Gunshots Ring Out at Absentee-Owned Pottstown Property
272 Walnut Street, the absentee-owned property in Pottstown, where a shooting occurred last night
POTTSTOWN, PA – So, we see again that gun violence has occurred in the borough at a property owned by an absentee landlord.
In case you missed it, The Mercury has posted not one, but TWO articles on the violence that occurred at North Charlotte and Walnut Streets last night:
Pottstown intruder shot by homeowner
Homeowner speaks out about shooting
An article and related video was also posted to WFMZ’s website:
Possible Home Invasion Leads To Shooting In Pottstown
While the gun-happy 2nd Amendment nutbars are wetting their pants with joy, those of us with clearer heads realize that once again, gun violence has occurred in Pottstown at a property owned by an out of town owner.
According to records on file with Montgomery Country, the property owner of 272 Walnut Street is Matter Holdings, LLC of Collegeville. Of course, the owner lists a P.O. box as their address…as do most landlords who want their identities shielded.
We find it very strange that an “intruder” would enter a third floor apartment to commit a crime when there are plenty of more enticing targets in the neighborhood that are easier to access. It should be interesting as this story plays out and the real motives of the crime are disclosed.
In the meantime, this is just another example of why Pottstown Borough Council should continue its clampdown on rental properties in the borough.
Could this crime have occurred at a single-family property in Pottstown? Perhaps. But they just seem to always occur at rental properties don’t they?
At some point there may be a different story come out, we shall see. The owner of the property lives in one of those fancy McMansions in Collegeville. He also owns a rental property here in town on N.Penn St. At least they pay their taxes. If the Police determine that what happened is not the original story and there was some other BS going on I wonder if the landlord will take action against the tenants?
The drug busts at Days Inn and the vandalism of the home of a local activist, the nightly occurences of bands of youth roaming the core neighborhoods and the congregation of people hanging out in front of absentee landlord properties, vacant properties, random shots and spent casings in folks backyards and now this shooting…IT HAS GOT TO STOP.
The writing is on the wall. It is going to take some time to get control of the rental properties but what can happen NOW? An all out affront by the local, state police, and the sheriff’s department, maybe the National Guard. Pottstown needs to enact a 9:00pm-6am curfew in this area . A dedicated, non-stop effort for one week, two weeks??? Clear out the drug traffic, get people off the streets. The dealers will leave and the junkies will follow. Keep the heat on and there is no way this kind of crap will continue. Pottstown has enabled the criminals, it’s too comfortable for them here. Make it miserable for them…you have the power to do this and pull the press in on whatever level you can to shout from the roof tops, “Don’t mess with Pottstown”. This would do more for the image of this town than any other campaign at this point.
This has been one hell of a summer.
a commenter on the merc’s site made a very good point. go online and search this guy’s name on the pa magisterial district courts website:
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJ.aspx
there are 10 (yes 10) docket sheets on this guy. yes sp – there is definitely more to this story. this is just not a random crime committed against an innocent victim. and yes – this is just another problem tenant living in an absentee landlord property in pottstown. a major crack down is sorely needed.
By all means take a look at this dude’s rap sheet: terroristic threats, carrying a firearms without a license, use/poss of drug paraphanelia. Savory.
If it is that friggin’ easy to find this info. why the hell aren’t these perveyors of filth and crime, (slumlords), doing this homework BEFORE they rent to criminals????? BECAUSE THEY GET AWAY WITH IT, that’s why.
I am hereby calling for a campagin of ZERO TOLERANCE NOW by our town leaders, the police, and the District Attorney. Pull a Property Seizure manuver on one or two of the slumlorda and let them be on notice. Enough.
Criminal infractions would certainly be something to give me pause in renting to an individual. While I believe people can change and someone has to be the first to give a second chance – if it were possible I’d have a separate type of lease addendum for those with these kinds of infractions to alow myself an out.
This doesn’t address those that don’t care for property and don’t pay bills but it would help landlords take control of some of the potentially more unsavory types. Good people can turn to crime for many reasons but managing those that have already selected that path would be a HUGE step forward in cleaning up the town!!!
Thanks to 422er for providing this link!!! I actually used it to satisfy a personal curiousity, too! Much appreciated – knowledge IS power!!
