I would think that the township administrator might be accountable for his actions one day, and unless they prefer that thier legacy amounts to harrassing some folks trying to restore a few old trains vs doing something more productive for the betterment of the town, then maybe he should focus his efforts elsewhere. Really - is this the most pressing issue before the township? Unemployment down and business is booming? Sure hope so.

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

You hit the nail on the head, Mike. At every council meeting, citizens ask the same question. Two memebers who are up for re-election in 2013 are running scared. They are relying on the township solicitor who is representing the mayor, to tell them what they can do. He told them to get their own lawyer. We are now waiting for our attorney to get the signed copy of the judge's order lifting the original lockout. Our lawyer also said we can work on the equipment and the township cannot stop us. I told our pres that I want something in writing to prove that so when the cops are sent out to throw us out, I can have proof that we are indeed allowed to work on our equipment. And if they still press it and decide to arrest us, I will have found my long lost retirement fund!

There is also a local chat room www.pembertonvoice.com that has run many articles on this situation and I have made it a point to fan the flames of dissention that the administrator should be fired by the council for following the mayor in this vendetta. Click on helpful links then click on the first link to read the many issues in Pemberton.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Yeah. That's a great example of what I was talking about. They want to push you enough to scare you into stopping, but not enough to get sanctioned by the court. They will apologize to the court for the error, and you will demand sanctions and the court will say "Nah, that's not enough for sanctions yet." And they know that. Every lawyer knows how much they can get away with - ever watch Ally McBeal and how they always disrupt the courtroom and get away with it? Same thing.

When it's authorities vs. a group, they only have to panic the stupidest couple of members for things to go to heck. That is precisely why Headwaters Forest action groups had formal training programs, with mock police trying to taunt us into making mistakes we'd been trained not to make, etc.

So grats -- you have been officially played. I really doubt they're done. Expect a personal visit. But be damn sure to get it on tape; you're far more likely to get sanctions if you can play it for the judge. Such shenanigans by the opposition work in your favor in court. Best thing that could happen to you is if they keep doing it.

Just don't stop painting. And don't forget lettering and signs.

We are waiting on the judge's signed original order from our attorney. Once we get that, we will go back to work and see what happens.

I added a photo of the finished paint job over at www.railfan.net. Click on forums, then Tourist railroads and then on Tourist railroads again then scroll down to Pemberton Township Historic Trust. If you want to read what we've done in all the years, start at page 1. If you just want to see the 45 tonner, go to the last page.

Later!
Mr. Ed

That 45T looks great! I was there last Wednesday afternoon; you guys got a lot done in a week.

Is it an election year down there? Maybe some saner heads will get elected, and other heads will roll-

Next year two council positions are up for grabs. I am sure the incumbemts will not win re-election.

There was a council meeting last night but I haven't heard anything about what was discussed yet.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Hi Everyone, Not trying to play devils advocate or the Grinch that had stolen the Christmas Lionel Train Set, but, just in case everything does goes wrong (which I hope it does not and that everyone can live happily ever after in Pemberton!), does the Pemberton Station Trust have or is working on a "plan B" if they are run out of town on a rail, (sorry for the pun)? I found over the years, few preservation groups have a back up plan or “worst case scenario” option for their rolling stock. Something that most railfans do not think of before buying that RS1, only used by a little old lady to go to church on Sundays. Have fun – David Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope Pa

Well the sissys on the council are still running scared from the mayor. All they need to do is to pass a resolution stating that the lease be put back in effect as it was on May 1st, 2011. But instead they passed a resolution that the lease be renegotiated between the mayor and the trust. Now since the mayor has refused to move on any issue in the past, the possibility of him changing his position is slim to none. So now we have to go back before the judge, again, to inform him that the township has ignored his order to leave us alone. And since the mayor has said the judge's decision was an emotional one, he and the judge won't be exchanging Christmas cards this year. This is better than any soap opera on TV! What really sucks is the law that will not allow a recall to be mounted after 180 days in office. So any politician keeps his nose clean for 180 days and then they are imune to recall no matter what they do. And the mayor has another target in his sights. He is now trying to abolish the volunteer fire department and go with a paid force. This guy gets his jollies by irritating people. I swear he sits up nights tryingto figure out hoe to get under peoples skins!

Later!
Mr. Ed

Hmmmmmm. Is this another constituency that could support the Trust's cause? Senior citizens are a reliable voting bloc.

Sloan

http://www.southjerseylocalnews.com/art ... 888067.txt

It is a nice thought, but the mayor doesn't care what the citizens want. At every council meeting since this began, there have been at least 15 people that have gotten up and spoke on our behalf. The mayor just doesn't care. he has a vendetta against the former president and he will not let it go. He will not be re-elected but he doesn't care. He is one stubborn man. The council will not get re-elected either. But they think the people will forget. We won't let them forget.

Later!
Mr. Ed

UPDATE! We need to change the thread title to "Pemberton Station loses a round."

On wednesday night, the township council voted three to one to give the mayor the authority to negotiate a new lease. The trust was handed a 16 page lease agreement that we can negotiate. Now our lawyer will "negotiate" with their lawyer to see what we can do. This after we spoke individually with all of the council members and they told us they would support us. I guess they were talking out of their other face! And of course he wants most of the rolling stock gone. What really burns me up is that the council is now ignoring the taxpayers who have come out to the meetings and shown their support. A local webiste has a poll up and the trust is supported by almost 3/4 of the respondants. So one has to ask why the council reneged on their word and are too, ignoring the wishes of the taxpayers. Skeletons in their closets? Only they can answer that one. But come November 2012, a few of them will have plenty of time to reflect on this poor decision becaus ethey will be voted out of office. We will continue to fight and hope that after the upcoming elections, the county decides to move forward and take us over as they have been telling us they will do for the past four years. And before you ask why they haven't done so already, they had to wait for the grant job to be finished, which it is, but as you know, it was an abortion. We are out of the loop as to what the Feds are doing.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Occupy Pemberton Station? Might have to think outside of the box to create sufficient public support to pressure the politicians. Key point might to apply pressure on projects beyond your own--volunteer fire department replacement sounds like a kick back to me.

Good luck over there.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/b ... fd710.html

Looks like the mayor is still at it.

They're talking compromise, which is better than a war you can't win, but still it seems clear at least some of that equipment is going to be leaving.

And still there remains the forgotten matter: the county, who is purchasing this land via a land swap, and will soon be the landlord here. The township's negotiation with the Trust is futile if it contradicts the township's negotiation with the county.