I found SCRUB's message about Krajewski's proposed legislation in City Council to essentially open up all of Fairmount Park to commercial development so absolutely incredible that I decided to wait for another source to confirm before voicing my outrage. I did suspect, however, that if the news were accurate, someone with deep pockets had gotten to our esteemed Concilwoman. Indeed, this morning's edition of the Inquirer confirms that the principle of "follow-the-money" never fails, at least in Philadelphia! It seems that this piece of legislation, whose scope is so broad and so voracious, is only intended, according to its backer, to address some issues regarding a single particular site: Glen Foerd, a historic mansion on the Delaware River, whose building and grounds are part of the Fairmount Park system. These have been under license for quite a few years to a very successful catering company, Conroy Caterers and it seems clear that the push for this legislation must be related somehow to their operations. I called the office of the non-profit group that runs the site, the Glen Foerd Conservancy, and inquired about the issues involved. Not unexpectedly, I got the brush-off by the woman in the business office ("I don't really know... this is all just happening today...this is being handled by the board of trustees...you'll have to speak to one of them", etc). It was obvious that she had been instructed not to answer any questions. Fair enough, but remember, the city does own the site and taxpayers have footed the bill for plenty of restorations through government grants. I have no beef with Conroy Catering. Indeed, we had a very enjoyable family celebration there a few years ago and found them to be perfectly agreeable people. They provide a legitimate service very well and keep a fair number of people working. But they are clearly ambitious and have expanded their business greatly over the last few years. They even had a run-in with L&I over excessive noise a few years back. One can only imagine what they might want to do at this site that would require Krajewski to introduce legislation with such a stunning potential for harm to our entire park system and, hence, to the city as a whole. As lame as the Fairmount Park Commission sometimes seemed to be, I voted against its abolition and the placement of the parks more directly under city control. I sensed that there would be trouble-in-store if that happened and I have not been disappointed, just shocked that it came so fast. Our City Council - so slow to produce any meaningful change, so quick to pounce on the main chance! Mary **************Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in the U.S. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlcntustrav00000002)