Come on people. Are you really going to blame this incident on a landlord that doesn’t live in Pottstown? What is the definition of an absentee landlord? If he doesn’t live in town he is absentee?
Jeff, why are you so jealous. You live in a nicer house than the 300 block of Beech street so should these residents on this block of Beech street express jealousy of you.
I live in what you refer to a Mc
continued
I live in what you refer to a McMansion. I work 2 jobs, invested wisely, and decided to purchase a large house because of my hard and smart work. I went to college for 6 years and paid for it by working throughout my degrees. I am a landlord, a hard worker and will never apologize for what I have and Jeff you should be happy with what you have and not express jealousy. Sell your house, donate your profits to charity and move to Beech street.
Whirled peas = How do you know this guy is a slumlord. The house was broken into. For whatever the reason I am sure the owner did not want this to happen. Do you realize your comments are so extreme that you will never have a relationship between the homeowners and landlords – good or bad. Our investors group had a vote of 52 members at the last meeting. The question was: Do we want to vote a few code blue activists to the September meeting. 48 members voted no and there reason were overwhemingly because of the comments posted. You activists are unbelievable and dont realize how misguided you are. Jeff, you are the voice of owners at council meetings. Your comments are pathetic
If you ever doubted the Mercury’s poisoning of the well of public opinion about Pottstown the two Mercury headlines above should remove your doubts.How does a renter in an absentee owner apartment building become a taxpaying homeowner. When the facts become available we will probably find out that this is just another drug deal gone bad and people from surrounding communities will think it was the work of a local taxpaying homeowner. This crap has gone on for years. How long will you people continue to underwrite this shameless so-called news organization. If you want to change your community buy another newspaper.
so kevins…i’m a little curious. as you know, pottstown has plenty of gorgeous large houses (we call them victorians). our neglected victorians are always looking for someone like yourself…someone who is a go-getting hard and smart worker, college-educated, and financially savvy…to purchase, restore and live in them. you know…a resident who can be a positive contributor to the community.
so…how come you don’t live in pottstown??? i have friends who live in a very nice single family 3,600+ sf pottstown victorian and they love it (i think that qualifies as a large house…don’t you?). and i actually think they live very close to the property where this recent crime occurred.
maybe some of your 52 friends would like to purchase, restore and live in some of pottstown’s large houses. those of us in-town property owners who live and work in pottstown are always looking for nice new neighbors to move here (you know…those who are hard and smart workers and can work several jobs at once). i’m hoping you didn’t spend six years on an english degree my friend. if so…that’s pretty pathetic.
422er
I would never get an English degree – No money in it. Quick typing has never been my strength, making money is. I’ll bet you I made more money in the last 4 years than you will make in your lifetime. Pottstown has made me rich.
I will not live in Pottstown for 2 reasons. I can’t put an inground pool in the historic area. I only associate with well educated people with an open mind. The definition of a closed minded individual – blaming a person who is a risk taker, hard working and wanting to make their childrens lives better, for events they had no involvement. Definition 2 – stating a person who doesn’t live in the town, but 15 minutes away as an absentee landlord.
How do you know this guy doesnt spend 8 hours a day in Pottstown.
You guys will never make this town better because you blame the landlord and the landlord will never go away just become stronger. All this Borough talk and your websites have organized the landlords more than ever and the committment to stand as one team is more apparent than ever before. We are strong and recruiting more every week. The 40% of Pottstown rental units will become 50 % in 2 years when housing prices drop another 20%. We are coming to Queen street to put renters as your neighbors
I hear that the Feds want to increase the value of a housing voucher so that the Section 8 program can spread the joy …. there’ll be a slum next door to you, goodmom….er…..kevins before you can learn to construct a sentence or comprehend the meaning of obfuscation.
I would think that doing a background check would be part of regular procedure when considering someone as a possible tenant in a building that is, from what is being claimed, so carefully maintained and cherished by the *absentee property owners.
When I rented I had great landlords and I fully expected them to do a background check before they would allow me to rent from them – and they did. My landlords also had a vested interest in their properties; one lived on the property, one had their mother living on the first floor and the other had their practice on the first floor. I wonder how many absentee property owner in Pottstown would allow a family member, especially an elderly mother, to live at their property? How many would run a thriving business from their property and go be there everyday year in and year out to work?
