It is that time again to cast your vote for certain Abington Township Commissioners, in particular Ward 10. As you know, Abington Township is strongly considering sweeping changes to the Zoning Ordinance, particularly as it relates to the relaxing of the barriers between residential and commercial zones. One of the proposed re-writes of the Zoning Code includes transitional zones whereby rather than having clear cut residential areas and commercial zones, the new zoning ordinances would allow commercial infiltration into residential areas. Who among you would like to have a commercial establishment next door? Even if that possibility doesn't affect you, the possibility of that ever occuring in Abington Township should be of some concern. Is that what you, as homeowners, want?
The Commisoners have downplayed this by saying nothing has passed yet. However, the Zoning Commission seems to be spending a lot of time in their meetings whereby this topic encompasses the bulk of their discussion, including outlining which areas within the Township will have transition zones. The Commissioners also like deflect any comments or challeneges by ranting and raving about all the misinformation surrounding this and other similar issues, yet they have not proactively attemtped to assuage the concerns of residents by being open or forthcoming when questioned (in fact, they are very defensive) or sending out any type of information to residents. They feign an attempt of transparency by saying meetings are open to the public, but few residents know about these meetings, few have time to attend them (for example, the Zoning Re-Write Commission meets at 5:30), they get cancelled or moved with little or no notice, the minutes from these meetings take too long to be posted online, and the minutes to the Zoning Committee meetings are not available (online).
Yet, the Commissioners are tired of all the misinformation. Really? Why not do something about it? If the Commissioners are so tired of the misinformation, how about stop complaining and whinning about it and instead have each Commisioner send a mailing to their constituents??? How about asking each resident if they want to be on an email distribution list? Unfortunately for Ward 10, Jim Ring would rather ignore questions by residents.
Based on what I detailed in earlier posts, it appears that Jim Ring, Ward 10 Commissioner, is okay with relaxing the standards of our residential areas by allowing commercial vehicles to be parked in our neighborhood even though there is currently a Zoning Ordinance which clearly prohibits it. Jim Ring also supports the use of eminent domain to take a building from a private citizen even though there are other buildings available. Do not be fooled that they are offering fair market value to the owner of this property, because that is not true. Fair market value is a price a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept for a property under reasonable and ordinary conditions. This definition assumes that neither the buyer nor seller is under any pressure to complete the transaction. In an eminent domain case, the seller is not willing and therefore, the amount being offered is not fair market value.
Most importantly, during the ordeal detailed in earlier posts, Jim Ring ignored inquiries into a commerical vehicle parking violation, even in the face of Township emplooyees giving preferential treatment and not responding to inquiries. I do not think that a Commissioner or employee under any circumstance should ignore questions by any Abington Township resident. It is bad enough that he appears to be playing favorites among residents and threatening the value of homes by allowing commerical vehicles into our neighborhoods, but to ignore legitimate questions and inquiries into Township issues is inexcusable. Toss in the consideration for re-writing the Zoning Ordinance to allow for more commericalization of our Township, and you see where is going.
Please think hard before supporting Jim Ring and the other Commissioners who have been party to this behavior. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Eminent Domain & Property Rights of an 80-Year-Old Widow
The Abington Township Commissioners have begun unjustified legal proceedings to seize the property of Elizabeth Patane, an 80-year-old widow, who has made it clear she will fight the taking to the last inch. A rally in support of Mrs. Patane's property rights was held on Saturday, October 17, 2009, featuring a march on the Abington Township building. (www.tinyurl.com/TheStolenProperty).
According to official minutes posted at http://www.abington.org/, by using eminent domain, the Abington Commissioners voted in February to seize Mrs. Patane's storefront property for use as a neighborhood library, even though the main township library is approximately one mile away and no other neighborhood has its own library. Further, there was another building already for sale across the street from Mrs. Patane's property which could have been purchased instead, and without litigation. Township officials have admitted that Mrs. Patane's taxes were current and that there were no code violations or safety concerns. Still, Commissioner Peacock is on record saying, "Taking it is the right thing to do." Initial outlays for the Patane property are anticipated to be almost $2 million (not counting litigation), but the Abington Commissioners have stated on record that they cannot say what the final cost might be, and that there is no fixed dollar amount or cost estimate for the project, nor any guarantee of success. The last high-profile taking in Abington ended up costing almost three times the property's value due to costs of litigation. In Coatesville, $7 million was squandered before the town finally admitted defeat.
Here is what another concerned citizen has to say. Also, here is another person has to say about Eminent Domain.
According to official minutes posted at http://www.abington.org/, by using eminent domain, the Abington Commissioners voted in February to seize Mrs. Patane's storefront property for use as a neighborhood library, even though the main township library is approximately one mile away and no other neighborhood has its own library. Further, there was another building already for sale across the street from Mrs. Patane's property which could have been purchased instead, and without litigation. Township officials have admitted that Mrs. Patane's taxes were current and that there were no code violations or safety concerns. Still, Commissioner Peacock is on record saying, "Taking it is the right thing to do." Initial outlays for the Patane property are anticipated to be almost $2 million (not counting litigation), but the Abington Commissioners have stated on record that they cannot say what the final cost might be, and that there is no fixed dollar amount or cost estimate for the project, nor any guarantee of success. The last high-profile taking in Abington ended up costing almost three times the property's value due to costs of litigation. In Coatesville, $7 million was squandered before the town finally admitted defeat.
Here is what another concerned citizen has to say. Also, here is another person has to say about Eminent Domain.
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