[UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor
Tony, I am speaking of those who have been a part of all UC community Associations for at least the past 15 years who have had a hand in the directing the tone of the neighborhood who are at the forefront of latest skirmish with citizens about the Campus Inn. As Ray stated earlier they have also traditionally formed sub-community groups whenever things haven't gone quite their way, such as the various and sundry Friends groups. To this you might insert many names and more I cannot think of right now. To wit, The Friends of The: a) Firehouse Market b) Woodlands c) Calvary Church d) UCD e) Clark Park f) 40th St. The common thread is these groups form when there is direct opposition by community members to a project which they favor, or the way those in charge would like things done. It would be foolhardy to place the focus on current officers in February 2009, when they have essentially inherited a legacy of hard feelings from the various community group versus the community skirmishes. As I see it many of those who formerly these spin-off ³Friends² groups, find themselves quite without friends (from the traditional sources to whom they have lent support) as this project steam rollers their way. I have been in the inner circle as you say, of several UC community organizations and am intimately acquainted as to how they function. During several of the above Friends engagements, I was record keeper. There is no need for a study here. The modus operandii has not changed, except for perhaps a few new faces. The greatest changes is at whom this M.O. it is directed unfortunately. -W On 2/9/09 8:46 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Wilma, You are right, SHCA and UCHS have big internal political work to do right now after the tough public decision that split their memberships. Been there, done that. Let them go about that business then, if you're a member. If you're not a current member, now is a sweet time to join such a group! New volunteers and returning dropouts are welcomed eagerly into the Association's inner circle, because half the previous leaders were just taken out by a mortar hit. Newbies can have a major impact in moments like these. You may be right, for all I know, about the leaders of community associations backing the Campus Inn. So why don't we find out? How many officers, as of February 2009, have self-serving Penn connections? Let's take a poll. First, you decide on a list of community organizations you're going to include in your study. Then you decide on a range of job titles you're going to include. Then you decide on which Penn interactions will count as self-serving and which won't. Then you start measuring. I'd suggest you distinguish officers from directors and count only officers. That's not because directors can't be backstage Richelieus manipulating the front guys; it's strictly a matter of work time. A typical Association may have 5 officers and 20 directors. So if you want a good sample of Associations in this neighborhood, it'll cost you too much to track down and call all their directors. If you want to organize this task, Wilma, I'll volunteer to do 20% of the phonework. -- Tony West I won't begin to speak for Karen, but MY take on what she wrote is that quite a few (not all), of the alleged Campus Inn supporters have been positing themselves as leaders of community associations and institutions, to which many of us belong or have belonged. All the while they have been using their credibility as community activists and representatives for self-serving purposes with, as you put it, the economic engine of Penn, while spinning another agenda to the community they purported to represent to keep others working and engaged. The most egregious is my opinion is the organizations who claim to want to preserve the historical integrity of the neighborhood, while their friends neighbors and members vehemently oppose this project. It also must be hurtful that so many of the neighbors immediately around this project have put many hours, years and dollars working in these community groups who ultimately failed to advocate their interest. Granted, there will proponents and opponents on any issue that concerns the community. Disqualifying people from supporting it doesn't quite ring true for me. Rather, a sense of betrayal is felt by those who believed these community leaders actually stood for what they said they did. -Wilma You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Tax/government reformer is in the race for city controller
From today's Inquirer. I don't agree with everything Mandel advocates ... details as the race heats up ... but I think he's the kind of person this city needs in elective office. Al Krigman Mandel runs for Phila. controller By Patrick Kerkstra Inquirer Staff Writer Brett Mandel, the government-reform advocate who played a critical role in persuading city lawmakers to reduce wage and business taxes, announced yesterday that he would run for city controller against incumbent Alan Butkovitz in the Democratic primary in May. The two will contest for an office that serves as the chief auditor of city government - an important role at any time, and one that seems all the more critical in light of the city's fiscal crisis. Butkovitz, a Democratic ward leader and former state representative, will have all the advantages of incumbency, including the bully pulpit, fund-raising prowess ($170,000 cash on hand as of December), and the support of the party establishment. Mandel will counter with a reputation as one of the city's leading voices for governmental change, a figure often quoted in the media on matters ranging from the city budget to ethics and tax policy. He has never held public office. Since 2004, Mandel has been executive director of Philadelphia Forward, a small but influential tax-reform group financed by individual, institutional and corporate donors. My challenge is to explain that the city controller is the person who minds our money. I think, in this time of fiscal crisis, there might be more interest in that than there would be in other years, Mandel said, noting that contests for the position are typically low-profile. This is a time when we need a true fiscal watchdog. Mandel has been sharply critical of Butkovitz in recent months, as he considered entering the race. Yesterday, he said Butkovitz had pulled his punches, and he suggested that he would take a tougher stand on issues ranging from the mayor's five-year budget to the Eagles disputed $8 million debt to the city. Butkovitz said yesterday that he was proud of what his office had achieved in his three years in office. He said he had shifted resources and attention to performance audits, which have sought to improve efficiency and not merely confirm that the books were being kept correctly. We have done 40 performance audits over the last three years, Butkovitz said. We're dealing with the big picture, and we're dealing in depth with the functioning of critical city services. Butkovitz cited a December compilation of earlier audits, which identified $68 million in new annual revenue sources for the city, plus $73.9 million in one-time income. He said the funds could come from a variety of sources, such as higher ambulance reimbursement fees and improved collections of service fees in the Fire Department and the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Before Butkovitz was elected, Mandel served as director of financial and policy analysis under former Controller Jonathan Saidel. **The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
