Back

Letters to the Yenta 05/18/98

Dearest Yenta,
WOW! Were is this Allen Duncan character coming from.
From what I heard the new Canal people were never going to make a Molly Polly Chuncker replica, they used the form of a barge, vs. a coal canal boat, as George did, to base their design on.

The boat I saw looks a LOT different then George's did. The biggest difference is that this one does not look like it is going to sink.

I didn't know the buildings George was using were commended. I know they look a whole lot better then they did when he had them. I saw a lot of people working on those buildings, something I never saw when George
was there. Maybe that is one of the reasons he is not there anymore.

I read in the paper that George worked out a deal with the new people to sell reservations for them for a fee. I guess George has decided that he could do business with them after all. Amazing!

Allen should also look up the definition of hearing. At best his orchestrated "hearing" was a meeting, in reality it was a, "look what happened to poor George", meeting. PIP distanced itself from it by announcing that they only wanted to bring the two parties together. The new people didn't even come to the meeting, and as we all know nothing
came of it, except the Gazette sold a bunch of newspapers.

I like the looks of the new outfit and I think Allen should get a job or a life.

A Friend of George


Letters to the Yenta 4/21/98
From: ADuncan282@aol.com

Dearest Yenta, Have you had a chance to check out the new canal boat yet? It certainly doesn't look like the Molly Polly Chunker to me! In fact it appears to be an almost exact replica of George's boats. The Commonwealth awarded the concession to the new company based on their promise to be more historically accurate, when in reality, the only accuracy seems to be on the
cloning of George's barges. Also, do you think the small white building that used to be the snack bar will actually be big enough to accommodate the busloads of customers as promised? This is the building where the new company is supposed to show
videos and films in, as part of their historical presentations. I had heard that the building had been condemned because of structural damage ( huge cracks in the walls etc.) and wonder how it suddenly became "uncondemned". Have you also heard that George might actually land back on his feet in another river town very close to New Hope? Wouldn't that be a hoot?
P.S. I am the person who organized the "Friends of George" and along with P.I.P. forced a public hearing with State Senator Conti in regards to the awarding of the Mule Barge Concession. I really get a kick out of your column and feel that you should run for council...even if just for fun. I can picture it now...Yenta signs and posters, buttons with your logo...and yet never really exposing who you are. Need a campaign manager? Peace...Allan P. Duncan


Yenta Column 4/13/98

Dear Frustrated Fan,
Oh Dahling, how the Yenta loves a fan!! You ask if retail would hurt New Hope or not? Has jeweler's row been hurt by more jewelry shops? And you want to know how Sid knows -- just ask Sid. He knows everything. As an alleged former employee of the CIA - he has to know everything. For exammple, he knew that there wouldn't be a problem with water pressure as a result of his study of the "highly technical" hydrology report supplied by the developer (ask the people on Windy Bush Road about their feelings), and he knew that the construction in Village
II wouldn't pose a problem to the residents up there for any appreciable amount of time (have you tried the back entrance lately- or noticed the rapid decay of the front entrance), and Sid would never hide anything from his loyal constituents (like the current condition of all of the wells in New Hope, have YOU had YOUR water tested lately?)
As for warehouses and light industry -- the idea of trucks and trailers versus cars to the surrounding neighbors and the school is most likely to pose a problem. Not to mention that something more aesthetic than a warehouse would be a welcome addition to the town. As far as downtown being destroyed -- that's up to each individual property owner and shopkeeper. If they put out ticky tacky - they'll destroy themselves, if they put out first class - they will always draw a crowd. It's that simple.
Theatre, cable company, reactive vs proactive -- you pose such
revolutionary ideas, pray, it will take a man the stature of a, a. . .
George Washington to pull off such feats!! Alas, until the town and the Republican and Democratic Committee people can see that visionaries, not small minded politicians are what is needed, the Yenta is afraid we are in for more of the same. People who prefer pontification to homework are a dime a dozen. The Yenta thinks we should spend more money -- maybe we will get what we pay for.
Best regards,
The Yenta -- Equally Frustrated


