Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
In a message dated 10/21/2007 11:49:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern. Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Oh, c'mon Stephen. It obviously biases the proceedings at the Architectural Committee meeting. Does one side of a court battle tell the other its strategy? If, in fact, someone working for the PHC leaked this information to Lussenhop, it's a breach of conduct and ethics that could justifiably result in immediate job termination. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
--- Doc Baldy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Best, Stephen Hi Stephen, Youre a nice guy so I think you want to give Penn and Mr. Lussenhop the benefit of the doubt. Consider this alternative to your statement -Why is it better to surprise the citizens with all plans? It seems to me that providing the citizens with time to consider corporate plans allows them to more thoughtfully take them into consideration.- Back in July, Mr. Lussenhop tried to get the historic property de-listed without informing the community. In my opinion, historic preservation of the neighborhood is important to a great number of the residents of this community. It seems we are always discovering Penn driven plans at the last minute or after it is too late for the many voices of the community to weigh in. Before the newspaper article exposed this plan, Mr. Lussenhop, Campus Apts, etc, attempted a slam-dunk with this hotel project. Determining what can be gotten away with is not the same as disclosure and asking for community feedback. The fact that an attempt to de-list this historic building was attempted secretly months ago shows that the developers have no interest with community concerns. Youve seen people put emphasis on appropriate process. When someone is sneaky and tries to skip an appropriate process, it negatively reflects upon their intentions and credibility. In my opinion, it would be naïve to take any more about the intentions of this project and developer on blind faith. The other problem here is government; its relationship to the people; and its role as corporate partner. There have been many times described on the uncensored list in which agencies of our city government appear to be accountable and directed from Penn Board rooms rather than accountable to the people. The police, LI, the streets department, the Dept of Recreation, etc., have been described crossing the line with exuberance in corporate driven planning. Our neighbors are sharing their concerns at the last minute because Mr. Lussenhop tried to keep them in the dark for months after he should have disclosed the plan. As individuals scramble to just get their concerns heard, it looks like The Phila. Historical Commission is forwarding those concerns to that secretive developer immediately. This could suggest serious problems with this agency as an impartial adjudicator. Its not only stacking the deck but also putting mirrors behind the backs of the little people. Remember, if hearing community concerns was desired, the developer would have disclosed the plan before attempting to get the building de-listed. This is more of that slam-dunk attempt. Why does the community need to fight and beg for fair treatment while the powerful disingenuous corporate entity is given every advantage? If you did have views on this project, how would you feel about getting slam-dunked? Think about the implications of all this, Stephen. Best, Glenn On 10/21/07, Karen Heenan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I emailed a letter to the PHC on Friday setting forth my feelings about the proposed hotel. On Friday evening, at 6:14, I got a response. Not from anyone at the PHC, but from Tom Lussenhop, our friendly neighborhood hotel developer. I didn't send my letter to Mr. Lussenhop, and while I cc'd my letter to the SHCA zoning committee, that letter went out by snail mail, so he didn't get it from them. I'm curious how he got a copy of my letter within 5 hours of my sending it to someone other than him. Maybe it's me, but I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Also, the letter ended up in my junk mail folder, and when I clicked not junk, MSN asked it I wanted to add that mailing list to my safe lists. Apparently my response was one of many that Mr. Lussenhop sent out that day. Karen - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 6:14 PM Subject: Hi Tom Lussenhop here. Your friendly neighborhood hotel developer. Since you took the time to offer some thoughtful comments, I thought I'd respond. First, the hotel I am proposing is an extended stay hotel. That is, somewhere where the thousands of visitors to University City's institutions can stay for a 6 to 8 days (avergae stay) and not have to drive but can walk to the institutions. Harvard and MIT have several such hotels. The hotel is more like an apartment building since there is no meeting space...just quiet rooms with kitchens.
[UC] judges
Over the years I've heard people complain that they have no idea how to vote on judges during elections. Well here is some info about one judge who is apparently up for re-election. You might want to consider the following story when deciding to re-elect Municipal Court Judge Teresa Carr Deni. http://youngphillypolitics.com/topics/teresa_carr_deni http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20071012_Jill_Porter___Hooker_raped_and_robbed_-_by_justice_system_.html http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/10/16/when-is-rape-at-gunpoint-not-rape-when-its-theft-of-services/ Best, Stephen Begin forwarded message: To the Philadelphia voters I know... When is a rape not a rape? When the victim is a sex worker! Did you know that in Philadelphia forcing a sex worker to have unprotected sex with multiple partners at gunpoint and without consent is not considered rape? That's right, Municipal Court Judge Teresa Carr Deni decided that based upon her occupation, the victim, a 20-year-old single mother, had consented to any and all brutality unleashed upon her. When asked whether she considered rape to be a traumatic event, Deni stated that this case minimizes true rape cases and demeans women who are really raped. In what reality is forcible unprotected sex by multiple people not rape? In what reality is it okay for a municipal court judge to free a violent rapist because of the judge's contempt for the victim's occupation? On November 7, 2007 help tell Judge Carr Deni that determining a case of rape is not dependant upon the victim's character, social standing, or occupation. Rape is rape and no means no. Vote NO on Deni's retention with the Municipal Court of Philadelphia. Spread the word! No means no, vote NO on retaining Municipal Court Judge Teresa Carr Deni! Interested in taking action against Judge Carr Deni? Contact Matilda at [EMAIL PROTECTED] . **Please distribute widely* There will be a planning meeting about this action on Tuesday, October 23rd. Anyone who is interested should contact Matilda at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for further details. -- -- Studio 34 Yoga http://www.studio34yoga.com You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Alums frustrated
