This is our Home...

We live on 45 acres in Valley Township, Chester County. Our home is a beautifully self-restored farmhouse that is over 200 years old. We chose to move to this location in 1971 to own enough property to accommodate our horses and fulfill the American Dream. Our children grew up here, sacrificing many things most people take for granted during our lengthy period of restoration and renovations. Happily, two of our daughters chose to build their homes on our farm property with their families. Today our grandchildren also enjoy the beauty and open space our farm provides in so many ways. It would take too much time herein to explain in detail other improvements we have made on the land and barn over the years. Considering all that our farm means to our family, our pride and sentimental value carries no price tag. We are confident that you can understand and appreciate this.

On April 13, 1999, the City of Coatesville advised us, that they voted unanimously to condemn our farm and that they planned to take it away from us (using an eminent domain law that allows them to do so). No one from the City of Coatesville approached us, at any time, in any way, prior to this date, to inform us that it was being considered, or to find out how we felt about this.

If in fact, right of ways are required for sewer and water that include our property we can understand this. We would work with the City of Coatesville to arrive at an amicable arrangement, pursuant to the requirements of eminent domain laws. However, to build a golf course, clubhouse, and restaurant on our farm seems like a very narrow use profit-generating venture. We see this to be a grossly unfair interpretation of the intent of these laws.

We had no intention of selling our farm and we are going to do all we can to fight this unconscionable government takeover of our property for this intended use. We therefore, are officially asking for your active involvement in any and all ways, to support our effort to keep our family farm, and way of life that we worked so hard to achieve.

We look forward to your earliest response since it appears that time is of the essence. And we are thanking you in advance for all that we are confident you will do to assist us.

Sincerely,

Nancy & Dick Saha
123 Mt. Airy Road
Coatesville, Pa. 19320
nrsaha@aol.com