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You Decide (updated)
In May, when Police Chief Matthews' contract expires, should City Council:
A. Renew Chief Matthews' contract
B. Promote Lt. Canale to chief
C. Promote Lt. Rita Shesko to chief
D. Bring back Chief Bellizzie
E. See if the search committee's true pick -- Philly Lt. Joel Fitzgerald -- is still interested in being chief
F. Bring Matt Gordon back as chief
G. Launch another national search for chief candidates
H. Other (Explain.)
A. Renew Chief Matthews' contract
B. Promote Lt. Canale to chief
C. Promote Lt. Rita Shesko to chief
D. Bring back Chief Bellizzie
E. See if the search committee's true pick -- Philly Lt. Joel Fitzgerald -- is still interested in being chief
F. Bring Matt Gordon back as chief
G. Launch another national search for chief candidates
H. Other (Explain.)
posted by Daily Local at
11:59 AM
26 Comments:
My vote is the following:
* Terminate Matthews contract (due to breach - failure to be certified
* Promote Canale to Chief
* See if Gordon would like to come back
* Remove at least Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk, and Robin Scott.
* Fire Walker
* Launch search for competent City Manager
* Finalized a company/developer for the flats!
* Work with Carroll to get extra police for 2009 and State/Federal funding to kick in in 2010.
Sorry I added some but thought it was needed.
B.
Lt. Canale should've been hired as chief in the first place instead of bringing in an outsider who has a better chance of being certified as a police officer as I do (which is to say, none).
As far as the city's response to DA Carroll's plan, it's a lot better than what Walker and the rest of the hooligans (save for Eggleston and Simpson) on City Council have come up with.
I agree with BOTH posts!
Chief Mathhews needs to work on catching these arsonist(s) before more people die!
Well I know you said to pick one but like someone else already did I will comment on each item.
A. Yes Matthews has to go, he made what? 90K a year for 2 years and did what?? Guess that money went to finish his house down south so he is planning to leave anyway.
B. Yes, If Lt. Canale is still interested in the chief job let him have it. Don't worry about where he lives.
C. I'm not familiar with Ms. Shesko's qualifications or expertise so I can't comment.
D. If Lt. Canale does not want the position then see if the gentleman from Philly who was chosen is still interested.
E. Yes bring back Lt. Gordon, he is needed and why should he get paid to sit home? this was a real waste of taxpayers money thanks to Matthews.
F. And as someone else said, the block of 4 council people has to go and Walker has to go too.
Why can't we go back to the Mayor system of administration? Everything was fine back then.
Certainly if Mr. Carroll wants to do the things he says he has the resources and the power. That I don't doubt.
For the city to move forward and shake off it's negative labels change must happen.
Canale was the right man for the job two years ago and he is the right man for the job today. Despite the fact that he was snubbed by the current council he stayed on the force and was faithful to the officers and the city. He must be rewarded for his loyalty to the city and the officers remaining.
Having said that the only way this can happen is to rid council of at least two of the four members up for election. My personal opinion is that two of the four can be resoned with and if given options do what is best for the city. The other two must be voted out of office for anyhting good to happen in the city of Coatesville.
Often in local government there is a need to talk with county, state or federal officals. We need council members who can represent Coatesville well and with dignity.
Hopefully, come the primaries in the spring or at the latest the general elections in November we can see that this change has occurred. If the effort to rid Council of 2 of the 4 were to fail, Caotesville will not survive another four years of mismanagement and poor guidance.
I think Canale should be Chief, and Rita Shesko 2nd in command.
As far as Carroll goes, he deserves all the cooperation necessary from our town to get the job done right this time!
Everyone is right on target.
One suggestion...Since Matthews has breached his contract, perhaps he can repay the city for what he HASN'T done, and use that money to fund Carroll's plans? Use the city lawyers for something legitimate.
In reading all of the current entries, I agree with just about all of them. Mike Canale would be, and would have been, the appropriate choice for Chief of that Department. He has the knowledege, courage, and rapport with his men and the general public to properly get the job done.
