The Warminster, Bucks County PA residents had a meeting at the Warminster Township Building last evening – April 30th – regarding the proposed Discovery House Methadone Clinic renting the property for their methadone drug clinic business in the residential area. The building located at 1386 W. Street Rd. Warminster, PA 18974, owned by Sal Giaimo is also the owner of Giuseppe’s Pizza on Street Rd in Warminster (keep this in mind when deciding where to go out to eat if this goes through). The real estate agent involved was Kurt Eisenschmid, Kurt’s email is kurt@pgrealty.com of Penn’s Grant Realty, a local office in Doylestown, PA, company email info@pgrealty.com (keep this in mind when recommending a realtor or using one if this goes through).
There are a few questions we had relating to this meeting:
1) Where was Sal Giaimo of Giuseppe’s Pizza at the meeting, or anyone from their establishment? It would have been nice of him to show his support, considering what he has already done. Oh thats right he doesn’t LIVE in Warminster…
2) Where was Kurt Eisenschmid of Penns Grant Realty? Oh thats right, he doesn’t live in Warminster either, thanks Kurt for your help…
3) Kurt Shaffer, the attorney who said he represents Sal Giaimo at the meeting last week at Giuseppe’s Pizza. Where was he at the meeting? And is he Sal’s Attorney or the Attorney for the township?
4) Frank Feinberg – Chairman of the Warminster Township Board of Supervisors, email ffeinberg@warminstertownship.org, Whose side is Frank Feinberg on anyway? Why was Discovery House given All the time they needed to get their points and information across without interuption, by good ole Frank. but when the residents spoke, they were cut short without really getting their point across on numerous occasions. Frank, who do you represent here????
Kudos to the other township members who stood up for their residents:
Thank you to,
Leo Quinn
Gail Johnson
Ellen Jarvis
Fred Gold
and also to Robert Tate
Remember these people when the elections come around and who stood by the people!!!
The meeting ended with without any type of a resolution or any reassurance from the Discovery House people that there would be any movement or consideration on their end. They take the stand that they are not a detriment to the residental neighborhood of Warminster (By the way Discovery House you are not building a playground or park here) by putting their methadone Drug Clinic in the neighborhood.
Remember the residents are not asking you to NOT put Discovery House in Warminster, BUT only to relocate it in Warminster but AWAY from a residential neighborhood.
If you are TRULY want to work with the community and want to be accepted by the residents of the community, then listen to them.
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May 1, 2009 at 5:43 pm |
Let me first start off by saying, I have never felt this passionate about something in regards to our community the entire time that my family and I have lived here. However, over the past couple of weeks I have been very upset and disappointed in our township supervisors, and many times during this whole process I have questioned their “true” motives for our community.
There has been lying, contradicting comments, miscommunication, and a very disturbing indifference regarding the importance of this matter by all of our township supervisors. I fear that it is becoming apparent that each one of them sitting on the board has only their own best interest at heart. However, if in some small way I have failed to see their honorable intentions, then THEY have not made them clear to me or the other residents.
From the beginning I feared the worst… that this very serious matter would turn into a political charade. And yet some our supervisors have somehow done just that and turned this situation around to make it all about them. I have no interest in what political agenda that any of them might have, or what political party is going to resolve this issue for our community, or who’s term is up and who’s term just started. What concerns me the most is that after giving ALL of them a chance to show us their interest and concern for our upset, to educate themselves about the negative impact a methadone clinic will have on our neighborhood, and to make SOME attempt to rectify this situation in the homeowner’s favor, their failure to do so is shocking and appalling! Sadly, however, it took the tax-paying-voting residents to educate themselves, make discoveries about all the parties involved and take it upon themselves to try to passionately and peacefully relocate the Discovery House Clinic to a non-residential area where such a facility belongs.
So I’m sorry, at this time the ONLY kudos I can give is to our State Rep. Kathy Watson. It is SHE that has done WAY more for the residents than ANY of our supervisors! She’s the one I’ll remember during elections! I think you’ll find many residents agreeing with me on this one! My advice to the Board of Supervisors… show a little sincerity!