As a side note, I have witnessed some of the folks who live in this particular rental unit at Beech and Walnut, and I have certainly noticed some unsavory activity going on. One individual living there seems to have a particular affinity to the ladies that hang around the corner day and night, and appears to enjoy inviting them into his unit regularly.
A comment on Movedon’s excellent point.
“How does a renter in an absentee owner apartment building become a taxpaying homeowner.”
I can’t believe I didn’t notice such big blunder on The Mercury’s part.
It wasn’t the “homeowner” that shot the intruder, it was the renter, and it was certainly the renter speaking out about the event. More accurate headlines would be:
Pottstown intruder shot by tenant
and
Renter speaks out about shooting
I don’t understand how such an error happens.
kevins, you inquired about the definition of an absentee landlord. I believe that to be pretty common knowledge, especially for such an educated individual. Even so, I thought I would give you an official definition (see below). Clearly, Pottstown folks aren’t coining a new phrase here … but I’m sure you are aware of this, kevins?
from wikipedia.org
*absentee landlord – Absentee landlord is an economic term for a person who owns and rents out a profit-earning property, but does not live within the property’s local economic region. This practice is problematic for that region because absentee landlords drain local wealth into their home country, particularly that of rural areas and the Third World. The term “absentee ownership” was popularized by Thorstein Veblen’s book of the same name, Absentee ownership.[1]
When used in a local context, the term refers to a landlord of a house or other real estate, who leases the property to tenants, but fails to ensure that proper maintenance is done on it. This in turn leads to what may appear to be abandoned buildings, causing significantly-lowered property values and urban blight.
kevins, are you upset because you think that your investments are in jeopardy? Lets stop and consider this. Code Blue supports strengthening of the current rental ordinances not to harm the “good” landlord who pays their taxes and maintains their property but as a way to provide more tools for the Borough to combat the growing blight problem. How does this threaten your investment unless you are one of the landlords who does not pay their taxes and maintain their property.
How elitist are you that you buy a McMansion outside of this town on the backs of the people who make less money than you. I will even go a step further. Pottstown is a diverse community. We have folks of all races that live together. Does the fact that you would never live in Pottstown due to the fact that this town is not lily white like your McNeighborhood? Not accusing, just asking.
By the way, I have the cojones to comment under my own name. I do this because reasonable people (including landlords that I know) are all for improving this town. We are not going to be able to eliminate the rentals in this town, but we all believe that just because its a rental doesn’t mean it has to be a blight on our community. How about if you post under your real name so we can look up where you live just like you did to me?
Do you sleep well at night with the knowledge that a lot of the social ills in this community are caused by the unchecked proliferation of rental properties? Just as long as “they stay out of my backyard” you get a good nights sleep? Instead of warring with the people looking to make this town better why don’t you pull up your shirt sleeves and help us?
Jeff
Your address is listed on the borough councils website because you made comments last meeting. You are the voice of homeowners in this town and some of your comments made a few days ago are concerning.
I have no idea who owns the property of the shooting, but do you believe the owner wanted violence at the property. Who cares where this owner lives? Who cares if they live in a slum or mansion? It is none of your business. If they want to own a rental house in Pottstown and live in Collegeville it is perfectly legal. Others state he is an absentee landlord. He lives out of town that is all you have against him. The incident happened with an intruder and the tenant. In your last post you ask the landlords to help you. Look what you and your friends write about this guy and other landlords. Why would anyone want to help when you guys attack this landlord because of an incident that happened in his building.
Does the owner of the Brickhouse, icehouse, dairy queen, 7-11, etc live in town. Probably not, but you visit their store and consume their services.
I live in your so called mcmansion, but so what. I choose to live there for many reasons. I pay my rental property taxes in Pottstown on time every year, so I am contributing my fair share to community.
Your comment -Do you sleep well at night with the knowledge that a lot of the social ills in this community are caused by the unchecked proliferation of rental properties? You are so unrealistic in your campaign to smear landlords that you miss the big picture time and time again. Socal ills in Pottstown are caused by no new businesses coming to town, lack of jobs, high school drop out rate. etc. I would not even list rental property issues in the top 5 reasons Pottstown has issues. You guys put it at the top of the list because when someone from out of town is making money, this is evil. You were raised to be scared of the man with money and in adult life you can’t change.
