A group of Democratic committeepeople, many from local wards in Chestnut Hill (9th), Mt. Airy (22nd) and Roxborough (21st), sent a letter to City Committee leader, Congressman Bob Brady, to voice their concerns about seemingly undemocratic actions by the City Committee.
The Aug. 6 letter authored by 22nd Ward committeeperson Gloria Gilman was inspired by a City Paper story on the ouster of 40th Ward committeeperson Tracey Gordon. The letter references stories in the Inquirer and the Local, which detailed a fight that erupted during a contested organizational meeting in May that pitted one-time council candidate Cindy Bass against Ron Couser for Ward leader.
From the letter:
Articles about these meetings in the Inquirer and Chestnut Hill Local have reflected poorly on the Democratic Party. Our concern is that, in a city where many people do not vote, these instances will further alienate the public and erode their trust in the DCC. An open, transparent review process would help the DCC regain the public's faith and will ultimately strengthen the Party.
Gilman's letter is available here:
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Monday, August 9, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. says he'll preserve Manatawna farm
Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., whose district contains part of Manatawna farms in upper Roxborough -- wrote to the Roxborough Review this week about his intention to preserve the farm and to, presumably, block Philadelphia's proposal to turn 10 acres of the land into commercial farm plots.
The Local has followed the proposal since it originally came to light earlier this year. Many neighbors -- i Roxborough and in Whitemarsh Township -- are opposed to the plan
Here's Jones' letter:
The Local has followed the proposal since it originally came to light earlier this year. Many neighbors -- i Roxborough and in Whitemarsh Township -- are opposed to the plan
Here's Jones' letter:
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Merger talks today
Members of the Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation, Business Association and Business Improvement District will meet early this evening to discuss the possibility of merging operations of all three entities.
A memo that was circulated to interested parties -- and that was described as purely a preliminary, work-in-progress starting point to the discussions by Business Association President Greg Welsh -- describes an organization plan that would establish a three-person oversight or supervisory committee composed of one member from each participating organization. That committee would hire and supervise a CEO, who would supervise other staff members of all three organizations.
According to the memo, all three organizations would control their own budgets but pool revenues and other resources in an effort to increase efficiency. Models cited in the memo included Center City and Manayunk, both of which have central business organizations that employ an empowered CEO. Those districts are organized based on the "Main Street" program model.
The Local will report on these talks as we learn more.
A memo that was circulated to interested parties -- and that was described as purely a preliminary, work-in-progress starting point to the discussions by Business Association President Greg Welsh -- describes an organization plan that would establish a three-person oversight or supervisory committee composed of one member from each participating organization. That committee would hire and supervise a CEO, who would supervise other staff members of all three organizations.
According to the memo, all three organizations would control their own budgets but pool revenues and other resources in an effort to increase efficiency. Models cited in the memo included Center City and Manayunk, both of which have central business organizations that employ an empowered CEO. Those districts are organized based on the "Main Street" program model.
The Local will report on these talks as we learn more.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Revamped NW Student Press
We're working on a revamped NW Student Press blog... Actually, it's the work of Penn Charter senior Adam Garnick and Germantown Friends School Senior Zoe Feingold. Both are Anna Fisher Clarke interns for the summer.
The site is aimed at local teens. Here's the work in progress blog. It's still being designed, but there's some interesting writing on it.
The site is aimed at local teens. Here's the work in progress blog. It's still being designed, but there's some interesting writing on it.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Inky's Mark Armstrong weighs in on McCauley plan
Today's Inky has a column by business section scribe Mark Armstrong, who ruminates on Chestnut Hill's retail woes and briefly touches on the plan by Midge McCauley and Downtown Works that was "unveiled" last night. McCauley was hired for $75,000 to conduct the study.
A takeaway figure from Armstrong's piece was this:
What did Downtown Works find from its interviews with "stakeholders" and on its walk-arounds? According to its report released Wednesday, too many banks, not enough restaurants, and a mix of stores that is not enticing to shoppers.
During the winter, the firm counted 175 business spaces on Germantown Avenue between Rex Avenue and Mermaid Lane. Thirteen percent of that space is now vacant. Retailers fill 43 percent of the space, while bars and restaurants account for 15 percent. Offices and religious institutions occupy 22 percent of the space, while service businesses work in 7 percent.
That's the kind of data that could probably have been gleaned from any regular Avenue shopper, but it will be interesting to see what solutions McCauley offers. We'll have more here on the plan shortly.
A takeaway figure from Armstrong's piece was this:
What did Downtown Works find from its interviews with "stakeholders" and on its walk-arounds? According to its report released Wednesday, too many banks, not enough restaurants, and a mix of stores that is not enticing to shoppers.
During the winter, the firm counted 175 business spaces on Germantown Avenue between Rex Avenue and Mermaid Lane. Thirteen percent of that space is now vacant. Retailers fill 43 percent of the space, while bars and restaurants account for 15 percent. Offices and religious institutions occupy 22 percent of the space, while service businesses work in 7 percent.
That's the kind of data that could probably have been gleaned from any regular Avenue shopper, but it will be interesting to see what solutions McCauley offers. We'll have more here on the plan shortly.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
McCauley to unveil plan next Wednesday
Retail consultant Midge McCauley will present a report to invited members of Chestnut Hill's business and civic community at Stagecrafters, 8130 Germantown Avenue, next Wednesday, June 23. McCauley and her firm, Downtown Works, were hired at the beginning of the year to study the Avenue's retail mix and its vacancy issues and create a plan of action.
Several weeks ago, retail recruiter Eileen Reilly was hired by the Business Improvement District to realize McCauley's plans.
The report caps a six month study by McCauley and her associates that was paid for with $75,000 in funds raised from the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Business Association, Parking Fund and Business Improvement District.
Several weeks ago, retail recruiter Eileen Reilly was hired by the Business Improvement District to realize McCauley's plans.
The report caps a six month study by McCauley and her associates that was paid for with $75,000 in funds raised from the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Business Association, Parking Fund and Business Improvement District.
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