Letter to Yenta 07/31/06
First of all - To the Mug Man, best of luck in your upcoming change of venue. You will be sorely missed. Many of the world's problems have been discussed on your front porch and much discussion about the town and it's troubles, all this and the usual huge bowl of peanuts which always seemed too small. Bon Chance Mug Man..
Secondly - Greg you couldn't have been more eloquent in addressing the "millionaire" issue. Why don't some of these self-made millionaires come out and share their expertise as Greg suggests??? I'm just a "thousandaire" myself and am distressed by what I see happening here.
Thank God or whoever for guys like Greg, Howard, Bryan, Joel and Uncle Charley and others for keeping subjects that some people would like to see go away right up front where it irritates those who want to see a different New Hope than what people come here to experience.. -The Old Beatnik

Letter to Yenta 07/30/06
To answer the millionaires question from my perspective:
Rich or poor is not the issue, rather the dominance of one socioeconomic group. The flavor of development here in recent years has been geared out of the reach of most. As a consequence, most of the off beat characters that once made New Hope such an attractive and fun place to live and visit have left the area due to mushrooming property and rentals costs. Council's lack of any vision or long term zoning plans beyond George and Toms high end bedroom community has in effect ceded the character of this town to them, whose agenda is simply to make as much money as possible, according to their tastes and sensibilities. Again, it's nothing against the rich (who by the way are becoming the majority), it is the near complete loss of the odd diversity that once gave this town it's warmth and character. Many of the people who work in New Hope can't afford to live here anymore and are imported from other communities. I believe this erodes the "community" of any town. These trends are a decomposing situation to many folks that have been around here long enough to know what has been lost. Of that dwindling number (even those who can afford to stay), many are slowly gearing up to move as the town becomes increasingly more corporate in nature. Tourism is drying up as the flavor of the town has shifted. The shops and services will either transform to service the bedroom community or leave. The odd thing being that this same scenario has played out in many other "art" type communities. Allot of people are attracted to their character and want to move there. The demand for the properties and rentals increases and the developers gear up for green. Folks with the most money take ownership of the properties and the original characteristics that attracted many of them in the first place evaporate. Long time property owners do benefit financially when they sell and "leave", but changing locations within the town is not a financial option for many. The cost here is leaving ones home and community of many years. Corporatism at its best. Government and community involvement at it's worst. If there is hope in this situation, it will surely involve new residents getting involved in the towns stagnant political scene and making some real long term changes. -JC

Letter to Yenta 07/30/06
To The Millionaire, you are welcome in my shop and my home anytime and not just because you have self styled yourself as a "miilionaire." I need every customer that I can get. I attempt to entice my local new Hope friends and neighbors by offering an array of quality goods, a service level parking and availability. The adage "if you build it they will come," does not seem to apply to the residential community at large and yet I am indebted to many, the Biermans, the Bowmans, the Hursts, Nancy and Jake, John Larsen and a countless host of others, and I thank them all......
Millionaire, it's not enough that a person rich or poor move into a community and just fix up their property and be nice to their neighbors. They need to get involved in the political and cultural scene. I for one would welcome the advice of a person who has "made it," come help me see what else I can do to run a successful business. You've obviously thought creatively and outside the box,come to Boro Council meetings make an attempt to offer creative solutions to some very real, severe and existing problems. You'll hear more from me than "welcome neighbor," how does "thank you neighbor" sound!
-Gregory Conocchioli

Letter to Yenta 07/29/06
I am a millionaire who lives in New Hope. For a town that claims tolerance as one of it's trademarks, it seems that tolerance doesn't extend to the rich. What have I done wrong besides make money? I have fixed up my property, I am friendly toward my neighbors, I shop and eat in town, but still am not welcome. While other cities and towns are worried about the loss of the upper and middle classes, our town worries that rich people will move in.

Letter to Yenta 07/29/06
So now we have three groups trying to bring tourists to New Hope. Why can't we have one group - it seems they all have the same goal in mind? We should have taken advantage of the Main Street Manager program years ago and I believe we would have spoken with one voice by now. Maybe this new joint rivertown program will bring some sense to the situation.

Letter to Yenta 07/28/06
I have been quiet here for a spell because things are changing for me a bit but I just had to say something after yesterdays article in the Gabb-ette about the Chamber's halfhearted proposal to the Borough Council about bagging the meters for a couple weeks. Once again it seems they have represented their constituents, who felt the need to ask for some parking relief, with accusations that we all will park there ourselves and steal the free spaces from the people coming here to buy from us. (Has anyone actually SEEN this survey they claim to have supporting this idiotic idea??) Then it says they felt that just because the people asking for the relief didn't show up at the meeting that meant they didn't feel strongly about the effort. So up stands the Chamber President to ask for parking relief "just because she got blasted for not having Christmas parking?" and proceeds to tell everyone that she doesn't think it's a good idea and won't make a difference. Then after the half hearted attempt fails to convince the Borough Council who claims it vetoed the request because it would cost the town $22,000 (Have they asked the businesses in town how much they LOST because of this little flood? I'll bet its a lot more than $22,000...but we don't want to ask the town to be anything but "revenue neutral" do we?") The Chamber's VP stands up to a huge sucking sound and almost THANKS the town for refusing such a obviously bad idea. OH PULEEZE!! I think the newspaper article had the headline wrong..."Free parking proposal falls on deaf ears" should have read "Free parking proposal falls FROM deaf ears". I'd like to know how this Chamber of Commerce can claim to actually HELP commerce by ridiculing its own ideas before, during, and after they propose them. I have to agree with Uncle Charlie again that there ARE good ideas out in our town and that some people with real energy are actually doing something to keep it great AND make it better. I wish them all the best in their endeavors and hope you guys can turn this town around. As for me its time I said Bon Voyage! to most of you...I think you have a great little town here that with some help and care can remain as silly and spectacular as it is. My biggest fear for you all is that forces beyond our control here are changing things in ways those of us who like things as they ARE will only hate, and that what was once a funky, noisy little haven for weirdos, connoisseurs, and artists is slowly and with little thought being transformed into a ritzy bedroom community full of millionaires and soccer moms. Hold on tight to your dreams!! There are fewer and fewer places in this world allowing you your freedom to even THINK you might ask your town to bag a meter. -The MUG man

Letter to Yenta 07/26/06
Roni, let me be New Hope's cheerleader, I am not it's best diplomat but I am it's best ambassador. If The Yenta will post this, contact me at variete34@aol.com. I'll be happy to guide you through the maze. Incidentally a store sounding like the one you want to open has recently opened in our sister city Lambertville, New Jersey. They specialize in accessories for small dogs. Best of luck to you!

Letter to Yenta 07/25/06
Hello Yenta, My name is Roni, I am a jewish new yorker in search of a quieter life. I am an outdoors enthusiast, a dog lover, a single woman and am looking for a fresh start in life. I would like to open a pet store in a place to call home. Would you recommend New Hope for a person such as myself? I have a close family friend in Bucks County and my family currently live in Wash DC and the New York area. Thanks for any advice.

Letter to Yenta 07/25/06
Regarding meter rates and parking fines in the boro, they really are outrageous in New Hope and do leave a bad taste in visitor's mouths. I recently received an expired meter ticket in Doylestown and at first glance at my windshield saw red. I figured I had gotten nailed for $35 for being 5 minutes over (been around New Hope too long I guess). Upon reading the ticket, I saw they had listed a $5 fine for being a first offense, but stated that future 2nd offenses would be the full $35. I really didn't have a problem with that and did not leave town feeling that I'd been fleesed by Doylestown boro. Also, if I parked there the next day and let the meter expire and received a $35 ticket, I would not have been angry at Doylestown, but rather myself. There needs to be a balance in boro government between generating revenue from the meters and turning off new visitors by laying in wait in the bushes and surprising them with large fines. Doylestown approach is much less likely to have mad people leaving town, not to return. This scenario would be more friendly to new visitors, while still generating the heavy fines from those who are aware of them. Nobody likes to be hoodwinked and it's being done everyday here to new visitors who come to patronize the town's shops and restaurants.

