A betrayal to the people
By Bill Powers, Jr.

Those are not my words but the words of Murrysville councilman Theo van deVenne in the November 28, 2007 council meeting over the Buncher property re-zoning. Mr. van deVenne stated that “rezoning this is a betrayal to the people that live around there” in regards to the residentially zoned 50 acres in a request by Manor Development to have it re-zoned commercially.

He goes on to say, “those people bought their property, bought their property thinking that it would be developed as residential.” However, he voted to approve the re-zoning to commercial when voted for the Overlay ordinance in the August 6^th council meeting. This was not only a betrayal to the people that live around there; it was a betrayal to all of the citizens of Murrysville.

When Murrysville resident Linda Marts sent an email to all council members on August 4^th requesting they table the vote in order that a Task Force made up of Murrysville citizens work with council on the flawed ordinance, she received this reply from Council President Nancy Kacin:

“You are in a very small group of vocal citizens against development in Murrysville, as shown by the small representation at both of the town hall meetings. It is also very obvious that the group opposing this ordinance does not represent the future of Murrysville, as by gauging the age of the attendees. This ordinance does follow the comprehensive plan and is an excellent ordinance contrary to what your group write in the local papers and voice out at public meetings. I am prepared to vote yes for this ordinance. I remind you that I have run on the premise to "promote economic development to keep a lid on taxes" two times and have won. I do represent the majority of Murrysville by the democratic process of election. My constituents choose not voice their opinions in public or the local papers because they have faith in me. Believe me, I hear from them on a daily basis, they are just different people than you are associated with.

Wait and see...I'll bet you will be doing more shopping in Murrysville soon and enjoying it.”

Only Councilwoman Joan Kearns and Councilman Dennis Pavlik voted not to pass the ordinance as it was passed with a 5-2 vote.

I’m sure many of you feel rather frustrated if you attended the August 6^th council meeting or watched it on TV. You probably feel that the fight is now over and there is nothing you can do. This is not true. There are many things you can do. You can continue to write into the papers as you have done for over a year now. The five council members that voted for this ordinance would love to see us fade away. The pressure we have been putting on them with our frustrations of not being heard was really getting to them.

There is also the November 2009 election coming up where four of the council seats and the mayor seat come up for re-election. This is “our” time to voice “our” opinion and change the face of the Murrysville government to one that will finally listen to us. A new council can change this zoning ordinance back to the way it is now.

There are also many unanswered ethical questions such as the Banner Parklet controversy and members of the Murrysville government being involved with the Murrysville Economic and Community Development Corporation (MECDC) in writing this zoning Overlay ordinance. The MECDC is registered as a 503c non-profit organization as stated by Councilman Dennis Pavlik in the council meeting. Mr. Pavlik questioned the lobbying that may have been done by the MECDC in drawing up this ordinance.

If anyone would like to report an ethical violation to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, see photos of the areas effected, watch Mr. van deVenne’s controversial video clip, or voice your opinion about the Overlay ordinance we urge you to visit: www.TakeBackMurrysville.com and become involved before any more damage is done.