| Back Letter to Yenta 11/03/01
Knox and Velasco appear committed to engaging "all" the
citizens of the boro. They have been more forthcoming than most in publishing their
positions and ideas. The boro needs officials who are open and communicative. Hopefully
both will be elected and can start the process of bringing this fragmented community back
together. The divisive backroom politics of current and past years needs to go away. Good
luck Mr. Knox and Dr. Velasco. You're New Hope's best hope at the present for a cohesive
community (and all that can be accomplished when people work openly and together). vw
Letter to Yenta 11/02/01
Most are still waiting (likely in vain) for "all" the
candidates to place their visions, personality attributes and ideas in writing. A few have
made efforts in this respect, but the majority have divulged little in writing (other than
the standard platitudes).
This town desperately needs leaders who are open, honest and capable of bringing people
together. Communications skills, compassion, openness and personal warmth (within a public
context) are all necessary, if the divisions and stagnation of the town's spirit are not
to remain the status quo.
We need political parties and politicians who will engage the public (in a public
fashion), not shut them out! vw
Letter to Yenta 11/02/01
Dear Yenta,
I would like to applaud Roger Butler for his willingness to address openly the Wage Tax
issue. A topic that many of his opponents have avoided. It's nice to hear where he and
Rick Swanson stand. I'd be interested in hearing the other candidates views before I cast
my vote on Tues.
Letter to Yenta 10/31/01
Dear Yenta,
Did it bother you or any of your readers that a recent headline in the Intelligencer told
readers of a carjacking "near" New Hope? It wasn't until near the end of the
article (after it jumped to another page) that readers found out the incident actually
happened in Buckingham!! Days later we find out the incident might not have happened at
all. Not long after that, another article reports on the death of a New Hope resident with
the speculation that it could be foul play. Later we find out that it was an
alcohol-related accident. In the meantime, casual readers of the paper might be thinking
about the escalating crime rate in New Hope. Is the Intelligencer sensationalizing the
news in order to sell more papers...at the Borough's expense?
What do you think?
Letter to Yenta 10/31/01
Dear Yenta,
As November 6th approaches I just want to share some thoughts with the voters of New Hope.
We have important decisions to make in the next four years. Decisions that will impact our
community for years to come. Some candidates think a wage tax is inevitable. I disagree.
We need to explore other sources of revenue. But to do so we need a diversity of opinion
on Borough Council. Not the "one-set" mind that is being offered us by some
candidates. On November 6th please vote for independent thinkers. Please cast your votes
for myself and Rick Swanson.
Our ONLY loyalties are to you and our community.
Sincerely,
Roger Butler
New Hope
Letter to Yenta 10/26/01
In a matter of two weeks the election in New Hope will be coming to
a close. Where do we stand after four years with our current mayor? Sometimes the truth is
negative and when we discuss the past conduct of our mayor it is with regret that we must
report negatives. Information without solutions have been reported over and over again in
all of the local county newspapers. One of the unanswered questions is why don’t we
have a police chief after well over a year? The mayor’s chief responsibility is the
police department and as liaison and spokesperson representing New Hope. We’ve had
unfair and bad press on the drug dog that was meant to help the community. The
mayor’s original signed agreement supported a canine program, then his statement to
the media was in direct conflict with his signature. During Hurricane Floyd two years ago
the thoughtless suspension of the acting police chief on that very day by our mayor caused
this town to narrowly escape serious tragedy. Our mayor himself had discussed with council
two weeks prior to the hurricane the critical need to hire more police officers. Every
able officer was needed during this emergency and such a disputed one day suspension
should have been delayed for the safety of our town. In the local elementary school the
children and teachers were stranded due to flooding for many hours because buses and
parents could not get through. We had an elderly resident directing traffic on Main Street
and at the height of the storm I collapsed on North Main. What I later read in the papers
from my hospital bed about this storm and what transpired angered and disappointed me.
Certain members of the borough council had met with the mayor on the morning of the
hurricane and tried to reason with him to delay the suspension for 24 hours. In their
defense were solid facts from the weather bureau predicting the imminent danger descending
upon our town. The council members had hoped that in the best interest of the town our
mayor would delay the one day suspension of the acting police chief until the storm
passed. Our mayor adamantly refused. As residents of this town we look to our mayor for
safety, protection and leadership. I felt vulnerable and distrustful of the competency of
such a mayor.
We need a mayor who is fair and puts the interest and safety of the community before
favoritism and politics. It is time for a change and with the evolving and uncertain times
ahead for our town and the world we need a mayor with the strength and vision to stand up
to any emergency regardless of personal issues. Joe Knox has an extensive background in
public safety as an EMS captain and trainer. He has recently completed a police
administration and organization course at Bucks County Community College and observed
operations at the Philadelphia Police Headquarters-Round House with a Deputy Police
Commissioner and his staff. Joe has put legitimacy back into Civil Service testing and
under his guidance a much needed full time officer has been hired. Joe Knox brings
experience, professionalism and a civic mindedness that will lead New Hope into a safe
future.
Respectfully,
R.H. Ashton
Letter to Yenta 10/25/01
Can anyone shed some light on an incident report made on the
President of Borough Council...?
A concerned voter
Letter to Yenta 10/25/01
I write this letter to quell any and all misrepresentations
involving the Democrat Party. Once again it seems necessary to state that myself and Bert
Johnson were approved and appointed on the County level to co-chair the Democrat Party in
New Hope. There is only one state, county and local Democrat Party. What other credentials
are needed? The official Democrat ticket will include all the county and state Democrat
candidates and will include the only officially endorsed Democrat candidates, Joe Knox,
Democrat for Mayor and Dr. Rey Velasco, Democrat for Borough Council.
Certain candidates can say whatever they like and even call themselves Democrats because
this is a free country. They can also revive old organizations to give themselves needed
backing. Regretfully you can say all that you want on the subject, but Sharon, Ed and
Randy you are not backed by the official local/county/state Democrat Party in any shape or
form because of your attacks on the New Hope Democratic Committee and your Republican
ties. I hope the voters will see through your cloud.
Lady Matasovsky
Co-chair New Hope Democratic Committee
Yenta Column 10/24/01
The Yenta is once again, baffled at the blind loyalties and fervent
opinions which people tend to exhibit. Is it with the thought that you will receive some
special place of honor at the table of the local politicos?... or perhaps a payback down
the road?... or some business related remuneration?... or is it just the sense of power
you crave?
