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 CHCA is stronger with more, not less As a resident of 19118, CHCA board member, and co-chair of the Membership Committee, I agree with Ms. Sonderskov’s sentiments [Letters, Feb. 4] — something should be done to prevent our community association’s elections from being negatively impacted by out-of-area votes. I disagree, however, with her solution. Limiting CHCA membership or, more to the point, the ability to vote in the CHCA elections to only those of us who live in the 19118 ZIP code is not the answer. I believe that a stronger, healthier CHCA is one that strives to increase its membership, locally and beyond, while protecting the voting rights of all. The best way to ensure the integrity of the CHCA and its elections is to participate in both. In last year’s election, less than 400 ballots were submitted. By my estimation, that is approximately 10 percent of the eligible number of ballots that could have been cast. With such apathy, no one needs to steal our elections, we are giving them away. Any vote from Mt. Airy, Erdenheim, Germantown, or elsewhere will always count more than an un-cast vote from Chestnut Hill, and the solution is not to eliminate the votes from elsewhere. If you live in the 19118 area code and want to protect the 2010 CHCA election, vote in it. The Membership committee is meeting Feb. 17, and one of the issues we will discuss is how to increase voter turnout and participation. Please attend, but if you cannot, feel free to send me your thoughts at mjchomentowski@hotmail.com. You cannot steal what is being watched, and the no further CHCA elections can be stolen if we participate in them. Michael Chomentowski
Bylaws proposal on absences should be revisited Thank you to Mark Keintz for his letter last week regarding the proposed bylaws changes and also for the coverage in the Local [Letters, Feb. 4]. I agree with Mark that Proposal #10 should be reconsidered by the board and recommended to the public. Proposal #10 has been floated a number of times in my five years on the bylaws committee. The problem as I see it is the seeming negativity of the wording, not the actual result of such a bylaw. I believe it sets a reasonable boundary for participation. Proposal #10 is really asking how many meetings out of 36 (in 3 years) do you think board members should attend? Or put another way, what constitutes meaningful willingness on the part of a director to do the job of representing the community for him/herself and for others if elected? As stated, #10 asks that a director attend 2/3 of the meetings (or 24 out of 36). It sets up a boundary of four missed meetings out of 12 per year. Five absences per year would mean 21 of 36 meetings attended and six would mean half of the meetings per year could be missed. #10 also states that once that number is reached, a director is automatically off the board. It addresses the difficulties of lack of attendance and quorum. I think that well-meaning participants in the CHCA understand the meaning of and the reason for such a boundary. Too many absences are probably an indication of having too much on your schedule or a lack of interest. Neither are good for the organization or the person. Health issues or a crisis of long duration can be taken into consideration and participation on committees and lots of other things too, but those things don’t belong in the wording of a bylaw. It just needs a motion and vote if it happens. Janine Dwyer
Local is enough The Chestnut Hill Local is not some Johnny-come-lately flash-in-the-pan newspaper. It is a long-lived publication for no small reason. Over the years it has won many awards and accolades for being a paradigm community paper in the country. Chestnut Hill is exceptional, not only for its beautiful houses, charming avenue shops, but for its peerless newspaper, which has enriched life on the Hill and its environs. The Local is a lively, spirited treasure house of information about cultural events, elegant shops, restaurants and musical offerings. There are humorous articles and engaging accounts of Chestnut Hill students and others reporting on their experience in other countries. The color it exudes arises from the vividness of its reporting on issues of great interest to our lives in Chestnut Hill and elsewhere. The Local is not just classy. It is in a class by itself — sui generis. Can it be that, like the shops on Germantown Avenue, it is an endangered species? One cannot escape the feeling that the newborn publication “Life on the Hill” has an air of elitism, a scent of exclusivity and an aroma of smugness. No individual community or nation can exist or endure in isolation. It is not only presumptuous to think that the newly hatched “Life on the Hill” can compete with or rival the Chestnut Hill Local — it is superfluous in a community the size of Chestnut Hill. Henrietta Edelschien
Chestnut Hill Hospital is excellent Each time I read something negative about Chestnut Hill Hospital, I think of the many times in the past six years I have been a patient there. On each occasion, I was taken care of by an efficient, kind, and caring staff. At no time, did I feel that I was in anything less than an excellent medical facility. As a result, it pains me to see negative things being written about our fine, local hospital. As a resident of Chestnut Hill for over 70 years, I can certainly attest to its quality. Please give Dr. John Scanlon and Chestnut Hill Hospital a chance. Jean Dwyer