Take a guess how much money the 52 landlords in our organization gave to the 3 Pottstown fire companies in 2009 (total) and guess how much they will be contributing in 2010? The 2009 total is more than all homeowners in the town combined. Guess how much was contributed by 6 landlords to the July 4th events? More than all homeowners combined. Is this giving back? You guys along with council have discourage landlords from caring and taking an active role in town. Previous actions, donations, etc by landlords don’t always need to be in the headlines like you cause.
Absentee landlord definition –When used in a local context, the term refers to a landlord of a house or other real estate, who leases the property to tenants, but fails to ensure that proper maintenance is done on it. This in turn leads to what may appear to be abandoned buildings, causing significantly-lowered property values and urban blight. WAS THE HOUSE THAT WAS BROKEN INTO NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED? WAS IT ABANDONED? WAS IT ON THE BLIGHT LIST?
I don’t speak for the homeowners in this town. I speak as a representative of a group, Code Blue, who wants to better this town by raising awareness of issues that are causing the ills of this town, whether they be dysfunctional government, bad homeowners or bad landlords. We welcome all people who want to help this town, no matter who they are.Kudos to landlords for giving money to the fire companies. Kudos for donating to the 4th of July celebration.
We have a problem with folks like the ones who own 2 abandoned houses on the 100 block of S.Washington St. They are years behind on taxes, water and sewer. The buildings are actually open in the back and you can get in. Squatters are in these houses. They are completely covered with feces, garbage, trash, etc. I toured these homes (not really homes anymore).I can assure you that these landlords did not contribute to the fire companies or the 4th of July celebration. These people are the real targets of enhanced rental ordinances and more stringent enforcement.
Everyone has the freedom to make money. We don’t begrudge folks renting out buildings to make money. But the sad fact is that folks who rent instead of own are generally more transient. They are not as invested in their community because they don’t own their home. They may be renting in Pottstown for a short time.
I even understand that folks who can’t afford to buy a house have to rent, and landlords make that happen. But Pottstown has more than their fair share. We need to stop the conversions, support the good landlords and aggressively pursue the bad ones.
Finally, I always hear about tolerance. If you commit a crime, that doesn’t mean that everyone who has the same skin color or religion as you is bad. We look past skin color, religion, etc. Well we are not painting all the landlords with the same brush, yet you seem to want to defend all the landlords as a group even if there are terrible ones.
Jeff
most everything in your last post the landlords agree with you.
The houses on Washington that are in disrepair need to be corrected and the owners need to be held accountable.
Our issue with the activists in Pottstown is members of your group don’t always support good landlords and/or rush to judgment with your printed words.
Quick examples. The intruder shot last week. The owner was called an absentee landlord and harsh words written. Uncalled for comments. He might be a great landlord who lives 20 minutes away. If someone gets shot at a local pizza shop does this make the pizza owner bad? Accusing the landlords for vandalizing one of your members homes. No proof on this but the easy target is the landlord. The chances that a businessman/woman did this is slim to none. Many homeowners of this town blamed the landlord for this incident. Drug dealing, crime, etc. – sure this happens in rental properties more than owner occupied in Pottstown. Why? In the downtown 10 x 10 block area there are probably 60-70% rentals. These are lower price areas and in lower price areas of any town there is more crime (just the statistical facts). Instead of acknowleding that this is true, everytime the Mercury runs a story on a drug bust or crime some homeowner mentions it is the landlord fault and lets drive him out of town. All these and many more examples are true. If you were a good landlord, would you get defensive? The comments made on your website and Mercury do not discriminate good and bad landlords. Sure the term good/bad is used on occasion, but many of your friends dislike anyone who doesn’t live in Pottstown and owns a rental unit.
