Letters

Effective writing

The only thing in Thomas Keels’ letter (May 19, Local) that makes sense is his remark that the first section of the Local is much improved under the paper’s new editorial leadership. The excellent editorials by James Sturdivant are a vast improvement over those by the previous editor, whose poorly written non-opinion pieces were basically a waste of space.

However, Keels’ criticisms of Len Lear’s article on Cafette reveal his own ignorance about what constitutes effective writing. I can still recall teachers in high school and college urging us to make use of metaphors, similes, colorful figures of speech and humor for more effective writing. Very few of us are able to actually pull it off, however, but Len Lear does it week after week.

Apparently Mr. Keels does not understand the difference between hard news, which is pretty much straightforward, just-the-facts-ma’am reporting, and entertainment features, which give the writer much more latitude to use puns, metaphors, etc., which Len Lear and every other outstanding feature writer at great papers like the New York Times employ.

Expressions like “triumph of mind over platter” and “a license to thrill” are examples of the humorous, entertaining writing I have enjoyed so much from Len Lear over the years at various newspapers and magazines. Apparently Mr. Keels would like every article to read like an obituary. Fortunately for regular readers of the Local, however, Len Lear’s articles are consistently entertaining as well as informative.

Albert DeMarco
Mt. Airy

Co-op members deserve credit

The Chestnut Hill Local ran a headline article about a deal between Weavers Way's former bookkeeper and the District Attorney’s office regarding events that resulted in the co-op's financial crisis in the winter of 2002 (“Former co-op bookkeeper strikes deal, will pay $30,000,” 5/19). Several other articles and letters have appeared in both the Local and the Mt. Airy Times-Express regarding these events.

One point that has often been misrepresented concerns the role of the $100,000 loan to the co-op from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. This loan has repeatedly been characterized in the press as a bail out; indeed, the Local's last article stated, "Facing shuttering, Weavers Way was rescued ... after receiving a $100,000 loan from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation ..." This was simply not the case, and it is both historically inaccurate and a disservice to the co-op's members and staff to report this loan as a bailout.

The fact is, what saved the co-op had occurred months before the PIDC loan, and was the combination of: 1) the members agreeing to a 5 percent surcharge on all purchases for three months; 2) cuts in staff compensation; 3) the willingness of our vendors to work with us; 4) a fundraiser organized by volunteers; 5) the sale of one of our buildings; and 6) the continued patronage of our dedicated members, who eventually voted to have their equity written down to reflect the losses, which strengthened the co-op's balance sheet.

The city loan actually arrived in the spring of 2003, when the co-op had already begun its financial turnaround and was in the midst of its first operationally profitable quarter in years. One of the main effects of the city loan –– and its primary intent –– was to shorten the amount of time before we could proceed with our expansion plans. The city representatives we talked to were disappointed when the financial crisis put those plans on hold, potentially losing an opportunity for a new business in Mt. Airy. Thanks in part to the city loan, the co-op recently purchased an adjacent building and is planning the next expansion.

Nevertheless, I want to reiterate that it was mainly Weavers Way's own membership that "rescued" the co-op, both via the many members that volunteered time on committees and the board and the thousands of members that kept investing and shopping in the store they own. Weaver’s Way is now 3,000 member households strong and has run a healthy bottom line for nine straight quarters. To credit the city with a "bailout" or "rescue" is a disservice to the people whose hard work and commitment brought about our financial turnaround.

Norman Weiss
Purchasing Manager, Weavers Way Cooperative Association 

Sugarloaf’s future

A golden opportunity appears to exist in Chestnut Hill to call upon our extensive resources for a project that would benefit the community and beyond.

Sugarloaf Conference Center, at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Bell’s Mill Road, is not being used since Temple University returned it to the Greenfield Foundation. A prominent Philadelphia artist pointed out to me what an ideal location it would be for an artists’ study center similar to the Yaddo center for creative artists in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Given its close proximity to the Woodmere Art Museum, it would have a natural “campus” extension to this museum, which focuses on artists from the greater Philadelphia area.

The development of a prestigious artists’ retreat in our midst would follow Chestnut Hill’s history of being a haven for artists. This traces back to the late 1800s, when Violet Oakley and her female artist friends lived and worked here. The Loillet stained glass studio is a further example of top quality artisans mentoring young artisans in the fine techniques of stained glass that is recognized and used nationwide. And there is the tradition of skilled Italian stonemasons, who have so enhanced Chestnut Hill.

The majority of the art students who graduate from the four major art colleges in Philadelphia continue to live in the greater Philadelphia area, including Chester and Bucks county. As they mature as artists, a six-month work retreat to beautiful Sugarloaf and the neighboring Fairmount Park would hold much appeal. Further, the opportunity to mentor younger artists through seminars there is not hard to imagine. This could culminate in an annual show of their work and a community festival at the Woodmere.

Foundation grants and support would need to be sought. Tireless energy would be required. But the benefits could be dazzling.

Barbara Russell
Chestnut Hill

Vices in common

Re: The articles, “Former co-op bookkeeper strikes deal, will pay 30,000,” “Vaughn to step down from nonprofit post”; the editorial, “Tears of a clown” — all three appearing in the May 19 Local.

All three of the above have one thing in common ... they are about thieves, crooks or descriptions that are not fit to print in a family newspaper.

When I started my career many years ago with the #1 insurance company in the world as a sales agent, we were responsible for approximately $3,000 to $4,000 of clients’ premiums per month.

When balancing our accounts at the end of the month, if they were off by $25 or less, either over or short, we could put in or take out the money. Over $25 called for an audit by management. If an agent was caught stealing, no matter what the amount, the agent was fired. Management was criticized for their lack of overseeing the operation. In some instances, they were demoted or fired.

How things have changed over the years … maybe if we put the thieves mentioned in a “little chain gang” chopping dead timber into firewood down in Valley Green, it might — just might — be food for thought for those in positions of authority or money handling with larceny on the brain to change their minds.Wadd’ya think?

Tom Woodruff
Oreland