Pattye Benson

Community Matters

PA State House 157 Race — No further comments accepted for candidate question #3!

October 7, 2010
4 Comments

No further comments will be accepted in response to candidate question #3.

In August, when I approached State House 157 candidates about a candidate forum, I envisioned a much different outcome than has evolved. I designed thoughtful, engaging questions that I thought would be representative of important issues to this community. I stated that I would not edit the candidate’s responses, and as moderator, I would not weigh in with my opinion. Presumably seeing no value in this process, candidate Warren Kampf chose not to participate. However, incumbent candidate Paul Drucker returned his responses to my questions. At the time, I questioned whether I should go forward with the Candidate Question and Response forum with Paul’s responses (without Kampf’s participation). Ultimately, I moved ahead with the forum, deciding that Paul Drucker should not be penalized because Warren Kampf declined to participate.

I now recognize that my vision for this candidate forum was naïve. Rather than tolerant, respectful dialogue that discussed the questions and candidate response, I had the task of reading and uploading some of the most negative partisan, personal attacks than I could have imagined. Many comments were not on topic and some remarks lacked civility and respect. It is my opinion that the partisan, negative remarks were evenly distributed between both sides.

Having a strong opinion (from personal experience) on political misinformation and campaign negativity, I have chosen to accept no further comments on candidate question #3. I view negative campaign remarks in a negative light. These comments do not focus on substantive issues or policies but rather tend to focus on personality. This type of negative approach may motivate the base of support of each of the candidates but I think it could also alienate centrist and undecided voters from participating on Election Day – and possibly reduce the low voter turnout even lower.

On Monday, October 11, I will post candidate question #4 and will accept comments. If the comments remain on the question’s topic, I will continue to accept comments until the following Monday.

Thank you.

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Protests & Gunfire Headed for Valley Forge Park Next Month!

October 6, 2010
23 Comments

I guess we should prepare ourselves for protests and gunfire: the Valley Forge deer hunt is set for next month. The “lethal reduction” will begin in November and end in March.

Valley Forge National Historical Park officials say sharpshooters will start killing deer next month and end the first season in March, with a goal of killing 500 animals this winter. They say the park can support about 35 deer per square mile, and the current population is about 240 per square mile, or about seven times what it should be. The program, run by a federal agency will send out a small team of professional hunters with silencers and night-vision equipment to reduce the herd. The agency employs sharpshooters and the contract calls for eliminating another 500 deer next winter and 250 to 300 more in each of the last two years of a four-year deal.

Park managers say they need to thin a herd that has grown large and destructive, devouring young trees and other environmentally-sensitive vegetation. In addition to decreasing environmental damage, the officials claim the reduction in deer will decrease the spread of Lyme Disease and vehicle crashes.

They originally planned to start the deer hunt last winter, but they delayed it so they could evaluate contractual issues and pending lawsuits by two animal-rights groups. Animal rights activists say the shootings are unnecessary and dangerous to people living nearby. Park officials respond that the hunt will take place during overnight hours to protect the public.

I understand that there is very real problem with deer in the park, but . . . is killing 500 deer the only answer? Animal activists were able to delay the hunt by a year with legal wranglings and are promising more intervention next month.

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Jake’s Frozen Custard in Paoli . . . Not the Same as Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt!

October 5, 2010
3 Comments

Have you tried the recently opened Jake’s Frozen Custard in Paoli (located at the Paoli Village Shoppes)? I was invited to Jake’s a couple of weeks ago to a pre-opening by owner Missy Shaw. Not knowing the difference between frozen custard and ice cream my first question to Missy was,“What is frozen custard?”

Frozen custard is not the same as ice cream or frozen yogurt. For one thing, it’s creamier. It is also smoother and thicker. Served warmer than ice cream, frozen custard has a smooth, velvety texture. It contains very little air (10-20% verses 50-90% in ice cream) but an outrageously huge flavor. A true custard mix must contain a minimum of 10% butterfat and a minimum of 1.4% egg yolk (Pasteurized). High butterfat + egg yolk + low overrun = Wisconsin Style Frozen Custard.

The menu at Jake’s is more than just frozen custard. Missy has taken her mid-western childhood roots and transplanted an array of Wisconsin favorites for local residents to enjoy. Specialties include Grilled Bratwurst, Chili Cheese Dogs, Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Curds. Understanding the importance of offering children their favorites, Jake’s kids menu includes Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches!

Jake’s Frozen Custard respects its traditional Wisconsin roots. Owner Missy Shaw is clinging tenaciously to her commitment to quality and authentic preparation. At Jake’s a bit of yesterday is packed with love into every delightful dessert. And what a fun place to dine and to work! The bright colors pop from the walls in such a fun way . . . makes you happy, even on a gloomy rainy day! Missy is employing local high school students (Conestoga, Great Valley, Haverford, etc) after school and weekends; and adults are helping out during the lunch-time period.