We will never change your mind on your cause, but open your eyes and realize if the real issues in this town are corrected the issues you state with the rental properties in disrepair will correct themselves. If Business comes to town, so does money to buy homes. If the train comes, so do jobs in Philly that Pottstown residents can work and then buy a home instead of renting. These are the real solutions and the Pottstown leaders making comments at council meetings to discourage this should be your cause.
kevins, I am not an investor here in town, but if I was I think that I would do a thorough check on any potential tenant. There is plenty of public information available on most everyone. If I ran a check on someone and they had bad credit and criminal activity I would not rent to them. I am sure that “good” landlords do this, and they reap good tenants due to this. If I don’t run a check on people wanting to rent from me, then shame on me. When I have nothing but problems and Code Blue is hollering at me for renting to bad apples I have to re-evaluate my business practices.
If I run checks on people and they are acceptable to rent to, and things go sour (like they are wrecking your place or being criminal thugs), then they have to go. If the local justice system is making it hard to get rid of these bums, shame on them. I know that good things take far too long to happen in this town and bad things happen instantaneously, and we want that to change too.
The whole process needs to change, and everyone needs to work together. Also, please understand that this blog (which has started a kind of revolution in this town) is independent and anonymously owned. Although Code Blue people frequently comment on here, this is not our blog. I like that this is anonymously run. There is a refreshing edge to the articles on here. We run our own blog as you know and we have called on many people to get their acts together including the Boro Council, the School Board, etc. We have supported rental ordinance revisions and better enforcement. At a previous Council meeting I told them that regardless of how many ordinances that they write if there is no better enforcement then the ordinance is not worth the paper it is written on.
Back to the hypothetical that I am a landlord. A winning formula would seem to be: 1)Take care of my property 2)Pay my taxes and fees 3)Screen carefully any potential tenant 3)Make money. If I wanted to apply a losing formula, then I would 1)let my property go to shit 2)avoid taxes and fees 3)rent to anyone, move them in the middle of night, collect rent in cash 4)lose money, abandon the property and move on.
As far as the absentee landlord, and again, this is my opinion, if I lived across the street from my rental I think less shenanigans would occur in my investment. If I live in Pittsburgh then I just become a monthly bill for a tenant who knows that no one is watching me.
Finally, you cannot believe everything that you read in the Mercury, they print what they are told by the Police. We believe that the attack on the CPR activist was not random and the intruder shooting last week was not entirely what it seems, despite what it said in the Mercury. This town has a long history of keeping the truth about many things under the covers. I think I will just leave it at that.
kevins,
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify. I am co-founder of Citizens for Pottstown Revitalization and we are a separate group from Code Blue. The founding members of CPR live in the core/Washington St. corridor. Code Blue has provided extraordinary support for us in our effort to clean up our neighborhood however, it is not accurate that Code Blue accused landlords of the vandalism of our home.
Speculation grew from threatening comments, made by a commentor on the Mercury, who acknowledged that he is a landlord and who called me out by name. The perpetrators are now known and the vandalism was retaliatory, a consequence of a poor decision made by a landlord who did not do due diligence when screening prospective tenants.
As Neighborhood Watch Captains we made nuisance reports to the Police – SIX times in four months- for domestic disturbances, beatings, etc. There was drug activity in the apartment and escalating violence. On the sixth call the landlord became concerned. We don’t know who told the tenants that we called the Police, we certainly don’t hang a shingle out front when we make such calls. This incident could have been avoided. That the Borough chooses not to enforce the existing NUISANCE ORDINANCE is not acceptable and has unfortunate reprocussions. It sends the wrong message to the people who have united to establish the Neighborhood Watch, and it is a disservice to every citizen of Pottstown as well as the Police Department.
We accept that even when a landlord does their best to screen tenants there is a chance, (although much less likely), of renting to irresponsible people and drug dealers. The NUISANCE ORDINANCE is a safety net for landlords that allows them to remove problem tenants much quicker. It is key to revitalization of this neighborhood, and ensures that less of our hard earned tax dollars are spent on repetitive Police visits.
The Borough must enforce the NUISANCE ORDINANCE. I took the initiative to talk with the Landlord each time the Police came to the property. I believed that the landlord and their property were also in jeopardy. The landlord was unable/unwlling to act on the information I provided and allowed the situation to escalate until it culminated in vandalism of our property. We suspect there was also a good deal of damage done to the apartment as well.
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE BOROUGH ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE. The benefits of doing so will have a profound affect on quality of life issues for the law abiding residents, (homeowners AND good tenants), as well as landlords, and all of the taxpayers in Pottstown.
