And no response to my post about Rev. Jesse Brown who at least has more of a known and experienced base of political support than Foster does?

__________________
A song that says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqITJFGyq4s

I think what Jim Foster is saying, is that in the event that someone emerges who is a front runner, that he is committed to working with the other candidates to do what's best for the community and by that I mean unite behind the strongest candidate if it is not him.

I know Jim, and while he has as much ego as anyone that takes on this kind of challenge, he is smart enough to do what is best for his community and withdraw if enough support cannot be projected to support him winning against DRM, not just running a "good" race. And lets face it, while both the other candidates have some very positive things going for them, neither is a sure thing by a long shot. While I think it is very much to his credit that Rev. Brown has the support of Acklesburg supporters and Neighborhood Networks, this only suggests that some credible people are supporting him - not all credible people. Anyone running this time is also going to have to be able to create a coalition from among the groups that supported the three primary candidates who ran against DRM. That is a rare talent and I am not aware of a precedent in the careers of either Foster, Rudnick or Brown in addressing that kind of challenge. Interestingly, they each come from a different part of the district - Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy/Germantown and lower Germantown.

For readers here that don't know him, Jim has been one of the most outspoken critics of DRM for years and has had the balls to go on the record about what she and her ilk have done to keep Germantown in a DRM induced coma. This is a distinction he shares only with Irv Acklesburg who was similarly and correctly outspoken in the primary, as both Greg Paulmier and Cindy Bass did not want to take that on and all that it entailed. He has some serious preservation successes to his credit and was a central figure among the group that made sure that DRM's chief of staff Steven Vaughn was dumped from the CGC, when the business as usual types in Germantown wanted to keep Vaughn on that board. It was very contentious, but Vaughn is gone. Unfortunatley it is still business as usual in Germantown and it will stay that way until DRM is gone.

So while I had the same sharp intake of breath when I heard that someone else was running against Donna, without knowing Brian Rudnick and Rev. Brown personally, I have a lot of confidence that they and Jim Foster will have learned something from the beating that the entire 8th District took when Irv Acklesburg, Greg Paulmier and Cindy Bass gave more thought to their political ambitions than they did for what was strategically best for their potential constituents.

Looks to me like Seand has already put forward the best suggestion — get behind the qualified independent who is already running. Foster will just split the vote. He's a spoiler.

I think the endorsments noted above are important to everyone looking at the choices that have emerged. Can you talk a little more about them. Is there a way to review the endorsements? Thanks, P.

I've met Jesse Brown and he struck me as a smart, level headed guy. He also didn't strike me as pandering to poor and/or minority residents (although he obviously cares about them). He also talked about job creation and stimulating the high-tech industry in the city. He'd have my vote if I lived in the 8th.

__________________
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• Write to your state and local elected officials
• Report suspicious activity to the police department

At least I'll get to vote this time!

I'm still feeling depressed about having to finally swallow my scruples and register as a Democrat just so I can have some voice in city elections. I've always been a registered independent and like it that way, but it sucked that I couldn't vote against DRM.

There's an article in today's Metro about Brown turning in 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot (he needed less than 800). Sounds like a good start.

__________________
Welcome to Philadelphia. Here's how you can help us make our great city even better:

• Write to your state and local elected officials
• Report suspicious activity to the police department

Why Jim Foster and CHA and Donna Reed Miller are Best Friends.


Jim Foster was one of the first people the community who Margaret Motheral went
to for help regarding problems with the construction adjacent her house at Sydney
and Devon. He was also the first person that informed her that she was an extortionist.
He called it a “shake down” The extortion tale spread throughout the land of Mt
Airy USA, East and West Mt Airy Neighbors and Chestnut Hill Association.

Just the facts ma’am-

Mt Airy Express, Chestnut Hill Local and Germantown Express—all for which Jim Foster
writes- has never written this story. This story is the biggest scandal, the biggest
local Real Estate Gate and biggest environmental disaster and political cover –up
in the neighborhood.

