of your support.
Hi Everyone,
Many of you may be aware that Dan has been working very hard for the last 2 years to get past lots of Morrisville red tape so that he and his partners can build an office building (The Gateway Center) at the foot of the Trenton Makes Bridge. Dan really believes in this project and knows that a structure of this sort in Morrisville would bring good tax relief to the residents and much needed customers to the businesses of Morrisville. This Tuesday evening at 7:30 in the Morrisville Borough Hall Dan will make yet another presentation to the Council. He would LOVE to be able to show community support for this project. So, if any of you who have an interest in the future of Morrisville could attend this meeting Tuesday night it would put a big smile on Dan's face and make a difficult job much easier. The presentation should begin right at 7:30 and take about an hour.
Thanks so much!
Jennifer Jones
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Gateway Land Sale Update
Nice to see that Morrisville can appear in the local Trenton newspapers once in a while. Here's a story on the first step of the Gateway project land sale.
Land sale to create office park
To be built on former site of bar
Sunday, April 06, 2008
BY CURT YESKE
Special to the Times
MORRISVILLE, Pa. -- The former site of a nuisance bar on East Bridge Street between North Delmorr and Central avenues will be developed into an office project as a result of an agreement between the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and borough officials.
The land was acquired more than 10 years ago prior to the renovation of the Lower Trenton Morrisville Free Bridge (the "Trenton Makes" bridge) and was considered excess land by the current members of the interstate agency who said the sale will help the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.'s effort at revitalization.
The commission agreed to sell the property -- which no longer has a bar on it -- for its appraised value of $100,000. Morrisville officials have said they in turn plan to sell the property to a private developer who plans to build an office park with a publicly accessible recreational trail.
In published reports, developer Penn Jersey Real Properties estimated the project would create 400 to 600 jobs and involve a 55,000-square-foot building.
"This property transaction will provide economic, recreational and aesthetic dividends for Morrisville," said Frank G. McCartney, the commission's executive director. "The borough has always been an important partner with the commission, and we are happy to be able to support its revitalization efforts."
"With this sale we are one step closer to bringing in new taxes and hundreds of new jobs into the borough," said Morrisville Councilman George Bolos, chairman of the development corporation. "We appreciate the commission's willingness to recognize the importance of this project in the future of the borough."
Land sale to create office park
To be built on former site of bar
Sunday, April 06, 2008
BY CURT YESKE
Special to the Times
MORRISVILLE, Pa. -- The former site of a nuisance bar on East Bridge Street between North Delmorr and Central avenues will be developed into an office project as a result of an agreement between the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and borough officials.
The land was acquired more than 10 years ago prior to the renovation of the Lower Trenton Morrisville Free Bridge (the "Trenton Makes" bridge) and was considered excess land by the current members of the interstate agency who said the sale will help the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.'s effort at revitalization.
The commission agreed to sell the property -- which no longer has a bar on it -- for its appraised value of $100,000. Morrisville officials have said they in turn plan to sell the property to a private developer who plans to build an office park with a publicly accessible recreational trail.
In published reports, developer Penn Jersey Real Properties estimated the project would create 400 to 600 jobs and involve a 55,000-square-foot building.
"This property transaction will provide economic, recreational and aesthetic dividends for Morrisville," said Frank G. McCartney, the commission's executive director. "The borough has always been an important partner with the commission, and we are happy to be able to support its revitalization efforts."
"With this sale we are one step closer to bringing in new taxes and hundreds of new jobs into the borough," said Morrisville Councilman George Bolos, chairman of the development corporation. "We appreciate the commission's willingness to recognize the importance of this project in the future of the borough."
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Progress on Gateway?
4.3.2008
Bridge commission sells land to Morrisville EDC
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has reached an agreement to sell about an acre of land to Morrisville’s economic development corporation, the commission announced Thursday afternoon. The move could make way for a new office complex in the borough that has residents split.
The commission will sell the property on East Bridge Street at North Delmorr and Central avenues to the EDC for $100,000. The EDC is then expected to sell the property to Morrisville-based developer Penn Jersey Real Properties looking to build the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Bridge commission sells land to Morrisville EDC
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has reached an agreement to sell about an acre of land to Morrisville’s economic development corporation, the commission announced Thursday afternoon. The move could make way for a new office complex in the borough that has residents split.
