Sunday, February 16, 2014

Media in Two Minutes

MEDIA IN TWO MINUTES 

Good Morning, World!  I'm dreaming of a white Easter! (kidding) I know if you live in Media there are a lot of questions and complaints regarding the recent snow falls and how much this has impeded driving and parking.  Essentially, many side roads in Media are now physically limited to one-way traffic due to the snowbanks on either sides of the streets.  There's about half the space we normally have for two-way traffic.

Delaware County Council - Advocates for the Hungry
Nice job by Delaware County Council with bringing awareness to the challenges of food assistance for those in need in the community. We have our own food bank in Media which has over the last year been the recipient of generous donations.  I admit, I never knew Media had a food bank until someone brought it to my attention and I went down there to see it myself.  Sometimes, getting the word out can make an immediate impact.

T-Mobile in Media Doesn't Sound Bad
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the cell coverage provided by T-Mobile in the Media area.  Sounds as though, based on the comments, that people are quite happy with this company and the coverage they provide.  Wasn't aware of how much a difference wifi connectivity made for incoming/outgoing calls.  If you're looking to switch carries due to costs and contracts, you may want to look at T-Mobile.

Community Mailboxes - A Dying Breed
In the grand scheme of things, this probably doesn't mean much to 99% of the residents, but the community mailbox at the corner of State Street and Veteran's Square is GONE.  Now, I know it's been gone for some time, and probably due to lack of use, but much like authenticity of those steal fire-escapes, these too are slowly disappearing.

Retail (NO)Business in Media
I'd like to recognize Jean Leone and the efforts she put forth as Media's strongest advocate for retail businesses in this town. It's unfortunate for this town and its businesses to have seen the "Going Out of Business" sign on her store this weekend.  She had the right ideas and ambition to help Media's struggling retail stores.  I'm not so sure the Media Business Authority felt the same way.

Last Fall people scoffed when I brought up the fact that many retailers in town had signed a petition to get better information on how the Media Business Authority operated. The gist of the petition represented the feeling that retailers weren't being properly represented by the MBA, while the restaurants in town were.  Since that time at least 2 Media retail businesses have gone out of business.

Slopefest in Media, PA? (Seriously, don't even try it)
To bring some levity to the harsh winter we had; here's some creative thinking and opportunity towards the significant snow falls we've had here on the east coast.

Questions This Week About Snow in the Borough
First-off, I could tell you about the snow removal and updates on many municipalities around Media, because they openly share information via social media.  That's being proactive and getting things done.  For the last two nights the icy conditions on Media roads were about as bad as the snowfall that caused them.  Where was the proactive response to these safety issues?  Anyone get a message from the borough that salt trucks would be dispatched, that they were working on it?  Or did you just hope a salt truck would drive by?  It's as easy to communicate important updates like these as it is sending a text message, but for many we were left sliding through stop signs, especially on Monroe St.  All of this falls under leadership, or lack thereof.


  • Why wasn't a snow emergency declared in Media?  Yes, this is a good question that I don't have an answer for.  You'll have to ask Mayor McMahon on what the criteria is for that decision.  Good luck with that.
  • Will the snow banks on State Street be removed?  When parked cars are pushed out further into the middle of State Street due to the snow banks, traffic becomes a huge problem when the trolley runs down the street.  Historically, Septa has run buses in lieu of the trolley to counter this problem.  Also, Septa has in the past given funds to have the snow banks removed from State Street.   
  • Why were the streets so bad?  This varied from street to street, but some did complain the removal of snow was lacking.  I believe the borough budget for snow removal is about $25,000, but I have a question about overtime.  I understand the borough wasn't too generous with overtime for snow removal.  I'll investigate that more, but had they not spent 10s of thousands of dollars keeping 3rd Street closed, there would have been enough money.
  • Councilwoman Amy Johnson leaves unregistered trailer on Edgmont for weeks.  Of all the things happening, the last thing I should be pointing out is an unregistered trailer (no-license tag) that Councilwoman Amy Johnson has sitting on Egdmont street outside her house for the last few weeks.  I got complaints about it and of all people, her neighbor Council President, Brian Hall should know better and address it.

20 comments:

  1. Tedman PLEASE get with the picture. I know you are sometimes slow but STOP pointing out what special privileges being on Media Borough Council gets you. (Davidson rarely shoveling his sidewalks---Johnson unregistered trailer sitting on Edgmont St.--the Mayor allegedly getting special deliveries) All of these people have been elected by the residents (by a two to one margin) they are SPECIAL and if they want to take advantage of the position they hold more power to them. to the Victors (DEMOCRATS) go the spoils.

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  2. Perhaps, a photo shoot is planned for a blog titled "How artistic irony and whimsy uplift the neighborhood one unlicensed trailer at a time".

