Councilman Green shares budget views with CHCA board
by Wesley Ratko

At-large Philadelphia City Councilman and Chestnut Hill resident Bill Green presented his plans for “paperless” operation of city government, proposed elimination of two city taxes and changes to the city’s zoning at the Aug. 26 meeting of the Chestnut Hill Community Association board of directors

Green focused on the city budget, explaining that City Council’s power is limited to appropriations, which provide the administration with the ability to spend as much or less of the amount of money council appropriates.

“They usually spend less,” he said. Despite this, Green feels there are more opportunities to cut back.

“We can be around 19,500 city employees … and have about the same or equivalent level of service through the implementation of technology,” he said. He added that the current complement of city employees is around 22,500.
MoRE

Elizabeth Schoff danced to the music of a band of locals - Urban Drawl - at a block party for residents of Tohopeka Lane in Chestnut Hill. See more photos here. (Photo by Steve Ladner)
Other News…

Ex-Caruso’s owner Capoferri sentenced for fraud, forgery

Hiller hired to run Mt. Airy BID

Can grieving for loved ones be funny?
Mt. Airy improv actress to premiere 'Stages of Grief'
by Len Lear

I can still vividly remember laughing hysterically at Mt. Airy resident Mary Carpenter and her fellow improvisational actors and actresses when we saw them in December of 2007 in “This Is The Week That Is: More Political Humor for the Holidays!” at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.  The show that spoofed stories in the news and contemporary culture was so popular with audiences that its original closing date of December 30 was extended by an additional two weeks.
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Making the most of lean times

When I left for vacation a couple of weeks ago, the Chestnut Hill business community was mulling over the merger of its three leading groups. Those in the know are calling it a soft merger, an officially unofficial agreement to combine efforts and resources and to slim down the day-to-day operations of parking, marketing and cleaning the Avenue.

The undercurrent or drive to come together is being fueled in large part by a need to boost foot traffic in and out of the shops. The recession has taken its toll, and while the idea to join is not new, the moment is in many ways.
MorE

GFS hockey: a seasoned squad
by Tom Utescher

The Germantown Friends School Tigers sank their fangs into a new field hockey season last week, launching into their practice schedule on Monday and then seeing their first extramural competition during a trip to the Main Line for a Friday morning scrimmage at Agnes Irwin.

Last fall, the Tigers finished up just one win away from securing a berth in the Friends Schools League tournament.
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IMPROVING THE AVENUE Last week Farah Jimenez (second from right), executive director of Mt. Airy USA, thanked the funders of the Streetscapes Improvement Project during an event held outside of Infusion, Coffee and Tea. Pictured are (from left) Matthew Myles, legislative assistant to State Senator LeAnna Washington; Jason Huber, co-owner of InFusion, Coffee and Tea, Sean McCray, policy advisor to Sen. Washington; Congressman Chaka Fattah, Elizabeth Moselle, director of Commercial Corridor Revitalization for MAUSA; Jimenez, and Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller. Last week also marked Jimenez’s last day with the community development organization she has led for 13 years. (Photo by Jennifer Katz)

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