Awesome!

I agree. This is hugely important - and desperately covered up by the same media that doctors 911-tapes.

I actually think the American government is supporting Mexican drug lords because it is a de-facto way of giving more foreign aid to Mexico without having to get it approved through Congress.

Check out Katie's new book: http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Furious-Bloodiest-Shameless-Cover-Up/dp/1596983213/

Keep this story alive. Thank you for your service.

Easily the most disturbing development in a long line of shady US/Cartel/South American drug goings on. These are smart men running these operations; feeding them guns was an idea doomed to fail. This piece talks about how the cartels take advantage of govn't agencies, and the tangled web of strange bedfellows that develops south of the border. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/29/el-chapo-guzm-n-mexico-s-most-powerful-drug-lord.html

Where was the outrage when the DOJ under Bush had a similar operation?

How about dumb and dumber - John Putzman and Katy Jackson

John Putzman - Remove the ugly caterpillar from your lip

This just confirms what has been repeatedly said, "versus FOCUSING and moving-forward with REAL PROGRESS for POTTSTOWN, some people in Pottstown WASTE TIME ON PERSONAL ATTACKS"... DID THIS ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING, HELP POTTSTOWN MOVE-FORWARD?

jill Johnson, NOT getting ugly and personal, just a simple Q: 'What have you done or even attempted to do for helping Pottstown, lately or at anytime other than wasting precious time?' Seriously, and without name-calling, do you understand?

While living outside of MY HOMETOWN of Pottstown for 29 years, I have been able to learn 'what has helped other communities' move-forward from deterioration and ultimate demise. Spending several recent months back in Pottstown on my own time to speak with top leaders in Pottstown, enough folks in Pottstown have wasted time, held-back, and even prevented progress over the past decades with 'PERSONAL ATTACKS AND PERSONAL GREED'. How has that helped Pottstown? PLEASE, review the numbers... amount of welfare, average income of Pottstown citizens versus nearby communities, total loss of good employers/jobs, slum-lords, etc. and/or just look around and observe. The facts are 'what they are’, personal attacks and personal greed are not helping Pottstown. So, if you really want to help Pottstown... quit wasting time and energy on personal attacks, which has obviously NOT HELPED and is still NOT HELPING. Or, simply explain how it has helped! ‘Banks and investors will not deal with a community that lacks progress and solidarity.’

John P,

Do personal attacks help? Of course not. The only issue we have with you is you aligned yourself with Katy. So with an open mind review her goldencockroach facebook page and blog and ask yourself the following questions? Who made Katy Judge and Jury of Pottstown? Does she have the right to publish addresses and work phone numbers of landlords and encourage people to call them and harrass them? Does she have the right to list landlords and defamatory statements when the landlords have never been found guilty in court? Does she have the right to assume anything on anyone and publish this information as fact on her blog? Does she have the right to waste my tax dollars by harassing code, mayor, council, borough manager about trivial issues?

Look at the comments from Affinity properties - a respected, tax paying company and you will see the true Katy in her responses. Katy is the cause of the town not working as one and you want to align yourself with her?

Let's ALL try to FOCUS on what is needed to help Pottstown! I am 'and cannot help' but align myself with Katy's MISSION. She is NOT playing judge and jury, she is bring needed attention -- as no one else is -- to our most serious problems in Pottstown that is hurting our community from moving forward. Her issues are NOT "trivial issues" as you state. It sounds like you have 'something personal' going-on here to intensley condemn her actions or 'anyone's actions' who is/are trying to keep Pottstown looking good and NOT a dumping ground. If NOT, I cannot understand why you would condemn someone -- Katy or anyone -- for trying to help Potttstown. Jill, if that is your real name[??], I think we know each other from school and through family. Confirm your identity, what was your Father's first name?

John P,

Before we continue our conversation, is it proper for Katy to tell other activists to call people on the phone, who Katy feel are bad people, at work and harass them? Is it ok for Katy to tell the activists to go to these so called slumlords homes when these so called slumlords have done nothing wrong in the courts mind? Is it ok for Katy to use derogatory terms on her blog or facebook against anyone that has not been charged in court or by the Borough with a crime or a fine? This is why Katy is bad news for Pottstown and why she needs to be stopped. The problems you want to solve are necessary and Katy has caused so much harm in this town I don't see how it is repairable. Unfortunately, if you continue to align yourself with her we, and there are a lot of us, cannot work with you. She has tried to ruin businesses, ruin jobs and generally ruin anything that does not meet Katy's approval. Read her blog with an open mind and as an educationed person you will see.