Letters to the Yenta 4/10/98

Dahling Yenta-
Union Camp--retail or not retail? Sid says it will destroy the
downtown? Will it? How does he know? But how do others know it won't? What are the factors to consider in making up one's mind? Would it be better to have warehouses and light industry? Several residents suggest putting in a move theater with a few screens as at the County Theatre--feasible? Also, Newtown Township is seriously considering laying its own cable and
inviting in a new cable company? How does one get the normally reactive NH boro council to become proactive and consider such a thing? They seem to know so much without doing any homework. Yours in frustration-a Fan.


The Yenta Column 3/22/98

Credit where credit is due! Ralph Proseceno, not ever having heard of the Artsbridge Organization, made it a point to attend the last meeting and educate himself. Let's hope the rest of council follows his lead on educating themselves.

Very little response is forthcoming from members of the school board to letters sent in by hundreds of art lovers and supporters in regard to improving - not diluting - the arts program at the new middle school and high school.

The Water front? Haven't heard a word from council about how they are going to address future low pressure wells. Maybe they are having discussions about a public water system with Bucks County Sewer and Water. Think about it -- you can build even more houses in the area if you put in public water!! Wouldn't that be great?

For all dog lovers!! Those of you who knew Bijou may want to stop and offer your sympathies to Jim Martin. His little friend is gone.

Ted Schneider celebrated his 80th birthday and he's still going strong. He just returned from visiting with his family in L.A.

Looking for clues on Union Camp! Have any of you faithful readers gone to the county to see who Chestnut Properties principals are? Maybe it's the mayor or some members of council? Maybe it's Penns Grant, they're after Deer Park, they've got Giant, why not the Mill?


The Yenta Column 3/8/98

Calling All Art Advocates!!
Do you love art? Shoud it be a part of everyone's life? Well, the kids at New Hope may get the short end of the stick. In a continuing effort to cut expenses, it appears that the School Board would like to have the high school art teacher, Sharon Victor, teach not only the current load of grades 7 - 12, but also add the 5th and 6th graders to her teaching roster and go back and forth to the middle school. Over the past several years Ms. Victor has been able to develop a program which has resulted in Governor's School recipients and first place in the national "Getty Wave Your Banner" contest. Not to mention that her students are winning scholarships. Perhaps the School Board should be looking to add a teacher and give her support in her efforts, rather than making her burden one fit for a super-human. This is not the first time that a teacher who has had an exceptional amount of energy and enthusiasm has been put through the gauntlet of the fiscal managers and administrators who look to cut every corner and
nickel to make sure there is enough money to justify their salary.
The Yenta would suggest that parents and residents ask for a comparison of the number of students, the number of teachers and the number of administrators over the last 20 years. Without deep investigation, the Yenta bets that the number of administrators over the last 20 years has gone up significantly, while the student population has grown by maybe 200 and the teache population (real teacher population, not guiidance
and AV and the like) has grown only minimally.

The Yenta supports a strong arts program -- visual as well as
performing! If you believe that art is a valid necessary part of the
curriculum, and that it should be presented in a meaningful way, then write to your School Board Members NOW!!
Harold Bush RD#1 , 6424 Sawmill Road, New Hope, PA 18938
Diane Eler 6045 Lower Mountain Road, New Hope, PA 18938
Sally Grant-Jagoe PO Box 13, New Hope, PA 18938
Kenneth Kroupa 6 Hillcrest Circle, New Hope, PA 18938
Tom Lomax 6480 Deerfield Drive, New Hope, PA 18938
Fred McDonald 46 Darien, V2, New Hope, PA 18938
George Plosa 6430 Fawn Lane, New Hope, PA 18938
Peter Reiss 3534 Sugan Road, New Hope, PA 18938
Roger Riedley 6279 Greenhill Road, New Hope, PA 18938

THE YENTA SAYS -- "WRITE NOW!!"
NEW HOPE KIDS NEED ART IN A MEANINGFUL FORMAT, NOT A TOKEN ATTEMPT.

