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Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Traveller family who lived on Green Belt site owned by boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders for SEVEN years are handed legal injunction to finally move them on
A family of travellers living on a Green Belt site for seven years have been landed with a High Court judgment to finally force them out. Patrick Flynn and Selina Diana O'Leary have been ordered out of a caravan site near the Hertfordshire village of Brickendon after a long-running legal battle. The pair, living with children aged 10 and 14, face being evicted after a ruling by a judge at London 's High Court. The site had been officially owned by ex-middleweight boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders - and his former firm BJS Sports has been highlighted in the new injunction, but he was found to no longer be responsible for the site. The land in Hertfordshire is within the Green Belt and also the Brickendon Conservation Area. High Court judge Alison Morgan has now ruled that East Hertfordshire District Council can go ahead with evicting the site's occupiers. She gave them six months from now to remove the static home that has been there since 2019, court documents show. She deemed it was 'necessary to uphold the integrity of the planning system as the conventional enforcement measures have proven ineffective in resolving what is a clear breach of planning control'. Mr Flynn and Ms O'Leary have told not only to leave the site but also pay legal costs of £16,609. Their legal team argued in their defence that the family should be given more time to stay, with children aged 10 and 14 attending local schools. Central London-based law firm FTB Chambers, which led the case against the occupants, has posted on its website: 'The High Court has granted an injunction which requires the cessation of an unauthorised residential use following a long-standing period of non-compliance with an enforcement notice.' Mr Flynn was described in court documents as a wagon builder and painter, while Ms O-Leary was said to be an vocalist and singer who has performed internationally. The local authority's legal action was launched against not only that couple but also BJS Sports and Billy Joe Saunders. But the judge described how Saunders, 35, no longer owned the land in question and any proceedings against him should be discontinued. Billy Joe Saunders was officially recorded on Companies House records as no longer being 'a person with significant control' with BJS Sports in February 2023. Mr Flynn, 64, has been living in the three-bed chalet home with his wife and children since at least 2018, according to court documents - with enforcement notices going ignored. He now says he does not what he and his family can do and where they can go if forced out of their home in the latest action. He told MailOnline: 'I've been to court and I've said what I could to make them understand this is a family home. 'I've asked for six months to find a new place after Christmas as I've got enough stress already and the children don't deserve it. 'I wouldn't have minded if the council gave me a place to go on a back road, whether it was an old house run down that I'd have to do up myself - I wouldn't mind. 'But we've had no help, no support, nothing. Nobody looks after each other anymore. There's no community.' The chalet home, off a private lane, has plush grey furniture and is adorned with family pictures. Several cars sit in the surrounding fields, including a motorhome that Mr Flynn says the family uses for holidays. Mr Flynn, a builder of horse-drawn carriages, said: 'There's 100 per cent a bias about the travelling community - people get an idea in their head and that's it.' He told of being ordered to pay more than £16,600 in costs over the High Court battle and said he had 'no idea' where he was going to get the money from. Mr Flynn said: 'Now I'm sitting here trying to figure out where me and my family are going to go. 'Nobody has had a bad word to say about us - we look out for people and I'd do whatever I could do help out. 'But when we're not receiving letters and because of that, we've not had enough time to look at evidence, what can you do?' His wife Selina added: 'I don't want my children to be homeless. They could have at least explained what we should do next.' The new High Court judgment by judge Alison Morgan KC described how planning inspectors previously deemed 'the development to be inappropriate in the Green Belt because it did not preserve openness'. The inspector also suggested an alternative site could be found for the family even though this was 'likely to take some time'. Ms Morgan added: 'In the 21 months since that date for compliance identified by the Inspector, no steps have been taken by the defendants to comply with any part of the enforcement notice.' She stated: 'I have concluded that the proposed injunction is necessary in order to uphold the integrity of the planning system as conventional enforcement measures have proven ineffective in resolving what is a clear breach of planning control. 'Whilst I acknowledge that the injunction will impact on the lives of the first and second defendants and their family, I consider that it is a commensurate and proportionate remedy in the circumstances. 'The evidence demonstrates that the breaches of planning control will continue unless and until effectively restrained by the court and that nothing short of an injunction will provide effective restraint. 'An injunction is necessary to prevent further harm from occurring and to address the harm which has occurred.' An East Herts District Council spokesperson said: 'Moving anyone from their home is not a decision that's taken lightly. 'This particular case has been ongoing since 2019, during which time we have repeatedly offered help to the family to find somewhere else to live. 'We regret that it has taken a High Court injunction to resolve this, but we welcome the judge's recognition that we have tried for a long time to deal with the situation fairly and proportionately for everyone involved. 'The injunction requires the unauthorised residential use of the land to cease by 4 December 2025. We have again offered our support to the family should they wish to take that up.'
