Letters

You can e-mail letters for inclusion in the print version of the Local to: Chestnut Hill Local .

Kudos

The staff of the Chestnut Hill Local should be commended for the amazing job they did with last week’s paper.

I’m not sure those who have never worked at a newspaper can fully appreciate the pressures faced in putting out a quality product each week. Normally, these involve deadlines threatened by a myriad of last-minute problems and imperatives, made more acute in the Local’s case by the small size of the staff and less-than-state-of-the-art technology. Last week, with no editor or regular staff reporter, the skeleton crew (pun intended) no doubt spent their Halloween faced with a truly frightening array of extra work on top of the usual grind. They came through with a fearless, engaging and high-quality edition that had the town talking.

The paper is a credit to all of you. It may not feel like it right now, but this is your finest hour.

James Sturdivant
Chestnut Hill

Mob mentality

I attended part of the meeting concerning the Chestnut Hill Local on Nov. 7, 2005. Notice I said “part of.” Even though, at age 18, I was one of the youngest people there, I felt I was surrounded by a group of immature, spoiled and over-privileged infants! (P.S. I’m a Chestnut Hill “lifer” too.)

Even ignoring the rudeness of one speaker who called out every time someone from the opposition spoke, I could see the mob mentality that ruled that meeting. No one came to see the situation resolved as much as they came to call one another names and point fingers, and certainly not the aforementioned rude “gentleman,” although it burns my tongue to refer to him as such, even in jest. Those people came to complain and whine.

I strongly believe in freedom of speech and freedom of the press but most of the crowd that night was merely out for a witch-hunt. I could understand if they wanted to be informed and solve this dilemma but they just wanted to hear themselves speak.

Now that I have finished ranting, I would like to suggest that the community look at slightly more important matters like, oh, I don’t know, perhaps the rash of robberies on the Hill, the rape case reported last week — you know, meaningless stuff that only puts our health and lives at risk.

Many thanks to the two brave moderators who put up with behavior similar to that which I saw when I was a camp counselor for very young children.

Theresa Bielski
Chestnut Hill

Crucial coverage

I was disappointed in the front-page coverage of the recent CHCA Board meeting because it omitted a primary focus of the meeting where the Board unanimously, and with applause, confirmed its commitment to editorial independence, stating:

“We reaffirm that the editorial and operational functions of the Local are separate and independent. The position that had recently been temporarily called ‘managing editor’ should be defined in writing such that it does not involve supervisory power over the Local’s independent editor, who will remain independent with respect to editorial control. The position will be proposed in writing by the publisher’s committee for approval at the next board meeting. In the interim, Nancy Berger will continue in her current capacity and will have no control over content.”

Coverage of this crucial discussion and culminating resolution would have been more true to your mission, described by yourself on the editorial page as “to report fairly and accurately on news of interest to readers.”

Jeremy Heep
Board of Directors, CHCA

Now what?

It never ceases to amaze me that SEPTA and its various unions have yet to devise a more effective means of contract negotiations, other than resort to the same hostage-holding tactics of shutting down Philadelphia in the interim by striking. For over 30 years, SEPTA and its transit unions ceased operations as a means to force contract agreements. Residents living in the city since 1998 have seen and experienced the 40-day transit strike of the time, and the inconvenience and additional traffic that resulted. It has long been time for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s elected officials to do what New York City was successful in doing: make it illegal for transit workers to strike.

Everyone is well aware of the increase in public transit usage since the recent spikes in gas prices and the need for businesses and lives to commence uninterrupted at all costs. This, and the ridiculous months-long stalling of both parties, necessitates our elected leaders to impose means of motivation to hasten the contract negotiation process. SEPTA is a public utility at the public’s behest and has a responsibility to this area.

In addition to outlawing transit stoppages, I also propose monetary fines to be assessed against both SEPTA and the contracted transit unions for every day they operate past contract expiration with the funds directed for state highway improvements. At a time when the rest of the commonwealth does not have a high regard for SEPTA, it is paramount for transit to continue operation, lest they lose what little legislative support they have left.