Another option just might have been the "dark horse", Rita Shesko. She certainly has grown into her position from her "rookie" days. When she joined the force, she was not well accepted by her peers but rapidly grew, professionly, and in time garnered the respect of all who knew and worked with her. I know this because I was there. She is another that possesses the intelligence, common sense, courage, and maturity to handle that department as well as any man. Certainly better thn Matthews who can't even qualify to do a clerks job, let alone fill the Chief's shoes.
Oh, horrors - A female Chief, you say... Witness "Bunny" Welsh - County Sheriff. Witness Dee Roman - Chief of Spring City P.D. Both have put the "naysayers' out to pasture. They have, distinguished themselves in their profession. (Here's a secret - They are BOTH Ladies and quite nice ones, at that. In uniform, you can't tell the diffeence from them or one of their male counterparts.)
It can, and is being done. Try looking at THAT option. Get rid of the "dead wood" in that City and you will be on the way to producing a reasonably well oiled machine that can face and change negative trends as they occur.
A. Terminate Matthew's contract
B. Promote Canale to a Deputy Chief
C. Offer Fitzgerald the job.
D. Bring back Gordon if his settlement will allow.
A national search, at this point, is a waste of money. If you know any Philly cops, Fitzgerald would be great for our department, the city, attract quality cops, and be a real a nightmare for the criminals.
Another thought...
If Lt. Canale isn't named the new chief, may I suggest Mike Chitwood Jr. He at least has some command experience (Oklahoma and Florida) and is just as aggressive in fighting crime as his father (the current Supt. of Police in Upper Darby).
Nice thought Rabs but I doubt either are in their budgeted salary range. Let's get our facts straight, Canale and Fitzgerald are both PA MPO certified. Canale (pardon the pun), is more of the same. Gordon, however, should be rehired.
MATTHEWS HAS GOT TO GO ASAP,WHAT KIND OF POLICE CHIEF GOES ON VACATION,WHEN HIS CITY IS UNDER ATTACK BY A TERRORIST AKA ARSONIST,WHAT KIND OF CHIEF DOES NOT GET CERTIFICATION,AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A DISADVANTAGED CITY,CHIEF MATTHEWS, YOU SHOULD BE A SHAMED OF YOUR SELF,YOU ARE RAPING,ROBBING,AND RIPPING OFF OUR CITY AT THE SAME TIME,YOU ARE AN EMBARASSMENT TO THE CITY OF COATESVILLE,PLEASE GO BACK TO THE CITY YOU CAME FROM.SHAME ON YOU,IF I DID WHAT YOU ARE DOING,I WOULD BE ARRESTED,ITS CALLED FRAUD, A FELONY OF THE HIGHEST DEGREE,ITS SO SAD.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE CITY OF COATESVILLE FOR 40 YEARS,AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE IT IS NOW,THIS CITY IS GOING DOWN HILL SO FAST ITS SCARY,HOW CAN WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE FIRES IN THE SAME AREA AND COATESVILLE POLICE DONT HAVE THAT AREA SATURATED WITH POLICE PRESENCE,THAT IS CRAZY,EVERY TIME I SEE THE POLICE,THEY ARE SITTING IN DOLLAR STORE PARKING LOT,ARE BY THE MIDWAY OR THE DRY CLEANERS AT 11TH AVE,OR THE DINER ON 13TH AVE.HELLO,HELLO, THE FIRES ARE IN THE WEST END OF COATESVILE,THAT IS WHERE THE OVER NIGHT SHIFT SHOULD BE,THAT WOULD HAVE PROBABLY SAVED THE LAST HOUSE THAT WENT UP.WHAT HAPPENED TO GOOD OLD FASHION DETECTIVE WORK,WHERE THEY GET ON THE STREETS IN PLAIN CLOTHES,AND SIT BACK IN A UNMARKED CAR AND CATCH THIS GUY,COME ON MARTY QUINN,YOU ARE THE BEST WE HAVE GOT
IAM STARTING A PETITION DRIVE TO GET RID OF CHIEF MATTHEWS,IAM NOT GOING TO STOP UNTIL I GET AT LEAST 10000 SIGNATURES OF COATESVILLE RESIDENTS,THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THIS BLOG IF YOU THINK ITS A GOOD IDEA,HE HAS GOT TO GO,I WOULD RATHER PAY HIM TO LEAVE ASAP,MY STOMACH TURNS EVERYTIME I SEE HIM,MATTHEWS HAS TO GO AND TAKE MANAGER JOHNNY WALKER,WITH HIM,WE ARE TIRED OF BOTH OF YOU,
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME D.A. CARROLL TO THE CITY OF COATESVILLE,THANKS FOR PUTTING INTEREST IN THIS DEVESTATED CITY,WE WILL GET BACK ON TRACK,THANKS FOR BEING MAN ENOUGH TO DO IT,NOBODY ELSE IS,ANYBODY THAT GOT SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT YOU BEING HERE,MUST FEAR THE LAW,THANKS AGAIN.AND IAM BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY.