We extend an invitation to the community and especially concerned landlords to join us at our monthly meeting on Friday August 20th 7PM at the PAL Building 146 King St.
We meet EVERY third Friday of the month. Bring your insights, your issues and share them with us…Together we can make a difference!
Katy Jackson
CPR
VivaPottstown!!
Katy and Jeff,
I do not disagree with any of your comments. Your comments on tenants are for a perfect world. First the Judge in town that has been around for years needs to go. My opinion and many others. He has caused more harm than good in this town and it trickles down to the entire community. If the community knew the truth he would never be elected again. Unfortuantely the Mercury does not pursue story ideas on him even when presented proof. I would love to rent my properties to tenants with 700 or above credit scores, no criminal history and no outstanding debt. This is not reality in Pottstown. Maybe reality in Collegeville or King of Prussia, but not here. There needs to be a compromise. I choose to focus on evictions and criminal activity (drugs, assault or worse). Evictions or these crimes equal a potential bad tenant. A 550 credit score, unpaid medical bills, no current credit cards, a basic job making $12 hour, and little to no minor criminal activity is the make up of a downtown Pottstown tenant. This is the current reality. I have had great tenants on paper who trashed my house and tenants who had a checkered past that pay on time and create no issues. There is no exact science, but every landlord wants Jeff’s winning formula
Finally, Jeff your absentee landlord comment is extreme. The guy owns a property in Pottstown, lives in Collegeville (not Pittsburgh) so he is hardly absentee. Yes, if he never checks on his apartment and just collects monthly checks, I would agree he is absentee. There is no proof he is absentee and it is just concerning when people call him absentee because he doesnt live in Pottstown.
Just would like your opinion on what Mr Gibson said about the train? Concerning to you? Do you think he has an agenda for those comments? Could he realize that if the train comes to town so do people that could replace him on Council? Did he make those comments to protect his own political interests? Is he really looking out for the town as a whole?
kevins, I understand what you are saying about the profile of the Pottstown renter. As far as the absentee thing, I was not singling out the landlord from the property at Walnut and Charlotte, I was doing what you said-making an extreme example. I do know of a corporation out of Pittsburgh who owns properties in this town and by anyones definition they are bad landlords-our town and their rentals are just numbers on a balance sheet, not real people in a real community. These kinds of investors hurt our town and they also hurt the good landlords.
As far as the whole rail thing, I do not know exactly what Mr.Gibson said, but I think there is a certain level of anger that projects like the Kiem St bridge keep getting delayed while millions are spent on I-95 and everything east of KOP. That bridge was supposed to be replaced within 3 years, now its been pushed back to 10 years. And the people in charge of that bridge (not sure if its PennDot or Montgomery County) told Council if that bridge fails before its replaced it will be closed regardless of the consequences. I personally am skeptical about the rail line since I believe that no public transportation system has ever sustained itself, so it will be just another drain on the taxpayers. I hate taxes but why not just add 3 cents on to a gallon of gas to raise the necessary highway money? Why do all the governments just keep blaming each other and passing the buck?
kevins,
It’s perhaps a minor point but I would suggest that Collegeville, not being within the Borough of Pottstown boundaries, would necessarily qualify a landlord as being “absentee”. Then again, maybe there is terminology that better represents this situation, but for now we’ll work with what we have.
Anyway, that seems like picking bones, with all the weighty issues looming. You seem extraordinarily focused on absenteeism as part of what has raised your ire. Does this affect you personally? If so, in what ways? Jeff certainly didn’t coin the term “absentee” nor did he define it, that is being done at the Borough level.
No doubt you can make the best possible judgment of character, you can do background checks and still be disappointed. You made no comment about the NUSIANCE ORDINANCE, as I stated above, this can be a tool for landlords to quickly rid their property, and the neighborhood of unexpected nuisance tenants. If you haven’t done so, will you take a look at it and give me your feed back? You can access it by going to pottstown.org – go to search type in ordinances – click on HOUSING which comes up as a PDF File and scroll down endlessly to Chapter 11 203.
