Now, normally we don't take pot shots at other blogs because well, face it, we have been a target ourselves....from disgruntled politicians who think they rule the world inside and outside of their tiny fiefdoms to developer sock puppets, yep, we've had our share of fun.

Last time we even saw something we didn't like it was last election cycle when that GOP strategist set his wife up in the Suzy Homemaker Blog that attacked a State Representative up for reelection. Fortunately for all of us that blog has expired.

However, a new one has cropped up called TT Dems with one of the voices being named "Mister Tredyffrin" (and before they go postal over this post, here at SAC we are the most politically diverse melting pot that we will save them the opportunity to say we are anything else, and it having to get really ugly)

How did we find the blog you say? Why on a link from the Tredyffrin Democrats website. And it is a FULL PAGE link that has this disclaimer:

"Gateway to Mister Tredyffrin

Note: The views expressed on the Mister Tredyffrin blog are not necessarily those of the Tredyffrin Democratic Committee. Any feedback on the blog should be directed to the author at MisterTredyffrin@gmail.com

Ok standard stuff, even if it is odd to find a blog not specifically sanctioned by a political party, yet linked. However, we figured, hey why not?

Then a particular post caught our eye:

Does Tom Like Farm Animals?
09/30/07 | by Mister Tredyffrin

"Today one of our local papers, Main Line Life, gave the Tredyffrin Township Republican Committee (TTGOP) a bully pulpit. More than that, it actively wrote news, made editorial decisions, and managed opinion in the favor of the local Republican party"

followed by-

"Did you hear? It’s disgusting!
First, Daniel Kristie wrote a “news” story that led with a nasty and false rumor spread by the John (J.D.) DiBuonaventuro campaign. (not that J.D. actually started the rumor; no one apparently knows who started it; but is that really the point?)* Sure, Dan said he couldn’t find any support for it. Sure, he couldn’t find the source. But he said it all the same. He described the rumor as “the opening punch that no one threw.” "

followed by -

"Okay, then, here’s a rumor I heard some time last week. Or maybe it was Sunday morning when I was chatting with a friend in my front yard. Hmmm… maybe it was at an evening party last night. Who knows? And who really cares? Because I heard from someone is that there is this guy who is infatuated with farm animals. It could be anyone, any Tom.... Let’s say... Tom. Yes, Republican Candidate Tom is infatuated with farm animals. Of course, there is no way it could be true. It’s patently false. But, hey, why not talk about it? It’s fun!

So the rumor about the very special place that animals have in Tom’s heart is entirely false. There is no basis to the allegations of the exorbitant amount of time he spends on the farm. None whatsoever.

But still, in spite of the fact that there is no foundation to the rumor, I would encourage everyone to be mindful of your pets around Tom. You know, just to be totally sure."

OK, so we don't give a Rat's fanny that this is a blogger who chooses to be anonymous, that is his-her-it's right. What is so utterly pathetic about this is that the reason it seems if you all read between the lines that these posts started is because some Tredyffrin Republicans got a little more of a mention in the local newspaper, specifically Main Line Life? Seriously? What's next? Pushing people out of the way to get into Society Page photos? It's no secret that political parties are not in the business to be 100% objective at all times because they have a product to push: their candidates and their platforms. That we get - it's their job...but attacking local papers who are the only ones who ever want to cover local races because regional and national papers can't be bothered?

Ok, so now we were hooked.Had to read on...and the thread continues like a petty trainwreck:

"Second is the paper’s decision to give John C.T. Alexander, Chairman of the Tredyffrin Township Republican Committee, yet another chance to brag about the TTGOP’s so-called accomplishments......One has to wonder if the typical Tredyffrin voter ever really buys into this garbage? Does he really think we are just sheep? (Steady, there, Tom) No, the facts are clear: the Republicans have become lazy in their leadership, and are corrupt, inattentive to the needs of the community, and need to be called to account.

Taking the prize in this column, though, is the most illogical comparison he has ever attempted, and that’s a low limbo bar, folks…

Tredyffrin is the polar opposite of the Democratic-run, inherently corrupt, Philadelphia.

