August 3, 2006 Issue                                       

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

From our readers

CHCA board

With only a couple of months passing since the most contentious election in recent CHCA history, a clear pattern has evolved, and it is shameful. Remembering that only 24 of the 50 seats on this Board were open to election, there is a contingency of folks that were part of the “Old Guard” and many carry losing majority power as a massive chip on their shoulder; and no where was it more evident as in this Board meeting held July 27.

As I stated at that meeting, it was only the second time in the history of the organization that the differences and issues were so clearly defined that actual slates and parties were formed in the run up to the election. The incumbent majority based their platform on keeping the status quo and a quiet homey profile. In essence: don’t rock the boat or ask too many questions. The vocal minority took a very different view, said so and put their reform platform in writing; wanting majority overview and transparency in operations and a review of past management practices. They vowed to ask lots of questions. An overwhelming number of CHCA voters cast their ballots for the reformers.

An identifiable group of those from the former majority have made uninformed reactionary posturing their new mantra. From the very installation of the new Board, they have exhibited a condescending, eye-rolling, head shaking uniform instant rejection to any new process or procedures with all the sanctimony they can muster. The smug air of superiority is lost on no one. (Let me be clear, I make no apology for my comments here or previously.)

However, what disturbs me most is the hypocrisy of the pawns of previous management. While they claim to be opposing methods which may lead to undemocratic leadership and oversight, their interest in the operations of the CHCA seems to end as soon as the petty battles they are fighting are lost, tabled or ended. Who did not notice the mass exodus from this latest meeting, long before the 10 o’clock stipulated conclusion of the advertised and scheduled agenda. While those same folks exhibited frustration that the new Board committees would want to look back “too far” in the reform process, these folks apparently don’t want to look “too far” ahead to even learn what the upcoming issues and challenges are before the very Board they are part of.

For many, reports of Committees, updates on old business, new business, and the Treasurer’s report are just inconsequential trivia next to opposing anything new and defending past practices. There was apparently no need to learn the frustration of the Treasurer as invoices and contracts with no trail as to their source arrive daily. Significantly, past due invoices for essential services pile up as the cash flow to pay them dwindles, and city fines levied many months ago fall into the hands of collection agencies; despite the fact the previous management team claimed they were “being taken care of.” Apparently each day is a learning experience and little of it is positive, state those now shouldered with the responsibility. But who cares about that stuff when skewering any new reform program is your primary or only goal.

President Recko has been handed a train wreck on many levels and he has been up to the job of prioritizing and restructuring that few could handle as well. Far too often accomplishments are taken for granted and the cynics turn to a “What have you done for me lately,” perspective. Just since the election, the Local gets another new editor, key positions at the CHCA change hands, an appeal is filed with regard to Commerce Bank, festering problems with the City are redirected, and there is a massive flooding/plumbing problem at Town Hall. Most Board Members understand the severity of the problems and the importance of immediate redirection. Those who volunteer much of their time for the good of the community should be recognized. Those who are letting “sour grapes” over losing power motivate them should get out of their way. How can some Board Members claim to be seriously concerned about the overall CHCA direction when they leave the monthly meeting en masse after their pet grievances are discussed and voted, but long before the current and future issues are even presented? Further complicating matters is the fact there is no Board Meeting scheduled for August.

Local subscribers who have read my column and opinions over the years have probably gotten the message that improved government and a free press are my main agendas; and that extends from the Federal Government all the way down to the most local form — and that would be a community association. Some may not agree with my positions or my tone, but I don’t write or participate to win a popularity contest. Sometimes supplying the unpleasant facts is an essential contribution, but it is unwise to shoot the messenger. Someday you may need him.

Jim Foster
CHCA Board Member
Mt. Airy

A quote from a letter to the Editor, Feb. 2, 2006: “I was concerned because at least one of the rules that govern the proceedings of the CHCA had already been broken. Specifically the CHCA Bylaws II.E.1.c. state:

“The association must give public notice of the date, location, and agenda of all meetings of the association and committees of the Association at least seven days in advance of the meeting.’ The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in a location other than the Chestnut Hill Hospital, and no announcement was given seven days prior to Jan. 26. that the site of the meeting had been changed to

Chestnut Hill Hospital. How was the public to know where the meeting was going to be?”