Letter to Yenta 07/24/06
Yesterday I read an article in the Gazette about what could have been free parking in New Hope. In the article there were quotes from the president of the chamber where she said that she did not believe in free parking. Why did she ask for it? She said that the request came from business owners. Why would she ask for something if she did not believe in it? What is even worse is that she then said it to the paper. Her vice president Frank Policare more or less agreed with her. I really thought that there were some intelligent people on the board of the chamber. But to my surprise they all seem to be as uncaring as the president and the vice president. I paid $100.00 to the chamber to be represented by them not to be shot down by them. Mrs. Gering said in her interview that the merchants and their employees are to lazy to move their cars so why give them free parking. It is time that these people woke up and realized that things like free parking brings people to any town.
This has been a rough year with the floods and the weather and gas prices and now with someone who insults the people that put her in office. Right after Labor Day, I will be moving my store to another town nearby that I will be able to make a living in. Most importantly, it is a town with a chamber that properly represents the local businesses.
Moving On To Greener Pastures

Letter to Yenta 07/20/06
New Hope watches as three business leaders emerge to fill the void in this time of economic crisis: Brian Hanck at the helm of the now established Second Saturday organization, Howard Cooperman chairing the New Hope Business Alliance, and Greg Conocchioli spearheading an ad campaign to attract more visitors. While so many other officials seem to have their heads in the sand when it comes to boosting tourism, these three have stepped up to the plate and deserve our support. I give them what time and money I have left at the end of the day, and urge all of you to do the same.
-Uncle Charlie

Letter to Yenta 07/18/06
You will need some background and I'll be happy to provide the necessary facts, just come by my store and I'll be happy to fill in the details. To make a long story short though, at the most recent Boro Council meeting I added my voice in support of The Chamber's request for some parking relief, did some math, did it wrong, and rather than address my comments Council Vice President used the opportunity to blast the downtown business district for not being thankful. You know "they sweep the streets twice a week and do the same with trash receptacles." The businesses are not thankful seems to be the company line. Frankly, I am sick of hearing about the past chambers and their activity or non activity, the problems then, and what they did or did not do. This town and this professional community need to work together. Don't you think we should talk about similarities and not differences. The council wants to protect property values and keep taxes to a minimum which is very laudable. The business community wants to make a living. After flood number one, everyone was confident they could rebound, customers did not come back in full force, after flood number two, the confidence dwindled, customers did not come back and the back up cash never quite reached its previous level and so there is less to sustain ourselves with after flood number three. Keep in mind that during this same period, the bridge was closed and we were forced to endure the street debacle while we continue to deal with at best a hostile business environment in the form of high gas prices and a council which does not see its' place in helping develope new and creative business initiatives.
With all that said please post the letter I recently sent to Sharon Kaiser with copies to all Boro Council members:

"Dear Sharon.
Oh well, my ciphering was wrong. Didn't I look the fool!
However, I am disappointed that you characterized my comments as somehow being ungrateful to the boro vis a vis their response to the business district. Patently that is not the case. When I suggested that perhaps downtown should have remained closed for awhile longer I was merely reiterating what you had said earlier, that being that North Main Street residents found it difficult for their clean out service folks to park, etc., as did many others.
I thanked the boro, I participated in lending a helping hand, I sent food to the fire house, I offered water, coffee and snacks to the people that manned the checkpoint at Stockton and Ferry, I offered my personal assistance to Richard H, who said they had enough people to help at the moment. We all help in the ways that we can when we can. I do not need the public accolades that many in this town seem to think are so important. When I do good deeds I do them quietly.
Additionally, with a little creativity, the parking request could have been attained, it could have been styled as "Christmas in July" and promoted as such, with no free parking in December. It could have been a choice!
The business district is struggling more than you know, I know of three people that will be closing and they are good stores. I will be leaving in March, probably to no one's chagrin. it will happen to others as well.
Floods happen, they have happened to you and you know all to well the personal toll that they take on their hapless victims. Professionally I am not sure that anyone can quantify the residual affects. What happens to a person my age financially is incalculable. I and some of my colleagues are scared.
Any downtown district cannot be left to go its own way, it needs the guidance of municipal and professional leadership. ordinances, zoning and review boards are not enough to guide a municipality through the processes of a change which we can all be proud of. Unfortunately, at least in my view, this boro has let to much go on for too long, all in the name of quirky, arty, eccentric New Hope. Now it is extraordinarily difficult to get it back to something which the majority can be happy with, I speak for many residents and my own customers when I say that New Hope is a disappointing destination which hangs its hat on an artful past without a clear view of the present nor of the future. It is puffery, which has no real discernable place in the solutions to real problems.
I care not for my image, and I do not need public pats on the back for my humanity to my friends and neighbors. My mathematics were wrong, but your characteriazation of the businesses lack of thanks, while perhaps not directly aimed at me, but used as an answer to my comments suggested that I am one of the thankless ones which you aptly described. Thankless is not an adjective that should ever be used to describe my posture.
Quietly there appears to be a love/hate relationship between the boro and the business district. To suggest that residents only shoulder the burden of an actual downtown shot in the arm dismisses the very real fact that the boro collects taxes from everyone including taxes on downtown properties. Those owners deserve the same attention that we give folks that reside on or near the river and canal. Their losses will be just as palpable when their tenants leave and the far reaching effects of three floods are felt. This is not a game of who suffered more, a real community thrives and suffers together simultaneously, disregarding agendas. Some days the bear eats you and some days you eat the bear!
I acknowledge that I am not a diplomat and do not seek to be one, but Sharon nor am I a demon. I would suggest that this boro take very seriously the good ideas that a citizen like me makes, a person does not have to be likeable for his ideas to be logical or make sense. I say what I say only in the most altruistic sense of all the words which I use.
You did a great job chairing the meeting, thank you."

Sincerely,
Gregory Conocchioli

P.S. The 51k cost of a one time shot in the arm for the business district and its related costs, born by approximately one thousand tax parcels is negligible. Perhaps a one time tax assessment could have been enacted on next years taxes. I am sure that the actual costs are far below what this community collectively sent to Katrina. Charity begins at home and there are creative solutions to every problem. For a town that considers itself so artfully creative don't you think that it is time to artfully and creatively solve our differences and problms? Everything is possible.

Letter to Yenta 07/17/06
As a member of the chamber of commerce, I must tell you how disappointed I was earlier this afternoon. Today the temperature nearly hit the 100 degree mark. So as I sat in my shop waiting for someone to come in and at least suck up some of my air conditioning, I decided to kill some time and visit the chamber's web site. The first thing that I saw upon entering the web site was a beautiful picture of Lambertville, New Jersey announcing that this was the New Hope Chamber Web Site. I do recall that at the elections that took place earlier this past spring, someone asked about the Lambertville picture and we were assured that it would be changed immediately. Well, obviously someone is asleep at the switch.
I then went on to view upcoming events of the chamber for the remainder of the year. Boy did I throw away $100.00 if this is all that they are going to do for us. The BIG EVENTS ARE:
July 20th-Chamber Board Meeting
August 12th-Second Saturday (not a chamber event)
August 12th & 13th-New Hope Auto Show (not a chamber event)
Sept. 30th & Oct. 1st-New Hope Outdoor Arts & Craft Festival
Dec. 11th-Crossing Dress Rehearsal (not a chamber event)
What happened to the tree lighting and Santa parade? Did they decide to cancel Christmas after putting in a pewney pathetic little tree last year and then calling it the town tree?
I only hope that the chamber gets its act together at their meeting on July 20th. Many of us are having a hard time this year, especially since the recent flood. By the way, where was the chamber during the flood? We saw boro council people all over the place with police and lots of volunteers, but no chamber board members.
REALLY FRUSTRATED

Letter to Yenta 07/13/06
While all this sounds well and good the fact of the matter is that most of the people who are spouting off about our national outrages, need only to look out their backdoors. I wonder if they go to Boro Council meetings. By the way, everyone should now know that this boro now posesses the capability to knock on the door of rental properties, and inspect them for the numbers of people living within. Yes, that got passed last evening, all for the safety of the inhabitants therein. Nothing more than Big Brother and revenue producer for this boro. What a sad state of affairs when you can sit and look the leaders in the eye and know that they are pursuing their own agendas. Like Juan and Eva Peron, they did it all for you! It's time for a quiet revolution to take back our lives and the sanctity thereof!