[UC] Skunk cabbage by any other name (apologies to Juliet)
The following is an excerpt from a piece in this morning's Inquirer. I'm genuinely sickened by the thought that the city is going to run four of what we, in UC, have come to know and hate as the Foregone Conclusion Forums run by Harris Sokoloff -- now not just a prof in Penn's Graduate School of Education but the director of the Project for Civic Engagement. We've all seen how these shams operate -- a discussion carefully framed by the people who sponsor and run them, leading to vague conclusions supposedly given credence by calling them principles (or am I getting that term wrong?). Then the sponsors claim -- well, the name says it all -- civic engagement. Al Krigman From the Inquirer: Then, at 7 that night, the first of four community budget workshops will take place, in which residents will have an opportunity to consider actual city budget data for the 2010 fiscal year. Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Project for Civic Engagement, the forums will be run as workshops, and residents will be able to comment on the budget decisions facing department leaders. We have interactive small-group exercises for citizens to work together to figure out what they are and are not willing to live with, and what we learn from that will become the advice we give to the city, said Harris Sokoloff, director of the Project for Civic Engagement. We'll see what happens. **The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
RE: [UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor
RE: As Ray stated earlier they have also traditionally formed sub-community groups whenever things haven't gone quite their way, such as the various and sundry Friends groups. To this you might insert many names and more I cannot think of right now. To wit, The Friends of The: a) Firehouse Market b) Woodlands... Hi, Wilma, Yes, you're absolutely right about the various Friends groups that have sprung up over the years. When you think about it, the existance of these groups carried different messages at different levels. Especially in the situations where there were already organized structures in place (the Firehouse Market and its Board comes immediately to mind), it first implied that the elected Board was not valid or representative, but that a self-selected Friends group was. It also begged the question: if the self selected group were The Friends, what did that make the official Board of Directors...The Enemies??? Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:42:26 -0500 Subject: [UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor From: wil.p...@verizon.net To: UnivCity@list.purple.com Tony, I am speaking of those who have been a part of all UC community Associations for at least the past 15 years who have had a hand in the directing the tone of the neighborhood who are at the forefront of latest skirmish with citizens about the Campus Inn. As Ray stated earlier they have also traditionally formed sub-community groups whenever things haven't gone quite their way, such as the various and sundry Friends groups. To this you might insert many names and more I cannot think of right now. To wit, The Friends of The: a) Firehouse Market b) Woodlands c) Calvary Church d) UCD e) Clark Park f) 40th St. The common thread is these groups form when there is direct opposition by community members to a project which they favor, or the way those in charge would like things done. It would be foolhardy to place the focus on current officers in February 2009, when they have essentially inherited a legacy of hard feelings from the various community group versus the community skirmishes. As I see it many of those who formerly these spin-off ³Friends² groups, find themselves quite without friends (from the traditional sources to whom they have lent support) as this project steam rollers their way. I have been in the inner circle as you say, of several UC community organizations and am intimately acquainted as to how they function. During several of the above Friends engagements, I was record keeper. There is no need for a study here. The modus operandii has not changed, except for perhaps a few new faces. The greatest changes is at whom this M.O. it is directed unfortunately. -W On 2/9/09 8:46 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Wilma,You are right, SHCA and UCHS have big internal political work to do right now after the tough public decision that split their memberships. Been there, done that. Let them go about that business then, if you're a member.If you're not a current member, now is a sweet time to join such a group! New volunteers and returning dropouts are welcomed eagerly into the Association's inner circle, because half the previous leaders were just taken out by a mortar hit. Newbies can have a major impact in moments like these.You may be right, for all I know, about the leaders of community associations backing the Campus Inn. So why don't we find out? How many officers, as of February 2009, have self-serving Penn connections? Let's take a poll. First, you decide on a list of community organizations you're going to include in your study. Then you decide on a range of job titles you're going to include. Then you decide on which Penn interactions will count as self-serving and which won't. Then you start measuring.I'd suggest you distinguish officers from directors and count only officers. That's not because directors can't be backstage Richelieus manipulating the front guys; it's strictly a matter of work time. A typical Association may have 5 officers and 20 directors. So if you want a good sample of Associations in this neighborhood, it'll cost you too much to track down and call all their directors.If you want to organize this task, Wilma, I'll volunteer to do 20% of the phonework.-- Tony West I won't begin to speak for Karen, but MY take on what she wrote is that quite a few (not all), of the alleged Campus Inn supporters have been positing themselves as leaders of community associations and institutions, to which many of us belong or have belonged.All the while they have been using their credibility as community activists and representatives for self-serving purposes with, as you put it, the economic engine of Penn, while spinning another agenda to the community they purported to represent to keep others working
RE: [UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor
Hi, Wilma, I think you accurately summed up my arguments, and eloquently expanded upon them as well. Thanks. Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:30:12 -0500 Subject: Re: [UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor From: wil.p...@verizon.net To: anthony_w...@earthlink.net; univcity@list.purple.com Tony, I won't begin to speak for Karen, but MY take on what she wrote is that quite a few (not all), of the alleged Campus Inn supporters have been positing themselves as leaders of community associations and institutions, to which many of us belong or have belonged. All the while they have been using their credibility as community activists and representatives for self-serving purposes with, as you put it, the economic engine of Penn, while spinning another agenda to the community they purported to represent to keep others working and engaged. The most egregious is my opinion is the organizations who claim to want to preserve the historical integrity of the neighborhood, while their friends neighbors and members vehemently oppose this project. It also must be hurtful that so many of the neighbors immediately around this project have put many hours, years and dollars working in these community groups who ultimately failed to advocate their interest. Granted, there will proponents and opponents on any issue that concerns the community. Disqualifying people from supporting it doesn't quite ring true for me. Rather, a sense of betrayal is felt by those who believed these community leaders actually stood for what they said they did. Karen can correct me if I have misspoke any of her arguments here and you may do the same. -Wilma On 2/9/09 4:13 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: This is a real concern. Indeed, it has to haunt any attempt to foster community institutions in University City. Many people don't feel the town-gown process has been well handled in a lot of cases.But the issue is deucedly complex.Given the size of Penn the economic engine, lots of people in UC are bound to do business with Penn. So ruling all people out of public discussion who have Penn connections would give a bizarre and lopsided look to any neighborhood debate, wouldn't it?To be neutral, one would have to dismiss all Penn-affiliated neighbors *on both sides* of a debate about Penn. You can't have a situation where disgruntled Penn affiliates are applauded as oracles when they attack Penn, while contented affiliates are disqualified from speaking up for it. In truth, I know many real-estate agents and property owners who freely oppose the Campus Inn. So there has to be a way for other real-estate agents and property owners to freely support it, if that desire should enter their hearts.-- Tony WestKAREN ALLEN wrote: That's where our neighbors who feed at the Penn trough come into play on behalf of Penn. It would seem that few people think (or, at least, will say out loud) that it seems odd that the most strident and outspoken supporters of Penn Real Estate's hotel proposal just happen to be mostly real estate agents and large property owners who rent to Penn students. Nor does it seem to be odd that those self-same real estate agents, property owners, and the hotel developer were the same people who all somehow ended up being named to the steering committee which tried to get Penn's UCD BID proposal passed into law. Now it's been revealed that a local community association has had board members quit in disgust over its zoning committee seemingly ignoring their members' loud and clear objections to the hotel.All of this is to say that the community can be hijacked by those with self interests who are willing to throw the actual community under the Penn bus. Pay no attention to my blatant conflicts of interest, and to near-unanimous opposition from everyone else. I am the Community, and I am here to rubberstamp anything Penn wants! You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
I am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties of 4224 Baltimore Ave. I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you. The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago. - Melani Lamond ___ City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses Inspections January 28, 2009 NOTICE OF PENDING DEMOLITION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT: 04224 BALTIMORE AVE Pursuant to the requirements of The Philadelphia Code, Title 4, Subcode A, Section A-303-2, you are being notified by this Informational Bulletin that the structure located at the subject address is scheduled for demolition to begin on or after July 3, 2008. (Then, that date is crossed out, and this is handwritten:) Jan. 28, 2009 In accordance with The Philadelphia Code, this notice is provided as an informational courtesy only and does not create any actionable right for any resident or owner of the subject property or any neighboring property. For information concerning the demolition, please contact: CAMPANELLA JAMES ASSOC INC 1601 S CHRIS COLUMBUS BLV PHILADELPHIA,PA 19148-1404 Klehr Harrison Harvey Ronald J. Patterson, Esquire Perry Cocco (this is handwritten in, above the name below which is crossed out): Steve Gallagher, Supervisor West District 43rd and Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2969 215-685-7680 This is the building on the south side of Baltimore which sits high up on a hill, back from the street, and has the empty lot next to it which used to be a community garden. The building formerly housed a women's shelter. It's across Baltimore Ave. from the original Green Line, and across 43rd St. from Clark Park. From the UC Historical Society website: 4224-26 Baltimore Ave John Neil McGarvey, developer c.1860 E.A. Wilson, architect for renovations c.1920 Two, three-story, two-bay, brick with stone facade Second Empire, semi-detached houses. Distinguishing features include stone and iron fence around terraced yard, porch, segmentally arched windows, bracketed cornice, convex mansard roof with pedimented dormers and slate shingles, ground floor bay windows. 2 Contributing. Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban Bye, Realtor PA License Number AB048377L 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113 ** The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
[UC] Fwd: house plants
**The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002) ---BeginMessage--- There are house plants which anyone may take on the green porch in the 900 block of south 48th street...east side. **The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002) ---End Message---
Re: [UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
In a message dated 2/10/2009 1:41:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mlam...@aol.com writes: I am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties [about the scheduled demolition] of 4224 Baltimore Ave. I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you. The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago. Melani: Is the city demolishing it, or is LI just notifying adjacent owners/residents that the demolition is taking place? If the owner is demolishing it, maybe we better be prepared for a proposal to build a high-rise that takes up both the lot it's on and the lot on the SE corner of 43rd Baltimore. If a precedence is set at 40th Pine, who can say how far it will go? If OK shoehorned onto the lot at 40th Pine, the argument would be weak to stop it at the edge of Clark Park where presumably there would be lots of space for proper setbacks, parking, a drive to pick-up and drop-off people, etc. I don't have to reiterate the story of Pandora's box to suggest the implications. Enquiring minds want to know, Al Krigman **The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
