LEGION VILLE...THE POLITICAL FRONT

...and freedom was her name...

 

THAT WHICH WE HAVE DONE:

In the fiscal year 1996, the Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc., spent $2,400 on property acquisition, over $1700.00 in U.S. Postal Stamps, $1700.00 on a homepage, $1200.00 in transportation costs, $850.00 on uniforms, $2,500 on reenactment equipment and supplies, $980.00 on Xerox costs, $300.00 on stationary, $250.00 on envelopes, $250.00 on an annual banquet, sent over 6,000 letters all over the world, participated in over 20 major reenactments and civic functions (Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Military Funerals to name a few), gave the Legion Ville talk to over 30 organizations, conducted research at West Point, National Archives, Library of Congress, Yale University, William Clements Library, Imperial War Museum (London), British National War Museum (London), British Museum (London), Royal Air Force Museum (Hendon), The Irish Museum (Dublin), U.S. Naval Academy, United States Marine Corps Museum, Fort Sill Artillery Museum, Carnegie Museum and the Darlington Rare Books Library at the University of Pittsburgh, received over 3,000 letters in regard to the Legion Ville Preservation efforts. Mr. Riley had no comment on this obviously intentional insult by Congressional aide Hayden. Our record over the last 24 years stands by itself...

Beaver County Times, March 26, 1996

Legion Ville Set Standard For U.S. Military, by Michael Yeomans

"To begin establishing collateral, the historical society recently started a preservation fund. Klink has offered $1,000 out of his own pocket to prime the pump. Preservation supporters hope to turn a trickle into a river by somehow acquiring the site."

 

Heliogram , May, 1995

Legion Ville Boosters Ask Help

U.S. Rep. Ron Klink (Jennette, Pa) said he is working as an ombudsman to bring people interested in preserving Legion Ville together. "Combined with Old Economy in Ambridge, Legion Ville can create a lot of economic impact." Klink said.

 

Beaver County Times, April 9, 1996

Save Legion Ville, Group Tells Commissioners, by Bill Vidoni

"We can't put the cart before the horse. It's important to have a concept, but there is an immediate need to stop potentially what is going to happen in the near future, which is irreparable damage to that site."

Ed Piroli

Beaver County Times, April 25, 1996

Letter to the Editor

"If it was up to me, I would deport the developer Paul Mouradian and businessman Leroy Friend back to wherever their ancestors lived. They don't deserve to call themselves Americans..."

Gerald Wayne Slappo

 

South County News, June 5, 1996

Group Preserving First U.S. Bootcamp,by Mary Alice Meli

"The historical significance of the site is unparalleled. All knowledgeable federal historical experts put Legion Ville on a par with Independence Hall, Valley Forge and like historic sites. It (sic.) deserves to be preserved and restored. It's the first United States training site established after America became a nation."

Robert Barensfeld

 

Beaver County Times June 24, 1996

Letter to the Editor

"They've all discovered (tourism) is the fastest growing industry in the country and it's a field of dreams. If you don't have an attraction, you can make one."

Joe McGrath

 

Beaver County Times, January 25, 1995

Commissioner Considering Amendment to Zoning Law, by Michael Yeomans

" Despite loud objections from Commissioner Sandra Fidura-Phillips, Harmony Township commissioners voted 4-1 to permit their solicitor to draft an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would permit two new industrial classifications. Fidura-Phillips said the board is circumventing procedure by spending money to prepare an ordinance change before the zoning hearing board, the planning commission or the public has a chance to review the board's decision. Fidura-Phillips said the proposed zoning change would likely affect the disputed Legion Ville property between Logan Road and the Jerart Slag Co., as well as property adjacent to the Byersdale plan of homes."

 

Beaver County Times, February 2, 1995

Letter to the Editor

" The residents of Harmony Township must have settled in for a long winter's nap leaving commissioner Sandra Fidura-Phillips to guard the community's political chicken coop.

While they slept on the evening of Jan. 25, Commissioners Kuga, Ciccone, Bunger and Kokoski voted to permit the solicitor to draft an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would permit two new industrial classifications that would primarily affect the historic Legionville site. Commissioner Phillips stood alone once again in her quest to protect and defend the historic Legionville site while the wolves of big business circled the hen house."

Herbert J. Sullivan

 

Beaver County Times, February 5, 1995

Letter to the Editor

"As a private citizen and neighbor, I am gravely concerned an important part of our community is being compromised. It seems to me that if the Harmony Township board can rezone the site as commercial (without a prior hearing from zoning), it could just as easily change the classification to historical. If Legionville is preserved, it will boost property values, bring revenue into the area from tourism, and put Harmony Township on the map as a progressive community. History is not a dull subject confined to dusty textbooks. It is living and present in our land. What a great shame it would be to sell out our past, our identity."