Charing Ball and Karl Biemuller were given the story more than once - but this
story has been silenced.

On April 27, 2005- Margaret Motheral and others neighbors on Sydney and Devon neighborhood
walked to the church for a meeting about the proposed new construction at Sydney
and Devon. Donna Reed Miller and the developers did not show up and the meeting
was canceled.

May 2005 Derek Green and Vernon Price –aid to Donna Reed Miller-(didn’t her other
aid go to jail?) go to Planning Commission to get approval for the project at Sydney
and Devon.

Donna Reed Miller provides letter that says there is neighbor approval.

Front page article by Jennifer Katz in the January 11, 2007 edition of the Chestnut
Hill Local reveals Chestnut Hill Association & Mt Airy USA friendship with
this project now called “The Enclave.”

In Jennifer Katz’s article, she writes “O’Connell knew of a parcel of land owned
by partners and CHA alumnus Stan Smith of Lafayette Hill, a large commercial real
estate developer, and Jeff Rickenbach, who owns a construction company. “

John O’Connell is the ninth ward democratic leader. He obviously has an interest
in real estate. Real estate development and Donna Reed Miller are two peas in the
same pod
and Jim Foster is assisting the WIN of Donna Reed Miller and his CHA friends by
splitting ticket.

What’s wrong with the land at Sydney and Devon and why are the problems being covered
up by the press and local community groups? Why didn’t Jim Foster follow up on the
story and get his facts straight?

Why did Alan Nochumson give money to Derek Green’s campaign fund in 2007? What’s
the connection between Green and Nochumson and the property at Sydney and Devon?

Alan Nochumson was the attorney Margaret Motheral found on Craigslist when she was
concerned about the cracking of her house due to the jolting and jumping of her
house in response to the demolition on the construction site. Nochumson suggested
that he go to the Zoning Board meeting for her. He met with Vernon Price.

Bio for Alan Nochumson: By mayoral appointment, he serves on the Board of Directors
of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID), the Philadelphia
Commercial Development Corporation (PCDC), and the Board of Trustees of Camp William
Penn. He is also on the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Bar Association's
Young Lawyers' Division (YLD) where he will serve as Chair-Elect of the YLD
in 2006 and as Chair in 2007 representing the nearly 3,500 young lawyers located
in the city of Philadelphia.

Motheral became doubtful of his representation of her interests when he refused
to discuss her win/ win solution about her house problems and demanded a selling
price number instead. She also became suspicious of political interests when she
found out that Vernon Price had owned and rehabbed her house. She dropped Nochumson’s
services but followed his advice to appeal the zoning.

Motheral was soon to find herself in the middle of Philadelphia Corruption

Motheral had already written to Derek Green of her complaint. Derek Green was her
first contact in a long series of complaint letters. Derek Green also headed the
zoning committee for East MT Airy Neighbors.

Motheral repeatedly called L&I because it appeared that Derek Green and Alan
Nochumson could not call them. L&I finally came out and issued a violation
and shut down for demolition without permits.

Yet this was not in the reported in local papers. Jim Foster came out and saw the
shut down signs and did nothing. The community allowed the project to continue in
spite of the violation and Motheral received a threat to sue her for extortion and
for filing an appeal on the zoning. None of the Mt Airy community groups backed
her and she went to court on her own. The attorney for the developer admitted to
an environmental problem but Mt Airy and the City of Philadelphia still allowed
the project to continue.

But things got worse for Motheral. Illegal excavation started in March of 2006 and
symptoms of RADS, severe cough and progressing symptoms of inhalation from
lack of dust control on a contaminated site finally sent Motheral to the emergency
room on June 13th, 2006.

She was displaced from her home due to this public health hazard, yet no one in
the community, brought any attention to the conditions on the Sydney/ Devon site.
They also ignored notes from Marilyn Howarth MD, Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, Univ of Penn.

“Pt must remain out of home at 259 East Sydney St at least until demolition and
construction completed for health reasons.”