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  3. More facts less whining...

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  4. Can someone clarify which of the Johnson twins this is: is this the one who is a FROG URBAN TERRORIST? That group seems to have Liberties to do whatever they feel like in this town without facing repercussions.

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  5. Raising the issue of the Third Street project in the same conversation as budget shortfalls should only lead to the reasonable question of why the taxpayers are buying a private country club a dam. The country club doesn't seem to appreciate it - they litigate for the two way road, costing even more tax dollars. Special privileges bestowed during rare Republican leadership.

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  6. Michael Jordan, MediaFebruary 16, 2014 at 11:29 AM

    Lucky in Media. Only two short outages of Peco services at my home in Media. Other counties lost services for days. Thanks for getting our services back on, Peco.

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    1. Your right Michael Tedman saved our ass again. He is our super hero.

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  7. With regard to the weather... just gotta say that the other WED when we had a tree and power line down in our street.... immobilizing most of us for hours and creating a public hazard..... it wasn't PECO that came to our rescue (like they should have).... the Borough did.... electrical contractors and all. Credit where credit is due. Thank you Media.

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  8. Where's all the development in Media? It seemed like several years back there was a nice flurry of activity. I thought Media was a bona fide middle class suburban town. Now it seems there are several developments in suspended animation. Media should have more of a buzz like West Chester. Granted, West Chester has some assets that Media doesn't such as the university and it's exurban location but Media has some assets that WC does not such as Septa regional rail and trolley and proximity to Center City, the airport and I-95. They're both county seats. In my estimation, with all Media's inherent charms there should be all kinds of construction and development. Was always thinking it might take on a life of its own, instead it's been a very slow, steady pace. Oh well.

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  9. Communication during an obvious snowstorm is completely inconsequential. The trailer parked on the street and the multiple contractor signs and the failure to be a good neighbor are valid concerns.

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  10. Hopefully, the first "Anonymous" was just being facetious. Please don’t stop pointing out Media Council special privileges, Tedman. Instead, let's build A-T-M readership. Let’s get more residents angry enough to vote out those who abuse power. Any elected official who uses his or her position to flout the law or to serve personal interests above the interests of residents should be outed. Any official who turns a blind eye to another official's abuse should be outed, too. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is a more pertinent quote. BTW, are so many "Anonymous" here for fear of repercussions in this small town or is it that they just don't know how to add their names? Take credit for speaking your mind! Too few actually use their minds let alone take the time to express an informed point of view.

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    1. Mr. Pierce I was not being facetious with my post. These elected council members volunteer enormous amounts of personal time to Media. Thus they deserve to be able to "go outside the lines" so to speak. The regular rules do not apply to these special people just ask them. And a lot of us prefer to post anonymous for fear of retribution from certain members of the Borough hierarchy never know when the inspector, code enforcement ect will be told to find something to harass you with. Be you a resident or business owner or both------many on Council are mean spirited and vengeful but once again they were voted in by a two to one margin so live and learn.

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    2. Mr Pierce I could not agree w/you more - ie take credit for speaking your mind. I, too, have said that more than once regarding various issues, in particular The Third Street Bridge! And I've been "slandered" more than once by anonymous comments. I, too, wish they (be it man or woman) would have the guts to publish their name. Anyone can hide behind anonymous! Guess we'll never see those individuals at any meetings because they then would have to show their face! Oh wait, maybe we have!!!

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  11. This is almost as bad as over entitled Media Elementary parents forcing political crap like fair trade on our kids!

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  12. Regretfully, TM, nothing is going to change until the unlawful acts and unethical behaviors are revealed through the channels that have been established for those purposes. This forum provides great fodder, but the first anonymous poster is unfortunately correct. Let's face it... we can't even get a public approval of the bills for payment by the MBA, a clear violation of the Sunshine Act. Furthermore, this is arguably a violation of the Sunshine Act by Borough Council, because they simply funnel taxpayer dollars to the MBA. But nothing will change until someone has the guts, time and money to take it to the Court of Common Pleas.

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  13. Oh no, fair trade! The horror!! It sounds like someone should be sending their kids to private school so that they are not getting indoctrinated by those public school commies.

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  14. Here's a thought - Show up at Council Chambers this Thursday Feb 20th and speak to those same elected officials you all are talking about. Oh wait if you show up that means you will be showing your face thus exposing your name or an "alias". Choose to watch it on tv? Sure why not - maybe they'll take call ins??? Or email Davidson - he's always on his computer.

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  15. Attending a meeting about alleged unlawful behaviors by those who run the meeting would be counter productive. Allowing folks to post anonymously protects their constitutional right to free speech and, interestingly, provides a psychological nonviolent outlet and exchange of information and ideas.

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    1. Anonymous 2-19 at 6:47pm Touché

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