May 1, 2009 at 10:53 pm |
We can not put our families at risk!!!!!
Man sentenced for stabbing at Pa. methadone clinic Sunday Dec 21, 2008 EASTON, Pa. – A man has been sentenced to prison for stabbing another man after they started arguing in line at an eastern Pennsylvania methadone clinic. read entire article
Man facing charges in death of officer
TEXT SIZE By: GEORGE MATTAR AND MATT COUGHLIN
The Intelligencer
Frank Wallace Budka, 45, was driving under the combined influence of methadone and marijuana at the time of the accident, the county DA said.
Middletown Detective Chris Jones’ cuffs were used for the last time Wednesday when one of the fallen officer’s squad mates slapped them on the man authorities say caused Jones’ death.
Nearly three months after the fatal crash that killed the 11-year veteran, Frank Wallace Budka, 45, of Middletown, was arrested in his Foxwood Manor Apartment about 2:30 p.m. He put up no resistance as Officer Robert Weber, one of Jones’ many friends on the force, put the cuffs on Budka before Weber, Detective Jeffry Sproehnle and Sgt. John Michniewicz took him to a waiting police car.
May 2, 2009 at 8:56 pm |
Tell me lacreesha, what exactly do you expect the local elected officials to do?
They don’t write the state regulations for these facilities, which could limit how close to residential neighborhoods they can be. Kathy Watson does, of course, since she is in the state legislature, but I don’t see her actually doing anything for you. It’s easy to show up and complain loudly about the injustice of it all, but it seems a but hypocritical to do so when you’ve sat on your hands and allowed to problem to happen.
Township officials can’t stop a facility like this simply because they want to. They can certainly try to talk the clinic out of moving there, and likewise try to talk Sal out of letting them move in, but honestly, do you think they can MAKE them not do it? These are private parties who made a private real estate deal, and in this country, we have the constitutional right to use our property as we choose. Do you want the Township to violate the law and deliberately interfere with the move, simply to satisfy your concerns? I, for one, don’t want to fork over more taxes to pay the judgment that Discovery House and the worthless Giaimo will win against Warminster if the Township sticks its nose into this mess.
We all understand you have concerns about the clinic moving in near your neighborhood. What I don’t understand is if you have ANY CLUE whatsoever how stupid you look when you bitch and grumble because you think no one is trying to help you. The Township Board of Supervisors has arranged for two public meetings (4/22 & 4/30) has had their lawyer talking to Kurt Shaffer about trying to cancel the lease, has met with Discovery House and with Giaimo, has had the Township Manager trying to field all your questions and issues and get answers for you, has had the zoning officer scouring the township for possible alternate sites, and has gone on record as being opposed to the move. What else do you think they can do? Should they chain themselves to the doors and refuse to let the clinic move in? Just how much power do you think these people have? They’re politicians, not magicians.
Oh, and one other thing. If it turns out you’re wrong and the Township can find a way to keep this from happening, are you going to show up and yell as loudly at a public meeting about how grateful you are to the Supervisors for saving your neighborhood? Will you apologize for sounding like such an petulant child in these posts? Will you show up to support them come election time or just slink off back to your neighborhood and forget that they did make a difference?
May 3, 2009 at 6:15 pm |
I am most disappointed in residents like “Lacreesha” who uses hysteria and misinformation to effect change. She writes that she’s questioning the “true ‘motives’” of the Supervisors on this issue; what might those be? Two of the Supervisors live a stone’s throw from this proposed site! Is the “true ‘motive’” of those Supervisors to have a meth clinic in their backyard? One of those 2 is not seeking re-election and his term is up this year. What is HIS motive in even getting involved at all? The other one, her term isn’t up for 5 years. Where will your passions be then, Lacreesha? I bet you’ll forget all about her then — and I bet you do NOTHING to run for office yourself. You think their job is easy??
You applaud Watson. Other than writing her own protest letter, has she DONE ANYTHING other than sympathize with the residents? If her office wasn’t next door to the site, would she have written? What are HER motives?? She runs for election every two years. She didn’t even bother speaking at the Township meeting … she cowered in the back! Bernie O’Neill … he reps Discovery House in their current site .. he said NOTHING. Where is he in trying to find HIS CONSTITUENT business a new and suitable home that is ADA-compliant, etc.?? REMEMBER THIS next election: DO-NOTHING-MAN!