The commission will sell the property on East Bridge Street at North Delmorr and Central avenues to the EDC for $100,000. The EDC is then expected to sell the property to Morrisville-based developer Penn Jersey Real Properties looking to build the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Morrisville Schizophrenia
Once again, Morrisville gets the opportunity to star as its own worst enemy. The headline for the story in the BCCT today is Residents split over Gateway Center.
We're always split. I'm not condemning partisanship--Biblically, sharpening steel upon steel is recommended because it provides a keener edge, and so it is with ideas. The more the ideas are worked upon by more and more people, the better the ideas can be.
However, we here in Morrisville have the uncanny ability to use this sharpening capacity for cross-purposes. Instead of buckling down to the admittedly hard work of making things happen, we're left with the same type of petty sibling bickering that used to have my father threatening to pull the car over.
Time and time again, we see "residents split" in the headline, whether it be for the late new school, Gateway, or whatever dispute du jour. I find it fascinating how the same people who bemoaned the high taxes that accompanied the new school and contributed to its demise, are the same people who do not want the new development to lower those same taxes.
Why would anyone in their right mind want to move to such a contentious little town, where anything new is greeted with derisive scorn and no one is a longtime resident until they've been here for over five decades? Imagine the sign at the foot of the Calhoun Street bridge--"Welcome to Morrisville. Now get out."
Sorry Mr. Mayor--your explanation notwithstanding, the Borough Council has a large share of the ignominy factor here for the nearly complete inaction and lack of support for a major new business initiative. After two years, this new building should be soliciting new tenants, not requesting approval actions. The fig leaf of legality aside, egos and hubris on the part of borough leaders have delayed this process. The sliver of land that is needed from Williamson Park doesn't destroy anything but the goose latrine area in the former leaf dump. The toll bridge commission sliver of land is ready to be acquired, but only if the borough council signals a go-ahead. Stop this squandering of this opportunity and settle this once and for all.
Residents split over Gateway Center
Disagreement continues over early plans for the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Some residents say the borough needs the extra tax base the proposed commercial office building at the corner of Bridge Street and Delmorr Avenue could bring to the borough.
Others say there are places better suited for the building, which calls for the purchase or lease of two acres of unused land at the southern end of Williamson Park.
“Please don't infringe on the little bit of green space that we have,” resident Herbert Brookes told the borough council Tuesday night.
Resident Sharon Hughes said there are other areas that wouldn't require using any park land.
“One of the best things Morrisville has is a park along the river,” she said.
The executive vice president of Penn Jersey Real Properties, the Morrisville-based developer that proposed the idea in May 2006, disagreed.
“There is no other place. This is the best location,” said Dan Jones, the executive vice president, who claimed that the building would be the “cornerstone to redevelopment in Morrisville.”
But there is a list of people who desperately want the Gateway Center, a proposed 50,000-square-foot building in its infant stages that Penn Jersey claims could bring between 400 and 600 jobs to the borough and revitalize the business district. Only sketches have been given to borough council and no formal plans have been submitted yet.
Resident Judy Miller said the new office complex could lower the tax burden on residents and add a boost for other businesses in the downtown district. She urged the council to enter into a non-binding agreement of sale with the developer.
“Taxpayers desperately need relief,” Gayle Haug said.
Council President Nancy Sherlock said the council would not make any decisions on the matter, but residents could expect the board to specifically address the matter “in the very near future.”
“Unfortunately, right now ... there's nothing council is legally allowed to discuss,” said Mayor Thomas Wisnosky. Officials have said they can't comment on the proposal because no preliminary plans have been submitted.
We're always split. I'm not condemning partisanship--Biblically, sharpening steel upon steel is recommended because it provides a keener edge, and so it is with ideas. The more the ideas are worked upon by more and more people, the better the ideas can be.
However, we here in Morrisville have the uncanny ability to use this sharpening capacity for cross-purposes. Instead of buckling down to the admittedly hard work of making things happen, we're left with the same type of petty sibling bickering that used to have my father threatening to pull the car over.