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scranton voters have choices in city council primary election
Democratic voters in Scranton have choices in the May 20 primary election for city council among six candidates and three four-year terms on the five-member council up for grabs. The Democratic candidates are Virgil Argenta, Patrick Flynn, Frankie Malacaria, Sean McAndrew, Todd Pousley and incumbent Councilman Tom Schuster. The council seats available are those of Schuster and two held by Bill King and council President Gerald Smurl. King and Smurl are not running in the primary for reelection. Republican Marc Pane also is running in the GOP primary for a nomination for city council. Winners of the primary will advance to run in the Nov. 4 general election. Democrats Virgil Argenta Argenta, 64, who regularly attends weekly Scranton City Council meetings and often speaks during the public comment portion about city government matters, did not directly answer questions for this article. He felt that numerous topics not asked about should be covered instead. Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) Patrick Flynn A 35-year-old resident of Green Ridge, Flynn unsuccessfully ran in the 2022 Democratic primary for a nomination for state House of Representatives in the 113th District. A co-founder and head of external affairs of Manifesto Health, Flynn and his wife, Kate (Schimelfenig), have two sons, Packy, 23 months old, and Casey, 4 months old. Flynn is a member of the Lackawanna County Opioid Settlement Committee, St. Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County and the Green Ridge Neighborhood Association. 'My top priority on City Council is leaving Scranton better than I found it: for our families, our neighborhoods, and our future. That means addressing homelessness at its root causes with compassion and real solutions, keeping our streets safe for our children to play, and tackling blight that drags down entire blocks,' Flynn said. 'I believe in investing in youth programs that keep kids engaged and away from crime, supporting small businesses that are the backbone of our economy, and making sure our roads are maintained in an efficient, effective way. I'm running to bring practical, people-centric leadership to City Council, because every neighborhood deserves to thrive.' Patrick Flynn, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF PATRICK FLYNN) Frankie Malacaria A 33-year-old resident of South Scranton, Malacaria has been a local community and political organizer since 2021. Citing his family as 'a stereotypically large and loud Italian and Irish family,' Malacaria said he has led local and statewide campaigns, including NEPA Stands Up's initiative to limit the use of solitary confinement in the Lackawanna County Prison. He also was employed as a field organizer helping register over 8,000 new voters last year. A leader of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America since 2022, Malacaria said he chose to run for council because he saw 'a lack of progressive candidates.' 'My top priority is to tackle the housing crisis here in Scranton. We have a severe lack of affordable housing in our region,' Malacaria said. He would like to see 'the Scranton Housing Authority take control of abandoned and condemned properties using conservatorship and eminent domain. This would increase city revenue and assets, allowing the city to directly compete with landlords to drive our rent prices down.' He supports offering senior homeowners living on a fixed income the ability to defer their city property taxes until their house is either transferred as part of their estate or sold. 'This offers material relief for already struggling seniors while allowing the city to be paid back at the time of sale, a revenue neutral in the medium-term,' he said. Frankie Malacaria, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF FRANKIE MALACARIA) Sean McAndrew A 36-year-old single resident of West Scranton, McAndrew currently serves on the Scranton School Board but did not seek re-election there. A former president of the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority, McAndrew unsuccessfully ran in the 2015 Democratic primary for Scranton city controller. 'My top priority will be making certain our citizens are safe,' McAndrew said. 'Crime has been steadily on the rise in our city. Our police and first responders will have my full support. I will work with our police and fire leadership to make certain they have the tools and resources to protect our neighborhoods. By making our city a safer place for all, we can attract more residents which will help grow and revitalize Scranton. Additionally, I've proposed multiple plans to attract residents to the city. I plan to advocate for a reduction in the real estate transfer tax and a property tax rebate for our seniors, as is offered in neighboring communities.' Sean McAndrew, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF SEAN McANDREW) Todd Pousley A 40-year-old resident of West Scranton, Pousley has been director of community development for the nonprofit NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania since 2017. His family includes his partner, Ashley, and a daughter, Addison. Pousley has been on the Scranton City Planning Commission since 2020 and its chairman since 2024. He also has been chairman of the Lackawanna County Land Bank Advisory Committee since 2024. 'I came to Scranton in 2003 to attend Marywood University and chose to stay here after graduating to begin my career, buy a home and start a family,' Pousley said. 