Yenta 03/22/99 to 04/10/99

Letter to Yenta 4/10/99

Dear Yenta,

As you may already know I have been since 1996 and still am serving as Secretary of the New Hope Civil Service Commission. When Chief Brobson was let go by the Borough he requested a hearing before the Civil Service Commission. Referring to the Borough Code, a hearing must be granted upon demand by a person covered by Civil Service. It is the opinion of Chief Brobson’s attorney that the Chief enjoys Civil Service Protection. It is the position of the Borough Council that Chief Brobson is not Civil Service. When the request for a hearing came to me as Secretary, I spoke with the other members Elaine Seeb, President and Frank Schmauk, Vice President. We as a group decided to grant the requested hearing. We felt that if Civil Service covered Chief Brobson, and we did not give him a hearing, we would have denied his rights. If he were not, we would have only wasted our time.

The Borough Council’s Special Council, Joseph Rudolph wrote a letter to the members of the Civil Service Commission. Much to our surprise this letter did not include a basis for his determination that the hearing was unwarranted, only threats worded to make us believe that each one of us was going to be sued individually if we did not cancel the hearing. The letter went on to say that the Council would seek an injunction to stop the Civil Service hearing. The Borough Council not the Chief instituted the hearings that you mention in your column of 3/22/99. I personally sat through each hour of the hearings and did not witness the proceedings getting "hot and heavy". The tone of the hearings was very professional. You are correct about the Judge; everyone on both sides came away believing that Judge Susan Scott did a commendable job. The end result was not that the Chief was awarded his Civil Service hearing, but that the judge would simply not order it stopped. As far as this costing a fortune in legal fees, this is only the beginning. The reason is because one issue is still to be resolved. Is the Chief Civil Service or not? After the hearings are over, (and can’t be said that the Chief is a shoe in because no facts have been presented yet), there will almost certainly be an appeal by either side on the issue of the original and still unanswered question. Is he Civil Service?

On the upcoming election, I would like to answer to Mr. Ashton’s comments about my resignation from council as being a quitter. If you scroll back to Letter to the Yenta 10/11/98 you will still find posted my letter of resignation. I left the Council, not New Hope. A quitter would have left the Civil Service Commission, and would have not stayed involved in the interests of New Hope. I left Council because I had no confidence in the other members. I left Council and joined three other qualified candidates who can make responsible decisions. A quitter would have never been heard from again.

I can give you many examples of why we need to replace the current council but today I will concentrate on only one. On May 28, 1998 , I attended a finance committee meeting where the Borough Manager suggested that to help avoid a year end shortfall in the budget, we should among other ideas, cut funding for the new Police Department computers. This suggestion was put into place by our current Council President. I asked the President if we would make this decision public at the next council meeting. He responded that there was no need to do so. While council continued to let taxpayers believe that we had a solid financial condition, I as finance committee chairman reported that we were facing a quarter million shortfall in the 1998. This February in a finance report given by our Borough Manager cautioning the taxpayers about the newly admitted impending budget disaster looming this year, the lack of computers in the Police department were sited as a major contributing factor. The greatest new expense, which amounts to tens of thousands of dollars and will be the biggest percentage increase of expense in the budget this year, is legal fees. Not only was this left out of the report, but also nothing is being done about it.

Our group has business education and successful business experience, we agree that New Hope’s 1.7 million dollar budget is simple to manage. This is not " block mentality" it simply points out that if our current council can’t handle this budget, they need to be replaced.

I don’t know where you got the impression that we intend to vote as a block. We are running together because we respect each other’s abilities, not because we seek control.

I am currently running for council with:

Rick Swanson, The Executive Director of the International Institute of Management Accountants who has over 20 years experience in financial business positions. Rick graduated at the top of his class with "High Distinction" with a BA from University of Michigan.

Hepburn Duncan BA Business Administration, Warren Institute, in Bridgeport, Conn. who is currently retired has been a consultant, financial aid director, Vice President, and Controller.