Whatever your motivation...it really is time to give it up! Didn't the events of September
11th ring home loud and clear? If you don't aspire to the true principles of a democratic
government, maybe you should consider living elsewhere. Your freedom of speech and thought
does not give you the right to steal, deface or otherwise interfere with someone else who
is seeking to exercise those same rights to those freedoms. To the perpetrators of the
election sign thefts... shame on you. If you are working for the Republicans...more than
shame on you...shame on your party. If you are a member of the existing governing body or
an employee of the borough...you should be brought to justice and feel the full weight of
the law. You are an embarassment, not only to yourself, your town, and your party...but to
everything that you are representing that you believe in.
Back to the election...the only platforms presented to date for review are from Joe Knox
and Rey Valesco...are the rest of you candidates flying by the seat of your pants? Let's
go!! Put it in writing...make yourself accountable. We are all waiting.
All those who are old timers in town mourn the loss of Francis Curley, Doc Shoenthal,
George Briehler and George Kline. Their contributions to the communities are too countless
to recall. What can be recalled of all of them is their sense of responsibility to the
community in which they lived and worked. All of them gave tirelessly with a great sense
of humility and respect for their fellow man. Those of us whose lives they touched will
miss them all dearly.
The Yenta!
Letter to Yenta 10/24/01
Dear Yenta,
Several dozen of the campaign posters placed by permission on private property and in
public places by the Knox-Velasco Democratic candidates for Mayor and Borough Council have
mysteriously been taken down over night. Since they all seemed to disappear at once, it is
certain that this was a deliberate act of vandalism.
It is remarkable that this is a repeat of the same mischief experienced in the primaries
last Spring.
Fortunately, in this case, there is an eye witness who noted the car license plate number,
the make and model of the car, and recognized the people in the car. There was also a
known escort. You might be surprised....
Joe Knox plays fair and by the rules. Since it would be VERY embarrassing to certain
parties, the details of this incident will remain confidential......IF IT STOPS
IMMEDIATELY.
If it does not stop, the Democratic Candidates will be seeking to arrest and convict the
guilty parties.
Letter to Yenta 10/24/01
To the Yenta,
The nature of politics, engaged in a war of words, is designed to confuse, so there should
be no surprise when people, confronted with real evidence, instinctively distrust it and
turn their heads. We all know that to simply “change” and to “change for
the better” are very different things, but how does one sort out what
“better” is from the volley of mostly half truths that we are all bombarded with
prior to elections? Those who read the important documents and witness events at council
meetings, court hearings, HARB meetings, etc. can generally sort out the truth required to
make intelligent choices with their vote, but many of those who don’t, must attempt
to separate truth from fiction and trust their instincts.
My wife and I have lived in New Hope for 22 years. There have always been complicated
politics here but none as contentious and problematic as that occurring since Chief
Brobson was hired. We helped launch the New Hope Residents for Positive Change two years
ago and the official New Hope Democratic party this year. We attend most Borough Council
meetings and occasional HARB meetings, and are active in local civic causes. We
participate by sharing ideas, supporting beneficial policies and projects, while
questioning others, and defending those who we perceive are being wronged by such
policies. We thoroughly studied the infamous Police Report as well as Chief Brobson’s
denial of the wrongs that the report enumerated, and we attended a court hearing related
to this case. I am currently engaged in the daunting task of reading one of the only three
copies of the Civil Rights hearings related to the Brobson case. To further understand the
police problems, several residents invited Bill Kelly (the Police Report author) to dinner
a month ago, and questioned Kelly extensively about his conclusions. We also consider
ourselves thoroughly familiar with the Canine Program, not because we supported it, but
because we questioned the lack of professionalism in the manner that it was launched and
administrated, and the insensitivities shown to the canine officer. Mayor Keller also
disregarded legal obligations that New Hope had, based on an agreement we had with the
county’s D.A.’s office. Mayor Keller again demonstrated his lack of judgement
and professionalism when he decided to suspend an officer from a day of duty as a
punishment for an infraction. Waiting several months, he chose the day Hurricane Floyd hit
New Hope for the day of suspension. Flooding problems on North Main St forced residents,
including myself, to help all traffic, including tractor trailers to turn around in
residential driveways because of lack of barriers at the beginning of N.Main St.. There
was an obvious shortage of police officers and poor planning.
With this experience behind us, we have learned a lot:
• Several of the original members of New Hope Residents for
Positive Change resigned from it because Richard Hirschfield’s and Sharyn
Keiser’s initial acts in office were contrary to our
expressed objectives and they had broken
important past campaign promises.
• Many achievements claimed by Sharyn Keiser’s team,
including the Union Camp project, were initiated during the previous administration.
• This council initiated the practice that minutes for public
participation at Borough Council meetings are not recorded, which prevent verification of
important details.
• Even when critical issues are before council, there is
inadequate time for public comments and no allotted time for debate.
• Unlike any other municipality in Bucks County, we do not
publicly report crime statistics on a regular basis. Rather, we opt to protect our image
at the expense of resident’s safety.
• Mayor Keller has habitually made irresponsible and
unprofessional decisions that threatened to place the borough in legal and financial
jeopardy. It took 23 months to bring the canine program to the point of negotiation, long
after we were receiving reimbursement from the county drug forfeiture fund. Keller
received bad press from three local papers for his actions on both this issue and his
irresponsible handling of the Hurricane Floyd event.
• Borough Council leadership selectively admonishes Borough
Council members. Example: On one evening, both Bert Johnson and Sharyn Keiser used the
word “liar” in describing two
different parties’ actions. Johnson was duly scolded by council, whereas council
remained silent about Keiser’s remarks.
• One of the finest historic buildings in the country was
architecturally compromised because HARB was provided with inadequate enforcement
mechanisms. By losing a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, we demonstrated our unworthiness
to protect our country’s historic heritage.
• Testimony recorded in the Brobson Civil Service hearings made it
clear that he was an at-will employee, with no chance of him persevering in his case, but
our council settled it with $112,000 plus a significant undisclosed insurance payment.
• Borough Council leadership treats ideas opposed to their agenda
with disdain, labeling those people “dissidents”. This creates a negative
atmosphere, and attempts to circumvent the democratic
process.