'After initially working in marketing, I returned to Marywood to pursue a master's degree in public administration and joined the team at NeighborWorks Northeastern PA seven years ago. Now I want to bring my experience and commitment to improving Scranton to City Council to 1) ensure every family has access to quality housing that they can afford and be proud of; 2) keep our neighborhoods safe, clean, and green; and 3) create opportunities for residents to work together to improve our city and make sure everyone feels like they belong.' Todd Pousley, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TODD POUSLEY) Tom Schuster A 44-year-old Keyser Valley resident, Schuster was appointed in 2020 to Scranton City Council and elected to a full council term in 2021. Schuster and his wife, Tara Levandoski Schuster, have a son, Thomas. A former Scranton School Board director, Schuster was elected to the school board in 2015 and reelected in 2019. He also served on the city Planning Commission, 2014-2015. Schuster also cites as affiliations the St. Patrick's Parade Committee of Lackawanna County, Waldorf Park German-American Federation, Ancient Order of Hibernians, JFK Div. 1, and board member of the Electric City Steel Drum Project. Schuster said he entered city politics with a focus on finances because the city was in Act 47 distressed status since 1992 and the school district was on the verge of receivership. 'Since that time the school district has exited recovery, and the city has exited Act 47. With that being said, my top priority will always be our city's finances. I have been and will continue to focus on the financial health of the city and continue to be a strong financial steward of Scranton taxpayer dollars. Proactive budgeting must be used to prevent shortfalls and tax increases. When our financial house is in order we can provide quality public services for the residents in terms of police and fire safety as well as public works.' He also cited a focus on safety, by 'providing top quality police and fire protection as well as refocusing our attention to our neighborhoods. Remediating blight and focusing on redevelopment must occur,' as well as completing stormwater infrastructure projects. Scranton Councilman Tom Schuster,a candidate for re-election in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TOM SCHUSTER) Republican Marc Pane A 59-year-old resident of North Scranton and owner of Pane's Garage in Pine Brook, Pane unsuccessfully ran for Scranton City Council as a Republican in 2023. Pane and his wife, JoAnn, have three children, Christopher, Carmen and Laea; and one grandchild, Denver. A business owner in Scranton for over 40 years, Pane said that 15 years ago he had an opportunity to relocate his business but stayed. He said his purchase and rehabilitation of a property once slated for demolition kept it on the tax rolls and helped revitalize the neighborhood. A past president of the Scranton Pool League, Pane is a member of the Knights of Columbus, UNICO Scranton Chapter and the Columbus Day Association. While not a Marine, Pane also is a member of the Marine Corps League's Northeast Detachment and helps coordinate its Toys for Tots collections in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Pane cited as his top priority 'reducing crime and blight (and) making Scranton safe and clean again.' He also wants to work on reducing the city's wage tax, realty transfer tax and local services tax to make 'Scranton more attractive to both manufacturers and first time home buyers.' Marc Pane, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Republican primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF MARC PANE) The three winners of the general election will join on council the other two council members not up for reelection this year: Mark McAndrew and Jessica Rothchild. The pay of council members will increase from $12,500 each this year to $18,000 next year, effective Jan. 1. * Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) * Patrick Flynn, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF PATRICK FLYNN) * Frankie Malacaria, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF FRANKIE MALACARIA) * Sean McAndrew, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF SEAN McANDREW) * Marc Pane, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Republican primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF MARC PANE) * Todd Pousley, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TODD POUSLEY) * Scranton Councilman Tom Schuster,a candidate for re-election in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TOM SCHUSTER) Show Caption 1 of 7 Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) Expand
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Field crowded in Democratic primary for Scranton City Council
Scranton resident Patrick Flynn announced on Monday he will run in the May 20 Democratic primary for a nomination for Scranton City Council. Three of five council seats will be available in this year's Nov. 4 general election. According to Flynn's announcement: He is co-founder and head of external affairs at Manifesto Health, a substance use disorder and mental health peer support company working with labor unions to support their members and families; and he serves as the recovery advocate member on the Lackawanna County Opioid Settlement Committee. Tuesday is the deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions to run in the primary. The council seats available in the election are held by council President Gerald Smurl, Tom Schuster and Bill King, all Democrats. Candidates who previously announced their intentions to run in the Democratic primary for council include Smurl, Schuster, Virgil Argenta, Sean McAndrew, Todd Pousley and Frankie Malacaria. Marc Pane intends to run in the Republican primary for council. The other two council members not up for reelection this year are Mark McAndrew and Jessica Rothchild, both Democrats. Scranton City Hall on March 16, 2023