Letter to Yenta 07/13/06
Last night, my partner John Dwyer and I attended the monthly Borough Council meeting. Aside from the usual business that is normally discussed, they discussed the recent flood. Both John and I personally want to applaud all of the various services that worked tirelessly in the clean up efforts and in securing the town. They got us up and running in less than 48 hours after the disaster. All of those in attendance applauded the fire department, police, fire police, New Hope constables, rescue squad, public works, borough council, the mayor, our borough manager, the Red Cross and the countless number of volunteers that worked around the clock to help us during our time of need. We observed many of the residents helping residents and business people helping one another. John and I personally want to thank everyone for all of their help and say what a great job everyone did.
Both John and I were downtown each day and evening prior to the Delaware reaching flood stage and after the river crested and continuously saw members of council throughout town. Where ever I went, I would see Geri, Sharyn, Richard or a member of council assisting both business owners and residents. It is our opinion that the members of council and the mayor as well as all of the services that I mentioned earlier should be applauded and should in some way be acknowledged for all of their hard work during what was our third natural disaster in less than two years. As a business owner, I was pleased to hear that the New Hope Police Department did not issue parking tickets from the time that they removed the barricades on Saturday through the July 4th holiday. It is amazing that in a time of crisis, how everyone can set their differences aside and help one another. We are a great town and I am proud and lucky to be part of it.
-Herb Millman (New Hope)

Letter to Yenta 07/13/06
Our largest corporations and their major stockholders squeal in joy when we lowly commoners banter and argue Repubs -vs- Dems and Dems -vs- Repubs. Both parties are and have been financed and controlled by these moneyed goliaths for a long time. The question should be do we want to remain a corporate state, whose loftiest goal is simply "mo money" or start focusing on things like "real" campaign finance reform? -JC

Letter to Yenta 07/13/06
I think BD sort of missed Francine’s point that in a democracy it’s a healthy thing to question the actions of government officials or the consensus of the majority regardless of party affiliation. Francine stated that she is neither a Democrat nor Republican; I happen to be a Democrat who appreciates rational debate between all parties knowing that spirited thoughtful discussion only makes us a stronger society. -Cranky Dave

Letter to Yenta 07/12/06
Wow Two malcontents. I mean the tax and spend kind. Democrats did not free the slaves nor did they give them civil rights until Republicans forced them to act in 1964. Remember AL GORE'S FATHER VOTED AGAINST THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. So don't take bows for something you had nothing to do with. If you two spent more time helping than hand wringing what a great boro this would be.
-The not surrendering Frenchman .BD

Letter to Yenta 07/11/06
I am neither a Repulican nor Democrat (I recognize there is value on both sides) and don't typically enjoy mudslinging. But, I was jolted by Mr. Duval's clearly derrogatory use of the word "Democrat." You don't have to affiliate with a party to employ common sense (which isn't so common today). Party loyalty seems to trump common sense (and that is true on both sides of the partisan fence).
If, by "democrat," you mean a voice of dissent among the sheep ~ Yay Lepke!
If, by "democrat," you mean someone brave enough to point out flaws in our system aiming toward making them better ~ Yay Lepke!
If, by "democrat," you are referring to the very spirit of rebel activism that made our nation a place of free speech (at least until we were appointed a president in 2000) ~ Yay Lepke!
We may not agree on methodology, but I think we all have a similar goal.
Without the Lepkes of the world, slavery might still be tolerated and women & people of color might still be silenced at the voting booths! (The squeaky wheel does often get the grease.) Yay Lepke!
- S. Francine

Letter to Yenta 07/11/06
It's time that Lepke publicly admitted his self-centered stance was wrong. Unless, of course, he/she is one of those people who mind is made up and doesn't want to be distracted with facts.
-T.M.P.

Letter to Yenta 07/10/06
Hey Yenta - New Hope has proven once again that it truly is a Phoenix rising from the ashes or in this case the water. Saturday was "Second Saturday" and hey, people came out and seemed to be really enjoying the sun and fun. Mechanic was a cacophony of music all day and into the night as well as the music from venues throughout the town. New Hope is a town full of people who don't let a little thing like the Delaware stop them from living and playing in a place that they love. As I have said before, I live just outside the boro but I gotta tell you how proud I am that I can call New Hopers my friends. The high spirits and just sincere good time exhibited in the town on Second Saturday" shows the tenacity and incredible positivity of the folks of New Hope. Thank you for being my friends and thank you all for keeping the "Spirit of New Hope' alive and well. I'm constantly amazed by your ability to work together in a time of crisis and put differences aside in order to help one another. Bless you all... -The Old Beatnik

Letter to Yenta 07/10/06
Did we have a election for TOWN CRYER and did Lepke get elected to the hand wringing post.Sounds like a Democrat. -Bill Duval

Leter to Yenta 07/07/06
As a resident of North Main St, I support the curfew and blocking of foot / car traffic. I can't speak to what the police were doing blocks away, but I welcomed the police blocking traffic and questioning people at the entrances of North Main St. I don't want / need a bunch of tourists (or locals) wandering around watching me clean-up. The people who came to help me only needed to do a couple of reasonable things -- show some ID and tell the police where they were going and why. If people had a reason to be on North Main, they were let in .. if not, they were appropriately told to leave the area.

Letter to Yenta 07/07/06
I hear what you're saying...sorry you got flooded...the oglers were awful...but we gotta find a way to protect your home & let people like me get around town & help our friends on Main without carrying a national security ID...a curfew is ridiculous...cop cars loudspeaking blocks away from Main that citizens will be subject to arrest...yellow tape across sidewalks blocking foot traffic unneccesary...Bridge and stocton lit up like a prison camp...how easy we leap for authority and control...crisis management w/o crisis communication...interrogation not information...no community gatherings...dude, I tried to help friends on main and had to sneak through the blockade to do it...we were all up and down the canal trying to get around...how wonderful Coach and Coldwell volunteer...just keep the state troopers off my block...stop forcefully evacuating my zone...give us less cops and some leaders with real guts and hearts not afraid to hit the streets and talk to the people they forgot they represent...Lepke

Letter to Yenta 07/06/06
To Lepke: It wasn't just businesses that got flooded. Alot of people (including myself) got their entire 1st floors flooded and couldn't even get their doors shut and locked from wood swelling. Gawkers who were not flooded (some local) seem compelled to wander around and snoop through other folks disasters. Maybe put the shoe on the other foot for a minute and see how you would feel if you just got wiped out and your home was open to the world and people were allowed to wander around your place unchallenged. You'd be singing a different tune. Thanks to all the volunteers, police and national guard in the area for making a horrible situation a little bit more secure for those who were actually flooded!

