Well, the Inquirer has been out and about everywhere except Lower Merion, apparently. Also today? An article about Coatesville. Coatesville is home to our friend Dick Saha, who valiently fought and BEAT eminent domain http://www.saveourfarm.com/ .
Coatesville is looking to cut some fat (and perhaps do something about the crazy 80% tax increase the former city council enacted at the end of 2005), and they have a NEW solicitor! The new kid on the solicitor block is West Chester lawyer Andrew Lehr, and ally of the Saha's and their anti-eminent domain compadres! THAT is great news! Dick Saha taught us early on that to change the unfortunate course of local history, we needed to change the faces of those who govern us.
Here is an excerpt and link to full text of article:
Coatesville looking to trim city budget
By Benjamin Y. Lowe Inquirer Staff Writer
"Kareem Johnson, Coatesville's new City Council president, said yesterday that the city's staff would reopen this year's budget to cut more expenses.
Johnson, who was one of four new City Council members seated on Tuesday, said the new council members want to ease a tax hike that he fears will scare off new residents....In a surprise move, City Council voted to replace longtime solicitor John S. Carnes with West Chester lawyer Andrew Lehr. The move was opposed by the council's three incumbents, but they were outvoted by the four-member majority that Johnson leads.
Lehr, who has no municipal experience, is an ally of a group that fought Coatesville over the condemnation of Dick Saha's Valley Township farm.
Lehr said yesterday that his first job would be to reevaluate the city's revitalization program...."I don't disagree with revitalizing Coatesville," Lehr said. "The methods are debatable. I think there needs to be an evaluation given the new council and the November election." "
Full text found here: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/13553049.htm
To "brother" Lehr, new solicitor of Coatesville, we say congratulations and amen! If Mr. Lehr means what he says, and does what he says and government follows suit, Coatesville will be just fine! And to the new City Council President, Mr. Johnson we say the same!