Time and time again, we see "residents split" in the headline, whether it be for the late new school, Gateway, or whatever dispute du jour. I find it fascinating how the same people who bemoaned the high taxes that accompanied the new school and contributed to its demise, are the same people who do not want the new development to lower those same taxes.
Why would anyone in their right mind want to move to such a contentious little town, where anything new is greeted with derisive scorn and no one is a longtime resident until they've been here for over five decades? Imagine the sign at the foot of the Calhoun Street bridge--"Welcome to Morrisville. Now get out."
Sorry Mr. Mayor--your explanation notwithstanding, the Borough Council has a large share of the ignominy factor here for the nearly complete inaction and lack of support for a major new business initiative. After two years, this new building should be soliciting new tenants, not requesting approval actions. The fig leaf of legality aside, egos and hubris on the part of borough leaders have delayed this process. The sliver of land that is needed from Williamson Park doesn't destroy anything but the goose latrine area in the former leaf dump. The toll bridge commission sliver of land is ready to be acquired, but only if the borough council signals a go-ahead. Stop this squandering of this opportunity and settle this once and for all.
Residents split over Gateway Center
Disagreement continues over early plans for the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Some residents say the borough needs the extra tax base the proposed commercial office building at the corner of Bridge Street and Delmorr Avenue could bring to the borough.
Others say there are places better suited for the building, which calls for the purchase or lease of two acres of unused land at the southern end of Williamson Park.
“Please don't infringe on the little bit of green space that we have,” resident Herbert Brookes told the borough council Tuesday night.
Resident Sharon Hughes said there are other areas that wouldn't require using any park land.
“One of the best things Morrisville has is a park along the river,” she said.
The executive vice president of Penn Jersey Real Properties, the Morrisville-based developer that proposed the idea in May 2006, disagreed.
“There is no other place. This is the best location,” said Dan Jones, the executive vice president, who claimed that the building would be the “cornerstone to redevelopment in Morrisville.”
But there is a list of people who desperately want the Gateway Center, a proposed 50,000-square-foot building in its infant stages that Penn Jersey claims could bring between 400 and 600 jobs to the borough and revitalize the business district. Only sketches have been given to borough council and no formal plans have been submitted yet.
Resident Judy Miller said the new office complex could lower the tax burden on residents and add a boost for other businesses in the downtown district. She urged the council to enter into a non-binding agreement of sale with the developer.
“Taxpayers desperately need relief,” Gayle Haug said.
Council President Nancy Sherlock said the council would not make any decisions on the matter, but residents could expect the board to specifically address the matter “in the very near future.”
“Unfortunately, right now ... there's nothing council is legally allowed to discuss,” said Mayor Thomas Wisnosky. Officials have said they can't comment on the proposal because no preliminary plans have been submitted.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A Visit to the Mailbag
I wanted to thank an anonymous commenter to yesterday's posting for today's LOL of the Day
Actually, when it comes to issues of class and lack of compassion for the struggling working people of this community--there can be no greater Right-wing fringe than your loud, gossipy, mean-spirited minority who suggest people should just get out if they can't afford a massive tax increase. In terms of what is best for the children--economically and academically--Pennsbury would be ideal. Not only does it offer greater educational opportunity- but lower taxes and increased property values as well. I have to wonder at the agenda of those who would stop at nothing, despite repeated electorial rebuke (ignoring democracy--now there is a Right-wing strategy), race-baiting sensationalization (don't think for a moment that Anne Perry's letter to the editor with thinly-veiled gangster innuendo regarding Mr. Radosti escaped the notice of other Italian-Americans) and constant drum-beating as if this was the most pressing issue of these times. Must be nice to have such a luxury. Either you are teachers worried about being unemployed (in that case the old, If-you-can't-afford-it-tough-luck argument applies,doesn't it?) Or, you are intent on snatching up properties (I believe Jon Perry mentioned just "how easy" landgrabs were)and flipping them say for 735K, huh? Or, you know, it is just infantile sour grapes because you got your asses handed to you. But, don't ever assume to speak for the Left, unless you fly that banner as a DLC appropriation.