Coughing and construction continue to this day and Motheral is still displaced.

The neighborhood was not informed even when the Water Department gave extensive
violations on June 13, 2006 and July 25, 2006 for a long list of failures including:

“Site conditions present a potential for pollution to the water of the Commonwealth.”
”Failure to start the earth moving activities without PWD PCSWMP approval.”

“Failure to protect on the site the soil that was suspicious as contaminated.”

“Inspection of this project has revealed site conditions which constitute violations
of 25 PA Code Chapters 92 and /or 103 and the Clean Streams Law, the act of June
22, 1937, P.L. 1987, 35 P.S. 691.1 et seq”

“Please do not move earth without necessary permits. Contact state agencies and
follow procedures for contaminated soil”

“Failure to take all necessary measures before pumping the water from the site where
suspicious old oil tank is located. Local soil appears to have some discoloration
in pockets throughout the site.”

Motheral also received a visit from EPA.

Letter from EPA states “It’s good the developers admitted to causing an environmental
problem.”
“It was clear … that the earth moving and construction activities had impacted your
home.”

Motheral discovered that Henry Clinton, attorney to Devon Street LLC, had omitted
the predominant address of the site when applying for zoning. Research showed this
address to be the site of a leaking gasoline tank, a coal yard and a hundred year
history of industrial use starting in 1878.

The Planning Commission was responsible for knowing the history of the site
and suitability for healthy residential use and so was the Zoning Board. Henry
Clinton knew and admitted on the zoning application that it was used as former coal
bins. Former use was no secret to the City of Philadelphia.

The money in Mt Airy, and Chestnut Hill wants Miller to win. She allows their projects
to go through no matter the harm to local neighbors. The color Green is money-
not environmental health.

Jim Foster serves the needs of those who wish Miller to win.

What about the other two candidates, Brian and Jesse?

There is a concept from Christianity and earlier classic Greek thought about something
called “the Willing Sacrifice.” It was considered the highest of honor and heroism
to make a willing sacrifice for the good of the whole.

The man who is willing to sacrifice his candidacy to support the other and
create one solid vote against Miller will be the true hero of this story.

Who will make the sacrifice: Brian or Jesse? We need one of you to make the “Willing
Sacrifice and support the other.

Opportunities for heroism abound in this play. Who will be the environmental activist?
Who will be the investigative journalist? There is so much more unrevealed political
incest in this story that it rivals Shakespeare and “All My Children.”

First let me clarify my limited participation in the convoluted story regarding Margaret Mothreal and her claims arising from construction adjacent to her Mt. Airy property. Ms. Motheral told me of the situation while I was campaigning in Chestnut Hill in the CHCA Board election last year and her comments regarding the situaiton had a compelling ring to it, particularly as I was aware that every square inch of undeveloped land in the area had been bought up for development in the last few years and quite a bit of construction was taking place adjacent to existing properties with some very close property lines - - a very common situaiton in these old neighborhoods. It was certainly plausable that demolition that incuded explosive charges and heavy equipment - - as she claimed was happening - - could have impacted the nearby residences. If I remember correctly the city map showed this block was built on an old creek bed - - another common situation in these neighborhoods. She showed me some letters from the developer that purported to be from civil engineers who looked into her allegations. Not being a civil engineer or L & I expert, I had no direct opinion on them.

Out of curiosity I visited Ms. Motheral and saw the damage in her home that she claimed was a direct result of the pre-construction demolition and the heavy equpment and the obvious work that had been started. However, the work site in question was posted by L & I at the time with a Cease and Desist order for failure to obtain permits to do the demoliton work. I called L & I and confirmed this to be the case. As I remember it,a hearing was set and Ms. Motheral had the right to complain and make her case. I advised her to do just that and was surprised that she might not want to gather other neighbors and take advantage of the opportuinty.

Having no official status with the City, or in the East Mt. Airy Neighbors organization, I told her I could do nothing personally, but thought she was far ahead of some other situations I had run into, as L & I had already taken a stand here. Ms. Motheral seems to have an opinion that I have some offical capacity or a relationship with those who do that could have redirected this project, and she is completely off base here.