Jill, Methinks YOU doth protest too much. You’re on a wrongful ‘trash Katy’ mission. Still, your true identity? Katy hit a nerve - ‘your nerve’. Can you say ‘slander’ or ‘libel’? 1st, NOT doing anything in P-town anymore, no reason for me to be concerned about 'you not working with me’. LOL, our styles are 180 in direction. 2nd, per 180, I can say I am more professional from your comments. 3rd, most important -- ‘you are spreading misinformation’. Made my rounds several months ago, seeing if/how I might help Pottstown from my business experience. Self-directed, I interviewed top leaders of the borough, school district, PDIDA, PACA, PAID, & MCLT to find-out what was wrong in Pottstown, GEE, KATY’S NAME NEVER EMERGED in ANY NEGATIVE MANNER IN ‘VERY REVEALING’ ONE-to-ONE CONVERSATIONS. I also observed the town to learn - perhaps a lot more than you - Katy has NEVER been a problem FOR helping Pottstown! I will NOT mention names to blame! Without putting words in mouths, two problems emerged in every conversation: ‘no cooperation’ in general and ‘no funding!’ For what Pottstown IS began 40 years ago, 38 years before Katy came to town! Since major employers left 30-40 years ago, no progress has been made vs. our deterioration. NOW, Pottstown is under-attack by opportunists who ARE ruining the safety and appearance of Pottstown! Most are out-of-towners, which Katy is attempting to properly prevent! I have NO PROBLEM telling a judge! ...you?

Ok John that's fine. 1st - I am wealthier than you. 2nd - I am better educated than you. 3rd - I live in the area, you are too far away to make an impact. There is no chance we will ever lose. We have the people, we have the money, we have the education and we have the attorney's. You are disconnected with the problem of Pottstown - Katy. Our goal is no longer to help Pottstown, it is to inform EVERYONE how Katy's actions have destroyed the town. Next time you have your conversations with Pottstown leaders ask: How rich are the outside investors, how is the $700,000 lawsuit coming along, how much money stopped coming from the investors to the fire companies after 2009. When you get the answers I will say I told you so. BTW - You continue to avoid the question if it is ok for Katy to tell other activists to call the landlords at their place of employment?

Jill Johnson, You seem to be so insecure, low self-esteem??… telling folks your wealthier, more educated, determination to hurt good people, etc. I truly feel sorry for you, 'Deb'.

BTW... Bill Henderson, Hendy, Jack, Jill Johnson, any others...? Y'all ever get confused and forget who you really are?

Just informing you of the truth. Since it is ok for Katy to give out personal information, we will inform the public of personal informationn about you. Ask Katy how we found out all the information about her and David. Sidewalk incident, lien, who she talks to, etc. We will begin our research Monday. Let the games begin.

Truth is subjective Deb. You have an opinion but it doesn't mean it's the truth. I don't care if you have information about my "sidewalk incident" did you know it resulted in the surgical placement of a titanium plate in my arm, held in by microscopic screws? I'll get you the medical report if you haven't already seen it. The lien on my house is a grant from the county, with stipulations. I'm euphoric about that lien, it represents all the good things the grant money accomplished. My life is an open book, talk to whoever you like. Tax liens, municipal liens, default judgements are all public information too. If it makes you uncomfortable, then meet your obligations.

Slumlords advertise their slums, right Deb? Craigslist, real estate websites, FOR RENT signs with their phone numbers on them. They WANT people to see them, (and it's not like you can stuff a slum into a closet or a shoe box anyway). I'm no judge and jury, I only tell it like I see it.

Game on Deb? Oh, come on now, as I've said elsewhere, that phrase is old and moldy. A dictionary could be your oyster. Scholars suggest there are, at least, 1/4 of a million English words.

But thanks anyway for reminding everyone that you are an "an educationed person." That's the spoon full of sugar that gives your "truth" a bit of levity, and dare I say, humor?

Economists say " get an education and get a job then you will not need to live in the ghetto and have shootings a block away" I can't imagine going to bed each night wondering if I will hear gun shots or police sirens. I would never venture outside my home if I lived in the ghetto. Horrible life.

Not to burst your little bubble of malcontent Tim-Deb but...

don't project your issues onto my life. I LOVE my neighborhood and my community, that's what's given me the courage to fight for it. I could never be right with the world if I were holed up in the burbs with ginormous debt hanging over my head, it holds no appeal for me. A cookie cutter house - sans personality and character - kind of like the inhabitants - It's all yours Deb, if it makes you happy then show the world a sign, blow me a kiss little darlin', and see where it lands.