Mark Harrison, a Commercial airline pilot, who served as Director of Communications for the Airline Pilots Association at Federal Express. Can you imagine how helpful the skills of a Director of Communications, could be to this town?

I don’t know whether the current council is better at wasting taxpayer money, or intentionally keeping Borough employees and citizens in the dark on important issues. But I do know that solving these problems is not block mentality, it is simply common sense. I am sure that when New Hope encounters a real problem you will find that Swanson, Harrison, Duncan, and Bollenbacher are all independent thinkers.

One last comment, Mr. Ashton said in the newspaper that our Borough Manager justified her salary by the grants, which have been brought into the borough. That amount to date is $0. Mr. Ashton should brush up on New Hope Borough information, and consider running in the next election.

Chris Bollenbacher

Candidate for New Hope Borough Council

Letter to Yenta 4/5/99

Just a quick question about Kathryn Bair, whom you mentioned was in need of some help with meals and/or rides to see her husband in Doylestown. I don't know Mrs. Bair but I could provide a ride to Doylestown probably once a week and may be able to assist with food shopping and/or meals.
If you think I could be of some help, please contact me.

Suzanne Oakley: soakley@lsac.org

Yenta Column 4/5/99

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Flash from the Yenta! Insider sources revealed to the Yenta the alleged possibility that some of the existing power structure (you'll have to use your imagination for that one) are going to attempt an end run around George Michael's plan for Union Camp at a Monday night (that's tonight) closed planning committee meeting. It has long been an idea espoused by Sid, Ralph and several others for the Borough to purchase and develop the Union Camp property. Let's get real. The Borough is broke and is having trouble operating itself. When did it or any of its representatives or employees ever dream that they had the managerial, developmental or operational experience to successfully operate and oversee the development of Union Camp. Maybe the Yenta has missed something. But it seems that what is really going on is that same old attempt to use the drawbridge theory on retail in the Borough. You know, now that I have my business here, no one else is allowed to start one; and God forbid we should allow a healthy competitive business environment.

The election front is really heating up. Actually, it should be quite a race. So far the "dream team" really takes the cake (weren't they a basketball team?). One of its members, more specifically one of the newest arrivals to New Hope (approximately 6 months) blithely announced at the recent tour of Union Camp that maybe he ought to attend a council meeting since he's a candidate. What a novel thought!? He allegedly had no trouble denouncing the current council members as inadequate despite his non-attendance, lack of personal experience and no knowledge of the current status of the issues, but he's going to straighten them out. The Yenta wonders where he got his information!!

What the Yenta finds most amusing regarding the dream team is the "block mentality." Apparently the "dream team" is going to vote on all issues as a block. Isn't that refreshing. Another group of potential council members who can't think for themselves. The Yenta hopes that the voters are savvy enough to want candidates and council people who can think for themselves and vote their conscience - not a bunch of "block heads." At least Ian Ashton has publicly stated his position in the Gazette. He can obviously think for himself and is willing to express his views. The Yenta is anxious to hear from the other candidates. Maybe they will write in and share their platforms. Pay close attention to this election - it's going to be a dozy.

On the waterfront, the Yenta was quite dismayed to see that on the first lovely day out cam the jet skis with all of the attendant noise. Yuch!! A beautiful spring day, literally blasted wide open with that horrendous noise. Go get'em US Coast Guard. This activity is dangerous for the fisherman and all of the non-motorized boats, tubers and swimmers. Get them out of here!!

The 1st Annual spigot supper at the Methodist church was a smashing success. Well attended, including many of council and the mayor, a good time was had by all. The sauce was made by non other than Pastor Joe, our resident Italian chef. The meatballs were another story. There were over 600 meatballs rolled, by it seemed as many people. And not any surprise, each meatball had a personality of its own. Quite fun - don't miss the next one. By the way, the Ham supper is April 21st - be there.