Um, are you absolutely sure you want to go there, girl? Just how much bathroom stall tapping goes on during your monthly TTGOP meetings? How many young male interns have you molested lately? Will the local madame’s black book list all the names of your officers? Will you see to it that your Republican township supervisors vote themselves a pay raise like their brethren in Harrisburg did?"

Starting to sound like a huge case of political PMS, but no... wait - it gets better and you can read that one yourself. The next one we'll point out is the cherry atop the sundae:

An Editorial Decision
10/02/07 | by Mister Tredyffrin

"On Sunday the TTDems announced in a press release that Art Post and Kevin Mahoney, a Democrat and a Republican, have endorsed each other for School Board in Region 2. One would think that this would be Big News....Well, apparently not, according to Main Line Life and the Suburban and Wayne Times. They both eagerly accepted this press release, and yet the story does not appear in their papers. Huh? Rumor has it that these two papers were unable to reach Kevin Mahoney for confirmation of the press release.

They couldn’t contact Mahoney? Baloney. They had several days, and their crack staff couldn’t track down the president of the school board, the Senior VP and Chief Administrative Officer of the $3.4 billion organization Pensylvannia Health System? Give me a break......In spite of all the hard work of the TTDems in rooting out the problems and bringing them to light, educating themselves and the community, bringing excited, energetic and eminently qualified candidates to the table, and building bridges between the parties and with the local newspapers - in spite of all of this, we find ourselves stymied by the fourth estate. Actively impeded. It’s downright un-American.

One thing is clarified by the actions of our newspapers. Many months ago the TTGOP’s web site inexplicably went off the internet. Most of us just assumed that a new, improved site was in the offing, and it would appear shortly, probably with great fanfare. It never arrived.....Well, if we weren’t convinced before, it is certainly clear now. The Main Line Life and the Suburban and Wayne Times are the blog of the TTGOP. The TTGOP web site is the newspapers’ web site....Maybe a real paper which has not abandonded its roots in objective journalism, like, say, the Philadelphia Inquirer, will notice ...The public definitely needs to know...Is this the kind of “totalitarian democracy” you want to live in?

It’s almost like George Orwell’s Animal Farm, isn’t it?
Republican Candidate Tom might like that."

SAC Comment: How P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C

In the interest of full disclosure, we will state for the record that many of our members are featured from time to time in The Main Line Times and Main Line Life. They are published under "Reader Editorials" for which they are NOT compensated. In the interest of full disclosure, SAC members value the editors and staff of all three local papers Main Line Life, Main Line Times, Suburban & Wayne Times, although we will admit we don't know the folks at the Suburban all that well because they concentrate on Radnor and beyond....as for saying the Inquirer has not abandoned its roots, it's kinda hard to tell as the new ownership has pulled a lot up by the roots, right?

We've been at this game a lot longer then this Tredyffrin thing. We were mentored by fine sites like PhillyFuture.... But we will tell you seperately that as a local and nationally recognized civic action organization, oh we've had plenty of press releases ingored in the day...not everyhting we thought was news for us was covered. So what? We merely used our website to get our story out.

But what we don't get is what is up with this blog. Why are they so obviously going out of their way to offend newspaper editors? Because they won't print everything that is sent to them? Ok, are we in high school here or what? Correct us if we are wrong, but honestly, who has been more supportive of Tredyffrin Democrats then Main Line Life? Main Line Life covered them before anyone did, and didn't they help us all learn about political times changing in a township that was previously pretty much ruled historically by Republicans?

But what is the point of newspapers anyway? Isn't it to represent all views? So why shouldn't the "other side" get equal time? (Sheesh we don't like it on our pet issues, yet it happens all of the time) And why is it a reach for a paper to say they didn't print a news story based upon a press release because they couldn't verify and speak to all parties involved? That happens every day in the newspaper business and like anything else in life, if someone won't call you back, they won't call you back? So what?! Is that a reason for a tempest in a blog spot, or more pointedly a full out attack against people who are sometimes the only local voice people have?

