Friday, September 18, 2009

Calling ACORN

So, with all the bad press ACORN has been receiving on the national level I thought I would give our local branch an opportunity to speak out. I went on their Web site and used the e-mail address provided to request an interview. It was returned undeliverable. I then used the telephone number provided to request an interview. No one answered so I left a message. A gentleman returned my call to tell me he was not a member of ACORN, that he has been inundated with calls to his personal phone and also that he had asked them to remove his number from their Web site, obviously to no avail. So, I'll try reaching out here. Does anyone know anyone who works for our local ACORN branch?

26 comments:

Wilde said...

ACORN has a lot of members, paid and unpaid, With the thousands affiliated there had to be some who would deviate from the kernel of their responsibility.

Since ACORN was initiated by Democrats and many of their membership are not Republicans, any frailty of the organization would emphasized by those groups who would benefit from ACORN's demise. The Republican Party is flailing right now and the scrutiny of a group dedicated to register new voters who are likely to be Democrats is contrary to their goals.

But Democracy is about voter participation and the answer is not to destroy a pro-democracy organization, but to weed from it those who have deviated from their mission.

Renegade said...

Hey Wilde...The question posed was "Does anyone know anyone who works for our local ACORN branch" No need for all the partisan rhetoric. A simple Yes (with a contact) or No would suffice. It gets old after while.

Anonymous said...

Typical of stan to focus on acorn instead of Risa Ferman firing a Black detective who filed a suit against Montgomery County.

ssdd in Montco 0/22/09 8:00 p.m.

Anonymous said...

Firing of a Detective? What does the color have to do with it? Maybe he wasn't doing his job is usually the cause and if it is not justified that will be taken care of - check it out Poster 0/22/09 .

Anonymous said...

acorn has ties to barrack obama and he will pull them out of the hole those stupid people dug for themselves.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Firing of a Detective? What does the color have to do with it? Maybe he wasn't doing his job is usually the cause and if it is not justified that will be taken care of - check it out Poster 0/22/09 .

September 24, 2009 6:43 AM

typo... s/b 9/22/09 and what I read was that the issue was that the detective was moved from his office, then the office was renovated and given to someone else, so after he filed a discrimination suit, he was fired. Some coincidence, huh? NOT!

Ferman hasn't hired any other Black detective since then claiming that it is too hard to find one. It is the usual nonsense in Montco, and I would like to know why there is no follow up on this suit, etc.

ssdd in Montco 9/25/09 1:27 p.m.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you would be able to find out the standing on this issue if you would call the Commissioners Office and ask where it stands and exactly who to contact. Let us know your results. There is a few more hirings that our Commissioners have done that were no-no according to rules of employment - that too would be interesting, and to think one commissioner is running for Governor!!!! Time flies by and I too forget exactly how cases have gone down .

Unknown said...

I contacted one of the commissioners. He said the county does not give any money to ACORN. One of my reporters found out they haven't had an office here for a couple of years. We're trying to find out why they're still hosting a Web site that makes it appear as if they do.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Stan! I really get tired of hearing about them and their causes. Most people prefer to use their gray matter and decide for themself right and wrong and support causes that fit into their way of thinking.

Anonymous said...

Good reporting Stan. I'm glad your investigating this group. How are they subsidized, from the State or County? I know during the elections there were ACORN people in town trying to get votes for B.O. It would be interesting to know if funding did go there way and that's why they keep the website as a facade.

Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

We here in our Township welcome newcomers with an information packet and inside there is a Registration Form. Lower Providence is a great place to live and has lively discussions regarding those that run for or are in office - it is not for thin-skinned people or those that talk out both sides of their mouth. Whoes to Know attitude will bite you in the --- or whatever. ACORN is not needed in Montgomery County.

Unknown said...

Wow... Very interesting and not really thought provoking.

Anonymous said...

funny how the "yes man" comment didn't show up... shows the other side of the Bush buddies raking in $ hand over foot and damn all the little people.

Anonymous said...

Whoes to Know attitude will bite you in the --- or whatever. ACORN is not needed in Montgomery County.

September 30, 2009 3:32 PM

Whatever do you mean? "Whoes to Know attitude..."

Any organization that can stop the discriminating harassment that keeps people from registering to vote, etc., is welcomed by me and plenty of other people who are fed up with the nonsense!

Anonymous said...