Re: [UC] Skunk cabbage by any other name (apologies to Juliet) - schedules
In a message dated 2/10/2009 9:47:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, krf...@aol.com writes: Then, at 7 that night, the first of four community budget workshops will take place, in which residents will have an opportunity to consider actual city budget data for the 2010 fiscal year. Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Project for Civic Engagement, the forums will be run as workshops, and residents will be able to comment on the budget decisions facing department leaders. I thought everyone on this list was aware of these meetings. The United Way has become a town crier for such info under the continuing-moving-left Dems. Their public notice of the meetings dates back to 01/24: _http://whatmatters.uwde.org/wm012609.html_ (http://whatmatters.uwde.org/wm012609.html) You'll notice trouble-making parts of our city like UC SW are not scheduled for local meetings. I assume everyone has read about the proposed police and fire department cut backs as well as fewer libraries. Some of us Rs on the list may be available to consult on private protection options for when you call-a-cop-and-no-one comes. Also on the news are people at the Oman's latest town hall meeting asking for free cars, bathrooms, kitchens, and better forced employer supplied benefits. Guess Nutter and Obbie aren't on the same page yet. The _University of Pennsylvania Project for Civic Engagement_ (http://www.gse.upenn.edu/ppce) has announced the dates and locations of four community workshops, called _Tough Times, Tough Solutions Forums,_ (http://www.phila.gov/budgetUpdate/faq.html#tough) to gather citizen input for the City of Philadelphia’s 2010 budget process. On January 15th, Mayor Nutter announced that the _city’s looming 5-year budget deficit_ (http://www.phila.gov/budgetUpdate/index.html) will be $2 billion – twice the amount originally projected – because of the worsening national fiscal crisis. While noting that further painful choices will be required to ensure the fiscal integrity of the city, he also announced plans for an unprecedented level of public engagement in the budget process as options to close the budget deficit are examined. The events will open with a panel discussion, in which journalists will question top city officials to get a clear sense of the city's fiscal picture, how things got this bad, and how this set of possible cuts and other steps was developed. Then citizens will be broken up into the smaller working groups. Each working session will be guided by an experienced moderator trained by the Penn Project. For those who want to give individual testimony, as well as taking part in the group deliberations, opportunities will be provided to offer short videotaped statements and to post handwritten suggestions, comments, ideas and opinions on a public wailing wall. All of this input will be gathered and conveyed to city officials, along with the results of the workshop sessions. City officials have promised to weigh the input from the forums, and to report back to citizens on how their input was reflected in the proposed budget that Mayor Nutter will present to Council in March. Most city agencies have been asked to develop spending reduction scenarios for the fiscal year beginning in July ranging from 10 to 30 percent of their total budgets. In addition to potential service cuts in basic services such as sanitation, public safety, the new budget crisis is likely to have a more dramatic impact on programs that have already suffered steep reductions – libraries, recreation, parenting education, and youth development programs – as well as health and social services that were protected in the first round of cuts. Complicating the budget decision making is that fact that many of the city’s most critical health and social services – such as foster care and mental health treatment – are protected by state and federal legal mandates – forcing most cuts to be made in popular community-based programs that are not mandated by law. Another issue is that even small cuts in these programs mean the loss of state and federal matching funds. For example, while the November budget cut only saved $5 million in the city budget, the city also lost an additional $20 million in state matching funds. The November cut resulted in the elimination of dozens of youth programs ranging from after school to intensive delinquency prevention and parenting programs. These programs are likely to remain a major target for any further reductions. Advocates are urging individuals who have benefited from the threatened services to register for the workshops so that officials can better understand their value to the community. All workshops begin with registration at 6pm. Registration is vital to the process of dividing participants into evenly sized, diverse working groups. The program will run
[UC] RE: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
Maybe they will build a big building on that parcel. Right near Barry's house From: mlam...@aol.comdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:38:25 -0500Subject: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.To: univcity@list.purple.com; pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu; univcity-annou...@list.purple.comi am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties of 4224 Baltimore Ave. I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you.The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago.- Melani Lamond___City of PhiladelphiaDepartment of Licenses InspectionsJanuary 28, 2009NOTICE OF PENDING DEMOLITION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT:04224 BALTIMORE AVEPursuant to the requirements of The Philadelphia Code, Title 4, Subcode A, Section A-303-2, you are being notified by this Informational Bulletin that the structure located at the subject address is scheduled for demolition to begin on or after July 3, 2008. (Then, that date is crossed out, and this is handwritten:) Jan. 28, 2009In accordance with The Philadelphia Code, this notice is provided as an informational courtesy only and does not create any actionable right for any resident or owner of the subject property or any neighboring property.For information concerning the demolition, please contact: CAMPANELLA JAMES ASSOC INC 1601 S CHRIS COLUMBUS BLV PHILADELPHIA,PA 19148-1404 Klehr Harrison Harvey Ronald J. Patterson, EsquirePerry Cocco (this is handwritten in, above the name below which is crossed out):Steve Gallagher, SupervisorWest District43rd and Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104-2969215-685-7680This is the building on the south side of Baltimore which sits high up on a hill, back from the street, and has the empty lot next to it which used to be a community garden. The building formerly housed a women's shelter. It's across Baltimore Ave. from the original Green Line, and across 43rd St. from Clark Park.From the UC Historical Society website:4224-26 Baltimore AveJohn Neil McGarvey, developer c.1860E.A. Wilson, architect for renovations c.1920Two, three-story, two-bay, brick with stone facade Second Empire, semi-detached houses. Distinguishing features include stone and iron fence around terraced yard, porch, segmentally arched windows, bracketed cornice, convex mansard roof with pedimented dormers and slate shingles, ground floor bay windows. 2 Contributing.Melani Lamond, Associate BrokerUrban Bye, RealtorPA License Number AB048377L3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113**The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002) _ Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_AE_Faster_022009