Remember this? Back in the days of winter. Guess what? To all those who campaigned on the “broken” bylaws pledge, thus whipping up public hysteria and dashing the hopes of young hopefuls who were running for CHCA Board seats (and by the way, had nothing whatsoever to do with the previous administration), I ask: What did you think you were doing last Thursday night, when you moved a meeting from the Library to St. Paul’s Church, with no due notice? The same thing, all over again.

At least two people who wanted to attend the meeting, went to the Library, found it locked, no notice on the door (as some will tell you there was) and gave up and went home.

The irony is piercing in that it was at last Thursday’s meeting that the new board declared last winter’s meeting invalid for lack of notice, change of venue, etc. Incredible. What to expect? Well, perhaps next month, a meeting in October 2003, for instance, might be declared invalid too, or perhaps alternate months may be declared invalid … stay tuned … the more things change …

Dina Hitchcock
CHCA Board member

Praise for Hill’s summer programming

After sitting through a very rough meeting of the CHCA board, I thought I’d look around and smell the roses. I’ve had the opportunity to be in two very nice small towns recently and while their “Avenues” were very inviting, full of flowers and activity, neither compared to the flower arrangements put together by Dottie Sheffield and her volunteers. Thanks again and again, Dottie, for this monumental effort.

The best thing that’s happening in Chestnut Hill this summer and every summer past and, I hope, future, are the Concerts in Pastorius Park. I say “I hope” in terms of future summer concerts in the park because the amount of work that goes into these concerts is monumental, organizationally and physically.

On the other hand, hope for the future of our neighborhood couldn’t be more evident than to see so many young families, some visitors but most our own young neighbors, having a wonderful night out.

It is my hope (that word, again) that the concert chair, Tia Burke, and her committee, and Jane Piotrowski, Social Division Vice President, know how valuable and appreciated this special Chestnut Hill summer program is to this community and to Chestnut Hill Community Association for whom they make this happen.

Marie Lachat
CHCA Board member

Feeding the birds

As noted in my article, “Crusading against Smoking” [Local, 6/22/06] each morning I would see me in front of the train station on Germantown Avenue hoping to get yet another young person to stop smoking.

Thus, sitting there all day, I noticed a sparrow hopping around looking for food. But often, the little birds flew off without any success.

The next morning I crumpled some bread into crumbs, and carefully spread them in front of a lamppost near where I was sitting. Would I attract birds? Indeed, within minutes two sparrows approached the “food spread,” they ate and soon flew off (to their nests?). Each carrying a large crumb in his mouth.

And I was pleased to see more birds come to feed. While sparrows were the majority, at times other species also came to feed.

People sitting near me enjoyed the spectacle, while they waited for their buses. The birds had “perfect manners,” always making room for late-comers. There was no enmity between species. (Would we humans do likewise?)

I continued to feed the birds faithfully seven days a week. Only heavy rains or snow didn’t allow this.

As time went by, it seems that the birds accepted the fact that their food came from me. If I was late, the birds would circle around me as I spread out their meal.

Recently, I was sitting there along with some friends from Jehovah’s Witnesses. I had already spread out the bird food. Deep in conversation with another person, a small bird flew and landed near me.

The little bird was near my feet. It was looking straight at me. It remained that way for at least a minute. I bent down and reached to it, as if to share our thoughts. Then the little bird flew up to my fingers. It allowed me to stroke its feathers and sat on my fingers for a minute.

Was she trying to thank me for my largess? Some Jehovah’s Witnesses said that even birds could show their appreciation.

But at age 88, there might be no food one morning in the usual place. Will yet another person come forward to take over? If not every day, whenever possible, to share with our feathered friends.

Gerald Samkofsky
Chestnut Hill

Fan of siren song

Re: “No fan of siren song” letter, July 27, from Gardner A. Cadwalader

We, too, heard the siren of which Mr. Cadwalader writes. My wife complained just as loud and long as the siren itself.

