| Back Letter
to Yenta 04/01/01
Hello,
Let me introduce myself, my name is David T. Fleming and I want to be your Mayor.
I have been your neighbor living in the Waterworks on South River Road for over seven
years. Like many people, I came to New Hope because of its beauty, its rural- yet
cosmopolitan atmosphere and because it is just a great place to live. New Hope is so
perfect I wouldn't change a thing. Except in one area.
Let me tell you a little about myself and my career. I served in the 11th Airborn Division
and the 82nd Airborn Division from 1953-1956 when I was honorably discharged. After my
military experience I went to school at Temple University where I majored in business
administration. I joined the Philadelphia Police Department and worked my way through
school. I achieved the rank of Lieutenant during my 28 years of service to the city. In
1982 while on the force I graduated from the Police Administration Training Program at
Northwestern University. I continued my career in law enforcement by working for the
Mercer County Prosecutor for 8 years. I will post my resume on my web site so you can see
what I am all about. For now, lets just say that I have 36 years of law enforcement
experience. I am a street cop who believes in the national standards that outline
community oriented
policing.
I have observed the situation with the Mayor and the Police Department here in New Hope, I
know I can help solve some problems. I don't really care who fired who over what. The fact
of the matter is that your Police Department has been allowed to drift aimlessly. It would
appear that some members of the Borough Council in an effort to put things right
instituted a study of how
the department was managed. I have read that report and find only two flaws with it; it
didn't go far enough and it wasn't implemented!
Your mayor, under the rules of the Borough Code, is the civilian head of the Police
Department. When law enforcement professionals, of the world class caliber who produced
the report, say something, they should be listened to. Mayor Keller who has no law
enforcement experience should have embraced the study, worked alongside Chiefs Stone and
Kelly and improved the
department.
Look, what's done is done. Mayor Keller probably did the best that he could. He was
probably mislead by the very people he was entrusted to help. Mayor Keller had his turn,
now I think someone with experience should be allowed to try.
We must move on to the future. I want to lead the New Hope Police Department into that
future. I am a "Cops' Cop", I have worked in almost all capacities in law
enforcement from walking a beat to administering a force. I even applied for the job of
police chief here but was told by the head of the Blue Ribbon committee that he never saw
my resume. That's how mixed up things have become here.
We have some great guys on the force but they need leadership which they are not getting
now. I want to provide that leadership. My observations of the operations of the
department have left me a little bit concerned. We have been very lucky so far that no one
has been hurt. How long can we continue to be lucky? I want to protect our officers who in
turn protect us. I am telling you
there are things going on in the department that could be dangerous for all concerned.
Prudence for the safety of the officers restrains me from publicaly calling attention to
these areas. But talk to me in person and I will tell you. Should any of the
officers be interested on the subject of their safety please
approach me on my daily walks through town and let me help you.
I am working on a platform so that you will know exactly where I stand. I will see that
you get a copy to help you to decide who to vote for in this primary election. And I would
like to meet you. I will be having a fund raiser April 11 at Odette's. It is open to
everyone. I say what I mean, I mean what I say and I do as I say.
Together we can help New Hope be an even better place.
Dave Fleming- Republican Mayoral Candidate
P.S. To discuss any issues with me,you can reach me by E-Mail at
newhopeunderground.com
Letter to Yenta 03/25/01
Dear Yenta,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I know we may not always agree on some things but I
have respected your integrity. Civility in disagreement is what makes societies grow and
flourish and maybe, just maybe,minds may open, be changed or accept other possibilities.
There are some recent postings I would like to respond to.
With regard to Mark Fresco's letter...since he didn't make a point, why bother? Mark, I
have always considered you a friend and as a friend if you should like to discuss issues
with me, I would be most willing. Please consider the possibilities that maybe your circle
of friends is only showing you one side of the issue. There are other sides.
Mr. Allan Duncan's comments about the Logan Inn, his ancestry and his ancesters' graves
are poignant. The Logan Inn was opened as the Ferry Inn 5 years before the birth of George
Washington. It opened to fill a need for travelers who came to our area. It is the focus
of the very heart of New Hope's heritage. It was never my intention to slow anything at
the Logan Inn.
It was, and is my intention to preserve History. I spoke for the necessary zoning
variances in favor of the Logan Inn at the zoning hearings because it was the right thing
to do. I voted against the certificates of appropriateness at the council meetings because
of the architectural changes: it was the right thing to do. In fact when the certificates
of appropriateness came up for a
second time I explained why I had to vote against the design for a second time. That vote
was met by snickers from some people who are now holding themselves out to be borough
council candidates. No one should be a council candidate who does not understand the
nature of the central historic district. To give those people a chance to reflect, I
will not name them now.
