September 21, 2006 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or ©2006 Chestnut Hill Local Winner of One |
From our readers... “Stockade” owner responds In response to your article, “Fence Debate Brews Over ‘Stockade’ at Top of Hill Home” [Local, Sept. 13] we, the owners, were surprised to find our home featured on the front page of your publication. As new Philadelphians, it’s quite a way to make an entrance! As they say, all press is good press. We would have, however, appreciated a phone call or letter advising us of the article and to round out the article with our comment. Moreover, had the advisory board contacted us directly, we would have been honored to attend the meeting described in your article. It’s encouraging to see that the community is as serious about maintaining the charm that defines Chestnut Hill as we are. In our particular case, a fence is needed to keep the toddlers and pets inside the yard and the debris tossed from drivers along Germantown out. When trying to stay consistent with the look of other fences in the area and obtaining quotes from multiple local vendors, none mentioned the zoning laws around height. We would suggest that the advisory board work more closely with the fencing companies to execute policy. We plan on making Chestnut Hill our home for quite some time and have many plans to improve the aesthetic look and feel. We were active community members in both Chicago and Washington, D.C. and plan to do the same in Philadelphia. Anyone interested in learning about the master development plans for our property can drop us a letter … seems everyone in town knows already knows our address. Eric and Drew No Respect Re: “Mayor and police commish pass buck on crime,” [Local, Sept. 14] No doubt that easy access to weapons increases the rate of violence on the street. However, I don’t care how many laws are passed … violence occurring among people, and particularly young ones, will continue to increase until such time as one word comes back and is taught in the neighborhood: RESPECT, respect for one another. If I did not understand by “words” what respect meant, then Mom, using Dad’s leather belt across my butt or the back of the legs, surely did! And sometimes it might even be the neighbor who taught a kid “respect.” My old gym teacher? When he caught two kids fighting in the school yard? He “drug” them down to the school gym and on went the boxing gloves. They slugged it out until one hollered, “I quit.” Respect: until that comes back in the “home,” not house, but home, “Don’t blame us” T-shirts surely are correct. Oh yes, in ending, there were no such words as “child abuse” when respect had to be taught at the end of Dad’s leather belt. Tom Woodruff Don’t Rush I understand that once again, a community manager is gone from the association. Before we rush to hire someone, are we willing to take a long, hard look at ourselves and ask, why does this keep happening? We have lost three good Community managers. Is anyone willing to look at why? Both the community manager and the editor position are ones that should surpass the petty politics of the day. Those two positions should have little to do with the politicking that goes on within the board. I want to know, why did we lose someone again? It says something about our competency, frankly. We need to do a serious self-assessment and a serious assessment of that job description. Before we rush to hire another person, can we please sit down at the next board meeting and discuss this in a public venue? I would ask that it be on the agenda. Dina Hitchcock
On behalf of the entire Chestnut Hill Business Association and the Chestnut Hill District, I want to thank some key people who donated a tremendous amount of time and energy to the successful unveiling of AbZOOlutely Chestnut Hill. First and foremost, my wonderful hard working staff: Peg Miller, Peg Hendrie and Kate O’Neill who have put in countless hours and heartfelt enthusiasm. Second: Chris Lane, Chair of the AbZOOlutely Chestnut Hill Committee and co-owner of the Philadelphia Print shop and Jane Piotrowski who have redefined what “community service” is all about. Third: Mike Feehan of Mike Feehan Printing, James Moon of Diamond Spa, Bob Markowski and Ron Miller for their help creating and installing the new parking and entrance signs and maps. Fourth: Tore, Chris and Joe Veccione and John Franklin of the S. Veccione Inc. for their help moving and installing the 50 animals. Fifth: Wick Littleton and Jim Veltri of Wick Littleton Masonry for the animals’ concrete bases Sixth: John Ingersoll of the Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop for thinking of the idea, Greg Reaves of the Goldenberg Group, Cheryl Ann Kennedy and Tom Hemphill of the Chestnut Hill Community Association for their help with the media. Our Sponsors: They were the fuel for this engine and we appreciated their belief in us. Finally: YOU, The Community! You’ve supported us in every way and your enjoyment is wonderful to see. Putting on an event such as this requires a team effort, dedication and follow-through and without the valuable input and contributions of these people(and if I forgot anyone — I am sorry) this event would not have been as successful as it is. The goal was to bring the community together — in a fun way. Given the smiles on all the faces along Germantown Avenue it worked!
Bob Previdi Not happy with All of AbZOOlutely I was very disappointed to see that the Chestnut Hill community was sponsoring a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Zoo. As a community of animal lovers, most of us wouldn’t think of confining our pets to a lifetime in cages, so how can we support that of wild animals? I look forward to the day when zoos, rodeos and the use of circus animals are outlawed. These venues only support the inhumane use of wild animals, who are often neglected and abused. Perhaps our support would be better spent on supporting public education for the children of Philadelphia or some other worthy cause that would lead to a better quality of life for all Philadelphians.
Stacy Edmonds Bush has PTSD? Sadly President Bush is demonstrating symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, severe shock, and deep depression due to the emotional damage caused by perplexing insoluble issues. While bouncing from crisis to crisis, including the war in Iraq, destruction of the twin towers in New York, skyrocketing gas prices, invasion by illegal aliens, threats from Iran, and tanking poll numbers, our President has finally slipped into a state of total incapacitation. Without a doubt, the final straw of clear non-functioning intellectually was the inability of President Bush to confront President Hu of China about their trade restrictions. Media commentators on television should be ashamed for their vicious attacks on our disabled President during his struggle with severe ailments. Remedies include extended psychological therapy by our best psychiatrists; but if that fails, then the provisions of the 25th Amendment should be invoked by his cabinet members and Congress. Whenever a majority of the principal officers in the Cabinet and our Vice President transmit to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers of his office then the Vice President becomes Acting President. Larry D. VanderMolen, Ph.D. |
