Posted on 11/25/2002 7:52:39 PM PST by calvin sun
Edited on 11/25/2002 8:17:32 PM PST by Jim Robinson. [history]
Nearly 300 supporters attended the "beef and beer" benefit held at the Lionville Fire Company Hall to assist the Saha family in paying their legal bills.
"We believe in their cause," said Pauline Rennard of West Chester. Sitting at a table of the Sahas’ square-dancing buddies, Rennard said she and her husband were both raised on farms and can relate to the Sahas’ feelings of wanting to save their own farm.
Dick and Nancy Saha have been waging a legal battle against the city for three years. The city intends to use 43 of the family’s 49 acres to construct a portion of the planned Regional Recreation Center. The center, slated to cost $60 million, according to estimates by the city manager, is to include a golf course, an indoor/outdoor recreation center, a hotel and conference center, a bowling alley and an ice rink.
So far, the Sahas have spent $180,000 on legal expenses, estimated Dick Saha. And the cost is sure to rise. Their case currently sits before a panel of judges in the Commonwealth Court. "Chances are if we win or lose we will have to go to a higher court," said Dick Saha.
Saturday’s event, organized by the extended member of the Saha family and friends, was an effort to help offset the growing expenses.
Organizer and friend, Dawn Lipinski, said finding a place to hold the event was the hard part. After that, selling tickets was very easy. While she had hoped to hold the event in Coatesville, Lipinski said three halls turned her down. "They said the issue was too political," she said. "So we had to find somewhere else."
Once the Lionville location was confirmed, Lipinski said tickets flew out the door. With a little publicity through fliers and word of mouth, the tickets sold and more than 100 people signed up for the waiting list. The Sahas’ son, Ricky Saha, estimated another 200 were turned away. "We could have easily had 600 people," he said.
Lipinski said fire codes prevented more tickets from being sold. But, she added, there is already talk of a second fund-raiser. "People have said, ‘Hold another one, we’ll come,’" she said.
In addition to the beef and beer, attendees participated in a silent auction of donated items including golf packages, glass and ceramic ware and gift baskets. A large aerial photo of the Sahas’ property with the condemned property was shown.
"It really makes an impression," said Nancy Saha. "I think many people, while they have heard about it, don’t realize how much it would affect us until they see it."
©Daily Local News 2002
So, would this warrant a "Hold muh beer" alert?
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