On a sad note, Daisy Winston passed away last week. Daisy was a long time resident of New Hope and for those who knew her, quite a character. She will be missed, but the stories of the old days will go on through her many friends.

Shannon Creek, daughter of Katherine, has just made Katherine a grandmother for the third time (and you know Katherine is just thrilled about that). The new arrival's name is Gabriel Moon Creek. Good luck with the new baby Shannon.

The restaurants in town are scurrying to get up their awnings and prepare their patios for the onslaught. Easter weekend really started of the season with a bang. Lots of strollers, dog walkers and yes, the ice cream eaters. Oh, and of course, egg hunts. Egg hunts everywhere, Pat Livezey Park, the churches, and in every neighborhood, one in the back yard. The Yenta figures this probably accounts for at least 4 pounds of every American's 12 pounds a year of sugar consumption.

The Yenta has learned that the neighbors on New Street and Mechanic Street at last prevailed over St Martins Catholic Church. The borough finally issued a cease and desist for their parking lot. Father Schmeer allegedly met the decision with some dismay. The battle has been raging for some time as the Catholic church had gone into the parking business and began expanding their spaces. Before you knew it, they had a bulldozer on the little hillside next to the cemetery and they were plowing up the ground and laying stone for additional spaces. Small problem - the ground disturbance caused massive run-off into the living rooms of the homes on the hillside below. What a surprise! Let's hope they use some of the parking money collected to repair the problem.

Did anyone catch the article on the front page of Friday's Intelligencer. The alleged claim by Bucks County Sewer Authority workers that they were framed by their employer for allegedly not participating in a cover-up which related to the inadequacy of their ability to properly treat sewage. In case you didn't notice, that's the same company - quasi public authority - which handles New Hope's sewage. Pay attention to this council.

Since we're on the sewers, we might as well move on to preservation. Looks like Bill Tinsman is going to give incumbent Tim Brought a run for his money in the Solebury Republican primary. The GOP has already unanimously endorsed Bill. It looks like there may be a little upset in the township hall this year. Bill has long been a preservationist. He and his family have long taken an aggressive stand for preservation and have led by example as well by preserving hundreds of acres in Lumberville. He has also been an integral part in the development of the land use and preservation legislation in place in Solebury and in bringing in the Brandywine Conservancy to advise. Should be a real battle. Stay tuned - this is an important vote for future of both New Hope and Solebury. It may also be an opportunity for the two towns to revisit the joint planning effort that was sabotaged many years ago. It's time.

Letter to Yenta 4/5/99

Dearest Yenta,
Nice to have you back. I read your comments on the Union Camp
continuing saga along with the articles in the local papers, and I'm
beginning to get a little nervous.

I agree that George Michael did, and is doing, wonderful work in
Lambertville and probably is the man to finally do the Union Camp
project. George is about as local as we are going to get in a developer that will be sensitive to what the town would like to see. However, before we remove the cannon from Cannon Square, and replace it with a statue of George Michael, we need to step back and look at the issues unemotionally.

The Planning Commission completed a Special District Study 5 or 6 years ago dealing with this very issue. Nothing has changed that makes that study obsolete. I suggest that anyone serious about the impact of this project on New Hope, take the time to read it and the accompanying traffic study.

There are a couple of major issues involved with this site. Most
notably traffic and site use. There is only one real entrance/exit to
this site [there is also a narrow drive way] on Bridge Street. Without permission from the Rail Road this site cannot be entered from the road running along the canal and even with it you now have two entrance/exits within 50 yards of each other. How is this going to impact traffic on Bridge Street? It sure is not going to help it. Stand on Bridge Street on a busy Saturday or Sunday and see the cars backed up to the library and beyond. Is there another traffic light in the future for Bridge Street? The back door? I'd like to hear what JDM thinks about that. Maybe pick up the option with the high school to build the road through their property? Who comes up with the million or so dollars for that? Do we float a bond to help a developer with his traffic problems so he can build his project?

