March 10, 1966

Chestnut Hill cleanup chairman solicits aid of entire community

One of the aims of the Community Association this spring is a cleanup drive. Feet of snow and welcome rain have washed away a good six months’ worth of accumulated grime. But this has accentuated the blemishes. Some of this must be refurbished by the city, some by the property owners, and some through the cooperation of city and individuals. But everyone can find something to pick up, patch up and tidy up to keep Chestnut Hill looking as though your mother-in-law were coming to visit.

March 11, 1976

Young adults and friends add 200 books to library

Take seven local high school students, the young adult librarian, and $500 from the Friends of the Library and what do you get? Two hundred and fifty new paperbacks for the young adult section of the Chestnut Hill Library. Actually, you’d better take the head librarian too, as it was her idea to enlist local students in a book selection program which would introduce them to facets of the library unknown to them while at the same time substantially increasing the number of titles in the young adult section.

WMAN president’s views on tax hike

“To pay higher taxes, every citizen of this city will have to adjust his personal budget — we want to know that the city has done the same thing,” Chris Van de Velde, president of West Mt. Airy Neighbors, told the legislators at the tax hearing held in Philadelphia last week. “A 29% increase in the real estate tax will prove to be a disaster in neighborhoods showing signs of increased housing abandonment. It will be a disaster for tenants — particularly tenants in older apartment buildings which abound in such neighborhoods as Mt. Airy,” said Van de Velde.

March 13, 1986

Hansen, Thompson recommend ‘Local’ review committee

Two members of the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s political information committee will recommend to the bylaws committee the establishment of a Chestnut Hill Local publisher’s review committee. Grant Hansen, PIC chair, and Edward J. (Jack) Thompson, a committee member, were the only two of six persons present at the meeting on March 5 who agreed with the recommendation. “I want to establish publisher participation in the production of this newspaper,” said Thompson, who has long criticized the community’s newspaper and its editors. “... Everyone who has ever written for the Local has had a free ride.”

Community invited to join Pastorius Park restoration

Bert Keller hopes that what began as a small grassroots organization will blossom into a community-wide effort to restore Pastorius Park. An appropriation totaling $27,500 is included in the Chestnut Hill Community Fund’s 1986-87 budget. A meeting has been set for March 26 at 8 p.m. at the Water Tower Recreation Center where community residents will be able to hear plans for the Pastorius Park renovation, Keller said.

March 14, 1996

Police captain to attend March 28 CHCA meeting

Captain John Collins will attend the March 28 board of directors meeting of the Chestnut Hill Community Association to discuss community police protection. “There are a few things on our minds that we will appreciate discussing with the captain,” said Carol Cope, vice president of operations of the CHCA. On March 5, Cope wrote to Police Commissioner Richard Neal about the recent transfer of bike officer Mike Hogan and heard back from Deputy Commissioner Richard Zappelle that Chestnut Hill would replace Hogan by May 1. In the meantime, petitions continue to come into the Chestnut Hill Community Association requesting that Hogan be sent back to Chestnut Hill.

9th Ward Republicans plan registration drive

The 9th Ward Republican Committee believes that 1996 is the year to add more voters to its rolls. To that end, it has scheduled a registration drive from now until March 25, which is the deadline to be able to vote in this year’s primary election on April 23. “This is an exciting time for Republicans,” ward chairman Ken Powell said in an interview. “President Clinton’s nomination is certain but the Republican nomination is up for grabs.”

March 16, 2006

No contract yet for New Covenant

The New Covenant Church, 7500 Germantown Ave., is looking to propose plans for a 169-175 bed facility that will house about 50 homeless families.The proposal is in response to a general request from the city’s Office of Emergency Shelters and Services but as of yet no contract has been signed with the city.

March 10, 2016

New police commissioner speaks at Mt. Airy Town Watch meeting

Police corruption, racial profiling, body cameras and the need for better police-community relations were just some of the issues Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. addressed at a community meeting held March 3 at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mt. Airy. About 60 people attended. Several Mt. Airy residents voiced their concerns about the need for more officer training. Ross replied that currently, officers receive intense training for eight hours a day, five days a week, for about eight or nine months.