The Shade Tree Commission Is Toast
POTTSTOWN, PA – We just had to come out of retirement to briefly comment on a number of issues that happened this week in Pottstown.
At Monday’s Borough Council meeting, two important decisions were made: 1) the dismantling of the Shade Tree Commission and 2) the green light to bring more Section 8 housing to Pottstown.
We say good riddance to the Shade Tree Commission and its arrogant chairman. Selective tree maintenance based on the personal politics of one vindictive individual is a poor strategy for the borough to associate themselves with. If you want to shed a tear (of joy)…you can read the write up in today’s Mercury:
Pottstown Borough Council vote cuts down tree commission
Maybe one of these days The Mercury will run a current picture of Tom Hylton…not a 25 year old one (that outdated smile is long gone baby). The article conveniently omitted the fact that Mr. Hylton left the meeting after being asked direct questions by Council…nice team playing Tom. After the meeting, some folks swear they saw Hylton curled up in the fetal position in the borough hall parking lot.
Roy over at Roy’s Rants had two very good posts about Monday’s meeting. If you haven’t already, check them out:
Pottstown Borough Council Makes Two Historic Decisions At Tonight’s Meeting
Pottstown Borough Council Meeting – The Rest Of The Story
The other issue was the decision by Council to allow low-income senior housing to be developed along the Schuylkill River. A decision which is an about-face to the recommendations reported in this year’s Urban Land Institute report.
While the enlightened ones over at The Mercury believe there are more positives than negatives for this proposal…Sue Repko over at Positively!Pottstown has the facts and figures. Check out her post:
Low vs. Moderate-income Housing: Know what you’re voting on
Maybe a group therapy session should be set up for Borough Council. Obviously, they don’t believe in the potential of Pottstown and are far too willing to sell us taxpayers down the river for an out of state developer frantically waving a tax credit application (low income tax credits we might add).
So…is that the vision for Pottstown? More folks riding those motorized scooters up and down High Street? What do low income seniors bring to the revitalization table? Absolutely nothing. This proposal is a slap in the face for all those trying to bring a younger demographic (and their disposable incomes) to Pottstown.
As a side note to all you conspiracy theorists out there…going on a semi-permanent hiatus involved no one from the legal community. It was strictly a personal decision made by SavePottstown!! So…don’t believe any of that lawsuit mumbo-jumbo. It’s simply not true. And if anyone is peddling those lies…consider their motive.
You know, I had grown weary off all the wheels spinning lately and could stomach it no more…I think it is a small victory won with regard to the Shade Tree Commission but it is a little less sweet being on the heals of the vote to move to the next step to make this Senior Project a reality. I am disappointed with the vote and have nothing but bad feelings about this, folks!!
I, like SP!! think it is worth taking a step back to let some cards fall where they may & observe making only a modest effort at commentary. I am troubled to see SP!! step back since they have a keen insight and a brilliant wit and wisdom – they deserve a break and well you can’t blog forever, huh?!?!?
I hope you catch ‘the big one’, SP!! Do keep your ear to the ground and help all the good people of P’town stay alert to the madness around us! We wish you well and thank you for ALL you have done and hope that you know how lasting your words are/will be – we will miss you and hope you are pleased with what you have become!!
How fantasic to have shared cyberspace with you and nice to know you’ll still be there when you are needed most.