July 12, 2007 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
From our readersMr. Richard W. Snowden Dear Richard: Last fall, the Chestnut Hill Community Association and Bowman Properties began a dialogue to resolve the long-standing issues between our two organizations. As you know, a great deal of time has gone into determining the source of our differences and how we can move past them. What we think we can agree on, without qualification, is that the resolution of these issues has been at an impasse for too long. As the president of a board and the editor of a newspaper committed to what is fair and also to what is best for Chestnut Hill, we think it behooves us to acknowledge the various ways that we may have contributed to the misunderstanding, and to express our regret for the occasions where we have unintentionally offended the Snowden family. We hasten to add that we seek no reciprocal response from Bowman Properties. We are doing this because it is the right thing to do and also because it is time for us to move forward. Since Chestnut Hill was the beneficiary of your grandmother Virginia C. Wilmsen’s lifetime of generosity and support, we should begin with the unfortunate juxtaposition of her obituary summarizing a lifetime of giving on the front page of the Local, with a reference on the same page to an article in the same edition describing a period of challenge for the Bowman Properties business operations. As it turned out, that article described a situation that had long since been resolved and for which we had not sought to obtain comment from Bowman Properties. The choice to publish that article on Bowman Properties on the same page as the obituary is certainly something we greatly wish we hadn’t done. We understand that you felt inadequately informed as to the scope of a three-part series on Bowman Properties in 2001. We regret any failures of communication or appearance of misdirection on the part of the Local. We also recognize that we failed to report on your actions when, as a protest, you returned the Benefactor Award at a public meeting of the CHCA board. The then president of the CHCA asked the editor not to report on the event. No article on it was published. Without detailing the other issues affecting that decision, we wish, in hindsight that was reported in the Local. We hope that this sincere apology on behalf of the Local is persuasive in helping to bring these troubling issues to a close. We particularly want to express our regret that any of these short comings outlined above coincided with the life summary of one of Chestnut Hill’s most unique, far sighted and generous supporters, Virginia C. Wilmsen, whom we continue to regard with great admiration and gratitude. Tolis Vardakis Pete Mazzaccaro President – CHCA Editor – Chestnut Hill Local
Thank you After many great years working in the Classified Department of the Local, Ellen and I have decided to retire. We want to thank all of our customers for their loyal support. Mary Flannery
In a most disconcerting move, the newly-elected CHCA board has reversed its own decision to fund and authorize an independent full audit of the CHCA financial records that led up to the election of a new administration in early 2007. It had been agreed that new and qualified eyes were needed to answer many of the questions brought about by the questionable use of Fund assets and new debt during the period 2004-2006. This, coupled with the fact that our previous accountant was irresponsive for many months to requests for this data, determination of grossly flawed internal accounting during that period, and questions as to the legitimacy of certain practices vis-à-vis non-profit/for-profit transactions strongly argues for this fresh approach and transparency. The recent board vote with the approval of the treasurer rescinds a previous commitment to greater transparency. The members and the community should demand a new independent audit for the following reasons: 1. Audited financial statement for CHCA and tax return for 3/31/06 seriously delinquent and not yet filed. 2. Audited financial statement for CHCA and tax return for 3/31/07 delinquent and not yet filed. 3. Audited financial statement for Community Fund for 3/31/07 delinquent and not yet filed. 4. Substantial financial irregularities within CHCA bookkeeping during fiscal 2005 and 2006 verified. 5. Substantially overstated revenue in 2007 figures delivered to Board now restated taking period covered from profit to loss. 6. Massive debt generated in previous years included falsified documents with no accounting for use of proceeds to date. 7. Possibility that already filed statements for past years may need to be amended and resubmitted. The Oversight Committee recommends that the board accept nothing less than a new accounting firm experienced in non-profit/for profit affiliated reporting and produce statements with an unqualified opinion. CHCA members and the community should support this recommendation. The Oversight Committee further recommends that the long-overdue 3/31/06 financial statements for the CHCA and the Fund be printed in the Chestnut Hill Local. For further details contact me at 215-438-4330 or e-mail cadillac81@verizon.net
Jim Foster
Banks need the wealthy Today, Chestnut Hill can rightfully claim to be “The Banking Area of Philadelphia.” This, by virtue of the many financial institutions cluttering Germantown Avenue and side streets. Now, it’s a well-known fact that banks need wealthy patrons in order to be successful. This will require more wealthier residents to come live here. Indeed, as noted in a full page ad in a news magazine, a bank depositor felt she really wasn’t treated well by her bank, this despite the fact that she had $100,000 deposited there. Again, banks need wealthier patrons. But then, how can these wealthier patrons be urged to move here? Perhaps, as many towns across the country have done, poorer areas were razed, this under the rule of “Eminent Domain.” And fine condos replacing them. Those replaced by the new style, will need to find their homes in poorer areas. Hopefully, they might even find a Wawa and a Dollar Store, et al to save them some of their hard-earned dollars. Finally, wealthier residents will need to spend their money at fine shops, so, we could see such shops as Tiffany, et al located on Germantown Avenue. In recent years, many new residents were young families. While they will try to set aside some of their income for future needs, those dollars are not what banks are looking for, although of course, they will accept smaller deposits. Yes, today, the world is changing fast. Let us all hope that there will still be a place for all of us at that time. Gerald Samkofsky
On behalf of the Chestnut Hill Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra, I would like to thank Jane Piotrowski, Tia Burke, Leigh Filippini and Dana Levitties for an absolutely beautiful evening at Pastorius Park with the Philadelphia Orchestra. They are four Dynamite Ladies who worked hard to make the evening an enormous success! It was a pleasure working with them. I would also like to thank my Chestnut Hill Committee members, Ann Csink, Barbara Forde, Alice Karnavas, Karen McMeekin and Peggy Weber for their help with this fabulous evening.
Veronica M. Connor Paradise lost Gardyloo, the weedy cesspit at Saylor Grove, opened for business just one year ago. We were promised a Disneyesque nature paradise with fishes, herons, turtles, frogs and sky-blue water. Instead we’ve been given an endless stream of sewage that is laden with used toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and the occasional condom. These things are pushed along each time it rains until they sink into the thickening goo. From the rusty footbridge we can spot tomatoes growing from seeds washed in with human waste. Who is doing this to us? The chief culprits are Fairmount Park executive director Mark Focht and city water commissioner Bernie Breenwasser.
Charles Parsons
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