Bam attends borough council meeting

The last council meeting of the year was a long, tortuous affair with 13 items on the agenda for discussion and vote. One of the last items was a vote on Bar Blue II, Don Moore and Brandon "Bam" Margera's theatre planned for East Market St. Early in the evening, Margera and his wife Missy Margera, Moore and attorney Bill Shehwen came in and sat down. As the hours passed, the group sat patiently like all the other residents who are there watching their government in action. When the time came for discussion on whether the borough would withdraw their protest to the Liquor Control Board, the four moved up front to face council from the front row. Shehwen, a well-known attorney who handles liquor licenses, discussed the list of concessions they were offering if the borough would withdraw their protest. The list impressed council, even Councilwoman Susan Bayne whose constituents are in the East End. At the end, when it was well past 10:30 p.m., the chief sticking point was the sale of package goods. Patrons attending the theatre could purchase some of the high-end beers and take them home. That prospect didn't sit well with Councilmen Scott Smith or Chuck Christy. Drop that and they would get their support. It seemed like Margera made the decision since he is the one with the deep pockets. But even with the borough withdrawing their protest, there are several neighborhood groups that aren't withdrawing their protest. So Bar Blue II still has to prepare for a hearing before the Liquor Control Board. That hearing should be in 30 to 60 days.
Anne Pickering
Staff Writer
Daily Local News

Council bids good-bye to two of their own

West Chester Borough Council said good-bye to Council President H. Paul Fitzpatrick and Councilman Stephen Bond at their Dec. 19 borough council meeting. Councilmembers had nothing but praise for their two colleagues.
Councilman Scott Smith said he felt lucky to see President Fitzpatrick in action. "He runs an efficient meeting."
Councilwoman Carolyn Comitta agreed with Smith and said she appreciated Bond who has been a mentor for her. "I appreciate his passion for issues, neighborhoods and what's right for the town."
Bond said he enjoyed his time on council. "My time on council has been great. Some of our meetings are very long. We try to give everyone equal time particularly when it's an issue that affects people." He said he was proud that Terrence Farrell was elected to commissioner. "He is the first minority member on the county commission."
Fitzpatrick received a standing ovation from the audience. He came bearing a gift for the borough -- a baseball bat made in West Chester. He said it was called the West Chester Wonder. "This is a small token of my appreciation for the last eight years of my work for the borough."
Two new councilmembers will be sworn in in January -- Jim Jones and Cassandra Jones.