I had no further contact with Ms. Motheral or her situation and I have absolutely no contact or relationship with the Donna Miller office other than I assume there is a photo there of me used as a dart board.

For those who feel no one else is entitled to run against Donna Miller, I would carry that anger back to those who ran in the primary, most of whom refused to run anything close to a challenging contest that would have taken the Miller machinery to task for 13 years of some of the worst governance of any city council district by far. Some parts of the district succeed in spite of the Miller organization, and others, like Germantown are kept in a regressive mode by design. It is always easier to rule a dependent citizenry who fear your power, rather than a progressive society that does not allow itself to be left back by economic and social change. Germantown has been held back by a small cadre of power players who are directly aligned with the Miller organizaiton and some key folks in city management who keep the tracks covered.

You don't win against this type of pervasive corruption claimng you are the "good person" and that virtue is its own reward. I feel that was the case during the primary election too much of the time.

In Philadelphia politics is hardball. In Germantown it is played without gloves.

Jim Foster

p.s. I have been requested to change my domain name and tried multiple times to do so, but the Philly Blog adminstration will not allow me to reset it without losing access completly. I will be happy to do so if someone contacts me and walks me through it.

Jim and all other Community Organizations in Mt Airy.

You all failed. Jim - I went to all the community organizations for help. I went to court on appeal with Zero Support from the community. I found the truth that was hidden and covered up.

I revealed the problems to all community organizations and they all ignored it and treated me like crap. I am ill and displaced because of the health hazard and the mistreatment I recieved from the community, but I am continuing my best to get the truth out to the community. People need to know how their community leaders and City treat them and how they handle environmental issues and civil rights.


Jim- you are acting just like a politician. You claim that you didn't know anything. You didn't do anything. You blame the victim and you are ineffectual. You say you are an actvist. No, you are NOT an activist.

An activist would look at those violations and be outraged and all you are doing is making excuses. An activist would write it up in the local paper. An activist would have gone to court with me. An activist would be outraged at the way this community has lynch mobbed me and maligned me and ignore this environmental problem.

By the way-- I have to go to court on Wednesday, Aug 8th, because my house was burglarized 6 times and vandalized and my car was stolen just in the last
2 months.

I contacted Mt Airy Safety Committee about these crimes. They never responded. The crimes at my house were never listed in the Mt Airy Paper . The victim's unit intake person and other neighbors say the police had such poor response to me because they just laugh and write me off as crazy. I wonder which political leadership directed the police to treat me like that?

Quess what. I apprehended the thief in my house . He was arrested and he confessed to taking my stuff. Quess what. The police did find my car marked up with gangster words in my upholstery. Quess what- I was telling the truth.

Quess what. My car was stolen at the exact hour that Community Officer John was suppose to be at my house and never showed up.

Quess what- the police department refuses to give me all of the police reports for all the visits they made. And the reports they did give me where wrong.

Quess what-- the Community leadership in Mt Airy not only put my health and life at risk by ignoring this environmental problem but they also put my life at risk by making sure the police don't take me seriously.

Quess what-- it looks like I'm the only one in this community policing anything, doing any detective work or catching any criminals.

So what would you do -- Jim --Mr. Candidate--- for a citizen who has been treated like I have been treated?

Or do you believe that it's perfectly okay for me to be treated this badly. Do you believe it's okay for residential homes to be buildt on land that is contaminated and suspect and proper protocol did not take place? Do you even know what a brownfield is??

I guess it's okay as long as you are all in the same club and know how to switch addresses and files down at City Hall and have friends at Zoning and L&I.

For seven years in California I started women's council circles and taught women how to run and start council circles. By the time I moved away, there were over a hundred council circles.

I really really just wanted to live quietly in my little house and take the train up to NYC for school and write my books, but I think it's time for another Revolution in Philadelphia.


Margaret Motheral