Letter to Yenta 07/05/06
The curfew was heavy handed and largely unnecessary....those of us who don't own businesses like you were severely restricted in our movements...questioned 50 times a night trying to walk to your friends house...why?...whats different this flood then the first two?....The cops can protect main street stores without locking down the town....we residents can't gather and talk...forced evacuations because of a canal that doesn't overflow...there's no communication from the borough on status of the flood or the bridge throughout...oh but we had the state trooper with his glock guarding the canal...he had overtime...I can't get a job in town...nobody has money but the police department....new equipment more hires for all the mythical barfights on the south side....god bless the kids who volunteer to fight fires...what were talking about is the unneccesary massive show of force by the cops...some who lost their cool on main telling ooglers from Village 2 to back off...some deputized individuals displaying inproper behavior....all in all way too many cops with too much attitude...like usual...sorry you can't dig that....Lepke

Letter to Yenta 07/04/06
Lepke sounds a little uninformed. Maybe a list of the "deputized bikers and miscreants" who volunteered to enforce the curfew might be helpful.
Mayor Keller
Tom Villareale- Coach Executive
Trish Villareale- Law Enforcement
Gordon Nieburg- Retired NASA
Jim Finn - Coldwell Banker
Paul Stubbs-Retired ATF
Duffy Mangan- Retired Solebury Chief of Police Lem Keen- Firefighter Susan Trindle-Firefighter, College Student Chris and Ellen Bollenbacher- Landing Restaurant Terry Randol-Search and Rescue- New Hope Eagle Fire Co.
Matt Daniels- Firefighter
Doug Oswald New Hope Eagle Fire Police
The members of Midway Fire Co. Fire Police Those who volunteered to work extra shifts and give up their time with their families included:
New Hope Police Department
Solebury Police Department
Pennsylvania State Police
The Major Incident Response Team which included Police Departments from as far away as Quakertown.
-Chris Bollenbacher

Letter to Yenta 07/03/06
Oh yes Kudos to our boro councilmen...the half that didn't flee the town...for running about the burg to emergency meetings flapping their arms and puffing...no need to hold neighborhood meetings...Mayor McCheese will wave his hand from his Ferry St balcony or buy a few beers down at Frans...ah the sight of Ed Duffy running after a TV news truck...gotta have your priorities...nightly curfews enforced by an overtime cast of deputized bikers and miscreants...our multiple rotund constables patrolling the strassers...oh and Kudos to the Gazette that bastion of journalistic avantgardism...will Sean leave the relative coolness of his riverfront cave?...will he bring his handy tape recorder or be forced to ask incisive questions?...tune in next week...and Real Kudos the People of New Hope, who helped each other, who braved nauseating mud and
e coli waters to lend a hand, to store equipment, refrigerate food for others, check on homes and neighbors, lend a bed, a couch, who opened stores and restaurants, who patrolled our streets and got the power back on...Kudos to New Hope...screw the council, the committees, the chamber, and the developers who have brought us floods and identity loss....God Bless New Hope and all her freaks!!! -Lepke

Letter to Yenta 07/03/06
If any of you folks that routinely check in with Yenta want to know how you are able to help New Hope in the wake of the recent flooding, here is a suggestion:
Come downtown and make a purchase in every store that you visit, a card, a CD, a book, sunglasses or cosmetics, just buy, buy, buy! Start your holiday shopping early. Thanks for your support and remember to bring home a bagful of New Hope!

Letter to Yenta 07/03/06
This is a great place to live - they say if you live by the river you must invite her in now and then - but this is getting crazy. We are actually getting good at this re-hab business. The Boro was on the ball with dumpsters and info. PECO was just great and the Eagle Fire Co. was spectacular. The police kept sight seers out altho some feel we should have kept them out another day. I feel we need to handle volunteer help a little better. Volunteers were looking for things to do and didn't know what to do. We need a volunteer coordinator. Otherwise - we are getting better at this. Let's hope we don't get any more practice this year.

Letter to Yenta 07/02/06
It's me again, it seems to me that the greater new Hope Chamber of Commerce missed a golden opportunity to repair some fences. Five days after the flooding, which based on my own informal survey says many businesses will not survive, and not a word of encouragement or a plea to stick together because now more than ever we need each other from one of the officers or the members of the executive board. What a perfect opportunity they lost to disseminate information with some credibility and to put out their hand to an already digruntled membership. While its' intrepid leaders' store was open for a few hours on Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday, our fearless leader was nowhere to be seen. Sometimes personal plans get cancelled in the face of an emergency, that's what leadership is.

Letter to Yenta 07/02/06
I also agree that the most recent Boro Council meeting was handled well and also agree that it could have become an all nighter. So what?
That the owners of The Raven thought it imperative to fill the room with schills was reprehensible and inappropriate. It was akin to playing what I call the "race card." It was the first time in my life that I can honestly say I was ashamed of being a gay man. There was no reason to fill the room with silent but steady intimidation. The neighbors that spoke should have gotten up and read the letter they all recieved from The Raven in which they, (The Raven,) castigated one of the neighbors by name for speaking up directly to them and the Boro. The owners of The Raven lied!!! Shame, shame, shame, the same words used mercilessly by ACT-UP.
I get a real kick out of people who want to begin projects in this town when they tell me how good it will be for the town and my business. What's good for my business is this, come in and spend some money which I incidentally spend in your establishment, stay for the entire public meeting in which all matters are discussed including those that might affect them instead of just being present for that which concerns only them. They could at least act like they care.
This is not a small town, it is a town of small minds that think big for only themselves and their agends. The public good is not even a consideration. Vision is lost where the big picture is concerned and long term public views and initiatives are routinely dismissed.

Letter to Yenta 06/27/06
Kudos to the Gazette for their recent stories on motorcycle noise. I don’t know how many stories or letters have to be written before the New Hope Police department gets it. Spot checks aren’t cutting it; violators should be getting pulled over as they roll into town. Does New Hope really feel that these people mean that much to their economic well being to look the other way when they roar through?
If so New Hope is in a much more pathetic fiscal state than even some of the letter writers in this forum have been professing.
-Cranky Dave

Letter to Yenta 06/27/06
I been to New Hope many times, since I was a child, but I can't help but tell you how disappointed I am in your town. You can't walk down a street or have something to eat at a nice restaurant without hearing the roar of all the motorcycles, you can't hear yourself think..Today they make motorcycles that you can't even hear, so why can't the state or your town pass a law on the noise level of these bikes..If my car made that noise, I'm sure I would be pulled over and given a ticket...I know I will never again go to New Hope, I just can't enjoy my-self, and I'm hearing this from alot of people, matter of fact two couples walked out of the restaurant because of the noise..
Now I know why people are calling New Hope .....No Hope.. Please fix your trouble..
Thanks, Bob Flowers

Letter to Yenta 06/24/06
I think our Borough Council is doing a great job and the recent meeting, which in the old days would have been an all-night brouhaha, was handled very well. I do agree with the recent writer than it must be uncomfortable to stand up at the microphone, with your rear end hanging out, to address council. Why not pass the hand mike around in the audience. I think there would be more participation as people would feel more comfortable.

Letter to Yenta 06/23/06
I’ve stopped going to Borough Council meetings for awhile because I think they’re part of the problem. Asking the average citizen to attend a meeting at the High School on a work night where the most controversial item will undoubtedly be placed late on the agenda is not an earnest attempt at encouraging community input. One must walk up the center aisle of a student cafeteria filled with folding chairs, and approach a lone microphone, address a panel of borough elders with one’s back to the actual audience, and deliver one’s “commentary.” “Thanks for sharing,” they nod and smile. And almost any old-timer around town will tell you that everything at those meetings is decided well beforehand. Wanna join and change it? Sorry, open slots on purportedly “public” committees of the Borough are reserved for friends, partners, supporters and real estate developers. New Hope is being run by a group of reasonably hard-working and well-intentioned individuals, but in my opinion they’re obsessed with financial stability through growth of the tax base and seem to lack any sense of vision beyond tacit complicity with those trying to make a fast buck on the real estate boom. There are small towns throughout America where mayors and borough councilpersons and business leaders and community activists work together to build a strong local economy that can weather cyclical downturns. Not here. The answer? Yeah, go to Borough Council meetings, but start holding some of your own. Community meetings can take place in homes and stores or backyards, and there are an array of strategies at the citizen’s disposal to affect political change. I’m not standing up at a lone mike in some high school lunchroom at 10:30 at night to give my “commentary”. I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.
-Uncle Charlie

Letter to Yenta 06/10/06
Not going to Boro Council meetings and making your voice and your perceptions equals complacency, ergo, demand what you deserve, fight for what you want and take responsibility for the outcome.

