Wawa has a book!

Sylvia Seegrist is a name not forgotten in Delaware County, PA.

Philadelphia Plumbers Union biggest campaign contributor by far in local elections including Rose Tree Media School Board, Middletown and Upper Providence

Based on a campaign finance report filed last week, the Mid-County Democrats have received two contributions within 6 months totaling $20,000 from Philadelphia Plumbers Union Local 690.  One received on 4/17/17 and a second on 9/11/17.  Local 690 from Philadelphia is by far the single biggest contributor towards the upcoming local elections from either party.

Mid-County Democrats have in turn used the money to fund their Rose Tree Media School Board candidates and candidates they have running in Middletown, Edgemont, and Upper Providence.

Stock up for the Nativity BVM Turkey Drive. 478 turkeys is the number to beat!

A Tribute to Emlen Tunnell

"2 Penncrest seniors, Jimmy Ziegler and Nick Evangelista produced this video on a one day shoot, in 90 degree heat, in cramped quarters, with people in and out, They played a key role in documenting for history a major point in the making of the Emlen Tunnell Statue. They did Penncrest proud!" - Phil Damiani

Investment in energy hub TRIPLES tax revenue for Delco

Investment in #energy hub TRIPLES tax revenue for #Delco region! Learn More: https://t.co/wi3GEVLYdE pic.twitter.com/uyeKDptqx1

— Sunoco Pipeline (@SunocoPipeline) October 26, 2017

DVRPC Gathers Data on Traffic Volume

DVRPC Traffic Count Device on Baltimore Ave.

If you've seen these boxes this week throughout Media with long cables attached to them spanning a street; they are part of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission who is gathering information on traffic counts.  This information is shared with region's planners, policymakers, developers, and the public.  Orthoimagery and traditional aerial imagery from as early as 1959 is available, as are traffic counts, detailed demographic analyses, and survey results.

I reached out to the DVRPC to get more information on this effort and to see if there are any proposed plans to address traffic in our immediate area.

Turning Point Gallery is Closing its Doors

One of the longest-running retail stores on State Street will be closing its doors for good.  This week signs were posted on the windows of the Turning Point Gallery.   There's been no official statement released on their Facebook page.   From the "About" section, the store was established in 1987.

About
Established in 1987. Turning Point Gallery represents over 200 juried American studio artists. Specializing in American Studio glass, American studio jewelry and and original art by Susan Seddon Boulet.

No word yet on what may be occupying this very desirable location in Media.

Plumbers Union Local 690 wants to run Rose Tree Media School District and local elections. Contributes $10,000 towards Mid-County Democrat canidates

Philadelphia Labor Unions are seeking to run the Rose Tree Media School District and other local elections by way of candidates supported by the Mid-County Democratic Party.  Here's a 2017 campaign finance report showing a contribution to the Mid-County Dems for over $10,000 by just the Phildalephia Plumbers Union alone.  The committee's biggest contributor by far.  In turn, the MCD has been funding candidates running for office which includes: RTMSD, Middletown, Upper Providence, and District Judge.

Campaign funding for local elections are typically raised within the community for candidates from the community. 

Natural remedies and healthy options of CBD oil explained by Stefan Roots Blog interview with Burnman's Health Shop.

An interesting concept that may be of value to Media's emergency service volunteers.

Important information for those who raise chickens in Media Borough.

Media-UP Library Fall Book Sale - October 21-23, 2017

Contact: Karin Goldman
Media-Upper Providence Free
Library Book Sale
Phone 484-477- 2601
karingoldman@verizon.net

1 E. Front St.
Media, PA 19063

Media-Upper Providence Free Library

Book Sale

Press Release

Media-UP Library Fall Book Sale: Week of Sale Release
For Release: Week of October 15, 2017

Media, PA October 10, 2017: The Media-Upper Providence Free Library Fall Book Sale is
this coming weekend, October 21-23, 2017. The sale will run 10-5 each day in the basement of
the Library, located at 1 E. Front Street, Media PA 19063. The site is fully accessible, with wide
aisles and an elevator.