Lieutenant Bruce Kish

United States Army Reserve

 

South News, February 9, 1995

Letter to the Editor

" Our children should be taught respect for their country, parents, and society as a whole, maybe this is our way of saving our country and our next generation."

Regina Morrow Riley

 

Beaver County Times, February 10, 1995

Letter to the Editor

"If they allow Legionville to be destroyed and not capitalize on its revenue potential, then never should the residents of Harmony complain about rising taxes, quality of life and improper political representation."

William McKenry

 

 

Beaver County Times, February 10, 1995

Letter to the Editor

"What is wrong with Harmony Township Commissioners? They have an opportunity to do something worthwhile and long lasting along Duss Avenue and yet they quibble over who has a say in the matter. Have they looked about them? Drive down Duss Avenue from Logans Lane and you will see closed businesses, boarded-up windows, no trespassing signs, weed-filled car parks and scrap heaps. Of Course, faced with all that, it must be hard to imagine something attractive that makes money and provides jobs and interest in our area. Build a strip mall and auto dealership. Given a few years they will be weed covered and boarded up, too."

Gaylin Katterson

 

Beaver County Times, February 24, 1995

Time's Ticking on Efforts to Preserve Legion Ville,by Michael Yeomans

"Harmony Township Commissioners have voted to limit public comment at their township residents. The move prevents out-of-towners who wish to preserve the Legion Ville historical site from voicing their comments to the board. In the 3-2 vote Wednesday, board President Michael Kuga and members John Ciccone and Paul Kokoski voted to limit outsiders from speaking. Voting against the limitations were Sandra Fidura-Phillips and James Bunger. Fidura-Phillips protested the vote, but Solicitor Richard Start said Pennsylvania municipal code permits elected boards to restrict public comment."

 

Beaver County Times, February 26, 1995

Free Speech, Ban Violates the Spirit of New Law

"People beyond the boundaries of Harmony Township clearly have an interest in the fate of Legion Ville. The site is part of Beaver County's past, of Pennsylvania's past, of America's past."

Editor

 

Beaver County Times, March 14, 1995

Letter to the Editor

"Like most self-proclaimed preservationists, Mr. Sullivan is a hypocrite! Mr. Sullivan claims his free speech rights are being violated because he is not allowed to shove his preservationists views down the throats of the Harmony Township Commissioners concerning the Legionville site. He should make the landowners a deal they can't refuse, (But don't get upset if they'd like to make a profit on their investment!). Unfortunately, this isn't how preservationists operate! They never put their money where their mouth is! They would rather see all of us taxpayers foot the bill for their self-righteous crusades!"

Don Norris

 

Beaver County Times, March 23, 1995

Harmony Officials Hold Off on Accepting $200 Donation, by Bill Vidonic

"Wednesday, Harmony Township Commissioners voted to hold off on taking a $200.00 donation from Leroy Friend, who wants to relocate his Harmony Chevrolet cardealership from Duss Avenue to a 5.6 acre parcel along Logan Road and Route 65. I apologize if someone took it (the donation) out of character. I don't think $200.00 buys influence. Sandra Fidura-Phillips responded, I know it doesn't for me."

 

Beaver County Times, March 23, 1995

Letters to the Editor

"As for the Harmony Township Commissioners sealing off comments from out-of-towners, I can only say I saw it coming. Having attended one of these meetings, I am convinced that the majority of them, specifically three, have already made up their minds. I think it is very sad that they fear differing opinions concerning a county treasure. Yes, I said treasure!"

John D. Bert

 

Beaver County Times, May 12, 1996

Candidates for Commissioner Speak on the Issues

Question: How do you think the Legion Ville site should be developed?

Sandra Fidura-Phillips: "I believe the Legion Ville site should be developed with the intent of utilizing the site's Historic value, for long-term economic growth to benefit all residents. Preserving Legion Ville will not only give Harmony Township the unique status of being the birthplace of the United States Army, but also an added sense of community pride. Future generations should not be denied their historical and cultural heritage at the expense of commercial development."

 

John Ciccone: "I am against any tax dollars used for acquisition or development. I am for voter referendum on this issue. Public input should be used on this matter, as it will greatly affect the future of the township and surrounding communities."

 

 

  Back home

This page presented to you by: DREAM PRODUCTIONS

Copyright © 1996

The Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.