If we are to compete as a futuristic, world-class city, everyone, including the SEPTA and the unions, in tandem with commonwealth and city leaders must operate as such. Strikes have never been successful, and the stone-age thinking of such must end now.

N. Catina Blango
Germantown

Strong ties

The war in Iraq took on a more personal note for my family. My son, 1st Lt. Paul D. Fischer’s, platoon was called to active duty in Iraq. I know his schooling at the U.S. Naval Academy and his officer’s training at Quantico would prepare him for leadership that would keep him safe and his fellow Marines out of harm’s way. The uncertainty of war is always unpredictable.
I asked my son if he needed anything and he stated all that he wanted was to know what was happening at home and a lot of prayers. Paul also stated that the Marines under his command (41 total) are not as fortunate as himself with strong family ties and financial ability to purchase such items as phone cards in order to call home, when possible.
I expressed this concern to the members of the Germantown Bocce Club of which I am a member. An overwhelmingly support went out to my son and his platoon. People have donated money and parents have spread word to their children who have sent letters of support to these heroes.
When people question or ask if Philadelphia is a large city, you can answer yes. It is a large city made of small, strong communities with large hearts. I want to say thank you to all of the support this community has displayed. I am proud of my son representing it.

David Fischer

Dear Chestnut Hill

I wrote this letter to the editor during our election week in May of this year. It was not published. When I called the editor to ask why, he stated that he was not going to publish letters regarding the election during the election week.

I’m appalled that the issue of free speech has arisen; as if we don’t all support it, which we do ... ALL of us. I’m no one’s “crony” or lackey (editorial Oct. 20 ... “throw up your hands along with your cronies”) and I have to admit, I felt very insulted by that comment.

My thoughts remain now as they did this spring. I’m sending them again and hope that they may find fertile ground this time.

Dina Hitchcock
VP/Social Division/CHCA

Where were you?

I’ve been watching the flow of the letters to the editor of the Local over the past month. I think it’s important to speak to some of the issues that have surfaced.

As the secretary of the CHCA from Maurice McCarthy’s tenure, I can assure the community that this is not an easy job. There are two meetings per month to be attended and at which, minutes must be taken. Unlike other board members, I have felt the additional pressure not to miss meetings, as the job I have to do entails that I be there.

I work full-time, am involved with dog rescue and have also been organizing my 40th high school class reunion. My point here is this ... I have a very busy life, as do most of the other board members. I take my responsibilities seriously and I have done the best job, as secretary, that I am capable of.

Now, to the negative remarks I have been reading. I read about concern about the bylaw changes. All of these changes were well publicized in the paper; meetings were held over several months’ time, at various locales. Several times, no one even showed up to voice any concern. We voted on them at the annual meeting last year. The voice vote was unanimous for them. If you are one of the people critical of the changes, and most especially, if you were a board member, where were you last spring?

And on that same note, where were you when Tia Burke, who put together the most splendid Pastorius Park concert series we have seen in Chestnut Hill in years, was looking for people to help? Were you passing a fish bowl to collect money from the audience; were you manning the refreshment stand; were you helping at the Police and Fireman’s picnic? I don’t remember seeing too many naysayers at the concerts. How do I remember? I was there.

Further, when Leigh Filippini and Suzanne Lentz were looking for people to help with the Black and White Gala, a splendid party on the Avenue, where were you? Did you get people to donate goods or services? Did you perhaps volunteer some of your services for auction? Did you help take tickets from the party-goers? I don’t remember seeing any of you there. How do I remember? I was there.
Jane Piotrowski has been working tirelessly to recruit new CHCA members at the Fall for the Arts and at the Garden Festival. Did you recruit your neighbors to become members of the CHCA so we could pay someone to man the office, or head up a development/operations role? I have given gifts of membership to friends; even people who don’t live here anymore, but miss Chestnut Hill and the goings-on about the Hill. I don’t remember seeing any of you there. How do I remember? I was there.