Letter to Yenta 06/09/06
Borough Council + Real Issues = Arrogance & Ego Massaging....
TOB

Letter to Yenta 06/06/06
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that council members in New Hope have ever collected salaries. It's either a very tough and thankless service to help the community or done for less clear motivations. Getting ideas and proposed community directions from "all" the citizens would be an unrealistic extravaganza for any unpaid civil servant. Maybe the borough could hire one independent & decently paid "citizen interviewer". That person's responsibility could be to try and schedule interviews with every citizen every few years. They could report progress and results to both the Council and several media outlets every quarter. -JC

Letter to Yenta 06/05/06
I have lived and worked in New Hope for many years. Now that I am semi retired, I continue to read the Yenta to not only keep up with the gossip in town but to find out how stupid and insensitive so many people are. The last few letters to the Yenta really hit the nail on the head. We have a council with absolutely no business representation on the board. What qualifies these people to sit in council? Perhaps it is their degree or just plain popularity. It is definitely not because they have any common sense. This can be seen by the decisions that they make. They are not only letting developers ruin the image on New Hope, they are also choking the life out of the business community by their actions. How could they possibly think that rolling the parking meters back to 9:00pm would even help business when 90 per cent of them close before 8pm? Let's face it, the only reason that they did it was to raise the ticket price to $20.00 so they could have more money to spend on their salaries. You can also bet that you will not see any of the money spent on decorating or making cosmetic improvements in the downtown area. As for the group that is now running the chamber, this is another joke. What have they done to bring people into town this year? I have talked to many shop owners and they are barely making their expenses. People might be coming to town, but they are not the art lovers of the past or tourists with any kind of taste. All they seem to buy is coffee, ice cream and look for a cheap day out. Having a car and cycle raffle does not attract tourists to town. They need to plan events much like their art festival. Street fairs, bake offs, music, live entertainment if promoted properly will bring people to town. My hat is off to the one who created second Saturday. It is the first brainstorm that I have seen in sometime. As a pack rat, I have saved copies of the Gazette and the Herald for the last year or so. In rereading the papers, I am finding that the chamber president has a business that is only open two days a week. How can you hold this position if you are only here two days a week? What kind of idiots would reelect her for a second term? I have come to the conclusion it is the same group that voted for Bush. I hope that the chamber has made plans to promote New Hope for July 4th. With their track record they will probably have a few sparklers (during the day) and maybe another raffle.
I find that what has happened to New Hope is pathetic. The over development and the lack of insight will soon turn this town into a ghetto rather than a town that we can all be proud of. I think it is up to people like the creators of second Saturday and other business owners and residents to take the town back and make it what it once was. So folks, get off of your fannies and make things happen and turn this town around. I would not worry about the chamber or council, just do it.
A Frustrated Resident

Letter to Yenta 06/04/06
I woke up this morning with a dream in my head of me sitting in front of a college fraternity being asked questions. I wanted to join this group and I was being asked what vision I had in my head as to how I could fit into their group and help them. I think this was my body's reaction to New Hope and was its way of telling me that no matter what vision I had, I could effect so little change that it was useless to join anyone in the attempt.
So many different visions of what's good for New Hope and the directions we want it to go are being bantered around in town these days like someone dropping a bushel of ping pong balls in front of Love Saves the Day yet there seems to be no one vision that is acceptable to all. So many factions...so little agreement. The "Management Faction"... the people in charge to which we business owners and residents all have to go to get things approved and done. The "Business Faction"...historically the reason the town exists in the first place and why people come here to visit and to live. The "Developer Faction...wealthy business people who buy up property and develop it and by doing so increase their profits and also increase the tax base for the Borough. All these factions have a vision as to what's good for them...what works best from their perspective for the town and its people and yet in reality we seem unable to come to ANY agreement as to what vision we can ALL fit into.
People speak up about this...they stand up at meetings and complain. "Why are you even THINKING of tearing down the historical fabric of this town, taking away our business properties and parking lots just to change it into YOUR vision?" yet the historical people can't even just say, "I'm sorry, you can't do that." People join groups and try to get different opinions expressed and new ideas elected but are told there are bylaws that need to be observed..."You can't run for President if you haven't been a member for a year!"
Our managers way of handling this seems to tell anyone with an idea, "Find a way to allow us to do what you want and anyone can do anything...we're here to serve you!"...which is why, I guess, they were elected but one would think they had some vision of their own to guide them....and us.
And the business people, who are the most effected by all the other factions, seem so oppressed and unrepresented...fighting amongst themselves blindly trying to eeek out their dream in a town where they can't even vote because they just work here. Yet these people ARE the visionaries...the people that make noise...the people who decorate the streets, their store fronts...post or don't post their hours...water the trees in front of their shops...drop quarters into other people's meters. Ask any shop keeper what their vision of New Hope is and they will tell you, "Its where I come to make the dream come true for both me and the guy who walks in the door." Simple as that...and its been that vision that has sustained this town for the last 250 years, from the Ferry boat business to the Ice Cream business.
The projects that are going up in New Hope will have an amazing effect on the fabric of this town and its being done because we have no vision...at least none that anyone can point to and say. "Hey! You can't do that because it doesn't fit into our plan." Did anyone ask the business faction if putting condos up in parking lots was a good plan? These things just seem to happen and when someone stands up to speak about things or disagrees with an idea they are asked for their credentials..."Do you live in town? Are you a member of the Chamber? Have you been a member for a year yet...? SORRY! You can't speak."
I agree with the Yent-ite that spoke about a town meeting. I think we are overdue for a 21st Century vision of New Hope that we can all look at and live with and in. I agree that these days having a business in town is not a respected endeavor by certain factions and that having a Business Privilege Tax is tantamount to a Tea Tax in colonial Boston. The business community is shrinking and hurting and fighting has broken out in the streets and no one seems to notice as they can now ask a valet to park their car for them for the night. Even our own business leadership seems vague about their roll...how to help..WHO to help.
In this town called New Hope...there seems so little new hope...just glimmers of a difference. I tell people that 90% of my efforts to improve my state go between my 4 walls...and 10% to the guy across the street and next door. I do the best I can to make my part of town friendly and supportive to those that live here and shop here. I feel like I am the only one sometimes that feels this way.
--the Mug Man

Letter to Yenta 06/01/06
Hooray for the letter writer of June 1st, please come visit me in my store, Variete, 34 West Ferry Street. I'll be happy to meet you on June 30th and burn the tax bills, but please not into the Deleware. But first a caution, in this town we'll probably need a permit! -Greg (Variete)

Letter to Yenta 06/01/06
Will we be able to bring hot dogs and italian sausages to cook on the fire when everyone burns their tax forms? If so, I'm in just give me the time and date. I'll bring the doggies and sausage. I love a good cat fight..... The Old Beatnik

