Thursday, June 17, 2010
Link to Main Line Times Article
Cheryl Allison's article that I referred to earlier is now posted on line and can be found at this link.
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I have to credit the Main Line Times for sticking pretty well to the skeletal facts of the meeting, and, in a separate article, one Councilman’s and Mayor Grady’s conflicts with the Borough solicitor. What didn’t get discussed in either article are some serious issues that will likely affect the Borough’s efforts to secure uncontested ownership of the building, and to thwart the Lower Merion School District’s efforts to landbank the property . The great majority of Narberth’s citizens (and most constituents of the School District) still do not understand one major fact: If title passes to the LMSD, all bets concerning the present tenants of the building, including MELC and the Nalls architecture, firm are off, and the leases with the Borough are essentially worthless. Under the option agreement, the LMSD may take the property for "for use as a public school only." The School District, under the terms of the option agreement, can’t just step into the landlord’s (now the Borough’s) shoes and start collecting rent from the existing tenants, which are businesses, not public schools. Although (as I suspect) the present tenants may have been led to believe that nothing will change if the Borough loses ownership, it is more likely that the building simply goes dark (remember Belmont Elementary?) This speculation is made even more interesting by the fact that MELC receives substantial income from the LMSD, and that MELC’s Council champion is Narberth’s most vocal apologist for the School Board. This sounds to me like a couple of great examples of conflict of interest.
ReplyDeleteThe MLT also did not capture the full extent of the drama created by the Mayor’s procedural spat with the Council and the Solicitor, or get the Mayor’s explanation of why he felt he needed defense from outside counsel at the Council meeting. The resulting disrespectful shouting match, and clear disregard for Council rules of procedure, personally embarrassed me, and completely overshadowed any substantive point the Mayor had to make. Perhaps the Borough will make available the audio tape of the meeting so that the voting public can get the full flavor of the confrontation.
Finally, hold on to your wallets, Narberth. We may never know the full extent of the “deal” that was finally struck with MELC (under a lot of organized pressure), and what that entire arrangement will ultimately cost the taxpayers. Sorry, but the lease agreement isn’t a public document until it’s signed, so you don’t get a chance to second guess. Again, if the Borough loses ownership of the building, the issue becomes moot.
While a good many Narberth residents have taken the time and trouble to investigate the ownership issue, and to bring the fight to the School Board (where it belongs), a lot of us can’t seem to see past our own parochial special interests. This is sad in a town which is so full of intelligent people, and sadder still when those intelligent people can’t sort out the forest from the trees.
Andy Haakenson
The MLT's reports, "In Silver’s letter to council, however, a number of other points of “disagreement” are mentioned, including whether the solicitor’s office was correct in ruling that Muderick had no conflict that would interfere with him casting a vote in the property-management matter, after abstaining in an initial vote."
ReplyDeleteI am puzzled by the perception that Aaron abstained from the debate on the school property, but not from the vote. Is that what actually took place? If his reversal on recusal was so important, what facts in particular were so influential that he insisted upon voting after insisting on not participating in the democratic discourse? Did he say?
After listening to many who were present at the Borough Council meetings, why were the parents of the day care center (which is a tenant of the Narberth School Building) thanking Bob Wegbreit for representing them? Some may have been Narberth residents, but not all. What is Wegbreit doing for them that would result in such a public thank you? Why is Wegbreit not focused on representing the residents of Narberth? Is this somehow related to Wegbreit's connection to the Lower Merion School Board? Does Council Member Wegbreit need to be reminded that he was elected by Narberth residents to represent Narberth residents?
ReplyDeleteDear For Narberth,
ReplyDeleteI respect the right of you and all anonymous people to comment on whatever you like. However, accusing named individuals I think a bit outside of what is polite and constructive. It would be useful to your arguments and questions to attach your real name, and useful to us all to know where these views come from. Anonymously targeting someone by name smacks of political denouncement, and I'm a bit uncomfortable with that.
And frankly, what's the big deal! Sign your name, and I think Bob will even respect you for it.
Mayor Tom says: "I'd like to thank Council members for their unanimous support, despite some interesting advice from the Borough Solicitor who does not live near or vote in Narberth."
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming that the last half of that sentence was supposed to be a dig. If so, I have to disagree. Regardless of the substance of the advice, it's not a bad thing for the solicitor to not live near or vote in Narberth. I'm happy the solicitor comes from the outside -- isn't that why we have an outside solicitor? No dog in the hunt, no hidden agenda, no accusations that he's aligned with one group or the other to further his own agenda. . . .
Funny, I'm pretty sure Marc Jonas has been the outside solicitor for a pretty long time (Matt -- can you tell us?). I've never heard the Mayor (or anyone else for that matter) complain before. I don't know if Jonas got it wrong in this instance, but the gratuitous comment was just that. Let's keep the discussion on the merits, please!
Marc Jonas started as Narberth's zoning solicitor approximately ten years ago I believe. Then about three or four years ago he was appointed to replace Brian Appel as borough solicitor for all matters, including zoning. Speaking as a lawyer and as a former member of council, I have nothing but the highest regard for Marc and his colleagues at Eastburn & Gray. And I agree with Mike: it would be a big mistake to appoint as solicitor someone who has close ties to Narberth residents and politicians.
ReplyDelete