Mr. Allan Duncan's ancester's grave site is located just across highway 179 from the First
Federal offices. The community built a beautiful stone wall with peak roof on top to form
an arched area in front of the graves. There was a classic 1960's postcard showing the
beauty of this site. It is disgraceful how the community has let this fall into disrepair.
Yet, like the Logan Inn,
it is private property and it is the owners' right to do with their property as they like.
So how do we explain zoning? How do we get property owners to do the right thing?
The community also has a right to decide how certain neighborhoods should progress. It is
encumbent on societies to preserve their historical treasures and honor their founders,
heroes and ancestors. It is not unreasonable to ask property owners to adhere to uniform
and constitutional guidlines for their
property. In the absence of strong historical protections such as
archeological guidelines we are going to watch our heritage vanish before our eyes. We
need strong historical guidlines now.
In fairness to Carl, it was a storm that took down the tree on the corner of Ferry and
Main.
There have been two other posts of importance written to you.
Iain Ashton's letter calling for debates between the Mayoral candidates is a good one. I
have called for debates between candidates for years. It isn't even if the candidate knows
the answer exactly, it is how we perceive the candidate trying to answer the question that
is of value. A real effort to answer a tough question "under fire" explains much
about a candidates
ability to act in a crisis. Mayor Keller has much to explain from his years in office and
his failure during times of crisis. The challanging Republican must be heard. Who is this
guy? Indeed Dave Fleming should call for a debate with Mr. Keller. It would be most
informative.
Lastly, dear Yenta, the brief unsigned letter dated 3/21/01 needs to be responded to. As
an unsigned letter it shouldn't even be taken seriously. But it forms a pattern that we
can expect to continue to see. I know the source of this letter and it is the same sort of
rubbish we can expect from a certain quarter. It is important for the Republican power
structure in New Hope to paint me as irrational, impulsive and eccentric. Why? Because I
am very persuasive. I am internally consistent in my philosophy, and I believe in the rule
of law. Since they lack those standards and choose not to risk open
discussion of the issues with me, their tactic is to argue against the man. It is called
"argumentum ad hominum". They will say things like,"he must be crazy to
want to form a third party" or "he isn't good enough to be elected from the
Republicans" or "he doesn't think like us so he is no good" or "he is
always voting against the majority". Unlike Mr. Bollenbacher who quit when
he was in the minority on Borough Council I have succeeded in representing my
constituency. The smallest whisper from the minority is heared as a roar. I won't quit;
that is why my opponents are trying to drag down my character.
I stood by passively during the election of 1999 as my name was smeared on your site and
in other locations. I did not respond because the Democrat candidates who I supported as a
logical alternative to the Republican Dream Team asked me to be quiet. I believed that
they would continue the work that was started in cleaning up the local overnment. In
reality it wasn't important
for me to respond to those outrageous allegations then because I was not a candidate. Now
the situation has changed. I am a candidate. I will be silent no longer.
The fraud of the 1999 election has become evident to all thinking voters in New Hope. The
close connections between some of the candidates in the 1999 elections, people currently
on council, the fired ex-police chief Robert Brobson and certain developers is now
evident. We have a Republican Committeeman whose boyfriend is a Democratic Council
Candidate. We have Democrat Councilpeople attending Republican functions and fundraisers.
We have a Republican committeeman extolling the virtues of a
Democrat president of council. At this point in time there is NO difference between the
Republican and Democrat machines in New Hope. That is why a third party is needed.
I am being criticized as "going around the bend on this one" because I want to
form a new party. I wish to form a real answer to the problems New Hope is facing, yet
people who won't sign their own name are questioning my sanity. Would it be sane for me to
run on a ticket with a man who in the end I voted to fire? No, it would be hypocritical.
The same Republican machine worked against three time incumbent Ralph Prosceno in the 1999
primary. Ralph was a hard working public servant and his council presidency saw real
"open and honest" government (remember?). Ralph was defeated in that primary.
How I miss open and honest government.
Sandy Trappen, on the Democrat side, also voted for the firing of Robert Brobson, was
easily elected in the General Election. If Ralph had made it to the General Election he
too would have easily been re-elected for a fourth term. When I last faced the voters in
the General Election I won in what was considered a landslide at that time.