CITY COUNCIL,IAM BEGGIG YOU TO NOT RENEW THE CONTRACT OF MATTHEWS,PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE CITY RESIDENTS,THIS PLAN HAS NO INTENTIONS OF GETTING CERTIFIED,HOW MUCH DOES IT TAKE TO SEE THIS MAN IS PLAYING US FOR FOOLS,LOOK AT THE CRIME RATE ,IT SKYROCKETED,LOOK AT ALL THESE ROBBERIES,OUR MERCHANTS ARE THE TAX BASE TO OUR CITY,THEY DESERVE BETTER,THINK ABOUT OUR KIDS GROWING UP IN COATESVILLE,WE HAVE TO GET A CHIEF ,YOUNGER,CERTIFIED,PROFESSIONAL,WITH STREET KNOWLEDGE,AND WILLING TO FIGHT FOR OUR CITY,CHIEF MATTHEWS HAS NONE OF THOSE QUALITIES,THE CRIMINALS ARE WINNING BECAUSE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE,THEY KNOW THE DEPARTMENT IS WEAK RIGHT NOW,THATS WHY THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION,AND FOR MANAGER WALKER,HE IS A NIGHTMARE COME TRUE,WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS PLEASED TO SEE 15 EXPERIENCED OFFICERS LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT,I THINK THAT THIS IS JUST BAD DREAM,THEY BOTH GOT TO BE RELEASED OF THEIR DUTIES TO THE CITY OF COATESVILLE ASAP,THEY HAVE BRUNG NOTHING BUT HARDSHIPS TO OUR CITY,WE HAVE TO STAND UP,IAM A 41 YEAR OLD AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE,AND I AM ASHAMED TO KNOW WALKER OR MATTHEWS,I HOPE THEY DEPART VERY SOON,SO WE CAN HAVE OUR CITY BACK,I COMPARE THEM TO THE CRIMINALS THAT OUR DESTROYING OUR CITY, WALKER,DRINKS AND DRIVES, THATS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE,MATTHEWS,IS GETTING PAID A SALARY FOR NO WORK,THATS CALLED FRAUD, AND THEFT BY DECEPTION
I BELIEVE LT.CANALE WOULD BE A GREAT CHIEF, ALSO LT.RITA SHESKO THEY KNOW ALMOST EVERYONE THAT HAS BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE BLOCK OF 4 AND OUR SO CALLED CITY MANGERMR.WALKER. ITS A SHAME HOW THE CITY HAS FALLEN NOW WE ARE NOT EVEN SAFE IN OUR OWN HOMES, OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT SAFE ON THE STREETS BECAUSE OF THE SHOOTINGS AND THE DRUGS SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE A STAND AND WE ALL NEED TO STAND TOGEATHER AS A WHOLE . IF ANYONE IS THINKING ABOUT STARTING A PETITION I WOULD LOVE TO SIGN IT TO GET MR. WALKER OUT OF OUR CITY FOR DOING NOTHING.
Lt Canale is a true professional!
He clearly displayed his loyalty to citizens of the city by not resigning.
Instead, he put the needs of the many first and continued to contribute.
Without a doubt he should be promoted. My observations indicate that he demonstrated character and integrity!