Re: [UC] Skunk cabbage by any other name (apologies to Juliet)
krf...@aol.com wrote: The following is an excerpt from a piece in this morning's Inquirer. I'm genuinely sickened by the thought that the city is going to run four of what we, in UC, have come to know and hate as the Foregone Conclusion Forums run by Harris Sokoloff -- now not just a prof in Penn's Graduate School of Education but the director of the Project for Civic Engagement. We've all seen how these shams operate -- a discussion carefully framed by the people who sponsor and run them, leading to vague conclusions supposedly given credence by calling them principles (or am I getting that term wrong?). Then the sponsors claim -- well, the name says it all -- civic engagement. Al Krigman From the Inquirer: --- Then, at 7 that night, the first of four community budget workshops will take place, in which residents will have an opportunity to consider actual city budget data for the 2010 fiscal year. Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Project for Civic Engagement, the forums will be run as workshops, and residents will be able to comment on the budget decisions facing department leaders. We have interactive small-group exercises for citizens to work together to figure out what they are and are not willing to live with, and what we learn from that will become the advice we give to the city, said Harris Sokoloff, director of the Project for Civic Engagement. We'll see what happens. --- without penn's help, the mayor held a series of 'town meetings' about the city budget back in december, in the wake of the news about the library cuts: http://youngphillypolitics.com/mayor_nutter039s_town_hall_meeting_schedule ironically, without even attending the first of these meetings, sokoloff was pre-emptively telling us how the mayor's meetings were all wrong and how he (sokoloff co. -- penn/inky's great expectations project and the penn project for civic engagement) had it right: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20081126_Making__town_hall__meetings_work.html the further irony here is that sokoloff co. had already conducted, in the spring, 10 forums on the budget -- one in each city council district -- where citizens were asked to talk about the mayor's six major budget areas. who is in charge here? and when? who decides when 'town forums' are done right and when they're done wrong? what is an average citizen to think? .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: [UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
Well, geez, Melani, ya know, I'd really like to get upset about that but I'm going to be busy fighting a 10-story building at 40th and Pine. I can only fight one building desecration at a time. Maybe Tom Lussenhop, Ed Halligan, Jeff Block, Danny DeRitis, Dave Adelman, Barry Grossbach, Mike Hardy, that blonde woman from 41st and Pine and the gang at the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee can help you. From: krf...@aol.comdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:03:54 -0500Subject: Re: [UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.To: UnivCity@list.purple.com In a message dated 2/10/2009 1:41:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mlam...@aol.com writes: I am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties [about the scheduled demolition] of 4224 Baltimore Ave. I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you.The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago. Melani: Is the city demolishing it, or is LI just notifying adjacent owners/residents that the demolition is taking place? If the owner is demolishing it, maybe we better be prepared for a proposal to build a high-rise that takes up both the lot it's on and the lot on the SE corner of 43rd Baltimore. If a precedence is set at 40th Pine, who can say how far it will go? If OK shoehorned onto the lot at 40th Pine, the argument would be weak to stop it at the edge of Clark Park where presumably there would be lots of space for proper setbacks, parking, a drive to pick-up and drop-off people, etc. I don't have to reiterate the story of Pandora's box to suggest the implications. Enquiring minds want to know, Al Krigman The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there.
[UC] RE: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
Do they also own the empty lot? From: owner-univcity-annou...@list.purple.com [mailto:owner-univcity-annou...@list.purple.com] On Behalf Of mlam...@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:38 PM To: univcity@list.purple.com; pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu; univcity-annou...@list.purple.com Subject: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave. I am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties of 4224 Baltimore Ave. I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you. The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago. - Melani Lamond ___ City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses Inspections January 28, 2009 NOTICE OF PENDING DEMOLITION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT: 04224 BALTIMORE AVE Pursuant to the requirements of The Philadelphia Code, Title 4, Subcode A, Section A-303-2, you are being notified by this Informational Bulletin that the structure located at the subject address is scheduled for demolition to begin on or after July 3, 2008. (Then, that date is crossed out, and this is handwritten:) Jan. 28, 2009 In accordance with The Philadelphia Code, this notice is provided as an informational courtesy only and does not create any actionable right for any resident or owner of the subject property or any neighboring property. For information concerning the demolition, please contact: CAMPANELLA JAMES ASSOC INC 1601 S CHRIS COLUMBUS BLV PHILADELPHIA,PA 19148-1404 Klehr Harrison Harvey Ronald J. Patterson, Esquire Perry Cocco (this is handwritten in, above the name below which is crossed out): Steve Gallagher, Supervisor West District 43rd and Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2969 215-685-7680 This is the building on the south side of Baltimore which sits high up on a hill, back from the street, and has the empty lot next to it which used to be a community garden. The building formerly housed a women's shelter. It's across Baltimore Ave. from the original Green Line, and across 43rd St. from Clark Park. From the UC Historical Society website: 4224-26 Baltimore Ave John Neil McGarvey, developer c.1860 E.A. Wilson, architect for renovations c.1920 Two, three-story, two-bay, brick with stone facade Second Empire, semi-detached houses. Distinguishing features include stone and iron fence around terraced yard, porch, segmentally arched windows, bracketed cornice, convex mansard roof with pedimented dormers and slate shingles, ground floor bay windows. 2 Contributing. Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban Bye, Realtor PA License Number AB048377L 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113 ** The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