Getting back to the original topic...

The media is ignoring this today, Tom, because it's no longer news. In January of this year the House Oversight Committee found no wrongdoing on the part of Obama or his staff. They did find that the ATF agents based in Arizona have been "gun-walking" for about six years.

And, In September 2011 when this was news, all the the major networks and newspapers covered it.

Hi Scott, [lol... if that's really you!..??] YES, the consistency of tantrums is there along with the 'IP addresses' that connect her. Therefore, I have contacted my lawyer and will see her in court.

John, that's really excellent news. If I still lived in PA, I'd have had her served awhile ago. It was hard to resist, especially when she begs people to take her to court. Unfortunately, an interstate civil suit is a gigantic PITA. Once she started claiming you had threatened violence, she crossed the libel line. Big time.

John - use Gmail please -- scott.zwingli

As a disclaimer, I do not know Ms. Jackson or Mr. Prutzman, Deb LaCava or any of the aliases she apparently uses.???

What I do know is that Pottstown is in trouble. With few employment opportunities residents are left to commute east or west of here—if they can afford that expense. Those that can’t are left unemployed or underemployed. Coupled with our economic crisis it’s a recipe for disaster.
In addition, Montgomery County’s decision a number of years ago to shove most Section 8 housing to Norristown and Pottstown has left this town in dire straits.
And, yes, rental housing is a huge issue. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that 77% percent of the rentals in Pottstown are Section 8 certified? I am not opposed to section 8 housing. I am, however, opposed to property owners who see this as an easy way to make money and who do not take care of their properties—inside or out.
An understaffed Police Department, an understaffed borough, a lack of communication and a lack of cooperation between borough departments, employees and residents makes this problem worse. I am also concerned at how many programs the borough suggests that they don’t follow through on. Whatever happened to the Citizen Codes Inspector Program, the Talent Bank, or any one of a number of ways to report blight or for keeping Pottstown clean?

To Be Continued...

Not to worry, John :-)

Hi Anna...to clarify - 77% total rentals in Pottstown. 66% of those are in the core, downtown neighborhood. Ostensibly, recipients of Voucher Housing programs are protected by privacy laws so we don't currently have "real" numbers. However, people hanging around with nothing constructive to do or causing problems, in the alternative, are a pretty big clue.

Thank you Golden Cockroach.
66%??? Wow! That's the area of town where we should be concentrating our efforts for improvement and redevelopment and how can we do that without cooperation from all parties involved!?!

On another note,
In reading various postings here and on your website, I'd like to thank you for your efforts in taking steps to improve this little place we call home. A home that I would like to inhabit for many many years...

So John you feel since your "local" you should be entitled to a position in Pottstown even though you don't live in Pottstown? It's a shame your sister couldn't get you a job since your own qualifications couldn't get you the job.

@ John ^ Perhaps in large cities hiring "outsiders" is a good idea, but as small as Pottstown is, I would think that hiring "locals" makes far more sense since you would have individuals far more vested and far more committed to improving the quality of life in the town in which they live.

Hi AnnaC, My EXACT thoughts! For small towns, I truly believe home-town folks -- as myself -- have a more-natural-drive to help Pottstown, they have true 'skin-in-the-game' pride and extra-energy-determination to support progress! Plus, hiring our own folks would help build morale and more loyalty from other locals for much needed solidarity... needed to encourage and attract new employers and more local retailers!! Maybe we will meet someday soon. My attorney has advised me to attend the Deb Campbell court date now. Heck, at the rate she is up-setting people, there might be a small crowd of us there!

When is the court date. I would like to meet her.

Betty, waiting to see the docket.

Anna C. I had those figures wrong above. Going back to delve into the research, according to Policy Map: Census track #208904 between Manatawny, Washington, High and Beech St.’s the homeownership rate is 22.34% the rental rate is 77.66% Pottstown as a whole has a 44.73% rental rate for 2010.

And that tells the story. Yes, we need to focus on this census track. Downtown will not be the hub of retail until people feel safe being there and there is an undeniable correlation to the residential areas that surround High St, But rental housing, like a bad cold, is spreading to parts of town perviously thought to be safeguarded.

That number might not be so bad if ALL of the owners of those rental properties took care of those properties, it appears that most do not.