You also didn’t mention if you would join us on Friday night at the C.P.R meeting? It is a great opportunity to co-mingle and learn from one another what the challenges are that we all face. There are other landlords that attend regularly, and as new investors in our neighborhood, it would be a boon for them to connect with you and other investors that have property in the core.
If you attend, I will candidly share my personal experience of Mark Gibson, and let the others share theirs. I believe it is a topic that needs to be raised.
Katy
P.S. We have just returned from Judge Kropps court room. The Detectives, Grimm, Mull and the Police Officers that worked this case are to be commended for their diligence in apprehending one of the vandals, putting him in jail and bringing him before the judge.
The out come left us speechless while the Police were openly agahast as Judge Kropp made the decision to let the vandal walk, (after which the punk apologized to us). Uh…I didn’t do it but I’m sorry it happened to you!
One of the underlying challenges in this community is the notion that “nothin’ ain’t nobody’s business”. The uninvested people that live in this neighborhood turn a blind eye to crime and suffering and they will lie on the witness stand, apparently without reprocussion.
Could be that this community needs to form a Court Watch.
Katy
Hi, kevins – You didn’t ask for my opinion, though I’d like to offer it. I am a Code Blue member, too.
I find it disheartening that the majority of council spoke against the 422 plan. That said, the rail coming to Pottstown would be a fantastic ‘link’ to the outside world of the 5 square mile Borough (in my opinion). I don’t know if there are any political agendas at play but the fact that people suggest we shun efforts that could help us grow and reestablish connections with other local and regional areas is just beyond me.
I have a problem with those people that are in positions of authority always asking what will be done for Pottstown before we (the governing few) endorse or support you. This, again my opinion only, seems to be a pedastal people like to stand on in this town and when they don’t get their way they tend to cause trouble for progressive projects (case and point – the Centralized Campus). I suppose the Judge you refer to has some of these same qualities?
Business coming to town OR access to business centers outside the town will start some kind of activity. If Pottstown is linked to these areas and has affordable, well-maintained housing and/or rental stock it becomes a natural choice for people to look to settle. Reenergizing Pottstown in the downtown will likely happen and radiate outward with an increased demand for ‘things to do’ – helping ALL stakeholders.
Bringing industry back to town isn’t the answer – it may come if the town conditions improve. Commuter rail access is the river access of old (to industry). I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel we just need to support an evolution of the First Suburbs and reconnect with other municipalities to have the right offerings to residents and business owners. We can’t wallow in what we have lost over the years, the time is now to entice the things/people we want to rebuild the town and its image.
I thank you for sharing openly and being a responsible landlord and encouraging and/or supporting the town. If you, and others like you, set the bar and stand against the less responsible landlords (since they unfortunately give you a ‘bad name’ by association) with residents wishing to make a difference and ‘turn the town around’ – we will ALL reap the rewards!!
Respectfully – Steph C.
kevins – SavePottstown!! certainly appreciates your comments on this matter. Everyone posting here (including our staff) only wants the best for the town we call home.
If there’s a Judge in Pottstown not doing their job, then by all means send us an email (go to our Contact SavePottstown!! link at the top of this page) and give us some facts/figures to run with and we’ll do some research.
If there’s substantial evidence that sloppiness and unacceptable “judgements” are at hand, you can bet your sweet butt that we’ll put together a post on the issue and inform the good folks who read our blog.
If The Mercury can’t be bothered with reporting on an important matter like this that affects the property owners and residents, then they’re good for nothing.
Katy – I am deeply sorry that the outcome of the hearing wasn’t what you were hoping for and that it left the officers with their jaws on the floor!!
When the enforcers of the laws aren’t supported by judicial representatives (especially if work has been done that is by the letter of the law) the system suffers a breakdown and it becomes an advertisement for more people to commit the same type of offenses – SAD, VERY SAD! So, it seems kevins might have hit another nail on the head and you might have given birth to a new idea – Court Watch, hmmmm?!?
kevins, I hope you will accept Katy’s invite to the next CPR meeting. She could shed some light on questions regarding Councilor Gibson, based on personal experiences. There may be some other town leaders sharing his views you might like to inquire about from residents of the core area.
Steph – I agree with your entire comments but I feel industry is as important as the rail. If industry comes the recovery will be slow. If the rail comes it will be faster. If neither come, well the future does not look bright.