What’s the saying, “baptism by fire?” After being open only days, Jake’s was front and center for Saturday’s 2nd Annual Blues Fest. With a location next to the main stage, outdoor seating at Jake’s was at a premium. The restaurant was busy inside and outside but the young employees met the challenge. When I stopped in for my frozen custard ‘fix’, I was impressed by the efficiency and calmness — surviving the Annual Blues Fest, Jake’s is ready for anything!

Outside Jake's at the Blues Fest

Support this new local business and stop by for lunch or dinner . . . you will not be disappointed! Begin a new tradition with your family at Jake’s in Paoli! www.jakesfrozencustard.com

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Rainy Season for Old Lancaster Rd. Bump-Outs

October 4, 2010
1 Comment

If you recall, Old Lancaster Road has new bump-outs. Back on August 8, I wrote about the bump-outs and the burden placed on some of the residents. To review, here is the link:

https://pattyebenson.org/2010/08/08/stormwater-bump-outs-burden-on-old-lancaster-road-residents/

Old Lancaster Road residents were looking forward to the completion of the sidewalk project, replanting of trees, shrubs, etc on their property and seeding of the bump-outs.

Tonight I was watching the Board of Supervisor meeting and a resident from Old Lancaster Road spoke to the board under ‘new business’. During the summer, 3 houses located close to the middle school were taken down at the direction of the school administration in conjunction with the sidewalk project.

The resident described the empty house lots have not had their stormwater management plan completed as previously scheduled. Due to the slope of the property there has been major mud run-off issues on to the sidewalks and on to private property. Mud is also overflowing from the bump-outs on the road and sidewalks. The resident described her neighbors are now shoveling mud off the sidewalks and she wants to know who is responsible . . . is it the township or the school district? There seems a vagueness as to who is responsible.

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Candidate Question & Responses – No Further comments on Question #2

October 4, 2010
1 Comment

No further comments on Question #2 will be accepted. I am still receiving comments on Question #2 — they will not be posted. I have replied to some of you privately, to the others — please know that your comment will not be posted. Please review Question #3 and its response and you are welcome to respond to that question, I am simply not posting any further comments to #2 question.

I stated on the top of Question #2 that no further responses would be posted to this question as Question #3 and response has now been posted. There were 3 comments that came in after I posted this information on Question #2 — please understand that your comments have not been posted. If you wish to review your comment and if appropriate re-send to Question #3, I will be happy to add your comment. Thank you.

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PA State Representative 157 Race – Candidate Question #3 and Response

October 4, 2010
79 Comments

This is the Candidate Question & Response Forum for the Pennsylvania State House 157 candidates. As previously stated, candidate Warren Kampf declined to participate in the question and response forum. Candidate Paul Drucker’s response follows the question. Each Monday for six weeks, a new question and response will be posted. The candidate forum will end the week before the election.

Question #3: There is evidence of the large and growing gap between infrastructure needs and the resources available in Pennsylvania. How do you propose paying for transportation improvements?

Paul Drucker’s Response

The needs of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) have been growing from year to year. There are now 12000 structurally deficient roads and bridges throughout the commonwealth. There is simply not enough money in the budget to repair them all, let alone to break ground on new projects.

I have met with members of the house and senate transportation committees, transportation industry leaders, the chambers of commerce, commissions and boards created to address the transportation needs and constituents. The one thing everyone agrees upon is that something must be done.

I propose that we begin to explore new revenue sources not only for our roads, but also for new light-rail systems and other mass transportation needs. With an additional $3.5billion needed per year merely to keep up with infrastructure maintenance, there are some difficult decisions ahead of us.

I know there is some talk of imposing tolls on certain roads and that this idea is being studied. There are additional potential sources that the Governor has suggested be utilized for revenue, such as closing tax loopholes for oil companies and creating public private partnerships. While these ideas seem worth exploring, I’ll want to make sure they are fair, reasonable and that all impacts are fully evaluated and addressed.

We should also consider dedicating some portion of a tax on the Marcellus shale natural gas extraction to fund our transportation needs. Pennsylvania has the second largest reserve of natural gas in the United States. However, of the top 15 energy-producing states, Pennsylvania is the only state that does not have a severance tax. Such a tax, on the billion dollar companies making huge profits off our resources, would begin to fill the revenue gap.

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Saturday’s 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest — a perfect day!

October 4, 2010
2 Comments

Photographer Glen Heck captures the crowds at the Blues Fest

Far from ‘singing the blues’, Paoli was alive and energized for the 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest and street fair this past Saturday. With the unsurpassed energy of Marie Thibault as a co-chair, this exciting community event exceeded any of our projected attendance numbers. With guidance from the third member of the Blues Fest board of directors, John Fattiene, the stage and sound crew, tent rental company employees and fest volunteers worked to ready the main stage, vendor row and the beer garden at Paoli Village Shoppes at dawn as the sun was coming up.