The Supervisors are just as frustrated as the neighbors, but they are doing a lot behind the scenes to prevent this move. If I was a betting person, I’m putting my money on that Discovery House will NOT be moving into this side of Warminster any time soon.
May 4, 2009 at 1:57 am |
RDK, firstly, I’m not sure who you are posing as — an elected supervisor, a resident, or whomever — but, your constant reference to “my” neighborhood and not “your” or “our” neighborhood leads me to believe you do not have a “neighborhood” vested interest in this situation and therefore it is not your battle. Secondly, when you refer to Kathy Watson as a “hypocrite”, Mr. Giaimo as “worthless” and you refer to me as “stupid” because I, according to you, “bitch and grumble” and then attack me again by calling me a “petulant child”, you lose your credibility as a responsible and knowledgeable debator of any issue. Instead, you show yourself as an individual who would prefer to deal with this situation (even though it may very well be none of your business) by creating interpersonal conflicts. So, therefore, I will not grace your remarks with my comments. They deserve none.
However, I will respond to your last paragraph: You stated that If it turns out I’m wrong and the Township can find a way to keep this from happening, am I going to show up and yell as loudly at a public meeting about how grateful I am to the Supervisors for saving my neighborhood? YOU BET I WILL !!!
May 4, 2009 at 8:44 pm |
Dear RDK, a.k.a. ANW, and EJ…
Have a great day!
This is childish. As I have already stated I will not grace your remarks with my comments. Interpersonal conflicts, or whatever personal issues you have with me, do not belong on this blog! You have my phone number, you can call me.
May 14, 2009 at 5:49 pm |
I have never posted a comment to a blog before, however, I felt compelled to respond to the comments posted on this blog. I understand residents’ concerns regarding the relocation of the Discovery House from its current location in Warminster to the office building owned by Sal Giaimo. The residents’ should be upset with their elected officials, not the township supervisors or the zoning committee. The latter do not have the ability make zoning laws, they merely comply with the laws that are in place. It was under the watch of your elected officials that the zoning laws regarding the proximity of rehab clinics to residential areas lapsed. When the lease was presented to the supervisors in January, the supervisors nor the zoning committee had the authority to prohibit the Discovery House from leasing Sal Giaimo’s office space. If they had, discrimination would have been committed because the Discovery House met zoning restrictions and was leasing space in space zoned for “professional use”. Sal Giaimo was not aware of what kind of rehab clinic the Discovery House when he signed the lease. He became aware in mid-April. Immediately, upon hearing that residents were concerned he opened his doors for a community meeting and heard their voices. Sal has tried to void the lease, however, he cannot. The Discovery House mentioned that it would need approximately $15,000 to be reimbursed for its construction costs while stating that it has no desire to relocate. That amount does not include court costs which would inevitably ensue. Additionally, if the township tried to prohibit Discovery’s relocation to the space, it would face a lawsuit based on discrimination. Unfortunately, since the zoning laws were allowed to lapse the Discovery House has every right to lease the space whether or not residents view it as a desirable tenant or location.
Although Sal Giaimo does not live in Warminster (he lives 2 miles outside of Warminster Township), it has been the home of his family-owned business, Giuseppe’s Pizza & Family Restaurant, for over 35 years. Sal Giaimo and his late brother, Giuseppe Giaimo, have been nothing short of outstanding citizens of Warminster Township. There has been no end to their generosity since they opened their doors 35 years ago. The Giaimo brothers donated the land upon which the Ben Wilson Senior Citizen Center was built; they have sponsored countless local sports teams; they have donated pizza to schools; have donated money to too many causes to list; and most recently there is a foundation in Giuseppe Giaimo’s name which selects students in the Warminster township for scholarships. Although Giuseppe Giaimo has passed away four years ago, Sal Giaimo has continued the tradition of giving back to the community and is a member of the Warminster Rotary. Having said that, it is absolutely ludicrous to say that Sal Giaimo doesn’t care about Warminster because he doesn’t live there. For the past 35 years he has spend a good portion of his life there.