The upcoming sale will feature over 40,000 books, movies, music, games, puzzles and
more. In addition to shelves filled with children’s books, fiction, non-fiction and mysteries, the
sale will also feature large amounts of books about horseracing, baseball, golf, exercise, railroads
& trains, and Asian and vegetarian cookbooks. Music lovers are in for a treat with lots of sheet
music, a huge selection of LP’s and many books on contemporary music and musicians from the
1960’s to present. Don’t forget to visit the Specials room on the 2 nd Floor where all kinds of
unique and collectible books are for sale.

Prices can’t be beat. On Saturday, most items are $1-2, with Specials being individually
priced. On Sunday, everything is ½ priced, except Specials. On Monday, buy a bag for $5 and
stuff it full! Specials are half-price on Monday. The semi-annual sales provide a major source of
funding for the library’s operating budget. For more information, visit the Facebook page (Media
UP Book Sale), follow us on Twitter/Instagram (@mediaupbooksale), email
librarysalemupl@gmail.com, or call the library at 610-566- 1918.

###

Pictured in photo: Imany (4) and Inaya (2) Furtado

Media Borough 2017 Leaf Pickup Schedule

Bike sharrows come to Media. Will they work?

South Orange Street - Media, PA

Back in 2016 the idea of designating specific lanes for biking, called bike sharrows, was first discussed.  Back then the proposal entailed two phases.  Phase one would cost approximately $20,000 and include road markings showing were the lanes are.  Phase two would address traffic signals specifically for bikes and also cost $20,000.

This week, we saw the first designated street markings identifying the "sharrow" lanes.  These can be found on S. Orange Street.  You'll probably see more of these as the borough rolls out the program.  Unfortunately, there's nothing on the borough's website or social media that really explains the program.  Specifically how people should use them, both bikers and vehicles.  Who yields to who? Can you ride outside of the sharrows? Etc.

Media Borough should provide something like this example to explain how sharrows work.

I walk Media almost everyday and even at the height of Fall biking season, I don't see a lot a bikers.  I don't see them biking, at bike stands or at the Media train station.  Perhaps the sharrows will help, but I still think the enforcement to curb roll-throughs and speeding, which I have seen recently by the Media Police, is a better focus of resources.  At least that's what parents who have concerns about their kids biking in the streets tell me.

A case can be made that Media Borough did the same thing.

This week an ethics complaint was filed against Middletown Township over the easements needed by Sunoco to construct the highly contentious ME2 pipeline.  The complaint was based on a few issues noted:

Evans based his complaint on several issues. He noted neither a written contract nor rate of compensation was determined between Flandreau and the township. Evans added he attended two public meetings and “very little information was provided and whatever negotiations Mr. Flandreau was conducting was not revealed.”

Evans wrote Flandreau “ignored the open space preserved status of the properties and was indifferent to the township’s home rule charter authority to deny the sale.” He also questioned a statement by council President Mark Kirchgasser that the township did not have a choice about the sale and if denied, Sunoco would have seized the land under eminent domain.

http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20171018/middletown-resident-files-ethics-complaint

Truth be told, the same complaint could be filed against Media for the exact same reasons.  Media approved an easement needed for the construction of the pipeline over land they owned in Middletown.  Media received $350k for the easement, but never provided any details on what was negotiated, safety assessments, or risk analysis.

Council President, Brian Hall still hasn't provided the information that was requested a year ago.  Click to view the video below queued to the point where Brian gives an explanation.  Has anyone seen the information he claims was discussed by borough council?

Hats off to Delaware County Councilman Dave White

Hats off to Delaware County Councilman Dave White.  What a story of helping a family in need.

"I have a son that's disabled that's intellectually disabled, so I understand how difficult it is day-to-day sometimes," he said.