Prior to these posts, if you all out there go check out this Trdyffrin blog, they were praising the local papers for covering them, photographing them....smoochie, smoochie, smoochie. Then wham! When the newspapers did their jobs and reported on others and other things,out came the X-rated nasty farm animal posts in totally bad taste like smelling a donkey's butt...now who would want to do that and why?

We know that Mr. Tredyffrin will undoubtedly take a jab at us for commenting on this--- and we already figure it will be not so nice because we are disagreeing with them...so be it. But lay off the local papers and the editors. They do us all a great service in our communities and to attack them basically because every press release doesn't turn into a story?

Oh grow up. Write better press releases and have the sources you will need checked out lined up and waiting. Also be practical - have you ever been inside the newsrooms of these local papers? They aren't exactly teeming with reporters, and they are limited more and more to what space they have.

We think Mr. Tredyffrin is capable of better then behaving like a demented Jimmy Olsen. And while Mr. Tredyffrin is entitled to his opinion, we're entitled to say we think he is acting like he is trying out for "Jackass". We think the fact that the political playing field is becoming more level in Tredyffrin is a good thing, but we don't like this other stuff because it simply reeks of politics as usual and if that is the case, what good will have been accomplished? Sheesh, what's next? Think Radnor will allow blogs within the "city limits"? We all know the Radnor establishment fears blogs like they are a four letter word, right? LOL, guess "BLOG" is a four letter word?

We crack ourselves up! Chill Mr. Tredyffrin...you wanted attention? Now you got it. Tredyffrin Democrats? If the blog isn't your specifically and doesn't represent your voice, don't link it to the party website. Just our two cents...we're sure y'all will cut us a new one, but hey we're used to it....

Final note? We found this Tredyffrin website while cruising for anything interesting on local political races this fall as it is a very dull season thus far other then we are curious to figure out why a candidate that isn't running in Garrett Hill in Radnor seems suddenly so interested in Garrett Hill? And why another candidate, running in Lower Merion seems inable to other than write utterly inane letters to the editor? And we'd love to know more of what is going on in Haverford Township as their politics have been especially interesting in 2007.

With the five major music labels dictating what music we should enjoy; it becomes increasingly difficult to find a unique sound on the radio waves. I find myself having to dig deeper and deeper to find something better then Nickelback or 30 Seconds to Mars. All of Nickelback's songs sound exactly the same and all whiny punk music should be taken off the radio, no one cares if your girlfriend doesn't love you any more. And yet these are the choices that we have to live with unless you start doing some serious legwork.

Last Saturday night I stumbled into Phoenixville's own "Moon Saloon". I was initially irritated and perplexed when I was forced to pay a five dollar cover for some local band that I had never heard about. "Great," I thought to myself, "I have to pay 10 dollars (5 for me and 5 for my girlfriend) so I can hear some middle aged losers play 'Smoke on the Water' for an hour and a half."

Needless to say you can imagine my surprise when I heard a remarkable sound coming from the back of the bar. The band is called McReadyRock and the only way I can describe their music is a cross between Rage Against the Machine (without the politics) and the Parliament Funkadelics (without the acid). These guys are all under 25 years old and have been playing together for under a year; yet they sound as if they have been throwing it down for a decade.

I asked the youngest member of the band and sick lead guitarist, Alex, how he handled the live shows at the Moon Saloon. "The Moon is our home base. I'd say we probably play here more then anywhere else. We need to get some money together in order to get some equipment in order to start a local tour or something."

If you would like to check out McReady Rock go to their myspace page at www.myspace.com/mcreadyrock

The band will be taking a hiatus for the next few weeks because their percussionist Alex (not the same Alex as before) is getting married. Congratulations!

Amanda Kaletsky is one of the musicians who performed at our community fundraiser for Moira.

She drove down in that ice and snow from Connecticut to play for us. She is a tremendous human being with sublimely fabulous talent. See her before she gets too big, and tell her SAC sent you!

