Coatesville Council Member Kurt Schenk circulated a newsletter prior to Monday night's council meeting that explained his vote for renewing City Manager Harry Walker's contract and extending the contract for Police Chief William Matthews.

The newsletter was divided into four topics: the renewal of Walker's contract; the extension of Matthew's contract to allow him time to become certified; a progress report on development projects; and a plan to fight graffiti.

Schenk cited his reason for voting for renewing Walker's contract. "When facing a situation where the city was in severe financial district and the promised revitalization and redevelopment was not moving forward as promised by previous administrations and city councils, I had to evaluate the city's direction and monitor progress towards achieving our objections. One major objective was to stabilize the city's finances and not raise taxes or fees or further invade the trust fund from the sale of the water and sewer authority.

"All of these objectives have been achieved through council working with the Walker administration."

Continued Schenk: "However, for me there is another essential, overriding issue: integrity. In order to serve the people of Coatesville, I need to fee confident that the city manager and other city officials are being straight with me, and with the people who live and work here. I will not be party to deception, false promises and financial subterfuge."

Regarding, the police chief, Schenk said in his newsletter he is disappointed that some people have used Matthew's medical condition to promote their own political agendas. Matthew's contract, which technically expired prior to last month's council meeting, called for him to obtain Act 120 certification within a year of his being hired. The contract extension approved at the last council meeting allows him an additional year to obtain certification.

"The waiver was due to a non-service related injury and medical condition that prevents the chief from passing the physical examination that is a required precondition of obtaining certification. Chief Matthews, due to his extensive experience, would have no problem obtaining Pennsylvania certification if not for his unfortunate injury," Schenk said in the newsletter.

Schenk claimed in his newsletter the following projects as being completed or moving forward:
-- The Pennsylvania Water Company replacement of sewer lines was finished;
-- Construction of the Brandywine Health and Housing facility was completed;
-- Construction of Don Pulver's office building and hotel is to start this summer;
-- Council passed LERTA agreement for 75 homes to be built by Iacobucci Homes in Brandywine View;
-- Council approved plans for an apartment building to house artists referred to as an Artist Colony in the 200 block of East Lincoln Highway, adjacent to the Cultural Society building;
-- Federal grants were secured for train station improvements, and;
-- Additional parking for the train station on N. Third Avenue is moving forward.

Schenk proposed the city purchase a trailer that would house a power wash, water tank, generator, chemicals, a paint sprayer and a paint mixing machine to combat the city's graffiti problem. "When graffiti happens, we simply send out the wagon to blow it off, then try to match the paint as best as possible. The affected property owner would have the option to give us the OK to do this or they can be mandated to clean it off themselves," he said in the newsletter.