The Iraq
Veterans Memorial is an online war memorial honoring the members of the U.S. armed forces who have lost their lives serving in the Iraq War. The
Memorial is a collection of video memories from family, friends, military colleagues, and co-workers of those who have fallen.
A mild August day, pleasing scenery, interesting demonstrations, and some environmental education along the way. TTDems hosted a garden tour showcasing environmentally-friendly and resource-efficient gardening--how to beautify your yard while improving the environment. Here is picture story about the August 7 event. Or view as a slideshow here.
At the June 21 Board of Supervisors meeting, TTDem Chair Dariel Jamieson presented a proposal by the Tredyffrin Township Democratic Committee for a more transparent process and forward calendar to arrive at the township budget for 2011. The process is modeled on the one used by the Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board, and the calendar seeks to avoid the 11th-hour revelations and December drama of last year's township budget. Details here.
June 14, Tredyffrin/Easttown's School Board unanimously passed the 2010-11 budget, which includes a 2.9% property tax increase, many administrative cost-cutting strategies, a modest reserve drawdown and a bond issue for capital projects. Details here.
TTDems Chair Dariel Jamieson reviews the Tredyffrin vote in relation to overall result of the May balloting and says why this highly-competitive primary builds a great foundation for the November general election. ...more.
As Mark Twain wrote, "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Well, Congressman Gerlach, much of what you assert in last week's "As I See It" piece simply ain't so.
As an elected official, you are held to a higher standard. But neither political misperception nor ignorance of the facts explains your decision to mislead your constituents regarding the recently passed healthcare bill. Instead, it reflects a cynical calculation on your part that voters will accept your version of the "facts." Your intent--besides offering up red meat for primary voters--would seem to be to frighten people.
These are the opening comments of Malvern resident Kathleen Keohane as she took Congressman Jim Gerlach to task for some shaky facts about health care reform in his signed article in the Suburban Main Line Life. Read the full text of her letter here.
Organized by local resident Donna Shipman, a long-planned meeting between Mount Pleasant neighbors, property owners and Township officials took place at the First Baptist Church on March 22. Citizen comments and questions focused on several unsettling changes taking place in their neighborhood--the influx of investors converting family homes into student housing, and developers buying and razing properties to build new housing. Here is a report on the meeting and neighborhood redevelopment underway, including the loss of the centuryold home (above) of revered community leader and civil rights activist, Mazie B. Hall.
No additional cost-cutting strategies were presented at the March 15 Budget Workshop, but a number of issues were clarified and members of the School Board moved closer to a consensus on a proposed final budget for 2010-11. Here is a report on the presentation by Superintendent Dr. Daniel Waters, how the school board members are thinking, and implications for the future.
Heavy Lifting: T/E School Board Works to Balance Budget
Tredyffrin/Easttown school directors and administrators have been wrestling quietly with a huge $9.25 Million budget deficit for the 2010-11 school year. They have been working methodically to evaluate options to close this gap through a combination of higher taxes, program and service cuts, and the use of reserve funds. This paper reviews some cost-cutting strategies under consideration and alerts you to upcoming public meetings.
How Much Double Bubble In St. Davids' Taxes?
At the Feb. 22 board meeting, Republican Committeeman and St. Davids Golf Club member Bruce Parkinson defended his club from charges of special treatment by Tredyffrin Supervisors over a sidewalk project. He noted that members contribute a "double bubble" to the township through both personal and club real estate taxes. Recreational green space is assessed differently and turns out the bubble is pretty light. Facts on the "double bubble."
Supervisors Reverse Decision on St. Davids...But Suspend Compliance
At the Feb. 22 meeting, Tredyffrin Supervisors voted unanimously to "reverse and rescind" their January 25th decision to return sidewalk escrow funds to St. Davids Golf Club. However, they suspended compliance and called for a new "subcommittee" of existing township committees to "re-examine" policy. Planning Commission authority will likely be diminished. Report on meeting and text of motion.
Chester County Nominating Convention
The Chester County Democratic Party held its nominating convention February 20, with an enthusiastic turnout, including strong Tredyffrin representation. All the prominent candidates spoke to the group. It will be a competitive May primary.
At the Feb. 8 board meeting, Tredyffrin Supervisors Lamina, Richter and Kampf offered apologies for the process failures in their vote releasing escrow for the St. Davids Golf Club sidewalk, but nothing to rectify the result. In fact, Chairman Lamina later rehashed the same rationale used earlier for their vote. This paper, Rationale Refuted, is a direct-quote examination of the reasons they presented, but squared in contrast with the facts.
