Conshohocken News & Gossip – Week of 07/25/11

As the Wawa Turns

I am not sure where to take the Super Wawa story.  On the “Stop Wawa” side you have an organized effort funded by local (in and out of Conshy) businesses with a prominent attorney and communications firm.  Even during their letter writing campaign their PR person was quoted in a story in the Times Herald instead of a resident.  On the Wawa side it is much murkier.  It seems, and I have only dug lightly into this, there has been an organized effort funded by developers and lawyers to put in place developer friendly municipal governments and solicitors (borough/township lawyers) across Montco.  Anything illegal?  No.  Everyone real cozy?  You bet.

Now, being developer friendly is not bad.  A lot of good is done by developers and developer friendly governments.  However, whether you are for Super Wawa or against it you should be concerned about money coming into municipal campaigns from outside forces that may eventually show up to do business in Conshy.  So, ask your Borough Council members and the political parties to see who donated to their campaign efforts and ask questions about specific donations.  And take special note of money coming from Political Action Committees (PAC).  Research who controls the PAC and who donates to it and ask more questions.

FYI, I recently moved to Ambler, so you may consider me an outside force too! However, i am typing this at a restaurant on Fayette Street.

News & Gossip

We recently mentioned the accusations made by Borough Council candidate Chris Savage (R).  To review Savage took to his Facebook page to suggest Borough Council members were providing their friends with free Borough services, such as curb repair.  The Conshy Democrats posted on MoreThanTheCurve.com’s Facebook (pictured above) after the last Borough Council meeting that Savage’s fellow Republican Robert Stokley, who oversees Public Works, refuted those charges.

As you can also see in the above Facebook posts, the Conshy Dems also reported that Police Chief Michael Orler looked into the accusations made by former Borough Council member Jack Coll (R) regarding improper payments at the Sewer Authority and did not find any evidence of a improper payments.

Here is an interesting story about the boathouse in Bridgeport and the potential boathouse coming to Conshohocken’s riverfront.  As we have mentioned previously, two Main Line schools, Malvern Prep and the Haverford School, have committed to raise funds to build the boathouse on Borough provided land just behind Riverwalk.  My spies tell me that the money has been already been raised and it is coming from a handful of businessmen tied to the schools including Brian O’Neill.  As you probably know, O’Neill was the developer of Riverwalk, Londonbury and the Millennium office buildings.  The interesting aspect about O’Neill’s involvement is that when he originally proposed developing the riverfront he said he would build a ice rink in same general area as the proposed boathouse.


Conshy’s Julia Pauline, pictured right, is currently in Chicago competing in the Miss  International Pageant.  She was crowned Miss Pennsylvania International earlier in the year.

OBVI was also profiled on Patch this week.

Some guy from Conshy that likes sports and pizza made a video to win a contest on 97.5 the Fanatic.  He also played a prank on his room mate involving cat litter and BBQ sauce.

I hear that one of the local funeral homes is seeking the zoning to have a crematory at its location on Fayette Street.  I do not have all the details, but there will be a zoning hearing in August.  I will post the details next week.

Conshohocken’s FunFest will be held on September 17th.  They are seeking sponsors.

Someone was robbed by a hooded sweatshirt wearing bandit on Harry Street at East 8th Avenue in 100 degree weather.  Even police K-9 were brought in but lost the scent.

Mayor Frost swore in a new police office last week.

Coyote Crossing was voted one of the ten best places for outdoor dining in the region.

After several years of sporadic hours, Nelly’s Place, a collectible shop on East 5th, re-opened this week.  The current hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  They plan to add more hours in August.

Candy of the Week

Who wants to try Bacon & Cheese flavored crickets?  Edwards-Freeman Nut Company has all the classics, but some unusual items too.

Real Estate

Mittman & Rehling have two new listings, one at 338 West 6th Avenue and one at 127 West 5th Avenue.

The Jeremy Bowers & Mike Sroka Team have five singles and three row homes about to come to market.  They are all in Montco.  To inquire contact Jeremy Bowers at jbowers@cbpref.com.

Foodie Events

Every Tuesday, Blackfish offers a four course dinner featuring a different ingredient. You can see the upcoming featured ingredients here. Price is $45 per person. Call 610-397-0888 for more info.

Stella Blu is now offering their Lobster Summer Special. The menu offers two two courses for $35.00. The menu features lobster prepared eight different ways.

Events, Happenings & Specials

Spamps is holding a Cocktail Class & Dinner on Wednesday, July 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Spamps will have all the supplies to make the best margaritas and mojitos- you will taste rum and tequila- pick out your favorites and you will be taught you how to make the drinks! Muddle, Shake, Drink, Repeat…. Once everyone has their perfect cocktail dinner will be served. Tickets are $45 per person-space is limited- make your reservation now.

The StoneRose is hosting a Happy Hour at Guppy’s on August 3rd from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Shapiro/Richards campaign for Montco County Commissioners is opening a campaign office in Conshy at are having an Open House on July 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The office is located at 918 Fayette Street.  The candidates are also hosting a Quizzo event that same night from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Great American Pub.

The Borough is holding summer concerts in Sutcliffe Park.  The Boogie Dogs return on August 2nd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on August 16th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Norris Tones will perform.

Spamps is also celebrating their 5th anniversary on Thursday, August 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with music, a complimentary pig roast and drink specials.

Flanigan’s Boathouse is giving out FREE WINGS on Thursday, July 28th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  All you have to do is come in and ask!

The Great American Pub has a Daily Happy Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with $2.00 Domestic Drafts, $3.00 Imported Drafts and $4.00 Well drinks.

Every Monday 8 East has All You Can Eat Snow Crabs for $21.99, plus $4.00 Bacardi Mojitos!

Wednesday night “Chop Night” at Pepperoncini.  Chef’s choice Veal, Pork or Lamb chop with house salad and dessert for under $30.00.

The Democrat Colonial School Board Candidates are having “Cocktails with the Candidates” on Tuesday, August 2nd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the home of candidate Julie Knudsen. The event will include Beer, Wine, Martinis & Hors d’oeuvres. Tickets start at $35.00.

DJ Scott will have Karaoke at M Bar on Thursday, July 28th from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The Conshohocken, Plymouth and Whitemarsh Democrats invite you and your family to join

County Commissioner Candidates Whitemarsh Supervisor Leslie Richards and Rep. Josh Shapiro and Candidates for Judge, Row Office, Conshohocken Council, Plymouth Council, Whitemarsh Supervisor and Colonial School Board are hosting their 6th Annual Family Summer BBQ at the Conshohocken Boccee Club on Thursday, July 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Business News

MoreThanTheCurve.com has created a Business Group on LinkedIN. If you would like to join, follow the link and request to be a member. This group is geared towards business networking for people who live and/or work in Conshohocken and West Conshohocken. I would love to get more people and companies in the big buildings involved with the site and community.