A more balanced Borough Council and a mayor who performs in a professional manner can
remedy many of these harmful patterns of governance. To do this, it is imperative that we
all learn the truth about our candidates and vote with the advantage of knowledge.
Paul Witte
Letter to Yenta 10/23/01
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Mayoral Candidate JOE KNOX
New Hope Borough Council Candidate Rey Velasco
THURSDAY OCTOBER 25
6:30 PM until ???
at KARLA's RESTAURANT
(next to the New Hope Visitor's Center)
WELCOME all citizens, New Hope Business Owners, and employees!
Letter to Yenta 10/22/01
We were quite pleased that over 50 people from Riverwoods turned
out for our party to support Joe Knox for Mayor and Dr. Rey Velasco for Council. In
addition to a few dozen people who ventured up the hill from town, Joe and Rey were also
personally supported by several Bucks County Democratic candidates and by the
Commissioners and the Chairman of the Bucks County
Democratic Party. And for good reason:
Joe Knox is well qualified to be Mayor of New Hope. As a former owner of several radio
stations, Joe's business leadership and management experience alone would be a valuable
asset to the management of our community. To this he adds years of community service on
boards of directors like the Red Cross, American Heart Association, and as a trainer of
the emergency medical, fire and police when he lived on the Jersey shore. His two years as
New Hope Civil Service Commissioner has helped the community get through some difficult
issues. Joe has already shown himself to be a responsible voice of reason and leadership.
Joe Knox would bring a much more even and mature style of leadership to the office of
Mayor. Gone would be the constant harassment of individual police officers that Mayor
Keller insists on persecuting. Gone would be Mayor Keller's constant meddling and
micro-management style that has caused so much strife in borough affairs. Joe Knox would
bring the even hand of experience to the daily management of the borough. Most important,
he would be an effective civilian leader for the police force, something that has been
missing in New Hope for far too long. I would think that 6 negative press editorials on
Mayor Keller's leadership would make New Hope stand up and realize it is time to retire
him. Joe Knox will provide a welcome change.
Dr. Rey Velasco was a tireless campaigner for the Hirschfield coalition only two years
ago. Unfortunately, alliances did not last when campaign promises were broken and the
newly elected seemed to change sides after November. Dr. Rey Velasco decided to run his
own campaign for Council this year. Rey has integrity, independence, and honesty, and is
well connected to the wishes of citizens. He will always consider the issues first in the
context of what is good for the community. Most of all, Rey can be counted on NOT to join
a coalition of block voting. Dr. Rey Velasco has his party's endorsement. Others do not.
Something has really bothered me about this Hirschfield "coalition". Not only do
they habitually vote together in a block, but also their predetermined vote often leaves
other Councilmen out of the loop until the vote comes up on the floor of Council. New Hope
has been run by a backroom voting block. While they have made accomplishments in the
revitalization of New Hope, and brought improved fiscal responsibility to the borough,
there are many important priorities that have been left virtually untouched and
uncommitted.
Knox and Velasco are committed to priorities such as legal accountability, development of
historical integrity, better communication, improved public safety, and more responsible
police administration. I believe that Joe Knox can bring the leadership that has been
sorely lacking to the office of Mayor of New Hope. Joe would be a strong leader, and
provide balance, business experience, and maturity to our government.
The Keiser/Flagler/ Duffy/Fell coalition candidates claim they can continue their mission
if only we would elect more "yes men" to the Hirschfield coalition. Frankly, I
didn't move to New Hope to see local politics shut out important minority voices. Ours is
a community of diversity that would better be served by a more balanced council, a Council
with NO controlling "coalition", a Council that thinks for themselves.
This election is difficult to understand in terms of a balanced democracy. It concerns me
that the minority voices are disappearing from Council . Bert Johnson and Bob Gerenser are
gone. Even if you didn't always agree with them, at least they had the courage to question
and to speak out. If New Hope allows the Hirschfield coalition to increase its ranks, the
only minority vote left may be Sandra Trappen. I say break up that control. Elect someone
like Dr. Rey Velasco who will think for himself. Elect new blood like Roger Butler and
Rick Swanson, and keep reliable Jake Fell, but reconsider the power of Sharyn Keiser. She
broke every promise she made to us two years ago when we campaigned for her. I simply
cannot trust her self appointed sense of control and power. Moreover, neither Sharyn
Keiser nor Randy Flagler were endorsed by their own party, yet they are running as
Democrats!
New Hope needs Joe Knox as Mayor. We also need Rey Velasco on Council. Most of all, we
need to break up this "coalition" instead of giving it so much power that it
becomes a controlling committee that runs New Hope without considering minority opinions.
If we give the coalition more power, Council will only be masquerading as a democracy. A
healthy small town democracy needs balance, diversity, and open discussion, not a charade
of consensus fed to us by a tightly controlled backroom voting block.
Jack Stewart, Riverwoods, New Hope resident since 1993
Letter to Yenta 10/20/01
Dear Yenta:
My name is Roger Butler.
I'm running for Borough Council.
I was unendorsed in the Primary. Yet I won.
I am endorsed in the the general election, yet not supported.
I owe nothing to anyone except you the citizens of New Hope.
Please honor me with your vote on Nov.6 th.
Roger E Butler
Letter to Yenta 10/18/01
Dear Yenta,
For those opposition candidates who are claiming that mayoral candidate Joe Knox is a
"one-issue" person, I urge you to read his literature instead of making false
statements about his credentials.
Here is a summary of Joe's extensive and varied platform:
PUBLIC SAFETY:
Active community involvement in making New Hope a much safer town. Obtain a 4-wheel drive
patrol vehicle for assistance in inclement weather
Better Life Saving First Response Equipment in EVERY police car
Aggressively address crime issues in the borough
Publish police blotters and crime statistics in local paper
Improve pedestrian safety at high school and at intersections downtown
REPRESENT OUR TOWN:
Preserve the history of New Hope for future generations. Initiate a program with the PA
Historical & Museum Commission to place historic markers at borough historic and
cultural sites.
Arrange media opportunities to promote New Hope and announce upcoming events, activities
OVERSIGHT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Support immediate hire of Police Chief, selected from the top three finalists, scored by
an outside panel of police professionals.
Consistency & Professionalism in enforcing police dep't. rules, personnel issues.