TTDEMS Elect New Party Leaders
The Tredyffrin Democratic Party elected a new leadership team at their January meeting, choosing Dariel Jamieson to be the next chair and F. Michael (Murph) Wysocki the next vice-chair. More on their background and goals.
Sidewalk To Nowhere?
Defenders of the Tredyffrin supervisors releasing escrow to St. Davids Golf Club have characterized the proposed path as a "sidewalk to nowhere." Here is a photo report providing the destination to the path and demonstrating how this arbitrary action undercuts a long-term policy and vision for the township.
Tredyffrin Supervisors Payout to Country Club
Without public notification, no item on the published board agenda and no written request, four members of the Board of Supervisors (Kampf, Lamina, Olson and Richter) were able to absolve the St. Davids Golf Club from their obligations under a development agreement and release $25,000 from an escrow account to the country club. When the Tredyffrin supervisors are willing to cut funding to the fire companies, libraries, public works and services to seniors, why such effort expended to effectively make a gift to a country club? Details.
School Directors Vote to Limit Tax Increase to 2.9%
With the T/E School District facing a $9.25 million revenue shortfall next year, school directors are facing tough choices and a certain tax increase. On January 25, they voted to keep any tax increase within the 2.9% limit set by Pennsylvania Act 1 requirements. Pulling that off will require grim choices by the board, school administration, teachers, parents and residents. Details on the recent vote and further meetings.
Tredyffrin Reduces Fire Company Contribution in 2010
Tredyffrin supervisors stuck with a reduced fire service contribution in their 2010 budget. Here is an update on the furor over township funding for our volunteer fire companies. This phase features citizen outrage, a Republican charity caper, partisan antics, and ethical tightrope walking.
Tredyffrin's 2010 Budget Makes Drastic Cuts to Vital Services
At their November 30 meeting, Tredyffrin Supervisors approved a 2010 Preliminary Budget that is a whopping $2.9 million smaller than last year's. Included are funding cuts to our police and fire departments, our libraries, and vital community services like Surrey Services for Seniors. More on how these cuts will affect services.
Lean Township Budget In The Works
The November election is over, releasing a public outbreak of township budget activity. Your last opportunity to hear a presentation of Tredyffrin's 2010 Budget and comment publicly is on November 30 at the next Board of Supervisors' meeting.
Here is an overview of the cost cutting outlined for the coming year and the issues coming to focus at the Nov. 30 board meeting.
You can read the township manager's budget overview and take a look at the complete preliminary budget here.
The township's Budget Advisory Working Group has publicly released its report, which can be viewed online here.
For a summary list of cost cuts planned for 2010 here is a handout from an earlier Nov. 14 public meeting at Tredyffrin Library.
Relying primarily on a real estate tax base, Tredyffrin does not impose an earned income tax, and is unlikely to impose one. For background on the earned income tax and alternative revenues here is another handout from the Nov. 14 public meeting.
Ready for an Active New Year
The Tredyffrin Democratic Committee held a well-attended workshop on Dec. 12 to review and revitalize our organization. 2010 is going to be an intense political year, beginning in the spring with competitive primaries for the U.S. Senate seat and our 6th District representative to the U.S. Congress, as well as the PA Governor race. New teams and leaders will be discussed and voted on at our January 20 monthly meeting.
T/E School Board Inches Closer to Party Balance, While Tredyffrin Supervisors Revert to One-Party Rule
Reviewing the November 3 local election results, the Tredyffrin Democratic Committee celebrated an important gain in the school board composition while absorbing a serious setback in achieving partisan balance on the township board of supervisors. ...more
As Mark Twain wrote, "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Well, Congressman Gerlach, much of what you assert in last week's "As I See It" piece simply ain't so.
Organized by local resident Donna Shipman, a long-planned meeting between Mount Pleasant neighbors, property owners and Township officials took place at the First Baptist Church on March 22. 
At the Feb. 22 board meeting, Republican Committeeman and St. Davids Golf Club member Bruce Parkinson defended his club from charges of special treatment by Tredyffrin Supervisors over a sidewalk project. He noted that members contribute a "double bubble" to the township through both personal and club real estate taxes. Recreational green space is assessed differently and turns out the bubble is pretty light. 
The Chester County Democratic Party held its nominating convention February 20, with an enthusiastic turnout, including strong Tredyffrin representation. All the prominent candidates spoke to the group. It will be a competitive May primary.
The Tredyffrin Democratic Party elected a new leadership team at their January meeting, choosing Dariel Jamieson to be the next chair and F. Michael (Murph) Wysocki the next vice-chair. 
