Media's Third St. Bridge: Leadership you CAN'T trust

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 #mediapa

The Political Agenda of the Third St. Bridge (uncovered):

This week I received a news article written by the Daily Times showing that former Council President, Joan Hagan (D) and Solicitor, Frank Daly (D) agreed that accepting the "non-federal aid agreement" would clearly define ownership of the bridge.  Former Council President, Joan Hagan is even quoted as saying, "I can't believe there will be any objection to our taking ownership."  So why did Media Borough file a lawsuit and incur thousands of dollars in legal feels to have the courts determine who owned the bridge and repair work?

Daily Times Article written by Susan Serbin - Sat. Sept 23, 2000 (excerpt)

This is a good question worth better understanding since the bridge went from initially costing taxpayers $1.4 million 12 years ago, to a hefty price of $3.5 million today.  Having a needed and dangerous bridge held up over a political agenda for the last 12 years; at an additional cost of $2.1 million to TAXPAYERS is an outrage.

To deflect responsibility,  the Media Democrats released a letter to the editor  of the Daily Times last September stating the bridge repair delay was the fault of the County and Broomall's.  The following was stated by Joan Hagan and former Borough Councilperson, Gail Whitaker:

Campaign Contributions

 It is most interesting that because of the refusal of the county and the club to acknowledge ownership, this issue has languished without resolution. Media, in 2006, filed an action asking the court to determine ownership of the dam. As the litigation stalled, council leadership realized that the people of Media would be better served by keeping Third Street closed and, in July 2009, council voted unanimously to abandon the roadway? The county and Broomall’s Club responded by filing an action seeking monetary damages against the borough which action had the effect of preventing the street abandonment. It was, therefore, the failure of the club and the county which has delayed the project and driven up the cost from the initial $1.4 million to today’s quote of $3.5 million or more.

The bridge was not only abandoned, but the engineer who was hired by the Media Democrats years ago went on to bill almost $100,000 in fees for a closed bridge.  During the span of the bi-partisan coalition, he was removed, but not after giving thousands of dollars in campaign contributions throughout the years to the Media Democrats.  The engineer was also Chairman of the Brookhaven Democrats.

Daily Times Article written by Susan Serbin - Sat. Sept 23, 2000

During those 16 years both Council President Brian Hall and Councilman Paul Robinson, who were recently elected again last fall,  served prior terms on borough council as vice presidents.  Again, why weren't they able to address bridge ownership?  And, if a greenway was so important to the "community" why wasn't it brought up then?!?!  What's interesting is that, Paul Robinson served as VP under Council President, Joan Hagan and Brian Hall served as VP under then Council President, Frank Daly. If that doesn't illustrate a political agenda, I'm not sure what would. (Ed. note:  I asked the person who gave me this letter above if there were corresponding Borough Council meeting minutes and was told the borough couldn't find them.  I'll formally request these minutes from the borough next week.)

So after 16 years, how is the bridge now on the verge of finally being resolved?

About 18 months ago two democrats and two republicans had had enough of 16 years of "political agendas" and decided that in the best interest of the town; a bipartisan coalition was needed.  With 4 out of 7 votes between them, the coalition replaced Council President Peter Williamson (D), with Pete Alyanakian (R).  With Monika Rehoric (D) appointed as Vice President, the coalition went on to resolve the legal hurdles, and applied for an received, $75,000 from the county for design costs, and $650,000 from the state for the repair.  With PennDot already committed to 80% of this cost, the bridge became fully financed.  Interestingly enough, what they accomplished in a year, the democratic majority couldn't do in well over a decade.

At what might be considered spite; last Fall, the Media Democrats then went on to support and bolster the Friends of the Glen Providence Park group through their campaign literature while appealing to the FROGS for candidates that would fight the vehicular traffic of a new bridge (i.e.support a greenway).  Kent Davidson, who's wife co-founded FROGS is now a Councilman.  In fact, everyone who signed their petition during the election last year is now on Borough Council!

Media Democrat's campaign literature 2011

Where this issue stands:

1. Croynism:
   The friends of the Glen Providence Park petition that clearly argues the need for a greenway was signed by three people who are currently now on Borough Council:
   
   
   • Council President, Brian Hall 
   • Paul Robinson (Chair of CAC)
   • Kent Davidson (Wife co-founded FROGs and live at base of bridge on Third and West St.)
2. Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) - Political Agenda
   Two people currently appointed to the Citizens advisory Committee (CAC) have publicly made statements back in Oct 2011 that they represented FROGs.
3. The CAC even thinks the CAC is slanted
   Co-Chair of CAC abruptly resigned over what he thought was a slanted, one-side motive of CAC. I attended the CAC meeting on Feb 27 asking about the resignation and further transparency on who on the committee represent FROGS.  I was talked over and ignored.   I was also questioned by a councilman about my knowledge of the resignation letter and what I knew about it.  I later met with the person who resigned to better understand the issues which he substantiated.
   
   
4. Media Business Authority Gag Order?
   No statements have been formally made by the Media Business Authority about opening the bridge to traffic.  How could this be? The MBA receives their funding from Media Borough Council.  This week I casually asked and heard from MANY State St. businesses who enthusiastically support the bridge being opened.   With a pending town center to be developed in Middletown, another access point to Media could be crucial our town's small businesses and restaurants.
5. Emergency Services
   Everyone who I talk to say the emergency services (Fire, Police, Medical) agree that fixing the bridge and allowing vehicular traffic is a "no brainer."  So why hasn't the CAC or Borough Council presented these vital statements?
6. Democratic Councilman calls Chair of the County Republicans for "perspective."
   I followed up on this one and it was nothing more than the Media Borough Council quietly trying to gauge how serious the other parties were regarding the legal court order on the bridge.  If Media Borough Council is trying to cut a deal this late in the game, I question their position of how strong a case they really think they have.  I don't speak for the county or Broomall, but I've not heard any interest from either of them in considering any changes to the court order.
   
7. The Legal Court Order
   I'm not a lawyer, but I read the court order and there is no misinterpretation to me of what needs to be done. In fact, it states it must follow the Schnable Engineering report created back in 1998. I believe if those on the CAC had a chance to read the order, they may have passed on being on the committee.  I did.
   
   
8. The $650,000 question
   The grant money provided by Senator Pileggi is not guaranteed forever, in fact there is a major concern that further delay or additional lawsuits may jeopardize these funds and that the state may decide to use it for other pressing needs.  How will borough council address this issue and what are other financial alternatives if Media should not get the $650k?

So What Happens Now?

In light of these developments, I would ask everyone in the borough to please fill out and return survey's on third st bridge that were mailed to residents and businesses.  As of yesterday's mail, I have yet to receive my survey.  Please leave a comment if you haven't received yours.  

As for adjoining communities who also have concerns about these developments, I would encourage you to participate in upcoming meetings on Third St. Bridge.

Tedman