Diversity Training for officers
Enhanced Community Policing to assist both residents and business owners
Park & Walk Program for police officers to walk the beat in different neighborhoods
& downtown business district
Reinstate New Hope DARE program
Public access to police building during office hours
Reorganize police department structure in order to have ranking officers on each duty
shift. Support classifications of sergeant, lieutenants or captains in police force.
Joe's platform is Pro-New Hope, Pro-Safety, and very Pro-Community.
Thanks
Jan Witte
Letter to Yenta 10/15/01
Reading a recent article about the Rhodes House in the
Intelligencer entitled “Moving Historic Home Could Help District Out of Squeeze”
sent a chill down my spine. The Rhodes House is a stone farmhouse dated circa 1740 and is
situated directly behind the New Hope-Solebury High School. About two years ago the New
Hope Historical Society almost took over ownership, but did not due to many unresolved
issues. At present the Rhodes House is owned by the New Hope-Solebury School District.
This stone structure is the last pre-revolutionary piece of New Hope history that is in
nearly original form. Now this structure is in danger of either being demolished or moved.
This house still sits on its original foundation, as it has for over 260 years, lets leave
well enough alone and give its past a future. Moving this house off its original
foundation greatly diminishes the historical integrity of the structure and could lesson
the possibilities of getting funding for restoration. Preserving this house on its
original foundation could also provide a living history learning tool not just for New
Hope-Solebury students, but for generations of students and New Hope residents to come.
During the 10 years that I have lived in the New Hope area I have seen so many of our
treasured sites either destroyed or altered beyond recognition. This town and the
surrounding area has been almost entirely striped of its early historical integrity. If
the plan to build a new elementary school is threatening the Rhodes House, why does it
have to be destroyed or moved, can’t we just build around it? We should be able to
expect more from our educators, so I appeal to the School Board, and also the New Hope
Historical Society. This could be our last chance, time is running out.
Respectfully,
R.H. Ashton
Letter to Yenta 10/12/01
Dear fellow Republicans
I have been ostracized for putting an election poster in a highly visible location not
excepted by the Republican Party. Who, by the way never endorsed me in the primary.
To Ms. Ellen Balderson:
"The man who never makes a mistake must get tired of doing nothing." - Will
Rogers
Letter to Yenta 10/07/01
This is a response to the inaccurate and misleading letter written
about the New Hope Democratic Committee’s fund raiser held on Wednesday, September
19th. I ask how could three individuals write about the on goings of a party, and submit a
letter to local newspapers with a publication deadline three days before the party took
place? How could you describe the events of a party that you did not attend? I was there
and I can attest that it was a fundraiser for the Democrat Party alone, and a very
successful one. The fund raiser expressed a unity between local and county Democrats that
will only strengthen relationships and help our community.
Most importantly I would like to give a personal thank you to local musician Jeff Morgan,
who lent his talent to the evening as a special favor to myself and the Democrat Party.
Respectfully,
R. Iain Haight-Ashton
Letter to Yenta 10/06/01
This is a simple response to the very interesting letters I have
been reading in the papers lately, where my name is mentioned again and again. Let me be
brief and to the point. Terry Smallcombe I do not know if you are a Mr. or a Ms., as I
have never heard your name before and have not the slightest clue who you are. Yet, you
seem very obsessed with me. I find this odd! Republican Kathleen Brown, I don’t know
you either. If I were you I would spend more time winning votes and less time writing
negative and inaccurate letters. Mr. Randy you are also a complete stranger to me, though
I tried to introduce myself to you. I remember you quickly backed away. My interpretation
of the moment is that you were either rude, or totally intimidated, or perhaps both.
Sharyn, I am extremely disappointed in your behavior, need I say more. Ed Duffy, where do
you stand? I seem to hear opinions of me, but I would rather hear your platform. All of
you could better spend your time talking about issues rather than me. Do I have to remind
you that I am not running for office.
The New Hope Democratic Committee fund raiser was a fabulous success. It is a shame you
didn’t join us Sharyn, Randy and Ed, as you certainly knew about the event well in
advance and your presence would have united our party.
I am proud of the fact that I want to see a Democrat Mayor lead New Hope and Joe Knox has
the best qualifications of any Mayoral candidate to date. He will be a fair and unbiased
Mayor. By the way, I was officially and thoroughly appointed to be the Co-chair of the New
Hope Democratic Committee by the elder Bucks County Democratic Committee. One aspect of
their job is to see that hard working Democrats like myself are in place to work for other
hard working Democrats. The tide is changing.
Lady Matasovsky
New Hope, PA
Letter to Yenta 10/03/01
How about flying a few more flags in downtown New Hope and, in
fact, all over town. We do not have much of a display and could do better! Let's go USA!!!
Letter to Yenta 09/30/01
Chris & Ellen,
Just wanted to thank you for all your help. The get together that I presented for my
husband was terrific. I only wish that you could see how my guest enjoyed the appetizers.
Thank you both so much.
Judy C. Butler
Letter to Yenta 09/27/01
Dearest Yenta, The New Hope Gazette published an article in this
weeks issue that was about my son being missing. I just wanted your readers to know that
my son was located last evening (09-26-01) by the NYPD and he is OK. I couldn't contact
the Gazette in time to cancel the story and just wanted your readers who know me and who
have been worried about Allen, to know that he is safe and sound.
Allen was four blocks away from the World Trade Center when the planes hit. He tried to
rush to the area to help out but was kept away by the police and firefighters who were
securing the area. He later witnessed the towers fall.
He was admitted to a hospital in Manhattan two days later to have treatment on an injured
foot that was infected. He had been hit by a cab in May and had surgery on the foot but it
never healed properly. He was tested and found to have a form of Leukemia and has been in
the hospital five times since May to have the foot treated. He wasn't released from the
hospital until yesterday (9-26). Phone service was out all over New York and he couldn't
call me and he asked the nurses to call but they didn't. I had actually called the same
hospital on three occasions seeking info on Allen but they wouldn't tell me anything due
to patient
confidentiality.
His photo had appeared in Tuesdays edition of the New York Daily News and a cop who had
seen the photo and flyers of Allen stopped him. He ascertained that he was my son and then
took him to a phone to call me and his mother.
Needless to say, I am thrilled that he is OK. The past two weeks were the worst of my
life. I would like to thank everyone who kept us in our prayers and would particularly
like to thank Bert Johnson for taking me to New York City and for helping me post the
flyers of my son. Bert has been a rock to me and my family during this ordeal and I'm
proud to call him my friend (now I just wish he'd get out of politics and give it a
rest!!!)