Unfortunately, we can not prevent what the law allows. At this point it is impossible to get out of the lease. I realize residents’ concern, however, the Discovery House has been in a location 1.5 miles for more than 15 years without incident. Certainly, vicious comments and boycotts cannot prevent Discovery House from relocating to its new location. The only thing that could have prevented this relocation from happening was the zoning laws. Unfortunately, they lapsed in the hands of your elected officials. Hopefully, they will learn form this lesson.
May 15, 2009 at 10:59 am |
aitaliano:
What are you talking about?
The zoning laws haven’t lapsed. The zoning laws actually PERMIT the clinic in the office zone. Did you get that … the laws PERMIT the clinic at the Street Road site. The law was never changed since Planned Parenthood opened. That use was PERMITTED in the same type of zoning district. The Supervisors in office then – republicans – simply ignored the fact and left the law as it was. The methadone clinic use wouldn’t have been permitted if the Board changed the law after that debacle. They didn’t. The left it as it was because they didn’t care.
Remember THAT when you go out to vote. Quinn, Panzer, Gold, they ALL sat on their hands and let it go.
And as for Sal, he is no saint. He is a liar and sold out the neighbors for his 15 year lease. Don’t believe it … ask Sal what is written on the FIRST PAGE of the lease. It’s a commercial lease. It states right up front that it is for a methadone clinic. Either Sal can’t read or he JUST DIDN’T CARE. I don’t remember him throwing open the doors of his restaurant and asking how the neighborhood felt about the new clinic until AFTER he got caught and was facing the wrath of the residents who he sold down the river. I AM a resident of Warminster (though not in that neighborhood) and I ate at Sal’s restaurant with my family at least three or four times a month until now. I will NEVER put another dime in Sal’s pocket after this. I hope he goes bankrupt and closes his doors forever.
And lacreesha, I have only one thing to say to you. Check the headlines today. The Township attorney says the clinic is NOT moving in, thanks to the new zoning ordinance. I’m guessing you plan on making good on your promise, right? I’m guessing we’ll see you on TV at the next meeting, thanking the Township, right?
May 15, 2009 at 12:44 pm |
The zoning laws did lapse meaning that they were not changed. Lapse means to end. If they had been been changed the clinic could not be there. If they had been changed the use would not be permitted. I agree – it was a failure on the part of elected officials. It should not go unnoticed that there are some other things in the area that people would classify as “undesirables”. There is a bar in Warminster Square and just a few weeks ago there were 6 cop cars and sniffing dogs in late hours of the night, there is a bar in Thunderbird Lanes and there is a halfway house at 1700 Place where residents can come and go and they please (however, this is Warrington so it is out of Warminster’s hands even though it is right next to Warminster).
Sal is not a liar. The space had been vacant for almost a year as it is only zoned for professional use. In January, Sal told me that he found a tenant and it was a “medical office.” He did not know what it was, he did not know what methadone was. Sal was not raised in this country nor did he go to school here and yes he has 4 kids, however, they were never involved with drugs so he did not know what “methadone” was or what it is used for. Sal opened up his restaurant after he realized residents were concerned. Keep in mind that the township knew since mid-January and had not said a word about it. Also, Sal tried to get out of the lease. Why doesn’t everyone try to raise money to reimburse Discovery for their improvements. You can be assured that Sal will not go bankrupt and Giuseppe’s doors will be open for years and years to come.
May 16, 2009 at 2:23 am |
RDK wrote: “The zoning laws haven’t lapsed. The zoning laws actually PERMIT the clinic in the office zone. Did you get that … the laws PERMIT the clinic at the Street Road site. The law was never changed since Planned Parenthood opened. That use was PERMITTED in the same type of zoning district. The Supervisors in office then – republicans – simply ignored the fact and left the law as it was. The methadone clinic use wouldn’t have been permitted if the Board changed the law after that debacle. They didn’t. The [sic] left it as it was because they didn’t care.
Remember THAT when you go out to vote. Quinn, Panzer, Gold, they ALL sat on their hands and let it go”.