Re: [UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave. - why who what for
Y' all may want to start doing some research. 1) Is the building be demo' ed, because the developer. too late realized it was not suitable for condo conversion _http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DEEDB1038F937A25757C0A963948260_ (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DEEDB1038F937A25757C0A963948260) 2) Or, it is more economical to pay property tax on vacant land than one with an already assessed building? ( And, we know, Jim hates to pay RE tax.) 3) Of course a value driven NY developer like _http://www.thylan.com/_ (http://www.thylan.com/) is not going to let his money under produce in today's economy, when many union pension funds are funding developments to keep their people working, their unions strong, and their funds earning better than market rates or is avoid market losses. Nice foot print + park location + great trolley lines + inadequate on-street parking = nice high rise development. I will not admonish you, but fear for an unanticipated changing lifestyle can be crippling. Perhaps, it is time to set aside your wimpy leftist lifestyles, as people with power and money who aren't really from the hood - take it over. Or, you can just take your money and run after Obama's taxmen take their big cuts. Why not try upholding a more American lifestyle - Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Ciao, Craig **The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
[UC] Re: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
Don't worry Mel, if SHCA/UCHS won't stand in solidarity with you; the FOC-UPs are always ready to be the voice of the community!The FOC-UPsheldunannounced open public forumsaboutthese towers weeks ago, in the shadows of a new moon, andthe community's unanimousvoice will be heard! After careful deliberative democracy and civic engagement, the communityagrees with Penn real estate, the Trustees and their mayor;that a 40 story tower should be built at 43rd and Baltimore and a 50 story tower on 46th, between Springfield and Chester. For the community, Glenn Chairman of the Zoning and Dog Biscuit committees, the FOC-UPs -Original Message- From: mlam...@aol.com Sent: Feb 10, 2009 1:38 PM To: univcity@list.purple.com, pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu, univcity-annou...@list.purple.com Subject: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave. I am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties of 4224 Baltimore Ave. I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you.The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago.- Melani Lamond___City of PhiladelphiaDepartment of Licenses InspectionsJanuary 28, 2009NOTICE OF PENDING DEMOLITION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT:04224 BALTIMORE AVEPursuant to the requirements of The Philadelphia Code, Title 4, Subcode "A," Section A-303-2, you are being notified by this Informational Bulletin that the structure located at the subject address is scheduled for demolition to begin on or after July 3, 2008. (Then, that date is crossed out, and this is handwritten:) Jan. 28, 2009In accordance with The Philadelphia Code, this notice is provided as an informational courtesy only and does "not create any actionable right for any resident or owner of the subject property or any neighboring property."For information concerning the demolition, please contact: CAMPANELLA JAMES ASSOC INC 1601 S CHRIS COLUMBUS BLV PHILADELPHIA,PA 19148-1404 Klehr Harrison Harvey Ronald J. Patterson, EsquirePerry Cocco (this is handwritten in, above the name below which is crossed out):Steve Gallagher, SupervisorWest District43rd and Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104-2969215-685-7680This is the building on the south side of Baltimore which sits high up on a hill, back from the street, and has the empty lot next to it which used to be a community garden. The building formerly housed a women's shelter. It's across Baltimore Ave. from the original Green Line, and across 43rd St. from Clark Park.From the UC Historical Society website:4224-26 Baltimore AveJohn Neil McGarvey, developer c.1860E.A. Wilson, architect for renovations c.1920Two, three-story, two-bay, brick with stone facade Second Empire, semi-detached houses. Distinguishing features include stone and iron fence around terraced yard, porch, segmentally arched windows, bracketed cornice, convex mansard roof with pedimented dormers and slate shingles, ground floor bay windows. 2 Contributing.Melani Lamond, Associate BrokerUrban Bye, RealtorPA License Number AB048377L3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113**The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002) You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see .
Re: [UC] Skunk cabbage by any other name (apologies to Juliet)
Another explosion in the question-mark factory! To all of them, fortunately, there is a simple answer. Mayor Nutter is in charge of Mayor Nutter's budget. So he decides every aspect of its presentation as well. That would include whether 'town forums' are done right or wrong. He is elected and accountable to average citizens in the usual ways. So the A.C. should think whatever he likes of this choice of this Mayor, and express it in the usual ways. -- Tony West the further irony here is that sokoloff co. had already conducted, in the spring, 10 forums on the budget -- one in each city council district -- where citizens were asked to talk about the mayor's six major budget areas. who is in charge here? and when? who decides when 'town forums' are done right and when they're done wrong? what is an average citizen to think? .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] Tax/government reformer is in the race for city controller
A very interesting fellow, indeed. Hard to pigeonhole. -- Tony West From today's Inquirer. I don't agree with everything Mandel advocates ... details as the race heats up ... but I think he's the kind of person this city needs in elective office. Al Krigman You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] RE: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.