Letter to Yenta 06/01/06
Acts of civil disobedience -- AHHH YES, a refreshing thought!!! But let me put New Hope aside for a minute and give a respectful or not so respectful take on things nationally. Our representative form of democracy has been thoroughly perverted. At the national level the only choices that usually make it to the ballot these days are those with the financial & political backing of our large corporations. Corporate advertising is lying to and suckering us ad-infinum every minute of every day, in every medium. Inspiration for humanity beyond the accumulation of material goods is not! The personal and/or financial leanings of many of our so-called representatives have precluded meaningful representation in many cases. Our institutions are becoming home to an increasing number of slickers, operators & power trippers serving the interests of a few.
Back in New Hope- our boro government wants to require that little mom & pop business owners join a commercial organization (the Chamber) to speak through if they wish to be heard by Council? Do I have this right? Boro Council - what will your legacy be - we balanced the budget and ran the town like a corporation? George and Tom rebuilt the town in their image? You guys are the leaders of this little boro. Why did you run for office? You could be promoting local grown produce markets, zoning changes for preservation, buy local, encouraging citizen involvement for needed changes. You could start something like New Hope Hours (like Ithica Hours), a local currency system to promote the local economy, community self-reliance and community participation. In Ithica it's helped keep money local and built the economy in an ecologically responsible fashion (ithacahours.org). If not this, they're many other paths that could be blazed to bring "community" back to New Hope. Every year there seems to be less and less community participation in borough government and their meetings. There's an increasing amount of "mean" floating around. Many people are alienated and cynical of the government and other's appear too busy to be bothered. One thing is for sure, if Council discourages individual participation in meetings or worst yet makes it impossible, except through a 3rd party, they just as well post a sign at the door saying public not welcome at public meetings. Mix a significant number of apathetic citizens with a Council that does not encourage, value and solicit those who do want to be involved and you've got rotting fruit on the vine.
Chamber - scrap some of your new by-law restictions regarding whom can be on the board, announce general elections in 4 mos (time for those who might then join to review the candidates) and have a simple majority vote of the "full" membership for the BOD positions. If your mission is to be the democratic instrument & voice of the local business community, then orchestrate an election that democratically reflects this. Otherwise, it would appear the "present" Chamber is just another organization run or influenced by a few opportunistic operators of the moment.
The town and the country needs leadership with some radical visions for the future and the heart and personality to bring people together – not split them apart. More corporate wanks we DON’T need.
A numbed corporate society with little vision beyond what part of the material pie we can lay claim too? I'm neither frustrated nor disenfranchised, but pissed off. -JC

Letter to Yenta 06/01/06
Dear Yenta, Like many merchants in town, I reflect on the past weekend, on what the rest of the “busy” season holds in store, and on what’s ahead for my business and the town in which I live. On my countertop is a bill for $660 for an ad in Resort Maps, $375 for New Hope’s Business Privilege Tax, and my receipt for $100 for membership in the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce.
The map could probably be printed at a much cheaper rate if we did it on our own, but I won’t begrudge Camille her fee, the map draws customers. The leadership of our Borough and Chamber of Commerce right now are, in my opinion, damaging business in New Hope and I can’t for the life of me figure out why we should pay one more single penny to either of these groups.
Many will say “you can’t criticize unless you JOIN,” but guess what? I’ve been a chamber member for years and can’t seem to get this Chamber to fight to preserve the business district, to fight against the continued destruction of parking lots, to take on any tough issue affecting the business community, except for the appalling and unprecedented spectacle of the Chamber leadership begging Borough Council to raise ticket prices back in March. That was also when a Council member stated that he doesn’t frequent businesses in New Hope because they’re not open at night.
At a more recent meeting another council member urged disgruntled merchants to join the Chamber. Unfortunately, this Chamber has expressed in many ways that downtown businesses are not welcome, they are the “Greater” New Hope Chamber now, and by the way, we are to refer to ourselves not as “merchants,” but as “business owners.” Well, last time I checked, tourists weren’t flocking here to visit a title insurance company in Buckingham, they’re coming for stores, galleries and restaurants in downtown New Hope. We tried to run candidates for senior office at the Chamber of Commerce, but they wouldn’t let us. See? We joined. It didn’t help. The Chamber views itself as a giant networking opportunity: lots of business card exchanges at lots of bars.
As for Borough Council, none of them own a store , and only two of them ever visit mine, even though I’m a resident. Same for the rest of the stores on my block. “But you’ve got to join!” Well, surprise again: I and other citizens have tried to join committees of the Borough and been blocked because “they wanted somebody else to get in,” according to embarrassed chairmen. Oh, you might get on to the Shade Tree Commision, but just see how democracy works for anything related to the development and future of our town.
My solutions to all this? Let’s see if Second Saturdays can represent and promote historic downtown New Hope and Lambertville. Maybe it’s time to resurrect the Independent Merchants Association. And maybe we should ask Captain Bob to use his landing on June 30, burn those Business Privilege Tax forms, and throw them into the Delaware.
That’s how our forefathers dealt with taxation without representation.
-- Uncle Charlie

Letter to Yenta 05/30/06
Hi Yenta,
Another depressingly dismal weekend for New Hope, my informal Tuesday morning survey among downtown merchants suggests a greater discontent and a further disconnect from, The Chamber, The Boro itself and each other. It seems restaurants faired well, but that should be fairly obvious, our visitors like to eat! Look at them! Fancy prices do not a fancy restaurant make, come on Mansion Inn, Come On Marsha Brown, come on Martines, come on Landing, come on The Logan Inn, enforce a dress code, at least in your interior dining rooms. Your salons look like the boardwalk at Wildwood and you might help us all by attracting people that know how to dress for a day not at the beach. Retailers get it through your heads that quirky New hope is just not working. If you want customers to spend, attract them with quality bait, clean your windows, sweep your curbs, offer them a different shopping experience. Get it through your heads that we have lots of competition, much of it modeled after the former glory of New Hope and accept the fact they are doing it better than we are. We have become what they were.
Quirky, arty New Hope needs to get its act together and perhaps show some real pride by infact flying the American flag everyday, but especially on national holidays, my very informal count showed flags in the planters along the railroad tracks placed by the garden club and only twelve other visible sightings. There were more banners and flags for New Hope Celebrates weekend than there were for Memorial Day weekend. The irony is that the day is set aside to remember the men and women who in fact made events like New Hope Celebrates happen through their own ultimate sacrifices and those of their families and friends.
Not for anything we have a VFW Post at the gateway to town, in other towns they take the lead to honor their own and keep alive the spirit of their fallen comrades. What happens here, to the best of my knowledge nothing. New Hope is becoming a town with serious quality of life issues, among them our seeming inability to march under one flag or banner and unite for common causes. The same people are called upon to chair committee after committee and run organizations one after the other. It is no wonder, at least to my mind that there is no wealth of new ideas. New input is actively sought and simultaneously ignored by the same people. New Hope is not a small town, it is a town of some small minds that have seized the cultural and political scene. The list goes on and on.
I propose a town meeting, no agendas and no politicians, elected or cultural. Come as you are, bring something to share and be willing to be a part of the solution. Just as there is no one problem in any community, but a series of them, there is no one solution. The number one solution requires diligence and dedication and ultimately the identification of those problems top be solved, this is a town allegedly filled with good people and terrific ideas, let's begin to use them.
Any interest in the town wide meeting, let me know through Yenta and all will be revealed!

Letter to Yenta 05/25/06
I agree I wouldn't spend $100 on belonging to the chamber right now. They dont do anything to push New Hope, just a raffle for themselves, no 4th of July events, amateurs running the Arts and Crafts show in the fall, nothing going on. Where is the president lately? Why did she get a political position from borough council? The chamber sold us out big time.