Respectfully...Allan P. Duncan
Letter to Yenta 09/25/01
Dear Yenta,
I do believe it's time to retire the Arty Awards. What was once a refreshing and
innovative idea for raising funds and honoring
locals has become redundant at best. I was sure there would never be a second Arty Awards,
not at least until a few years had past. This was the sixth year in a row except for one
year off.
Could you imagine Hollywood's Academy Awards with the same films and actors roles in those
films being voted on over and over again. Yawn. It begins to lose the original impact and
excitement of that first night. Similarly, this has happened here. Even with its
repetition, we continue to support the evening as we see it as a fund raiser. The irony
here is that the evening barely makes a dime as the costs are overwhelming.
I believe most people patronize the event as a fund raiser and would sooner see a variety
show of sorts with a dinner that
would in fact, raise money. We don't go for the food and frankly, not the show either.
Lastly, I don't mean to undermine anyone's efforts. It's a lot of work and well
intentioned I'm sure. So, hats off to all of those who produced the show and to those who
attended.
Letter to Yenta 09/23/01
The New Hope Democratic Committee successfully held it’s first
“Meet the Candidates Night” and fund-raiser at La Terrazza Restaurant in New
Hope on September 19th, with over 150 in attendance.
Borough Council candidate Dr. Rey Velasco, MD joined New Hope Mayoral candidate Joe Knox
and Bucks County candidates Ron Elgart of Solebury Township, Common Pleas Court; Terry
Houck, District Attorney; Glenn Hartzell, Sheriff and Roberta Forrest, Jury Commissioner
to meet New Hope residents and voters. Retention candidate for the Pennsylvania
Commonwealth Court - Judge Shelly Friedman, was also in Bucks County and joined the
fund-raiser as part of her statewide campaign.
Bucks County Democratic Committee Chairman John Murray, Executive Director Roberta Forest,
along with Bucks County Commissioner Sandra Miller were on hand to greet the many guests
and lend their support to the local, county and state candidates.
The New Hope Democratic Committee is recruiting campaign workers and poll watchers. Please
call 215-862-5626 to volunteer.
Letter to Yenta 09/21/01
Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001 in the Miami Herald:
We'll go forward & am this moment
It's my job to have something to say.
They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American
soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only
thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the
unknown author of this suffering:
You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard.
What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center,
our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that
you failed.
Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause.
Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve.
Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together.
Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by
racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivoleus,
yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a
singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too,
spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of
that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are
fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the
right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith,
believers in a just and loving God.
Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're
mistaken. We are not weak, Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by
arsenals.
IN PAIN
Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with
the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that
this isn't a special
effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy
novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death
toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of
the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have
never been bloodied before.
But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the
lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the
last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous
in our outrage, temble in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will
bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice.
I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not.
What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future.
In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to
determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from
happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic
freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too,
Unimaginably determined.
THE STEEL IN US
You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent That aspect of our character is
seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is
put on hold.
As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in
defense of all that we cherish.
So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just
wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message
received. And take this message in exchange; You don't know my people. You don't know what
we're capable of. You don't know what you just started.
But you're about to learn.
Letter to Yenta 09/19/01
Dear Friends,
Yesterday I heard a lot of talk about "bombing Afghanistan back to the Stone
Age." Ronn Owens, on KGO Talk Radio allowed that this would mean killing innocent
people, people who had nothing to do with this atrocity, but "we're at war, we have
to accept collateral damage," and he asked, "What else can we do? What is your
suggestion?" Minutes later I heard a TV pundit discussing whether we "have the
belly to do what must be done." And I thought about these issues especially hard
because I am from Afghanistan, and even though I've lived here for 35 years I've never
lost track of what's been going on over there. So I want to share a few thoughts with
anyone who will listen.
I speak as one who hates the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. There is no doubt in my mind
that these people were responsible for the atrocity in New York.
I fervently wish to see those monsters punished. But the Taliban and Ben Laden are not
Afghanistan. They're not even the
government of Afghanistan. The Taliban are a cult of ignorant psychotics who captured
Afghanistan in 1997 and have been holding the country in bondage ever since. Bin Laden is
a political criminal with a master plan. When you think Taliban, think Nazis. When you
think Bin Laden, think Hitler. And when you think "the people of Afghanistan"
think "the Jews in the concentration camps." It's not only that the Afghan
people had nothing to do with this atrocity. They were the first victims of the
perpetrators. They would love for someone to eliminate the Taliban and clear out the rats
nest of international thugs holed up in their country. I guarantee it.
Some say, if that's the case, why don't the Afghans rise up and overthrow the Taliban
themselves? The answer is, they're starved, exhausted, damaged, and incapacitated. A few
years ago, the United Nations estimated that there are 500,000 disabled orphans in
Afghanistan--a country with no economy, no food. Millions of Afghans are widows of the
approximately two million men killed during the war with the Soviets. And the Taliban has
been executing these women for being women and have buried some of their opponents alive
in mass graves. The soil of Afghanistan is littered with land mines and almost all the
farms have been destroyed . The Afghan people have tried to overthrow the Taliban. They
haven't been able to.
We come now to the question of bombing Afghanistan back to the Stone Age. Trouble with
that scheme is, it's already been done. The Soviets took care of it . Make the Afghans
suffer? They're already suffering. Level their houses? Done. Turn their schools into piles
of rubble? Done. Eradicate their hospitals? Done. Destroy their infrastructure? There is
no infrastructure. Cut them off from medicine and health care? Too late. Someone already
did all that.
New bombs would only land in the rubble of earlier bombs. Would they at least get the
Taliban? Not likely. In today's Afghanistan, only the Taliban eat, only they have the
means to move around. They'd slip away and hide. (They have already, I hear.) Maybe the
bombs would get some of those disabled orphans, they don't move too fast, they don't even
have wheelchairs. But flying over Kabul and dropping bombs wouldn't really be a strike
against the criminals who did this horrific thing. Actually it would be making common
cause with the Taliban--by raping once again the people they've been raping all this time.