I’m a resident of the neighborhood involved in this dispute, and I have one thing to say:
RDK / Ellen Javis, someone needs to put a muzzle on your mouth. How you ever got elected is beyond me. I feel sorry for the rest of our supervisors who have to work with you.
But. as you suggested, I will remember come the next election. I will remember you and your rdisrespectful behavior and vote accordingly.
May 19, 2009 at 4:19 am |
Sadie/lacreesha/whoever you are:
I’m amazed that you think that I am Ellen Jarvis. I’m amazed that you think no one else has an opinion in this Township. I’m even more amazed that the high school mentality of this place has left you perpetually trapped in a state of mind that can’t let you progress past “who said that” and “who are you” and let you respond on the merits. Sad.
I’ve lived in this community all my life, raised three kids here, and am struggling to keep my home in the wake of this economy and the crushing taxes that the school district keeps piling on year after year. But apparently, none of that entitles me to an opinion. Or to speak my mind. Or to even engage in my constitutional right to express my views without having either of you snipe and criticize and accuse me of being an elected official you happen to have a disagreement with. I am not a supervisor, nor would I wish to be.
I am, however, disappointed that you have no place here for anyone who wants to express their opinion.
May 19, 2009 at 7:14 pm |
You’re amazed that I think you are Ellen Jarvis??!! Good grief read your own posts. You have insulted and argued with every person who has attempted to post their opinion here, and yet you accuse me of not wanting others to express their opinion? Get real.
You can think I’m the poster, lacresha, all you want. I’m convinced she/he is right on the money that you are Ellen Jarvis. I picked up on it right away. Your posts are a dead giveaway. Your rantings and accusations against the Republican township supervisors and how they did nothing through all of this, plus your constant endorsement of all the other (Democrat) supervisors and their unfortunate limited ability to fix this problem inspite of all the supposedly great things only they have done clearly smacks of an Ellen Jarvis erratic waffle.
Examples of your waffling: At the first township meeting I attended, you were all in favor of this meth clinic moving into our neighborhood. You even stated you would walk your dogs past the place each morning. You were condescending and disrespectful to all of us who attended and who complained or expressed concerns.
Then you took it upon yourself to represent Sal Giaimo (which I consider a conflict of interest) by circulating his flyer throughout the neighborhood requesting the meeting at his restaurant. Then you did another about face and started bragging how the Democrats were going to fix this problem.
I could go on and on, but I can’t be bothered at this point.
As a tax paying resident, feel free to express your concerns and opinions all you want. As an elected official, figure out how to keep your personal politics and conflicts of interest out of this issue and do something right for the folks who elected you.
My wife and I are also life-long residents of Warminster and we too have worked hard paying our taxes and raising our family here. However, we are also registered Democrats, and quite frankly, the way you operate as a Twp Supervisor embarrasses us and we will remember this come election time.
It’s laughable that you think I might care that you’re disappointed in me. Not going to happen.
And that’s the end of anything more I have to say to you here. I’ll better express my opinion of you when it’s time to vote just like you suggested we do to the Republican supervisors.
May 27, 2009 at 12:07 pm |
You people are a sad lot.
I have been following this story in the papers, and have been hopeful that the township could find a way to save this neighborhood from the methadone clinic. (I live on the other side of the township, but if they can get into this neighborhood, who knows what can come in next.)
I thought you were right on, lacreesha and sadie, but when you degenerate into petty political crap and attacking RDK because you think that he/she is a supervisor, you really undermine your message.
You went to the Supervisors looking for help, and from what I read in the paper, it looks like they have managed to pull off a miracle and stop the methadone people from moving in. I came onto this blog thinking I would see something from either of you declaring victory or at least thanking the township supervisors for making this happen. Instead, you are slamming another resident for stuff that seems irrelevant.
At the end of the day, I don’t care if RDK is Jarvis or not, all that matters is that the supervisors did right by the residents. How about at least acknowledging that? In my view, thanking politicians when they do the right thing usually encourages them to keep doing it.
For what it’s worth, I think they did the right thing and I will support them. You should, too. After all, they did help you in the end … didn’t they?