Letter to Yenta 05/20/06
I agree totally with the reader who suggests that too little attention is placed on the residents of the town here and that it is that tax base towhich both home and building owners are almost servants. We who own our own shops in town get blessed twice by this in that we pay both a yearly Business Privilege Fee (tax) AND a school (real estate) tax on our properties. I'm actually glad they haven't noticed I have a dog or they might just tax HIM too but that is off the subject. Recently at the last Borough Council meeting it seems one of our resident business owners got up to protest a council appointee and was told that he would not be heard since he wasn't a member of the Chamber of Commerce and they only deal with the Chamber of Commerce now. If this is the case and since I understand the Chamber DOES accept non business members I think what the Borough is asking us all to do if we want a voice at their meetings is to do what the Chamber has asked us to do for almost this entire election year and stop complaining and JOIN the insanity. I think I'll pass, Thanks! -The MUG Man

Letter to Yenta 05/18/06
Yesterday I spoke to a gentleman, who years ago had been one of the architects of the New Hope Chamber of Commerce...He was saddened to see the same sniping at good men and women who give their time and energies to the promotion of our town, only to be second guessed at every turn, and always by those who never had a positive idea of their own as had been in his time...He spoke of why he and others had left the Chamber Board, it not being any fun and certainly not appreciated....usually by the few but most vocal and vociferous... It is a shame that years later the same element attempts to denigrate any and all attempts to be a force for positive effort..if these people would really like to make New Hope better, wouldn't it be better to open meaningful dialogue to affect positive thought ...This town could progress if more of us sought positive ways to improve it, rather than just complain without alternatives....If we work TOGETHER, we can accomplish miracles...lets try it. -Tom Rice

Letter to Yenta 05/18/06
Congrats to the baby boomer. Your prize for correctly answering the question of the year or moment whichever. You get to be President of the chamber for life. Again congratulation's. -hyinski

Letter to Yenta 05/17/06
A very good question from the 41 year resident! Can it be the parking...enough for buses? Can it be the attractive shops, which sell things people actually WANT, during regular business hours?
Could it be the lovely grounds with benches to sit and rest? Or maybe it's the endless and excellent marketing, with adult and "kid-friendly" promotions throughout the year to attract visitors.Gee, I don't know WHY they'd be successful because of all that, do you?
They're successful because they really work at it and it shows!
Baby Boomer Olde New Hoper.

Letter to Yenta 05/17/06
Question? Why is Peddlers Village so successful??? Can anyone on chamber answer this most difficult question? As a 41 yr. resident I HATE the direction New Hope is going. But I love living here But ALAS not shopping. Think why? hyinski

Letter to Yenta 05/16/06
I've been a loyal reader of the Yenta for years, and it dawns on me, as I read yet another petty posting about the infighting concerning the Chamber of Commerce that NO one pays any attention to the residents of New Hope who don't own a shop or business in New Hope, yet probably are the strongest and most consistent tax base for the town.

As I voted today, I thought "if a candidate for office would only pay a bit of attention to the folks who year after year submit silently to school tax increases (can it be largely for the children of illegals? Pardon me while I lose my "PC", and pardon me again that I resent paying for them!) and suffer the antics of "businessmen" as they posture for their moment of fame, why we'd have a different outcome in New Hope."

I grew up here, lived away for several years and returned for the last 15 years, because this is home, and a very decent place to live. BUT, and think about this please,New Hope provides almost no municipal services (such as trash removal) that other communities take for granted, and don't even go there when it comes to the coming scandal about water and sewer. (Wait till you get THAT bill.)

How about a municipal swimming pool, for example. (Do you remember when that was part of the deal of the old Acqua Club, or how the Annual Auto Show was supposed to provide this, and didn't?) Or where is the Seniors Center, Adult Day Care, or even a decent facility with parking for the library? The volunteer Eagle Fire Co., is virtually ignored (OK thay get some tax dollars) but not what they should. I often wonder if all these Manhattan millionaires actually realize that their million dollar condo is protected by local volunteers. God bless 'em! (The volunteers, not the Mahattan crowd.)

Importantly, the "new" demographics are built on the "old" infrastructure, with little or no restructuring, as a recent movie proclaimed "something's got to give."

Elders cannot support the taxes, so they sell their stable homes of 25 and 35 years making way for a wave of expensive new development, and produce new residents who have NO clue what New Hope is about, other than it's a fashionable zip code not too far from Manhattan. Look around Giant next time you're there, do you see anyone you know?

New Hope DOES exist beyond the traffic light, and it's about time that someone stepped up to represent the residents who work hard, bring their incomes home, and pay continually higher taxes to the "Pink Palace" high school and ever expanding elementary schools. Please read last week's Gazette where you're told that the increase of 1.09% in school taxes is such a bargain! You'll love It and drink the "cool-aid" too!

Now if only the Council had any control of the school board (I know they don't) but hey, it's my letter, what a wonderful world!

A Baby-Boomer Olde New Hoper

Letter to Yenta 05/15/06
Hey you 2 luminaries ... enough already of the "you're stupid" sandbox game?
You both have a point. Voting with ones wallet or working for change within the existing organizations. Living in a society where large corporations fund the major campaigns (determining who gets on the ballots), own the mainstream media outlets, control the financial markets and mass employ lobbyists; the day of public affairs for private advantage has been upon our society for many a moon. If out of frustration us little folks can do no more than call each other names - the bad policies, politicians and greedy will continue to run us all. -JC

Letter to Yenta 05/15/06
Dear Mr. Professor, I have no problem with law abiding tourists who come to enjoy the great things that both towns have to offer. The bikers who come into town with their altered motorcycles are not included in the law abiding category. These bikes unfortunately make up the majority of motorcycle traffic that comes into town.
Residents of New Hope and neighboring towns have long complained about the noise problem and to have the Chamber run a promotion that embraces these “tourists” only further distances them from local people who support all of the businesses year round and not just two watering holes during the warm months. Maybe we can discuss over a couple of beers in Lambertville. -Regards, Cranky Dave

Letter to Yenta 05/15/06
Dear Anonymous: If you don't know business is down everywhere under this current administration, you are just plain stupid as well as arrogant. And I guess anyone who disagrees with your diatribes against the Chamber is automatically a chamber cheerleader. So much for an open mind. Also, I didn't realize the Yenta column was exclusively for the use of only those who agree with your opinions. All along I thought it was a vehicle for individuals to express their own opinions. Ah, the censorship of the amblyopic is such a joy to behold. -The Mad Professor

Letter to Yenta 05/14/06
Mad professor -- if you don't know business is down in New Hope youre blind besides being mad. Do your chamber cheerleading somewhere else.

Letter to Yenta 05/12/06
Dear Yenta,
Amazing as it seems, when I arrive at the door step of many businesses in New Hope only to find the lights out and the door locked, what I don't find is store hours dispalyed. Is someone out to lunch, will they be back in 15 minutes, is the store closed for the day???
HEY BUSINESS OWNERS...what would you think if you arrived at a destination you've heard lots about, and were on the receiving end of your shortcoming? Shops that are closed and you have no clue if they open at noon but you arrived earlier, if it's their day off, when will they reopen so you can see their wares??? It's just common courtesy to post your hours. If your hours are that scattered to post your, you probably don't need the revenue from sales!
Not that you asked my opinion, but since this site is free, please allow me to take advantage of expressing my concern on behalf of the tourists coming to town. Any of you who do not have regular hours posted, can't decide what hours to remain open, or just don't have the time to make a sign, please feel free to count on us to print one for you on our P.C. free of charge. You choose the color and style...we'll print it for you while you wait as long as you committ to posting it.
P.S. Don't forget to leave some extra quarters in the register for people wanting to contend with the meters here. It's an opportunity for short changed potential customers to see what you offer for sale.
WHEW!! - I think I got that off my chest. Thanks for reading
-Sincerely, Howard Cooperman, Howard Gallery of Fine Art, 77 W. Bridge Street,
New Hope PA 18938 (215) 862-5272