It is rumored that the Superintendent suggested "that the community speak out" -- THE YENTA SAYS, "SPEAK NOW!!"

UNION CAMP == THE YENTA SENSES SOMETHING IS UP AND NOBODY IS TALKING?
ANY THOUGHTS? IS NEW HOPE IN FOR ANOTHER SURPRISE? STAY TUNED.

WELLS LOST PRESSURE ON WINDY BUSH WHEN RIVERWOODS STARTED PUMPING!! NOW
THAT'S A SURPRISE - NOT! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS AND
MR. BORO ENGINEER?


Letter to Yenta 3/5/98

Yenta, Dahling:
Are New Hope residents too trusting in their elected officials?
Some things to ponder:
1. Are local business owners on council willing to block any attempt to compromise by bringing a combination of retail and arts etc. into Union Camp in order to prevent competition? How do they know the alternative would be appealing (i.e., it is zoned for light industry).
2. How do you know the fees from Riverwoods will be used for theirintended purposes instead of being used for the general fund?
3. Given that there appear to be water pressure problems related to
Riverwoods, should engineers' reports be trusted?
4. Since the state has basically told New Hope that the mule barge ride is state property and that there was no need to get feedback from New Hope folks before callously taking it from George and giving it to people with no experience (but a slicker spiel), should New Hopers refrain from patronizing it? Wouldn't it be something if George ends up with a mule barge ride in a nearby community (say Lambertville?) and does better than them? Do you realize that these dilletantes could pick up a leave and owe only a few thousand dollars in penalties--while New Hope would be left with a stagnant pink elephant?
5. A nearby neighbor's question: What do you know about plans by the Penn's Grant Corporation to rezone the property around Deer Park from "agricultural" to "development"? Is this an ominous sign or simply one of the many benevolent developers trying to benefit the local community?

The Yenta Column 3/2/98

As we approach spring, fireworks will once again be a hot topic. So, if you have a preference, let the Yenta know. The Yenta would like to make a few observations on the subject. First, in case you haven't noticed, both N. Main and Bridge Streets have on various events been closed to through traffic for more than a couple of hours each; this being one of the arguments for not having fireworks. Perhaps the emergency vehicles could be parked right at the intersection of Bridge and Main and all parking relegated to the high school and other remote areas.

Hot topic at Borough Council for Monday night. An inside source says that the residents of New Street are at it again. Now they are upset that George has permitted a sexy lingerie store (18 and over only) at the corner of their family oriented street. And you thought it would
end with tattoos!!


Letters to the Yenta 3/1/98

News for Yenta
There really are some wonderful people in town. Kathy Creek of New Hope Toys for Men has donated a Princess Beany Baby to be raffled off at the New Hope Methodist Church for the benefit of the United Methodist Home for Children. That's right -- For only a $5 raffle ticket, you could be the proud owner of the Princess Beany Baby now valued at approximately $500. There are only 200 tickets being sold and there are less than 50 left. The drawing will be held on or before April 30th, 1998. You are invited to attend church on Sunday at 10:30AM and purchase a ticket immediately following the service." Get some religion and a beany baby for only $5, what a deal!!


The Yenta Column 2/25/98

Dear Let's Talk,
In response to your Feb 16 inquiry regarding the fence behind the Methodist churh -- I did notice the doubling of size. Obviously, the Logan Inn has become obsessed with the notion of the barracade and less concerned with the possibility of creating an amicable solution. Perhaps the church should open a restaurant and serve the semi-annual ham supper on a daily basis. Wouldn't that twist their tail! Look out Logan. The competition could get hot!

Back