Could Amazon HQ2 be coming to Delco, PA!

How would you like Amazon to bring their HQ2 to Delco, PA?  That's an invest over $5 billion in construction and growth in this second headquarters to include as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs – it will be a full equal to our current campus in Seattle.

Well, it's not as far-fetched as you might think.  Delaware County Council will be holding a press conference this afternoon to make just that pitch as to why Amazon should consider Delaware County, PA.

Who was the guy from Media that who has said numerous times that Media had potential to be a tech hub?

It's another STELLAR year for Rose Tree Media School District

The NICHE.com numbers are in for 2018

 and it's another STELLAR year 

for Rose Tree Media School district.

Starbucks moving across the street (Providence Rd)

Plans and drawings for the new Starbucks that will be going across the street from where they are located now, will be released soon.  The building will include a drive-thru along with space for what is expected to be another eatery.  No word yet on what that eatery will be or when construction will begin.  Media architect, Bob Linn will be providing the designs.

What will happen to this vacant store on State Street?

Prior to being a Hallmark store, it was the Media Liquor Store.

It's been vacant since January of 2017, but that's not to say there hasn't been any interest.  From what I'm told Trader Joe's was interested in this property with the idea of using it to expand its current store on State Street.  Whether that was to include a possible alcohol section or something else, we may never know as it appears it needed a lot of modifications to suit its needs.

As for Trader Joe's eventually selling alcohol at the Media store, that's an interesting concept that makes a lot of sense.  The Granite Run Acme has done well with selling wine and beer over the last year and most of that success can be contributed to convenience.  Trader Joe's could easily benefit from the same setup.  Whether they have or are pursuing a liquor license, that comes down to who you ask, but with state laws loosening up recently, it'll probably happen at some point.

So what will happen with this property?  It's one of the biggest storefronts in town which makes it more attractive towards being a restaurant than anything else.  I'm told the lease is going for $7,500k per month, but with lack of parking, that might be the location's biggest drawback.

A great event to help!

Reduce Delco Traffic by 20%. Here's how it works!

People LOVE to complain about it, but we never see any real results, let alone a measurable way to reduce area traffic congestion.  Here's your chance to reduce area traffic by 20% and you would only have to do it just once a week.  It's free!

There's also help coming from Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf who is proposing dynamic part-time shoulder use on sections of interstates 476 and 95 in Delaware County.

The video was shot in Media, PA and shows a concept that has a lot of benefits for us all.

DCTMA-95carpool from The Media Message on Vimeo.

MYC's Annual Fall Basketball Coaches' Clinic Saturday, Oct 14 from 9-11am - Open to the Public - No Cost

MYC's Annual Fall Basketball Coaches' Clinic 

Saturday, Oct 14 from 9-11am (note time change)

@ MYC, 1 Youth Way, Media

Coffee provided by Burlap & Bean / Bagels provided by NY Bagel

Open to the Public - No Cost

Please RSVP here

Featured Speaker is Jim Lynam, retired NBA and NCAA coach

Additional Speakers are Mike Doyle, Head Coach Penncrest Boys' team and Larry Johnson, Head Coach PSU Brandywine Women's team

Two new stores open up on State Street in Media, PA

Two new stores open up on State Street

Two new stores have opened up on State Street right next one another.   The first is Unique Boutique which has a lot of seasonal and holiday decor and ideas.  The second is a home movies to dvd service which is the first of its kind for Media. Both look like they have or will open for business this week.

Best of luck to both businesses and welcome to Media, PA!

Why hasn't Mayor McMahon done more for Media, PA?

When was the last time anyone heard something from Media's Mayor, Bob McMahon on anything?  Nothing about development, nothing about preservation, nothing about businesses in the borough....

The only thing we hear is how unprepared he is for meetings by borough council.

Check out the designs for the new Wawa Train Station.