She sent one of our members an e-mail, and here are the show particulars:

Below is the information for my show in Spring City atChaplin's next weekend. I know several people expressed interest in coming, which would be so great! Being as I didn't have a mailing list out that night, I was hoping you could forward this on to people.

Thanks so much again!
Amanda

FRI 3.30.07 7:30 PM
Chaplin's the Music Cafe
66 Main St
Spring City, PA
opening for Grey Eye Glances
all ages, BYOB for 21+
$20 in advance, $22 day of
http://www.chaplinsthemusiccafe.com

Yes...this is nothing than a purely sentimental blog piece on a horse no one knew personally, but symbolized so much. And if you have ever loved and lost a pet, you will allow this segway without sniping...

Barbaro, in case you all have been out of the country, was the Chester County horse who won the Kentucky Derby by over six lengths in May 2006.

His leg snapped a couple weeks later at the Preakness.

Barbaro survived so much, we all took it for granted he would get better. Today, his owners said good-bye when it became apparent he wouldn't get better.

That is the thing about owning animals - (and they aren't just investments or furry accessories with legs) - knowing when to say good bye.

Just like two of our SAC members recently shed many a tear saying good-bye to their cat, we're sure it isn't any easier for the Jackson family and the vets who knew that today they had to say good bye to Barbaro.

RIP Big guy. May there be forever fields of clover and apple trees for you now.....

This article just makes me plain depressed. With this decision, we all suffer. Any takers?

Defamation suit from 1995 settled
A newspaper was sued over quoted epithets.
By Kathleen Brady Shea
Inquirer Staff Writer

In April 1995, a Parkesburg politician's epithet-ridden rant against two colleagues prompted a local newspaper article, which in turn generated a defamation suit against the paper that ultimately made national headlines.

More than a decade later - after appellate detours that included the U.S. Supreme Court - the case returned to Chester County, where a confidential settlement yesterday ended three days of testimony.

Instead of listening to closing arguments on whether the plaintiffs - former Parkesburg Mayor Alan M. Wolfe and former Council President James B. Norton - deserved monetary compensation from the Daily Local News and its staff for damage to their reputations, the jury was dismissed.

"The case has been amicably resolved," said Norton's attorney, Geoffrey R. Johnson.

The settlement ends a lengthy legal battle that left the state's media outlets concerned about the chilling effect on newsgathering after a 2004 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision affirming a lower court ruling in favor of the elected officials. The appeals court ruled that the media have no absolute constitutional protection when reporting defamatory comments made by reputable public figures, even when describing the comments in a neutral manner.

David Kairys, a Temple University professor of constitutional law, said yesterday that it is unfortunate that Pennsylvania does not recognize "some form of the neutral privilege" because he believes it helps keep the public informed about government.

"This decision leaves a pall over other reporters... and the people will hear less about their public officials than I think they should," he said.

None of the other participants in the case would discuss the settlement yesterday.

"No comment," said Amy B. Ginensky, a defense attorney who instructed her clients to remain silent.

She was one of two lawyers representing Troy Publishing Inc., reporter Tom Kennedy, and editor William M. Caufield.

The Journal Register Company, which owns Troy Publishing, also had no comment.

Wolfe and Norton sued in response to an article that appeared in the April 20, 1995, issue of the Daily Local. The story, written by reporter Tom Kennedy, chronicled a rancorous three-minute meeting of Parkesburg Borough Council and a later diatribe from Councilman William Glenn to Kennedy.

....Former Daily Local editors testified that they did not verify the allegations made by Glenn but said they believed the story called Glenn's credibility into question. The fact that Glenn later lost his bid for reelection proved that point, they said.

"Sometimes the fact that the statement is made is the news, not the statement itself," said Caufield, the former Local editor.

Former managing editor Bruce Mowday, who works part time as a public information officer for Chester County, acknowledged that "the story could have been written differently" but echoed Caufield's view that the public needed to be informed about Glenn's behavior.

"It was a story about how government was not functioning," Mowday said.

....In March 2000, Glenn was ordered to pay $17,500 each to Norton and Wolfe after a four-day trial.