Thanks to Sketchbook participants Thank you to the first wave of Project Sketchbook. This past week we had the pleasure of assisting in the installation of art in the available property next to Starbucks on Germantown Avenue, one of the locations being utilized by Project Sketchbook. While there, we watched those passing by glance, pause and often stop to admire the beautiful student artwork. We can imagine how inspiring this creative addition is to those who stroll up and down Germantown Avenue. We would like to thank each and every school, talented student and imaginative art director for their generosity and excitement put forth on this first wave of Project Sketchbook, which is a joint initiative of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the Chestnut Hill Business Association. You have made the walk and drive down the Germantown Avenue even brighter. The schools participating through March are Chestnut Hill College, Mount St. Joseph’s Academy, William Penn Charter School, Germantown Friends School, Academy in Manyunk, Crefeld School, Chestnut Hill Academy/Springside and the solo work of Katie Dannenberg from Friends Select School. Eileen Reilly - Co Chair
Thanks to many Three weeks ago I was just finishing my walk along the Wissahickon with my walking friend, Judy, when I slipped on black ice and went down in the street. Instantly, help arrived from all sides; other walkers, on-duty and off-duty policemen and passersby. One called 911 and the Springfield Township ambulance arrived on the scene. My right arm was at an odd angle (dislocated). One of the drivers supported my arm with his hand on the ride to Chestnut Hill Hospital Emergency Room. The arm was put back in place, x-rayed (broken at the shoulder), put in an immobilizer sling, and I spent the night at Chestnut Hill Hospital. Everyone was absolutely wonderful, kind, concerned, empathetic and attentive. I wish to thank all who helped, though I do not know their names; the Philadelphia police who took charge and called 911 plus directing traffic around me; fellow walkers and concerned citizens who provided blankets and encouragement; the Springfield ambulance crew who ferried me to the hospital; the entire emergency room staff for their expert care and comfort; the overnight staff who cared for me until dawn the next day; and particularly my walking friend of some 20 plus years, for her loyal and unending support in a difficult situation. Who says nobody cares? Mary Anne Van Blarcom
Thanks to MALT supporters I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to all of our wonderful Mount Airy Learning Tree supporters for their help so far in the Make This Our Home campaign. Last weekend The MALT board threw a party for MALT teachers at the home of Elise and Max Rivers. It was a spectacular event on all counts. First I want to thank Max and Elise for hosting us in their beautiful home for this occasion. Their generous spirit included opening up both the downstairs for the general party, and space upstairs for the teachers to be videotaped by Janet Gala. These short snippets on each teacher’s class will be posted on our website shortly! The general public will be able to hear and see our teachers promoting their own classes. Next I want to thank my fabulous board for providing quite a spread of food and drink! It was beautifully laid out; we had quite a variety, and no one left the party hungry! Thank you MALT board for stepping up, showing your appreciation for our teachers and for working so hard this year. You guys rock! Finally, my heart goes out to all of our MALT teachers who have donated money, time, teacher fees, silent auction items, and their professional expertise all to help us Make This Our Home! Without our teachers, none of this would be possible. If anyone would like to join us all you need to do is call the MALT office at 215-843-6333, as our next house party is “A taste of Malt” featuring signature dishes prepared by our wonderful MALT cooking teachers! This party will be on March 13 with a $40 entrance fee that includes a raffle ticket for the Heli-hiking trip for one! ($2,495 value and you need not be present at our March 18 drawing to win!) These parties are part of our yearlong capital campaign to raise $230,000 needed to buy our building at 6601 Greene Street. Keep your eyes open for future community wide fun and fundraising efforts. Events will include two featured speakers on March 16 and 18, (go to www.mtairylearningtree.org for details) a MALT BALL in April (dance party), house parties, and a silent auction in September. Come play, Jonna Naylor
Regarding the not-so-charitable charities and Maggie Wollman’s unsolicited DVD, I sent a modest ($20) check to the National Wildlife Foundation several years ago and was annoyed when I received a canvas tote bag as a thank you. I haven’t contributed since, but I probably owe them money for the bag. By the way, I loved her article. Marilyn Steeg
Maggie Wollman’s article about fundraising really struck a chord with me. Fund raising is a huge business these days. It never ends. Not a day goes by that I don’t get at least five solicitations, sometimes 10 or more. I have been sent so many t-shirts, key rings, fleece blankets, ballpoint pens, even pennies and nickels, note pads, stickers with my name on them, etc., I could probably open a store to sell the stuff. And then after I donate money, I get phone calls asking for more money, and it never stops. It is maddening and hard to resist because the causes are so worthwhile, like Haiti relief. But now I tell them that if they keep calling, I will never donate again, and then they get all apologetic. Ron Sloane |
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