Clean Streams Clean Water
Hosted by Ambler EAC
Saturday, April 21 at 10 AM – 2 PM
131 Rosemary Ave, Ambler, PA 19002-4737, United States
The Ambler Environmental Advisory Council will hold an Earth Fest on Saturday, April 21st, 2018 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Ambler Borough Hall, located on 131 Rosemary Avenue, in Ambler Borough. Organizations whose focus is on environmental issues will display exhibits, tables and interactive educational displays and speakers will give presentations about the Wissahickon Watershed, Rain Gardens, and Composting. Fun activities for children and adults! Learn how you can make a difference in Growing our Community Greener.
WEST CHESTER, PA — On October 2, 2017, Borough Manager Michael Cotter took “an indefinite leave of absence.” The latest controversy for Mr. Cotter has to do with signing an unauthorized check for $600,000; however this is not the only controversy facing the former Borough Manager.
Michael Cotter at a Busking Ordinance Public Hearing
For a good portion of 2016, Michael Cotter pushed the West Chester “Footloose” Busking Ordinance through Borough Council. Several public hearings were held and drastic revisions were made and voted into law. In 2017, the Borough started requiring street performers to get licensed. With the license, a copy of the the ordinance is issued.
After the first permit was issued, it was discovered that the Borough Code is the original draft of the ordinance without any of the revisions. There are many unconstitutional aspects of what the Borough has done. The lawyer for the Borough noted during the public hearings that the drafted ordinance would make it illegal for “a two-year-old to draw a chalk dinosaur on the sidewalk.” The published code also declares it is against the law for anybody to read within 100 feet of a library.
The following are illegal without a permit: acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading, puppetry, sidewalk art (working with nonpermanent, water-soluble media, i.e., chalk, pastels, or watercolors directly on the pavement), and reciting.
Under no circumstances — even with a permit — can the above performances occur within 100 feet of “a school, library, or church while in session, or a hospital at any time.”
On March 27, 2017, the Borough was contacted about the problem, and Borough Manager Michael Cotter stated, “The correct version is in the process of being posted.”
The problem was not corrected. In August and September, several instances of a West Chester Police officer(s) trying to enforce the wrong ordinance were reported.
On September 27, 2017, Michael Cotter was again contacted:
Dear Mr. Cotter,
Quite some time has passed since the Borough published the wrong “busking ordinance”. (http://ecode360.com/31784800 )
On March 27, 2017, you (Borough Manager Michael Cotter) stated, “The correct version is in the process of being posted.”
Since that time, reports of rogue police officers trying to enforce the wrong law have surfaced.
Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
As of publication date, we have not received a reply.
WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester Borough is making noise with their “Busking Ordinance”. The Borough adopted a “busking ordinance” in 2016; however, in 2017 it was discovered the approved ordinance was not the law published as Borough Code. In error, the Borough published the original draft without the major revisions that had been voted into law. The currently published law declares it is against the law to read within 100 feet of a library even with a permit, as well as, many other unconstitutional requirements.
On March 27, 2017, the Borough was contacted, and Borough Manager Michael Cotter stated, “The correct version is in the process of being posted.”
During August and September our office was contacted about several incidents of West Chester Police Officers enforcing the erroneous Code.
On September 27, 2017, the Borough was again contacted:
Dear Mr. Cotter,
Quite some time has passed since the Borough published the wrong “busking ordinance”. ( http://ecode360.com/31784800 )
On March 27, 2017, you (Borough Manager Michael Cotter) stated, “The correct version is in the process of being posted.”
Since that time reports of rogue police officers trying to enforce the wrong law have surfaced.
Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
As of publication date, we have not received a reply.