Given instructions on a controversial privilege known as "neutral reporting," the jury found that Kennedy and the newspaper were not liable, a decision that fueled appeals and generated national media attention.

News organizations, including the Associated Press and Philadelphia Newspapers Inc., which published The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, joined the appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In a "friend-of-the-court" brief, they argued that neutral-reporting privilege should apply and that its absence would have a chilling effect on political coverage, which is often riddled with allegations and name-calling.

In addition to affirming the appeals court ruling, the state justices in 2004 also ordered a new trial for Norton and Wolfe to decide the journalists' liability. That decision was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case in March 2005, setting up the retrial in Chester County.

"The Pennsylvania Supreme Court missed a real opportunity to strengthen press freedom when it declined to adopt a 'neutral report' privilege to protect the press when it reports newsworthy allegations public officials make about each other," said Dave Heller, a staff attorney for the Media Law Resource Center in New York. "This sort of local news needs to be covered - and if this case causes papers to shy away, it's the public that's the real loser."

Kairys, the Temple professor, believes the public suffers in another way because the settlement terms were not disclosed.

"We have laws that require open trials and proceedings," he said. "The public loses out because we don't know what happened here."

Did you know Steve McQueen got his first starring film role in an independent film? Did you know that film was set right here in the greater Philadelphia area? The same film also boasts a theme song written by the then-unknown team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Whether or not you knew any of the above, you can be part of the annual celebration of the classic independent horror film, The Blob, running today through tomorrow.

Highlights of the festivities include a re-enactment of the scene where moviegoers ran out of Phoenixville's Colonial Theater (tonight), and showings of the movie itself (tomorrow) -- all in the same movie house setting from the original film. But there's much more, from live music and screenings of additional films to a costume contest.

Click here for more details on the events you can expect if you plan to be part of this celebration of local movie history.

Man kills neighbors dog because he is some kind of [Insert Bad Word of Choice Here] and gets slap on wrist. When will Pennsylvania honor its promise to deal with animal abuse?

Man who killed dog gets three days to a year in jail

A Downingtown man who killed his neighbor's St. Bernard was ordered yesterday to spend three days to 12 months in jail.

In case any of you missed it, Barbaro that magical horse with wings for feet came crashing down to earth Saturday at the Preakness.

Like millions of others, I was watching to see if this magnificant creature would repeat the Kentucky Derby win. First the false start, then disaster.

Is this yet another example of the "Philly Curse"? Ok, now sports fanatics everywhere are going to come out screaming, but seriously, some days it seems like the Philly region is indeed cursed by sports misfortune...

Barbaro- my money is still on you pretty boy...if I can wish a horse "get well soon" I am doing it...to Barbaro's human family: I will say a prayer to St. Francis - a friend tells me he looks out for animals...

These issues over shelters and pets have spurred a furor of comments.

So I am wondering: how do all you animal lovers feel about what is going on in Chester County? Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't see any jail time, and are the fines enough punishment for cruelty to animals? Any takers?

Apparently, my posting comments on domestic animals, shelter problems, etc. have hit a nerve...that being said, although others seem to cover this particular topic, I thought I would post this article about the court case involving the breeder/"hoarder" of dogs in Chester County. A "hoarder" is a collector of sorts, pets, in this reference. These people think they are helping, but actually aren't...

A special note to all the anonymous posters under my post http://www.phillyfuture.org/node/3156 - I get why you are posting anonymously, but if you have information about cruelty to animals ANYWHERE, you need to come forward. I noticed a comment that suggested contacting the reporters in the area who cover these stories. It is a great idea, and most will protect the confidentiality of their sources. But you must be credible, and they must be able to substantiate your information in some way.

From The Daily Local News:

Oxford kennel case ends; verdict to come next week
ANNE PICKERING, Staff Writer04/22/2006

"OXFORD -- The hearing in the animal cruelty case brought by the SPCA against three Lower Oxford residents concluded on Friday, but Magisterial District Judge Harry Farmer Jr. said he wouldn’t issue his ruling until next Friday, April 28.