It's not scheduled to start until the Summer of 2018, but here are conceptual drawings of what the station, parking facility, and bus loop will look like for the new Wawa Septa regional rail station.  The design of the station is ongoing though the completion date is set for Summer of 2020.  The budget for the project is $150.5 million with contract bids set to begin.

For more information and updates, check out the Septa page.

Looks like Media Borough may be taken back to court over "Anxious" and "Immediate" attempt to rezone.

Media Borough Council may again be in the hot seat over a quickly scheduled zoning meeting that happened last Friday at 8am.  Not only was the notice of the meeting advertised on page 37 of the Daily Times a mere day before the meeting, the group the zoning was to effect wasn't even contacted.

Broomall Lake Country Club has sent a letter to Media Borough objecting to the proposed MERC rezoning of their property.  Citing in paragraph two:

"The Borough's anxious and immediate attempt to re-zone Broomall's Lake Country Club is suspect considering the multiple past issues between the parties, including the issues with the Damn Bridge, etc.  An attempt to spot zone it's property to diminish it's value and to convert it to public use would be in violation of its Constitutional Rights under both the Federal and State constitution."

New Table for Penncrest High School courtesy of Class of 2017

Thank you for the new table screen Class of 2017! pic.twitter.com/MmLB2j7i6e

— Penncrest HS Sports (@penncrestad) October 4, 2017

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It's being reported that Quincy's on State Street has closed permanently

Though I haven't seen any official statement, I have received reports that Quincy's on State Street has closed for good.  The store hasn't been open since the passing of store manager, Alan Berkey.  They always had the best window displays and will be missed dearly by the community.

Quincy's doesn't have a Facebook page or website, but we will post any updates should they become available.

Here's a video of the storefront back in 201l.

Media Police crack down on vehicles running stop signs

A special THANKS to the Media Police Department whose efforts are greatly appreciated for stopping vehicles who roll through stop signs.  I've seen them enforcing this law for many weeks now on different parts of sixth streets during the hours between 7 and 9am.   In fact, while walking to the train station, it wasn't a mere 20 seconds from seeing a cruiser idling on side of the street that it engaged a vehicle that went right through a stop sign.

It's great to see this kind of police response towards this issue.  Well done!

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That didn't go so well. Public speaks out against proposed Apartment Complex at former Towne House site.

In under 48hrs from the time it posted, over 49,000 people on Facebook viewed last Tuesday's post regarding a rendering of the apartment complex proposed for the former Media Towne House restaurant site.  In that post, there were 223 reactions,  142 shares and over 350 individual comments, many voicing displeasures towards the proposal, the architectural design of the building, over-development in the borough and lack of communication by Media Borough Council.  You can read them all here...

Apparently, the meeting held on Tuesday (9/26) at 4pm by members of council regarding the proposal didn't go so well either.  Many challenging questions were raised by attendees about the development which was met with generalities.  Where everything goes from here still isn't clear, but at the request of the community, I'll post upcoming meeting information related to the project.

At this time there are four major construction projects going on in Media Borough.  The Hampton Inn, CVS, West End Flats and West End Walk.  The new Wawa Store just finished and new high-end apartments on State Street (by Radnor St.) could begin by next year. As will the new retail structure at the corner of Baltimore Ave and Providence Road.

Safety, schools, home values and quality of life are important to any town, but the ongoing development of Media, Pa is definitely a topic that is getting a lot of attention.

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Fixing Borough Issues

When things aren't getting done in the borough, I am typically contacted to bring light towards the matter.  Whether it's snow removal, bamboo trimming, damage, noise complaints, etc. Truthfully, I don't like making posts like this because it's hard to separate what has is, or has been done, but I dislike lack of action and results even more.

Media Borough at one time had an incident management website, Public Stuff for exactly these kind of issues, but that was taken down without any explanation.  Unfortunately, it was also never updated.

I looked into the issue and the wires do need to be better addressed or at least explained why they are bundled like they are.