Sunday, May 26, 2013

Media in Two Minutes - Memorial Day 2013


Memorial Day 
And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

~Lee Greenwood

It's Media in Two Minutes.....Let's Go!

Media's Primary Results:
It's too bad the Media First team didn't pull through.  They spoke about and had positions on major issues in Media and also were longtime residents of the community.  Unfortunately, issues, service and candidates weren't important in this election.  It came down to who could better vilify their opponents.  Didn't matter if you were Democrat, Independent or Republican, if you weren't part of the ruling elite, you were hacked and even lied about.  So much for tolerance, as political persecution is alive and well in Media.

I do wish the "endorsed" candidates well, especially Sayre Dixon who I did have a nice discussion with and really enjoyed her company while at the polls.

Poll Workers at the Primary
Thanks to each and every poll working who came out to volunteer last Tuesday.  Nothing happens unless these workers show up to help with the polls.  They not only showed up, but did a GREAT JOB.  I received one report that one person had a ball doing it.  Nice to hear!

Banks on the Move in Media!
No new banks that I know of are coming to Media, but two are on the move and will be changing locations.  WSFS on the corner of State and Monroe is supposedly moving to the former Citi Bank location on Baltimore Ave (behind Trader Joes).  The Republic Bank on Baltimore Ave. is supposedly moving into the old Nova Bank building on the corner of Baltimore Ave and Providence Rd.  You know, the location where Media's Starbucks would have been perfectly located.

Media's Memorial Day Parade
This is one of the best in the county and maybe eastern PA.  It starts Monday, 5/27 10am on State Street.

Media's $20,000 5 minute informercial.
While at the polls on Tuesday, I was walking around asking if Terry Bradshaw would be in town so I could ask for our money back on the voice over he did for Media's $20,000 video.  First off, I have no idea what audience the video was intended for.  Business, travel, economic development, residents?  Not only is it painful to watch, but most of it is still photos with a lot of panning and zooming effects.  

The fact that this is suppose to be shown nationally is a joke.  I live in Media and if I can't even watch this video that is apparently about my town, how is anyone else suppose to when it's shown at 8am on Sunday morning in Appleton - Green Bay, WI?


Why did Media Borough Turn the Comments off?

Is Media Bike Friendly?
Is Media Bike Friendly?
With two scooters and a motorcylce, I've racked up over 5,000 miles riding within the borough over the last few years.  I've seen a lot and dodged a fair share of drivers getting out of their cars on State Street.  I do encounter people on bikes, but not many.  Other than the guy with the white helmet who rides the microbike and the woman who rides on State Street with her kid on the back, that's about it.  There are a few that rides bikes on occasion, but I wouldn't call Media a "biking" town.   There's an interesting article last week in the Wall Street Journal about community biking.  I'll look into writing something up about that next week.











22 comments:

  1. That's a good video! Why are you beating people up over it? During the next few years, that video could have real impact just sitting on YouTube. If it helps to attract new residents or businesses, that's a good thing. People shouldn't be crucified for taking a reasonable risk to try to advance the economic well-being of the community.

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    1. I also watched the video and being in the business myself that is money well spent among the four entities that funded it. Well done Media.

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    2. Disagree. A $20,000 discretionary expenditure in these economic times is simply irresponsible. And let's be honest, do you really believe a video like that is going to generate a true benefit to the average taxpayer. We're talking about the common good here, and that video doesn't cut it. It was illegally negotiated, by all counts, by the mayor, who had no legal authority to do so. Furthermore, the notion that multiple entities paid for this is a political fabrication. The M B A receives $75,000 allotment from the borough. Thus, the borough paid fit the video. Honest and open government? I don't think so.

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    3. There is no way to know whether this video will have any impact whatsoever. To make a statement to the contrary only demonstrates a weak argument in favor of the expenditure. To spend discretionary dollars based on a whim with no true data to support it is an insult to the taxpayer.

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    4. Check your math facts please. oh and the video is proudly displayed on the Delaware County Government home page.

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    5. What math facts. The budget posted on the borough Web site includes a $75k line item for the M B A

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    6. Math facts - I saw line item for Economic Development - look again.

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  2. I guess a simple "congratulations" would have sufficed for the primary election results, but oh well.

    I strongly beg to differ on issues not being important in this election. There was a clear choice / view on the issues between the two group of candidates running for borough council and the voters spoke overwhelmingly in favor of a measured, unhurried, and whole community approach to development in the borough vs. build baby build.

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    1. Yes, unhurried as in 17 years and counting. Media Democrats are truly naive.

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  3. Bike friendly? R U Crazy? My doctor rode his bike on State Street, got caught in the trolley track, and broke his wrist from the fall.

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    1. Anon4:52 what idiot rides his bike in the trolley tracks?

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    2. i did that once when I was 11. Learned how to cross the rails very quickly!

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  4. I watched the video twice and did not see Brendan O'Riordan once...

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    1. I cannot believe the video did not feature Tom Bates pontificating about ethereal nonsense from the window seat at Sligo as he is often wont to do.

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  5. Tedman and all. Just watched the video...., and I gotta say it's not that bad.... I was really skeptical, and while at moments I was expecting an SNL-like breakaway... apart from the lack of connection between some of the voice-over and the video / images and the artificial bradshaw love... it's a little cheesy, but sort of works. Not saying it's great.... but I'm not saying it's garbage. The way you've vilified it, I was expecting complete crap. It's not.

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    1. It is crap and garbage and a rip off. Media Elementary students could do a better video.

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  6. Media Borough turned comments off because of the likes of folks who post her!

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  7. The quality of the video is irrelevant. It it's the unbudgeted, illegally negotiated contract that bothers me. Also troubling is the $60,000 operating budget contingency. This "extra" money is going to come back to haunt all of us next time a labor contract expires. Thanks a lot, Mr. Mayor.

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    1. It WAS budgeted. It was NOT illegally negotiated. You are an embarrasment to continue to post inaccurate information. Just saying. oh that sign on the parking garage pointing to state street? That sign cost the same to the borough as the video.

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    2. It was unbudgeted when the mayor, who had no statutory authority to negotiate a contract on behalf of the borough, did so.

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  8. The problem with the Mayor is twofold. One, the average citizen doesn't understand the role of the mayor in a borough in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Two, the MAYOR HIMSELF doesn't understand the role of the mayor in a borough in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any candidate for mayor would be well served to become familiar with the duties, responsibilities and powers of the position, as authorized by State Law. Good luck...

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  9. The problem with the Mayor is twofold. One, the average citizen does not understand the legal authority and responsibilities of a mayor of a borough in the Commonwealth of PA. Two, the current Mayor does not understand the legal authority and responsibilities of a mayor of a borough in the Commonwealth of PA. Hopefully the candidate(s) for mayor will do their homework so they fully understand the very limited authority of the position...

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