Reasons to be thankful

Over the Thanksgiving week my family and I had the good fortune to be introduced to five wonderful families staying at St. Paul's Church. They are homeless families who are turning their lives around with the help of the Northwest Interfaith Hospitality Network. St. Paul's graciously houses the families and the parishioners from St. Martin's and O.M.C. provide meals, this time for two weeks.

We thought instead of just meals ... how about we gather some toys, games, coats, mittens etc.? Many friends contributed baby clothes, sweaters and nice winter coats. We would especially like to thank Chestnut Hill Sporting Goods, who gave us five pairs of sneakers, sweatshirts, pants, shorts and many T-shirts; The Happy Butterfly; Flourtown Sporting Goods; The Women's Exchange (for their home baked goodies); and Monkey Business , who generously donated three large bags of clothes and boots. At a time when profit margins are tight, we would like to thank all of the wonderful merchants who came together to help these good people.

We are so proud to be a part of this incredible community.

The Mutch Family

Missing reference

The rather fawning article about Beth Stroud and the "discipline" meted out by the Methodist Church, despite taking three pages, did not mention Jesus Christ ONCE, and God only twice. The first was in terms of Beth wondering what God had for her next. The answer is obvious, as God has already spoken, and repentance is required to enter the kingdom of God. All have sinned, and all must come the same way. Homosexuality is not a protected class in the economy of God. Those who practice that sin have to come in the same way as those who have sinned in other ways, such as racism, fornication, murder, theft, pride, etc. The second was that some supporters wanted God to hasten the day he would accept sin -- an utterly blasphemous view of a Holy God who created us male and female and has been specific about what is and what is not acceptable to him.

It is a tragedy that so many "churches" are nothing more than social organizations. The true church holds to the standards of the infallible Word of God, and would not allow any person who is in open rebellion to the heart and voice of God to teach in any capacity, with or without a frock. That is the reason that so many compromised "churches" are struggling and that those who preach the unadulterated Word of God are flourishing.

John A. Teets
Horsham

East Bell's Mill project is not the answer

Traffic engineers sometimes become strident and arrogant when advocating that their way of road building is the only way.

Take, for example, the remarks from Joe Syrnick, Philadelphia's chief engineer and surveyor, quoted in the Dec. 2 Local on the East Bell's Mill Road project as saying: "People know about this project, even though some are in denial ... I'm sure we'll get some opposition, but we're out to improve neighborhoods."

Well, I've got news for Mr. Syrnick: What's proposed for the short link of Bell's Mill Road between Germantown and Stenton Avenues, will not improve that neighborhood. Adding curbs and sidewalks will remove the trees and stone walls that lend an almost rural charm to this pocket of Chestnut Hill.

What Mr. Syrnick and the city's Streets Department proposes to do trashes the character of this neighborhood. The only road and traffic changes worthy of tampering are adjustments to the curve in the middle of the link and enforcement of the 25 MPH speed limit.

In the early 1990s, the city tried to remove trees and put in sidewalks along Wissahickon Avenue in Mt. Airy and failed due to strong neighborhood opposition. Hopefully the same fate awaits Mr. Syrnick, who is anxious to capitalize on matching federal road funds. These dollars would be better spent getting Cresheim Valley Drive rebuilt and open to traffic -- sooner rather than later.

William Hengst
West Mt. Airy

Leave it alone

Every resident of Chestnut Hill should read the article in the Local (12/2/04) about East Bells Mill Road and view it as a cautionary tale. If a city employee can decide what's best for East Bells Mill Road despite unremitting opposition to the city's proposal from every corner of the neighborhood, not just the residents of the street, then we are losing control over a bureaucracy run amok.

We have repeatedly asked the city to fix the "infamous curve," but instead they have exacerbated the problem at that location by installing "Jersey" barriers, which inhibit drainage and create wet conditions even on relatively dry days. That being said, since the road was designated one way in 1992, it has been as safe as any city road that carries traffic.

The city contends that it will improve the quality of our lives and it will increase the value of our houses, but by "suburbanizing" the road with sidewalks and concrete curbing, the very reason why many choose Chestnut Hill over the suburbs (i.e. its charm) is destroyed.

The most inane aspect of this project may be its size. This is less than a half-mile stretch of road that will be "modernized" just enough so that commuters can speed for three-tenths of a mile before they must come to a screeching halt at a stop sign. And even though the city engineers assure us they will do a "nice" job, using their aesthetic sensibilities, how nice can the job be when it only has a budget of $1 million.

The city needs to stop wasting its money with their endless surveys and revamped drawings and get off Bells Mill Road. As they cry about lack of funds to repair Cresheim Valley Road (which has been closed since the devastating rains in August), they continue to run roughshod over residents of Bells Mill Rd. and concerned citizens in Chestnut Hill.

This wouldn't happen in Gwynedd or Malvern. Please help us by expressing your outrage to our politicians.

Janice Manzi
Chestnut Hill

Good coverage appreciated

Thank you for Mike Benigno and Michael Mishak's very comprehensive article in the Dec. 9 Chestnut Hill Local regarding the restoration of the Black Horse Inn. It was a balanced and thorough exploration of a complex subject. It's nice to know that our neighbors in Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities are aware of and care about issues in Springfield Township. Many residents of Springfield are loyal readers of your paper and are grateful for your coverage of our local issues.

I certainly hope that the Local will continue its coverage of concerns in Springfield, such as our schools, local elections and township activities. Know it's greatly appreciated.

J. McGrane
Flourtown