Thanks for your input. If you want to see mean spirited in action, look in the mirror.
The seniors should NOT get out because they cannot afford to live here. If you really read through things posted here, you would have seen my comment about my grandmother and her one-bedroom apartment after losing the longtime family home to inflation, lackluster investments, and taxes. A thriving community includes all age levels. I submit that you want the children gone to enjoy your new Morrisville (an age 55 and over community) home. That's an equally repugnant idea.
I believe the "mafia" references were due to the police coming in to a school board executive session and were a reference used by the reported who wrote the story. I don't think anyone pushed John Jordan into speaking the other night, and if Al Radosti said those things, then he should be held accountable. If he didn't then the false reporter and/or Jordan should be accountable.
I am not a teacher. There are days my own kids are more than I can handle. I can only imagine having thirty kids in my charge.
When was the last time you were in a Morrisville classroom since you graduated? The small class sizes and the focused teacher attention are a godsend to many of the students. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the sharp caliber of teachers in this small community. Most of them can probably do much better elsewhere in terms of pay, but yet, they choose to come here. Same with the Gateway project. They could probably do better elsewhere, yet they chose Morrisville. Ask yourself: What brighter future do they see for Morrisville that is invisible to you?
And as for a landgrab, the taxes are oppressive, there's a crumbling school system soon to go bankrupt and taken over, the borough budget is failing, and new business development is vainly left knocking at the door waiting to be let in. Who would buy a home in this crazy place?
I don't speak for the left or the right. The left wing loonies are just as ridiculous as their right wing nut counterparts. The truth, as always, lies more in the center, where we're supposed to meet and hash things out.
We did get our asses handed to us. We foolishly assumed that the fallacious and incoherent arguments that were the centerpiece of the Stop the Schoolers campaign would be dismissed by serious thinkers. Boy, were we wrong.
PS ADDED NOON Jan 29 2008: WOW! I cannot believe the dialogue that this has generated. These are exactly the points of view that need to be publicised!
Actually, when it comes to issues of class and lack of compassion for the struggling working people of this community--there can be no greater Right-wing fringe than your loud, gossipy, mean-spirited minority who suggest people should just get out if they can't afford a massive tax increase. In terms of what is best for the children--economically and academically--Pennsbury would be ideal. Not only does it offer greater educational opportunity- but lower taxes and increased property values as well. I have to wonder at the agenda of those who would stop at nothing, despite repeated electorial rebuke (ignoring democracy--now there is a Right-wing strategy), race-baiting sensationalization (don't think for a moment that Anne Perry's letter to the editor with thinly-veiled gangster innuendo regarding Mr. Radosti escaped the notice of other Italian-Americans) and constant drum-beating as if this was the most pressing issue of these times. Must be nice to have such a luxury. Either you are teachers worried about being unemployed (in that case the old, If-you-can't-afford-it-tough-luck argument applies,doesn't it?) Or, you are intent on snatching up properties (I believe Jon Perry mentioned just "how easy" landgrabs were)and flipping them say for 735K, huh? Or, you know, it is just infantile sour grapes because you got your asses handed to you. But, don't ever assume to speak for the Left, unless you fly that banner as a DLC appropriation.
Thanks for your input. If you want to see mean spirited in action, look in the mirror.
The seniors should NOT get out because they cannot afford to live here. If you really read through things posted here, you would have seen my comment about my grandmother and her one-bedroom apartment after losing the longtime family home to inflation, lackluster investments, and taxes. A thriving community includes all age levels. I submit that you want the children gone to enjoy your new Morrisville (an age 55 and over community) home. That's an equally repugnant idea.
I believe the "mafia" references were due to the police coming in to a school board executive session and were a reference used by the reported who wrote the story. I don't think anyone pushed John Jordan into speaking the other night, and if Al Radosti said those things, then he should be held accountable. If he didn't then the false reporter and/or Jordan should be accountable.
I am not a teacher. There are days my own kids are more than I can handle. I can only imagine having thirty kids in my charge.
When was the last time you were in a Morrisville classroom since you graduated? The small class sizes and the focused teacher attention are a godsend to many of the students. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the sharp caliber of teachers in this small community. Most of them can probably do much better elsewhere in terms of pay, but yet, they choose to come here. Same with the Gateway project. They could probably do better elsewhere, yet they chose Morrisville. Ask yourself: What brighter future do they see for Morrisville that is invisible to you?
And as for a landgrab, the taxes are oppressive, there's a crumbling school system soon to go bankrupt and taken over, the borough budget is failing, and new business development is vainly left knocking at the door waiting to be let in. Who would buy a home in this crazy place?
I don't speak for the left or the right. The left wing loonies are just as ridiculous as their right wing nut counterparts. The truth, as always, lies more in the center, where we're supposed to meet and hash things out.
We did get our asses handed to us. We foolishly assumed that the fallacious and incoherent arguments that were the centerpiece of the Stop the Schoolers campaign would be dismissed by serious thinkers. Boy, were we wrong.
PS ADDED NOON Jan 29 2008: WOW! I cannot believe the dialogue that this has generated. These are exactly the points of view that need to be publicised!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Gateway
While this does not directly apply to the current issues with our schools, it certainly does apply to the level of taxation in the borough.
Right now, the same people who stopped the school, supposedly to lower the taxes, are also opposing the Gateway project, which would generate tax revenue, lowering the tax burden on all of us. The logic seems sound. Up is Down, Good is Bad, Black is White. Paging George Orwell: It's 1984 in Morrisville and doubleplusgoodthink is alive and well.
Here is an email that I received covering some of the background on the project. I also have a Power Point presentation with more information on the project. As soon as I can get it posted somewhere I will, but if you want to see it ASAP, drop me a line and I'll email it to you.
(You asked for information on the Gateway Center. Please share the enclosure and this e-mail with those you think may find it of interest.)
The enclosed is the materials that I presented to the Borough Council on October 2, 2007 – now almost four months ago. This provides some very interesting information which I would be pleased to discuss with you and others interested in the project.
To give you the brief update from October – nothing has happened! A slightly longer answer follows …
The basic issue holding up the project for the last year and a half has been acquiring the land from – 1) the Bridge Commission, and 2) the Borough Council.
If I understand the Borough Council’s comments on Tuesday, they implied that the Council cannot do anything until we submit a preliminary development plan. If this is what they said, it is misleading.
As I explained to the Council on October 2, October 9th, and October 15th there are two aspects of the proposal that impacts the Borough Council – 1) approval of a preliminary development plan, and 2) agreement to sell land for the parking lot.
Preliminary Development Plan
The first item – the preliminary development plan – is a routine but costly part of the development process. Once prepared the preliminary development plan is submitted to the Borough Planning Committee and Zoning Committee which upon approval would ultimately require the Borough Council’s approval.
The Bridge Commission asked PJRP to submit a preliminary development plan before they would agree to sell the Morrisville EDC (who would sell the land to PJRP) the Bridge Commission portion of the project land. The Borough also wanted us to submit a preliminary development plan before they agreed to sell us their land for the project. PJRP objected to submitting a preliminary plan before having a purchase agreement with either the Borough or the Bridge Commission for two reasons –
1) It is a very expensive process to go through – over $50,000 – without having a commitment from either land owner that they are willing to sell their land; and
2) It is illegal, which the Borough Solicitor agreed with at the October 15th Borough Council meeting, and which has since been communicated from the Borough to the Bridge Commission. PJRP cannot submit a preliminary development plan until PJRP has an “economic interest” in the property to be developed. The preliminary development plan must come after a purchase agreement.
So, the bottom line with the preliminary development plan is that we cannot present a plan until we have a purchase agreement with either the Bridge Commission or the Borough. (The purchase agreement, by the way, would be contingent on the approval of the preliminary development plan. If the plan is not approved – neither the Bridge Commission nor the Borough is obligated to sell their land and we are not obligated to buy their land if the plan is not approved.)
Agreement to sell (buy) Borough land
This brings us to the “Catch-22” that the Borough has us. One, however, they have the ability to fix. As noted above, the preliminary plan must come after PJRP has an “economic interest” in the land. One way that PJRP gets an economic interest in the land is that the Borough enters into a purchase agreement with PJRP to buy the Borough’s land.
