Our Nightmare,

In December 2007, Fleetwood, PA. The Fleetwood borough council & Berks Redevelopment Authority held a town meeting which over 200 people showed up for, to oppose the current redevelopment plan as it would take away our family owned business (Fleetwood Pizza) serving this community for over 30 years. Many got up and spoke out against the taking of Fleetwood Pizza, yet the council president Mr. Szokes said “our minds were already made up and we’re not changing them”. They proposed to use our property to create a walkway melding Main street with the alley behind it. In this proposal there was to be businesses built in the vacant lot behind our property which stretches the entire block long. Since then there has been nothing built and the land developer of that vacant lot bailed out and now the Fleetwood Bank owns it. We have had to endure foolish child like behavior of the project heads. While there is still no public use or purpose for taking our small business away to create a dead piece of land, they are still pursuing the taking of our property through eminent domain. We have had to endure such borough council antics like, cement poles placed at the rear of our property leaving us no way to access our rear parking lot, one of the four poles still stands there. Constant references to our property being blighted yet it’s NOT blight able!
We have just been notified by Berks Redevelopment Authority that they will be filing a declaration of taking in August of this year. Here in lies the problem, the property they wish to meld main street with has not only not been developed but nobody is even allowed on it. There are “No Trespassing, private property” signs all over this property. So there is no NEED for this walkway now or anytime soon. So ask yourself “has local small government gone mad?” Ironically the other property which could’ve been considered for this walkway is an apartment building (with NO fire escapes) is owned by a borough council member. If this walkway is built upwards of 9 people will lose employment and tenants will lose their dwelling. All while NO jobs will be created in this venture. But, that borough council members private property will have a nice walkway for his apartment building. My husband and his twin brother have been here for 30+ years, they and myself in this current job market will not be able to find jobs.
Why are these Redevelopment Authority’s allowed to still have funding? It’s like saying go ahead and do your hair and make-up even though it’s going to rain and mess it all up. Why do it if it serves no real purpose? Shouldn’t we be concentrating more on cutting this unnecessary funding for now so we can give that money to more appropriate places like schools, creating new jobs, etc. We will fight to keep our property not because we disagree with this project to pretty up the town but simply because this is ridiculous. The streets in this town are so bad people bottom out on Main street due to pot holes and at some spots the road is worn down to the red brick that lays underneath it. Please help me get this story out to the public and EXPOSE this local government for it’s self-serving ways!

UPDATE

We are still not seeing anything being done to the old GST lot. But that doesn't matter, the borough council has decided to do what they can for now and widen foundry alley. All the while that also means they can create a little chaos for Fleetwood Pizza and our upstairs tenant. They placed 2 permanent and 2 semi-permanent posts right directly blocking our entire rear parking lot! I really don't care though because they aren't going to get our property. Check out PA senate bill 881 signed in to and in effect as of May 4, 2006. It specially attacks redevelopement of supposed blighted properties that removal of will only benefit another business as PROHIBITED! Not to mention it would put at least 10 people out of work and then ultimately put 3 families out of their homes. That will effect over 18 peoples lives and livelihoods! All for what? So Joe Kuzman gets a walkway for one of his over many apartments buildings! The developer of the GST lot was in to see us a few months ago and he said he doesn't even need them to make a walkway to his lot! So the bullying can continue, those are smal and immature battles, it's who wins the war that really counts! We are not the only property in Fleetwood that had their rear parking lot blocked by posts!

Nothing New

Hi all! There has been no news on that property behind us. We have also not yet seen the cobblestone sidewalks or the new street lighting. I recently saw that Fleetwood borough council member Tammy Gore is running for PA state representative. I read her bio and I can't believe someone who adamantly spoke out FOR tearing our business down for a unnecessary walkway to benefit another businessman endeavors, speaks so highly of her community values. Be very careful when considering her on your ballot, it could be your place next and she's obviously FOR eminent domain abuse. I'm speaking from experience I've listened to her quips at borough meetings personally. I personally believe she is just a yes mam. We need original thinkers with real family values that are truly honest, like her opponent Dave Maloney.