It was the second day of testimony, in which more humane officers from the Chester County SPCA and Delaware County SPCA reported on the conditions they found at the kennel when it was raided Oct. 10.

The Chester County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals confiscated 333 dogs, three cats and two birds that were living amid allegedly filthy conditions at a kennel operated by Michael Wolf.

Witnesses testified April 11 and on Friday of finding the animals living in cages and roaming at large in three buildings that were littered with feces and animal waste. Humane officers said that the odor from the kennel was so overwhelming that it was difficult to breathe.

Veterinarians who treated the dogs after they were removed testified that the dogs were afflicted with skin, ear, and eye conditions, and intestinal maladies as a result of living in the allegedly unsanitary conditions. Some dogs died after being removed. About 30 animals were taken to vets for emergency care the day of the raid.

Wolf has been charged with 337 counts of animal cruelty for unsanitary conditions, 200 citations for having unlicensed dogs and 100 citations for dogs without a current rabies vaccination. Wolf, who at one time owned and handled prize-winning show dogs, lost his kennel license in 2002.

Two other individuals, Gordon Trottier and Margaret Hills, who were also living in the three-building compound in the 1700 block of Baltimore Pike, were also charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty for alleged unsanitary conditions.

Wolf, Trottier and Hills were represented by three attorneys -- Eric Coates, Charles Iannuzzi and John Alice.

....If convicted of the animal cruelty charges, the defendants could be facing a fine of not less than $50 and or more than $750, imprisonment for no more than 90 days or both punishments on each count.

Assistant Chester County District Attorney Lori Finnegan asked Farmer to send Wolf and Trottier to jail.

"They need to go to jail.We need to send a message of incarceration, even if only one day for one dog or even one 90-day sentence," Finnegan said. "Each animal was at risk because of the filth they were living in," she said.

....If convicted, Wolf, Trottier and Hills would also be responsible for SPCA costs in relation to caring for the animals. A preliminary figure of $254,000 was provided to the judge, but SPCA officials said that not all the humane societies that were caring for the dogs had submitted their bills. "

To contact Anne Pickering, send an e-mail to apickering@dailylocal.com

Full text: http://www.dailylocal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16518311&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=6

From Main Line Life BLOG comes this scary news:

The last thing Valley Creek needs is another shot of stormwater, but that's what it will likely be getting when the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission builds its slip ramp on Route 29.

The Pa. DEP is currently reviewing the Turnpike Commission's stormwater management plans for the ramp, and Pete Goodman of the local Trout Unlimted, who has worked tirelessly to protect the only stream in southeastern Pa. With an "exceptional value" rating, says the plan is lacking.

In his own words, Goodman wrote in a e-mail:

There is no volume control.
There is no infiltration.
There is no temperature control.
There are some attempts at cleaning the runoff - mostly of particulate matter - but much more could be done.

Think trying to change the plan is fruitless? Maybe not. The Valley Creek Coalition has a legal settlement with DEP that states the organization will only issue permits in the Valley Creek watershed that provided for the infiltration of stormwater.

But time is running out. DEP needs comments by Friday, April 14. E-mail yours to Zahra Nucci at znucci@state.pa.us

-AR

Shame, shame, shame. Who'll help these people? And the homesless pets about to be homeless AGAIN? Apparently, not their local township. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and East Whiteland Township should be ashamed of themselves. But are they? Apparently NOT:

Woman copes with losing property to turnpike group
JOHN ROSSOMANDO, Staff Writer www.dailylocal.com 03/20/2006

Excerpt:
"EAST WHITELAND -- When Dolores "D" Solitario and her late husband first purchased their early 19th-century farmhouse in the 1950s, it was a hollowed-out shell where the floors were missing and an outhouse was the only form of sanitation.

The Solitarios spent the next several years restoring the house and their 1700-vintage barn into livable and workable condition, founding a boarding kennel in 1968 that remained in operation until last September.