The Answer to the Borough Councils comment
So … If the Council or anyone else says “we can’t do anything until the developer submits a preliminary plan.”
A good response would be, “Doesn’t the developer have to have an economic interest in the land before they can submit a preliminary plan?”
The appropriate response from the Borough Council would be, “uh huh.”
A good response to that would be, “then if the Borough Council enters into an agreement of sale with the developer wouldn’t the developer be able to submit a preliminary development plan?”
The appropriate response from the Borough Council would be, “uh huh.”
A good response to that would be, “then why doesn’t the Borough Council enter into an agreement of sale with developer for the Borough land so that the developer can submit a preliminary plan?
I haven’t been able to get an answer to that question for four months now …
Dan
Dan Jones
Penn Jersey Real Properties, LLC
56 E. Bridge Street, Suite One
Morrisville, PA 19067
(267) 799-4481 (Office)
(215) 378-6279 (Cell)
danieljones@pennjerseyproperties.com
Huh? We've got a chance for 400-600 jobs coming INTO the borough and an estimated $300,000 in tax revenue, and we're not showing interest in moving forward? Both the borough and school district budgets are in the toilet and here's a hometown group who want to improve Morrisville and bring money in? Why is anyone stalling on the decisions for this project?
You need to contact YOUR ward's council members and tell them to move forward with Gateway. It's that simple. Go to the borough website from the link on the sidebar to the left and find your council members. Let them know you support Morrisville.
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Right now, the same people who stopped the school, supposedly to lower the taxes, are also opposing the Gateway project, which would generate tax revenue, lowering the tax burden on all of us. The logic seems sound. Up is Down, Good is Bad, Black is White. Paging George Orwell: It's 1984 in Morrisville and doubleplusgoodthink is alive and well.
Here is an email that I received covering some of the background on the project. I also have a Power Point presentation with more information on the project. As soon as I can get it posted somewhere I will, but if you want to see it ASAP, drop me a line and I'll email it to you.
(You asked for information on the Gateway Center. Please share the enclosure and this e-mail with those you think may find it of interest.)
The enclosed is the materials that I presented to the Borough Council on October 2, 2007 – now almost four months ago. This provides some very interesting information which I would be pleased to discuss with you and others interested in the project.
To give you the brief update from October – nothing has happened! A slightly longer answer follows …
The basic issue holding up the project for the last year and a half has been acquiring the land from – 1) the Bridge Commission, and 2) the Borough Council.
If I understand the Borough Council’s comments on Tuesday, they implied that the Council cannot do anything until we submit a preliminary development plan. If this is what they said, it is misleading.
As I explained to the Council on October 2, October 9th, and October 15th there are two aspects of the proposal that impacts the Borough Council – 1) approval of a preliminary development plan, and 2) agreement to sell land for the parking lot.
Preliminary Development Plan
The first item – the preliminary development plan – is a routine but costly part of the development process. Once prepared the preliminary development plan is submitted to the Borough Planning Committee and Zoning Committee which upon approval would ultimately require the Borough Council’s approval.
The Bridge Commission asked PJRP to submit a preliminary development plan before they would agree to sell the Morrisville EDC (who would sell the land to PJRP) the Bridge Commission portion of the project land. The Borough also wanted us to submit a preliminary development plan before they agreed to sell us their land for the project. PJRP objected to submitting a preliminary plan before having a purchase agreement with either the Borough or the Bridge Commission for two reasons –
1) It is a very expensive process to go through – over $50,000 – without having a commitment from either land owner that they are willing to sell their land; and
2) It is illegal, which the Borough Solicitor agreed with at the October 15th Borough Council meeting, and which has since been communicated from the Borough to the Bridge Commission. PJRP cannot submit a preliminary development plan until PJRP has an “economic interest” in the property to be developed. The preliminary development plan must come after a purchase agreement.
So, the bottom line with the preliminary development plan is that we cannot present a plan until we have a purchase agreement with either the Bridge Commission or the Borough. (The purchase agreement, by the way, would be contingent on the approval of the preliminary development plan. If the plan is not approved – neither the Bridge Commission nor the Borough is obligated to sell their land and we are not obligated to buy their land if the plan is not approved.)
