January 26, 2006 Issue                                               

©2005 The Chestnut Hill Local

News

Eyesore may linger while Commerce Bank construction remains halted
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

DUE TO THE AMOUNT of demolition done, construction on the Commerce Bank at Germantown and Evergreen avenues has been halted since the fall. When work will recommence is still unknown.

Since Commerce Bank was required to stop construction this past fall, the blue-tarped, fenced-in framework that is to be the future Chestnut Hill branch has remained an eye sore on the corner of Germantown and Evergreen Avenues.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections brought construction to a standstill in response to Chestnut Hill Community Association concern that the work being done exceeded what was allowed in the permit, according to speculation from various sources. The commissioner and deputy commissioners with the department failed to return calls to the Local by press time.

“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”
The popular Wizard of Oz quote may be floating around the streets of Chestnut Hill come September
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

This Monday, Chestnut Hill welcomed the first of many fiberglass animal statues that will line Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike as part of the Business Association’s “AbZOOlutely Chestnut Hill” fundraiser.

CHA begins first phase of construction

Chestnut Hill Academy’s expansion plans.

Thanks to a successful first stage of a comprehensive capital campaign, Chestnut Hill Academy has begun construction on Phase I of its Campus Master Plan. “We have been working on this project for over two years; we are so excited to see our vision becoming a reality. These new facilities are part of our commitment to make CHA the premier boys school in the Philadelphia area” said CHA headmaster Frank Steel.

2005 Holiday House Tour:
A successful showcase but down financially from last year
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

The 2005 Holiday House Tour, held Saturday, Dec. 10, was deemed a success by attendees and planners, despite not living up to financial expectations in its profit of only about $7,500 compared to last year’s $20,000.

Attempting to rewrite history?
by JIM FOSTER

Several weeks ago I wrote an opinion piece criticizing SEPTA and its operating policies and comparing some of the current practices to those of its predecessor, the PTC, in its last years of operation under the control of National City Lines, a holding company owned by General Motors, Firestone Tire and Rubber, Standard Oil of California and several smaller corporations providing bus service parts.