If you ask the Pottstown landlords on their experience with the court system you would be surprised by the examples. In all fairness, most of the time the rules set by the state of PA are followed with no arguement. But there are times that these rules are purposely not followed. It costs the landlord money and the judge feels this is ok. The issue is that many landlords live in Boyertown, collegeville, limerick, etc and dont vote in Pottstown. The voters in Pottstown have no idea what is going on. Even if the majority of voters dont care about the landlords interest, everyone should care about justice and rules being followed as set by the state. Once someone can break the rules one time and get away with it, they continue to abuse their power. The problem for the landlord is if you complain you need to worry about your next court case. In other words, you keep your mouth shut or the next tenant will stay an extra 2 weeks because the judge is getting revenge.
Katy – I think any landlord is in favor of the NUSIANCE ORDINANCE as long as it is not abused. I give the neighbors of my units my phone number and they call me if their is an issues. Very few issues are ever reported but it happens. What push back have you received from landlords on this ordinace?
The absentee landlord discussion is really not an issue unless a home is in disrepair and not being fixed. If someone lives outside the pottstown borders that does not make them absentee. That makes them a resident of another town. If they maintain the house and they live outside teh area, it shouldn’t matter unless you feel every home in Pottstown should be owned by a Pottstown resident. Absentee or slumlord are derogatory terms and in the publics eye they mean a rich landlord who is ripping of the poor tenant. So when used on the intruder house last week I feel it was in poor taste without knowing that landlord is in fact not maintaining his rental
Regarding the weekly meetings – it is just too risky for the landlords to attend. If someone doesnt like our point of view our names will be plastered on the website. We have businesses to run and a reputation to maintain. Pottstown residents are so related to each other that if you disagree publicly you could offend your customers(tenants). Our group stays on the sidelines and will participate in constructive debates via the computer. Thanks for the invite
Jeff – My view of the rail is it is vital for the town and the recovery of the house prices. I am willing to pay my fair share of taxes and tolls if it will help revitalization. I feel Any homeowner in Pottstown should push for the rail if they are counting on their home value to recover. I would rather have the rail come and not be as successfully as thought than do nothing. Doing nothing will make Pottstown look more like Reading in the near future. Right now the town leaders are practically doing nothing. Even if ideas are proposed that you do not 100% agree, dont disregard. Although I might not want a tattoo parlor, trash plant, etc – these things are better than nothing and bring in jobs and tax revenue. The leaders need to go find the next mrs smiths or dana. I’ll bet these companies are out there if you offer the correct tax breaks, property price, zoning and make it so easy to set up shop in Pottstown that they cannot say no. Give them 3-5 years of zero to no taxes for long term tax revenue, jobs and a future for Pottstown
kevins – I agree, completely!! Rail is a bigger boost and the industry is important but I think there is a better chance of some coming to Pottstown IF the rail is in place. I think the rail will help the town rebuild from the inside out, with industry being in a phase 2 or phase 3 of that process.
With regard to the many problems you have faced with the judicial system – seems like many years of problem after problem – I understand you reluctance to ‘speak out’. These blogs started with many commentors doing that very thing – making statements to ask really tough questions utilizing te safety of an alias. If that is something you and your fellow investors/landlords must do from the sidelines then funnel some of your experiences to the talented SP!! staff so that the facts become known and a greater understanding is achieved. Justice and fairness are integral to bring the town forward, even if the injustices aren’t told in the first person.
You are right, these are important voting issues and should be brought to light for all stakeholders to baby step toward common goals – beneficial to all. Just because we don’t always see eye-to-eye doesn’t mean we can’t get there and form productive partnerships.
It is apparent we all have frustrations and understanding the sources they stem from will bring about a more unified community with common goals and purpose.
Really glad you joined the debate!!
kevins,
The fear and apathy that guides so many who live or do business here are “tough nuts to crack”. I won’t try to conceal my disappointment.
Nevertheless, like Steph, I am happy that you’ve joined the debate and hope you will continue to share your insights and concerns.
All the Best,
Katy
Since the D A has made a decision, are there any closing comments? BTW I am one of those “…gun-happy 2nd Amendment nutbars” you refer to.