I promised her that if she was ever to be the passenger in that ambulance, I would insist on full blast all the way to the hospital.

She fell asleep quickly and peacefully.

Wm. B. Webster
Chestnut Hill

Nature’s Solution?

A continuous massive discharge of highly contaminated sewage is pouring into Fairmount Park directly behind Thomas Mansion at 6245 Wissahickon Ave. Governor Ed Rendell and his feckless State Environmental Secretary, Kathleen McGinty, don’t care: The City of Philadelphia doesn’t have to worry about them; they’re not going to enforce clean-water laws in Philadelphia. The only thing Philadelphia has to worry about, they hint darkly, is third-party lawsuits.

Mayor John Street couldn’t be happier. Pouring Philadelphia’s sanitary sewer problems onto city parkland is a priority with the Mayor.

The continuous gray flood of pollution into the Monoshone Creek starts at Thomas Mansion, picks up additional wastewater from the Saylor Grove sewershed, slips silently past a mute environmental message board at Historic Ritttenhouse Town, and then cascades into the Wissahickon.

This is not a spill. This is not an accident. This is a deliberate unceasing discharge of sanitary wastewater into neighborhood parkland and into our recreational streams. It is part of a grand scheme dubbed “Nature’s Solution.” Mayor Street wants to implement this scheme throughout all of Fairmount Park.

Philadelphia voters should ask themselves, “What kind of City do we want? What kind of Mayor? What kind of Governor?”

Charles Parsons, President
Monoshone Watershed Association

To work is to pray

Chestnut Hillers of the 200 block of East Highland Avenue witnessed a communal miracle on Sunday, July 23 at 9 a.m.

A silhouette of an angel with arm upraised, holding the sword of streets (a leaf blower) descended upon our block. An army of householders from 48 homes appeared. Their weapons: brooms, rakes, sticks, bags. They slowly crept out from a Sunday morning rest and church time to follow Dennis Murphy, the leader of the flock. “To work is to pray,” was the motto for the day; just as the monks of St. Benedict said a thousand or so years ago.

What was our work goal? To make history? Clean up the bark, leaves, dirt, weeds, papers from outside our block, while removing all cars. Dennis organized the cleanup just two days beforehand. Every healthy male, female and child turned out.

After the bags of all sizes were tied and on the curb for pick up, came the flood. Dennis, a good neighbor and dedicated fireman, turned on the fire hydrant that rushed water in a cleansing flow down the blacktop. Three hours on a hot Sunday morning, the street shone under the sunshine.

Who are we? Neighbors who love the beauty and friendliness of our neighborhood. We are part of the backbone of neighbors on many blocks that make up Chestnut Hill. We are diverse in thought and work for our families, our children, our community. Not necessarily Community Association fundraisers; not always to help the commercial successes of Chestnut Hill; nor do we enjoy political wrangling.

We love our block, our families, the arching cathedral of 24 giant sycamores in summer, but we hate them with a passion in spring and summer when their leaves and bark make a mess in yards and streets. Residents of the 200 block of East Highland work from dawn to dusk cleaning up the daily mess.

Sunday we felt renewed. Is it such a small thing to work together? Some of us never met before Sunday. A clean block seems a small gift to the whole community. But is it? We realize many more blocks celebrate holidays with block parties. Can more blocks write about their activities in their community newspaper? It is not a small gift to organize in order to help keep Chestnut Hill clean. The Department of Streets is less than helpful as we all realize.

Giving three hours to clean up a block that has been an eyesore for years due to the sycamore trees may seem a small gift to the community, but a deeper thing happens. The spirit of people working together renews the spirit of neighbors on the block. This costs muscle but not money. Shared exchanges about life, work, family occur; a new sense of “connectedness” miraculously develops.

The media bombards us with fear, with war, with violence. Most of us feel helpless to change the world. But we can change the spirit of our community. Positive mention of neighbors doing good things not for ego, but for the common good; that’s how we change the spirit from negative to positive.

Helen Adler
Chestnut Hill