So what else can be done, then? Let me now speak with true fear and trembling. The only
way to get Bin Laden is to go in there with ground troops. I think that when people speak
of "having the belly to do what needs to be done" many of them are thinking in
terms of having the belly to kill as many as needed. They are thinking about overcoming
moral qualms about killing innocent people. But it's the belly to die not kill that's
actually on the table. Americans will die in a land war to get Bin Laden. And not just
because some Americans would die fighting their way through Afghanistan to Bin Laden's
hideout. It's much bigger than that, folks. To get any troops to Afghanistan, we'd have to
go through Pakistan. Would they let us? Not likely. The conquest of Pakistan would have to
be first. Will other Muslim nations just stand by? You see where I'm going. The invasion
approach is a flirtation with global war between Islam and the West. And that is Bin
Laden's program. That's exactly what he wants and why he did this thing. Read his speeches
and statements. It's all right there. At the moment, of course, "Islam" as such
does not exist. There are Muslims and there are Muslim countries, but no such political
entity as Islam. Bin Laden believes that if he can get a war started, he can constitute
this entity and he'd be running it. He really believes Islam would beat the west. It might
seem ridiculous, but he figures if he can polarize the world into Islam and the West, he's
got a billion soldiers. If the West wreaks a holocaust in Muslim lands, that's a billion
people with nothing left to lose, even better from Bin Laden's point of view. He's
probably wrong about winning, in the end the west would probably overcome--whatever that
would mean in such a war; but the war would last for years and millions would die, not
just theirs but ours. Who has the belly for that? Bin Laden yes, but anyone else? I don't
have a solution. But I do believe that suffering and poverty are the soil in which
terrorism grows. Bin Laden and his cohorts want to bait us into
creating more such soil, so they and their kind can flourish. We can't let him do that.
That's my humble opinion.
Tamim Ansary
The Yenta Column 09/19/01
A week has passed since the attack on New York city...Still, there
are no words to describe the indescribable horror of the events of
September 11th...it is a scene that will be etched in our minds until
the end of our days. Our prayers go out to those who have perished, our hearts go out to
those who grieve.
As our nation, our town, and we as individuals struggle to deal with the aftermath, it is
fitting that we each strive to act with dignity, with resolve and with appropriateness in
all of our dealings. It is a time for everyone to re-evaluate their personal agendas,
their motivations, and the consequences of their actions and beliefs and to recommit our
lives to good works--after all, in the end, that is the only thing that counts.
Our town is a microcosm of New York, and of the world. What we do, how each of us acts,
does count. All of us need to start pulling together to make democracy work and to keep it
alive. That starts here, with making democracy work in our little corner of the world...
No matter what their ancestry, Americans are a resiliant lot. Let the
strength of our resolve be a beacon for the world.
The Yenta
Letter to Yenta 09/18/01
This election is not about political parties. It's about what is
best for New Hope. Please vote your conscience.
Your voice on Borough Council.
Roger E. Butler
Letter to Yenta 09/17/01
Dear Yenta:
I know that we have all been deeply affected by the events of the last week. We have all
experienced a range of emotions from disbelief, dispair, anger, sorrow, and many other
levels of human emotion.
We will pull together and we will go on. After all we're Americans. We have always
prevailed in the face of adversity. To this end I have added links to my website
(rogerebutler.com) that will make it easier for you to help at any level you can.
God bless you and God bless America!
Roger E. Butler
New Hope, Pa 18938
Letter to Yenta 09/14/01
CALLING ALL DEMOCRATS AND INTERESTED VOTERS!! Please join your
neighbors, and local and county candidates for a COCKTAIL PARTY and Democratic Caucus at
La Terrazza Restaurant (Towpath & Mechanic St., New Hope) on Wednesday, September 19th
from 6:30 to 8:30pm. There will be delicious hors d’oeuvres, plus a cash bar.
Suggested donation is $20, but any contribution is appreciated. Hope to see you there!
New Hope Democratic Committee
Letter to Yenta 09/13/01
WHOA!!!
PLEASE- In light of the horror that's happened this week, let's pull back from the
emotion-packed accusations that come with local politics - and think about what's really
important. What we need
now is some sort of sense of COMMUNITY, not power struggles or one-upsmanship or
inaccurate claims about the "opposition".
The real opposition is the devil who orchestrated this terrorist attack on our country and
tried to unravel our freedoms and our democracy. Let's concentrate on preserving that.
In New Hope BOTH "sides" are guilty of letting passion get in the way of reason
when it comes to their views. The Republican Party is here to stay, and should embrace all
Republicans. The
Democrat Party is here as well, and welcomes all Democrats. Just leave it at that.
Candidates, get on with your platforms - not what so-and-so did to whom in the past. The
voters are anxious to hear
from YOU, not what someone implies about you.
Enough already!
ThankYouMuch
Letter to Yenta 09/12/01
Yenta,
The first thing that I must say is BRAVO to Robert Seneca. You must make him your
assistant.
I just want to say what a job well done by Beth, Honey, Herb and all the wonderful people
that contributed. Last evening was an evening filled with fear, concern and most important
community.
Yes, the room was not full, but I don't think that I have ever felt more in touch with our
community.
I do realize it was a tough call. All of you handled it well.
Fondly,
Judy C. Butler
Letter to Yenta 09/10/01
Drugs are certainly soul destroyers for many. Possibly the funds
being contemplated for maintaining a canine drug squad in a town of 2500 would be better
spent employing a drug counselor for boro and police dept use. Police/counselor
educational combos could visit the schools more frequently. This might have a more
meaningful impact on our youth than running Gunner through the halls and streets with
armed escorts. Thirty years of statistics have made it abundantly clear that the
"hundreds" of billions of dollars spent on drug enforcement have produced little
more than hefty employment opportunities within enforcement. For every dealer caught,
there appears to be an endless supply of replacements (ready to take advantage of our
youth for their own profit). As far as the addicts themselves, drug addiction is a medical
disease and probably cannot be legislated out of exisitence any more than diabetes can.
Shifting a larger portion of enforcement dollars to demand reduction might be a better
alternative. If there is money in the budget after realistic allocations are made for
education, counseling and treatment - then bring on the NH canine squad at that point. The
problem is too devastating and the available resources too small to not carefully consider
which avenues might best produce meaningful results in the long haul.
Letter to Yenta 09/08/01
It seems that this column is going to the dogs, lately!
Isn't anything else happening in New Hope these days?