I am not going to put my fate into the hands of people who are my political opponents. I
still feel that I have something to contribute as a Borough Councilperson. I know that
there is work yet to do. That is why I would like to give the entire electorate an
alternative between the no choice choices being offered now. That is why now is the time
for a third party!
As to the question of sanity, what sane committman would run a fired ex-police chief for
Borough Council?
Robert V. Gerenser
New Hope Borough Council
Letter to Yenta 03/24/01
Dearest Yenta,
I agree with you on your latest observations concerning the new
renovations of the Logan Inn. The historical integrity of the building has been completely
destroyed and I am shocked and saddenned that this has actually been allowed to take
place.
I am actually a descendent Samuel Wells, the brother of John Wells who established the
Ferry Tavern (now the Logan Inn) in 1735. The Gazette ran a full page article last July
about my link to the Wells family and how I was trying to get John Wells' burial site on
Old York Road cleaned up. The small cemetery had actually been turned into a park in the
50's to memorialize John
Wells as being the original founder of New Hope, but over the years it was abandoned and
forgotten and is now a litter strewn overgrown eyesore. The only people who responded to
my plea were Fran Wilcox, Ned Harrington and Iain Haight-Ashton. I've also talked to Bob
Gerenser and the New Hope Garden Club and they have been supportive and have offered to
help if we could ever get permission from the owner of the land to clean the
cemetery. Apparently, the owner has nixed requests in the past and I am now considering
guerilla tactics since I should be allowed to visit the graves of my relatives without
breaking my legs trying to wend my way through the jungle that surrounds the site.
The silence from the New Hope Historical Society was deafening. It told me alot about how
the history of New Hope has been seemingly cast aside to make room for crass commercialism
and how some organizations who come across as being committed to historic preservation are
more interested in throwing Garden Parties and pandering to the elitists in the area.
Anyway, I just had to vent...and I thank you dear Yenta for providing the proper forum to
get this off my chest!
Sincerely, Allan P. Duncan, New Hope
Letter to Yenta 03/23/01
Punks and Parents
Why are there so many negatively aggressive young people in our communities? Without fail,
they can be seen cruising the streets of Doylestown and other communities in our area. In
recent months, I know of people that have been pelted with raw eggs from cars, vehicles
cutoff, obscene language sprayed with impunity, property vandalized etc etc.
Their sense of well being seems to be contingent on how frequently they can hurt someone
(in one fashion or another). Just for the fun of it! What is even more scary is these
young people have parents. Parents that likely harbor the same attitudes (though in a more
controlled and legal fashion).
What ever happened to the old adage "do unto others as you would have them do unto
you"? This would elicite a laugh from many of our youth and their parents. Many of
the parents seem to be focused on greed, rudeness, dishonesty and have no ability to care
about anything (other than their own selfish ambitions).
No wonder we have so many punks. Chips off the ol block! What a legacy to pass on to ones
offspring!
What's the solution? Maybe there is none, other than arming ourselves, turning our homes
and businesses into fortresses and participating in mindless retaliation. Actually,
retaliation is starting to sound good. Get the parents of the these punks. Go after them
with a set of steel jaws that will crush bones, rip flesh apart and
leave a god awful mess on the street.
VW
Letter to Yenta 03/22/01
Dear Yenta;
New Hope is now gearing up for another primary election with a few available council seats
and of course, the mayoral position. In many ways the position of power is on the council.
But, I believe this time the mayoral bid is most important. We actually have three
uniquely diverse mayoral primary candidates, each bringing their own individual visions
and ideas to the table. I believe this mayoral race will ultimately define the course New
Hope will take in the future. The Mayor is not only New Hope's representative, but he will
stand for New Hope's new direction in the midst of changes and growth.
Let us not only see in print what each candidate has to say, but let us hear them publicly
during an open debate. Let this be an open forum where the candidates can share their
views and ideas and answer questions from the public. Primary elections are vital to our
democracy and as voters we are faced with a great responsibility. Let us be educated and
let us make wise choices in this primary.
I propose that these three mayoral candidates publicly debate their ideas. The first
debate should be between the two Republican candidates before the May primary, and the
second between the primary winners.
There are many issues facing New Hope: the direction of revitalization, the structure and
future of our police department, and the importance of solid and honest communication
between the mayor and the council. I would like to see the candidates held accountable for
their views about the role of mayor in New Hope, and what they intend to bring to the
table if elected. An educated voter is a smart voter.
I would like to see a mayor standing not just for the Republicans or just for the
Democrats, but for all of New Hope.
Respectfully,
Iain Haight-Ashton
31 West Ferry Street
New Hope, Pa
215-862-3747
Letter to Yenta 03/21/01
I think Bob Gerenser has finally gone off the deep end! First the
deer bones and now the election.
