July 26, 2007 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
From our readersWoodmere comments How surprised I was to read your front-page article [“Court ruling sends Woodmere back to zoning review,” July 19] on the recent favorable ruling by the Commonwealth Court regarding Woodmere Art Museum. Although the recap of the decision and the events that preceded it is fairly accurate, my concern is with the erroneous and misleading statements in the final paragraph; statements that I know as a fact, Woodmere did not provide. To set the record straight: (1) The Museum is not losing, nor has it lost, any funds while waiting for an end to the appeals, and (2) there is not, nor has there ever been, any thought to go back to the drawing board for a new plan. Woodmere Art Museum is an acknowledged cultural asset to the Philadelphia region. Indeed, the court’s strong affirmation of the museum’s right to expand has energized the board and its ongoing commitment to bring valuable artistic and educational experiences to the community. Vivian Gast Ed. note: The statement at the end of the story regarding the loss of funds came from an interview with Michael Schantz, executive director of the museum, last September 1, 2006, in which Schantz said that the delay in the project has led to a halt in fundraising efforts for the project. He said government grant applications have been put on hold and estimated that costs for the project were increasing one percent every year because of inflation. Grammar correction Your July 19 edition featured a front-page, lead article about a community meeting regarding homeless families and the Christ Ascension Lutheran Church. As a self-proclaimed grammar cop, I took special note of the double negative in the caption under the photograph. If you say that “it is unlikely that the Church will not be used to participate,” you really mean that it is likely that the Church will participate. Some folks really believe that the paranoids are out to get us. Dr. Ron Barnes Ed. Note. The caption for the photo that accompanied the aforementioned page one story did indeed contain an erroneous double negative. The caption should have read: “…it is unlikely that personage at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church will be used to participate…and house homeless families.”
From Christ Ascension After our discussion last week, we have determined not to pursue the idea of placing a cooperative house in the Parsonage at 19 W. Southampton Avenue. We promised at the meeting that we would not move forward without neighborhood support. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk to you about the proposal of Christ Ascension Lutheran Church and Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network for cooperative housing. It took courage on everyone’s part to come into a dialogue about this proposal, and to enter into a discussion about this important work. We went into the meeting knowing that the program would not work if it did not have the support of the immediate neighbors on Southampton Avenue, but we felt that it was important to explore the possibilities with you. Although we believe in the work of the Hospitality Network and find great merit in the idea of churches using their resources to support the difficult task of housing and supporting the homeless, we also realize that the program would not work without community support. Again, we thank you for being open to a discussion last week. We also hope that the outcome of this conversation is that we can look to everyone involved in this process with understanding and compassion. If anyone is interested in learning more about the work of the Hospitality Network or if you interested in becoming involved with the network please contact Rachel Falcove at 215-247-4663; (ext. 136), or call Pastor John Saraka at 215-247-4233. In peace,
Widen views My church partners with Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (NPIHN) for a few weeks out of the year by providing families temporary housing in our building while they seek an affordable home. The experience is very positive for our congregation. Acts of hospitality can create a holy space for strangers to recognize one another as friends. NPIHN has a special ability to enable families and congregations to reach toward each other across social barriers to create this sacred space. This work is really important on a number of levels. When I read the reaction of people toward the proposal of two to three families living on the grounds of Christ Ascension Lutheran, I was very disappointed. So I ask the neighbors on Southampton Avenue and surrounding area to consider three things: (1) Widen your view beyond what you have to lose and look at what you have to gain — an amazing opportunity to help create a more hospitable corner of Philadelphia that crosses social and economic barriers. (2) At the same time, look beyond what you have to gain to what you can give — the privilege and power you hold that can be used for a greater purpose. To whom much is given, much is expected. (3) And lastly, recognize that the “burdens” you are asked to “withstand” are, in fact, women with children who don’t ask for pity or charity. They at the very least deserve our respect. The facilities offered by Christ Ascension Lutheran seem ideal to supporting the work of NPIHN. I hope enough people living in that community speak up in support of this proposal so that it may move forward. Monica Medina
CHCA audit As Treasurer of the CHCA, I must take exception to a recent letter to the Local regarding the Budget & Finance Committee. We have embraced a full agenda, and with less than two months of the new administration, we have reviewed an audit for fiscal 2006 that had been presented over four months ago but was neither acknowledged by the prior administration nor presented to the board. This was an unqualified audit prepared by an independent certified public accountant. The Budget and Finance Committee has reviewed the preliminary audit, received comments from B&F committee members, reviewed responses by the auditor, and presented the audit to the executive committee and the board for approval. This audit was approved on June 28 and the fiscal 2006 tax return was signed by me and filed with the IRS. We are seeking three competitive bids to prepare the 2007 fiscal audit and anticipate that it will be prepared and tax returns filed in a timely fashion. The most important challenge facing the B&F Committee is to assist in reversing several years of operating losses at the CHCA and the Local. As owners of the Local, the CHCA should expect a financial return on that investment which would greatly reduce the dependence of the CHCA upon fundraising events such as the Black & White Ball and Holiday House Tour for operating revenue, as well as allow for reinvestment at the Local. A review of the first fiscal quarter results are quite encouraging as net income is positive and ahead of budget. It is important that we use the many talents of the B&F Committee and the board to move ahead in a positive and constructive fashion. Morris Disston As members of the Budget and Finance Committee, we take issue with the letter in last week’s Local regarding the fiscal 2006 audit. The fiscal 2006 audit, prepared by an independent CPA, was approved by the board on June 28 and the tax returns were signed and filed by the end of June. We are in the process of selecting a firm to prepare the fiscal 2007 audit and anticipate meeting all tax filing deadlines. The 2006 audited statements will be published in the Local as soon as possible, as will the 2007 audited statements, upon their completion. The B&F Committee was specifically constructed to include strong abilities from experienced members of prior CHCA boards, CHCA and Local business management and experienced financial and accounting skills. We view the challenges facing the community as important and deserving of our full attention and best efforts. The new administration has outlined an agenda which includes initiatives to improve and simplify recordkeeping among our three entities (Local, CHCA and CHCF), assist the Local in achieving greater profitability and reviewing balance sheet items with new guidelines for financial transactions among the CHCA, Local and CHCF. We have great confidence in the leadership of the CHCA, and appreciate your support as we work towards these important goals.