Letter to Yenta 09/04/01
Dear Yenta and Ms. Witte Even though Cpl DeLuca
"purchased" the dog and "owns" the dog, the minute he was directed to
attend that training with that same dog said dog is now a "properterial
interest" of the New Hope Borough Police Dept. The dog and the Corporal were directed
to attend this training for the use and benefit of the department and other neighboring
departments.
They were not sent there for the Corporal to establish his own drug detection business.
Therefore Garcia does attach and the Corporal is entitled to derive benefits of same.
Check your law libraries, catch you later.
Letter to Yenta 08/29/01
Bravo to New Hope Democrat Mayoral Candidate and radio
broadcaster Joe Jnox upon his completion of the Police
Adminisatration and Organization course at Bucks
County Community College this month. As part of the
course Mr. Knox spent time at the Philadelphia Police
Headquarters Round House observing the 911-call center
and other police operations.
Lady Matasovsky
Co-chair New Hope Democrat Committee
Letter to Yenta 08/23/01
Dear Yenta,
I agree with the recent letters regarding the K9 "issue," and am 100% behind the
use of Gunner for drug detection. However, there is one correction that must be stated -
because some of the case laws quoted may not refer to Cpl. DeLuca specifically. Cpl.
DeLuca bought and paid for the drug dog himself, after he got approval from Borough
Council and the mayor. The dog is not
owned by the borough, so some of these FLSA decisions might not be the same in Cpl
DeLuca's situation. Is there any case law out there that refers to dogs owned by the
handler rather than a municipality? I have not been able to find one. All this points to
is that an unambiguous CONTRACT is essential, no matter what the specific circumstances.
And I believe that one can be worked out between the necessary parties. It will just take
a little research, a little thought, and a little cooperation. It would be a chance for
our town to continue to work together on something pro-active.
Thanks-
Jan Witte
Letter to Yenta 08/22/01
Dear Gang I must agree with Mr. Duncan on his views of the K-9
situation. I also find it hard to believe that the "union" would not favor the
K-9 being utilized. Perhaps they are afraid of a "side deal" between the borough
and Cpl DeLuca concerning his compensation for K-9 care and maintenance. Or perhaps they
are jealous. Well lets look at the issues here. Under the Garcia decision (a US Supreme
Court decision) Cpl DeLuca is entitled to compensation for K-9 care and maintenance
undertaken during his off duty hours. This includes taking the dog to the vet, feeding,
bathing, grooming, medicating (in case of illness and preventive health for parasites),
and yes the age old task of shoveling. Remember Cpl DeLuca does not own the dog the
borough owns the dog, it is Cpl DeLucas duty to care and maintain said dog even in his off
duty hours. And again under Garcia Cpl DeLuca is enititled to compensation for these
tasks. For he is the one who was selected to attend the training for this assignment. Also
the Garcia decision being a federal decision, and since the mid 80s a law, Garcia applies
throughout all the land. Garcia also has some serious implications. If DOL investigates
and finds a Garcia violation the borough would have some serious legal issues with Uncle
Sam. And if you think I'm kidding look at what happened in Atlantic City back in 1994.
Also if Cpl DeLuca should fail and/or neglect to seek compensation under Garcia this could
be considered a contract violation in and of itself. In other words boys and girls the
"side deal" is not only allowed it is mandated. Also Garcia does not state that
the compensation be monetary. It could be a reasonable amount of "comp time" per
month or every six weeks. It could be a "shortned tour of duty" on a bi-weekly
basis. The compensation can be negotiated. All adults know how to do that. Which brings us
to the second issue, maybe the other "union"embers are jealous. In which case I
have just two words "Grow Up".
Letter to Yenta 08/19/01
Congratulations to Bert Johnson and Lady Matasovsky. After two
years, the New Hope Democrat Committee is back with Bert and Lady as Co-chairs. They are
ready to work for you. Scheduled events and fund raisers will be announced in the local
papers with opportunities to meet the Democrat candidates on both the local and county
level. Let us join together to give New Hope a strong Democrat presence. For information
call: 215-862-5626.
New Hope Democrat Committee
Letter to Yenta 08/19/01
Dear Mr. Duncan:
My name is Roger Butler. I'm a candidate for New Hope Borough Council in November.
I don't know you, but I would like to meet you. My email is dietogolf@cs.com.
Kudos on your letter.
Yours truly, Roger E. Butler
Letter to Yenta 08/16/01
Dearest Yenta, I'm a bit perplexed. I'm wondering how training for
a K-9 could be approved by our leaders, and then after training is completed, these same
leaders are afraid of using the dog? If there were liability issues they were afraid of,
perhaps they should have investigated these issues before they sent Cpl. DeLuca off to
school with his dog, and saved him his own precious time.
As a former cop, I was a member of an elite tactical unit for 3 years
composed of 6 men and 3 K-9's. I know first hand how valuable these dogs can be and it
blows my mind to think that the police union in New Hope could actually be opposed to
using the dog. What are they afraid of? You would think that they would love having a K-9
on their force. K-9's would definitely help them do their jobs better, which is enforcing
the law...but...maybe theres the rub!
Heroin overdoses and deaths in Hunterdon County are at an all time high. The county
government there is so concerned about drugs coming into their county, that they are
stepping up their efforts to stop the drug flow. New Hope lies just across the river from
Hunterdon County. It would be naive to think that the same problem doesn't exist here. I
personally know several young people from New Hope who went to New Hope High School with
my daughter, whose lives have been destroyed by heroin. I was asked to personally
intervene and try to help some of these kids, so I know first hand what some of them went
through.
Ecstacy is also a widely used drug in our area and a number of large drug busts have
occurred in Bucks County over the past few months. I am a Social Worker who has been
working with troubled adolescents in Bucks County and New Jersey for the past 20 years and
substance abuse is my specialty. I am not naive and refuse to bury my head in the sand
when it comes to recognizing that some of our local youth are experiencing serious life
threatening problems with drugs. The drugs are here, why not try to stop them from ruining
others peoples lives?
I've also heard rumors, that there are people in high places in New
Hope, and particularly their backers and cronies, who like to dabble in drug use
themselves. Might this be where some of the pressure to not use the drug dog really comes
from? Are they personally afraid of what a drug dog might find if allowed to do the job it
was trained to do?
It's also quite clear, that the whole issue is really to slam Cpl.
