November 2, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

CHCA reaches “compromise” with Bowman Properties over signs
by PETE MAZZACCARO

Six weeks after Richard Snowden posted dozens of large red and white “available”signs on many of his Germantown Avenue properties to draw attention to his allegations that the Chestnut Hill Local has systematically maligned him, it seems he may finally get part of what he’s looking for.

The board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association decided last week to charge a five-person committee to investigate the facts behind a series of claims by Snowden that the Local has often defamed and mistreated him and his family in multiple stories dating back to a 2001 series by this reporter. In exchange, Snowden agreed to remove all extraneous signs, limiting the number to one sign a building.

The committee was the result of a series of meetings between John Capoferri, Richard Maloumian, Dick Doyle and Richard Snowden and a final meeting between that group and CHCA president Ron Recko.

The statement (see sidebar for complete document) indicated that both sides (Snowden and the CHCA) had identified “many areas of common interest and agreement” but that Snowden’s “concerns regarding the conduct of the Chestnut Hill Local” remained unresolved.

The Local has asked those who have met with Snowden in the last few weeks to provide a list of the charges, often referred to as a “database” or a”2-inch-thick folder” of clippings containing pieces Snowden believes are unfair. To date, none of that information has been shared with the Local.

Recko said the tenor of the meeting was constructive and he felt positive that the CHCA was doing its part to be proactive in bringing resolution to the issue.

“It was a very constructive meeting,” he said. “At no time were any demands made of me.”

Other members of the board wondered what Snowden was looking for.

“The important thing here is that Mr. Snowden has never made his position known in writing, “said board member Jim Foster. “Everything has been related is second- and third-hand information whispered down the lane.”

Former board member and CHCA treasurer, Mark Keintz, echoed Foster’s concern. Keintz said he and other officers of the CHCA had met with Snowden last year to discuss his concerns but that he left when it became clear the discussion was entirely off the record and that no public action would be called for.

“I’d like to know why he hasn’t written a single word to the Local,” Keintz said. I don’t understand why this separate group has to be formed to find the facts.”

Board member Jane Becker said she, too, had attended the meeting Keintz referred to in her capacity as an organizer for Teenagers Inc., the teen service organization that has received free space on Bethlehem Pike from Snowden since 2001.

“Richard has been very kind to Teens Inc,” Becker said. “We [Teenagers Inc. director Marianne Dwyer and I] attended the meeting but we did not speak. It was clear that what he’s looking for is an apology. My view from having spoken to him a few times since then is that he is still after the same thing.”

Recko said that he hoped to form the committee this week and have some kind of resolution by the next board meeting on Nov. 30 (the regular time for the meeting was pushed back a week because of the Thanksgiving holiday). He noted that Maloumian, Capoferri and Doyle would not be on the new committee. Both Maloumian and Capoferri are property owners/developers. Instead, the composition of the committee will be sought from the community and both Recko and Snowden will approve the membership.

Board member Kathie Jones moved to form the committee with the caveat that the committee contains at least one journalism professional. The motion was passed unanimously.