But all her dreams and everything she has spent her life building for the past 50 years is about to literally be bulldozed away.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has decided to condemn the house and barn where her daughter Deb Bevilaqua operates her hair salon and where Solitario now provides space for Main Line Animal Rescue’s animals.

Solitario, 73, said she had tried to get her home listed as historic under state rules, which could have prevented the turnpike commission from condemning her home. However, the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission that oversees historical preservations statewide ruled that too many changes had been made to the property for it to qualify.

She and her daughter were supposed to have left the home this past Wednesday; however, Solitario’s inability to find another place to live where she would be permitted to operate both a kennel and a beauty shop and a boarding kennel on the same premises has delayed the inevitable.

"Other townships’ (zoning ordinances) are different, and they won’t allow me to have the boarding kennel," Solitario said Thursday as she sat in her rustic kitchen. "If I go out toward Downingtown or out toward Kennett Square or around that area in any of those other townships, I can, but that’s too far away."

She said her daughter’s clients generally are older and would not be willing to travel further than her Malvern home.

Rumors that the slip ramp was coming through flew around in 1999, but after they failed to materialize, Solitario invested large sums of money into renovating her home and barn.

She said now the slip ramp definitely will happen this time because Atwater, a company located across the street from her Yellow Springs Road home, has given several acres of land to the turnpike commission for the ramp.

"I was born and raised in this homestead, and it has really disrupted our finances," Bevilaqua said. "I can understand eminent domain, although I don’t want to, but the real issue is that they don’t want to give us what our land is worth."

...."There are two businesses here -- we are not just losing our homes," she said.

One of Solitario’s neighbors/clients voiced her support and disbelief with the turnpike commission on Thursday.

"They are not being respectful of their needs, and this is not fair after 50 years, for it all to be bulldozed," said JoAnne DiFillipo, a neighbor on the other side of the turnpike whose land is also being seized by the state, as she entered Bevilaqua’s beauty parlor.

DiFillipo also said she was concerned about what will happen with the animals housed in Solitario’s barn once the turnpike commission executes its decision to seize the land, because Main Line Animal Rescue will have to find a new place for its animals.

Solitario and her daughter are especially frustrated with the township because it has not made efforts to help them with the turnpike commission."

full text: http://www.dailylocal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16336635&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=6

To some, Mardi Gras means boob flashing...In West Chester it was Mardi Gras Gone Wild....shall we expect a video soon?
Giggle factor: HIGH

Pub In Trouble After Flashing Flesh
WEST CHESTER, Pa

Others have taken a stab at this topic before; today it's my turn. When it comes to animals and pets, I believe humans have a larger resposibility of having to do what is right, i.e. if you can't properly care for a pet, there are others who can. Just like when an animal is old and infirmed- do you keep the pet around and going when it is in pain? Or do you give the pet the dignity to let go when they are ready, just like human beings can choose to do? It is NOT easy to let go of someone or something you love, but isn't the greatest gift of love being able to do just that?

Accused breeder says his dogs were his family
Michael Wolf has been charged with neglecting 337 dogs, since removed by the SPCA.
"I'm lost right now," he said.

By Bonnie L. Cook Inquirer Staff Writer

Excerpt:

Some of our members heard whispers of this a while back, but only as a rumor of potential eminent domain. We will cross post on Philly Future because THIS SUCKS. This widow had offered a home to Main Line Rescue's homeless pets. Now they will be homeless again. And for what? Another piece of highway that will be as bad as the rest around here? Pretty soon there will be no historic structures or open space in Pennsylvania. Please note we heard if this widow hadn't sold, she would have been a victim of eminent domain.

If there is ANYONE who can help Main Line Rescue find a new home ASAP, please PLEASE help! They can be be reached at http://www.mainlinerescue.com/ . And even better, if you are thinking about adopting a homeless dog or cat, especially a Katrina pet victim, now is the time. Oh, and of course the state is low balling this woman on her property...given comperable land values in trendy Chester County that is even more despicable.

Read the horrible news here:
A new turnpike ramp will run her off the road
By Susan Weidener Inquirer Suburban Staff

Excerpt: