GREATER BUSTLETON CIVIC LEAGUE NEWS
January
2006 Make a resolution to be a great neighbor!!
January MEETING:
Wednesday, January 25
at 7:30 pm at the American Heritage Credit Union
Bring yourself, bring a neighbor, bring your thoughts…We’ll bring more than pastries and coffee!! The annual holiday refreshment meeting shouldn't be missed!!
January agenda:
--Suzanne Forbes will address the GBCL regarding Poquessing Creek conservation. All neighbors near creeks would be advised to hear her presentation.
--A plan to add a gas station and propane tank station to the existing BJ’s property (see article).
It happened in Dec…
Bernice Hill took the reins of the GBCL and introduced the new Executive Board.
Board members reported out on their areas and new VP John McKeever announced the creation of a GBCL website, designed by a George Washington HS student. www.GBCLeague.com should be operational soon!
The meeting adjourned early so the members could socialize and enjoy the goodies spread out for them.
Remapping Committee
A meeting was held on November 30 at the American Heritage Credit Union. Bill Kramer attended for the entire meeting but Acting head of City Planning Tom Chapman arrived late. Councilman O’Neill also attended along with his aide Bob Borelli.
Bill Kramer answered some questions about zoning in general, but there was little time for specific concerns by the time Mr. Chapman arrived.
Councilman O’Neill, in a distinct change to prior statements, revealed that he was tired of the debate and needed a plan to go forward immediately to prevent challenge by developers.
Mr. Chapman agreed to review the plans to find a middle ground between the draconian changes and what was needed to preserve the single family nature of the area.
In a 15-12 vote, those in attendance agreed not to review the work of the Planning Committee.
Councilman O’Neill did, however, at least indirectly concede that the GBCL’s concerns were more valid than his office had previously thought: he has introduced legislation to eliminate the threat that homeowners would not be able to rebuild their own properties if they were demolished. Let’s all hope that the rest of the GBCL’s concerns aren’t as accurate as that one proved to be.
BJ’s Expansion plans
The Executive Board met with representatives of BJ’s and vetted the initial plans for a gas station and propane tank station. BJ’s claimed that the uses are permitted in the district but they need a ZBA certificate before proceeding.
The original plan called for a gas station near Red Lion Rd, behind the Credit Union drive through and abutting the creek and catch basin. It would only be accessible from BJ’s property. The company indicated that customers were overwhelmingly BJ’s customers and that limits the additional traffic flow. Hours of operation would be 6 am to 10 pm.
The propane tank would be located at the opposite end of the property, adjoining the backyards of the properties on Haldeman. The plan was for a propane refilling station, requiring a 1000 lb tank, open 8 am to 9:30pm.
The Executive Board expressed most concerns regarding the propane area, suggesting a small tank exchange located nearer to the entrance. They also expressed complaints by neighbors about late night/early morning activity that BJ’s had previously promised to eliminate.
While they have a zoning hearing scheduled for February 28, we expect significant revisions to the plans at the January meeting. This makes January an important meeting for those neighbors.
The Streets Dept is stoned again
Snow in the Northeast, gravel on our streets. We thought the message went out last year that stones are not appropriate material for treating streets after a snow. The gravel is a walking hazard in itself and gets tracked into homes, ruining floors.
Councilman O’Neill’s office is aware of the problem. Contact Bob Borelli with specific blocks to have Streets clean up their mess.
About the GBCL…
We are NON-POLITICAL. We do not endorse candidates. This does not mean that some active members do not have political ties and it certainly doesn't mean we don't vote or support candidates in our private lives!
Unless the body votes to suspend this rule, you MUST be a member to vote. If you haven't paid your dues by January, you are not eligible to vote until they are paid.
We expect decorum at the meetings and we expect people to be honest agents in their dealings at meetings.
As a general
principle, we believe in solving problems rather than shifting a problem
from one group to another or helping to create NEW problems in fixing
the old one!
Executive Board
President – Bernice Hill
Vice-President – John McKeever
Treasurer – Betty Clogston
Corresponding Secretary – Maureen Greene
Recording Secretary – Diane Caruso
Standing Committees:
Membership -- VP (McKeever)
Publicity and Programs -- Corresponding secretary (Greene)
Zoning -- Chair Carl Jadack
Community Safety -- Chair Bob Marburg
Health, Education and Recreation – Co-chairs Harry Citrino and George Weiss
Standing committee on Rules -- Chair Barry Stucker
GBCL HOTLINE:
(215) 676-6890
or email us at
Official numbers:
Mayor John Street
Phone 215.686.2181
Brian O’Neill
Phone 215.686.3422
Richard Mariano
Phone 215.686.3448
Council at Large
Frank Rizzo
Phone 215.686.3440
Blondell Reynolds Brown
Phone 215.686.3438
James Kenney
Phone 215.686.3450
Jack Kelly
Phone 215.686.3452
Wilson Goode
Phone 215.686.3414
Juan Ramos
Phone 215.686.3420
February meeting
Wednesday, Feb 22
Health, Education and Recreation Committee Co-chair Harry Citrino has come up with a timely speaker: himself! He’ll discuss Income Tax.
Feeling festive??
We’re starting to plan some summer events. Let us know if you want to help!
going first class…
Although the October newsletters were mailed well within the time for bulk mail, virtually none arrived before the meeting. This is a long-standing problem.
The Executive Board voted that those who are current in their dues will have their newsletter sent by 1st class mail. (Anyone who has paid for 05 or 06 will be covered through January.)
We will continue to send bulk rate to the institutions in the area as well as, for a limited time, to those who have not yet paid their dues.
PLEASE GET YOUR 2006 DUES PAID BEFORE WE PURGE THE MAILING LIST.
We are also pursuing a website for more up-to-date information. We encourage members to sign up for email newsletter delivery by emailing
GBCL@PRODIGY.NET using their real name as the subject line. If you think you’ve signed up for email but got a printed letter, email us again.
The Bustleton Bengals are signing up members.
Visit the Bustleton Bengals online at:
Our newsletter
will be posted there as well!
Greater Bustleton Civic League
PO Box 51523
Philadelphia, PA 19115
Presorted
Standard
U.S. Postage
P A I D
Philadelphia, PA
Permit No. 2998
In case of bad weather, always
call the hotline before leaving for the meeting!
membership
It is time to pay dues for 2006! Up-to-date membership affords you 1st class postage on your newsletter. (If you sent your check in the last couple of weeks, your update may not have made it yet – give us one more month.)
If you haven’t paid in 3 years, your label will say, “We miss you.” We will stop these mailings if you do not rejoin.
If it says “Our neighbor at…” you are receiving the mailing because there is an active issue near you. We encourage you to join. Those mailings typically end after a month or two.
If you want
your news via e-mail (and are a paid-up member), please send an e-mail
to GBCL@PRODIGY.NET with your real name
in the subject line. We will occasionally send other information
along as well.
____ 2006 Membership renewal -- $7 per family or Seniors $5
$_____Donation for
________________
Names of all adults
in the household
Address
E-mail address ______________________________
Phone: Senior Citizen? Yes/No
Send a check and this form to: GBCL, P.O. Box 51523, Philadelphia, PA 19115
I'm interested in –
__Remapping Committee __Festival committee __Zoning committee __Community Safety committee
__ Membership committee __Distributing newsletters __Park committee __Health, Ed., and Rec committee
January ‘06