Young musicians from the School of Rock in Berwyn performed the final sound check prior to the professional blues bands taking the stage. As the blues flowed from the stage, the temperature soared and memories were created. In addition to the main stage, eight blues bands performed at the Paoli Shopping Center and at Malvern Federal Bank. The music committee did an amazing job of selecting the blues bands to perform on the main stage at Paoli Village Shoppes and secondary locations at Malvern Federal Bank and Paoli Shopping Center.

Working with our fellow Paoli small business owners and volunteers over the past year, this event was an opportunity to showcase our hometown spirit and the big heart of the community. With a budget in excess of $30,000, we are grateful to the many individuals, businesses and corporate sponsors who helped in the success of the 2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues. We appreciate major sponsors Paoli Hospital and Main Line Today and are grateful to many other contributors including Paoli Hardware, Malvern Federal Bank, MainLineNeighbors.com, The Hardware Center, Delaware Valley Friends School, Philadelphia Inquirer, Main Line Media News, to name a few, who believed in us, our vision and the community.

People arrived by car, by train and on foot. It’s hard to have an exact count on how many attended; we know the number was high and in the thousands; streets, sidewalks and parking lots were full and overflowing. With the economic difficulties facing our local business community, the 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest created an opportunity to introduce our local businesses and give the public a reason to come back to Paoli.

We thank the music committee, the tireless volunteers, the sponsors and most of all we thank the public for spending a magical, special afternoon in Paoli for the 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest. The memories of this day will last long after the music stopped and I was thrilled to be a part of it!

Pattye Benson
Co-Chair
Paoli Sings the Blues — 2nd Annual Paoli Blues Fest

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The Closing of Southeastern Post Office — Can that be Possible?

September 29, 2010
16 Comments

I received the following press release from State Rep. Paul Drucker’s office that suggests that the Southeastern Post Office may be on the chopping block to be closed. This is the post office that I regularly use and my the length of the customer lines, it would suggest that many residents use this post office. The press release says the post office system is consolidating — why, as a budget cut? Like I am doing, I suggest that you take 5 min. and send an email against the idea to close Southeastern Post Office.

Share your comments
to help keep local post office open

The United States Postal Service is currently exploring the possibility of consolidating some of its mail processing operations in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

Under this plan, the USPS is conducting a study as to whether the post office located at 1000 West Valley Road in Wayne, formally known as the Southeastern, PA Processing and Distribution Center, needs to stay operational.

I know that many of you use this location for your postal needs, and I would like you to have an opportunity to share your input. The USPS is currently soliciting public comment as part of the study process. The public’s comments will be thoroughly considered in any final determination.

Please send your comments to:
Donna Saulino
Customer Relations Coordinator
Philadelphia Metro Division – USPS
215-863-5009

donna.m.saulino@usps.gov

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2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues, Saturday, October 2 — FREE

September 29, 2010
Comments

The countdown is on . . . just a few days remain until the annual blues festival in Paoli.

Yes, the 2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues is this Saturday. Along with Marie Thibault, I am co-chairing the blues festival which is setting itself up as a spectacular event . . . for Paoli, for the small business community and for the public! John Fattibene, our third partner (and financial genius) tells us that we are on target with the budget. Of course, he also reminds us that the Paoli Blues Fest is continuing to accept contributions and sponsorships right up to Saturday.

Along with hundreds of volunteers, vendors, musicians, etc. Paoli is the place to be on Saturday. The weather is also getting onboard – 68 degrees under sunny skies! Hope to see you there!

2nd Annual Paoli Sings the Blues
Saturday, October 2nd

Noon ’til 6:00 PM
Rain or Shine!

FREE CONCERTS! Street Fair, food, dancing, Beer Garden, Blues Fest t-shirts $15, kids’ stuff and lots of music – Paoli will be hummin’, singin’ and swayin’ to the Blues!

3 Stages!
Main Stage: Paoli Village Shoppes
2 Community Stages: Paoli Shopping Center and Malvern Federal Savings Bank

For Band Schedule for each Stage go to www.paolibluesfest.com

The Paoli Blues Fest, Inc. is a registered 501(c) nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible as the law permits.

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Quick Response from Township Manager & Public Works . . . Political Campaign Signs Removed from Township Park

September 28, 2010
13 Comments

I received a response from township manager, Mimi Gleason thanking me for me email and explaining that the township would take care of the removal of the political campaign signs from Swedesford Road Open Space Park. Within minutes of receiving the email, a public works truck and two township workers arrived at the park. A township worker stood on the top of a tall ladder and a garden rake and his long reach were required to remove the signs. Good news . . . quick response from the township and the political campaign signs are down . . . bad news is that is that it required township time and money for the removal.

I’m sure that township residents don’t want their taxpayer dollars spent this way; I ask that political candidates instruct their campaign volunteers not to use our township parks for political signage. Thank you Mimi and Steve Norcini for your quick response!

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