Yenta Column 03/21/01
With Spring around the corner the Yenta decided to stroll. Well,
the restoration, and we use the word loosely, of the Logan Inn just jumps right out at
you!!!! At first glance, I thought, "Wow, Carl is putting a lot of $$$$$$$$ into
this. Isn't that great!"
But, as I rounded the corner, my first reaction turned to horror as I
spied the new pergola-type permanent structure hanging off of the side of the building as
if it had sprung a wing. This appendage is not even going to come close to making the
Logan Inn fly this spring.
After, chastising Bob Gerenser for his attempt to slow up the process, the Yenta needs to
ask everyone to reconsider their position on this one. Perhaps there was more to Bob's
action than just "them bones."
Years ago, Steve Kates did a lovely job of repairing the building and bringing it back to
life -- but he didn't destroy the integrity of the building in the process. When are we
going to get it--
Carl... you have taken a building that has basically had its original
facade intact for over 300 years and bastardized it, almost beyond
recognition. And for what? Do you need more money? Maybe the tree business isn't doing so
well and you thought that a restaurant/B&B might take up the slack?
Did you ever think that if you just did a first class job restoring the building, ran a
first rate B&B and served great food, you just might fill the place up. Extra seats
and a big porch with gas fumes blowing up in your face and Harley's revving their pipes
isn't exactly a great ploy to bring in the crowds. But, maybe some beautiful gardens and
landscaping in place of the pergola...even a few trees (ha, ha, get it? trees!) might have
been a lovely addition to the property. By the way, did you know there used to be a
beautiful HUGE tree at the corner of Ferry and Main which shaded what once was a lovely
lawn? Probably taken down by the Asplundh Tree company to "protect" the
telephone and electric lines which should be underground anyway. Add your rooms and
porches off to the side or back and give people some history and beauty to look at and
appreciate. Maybe even learn about a bit of the past.
HEY NEW HOPE!!! When are you going to market your history
and not your ice cream and t-shirts? (Sorry about the ice cream Bob) When are you going to
stop bowing to $$$$$, perceived power and political intrigue?
Now, as the Logan Inn moves into the category of another lost building to the town's
rapidly dwindling almost negligible respect for the past... we move into town politics.
TAH DAH!!! Enter the third party and George Washington to the rescue. That's right. The
father of our country has decided to form a third party to challenge the elephants and
donkeys (nothing personal there) currently running the show. After all those years as a
die hard republican (with only a short stint as a democrat), Bob is going to try to rally
his troops to put a new face on borough government. The Yenta certainly has not always
agreed with Bob-- to say the least-- but maybe a third party right now might do some good.
With a few lessons ( and maybe even some financing ) from Ross Perot, he might make an
impact. Any thoughts from the readers? Any supporters? The Yenta would love to have you
share what you think a third party might offer the people of New Hope. Bob, you might be
on to something this time......but, only time will tell.
With the coming election... the intrigue should be running hot and heavy. Stay tuned.
On the restaurant front -- Marty is opening later and later. Pretty
soon it will be at 10 PM on Sat only for after dinner drinks. What happened to the good
old days with the line down the street at 8:30 AM on a Sat and Sun waiting to get in and
everyone you knew was there?
The good old stand bys just keep on, keepin' on. John and Peter's and others in town
helped Lambertville to raise money for the restoration of Lambertville City Hall (just
think-- Lambertville, preserving history) and the purchase of gas lights and a
reproduction of the original wrought iron fencing to place around the property. (Carl
Asplundh -- take a lesson!-- GAS LIGHTS AND WROUGHT IRON FENCING)
Til next time...
The Yenta
Letter to Yenta 03/18/01
Its been almost two weeks since the last post. I miss the exchange
of views, the Yenta stimulates a lot of interest in our
wonderful town by the river keep up the good work.
Letter to Yenta 03/04/01
Idiot yes that is the word I'm sorry i have to use, but i can't
stand
aside any further and watch you openly tell everyone else what and how to do things in
this town. Get a grip on your self and your own situations,being perfect??. Deal with your
own problems that you have created,and yes ,that you are responsible for you and your
actions and move along and be a man about
your mistakes in life,stop blaming everyone one else. This town had so much historic and
self made accolades to many parts of
the world and now i see it as a play ground of kids fighting after
school. I'm not out to belittle you bob G by any means but work for,and not against,you
are in charge of this wonderful town please try and understand who is charge of you??