Agreement to sell (buy) Borough land
This brings us to the “Catch-22” that the Borough has us. One, however, they have the ability to fix. As noted above, the preliminary plan must come after PJRP has an “economic interest” in the land. One way that PJRP gets an economic interest in the land is that the Borough enters into a purchase agreement with PJRP to buy the Borough’s land.
The Answer to the Borough Councils comment
So … If the Council or anyone else says “we can’t do anything until the developer submits a preliminary plan.”
A good response would be, “Doesn’t the developer have to have an economic interest in the land before they can submit a preliminary plan?”
The appropriate response from the Borough Council would be, “uh huh.”
A good response to that would be, “then if the Borough Council enters into an agreement of sale with the developer wouldn’t the developer be able to submit a preliminary development plan?”
The appropriate response from the Borough Council would be, “uh huh.”
A good response to that would be, “then why doesn’t the Borough Council enter into an agreement of sale with developer for the Borough land so that the developer can submit a preliminary plan?
I haven’t been able to get an answer to that question for four months now …
Dan
Dan Jones
Penn Jersey Real Properties, LLC
56 E. Bridge Street, Suite One
Morrisville, PA 19067
(267) 799-4481 (Office)
(215) 378-6279 (Cell)
danieljones@pennjerseyproperties.com
Huh? We've got a chance for 400-600 jobs coming INTO the borough and an estimated $300,000 in tax revenue, and we're not showing interest in moving forward? Both the borough and school district budgets are in the toilet and here's a hometown group who want to improve Morrisville and bring money in? Why is anyone stalling on the decisions for this project?
You need to contact YOUR ward's council members and tell them to move forward with Gateway. It's that simple. Go to the borough website from the link on the sidebar to the left and find your council members. Let them know you support Morrisville.
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Friday, January 25, 2008
Free Form Friday
Plenty to read today in the BCCT. Angry Al, Kate Fratti's column, and the Gateway project are all hot topics. There's also the body slam applied by the BCCT to Hellmann's Heroes. It's too good to pass up posting it below.
Also thanks to the anonymous graphic artist. :)
Do you have anything to add?
No more secrecy
More than a hundred people jammed Wednesday's Morrisville school board meeting. Probably half of them wanted to be heard. After all, the board was meeting just days after it leaked out that members were secretly considering shutting down the borough's 116-year-old high school program, and that Morrisville kids were being shopped around to other school districts.
Hey, if you take 'em, we'll pay you!
No wonder people stormed the meeting. But rather than patiently listening to folks who wanted to be heard — every one of them, as the board should have — board President William Hellmann invoked a rule to limit public participation. He allowed only 15 citizens to sign up to speak. And he gave them just three minutes each to be heard — 45 minutes total.
And he wouldn't budge.
Nice way for a community leader to treat the people he's supposed to be serving. But folks didn't just lose an opportunity to vent, an opportunity they deserved. The board squandered the possibility that citizens might have had some practical suggestions.
Maybe board members don't realize it, but they don't know everything.
Indeed, this arrogant bunch has little consideration for anybody who disagrees with them. By law, the school closure/student exportation discussion should have been held publicly. Instead, it occurred behind closed doors. And if Hellman gets his way, the general public will continue to be shut out.
Hellman promised at Wednesday's meeting that no decision will be made without a referendum. We're glad to hear that. We weren't happy to hear there will be more closed doors — and neither should residents. We refer to a meeting the board president intends to organize between board members and a select group of citizens, students and teachers. The plan is to brainstorm ideas and discuss options.
Better late than never.
Problem is, he intends to make it a so-called executive session, meaning the general public would be barred.
That's illegal. And Morrisville citizens shouldn't accept it.
Hellman clearly likes to set rules. But there are also rules that he must respect and follow. To that end, we suggest he review the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
And then, by all means, hold a meeting. In fact, hold a few. The school board should schedule as many meetings as it takes for every citizen, students included, to be heard.
Maybe no ideas will surface that are any better than the one the board was secretly pursuing. But at least the community will have been heard at open forums where input is invited. Then and only then should the board propose shutting down an institution that is part of what makes a community whole.
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