PROMOTE LT CANALE!
As a cop, my professional assessment of Canale is: Canale is a follower. He "silently" acquiesces to the plans of Walker and Matthews, and has been noticeably inconspicuous during the string of arsons. We need new blood in council, the city manager's office, and especially the police department. The decision is clear, the guy from Philly. From what I understand, he works with the federal agencies and at least has the experience to change our department. Matthews must go, or more good cops will leave...where will we be then?
G. Launch another national search for a new chief (maybe Willie Williams would be up for the challenge-money may be a problem given his experience). Hire an unbiased, culturally and racially diversed individual experienced working in a predominantly minority community, willing to live in that community among the citizens (not purchase a home as a front in the city). Someone who is not judgemental of the people they serve, someone who REALLY cares. Don't go back or use past problems. Carroll does not care about citizens of Coatesville. Need to INVESTIGATE ALL JUDGES and DISTRICT ATTORNEYS to see if they have investments in the prision systems as has been found of some judges and attorney's.
If any of the people working for the city cared there would not be the current problems that exist today. There are people from West Chester, such as Carroll who want to take over this city. They want to move out the poor minorities and make it too expensive for the current residents to reside. Canale, Shesko, Bellizzie, or Carroll do not care about the citizens of Coatesville.
If Canale did not care about this city why would he just leave. He has enough years to retire! He could easily go work for a quiet township or municipality and collect a pension on top of it. He cares about the city of Coatesville and has displayed it by staying loyal during even the worst of times. Promote Canale if he wants the job, if not, offer it to Rita Shesko. We have already seen the outcome of bringing clueless outsiders in to try and fix things!!!
You know, I've been thinking about this. I believe that all old timers need to go. I think people like Canale brings dissension to the Dept when anyone new comes along. Some people would never be satisfied with anyone new because they believe that Canale should have gotten the job in the first place. Some people know that feeling very well. Black people often feel like they were overlooked for someone else. So, in my opinion, Canale needs to go. It's time for some new blood!
What they have running the city now needs to go also.
I use to live on Maple Avenue many years ago when most people on the street got up and went to work everyday. Over time, as Oak Street Housing Project was closed, the drug dealings and shootings just got worse.
Paul Janssen was brought in and he accomplished not much, and we never saw any real progress in Coatesville in my part of town. I don't even believe he lived in the city. I did not see quite as much resentment toward him as I do with the current City Manager.
Sometimes you need to make a clean sweep of things. West Chester does not have Coatesville's best interest at heart. You can tell that by all of the negativity that the Daily Local News heaps on Coatesville. I do not care how many positive things happen in Coatesville, The Daily Local will accentuate the negative. We all know that's how they sell newspapers. People are always happy to see something about Coatesville in the paper negative, happy that the Local is not reporting what's happening in their small towns. Believe me, I work in West Chester, more happens there than what you think. It's not reported because they have to keep Downingtown and West Chester looking squeaky clean! West Chester is also the county seat, I think.
Coatesville hasn't had any type city council since Mr. Chertoff left. One thing I believe for sure is that Mr. Chertcff always wanted and worked for what was best for Coateville and I say that as a Black Coatesvillian. We need more people like him on the city council. Someone to speak up for the citizens and do the right things. You can't be mealy mouth and be on city council.
Forgive me that should have been Chertok.
Just the notion that we would consider someone currently employed by this regime is absurd. We need fresh blood, new ideas, and a strong leader. Matthews, Canale, Walker, and the Council (as currently staffed)all contribute to the overall problem.
Carroll has the right ideas, more cops, new leadership, and development is the key to a new Coatesville. In keeping with the current question,
* Terminate Matthews and Walker(NOW!)
* Hire Fitzgerald, Gordon, or someone "qualified" to lead.
Get behind the DA to change our situauion. Get serious about crime by changing City Council.
Jennifer's got to weigh in here! Who do you believe the next chief of police should be? What would you do with Harry?
In my opinion, we need to more on the person that was the search committee choice. If I read todays article correctly, he was even supported by DA Carroll. Where did we go wrong?
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