Yes -Original Message- From: Bill Sanderson bill_sander...@msn.com To: univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:04 pm Subject: [UC] RE: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave. Do they also own the empty lot? ? From: owner-univcity-annou...@list.purple.com [mailto:owner-univcity-annou...@list.purple.com] On Behalf Of mlam...@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:38 PM To: univcity@list.purple.com; pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu; univcity-annou...@list.purple.com Subject: [UC-Announce] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave. ? I am copying below a letter, which is now being circulated, sent by LI to neighboring properties of 4224 Baltimore Ave.? I'm not technologically able to put the letter online where you all can look at the actual letter, but if someone would like to do that, I can scan send it to you. The Campenella name may ring a bell: he was the developer planning the proposed homeless shelter at 45th Chestnut several years ago. - Melani Lamond ___ City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses Inspections January 28, 2009 NOTICE OF PENDING DEMOLITION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT: 04224 BALTIMORE AVE Pursuant to the requirements of The Philadelphia Code, Title 4, Subcode A, Section A-303-2, you are being notified by this Informational Bulletin that the structure located at the subject address is scheduled for demolition to begin on or after July 3, 2008.? (Then, that date is crossed out, and this is handwritten:)? Jan. 28, 2009 In accordance with The Philadelphia Code, this notice is provided as an informational courtesy only and does not create any actionable right for any resident or owner of the subject property or any neighboring property. For information concerning the demolition, please contact: CAMPANELLA JAMES ASSOC INC 1601 S CHRIS COLUMBUS BLV PHILADELPHIA,PA 19148-1404 Klehr Harrison Harvey Ronald J. Patterson, Esquire Perry Cocco (this is handwritten in, above the name below which is crossed out): Steve Gallagher, Supervisor West District 43rd and Market Street Philadelphia, PA? 19104-2969 215-685-7680 This is the building on the south side of Baltimore which sits high up on a hill, back from the street, and has the empty lot next to it which used to be a community garden.? The building formerly housed a women's shelter.? It's across Baltimore Ave. from the original Green Line, and across 43rd St. from Clark Park. From the UC Historical Society website: 4224-26 Baltimore Ave John Neil McGarvey, developer? c.1860 E.A. Wilson, architect for renovations??? c.1920 Two, three-story, two-bay, brick with stone facade Second Empire, semi-detached houses.? Distinguishing features include stone and iron fence around terraced yard, porch, segmentally arched windows, bracketed cornice, convex mansard roof with pedimented dormers and slate shingles, ground floor bay windows.? 2 Contributing. Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban Bye, Realtor PA License Number AB048377L 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113 ** The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
Re: [UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor
Wilma, Sorry but there is a need for me and, I suspect, for many other neighbors who are not as well versed as you are in these groups' history. The only Friends of group I know well is Clark Park. In that case the group sprang up in the mid-'70s to oppose the hijacking of a beloved statue by Fairmount Park. It was completely grass-roots in origin and has remained so to this day. It was not formed by another community Association when things haven't gone quite their way. One of its founding Board Members, Fran Byers, has sat continuously on its Board until this very day, so I have an excellent information source. You may be right about the other five groups. Wilma, Karen, anybody? -- Which community Associations founded Friends of the Firehouse Market, Friends of Woodlands Cemetery, Friends of Calvary Church, Friends of UCD and Friends of 40th St.? I don't think some of these groups are even called Friends of ... anything. Maybe they are five very different critters. But if they were, in fact, founded as sub-community groups by community Associations who, for some reason, couldn't get what they wanted by acting in their own name ... then people who know that history should name the founder groups, and also explain why they had to start a side-group, to accomplish what end. -- Tony West I am speaking of those who have been a part of all UC community Associations for *at least the past 15 years* who have had a hand in the directing the tone of the neighborhood who are at the forefront of latest skirmish with citizens about the Campus Inn. As Ray stated earlier they have also traditionally formed sub-community groups whenever things haven't gone quite their way, such as the various and sundry Friends groups. To this you might insert many names and more I cannot think of right now. To wit, The Friends of The: a) Firehouse Market b) Woodlands c) Calvary Church d) UCD e) Clark Park f) 40th St. The common thread is these groups form when there is direct opposition by community members to a project which they favor, or the way those in charge would like things done. I have been in the inner circle as you say, of several UC community organizations and am intimately acquainted as to how they function. During several of the above Friends engagements, I was record keeper. There is no need for a study here. The modus operandii has not changed, except for perhaps a few new faces. The greatest changes is at whom this M.O. it is directed unfortunately. -W You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Question about PGW and apartments
I have some friends who live nearby in a typical three-story building with one apartment on each floor. I've known tenants there for many years, and it seems very clear to me that they live in the one apartment that gets gas bills which are VERY MUCH higher than the other two floors. This has gone on for many years, with different tenants. To me, this is a case where the gas meters were almost certainly divided incorrectly. I know from personal experience -- many years ago! -- when I was in an apartment where the electric metering was wrong, and I was paying to air-condition someone else's apartment! My question is: what is the tenant's recourse? They have contacted PGW and so far have been met with indifference at best. The building owner is out of town, and the local agent also seems uninterested to help out. They have pretty strong evidence that their bill is considerably out of line with the other two tenants. Any thoughts from any tenants or apartment property owners? Thanks very much Roger Harman
Re: [UC] Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor
Tony, Perhaps I have erroneously included The Friends of Clark Park amongst the various and sundry Friends spin-offs; but therein lies the rub. As you stated, to YOUR knowledge this group was not created in response to drive other established community groups' agendas when things have not gone quite their way. You may be quite right about that particular group. Still, there are community members who have joined the established UC community organizations over the years, who have pledged many hours/years and personal funds, and even slightly neglected their own families and relationships to support neighborhood issues their very credible community leaders charged them to do. There are also those, old and newly recruited, who have given their all for various Friends Of groups who perhaps felt the same as you do. The point is now many of those who have served faithfully are now without the powerful UC Community organizations backed Friends to advocate for them. The hurting thing is the opposing community members to this hotel project are desperately trying to uphold the original vision of the established UC leaders and community organizations they represent. Now they find themselves at cross purposes. Any human, even if they do not agree, should understand their sense of betrayal. Tweaking noses on this listserv one does not negate the efforts and costs of our neighbors spent in service to this community just because Penn is a big economic machine. -W On 2/10/09 6:16 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Wilma, Sorry but there is a need for me and, I suspect, for many other neighbors who are not as well versed as you are in these groups' history. The only Friends of group I know well is Clark Park. In that case the group sprang up in the mid-'70s to oppose the hijacking of a beloved statue by Fairmount Park. It was completely grass-roots in origin and has remained so to this day. It was not formed by another community Association when things haven't gone quite their way. One of its founding Board Members, Fran Byers, has sat continuously on its Board until this very day, so I have an excellent information source. You may be right about the other five groups. Wilma, Karen, anybody? -- Which community Associations founded Friends of the Firehouse Market, Friends of Woodlands Cemetery, Friends of Calvary Church, Friends of UCD and Friends of 40th St.? I don't think some of these groups are even called Friends of ... anything. Maybe they are five very different critters. But if they were, in fact, founded as sub-community groups by community Associations who, for some reason, couldn't get what they wanted by acting in their own name ... then people who know that history should name the founder groups, and also explain why they had to start a side-group, to accomplish what end. -- Tony West I am speaking of those who have been a part of all UC community Associations for *at least the past 15 years* who have had a hand in the directing the tone of the neighborhood who are at the forefront of latest skirmish with citizens about the Campus Inn. As Ray stated earlier they have also traditionally formed sub-community groups whenever things haven't gone quite their way, such as the various and sundry Friends groups. To this you might insert many names and more I cannot think of right now. To wit, The Friends of The: a) Firehouse Market b) Woodlands c) Calvary Church d) UCD e) Clark Park f) 40th St. The common thread is these groups form when there is direct opposition by community members to a project which they favor, or the way those in charge would like things done. I have been in the inner circle as you say, of several UC community organizations and am intimately acquainted as to how they function. During several of the above Friends engagements, I was record keeper. There is no need for a study here. The modus operandii has not changed, except for perhaps a few new faces. The greatest changes is at whom this M.O. it is directed unfortunately. -W You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Balt imore Ave.
In a message dated 2/10/09 3:02:09 PM, kallena...@msn.com writes: Well, geez, Melani, ya know, I'd really like to get upset about that but I'm going to be busy fighting a 10-story building at 40th and Pine. I can only fight one building desecration at a time. Maybe Tom Lussenhop, Ed Halligan, Jeff Block, Danny DeRitis, Dave Adelman, Barry Grossbach, Mike Hardy, that blonde woman from 41st and Pine and the gang at the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee can help you. Karen, I'm sorry that you feel the need to personalize the things that I write about on the listservs. What I write is not meant to be about you! When you respond this way, I'm afraid that it may make you look unprofessional, unfortunately. You are a well-spoken attorney, and when you testify before city officials, you present your viewpoint clearly and compellingly. I am always glad, when you and I are working together in front of the Zoning Board as representatives of the CPN zoning committee, that you speak so eloquently on CPN's behalf. I don't know why you want to write in this other way, to and about me, in front of the listserv audience. The hotel issue is clearly something about which you and I have differing opinions - my focus is on restoring the Italianate building; your concern is with the height issue and the new building's appearance and potential uses. I think that each of our opinions has merit, and I regret that many folks have become so unpleasant in their passion. I think that this has led to exaggerations and stretching of the truth, which is regrettable. With your suggestion on Monday that the hotel's most strident and outspoken supporters.just happen to be mostly real estate agents and your comment that All of this is to say that 'the community' can be hijacked by those with self interests who are willing to throw the actual community under the Penn bus, you imply that I, as a real estate agent and supporter, have something personal to gain by a hotel going into that location. I don't; to the contrary, it will actually be competition for my Carriage House on 46th St., which I rent out for similar short term stay uses, to the very types of visitors which the Campus Inn expects to attract! And if the hotel is built, it will not present me with any sales opportunities, and I have never worked as an agent for Tom Lussenhop, David Adelman, or the University of Pennsylvania. To the contrary, lending my name in support of this project actually has the potential to COST me future real estate business, since those who disagree with me are unlikely to call me when they want to buy or sell houses. What do you see as my self interest? As a pragmatic preservationist, I merely want to see the old house restored! You, as an old friend of mine and a board colleague at three different UC organizations in the past, are well aware that I have from time to time had differences of opinion with Penn - and with many of the folks that you mention above, as well. In those cases, I've fought for the same side that you have. My relationship with my surroundings is not knee jerk; it is issue-driven, and I think for myself - and you know that very well! I regret that you choose to paint me with such a limited brush. Our community would be so much better off if we could look more closely at the merit of the issues before us, rather than only at the names of the persons supporting or opposing them. And we'd lead much less stressful lives if we could respect one another's' different opinions, honestly fight the good fight, and then shake hands and move forward without being vocal, angry enemies for life. I do not consider you an enemy, and I know that I will continue to attend Cedar Park Neighbors zoning meetings with you, and work with you before the ZBA, and appreciate your skills thoughts. And I have no wish to attack you personally on community listservs. Let us try to work in thoughtful, professional ways, even if we have different opinions. Melani Lamond Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban Bye, Realtor PA License Number AB048377L 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113 ** The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi0002)