Budget and Finance Committee: Morris Disston
Bulleted shenanigans There have been so many shenanigans by the NEW ORDER that I have to substitute bullet points for prose. • Those of you who bet Option #2 in last weeks’ pool may now collect your winnings. The Executive Committee met in super-secret session, not to explain their desire for ignorance about surveillance cameras on the Avenue, but to place me on double secret probation. Dean Wormer sent me an overnighted letter (your CHCA dues at work), informing me that future “inappropriate behavior” would result in BANISHMENT from meetings. (As long as they don’t take the bar I’ll be fine.) Come to the next meeting to see what I’ll do. The letter and my acerbic and profanity-free response is on the blog (chnotebook.blogspot.com). Be warned, for the Dean’s letter contains a 12-letter word with only the “u” left out, which, I guess makes it magically, uh, “clean.” DRINKING GAME ALERT! Have a shot every time “inappropriate behavior” is mentioned in their letter. • Harry M. K. Johnston, one of the “Move On” Tabernacle singers, doesn’t want an independent audit, citing his background as a bank president and community manager. Hey kids, call Al Thorell Jr. at Valley Green Bank and ask why Harry M. K. no longer works at their former place of employment, Chestnut Hill National Bank. And ask Harry himself, why, in his first year of service on the Budget and Finance Committee, he attended as many meetings as Bernard Baruch did. And to Nottingham, Gupta, Bacino, Cope and Jones, who applauded Tolis’ apology to Snowden, I hereby offer a wager. If the coal baron responds by paying his BID dues, re-opening “his” parking lot, developing his derelict properties, or any other positive step, I will apologize to you all and never again infer that had you been at Munich in 1939, we would be speaking German. • Oh, and Hillers don’t want the homeless nearby. What a shock. If they applied for treatment at Doug Doman’s Magic Castle, then Sanjiv could find them luxury accommodations Ed Feldman
Running with bulls abusive I respond to the timely, informative, dark humor essay by Jim Harris. The Running of the Bulls is a depraved prelude to the stigma of Spain, the bullfight. This Pamplonian Death March features confused, terrified bulls forced to run through the streets while rowdy revelers run alongside them and prod them on to eventual death. Attention was recently focused on the two local Lanahan brothers who were gored during the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. The injuries suffered by these two men notwithstanding, they got the better deal of this abusive spectacle. Each year people get trampled or gored, but what do they expect? People who run with the bulls knowingly put themselves in danger. The bulls have no choice. Many bulls are injured when they lose their footing on the slippery cobblestone streets or crash into the sides of buildings while being pursued by adrenalin-hyped crowds. How ironic that Michael Lanahan, who survived the pain and fear of testicular cancer, would chose to “live life to the fullest” by participating in the running of unwilling bulls toward barbaric torture, mutilation and slaughter in the bullring for entertainment. Albert Schweitzer predicted: “The time will come when public opinion will no longer tolerate amusement based on the mistreatment and killing of animals.” Gloria S. Feldscher
Thanks for article on Sandy Crimmins Thanks for writing that nice article on Sandy Crimmins [“Remembering the humor of Mt. Airy poet Sandy Crimmins,” July 19]. I knew her pretty well from her teaching at Allens Lane Art Center, and I’m also sad about losing such a cool and funny lady. Obituaries are fine, but they’re more like a resume than a warm remembrance, so I’m glad you put a more personal spin on her life. Last summer when I wrote that remembrance of sculptor Richard Lieberman, Sandy replied saying she was glad to know more about him as a person, so I think she would be very appreciative of your article in today’s issue of the Local. Amy Masterman
To improve the country … There are two ways in which our country can return to what it once was: First, we must stop sending troops to Iraq. The cost so far for this terrible mistake is close to half a trillion. President Bush has suggested that this fiasco can go on for years. Thus, it is well possible that unless halted, the total cost may well be close to one trillion dollars. The second area, which needs correcting, is to rescind Bush’s tax cuts for the most wealthy among us. (His big campaign donators.) The billions saved can be used for better purposes. (For a time, I was a tax examiner for the I.R.S.) Wealthy people on top of the tax cuts also find many “loopholes” to benefit from. Surely, the tremendous moneys saved if both above measures take place, can help bring about better health care for all Americans. And surely, there are many other important places where money can help for the good of all. Keeping on the war in Iraq, has seen far too many young men and women return badly crippled and blind, to face the rest of their lives suffering the pain. This, while those who got us into this war so far, have not sent their own children to face death. Will we now learn to correct the mistakes made by our present administration? Gerald Samkofsky
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