Letter to Yenta 05/12/06
As a former merchant and resident of New Hope, I like to keep up with the local scoffers via The Yenta. In the years since departing from New Hope, it seems little has changed. There are those who try to do something positive (like the Chamber) and those who nay-say, are non-supportive of the merchants, and who expect someone else (not them, of course) to make improvements, e.g., Cranky Dave and the person decrying the Chamber’s raffle.
The problem with New Hope are the people in New Hope like those mentioned above. Cranky Dave, instead of supporting New Hope with positive actions, troops across the river and spends his money in another state. Very good example, Cranky Dave!
The other anonymous chap wants the Chamber to do something. Is he a member of the Chamber? Does he show his support of the town? Or does his just sit there and bitch? As for his reference to the "idiots" who would spend $100 for a raffle ticket, the Chamber has sold several hundred raffle tickets, all without his help. Makes one wonder who the "idiot" is.
As for why there are less tourists on weekends (a debatable "fact"), let’s look at what the tourists see. A friend overheard a couple in a restaurant recently complaining about another New Hope restaurant which, for anonymity, I will only refer to as "Z". The couple entered Z’s empty outdoor dining area around 6:00 p.m. They sat at a table for 10 minutes without anyone so much as saying "welcome". Finally, they walked over to the bar to order a drink. All the bar stools were occupied by Z’s staff so they could not even sit there. The bartender told them he would get to them in about 10 minutes after he got his "third hand out of his butt." The couple walked out and ate elsewhere. Gratefully, they stayed in New Hope to dine, unlike Cranky Dave.
If New Hope wants tourists to spend money, everyone (Cranky Dave included) needs to present a positive, upbeat, friendly attitude at all times. Otherwise, the tourists will go elsewhere. And Cranky Dave will be able to eat anywhere he wishes, assuming there will be any dining areas left to accommodate the likes of him.
- The Mad Professor

Letter to Yenta 05/08/06
Ditto from Cranky Bill and 10 other cranky guys.

Letter to Yenta 05/05/06
Since the Chamber sees fit to promote a greater influx of motorcycle traffic with their raffle we’ll be eating all of our meals on the other side of the river this summer where we can dine in peace. That’s a loss to the New Hope restaurants of about $140 a week. I hope they can make that up in Lager.
-Cranky Dave

Letter to Yenta 05/05/06
People who can afford $1,000,000 condos are the ones who can afford $100 raffle tickets. This old beatnik is out of the runnin' on this one. Besides, I've had my Harley back in the day when it wasn't all lawyers, doctors and investment bankers trying to look bad on the weekends. I rode with some real "dirty neckers" and I've got no use for a Cooper Mini - Too damn small to be of any use to me. Hey How about somebody buying a chance on a new Caddy Escalade for $20,000 per ticket, there only four tickets so your chances to will are 25%. Auh shucks no takers. -The Old Beatnik

Letter to Yenta 05/05/06
Do we all have to stay quiet about that stoopid New Hope chamber raffle of a car and motorcycle? What idiots could be buying those tickets at $100 a pop? Meanwhile theres less tourists every month and the chamber does nothing.

Letter to Yenta 05/03/06
Historic Preservation

In April 2006 I attended a house restoration lecture that was given at the Perry Mansion and sponsored by the New Hope Historical Society. This lecture was one in an ongoing series that is covering many varied topics of interest.

I would like to applaud the New Hope Historical Society for their vision in spearheading this type of programming which is free to the public. More lectures that tackle this broad subject of restoration would bring much needed attention to the importance of preservation. The value of educated restoration for old homes preserves the historical charm and character of the structure and gives the past a much needed future.

Times are changing in Bucks County and especially in small towns like New Hope where the influx of new residents adds new challenges and opportunities. Many times instead of protecting rich historical buildings it is much easier to tear down a structure to make way for new housing that ultimately looks like every other town. Every time an old house is lost that town looses more of its identity.

Here we still have stone and wooden homes that were built before or directly after the American Revolution. So much of the early history of our country took place right here in our town. Washington led his army through New Hope then called Coryell’s Ferry and departed at the Ferry St. landing on his way to the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. Let our children and those still to be born know that we were leaders in historical preservation. New Hope is not just a place to visit, stay and shop, but a town that is alive with history that should be preserved so that it can be enjoyed for another three hundred years.

Respectfully,
R.H. Ashton
New Hope PA

Letter to Yenta 04/28/06
You, Sir, have made your mark! But in this day of age, I will not entertain "otherwise" except that which is known as "paint-ball". However, there is Rahway State Prison for whatever "otherwise" means. If you mean to be a gentleman, then name your time and place on Mechanic Street this 13th of May.

Letter to Yenta 04/27/06
All duels, paintball or otherwise will be fought on the field of honor - MECHANIC STREET . Further, all these conflagrations will be conducted on Second Saturdays as part of the entertainment.
-The Old Beatnik & Queen Morbid

Letter to Yenta 04/26/06
Hey Guys, Why don't you settle scores with paint-ball duels? Same accuracy with round balls rattling down a smooth barrel, just like the pistols of yore, and it could be quite an entertaining attraction. Mug Man or Leslie can slap (lightly) the other with their gloves, and then we have an event on Saturday!
- Alex and Aaron

Letter to Yenta 04/24/06
I usually don't try to debate reporters much because they always seem to get the last word on things but last week's Gazette article by Sean Murphy just rankled my proverbial neck hairs. He says that all of us that use this Yenta forum come in three categories..."...frustrated...disenfranchised and, yes, even paranoid." Now I'm sorry but I don't think I qualify for ANY of those categories and I also think its very limited in scope. I feel franchised all the time and only frustrated somewhat by living in a community of people with always varying opinions and powers but I never feel paranoid...at least not when the CIA is out of town and the listening posts on South Main are down. So just to give Sean a hand here I'd say I was a typical educated adult with maybe a strong opinion on things that matter to me and those around me. I have yet to challenge anyone to a duel yet, though! Although I have noticed that Leslie at Love Saves the Day now has mugs in her window, I bet I can out "MUG" her without resorting to dueling pistols at 40 paces.. -the Mug Man

Letter to Yenta 04/23/06
Hey Silence,
Good to hear you are alive and well.
-Harry Meanwell

Letter to Yenta 04/22/06
We need more such frank and honest opinions aired in our online gazettes. But maybe not so identifiable since one like-minded individual who engaged in such editorial sparring ended up mortally wounded on the banks of Weehawken.
- Silence Dogood

Letter to Yenta 04/21/06
Thanks for being the original that you are Bob! Also thanks for increasing my vocab by a word. I had to look it up, but what a great word: Anencephalic - congenital absence of all or a major part of the brain. -JC

Letter to Yenta 04/21/06
OK,all of you. I'm sick to death of the bickering, and smearing. Rodney King called it correctly when he said, "Can't we all just get along". New Hope is a beautiful town in a beautiful part of the world. I like Rita's mango gelloto and some of the exotic ice creams at Bob Gerenser's really knock me out and I also enjoy a tall latte at Starbuck's from time to time, and a coffee and pastry at the French bakery have added to my waist line.
My wife and I dine in NH at least 4 or 5 nights a week. I shop in NH when I need things and have found that the merchants have what I need ( Yes Mr.
Mayor even on Mechanic St.) I live in Solbury but spend most of my time in New Hope, which is why I moved here in the first place. How about we all zip up our flak jackets and tighten down our helmets and get on with the business of selling our little corner of the world to the people out there who have been coming here for generations to kick back and enjoy the shops, the river, the restaurants and the ice cream parlors. Let's cut out all the crap and get back on track. To Bob Gerenser - I would be happy to act as your second if you face off with the "un-named local" Nuff said. Git 'er done.....
- The Old Beatnik

Back