Letters

Full of promise
About a month ago I had the pleasure of visiting Chestnut Hill to tour residential apartments in the heart of the business district. While working on a retail recruitment strategy in another town on the Main Line, I was advised to explore the residential and retail successes in Chestnut Hill. Although I am not a Chestnut Hill local, I felt compelled to share how impressed I am with the urban living opportunities in your downtown

As an urban planner, I am well aware that residences in commercial districts are a critical component of retail vitality. In Chestnut Hill, I toured several of Bowman Properties’ charming apartments. The apartments I visited represented a variety of layouts and price ranges, which allows for a diverse residential contingency in downtown. I was also pleasantly surprised with the amount of natural light in each apartment — from skylights to French doors to verandas to additional windows, light was a high priority. Furthermore, the attention to detail was excellent, as was the respect for the historic integrity of the buildings throughout renovations.

After visiting Chestnut Hill and admiring the existing retail successes and urban residences, I was surprised when I stumbled upon the April 28th “Empty Promise” article in the Chestnut Hill Local. It seems that Bowman Properties is adhering to a merchandising plan that prioritizes the overall well-being of Chestnut Hill by waiting for the appropriate tenant. I commend Mr. Snowden for his patience and also for rehabilitating spaces above retail into stellar living opportunities. I could not help but note the important residential rehab successes in your business district and pay a compliment to all of those (landlords, businesses, property owners) who have dedicated years and finances to the economic vitality and livability of Chestnut Hill. I think it is important for communities everywhere appreciate their existing good fortune and routinely acknowledge accomplishments.

Michelle Bowen
Washington, DC

A town at war with itself
It was with sadness that I learned that Suzanne Biemiller has resigned as executive director of the Chestnut Hill Business Association. However, it was inevitable: she simply was too good for us and way better than we deserved.

But who in their right mind would want her job? This town is at war with itself.

On one hand, you have the Community Association, a pack of shrews drunk on democracy whose only purpose appears to be preventing anything positive from happening. They are unwilling and, most likely, unable to make a financial investment in this community but they still posture themselves as the preservers, saviors and guardians against anyone who just might. Like rabid dogs, they await their next command from Falmouth, Maine. Their shining moment: the Napoleon fiasco.

On the other hand, you have the landlords of the vacant stores, jackals greedily baying for $40 per square foot rent in a $20 per square foot market, convinced that an empty storefront still meets the financial proformas they prepare for their lenders and posturing that, by keeping their stores vacant, it is they who are truly protecting the Hill. Their finest hour: Under the Blue Moon

Does anyone doubt that these people are the same? Pretentious, self-important, presumptuous, delusional. A plague on both their houses!
Where have all the reasonable people gone? Most are hiding, unwilling to get involved. Can you blame them? The lunatics are in charge of the asylum.
However, there are some who soldier on through the process and we wish them — and Suzanne’s successor — all the best of luck: they need it.

Thomas Howard Tarantino
Chestnut Hill

Break-up not needed
With new members now joining the CHCA board of directors, some have asked me to give my thoughts based on experience.

Since I retired as community manager 2 1/2 years ago to get remarried, and moved out of Chestnut Hill (not far, only to Blue Bell), my sadness over many of the actions of the present board has been increasing. My opinion about changing the community manager position into three part-time jobs is that this is totally unnecessary and actually detrimental.

I certainly was not at all stretched in the job, and all the rental units of the Fund buildings were rented (improvements made to one). We helped Maurice McCarthy have the Community Fund drive reach an all-time high; the Local became soundly profitable (as business manager, I changed printing companies, which saved $50,000 per year); accurate records were kept of all committees with support provided as needed; and all three units were in the black. This is not at all to say that I did any special job — merely to point out that I feel from experience that one person, present on a full-time basis, is the best way to fill this position.

Unfortunately some executive committee members misunderstood Maurice’s desire for the way the financial aspects of the three groups should be handled, which led to some of their thinking about breaking apart the job. If executive committee minutes were presented to the board monthly, as they are supposed to be, members would have known what was being considered and could have given their input on a timely basis.
I also felt it was very helpful for the community to have the paid secretary attend all board meetings so that questions which arose later could be answered promptly.

Harry M. K. Johnston
Blue Bell

Run for the Hill of It
Run for the Hill of It, raises money
for a worthy cause for you.
Those that need can benefit
from many who care too.

It takes place toward
the end of July each year,
Where many hundreds of
people compete and cheer.

Whether you’re a sponsor, walk,
run or participate from the sideline,
You’ll be supporting the event
and that’s fine.

Have a donut,
get a massage,
enjoy a drink or a fruit;
Join with your friends
and root

You are an important part
of the team,
Whose goal it is to realize
a family’s dream.

Barry Farber

Clean the station
Re: Litter at the underpass by the Wyndmoor Train Station
Recently I called the Local to inquire who was on the CHCA aesthetics committee. I was told to call Sanjiv Jain. I called Mr. Jain and left a phone message regarding the litter, abandoned newspaper boxes and shopping carts left at the Wyndmoor train station underpass on Willow Grove Avenue. I asked if something could be done to remove the blight on our neighborhood. I did not receive a return phone call. I took photos of the site, which shows 14 newspaper boxes, SuperFresh shopping carts and a littered pavement. I sent a note and the photos to Mr. Jain. I did not hear from him.

In my note I asked if the newspaper boxes could be removed, since many of them are used as trash bins and one shows evidence of being set on fire. I also requested a trash receptacle to be placed near the underpass.

The Wyndmoor train station parking lot garden is attended by a dedicated group, but they are not expected to clean up after the litterbugs.

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Chestnut Hill

Tremendous thanks
Good neighbors, beautiful setting and spectacular hors d ‘oeuvres were all included at the CHCA Town Meeting on May 26 at the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential. Kathy Knell and the Institute were most accommodating and quickly pitched in to assist. The rains passed allowing us to enjoy the lush grounds!

A thank you is extended to Paul Roller for his presentation of delectable hors d’oeuvres and his generous spirit, which goes along with his evident commitment to the community.

Jane Piotrowski worked magic with the array of flowers displayed on the band table.

The young people of our community deserve a special thank you for their volunteer spirit. They stepped into big shoes helping at an event that was previously served by the tireless efforts of the women of the Chestnut Hill Local office. The meal flowed smoothly with hostesses Anne Dwyer, Mary Dwyer, Tara Elnitski, Liz Lasek, Matt McNamara, Brendan Ryan, Ben Shields and Mark Zakrzewski: Teenagers, Inc. alums Caitlin Dwyer, Colin Koch, and Francesca Lorenz served as bartenders.

If you missed it, we are sorry! A delightful evening was had by all!

Marianne Dwyer
Chestnut Hill