And ACORN does? We make sure all students are given a Registration Form upon graduating from High School. A Welcome Folder is given to all new residents including a Registration Form. All Post Offices have Registration Forms.
I do believe we are not living in the era of uneducated people, they understand their rights. ACORN has quite a few bad kernels, sorry about that and now a little back-tracking is needed .

Anonymous said...

And ACORN does? We make sure all students are given a Registration Form upon graduating from High School. A Welcome Folder is given to all new residents including a Registration Form. All Post Offices have Registration Forms.
I do believe we are not living in the era of uneducated people, they understand their rights. ACORN has quite a few bad kernels, sorry about that and now a little back-tracking is needed .

October 14, 2009 11:43 AM

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Well, I didn't get one as a new resident in the borough, so you are not correct! I've been in cities that have a real Welcome Wagon with real information and contacts in the government. BTW, I was and am again a resident of Montco, with a lot of residences in between in places that know how to inform the public. Even the voting information is lacking here.

ssdd in Montco 10/14/09 8:40 p.m.

Anonymous said...

Not too familiar with your County,but I received a packet from the Township upon my purchase of my home a few years back.
So, WELCOME TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY ANNONMOUS! We have a lot of very good people here and a wealth of things to do. Check the TH every day. If you have extra time on your hands - Volunteer!

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if I understand why ACORN supporters are so upset? The organization was started by the Democrats and ?? A few young people started to act out and dress and act in a manner that is not usually appreciated by the main. This was brought to the attention of the Media and of course the Republicans. The work of both the Republicans and Democrats has not changed and that is to register and help turn out the vote for the party. ACORN goofed with the handling and now it should be water under the bridge.

Anonymous said...

ACORN also is trying to help people that have mortgage problems and donations to their cause are down and these causes are hurting. I believe there isn't any Office here in the Norristown Area.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not too familiar with your County,but I received a packet from the Township upon my purchase of my home a few years back.
So, WELCOME TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY ANNONMOUS! We have a lot of very good people here and a wealth of things to do. Check the TH every day. If you have extra time on your hands - Volunteer!

October 15, 2009 11:04 AM

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Upon the purchase of my 3rd house, I only received mail from businesses, not the local government in this county. Upon the purchase of my 2nd house in another state, I received a wealth of information from the local government, including phone numbers and contacts, etc.
I know there are "good people" here in the county, but there are some lousy ones who exploit their power, too. Dog and pony shows abound with the fear facture being used. I've worked in government agencies, big and small, as well as the private sector, and I’ve seen it all. Worked with Chiefs and Attorneys along with other government departments, social services and the like. Good cops, bad cops, DA’s for the people and DA’s just about promoting themselves and trying people in public before the trial starts. There is no “innocent until proven guilty in Montco” from the shows that I have seen here. Don’t need to check the TH every day, I have a wealth of news sources from the web and elsewhere. I have also seen incorrect reporting by the TH, so I take the stories with a grain of salt. Also, you assume that I don’t volunteer. I work with children and the elderly, donating time and money, and not just through religious activities. So, don’t assume when someone is posting that they don’t volunteer.

ssdd in Montco 10/19/09 8:02 p.m.

Anonymous said...

I can see your time is well spent. Try to let other people do what they like with their time. Idle time and minds lead to no good. If your community is not to your liking, run for office.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Biden with his many slips of the Lips can probably feel the pain of ACORN her in PA - but he has a good friend in Mr. Obama, his senior official and seems to look the other way. A little "Beer Conference with a few stogies" will solve all of the Nation's Woes.

Anonymous said...

When did ACORN become a Republican attachment? When it began it was a Democratic organization. Did the media cause the change because of some of their beliefs? This was a part of a discussion on Tuesday after the election.

Anonymous said...

Acorn vs Tea Party! They were in the beginning speaking for those that will not stand up to Washington's Spending without giving a second thought. We here in Montg. County have quite a few groups that believe the Tea Party is the answer for the Republicans and Democrats. Acorn is still in existence but now without funding are laying low. How about a Four Party System in 2012. Don't laugh, it could happen.

Anonymous said...

ACORN was originally started by the Democrats. So, why do so many people feel they are causing problems and that they are the start-up of the "Tea Party"... Some where along the line I missed reasoning. Yes, I have been traveling... no excuse.

Anonymous said...

Sitting on the back porch having Iced Tea and watching the Squirrels chew on the Acorns - it made me chuckle - I have a back yard with Acorns and I am a Republican drinking Tea. So - Tea and Acorns really do go together, well in a way.. Have a great summer!