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=emlcntusmusi00000002)