DeLuca. I do not know Cpl. DeLuca, but I have come to respect and admire him, from afar,
for not knuckling under the pressure that has been put on him over the past few years. It
is very clear to me, that there has been a concentrated and definite attempt to harrass
this man at every turn, and if I was a member of the Council, I would be more worried
about a future lawsuit stemming from their abuse towards him, which has been documented in
the press on quite a few occassions.
Alright then, I now await the inevitable salvo of vicious messages from anonymous sources
who are too cowardly to use their own names.
Respectfully...Allan P. Duncan
Letter to Yenta 08/13/01
Holy smokes folks. New Hope has managed to make "the
lines" down here in the lower end of the county. What's all this hub-bub about a drug
dog? As a former NHPD officer and a highly decorated former K-9 officer down here in the
big leagues I must say that it sounds like you folks need to be brought up to speed here.
First let me give you some background on a K-9 unit. Any K-9 Unit and its members are a
valuable tool to the rest of the department no matter what the size. And that goes for the
both the size of the department and the size of the unit. There are four
ratings/certifications in the world of K-9:
Patrol Dog: this certification states that the dog and the handler have been trained and
tested to assist the department in basic patrol functions. Training includes obedience(on
and off lead, single and group), agility, scent work(building, field, swamp,
box/container, and tracking), criminal apprehension, and handler protection. This is your
basic K-9 dog and is a valuable tool to the rest of the department. Having this is
valuable when you have to locate a child or elderly person who has wandered off into the
woods and is now considered lost. Tracking is a very valuable and rewarding tool here.
Also you can perform a track indoors. If you really want to see a group of cops, and a
business owner, breathe easier just witness them when the "K-9 guy" arrives on
scene with a burglar holed up in the business owners building. Training for this
certification is 16 weeks in boot camp like conditions. It's not a job for everyone.
Narcotics Dog: A "speciality course". You can cross train a patrol dog/handler
to do this or you can train a "new team". I believe that is what you have up
there. It is my understanding that the dog and handler in question are only trained in
narcotics work, and are not trained in patrol work. The emphasis here is on obedience and
scent work only
Bomb Dog: Another "speciality course" and the above rules apply.
Arson Dog: Yet another "speciality course" and again the above rules apply.
There are some caveats in the K-9 world. If you have a patrol dog you can only cross train
to one and only one speciality. If you take notice you will find obedience in all the
above training courses. This is essential and mandatory. And as my instructor used to say
"training the dog is the easy part, training you handlers is where the diffulculty
comes in". So now my question is why don't you folks put your dog in service. If he
has been trained and certified and performed his mandatory in service which is also a
caveat in the K-9 world what's the hold up? Policy you say well here goes if you suspect
drugs are hidden call out the dog for a drug search. Remember this gang you have a trained
and certified narcotics dog. You do not have a patrol dog. I would also be willing to bet
that all the training this team went thru is on videotape as is all K-9 training. If you
have any questions I can be reached via Greg or Leslie at the "oval office". I
would also be willing to donate my spare time to the borough in order to get this team up
and sniffing.
Letter to Yenta 08/12/01
There is a good feeling that one has in reading positive articles
about your town in local newspapers. There is also the pride that others share with you.
Yet, we all know that New Hope has a history of negative as well as positive press. Once
again I go back to the feeling that I have to defend my town to others. This time I am not
so sure that I want to. The recent Courier News and the Intelligencer editorials said it
better than anyone else could. Our Mayor needs to act like a Mayor. It is no light matter
to have county monies spent on training a drug dog and handler, that for some secret
reason is not used.
Then we have New Hope the resort community which attracts thousands of diversified
tourists every weekend. I ask our Mayor once again, why don’t we have a police chief?
Regretfully, there has been so much written about these subjects that to continue is
simply a waste of words. I think it is time to ask our Mayor to come forward and make
public statements on these issues. I think it is time to shed the personal agenda’s
and put the community of New Hope first. A Mayor should be a leader with his only agenda
the safety and well-being of his community. Silence breeds nothing but questions, we need
answers.
Respectfully,
R. Iain Haight-Ashton
Letter to Yenta 08/10/01
Dearest Yenta, Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed the
skyrocketing costs that parking lots are charging lately? $10.00 at the Logan Inn, $8.00
at the Train Station, $3.00 for the first hour at the new lot on Bridge Street with more
charged after the first hour.
I also noticed a Lisa James Otto, For Sale sign on the small plot of land next to the
video store on Old York Road the other day. Workers are clearing the trees and shrubbery.
This land happens to contain the cemetery where John Wells is buried. For those of you who
don't know, John Wells is recognized by many historians as the first settler and founder
of what is New Hope today. He operated Wells Ferry which is today Coryell's Ferry and
built the Logan Inn which is one of the five oldest Inns still operating in the United
States. John Wells is also one of my ancestors and the cemetery is sacred ground to me and
my family. I'll be keeping a close eye on what is being done there and I hope to God that
some developer doesn't get the crazy idea that he or she can just bulldoze the place and
build there. Trust me folks, it's been done before in the name of progress!
Respectfully...Allan P. Duncan, New Hope, PA
Letter to Yenta 08/09/01
Dear Yenta,
Just a reminder to your loyal readers, Election day will soon approach us. It is time to
do some serious thinking about our candidates.
Who will put the town above personal issues? Who will try to find fiscal responsibility
for our Borough?
Just some food for thought.
JCB
Letter to Yenta 07/31/01
Geez still have those traffic and parking problems on the weekends
huh? Well gang how about some possible solutions. How about obtaining permission from the
state to shut down River Road on weekends between say 9AM-7PM and for one flat fee have
the cars park at either end of town and have a tram or even a monorail deliver the
tourists downtown. It could stop at every corner just like a bus. It would be a circuitous
route so the tourists could hop it either way. If the merchants want to validate parking
so be it. Residents would be provided with a sticker for their vehicle so they could
enter/exit town if need be. Or maybe we could somehow engineer a way to turn traffic into
a one-way flow system for the weekends. This is a lot cheaper and its also easier on the
residents. Just do me one favor. Don't think of these ideas as new. Both of these were
suggested about twenty (yes twenty) years ago. Both were laughed at. Yes even I laughed at
them. But now I see you all still have the same problem so maybe it is no longer funny?
Well if anyone up there is serious about it I can be reached via Greg or Leslie at the
"Oval Office" Anon.
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