Finally, there was the Annual Fund Drive this year. I remember attending the meetings where people on the board were asked to come to Brien Tilley’s office so we could have a phonathon to get the community to donate to all of the causes we cherish; the Teenagers Inc, the Senior Center, Music, the green spaces. Did you give as big a donation to the Fund as you possibly could, knowing that you were really needed to make the difference? At one point, the Fund was down this year, much to my dismay. I had hoped that there might be a front-page article in the the Local to the effect of “Fund Drive down by 30% ... Programs threatened” ... but that didn’t happen.

Instead of spending your time delineating which section and page of the bylaws this board is supposedly violating, I suggest that you turn your concern to something more positive. I hope you are elected, and I hope I’m elected too, so I can watch as you sign your names to the various committees where volunteer time is very much needed.

Dina Hitchcock
Secretary/CHCA Board

Taken aback

As an occasional writer (and advertiser) for the Local, founder of Mt. Airy’s Moving Arts studio, and former magazine editor, I am taken aback by the loss/firing of Jim Sturdivant as editor of the Chestnut Hill Local.

The lack of consultative process with Local staff and the manner in which Jim’s courteous two-week notice of resignation was rejected in favor of summarily firing him, resonates with other decisions by the board. It has endorsed an autocratic process for producing a consumerist product, rather than a democratic process for running a newspaper. Communities need genuine forums a whole lot more than they need to assure their landlords of another GAP store lease.

Pamela Rogow
Mt. Airy

Knocking SoHa

Re: Journalistic cowardice [Local, Nov. 2]

I usually try my best to avoid being pulled into local politics/gossip. However, I was quite surprised and upset to see Ms. Shaw’s use of the SoHa area of Chestnut Hill to make her point about whatever problems she has with the Local, the First Amendment and Richard Snowden of Bowman Properties.

Maybe the front page “SoHa comes of age” article was political. I have no idea.

As a merchant in the 8100 block of Germantown Ave., I was excited to see that we were getting some recognition for working to improve our area of the hill. We (the merchants as well as Bowman Properties) work together to offer an enjoyable shopping experience with a personal touch that is not typically available at the mall or with the major department store chains.

Maybe I am wrong in believing that the residence of Chestnut Hill want independently owned and run business that can offer the type of personal contact that this community deserves.

Knocking the article about SoHa as “puff” is insulting.

Politics aside, can we acknowledge the positives accomplished here on the Hill and still strive for improvements?

I love owning a store in this gorgeous area of Philadelphia. My customers are not only supportive financially but emotionally. From the day I opened, they have been encouraging and happy to see how the 8100 block has blossomed.

Ms. Shaw, rain on someone else’s parade.

Lei Winson
Iris of Chestnut Hill
Proud merchant in SoHa

Outraged over ‘censorship’

I was born the same year the Chestnut Hill Local was founded. I grew up on Moreland Avenue in Chestnut Hill, attended Springside School, where I later taught music and have operated a music studio for the past 13 years in Chestnut Hill.

When I was a teenager, I rarely read the Local because the articles did not seem relevant to me. However, now that I operate a business in Chestnut Hill, I pay much more attention to the Local. I have found it a good advertising vehicle to get new students. I have nothing but praise for Sonia Leounes, my advertising representative, who is an honest, thoroughly decent and classy person. I also enjoy the frequent profiles of local musicians, which you will rarely see in other papers. As a professional musician myself, I can relate to those articles, and I find them particularly relevant because I know many of the musicians personally.

As a small businessperson and longtime resident of Chestnut Hill, I am very concerned about the many vacant properties along Germantown Ave., and I am grateful to the Local for the many excellent articles in recent years about Richard Snowden, who owns many of these properties. I have also been extremely impressed by the editorials written by editor James Sturdivant over the past year as well as the improved look of the front page. Sturdivant’s gutsy editorials have been a breath of fresh air since he has not been afraid to take on the wealthy, powerful people in this community whose self-interest seems to mean much more to them than what is in the best interest of the entire community.

Therefore, I am outraged over the apparent attempt to censor Sturdivant’s editorials, which led to his resignation and then that of associate editor Michael Mishak. The editorial and letters in the Nov. 3 issue make that clear, particularly the quotes from Sturdivant’s resignation letter. In a progressive community full of highly educated people and in a city where the Constitution was written, it would be a horrible crime for the independent “watchdog” voice of the Local to be silenced by a few powerful individuals who may just have something to cover up. I urge everyone reading these words to get involved and not let this happen. If the censors win, the rest of us will all lose.

Cynthia Fleming
Chestnut Hill

Negative posturing

We are all volunteers here and no one person, or group of people, are more right or wrong / good or bad / angelic or wicked. As a new member of this board I find it very difficult to sit in meetings when some feel that they are doing everything right, and everyone else is wrong. I find it very disheartening and scary to witness how difficult it is to get anything accomplished because some feel that they are the only ones that have all the so-called right answers. I find it disheartening and scary that some feel it is necessary to bad-mouth this organization, and members of this organization, in public and private, because they are the self-proclaimed saviors for all that is wrong with this association.

All of this negative posturing and finger pointing by members of the CHCA towards other members is embarrassing. It brings ALL of us down, not just a select few, in the eyes of this community. All of this negative posturing and finger pointing turns people off and makes us all laughing stocks. It is not productive and it certainly will not solve any of the real issues that face us.

I want to get things done! I want to accomplish something while I am a member of this board. How can that happen when some are so hell-bent on proving how right they are at all cost that they stop listening to everyone but those that believe as they do. How can we do anything good or positive for this community and the CHCA when some spend so much time trying to rally the troops against certain members of the board, instead of coming up with viable suggestions and solutions that might actually solve some of the real issues that face this community.

Believe me, I do not think we all have to love one another, hold hands and sing “Kumbayah.” Discourse is a good thing. I expect it. I look forward to it. I relish the challenge. It is after all, the American way. The discourse that we take part in as a member of this board should not make me, or anyone else, right or wrong / good or bad / angelic or wicked. And, it should certainly not generate any bad-mouthing by one member against another member. We are not running for election here. We are not getting paid. Let’s leave all the negative politicking to the political candidates running for election.

Isn’t it bad enough that we haven’t been able to turn on a TV or radio for what seems like forever, and without hearing all that mud slinging. Do we really have to bring it into our day-to-day lives? Has all that mud slinging that goes on in the political arena made you want to rush out and VOTE! With all the mud slinging, do you really think that one candidate is actually better then the other or will do a better job then the other? Don’t you just want it to stop? Honestly, can’t you wait for Election Day to be over so we don’t have to listen to it anymore?

Let us all hold a collective mirror up before our eyes and take a real good, long look. Do you think the community wants to rush out and vote or support us? Should they? Why? Do you really think the community thinks that one group is actually better then the other, or that one will do a better job then the other? Why? What have they done? What has one group accomplished over the other group? What is the agenda of each?

Actions speak louder then words. Maybe we should ALL try and get something done instead trying to prove that some of us are better then others or would do a better job then others.

I may be new to this board and I guess I may be really naive, but I really do think there has got to be a better way. I have only been here a few months and I am tired, frustrated, disheartened and embarrassed to be a member of this association. It is so sad.

Cecile C. Mihalich
CHCA Board Member

Congratulations

To all of you for getting out a great edition last week.

Thousands of people, over a period of fifty years have worked very very hard making chestnut hill an exceptional community.
All of that can be destroyed by the present inclination on the part of many people to see the Chestnut Hill Community Association as a service organization and the Local just as a business, and the Bylaws as something to be by-passed rather than adhered to.

The CHCA is not based on the usual civic association’s format. It has more of a governmental rather than a corporate structure, encouraging members of the community to participate in forming its policies and carrying out its activities. Only the Association can determine its policies and it is required to act in accordance with democratic procedures.

All of these statements and the ones to follow are based on Articles in the bylaws, not whims nor personal arrogance. I think it is time that all of the members of the board should be required to make a study of the bylaws so that we are all working from the same base and not inventing new concepts independently and acting on them independently. And, of course, the bylaws can be changed. That is one of the great things about the democratic process.

Recently, committees and committee chairs and other individuals have been taking action not approved by the Board of Directors. This makes their actions invalid because the Association is the publisher of the Local, and it has authority over all actions taken in the name of the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

The reason for this is that the “Association” refers to the entire membership. It is this membership that elects the Board of Directors, which speaks and acts for it.

No one else can do this. No committee, no Chair, no officer, no individual.

The Local is not just a business. It is the place in which we members and friends of Chestnut Hill can exchange ideas, can express our disagreement with the current administration; contradict someone’s inaccuracies; “talk back to the boss” in the case of the editor, or any other employee; state our own opinions; talk about what we should do next; suggest goals for Chestnut Hill; complement actions by elected officials or employees … on and on — most of all it is a forum.

In others words we are FREE to say what we wish in the Local, and so is the editor (No lies or “dirty” words, of course).
The bylaws are written for a purpose — to set standards for the organization and to specify who and what may do this and that. If they are not studied and understood then we get into the kind of quagmire that pulls us apart.

It is natural that people who have recently joined the association to attempt to change the CHCA to conform to the styles and procedures they are familiar with, not realizing that the CHCA is unique and that there are significant reason for its differing styles and procedures.
It is also natural for new people to think that those who have been involved with the association for many years are trying to hold them back and that they “know it all”. There is little if any thought that experience and long involvement might be of help to the present generation and might save them a lot of time and energy repeating the same mistakes which were dealt with years ago. They say, “I’m not interested in the history. I just want to get things done.” That was said to me after the last board meeting, and the other day I read the exact same words in a “historical” paper that was written in 1999. (They must not have heard the adage that we will repeat the same errors over and over again if we are not aware of what went before us)

Every one at the Board of Director’s meeting last Thursday said clearly and loudly that they were in favor of freedom of the press and of speech – and I have seen it in writing by more than one person. But actions have not reflected that in many recent actions.

There are many examples I could site, but I will use the most startling one:
The present administration is considering hiring Allison Grove to raise funds to buy the Hiram Lodge. It seemed worth considering until I read her words in the Oct. 20, Local: “Grove responded that while dissent is useful, it should occur in private. “Help people to understand that what happens behind closed doors doesn’t matter.’ she said,” This was a shocker. Not only the words but the fact that our officers and others are considering hiring someone with no understanding of the democratic process in which things are done in the open with a clear vote or consensus.

Personally I would like to see us buy as many of the buildings in the community as possible. BUT not at the price of our freedom of expression.

The members of the board of Directors who are the only ones who are authorized to take action for the CHCA must not tolerate the overstepping of authority by anyone. These members were elected by the total membership of the CHCA to speak for them and to carry out the functions of the CHCA.

Recently, the Board has often been ignored; the membership has been ignored; the community has been ignored while individuals have acted as if they are in charge.

They are not.

The Board of Directors is.

And this fact must be met head on at once before more damage can be done.

Mary Anna Ross Cowper
Board of Directors Member
Chestnut Hill Community Association

Crime on the Avenue

Do what was done 40 years ago before the liberals took over. Enforce the laws, catch and punish the marauding packs of criminal thugs roving the streets and destroying our quality of life. I and others will indeed shop in Chestnut Hill instead of patronizing the malls where shoppers feel a lot safer.

Priscilla Fry Palatucci
Mt. Airy

An unpleasant surprise

The departure of James Sturdivant and Michael Mishak comes as a total, unpleasant surprise to me. I will miss their fairness and their biting critiques of issues that have been long neglected in the Northwest in general, Chestnut Hill in particular. I am inspired by the fact that there are still true journalists among us and the fact that corporate entities, in this case the Chestnut Hill Community Association (CHCA), are threatened by people doing their job.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up are due to the remainder of the Local staff for their well-written Nov. 2 editorial. After seeing the sorry excuse that’s the American media deteriorate into nothing more than corporate whores and unpaid P.R. reps for the Bush administration, it’s refreshing to see that there are people who still believe in freedom of the press.

This whole brouhaha just goes to prove that newspapers and corporations just don’t mix. I’d bet there are some CHCA board members who probably never, or rarely, read a newspaper, yet believe they know what it’s like to run one.

This whole sorry situation reminds me of the time when I was editor-in-chief of a community college newspaper. As someone who actually worked at a paper, I know that Sturdivant is not exaggerating when he said that he was being pressured by CHCA board members. While the exact nature of the pressure will probably never be known — unless Sturdivant chooses to talk about it — I can only surmise its nature and I would bet money that some CHCA board members didn’t like Sturdivant printing crime stories on the front page of the Local.

I find it “ironic” that a few weeks ago there was a front-page above the fold story about a teen-aged employee of Bredenbeck’s Bakery who was brutally assaulted right outside of the bakery and now, all of a sudden, Sturdivant’s put under pressure and resigns. This in addition to the fact that other crime stories had the nerve to make their way onto the front page, as opposed to being buried in the middle of the paper or, better yet, not printed at all.

The Bredenbeck’s assault was enough to worry Chestnut Hill storeowners so much, to the point where they held meetings with the 14th District to address the issue. Suggestions ranged from expanding the boundaries of the 5th Police Precinct (stationed in Roxborough) to include Chestnut Hill to ceding from the city and joining Montgomery County (I say go for it — the ’burbs are just as crime-ridden as the city).

So much talk and panic about the constant crime on the “top of the hill” will keep people away from stores. The CHCA, being businesspeople, can’t have anything affecting their bottom line — and definitely not pesky local journalists hell bent on the truth and nothing but. The CHCA want people to believe the Hill is ultra safe when the weekly crime reports (the stuff the police bother writing up, anyway) tell quite a different story (always nice to know Germantown isn’t the only crime-plagued neighborhood in the city).

Corporate entities are always worried about one thing and one thing only — profit — and plenty of it. They don’t like reading things that make them uncomfortable or that affect their profits. Freedom of the press? That’s not even on their agenda!

Finally, perhaps the reason why Sturdivant chose not to fight is because he probably realizes it’s not worth the aggravation. The Local is, unfortunately, run and funded by the CHCA, so it’s either you grovel at their feet or you’re out of a job. The CHCA would have applied the pressure. Sturdivant would have gotten an ulcer or a heart attack for his troubles, his family will have suffered along with him and he would have wound up leaving anyway. It’s sad to think that a corporation has that much power over freedom of the press in this day and age.

While pride and integrity don’t pay the bills, it’s refreshing to know that not only do people possess those qualities but aren’t afraid to exercise them.

I will swear that this whole thing has to do with the front-page crime stories the Local has featured for the past few years. (Last year, during the two weeks that those crime stories were very prominently featured, I couldn’t find a copy of the Local to save my life.)
What the CHCA wants is a corporate newsletter masquerading as a hard-hitting newspaper. Their crackdown on James Sturdivant and Michael Mishak proves that in spades (and they’ll expect people to shell out $.50 a week for corporate nonsense). Instead of cracking down on journalists who dare call it like they see it (and the way many other people see it, as well), perhaps they’d do better to address the brutal crimes happening in their neck of the woods just about every single day instead of passing that label on to other neighborhoods. (It’s called prioritizing.)

I wish Sturdivant and Mishak the best in their future endeavors. Thank you both for proving that the fight for freedom of speech and freedom of the press is alive and well in 2005.

As for the next editor of the Local: I’m sure they’ll make a lovely corporate puppet.

Donna Di Giacomo
Germantown