Friday, January 16, 2009

Scott not seeking 2nd term -- Updated

At-large City Councilwoman Robin Scott has just announced in a written statement to the Local that she will not be seeking a second term, in part because, "I have been frustrated by the lack of meaningful progress within our city."

The council terms for Scott, Patsy Ray, Kareem Johnson and Kurt Schenk all end this year. Ray, Johnson and Schenk have yet to say publicly if they will seek reelection this year.

Read Scott's letter here: RobinScottLetter.pdf

Firefighters to make house calls Saturday

The Coatesville Fire Department will be making house calls starting in the West End at noon Saturday to give out smoke detectors, batteries and offer fire prevention and other safety tips. See the city's press release for more details: CityRelease_FireDept.pdf

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Something Stinks

When you have a city business owner standing before council saying that for three weeks raw sewage has seeping into nearby properties and city streets -- and city officials appear so nonchalant about the ordeal -- what can one even say?

Tyrone Harley is the owner of an auto repair shop in the 400 block of Fleetwood Street, a tire retail business in the 200 block of Lumber, and several rental properties in the city. His issue is in the 400 block of Lumber Street where a sewer pipe that goes underneath his property is running into the street and garages.

Codes Director Dam Molina said he has been working on the matter. At Monday's council meeting Molina suggested talking to attorneys about the issue. But no one seemed to know why the leak was even occurring nor did anyone say whether the residents (Harley's neighbors) using the broken or clogged up pipe had even been contacted about that issue. Molina did mention that no one has been cited over the matter. Meanwhile sewage continues to leak into people's homes and into city streets and council seems content allowing Molina to resolve the problem.

"It's always been in my hands," Molina said. That's reassuring.

Last night, no one seemed to have any idea how to fix the problem. And the lack of concern from nearly all city officials should be disturbing to city residents. If city officials don't seem to care about sewage leaking into their residents' homes and into the city streets -- how can city officials expect residents to stand up and care enough to volunteer for their public safety programs that are in the works?

At the very least, shouldn't city officials see the health risks involved and take immediate action? Apparently not. Meanwhile, the sewage continues to leak into the city streets.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Tonight's Agenda

Here's tonight's agenda for the City Council meeting. It starts at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. DA Joe Carroll is expected to attend. Agenda_1-12-09.pdf