Next is the neighbourhood. With the introduction of retail space and a restaurant you have light, noise, litter, traffic, and people, were there was none before. Chestnut and Buttonwood Street's character will change forever. No longer a quite side street, it becomes another New Street and worse. The residence of Bridge Street from the canal to Chestnut, and the Chestnut/Buttonwood neighbourhood, now have activity in their backyards till 3 AM when the bar restaurant lets out.

My point is, no matter how carefully the project is laid out and what promises are made, serious quality of life issues are placed upon these residences. It will only be a matter of time before these residences request a change of zoning from RB residential to commercial, and I wouldn't blame them. With the loss of these neighbourhoods and the now increased pressure on the only then remaining residential neighbourhood in the area, upper Ferry Street, it to will want to go commercial.

This is the problem with retail space and a restaurant / bar. It is too intense for the adjacent neighbourhoods and traffic downtown. A better use is office space and apartments, and maybe throw in a conference centre. A conference centre was looked at at the time of the Special District Study. No one [hotel chain] would look at it unless it was 5 stories high and contained 100 rooms.

The problem with the project from the business side is you can't get the same square foot rental revenue for apartment and office space as you can for retail and restaurant / bar space. You need that retail space revenue to allow the project to make money. That is why every developer who looked at the site proposed retail space and is one of the reasons why they got shot down and this has been kicking around for 6 or 7 years.

Mr. Michael has said he would consider an arts centre if it could make money. I hate to be pragmatic, but an arts centre can not make money compared to retail square footage revenue, and George is not getting into this project to build us an arts centre, he is doing it to make money. What happens if a centre is built and fails? More retail space?

I'm not against this project, something will be built here, but we need to look at this long and hard. Mr. Michael says if he doesn't get to build this project he will use it as warehouse space. Fine, we could use some warehouse space till we get the project that is right for New Hope, not right for a developer. Changing zoning use is a very serious business and should not be considered because we like the guy.

Yenta Column 3/22/99

It’s good to feel wanted, and nice to know that my(our) fans are missing me (us) and my (our) commentary on this peaceful(?) little river town of New Hope. During my hiatus things have really been perking. After the chief was fired, he decided to sue to get a civil service hearing. Half of the people who used to work in borough hall all got subpoenaed. From all reports it got hot and heavy in the court room. The judge was reported by all involved to be fair, but bottom line, the chief has been awarded his civil service hearing. Those who support the chief’s position think he’s a shoe-in to collect a big sum from the borough to buy him off. Great -- the town either gets back the chief at his high salary and mega-overtime charges or . . . they get to buy him off after spending a fortune in legal fees. It’s starting to sound like a real lose - lose situation. The Yenta thinks they better end it quick or get dragged deeper into the depths of the financial abyss that looms so closely over the horizon.

On the election front the Yenta is actually excited. There are fourteen candidates running for office in the upcoming election. And. . . some of them actually look pretty good. Even better news-- the Republican hierarchy actually got some guts and refused to endorse Ralph, while his second, Sid has announced he’s not going to seek re-election. No Mr. New Hope? How will we survive. It looks like Ralph’s chances for re-election are pretty slim without the party endorsement. More later on the rest of the slate.

The last tidbit of info today is on Union Camp. This long abandoned facility is really starting to deteriorate and is becoming a real eye-sore - not to mention that once again it is the bone of contention at planning sessions. George Michael, (for those of you who do not remember, he did the wonderfully impeccable restoration of the Lambertville House) has put in an agreement of sale on the property. In his presentation to council he clearly stated when asked about retail that there would be retail in the site. Frankly, the Yenta thinks that after blowing Bob Hillier out of the box, that unless the dissenters can come up with an alternative that is viable for the site, that they should welcome George Michael with open arms and let him put into the site whatever will make it financially viable. By the way, a viable alternative Sid, does not include the town buying the property. This town has enough trouble running itself let alone trying to operate a business complex of 30,000 square feet.

Until next time my loyal fans I remain,

The Yenta

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