Marc Anthony Fresco
Letter to Yenta 03/03/01
Folks who deal with things by bringing lawsuits are probably not
the kind of people that will benefit the boro in any capacity (elected official or
employee). I must agree with Bob Gerenser regarding Brobson.
VW
Letter to Yenta 03/02/01
THE PARTY’S OVER !
It is with a heavy heart that I must write this letter. I am a life-long Republican. I
registered to vote Republican for the first election after my 18th birthday 35 years ago.
I have voted Republican continuously in every General Election since and have only missed
voting in a few primary elections. Now it is with great sorrow that I am being forced to
change my party affiliation because of underhanded politics. Let me explain.
Our Republican Party has been administered on the local level by a Committeeman and a
Committeewoman. It is up to them to screen candidates for office and decide locally what
the issues may be. I have advocated open primaries for years but have continually been
told that the process is to have the Committee people endorse candidates after they
screen.
The Republican screening was to be held at Committeewoman Gail Pedrick’s house on
Tuesday February 13, 2001. I wrote Gail that I was interested in screening, as I am an
incumbent Republican Borough Councilman. However, since the screening was to be held
during a Borough Council meeting, I would not be able to attend. I did say that I would
attend if it were scheduled at any other time. I was informed that the meeting was changed
to Monday night February 26, 2001. My suspicions of how business is conducted by our
committee people were confirmed. Instead of a crowded roomful of people, the only people
who attended where Gail Pedrick Committeewoman, Stephen Stahl appointed
Committeeman, the fired ex-police chief Robert Brobson and myself. The Committeepeople
announced who had contacted them and expressed interest running for the various offices. I
was the only incumbent for any office in attendance. I was surprised that the
Committeewoman stated that the choices for endorsed candidates would not be made until
after all petitions have been filed after the closing deadline of March 6, 2001. I
expected, having been elected in a landslide in 1997, to get the nod. Instead, I got put
off.
Now here is my problem, the appointed Committeeman is a reprehensible individual who has
highjacked Borough Council meetings in his attempt to bully residents and Borough Council
into supporting his friend the fired ex-chief Robert Brobson. To my knowledge he is an
ultra-liberal. He has only voted here in New Hope four times, yet he has lived here for
over 13 years. It appears that this man and our committeewoman are going to run a slate of
candidates whose sole purpose is to re-ensconce the fired ex-police chief Robert Brobson.
It is clear to me that although I am a life long Republican and lifelong resident of New
Hope I will not be endorsed by these Committeepeople. I will be tricked into filing as a
Republican
and not be endorsed causing me to either lose in the primary or not be allowed to file in
any other way.
When I last ran for office I had participated in a coalition Government of Republicans and
Democrats who decided that the corruption of the New Hope Police Department had gone on
for far to long. We won in a landslide. We acted, as no previous council cared to act, to
clean up that corruption. Although thwarted in many attempts by the incompetent Mayor
Larry Keller, we made great strides. We did not set out to fire ex-chief Brobson but when
he continued to display an unwilling-ness to cooperate or to change his ways, than as a
responsible Council we had to act.
The thought of Brobson running for office and making decisions on Borough Council, when as
a chief he bilked the community out of thousands of dollars of “comp-time”, is
unthinkable. The thought of the hard-nosed and insensitive police officers that he allowed
to roam free in our community makes good people shudder. The thought of the $112,000.00
settlement paid to him by the Borough and the additional $100,000.00 being paid to him by
our insurance company must make citizen’s blood boil. The one thing you can bank on
about Brobson is that it is always about the money.
This attempt to re-grab power by him defines his personality to perfection.
New Hope cannot survive Brobson on Borough Council. I cannot run for Council on the same
slate as he. Therefore, I have no choice but to change my party affiliation. Effective
Monday March 5, 2001 I will change my lifelong Republican Party membership to Independent.
I will form a separate Party to oppose this madness and together we will offer New Hope a
sane third choice for decent leadership.
I encourage all like-minded people to get in touch with me by E-mail. I will host a
meeting, at a time and place to be announced later, to put into effect this important
change. Together
we will move New Hope forward into the future.
Incumbent Republican New Hope Borough Councilman
Robert V. Gerenser
Contact: Rgerenser@AOL.COM
Letter to Yenta 02/19/01
We definitely had a true american hero that we let slip through our
hands.
Please check out this site I found on the internet. Boy did we loose out.
A concerned New Hoper!
Click here: JERRY SPEZIALE FOR SHERIFF
http://spezialeforsheriff.tripod.com/page2.html
Back
|