Conshohocken passes Lost and Stolen!

[anonymouse]

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/...7332797688.txt

Conshohocken Council OKs mandate to report lost, stolen firearms
Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010
By JENNY DeHUFF
Times Herald Staff

CONSHOHOCKEN — Borough Council passed an ordinance requiring residents to report lost or stolen firearms during its monthly open meeting Wednesday night.

Conshohocken Public Safety Chair Ike Griffin pointed out that gun violence is not just a regional issue. According to CeaseFirePa, an anti-gun violence organization, the four largest cities in the state — Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie — as well as many suburban and rural towns are adopting this mandate. In June, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court passed a decision upholding Philadelphia’s lost or stolen handgun reporting ordinance, after the state appellate court determined plaintiffs lacked legal standing to challenge the ordinance.

“Often, when a gun used in a crime is traced to an original purchaser, the explanation is that it was lost or stolen,” said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Pennsylvania Coordinator Maxwell Nacheman.

In July, Allegheny County Common Pleas Court upheld Pittsburgh’s lost or stolen handgun reporting law, citing that court’s decision as legal precedent.

In other business, Conshohocken residents will be seeing more than St. Patrick’s Day green after Wednesday night’s meeting.

According to Transportation and Parking Chair Jason Salus, the Shade Tree Commission will be giving away and planting scores of “bare roots” trees on March 27. From 9 to 11 a.m., “bare roots” trees — better known as trees with exposed roots — will be given away at the public works building on W. 7th Avenue.

Volunteers from the Shade Tree Commission will help Conshohocken residents plant the trees in individuals’ yards, The commission, comprised originally of three unpaid members, will be increased to five members, at the behest of borough council.

Why can't we learn about these things BEFORE they happen?

[Nullifidian]

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/...7332797688.txt



Why can't we learn about these things BEFORE they happen?

I'd like to know how the #### the appellate court determined that "plaintiffs lacked legal standing to challenge the ordinance"?!?!?!

[ChamberedRound]

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/...7332797688.txt



Why can't we learn about these things BEFORE they happen?

Because the Council probably knew the attention they would get if they made it public, so it's very likely they passed it on the sneak in collusion with CeaseFirePA. They likely only publicized it enough to meet the requirement that agenda items be announced in an attempt to not draw attention that would cause citizens to attend.

If I were a resident of the town, I'd be at the next meeting to make sure council members know they will not be getting a vote at the next election unless the ordinance is repealed or at least re-examined giving proper allowance for public comment. And I'd also remind that hack Solicitor that he/she can be held liable for their legal advice to the Council.

[Curmudgeon]

Because the Council probably knew the attention they would get if they made it public, so it's very likely they passed it on the sneak. They likely only publicized it enough to meet the requirement that agenda items be announced.

2A and liberty-loving residents of Conshohocken, I hope you are pleased with this. Almost every month we lose ground over this. While we manage to get signs corrected in town parks, they are passing new ordinances behind our backs.

And they are laughing at us. :facepalm:

[Devrbd]

I grew up in Conshohocken and still live in the area. Not long ago it used to be a nice blue-collar type town where everyone knew each other or at least acted like they did. Over the past 10 years it's become liberal cesspool over run with yuppie transplants from out of state. I believe 5 of the 7 council members are liberals including the Safety Chair Ike Griffin who evidently gets all his information from CeaseFirePA. Unfortunately, I won't be surprised if this BS goes through.

[theshadow]

I still wish an offended party would file a complaint against the solicitor who wrote these illegal laws with the Bar Association. YUP a FORMAL PRIVATE COMPLAINT TO DISBAR for violating PA State Laws, and conspiring to do the same.

[ChamberedRound]

Unfortunately, I won't be surprised if this BS goes through.

It already passed.

[son of the revolution]

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/...7332797688.txt



Why can't we learn about these things BEFORE they happen?

Someone needs to find out, like RIGHT NOW, if the Council DID in fact meet their requirement of public notice. Very often this is NOT the case when its a divisive issue and if it can be shown that council didnt meet their burden then not only does it become a political liability but it raises a method to challenge the issue.

Your going to need the ordinance or Statute from the town that describes what is required, usually its being advertised in the paper for a certain period of time ahead of the Council Meeting or sometimes its sufficient to post it on the borough website or even just posting a notice in Town Hall. Once you figure out the requirment, then you need to determine if they met it. If not its time to hammer them !

Everyone else needs to pay attention to what happened here, because I have a sneaky suspicion this is CeaseFire's slimy new tactic , since they've been running into stiffer opposition and lost a few battles. It says to me they have doubts about being able to accomplish their goals out in the open, so they will resort to doing it in darkness and with the collusion of contemptable local politico's.

[Devrbd]

After reading this thread, I did a little research on the Borough website. Listed on the Council Meeting Agenda for February 17th was a motion 'for consideration to authorize the advertisement of an Ordinance for reporting lost or stolen firearms'.

see here:
http://conshohockenpa.org/government...bruray-17-2010

The next Council Meeting Agenda for March 17th lists a 'motion to accept an Ordinance to report lost or stolen firearms.'

see here:
http://conshohockenpa.org/government...-march-17-2010

The motions were introduced by Jason Salus, who through a little more research seems to be supported by various 'Progressive' groups. Councilman Salus has just posted on his own blog how happy he is that this 'common sense' legislation he introduced has passed. Also, his blog accepts comments under this entry as well. It would be interesting to see if opposing comments are deleted.

see here:
http://jasonsalus.wordpress.com/2010...gun-ordinance/

I suppose the next question would if they did in fact advertise that this ordinance was under consideration and where.

[Devrbd]

According to mypublicnotices.com, the advertisement was listed in the Times Herald on March 1st. I couldn't find it on the Times Herald website.

Ordinance Notices
NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN: NOTICE is hereby given that the Borough Council of the Borough of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, shall consider the ADOPTION of the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF CON SHOHOCKEN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, PART 4 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN TO REQUIRE PROMPT NOTIFICATION TO THE CONSHOHOCKEN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF LOST OR STOLEN FIREARMS; DEFINING 'FIREARMS' FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ORDINANCE; REQUIR ING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO MAIN TAIN A RECORD OF STOLEN FIREARMS; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE; REPEALING INCONSIS TENT ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDI NANCE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Pursuant to the requirements of the Borough Code, the following is a brief summary of the proposed ordinance: The proposed ordinance would amend the Conshohocken Borough Code to require any person who fails to report a lost or stolen firearm to the Conshohocken Police Department is subject to a fine for the failure to file the required report. The Ordinance likewise provides a definition for 'firearms' subject to the reporting requirements. A copy of the full text of the ordinance under consideration may be examined or obtained at the Administrative Offices of the Borough of Conshohocken, 1 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428, or may be reviewed at the offices of the newspaper wherein this notice is published. The Ordinance will be considered by Council at its regular meeting on March 17, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. at the Conshohocken Municipal Building, Eighth Avenue and Fayette Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428. All persons wishing to be heard before Council are invited to attend and participate as may be fitting and proper. Francis J. Marabella, Secretary Borough of Conshohocken 1 w. First Avenue, Suite 200 Conshohocken, PA 19428

http://pa.mypublicnotices.com/Public...e&AdId=1789504