http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com From today's front page of the DP (Stetson Departure): 'Ronald Stockham, a 1964 graduate argued that Penn's refusal to be forthcoming in Stetson's departure totally defies the principals of openness and accountability espoused by the University.' Wow. These folks have been away from the University for a long time. I think it's time for the University community to realize the changes here. Those words openness and accountability are just spin and unfortunately haven't had much to do with the University operations for a long time. They must not have heard about Penn Real Estate, UCD, or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Glenn __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] With Friends Like That [Was 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply}
Hi, Stephen, If Lussenhop was interested in the concerns of this community, he would not propose a 10-story building on that lot. He's not interested in responding to criticisms; he's just going to repeat the same talking points as if we're too stupid to understand how important what he's going to try to shove down our throats is, and we'll come around to his point of view if he exlains it to us v-e-r-y s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y. He tries to come off as your friendly neighborhood hotel developer and makes a transparent effort to make himself look like just a regular, friendly guy from the neighborhood: Tom, and even gives his address. Tom Lussenhop is no friend of this neighborhood. He may be IN this neighborhood, but he is not OF this neighhorhood, and the only best interests he is concerned about are his own and those of his cronies. Karen Friends Don't Let Friends Put Up Ten-Story Hotels In Three-Story Residential Neighborhoods Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:46:24 -0400 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply CC: univcity@list.purple.com Hi Karen, I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern. Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Best, Stephen
Re: [UC] With Friends Like That - at least give a phone number
He tries to come off as your friendly neighborhood hotel developer and makes a transparent effort to make himself look like just a regular, friendly? guy from the neighborhood:? Tom, and even gives his address. This is what has me suspicious. My experience is?a sophisticated/prepared developer encouraging realistic community engagement will supply interested parties, during a period of contention?with more than an email address as a point of contact - a business?phone number,?a cell phone number, and/or a point of contact through a senior staffer or legal counsel is typical. Is Lussenhop inviting us over to hang-out, watch the World Series, and engage in a process of rapprochement to get his deal done? Maybe if the Series goes to a game seven and our negotiations bog down, Craig Carnaroli will stop by during the seventh inning, pop a frosty with us to help us see his point of view, and then when the deal is sealed and the game over a UPenn courtesy bus will take us all?to the Firehouse Brewery to celebrate their victory? The Lussenhop letter is so unprofessional that if it is really his work product, it is imperative to identify the proposed hotel operator to see if any professionals are affiliated with just?the?newest Boutique?Neighborhood Tower. Ciao, Craig -Original Message- From: KAREN ALLEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: UC univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:53 am Subject: [UC] With Friends Like That [Was 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply} Hi, Stephen, If Lussenhop was interested in the concerns of this community, he would not?propose a 10-story building on that lot. He's not interested in responding to criticisms; he's just going to repeat the?same talking points?as if we're too stupid to?understand how important what he's going to try to shove down our throats is, and we'll come around to his point of view if he exlains it to us? v-e-r-y ? s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y.? ? He tries to come off as your friendly neighborhood hotel developer and makes a transparent effort to make himself look like just a regular, friendly? guy from the neighborhood:? Tom, and even gives his address. ? Tom Lussenhop is no friend of this neighborhood.? He may be IN this neighborhood, but he is not OF this neighhorhood, and the only best interests he is concerned about are his own and those of his cronies. ? Karen ? Friends Don't Let Friends Put Up Ten-Story Hotels In Three-Story Residential Neighborhoods ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:46:24 -0400 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply CC: univcity@list.purple.com Hi Karen, I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern. Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Best, Stephen = Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com
[UC] Philadelphia Historical Commission Meeting, Tus10/23/07
As a followup to Al's post, the specific time for the Architectural Committee of the Historical Commission to hear the 40th Street hotel proposal will occur at 12:15pm in Room 578 City Hall tomorrow, Tuesday October 23rd, 2007. Directions: The public entrance to City Hall is on the Northeast corner of the building. This is on the 13th Street side of City Hall, and the Northeast corner is north of Market and opposite the Criminal Justice Center and the Masonic Temple. If you're taking the trolleys or El (recommended, parking is impossible), go to the 13th Street/Juniper Street stations (the end of the trolley line). Plan to arrive in advance because getting through building security can be slow. Room 578 is on the 5th floor on the 15th Street side of the building. Once you reach the 5th floor, take the hallway to the right, follow that to the end, then take the intersecting hallway to the left, halfway down to 578 (Also, room numbers are posted) If you have any comments or concerns about the proposed development, and particularly if you are opposed, I encourage you to write a letter and e-mail it to Jonathan Farnham, Ph.D., Acting Historic Preservation Director of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, at the address below today. The Committee takes community comments very seriously and if there are no comments on the proposed development, it will likely move forward. Jonathan E. Farnham, Ph.D. Acting Historic Preservation Director Philadelphia Historical Commission Room 576, City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 tel 215-686-7660 fax 215-686-7674 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
Like it or not, zoning change involves a petitioner someone planning some benefit for themselves (or their agenda/goals if a nonprofit) requesting an accommodation/change from neighbors and existing communities. I do not see the benefit in revealing names or contact info of those who have objections (or even questions). Outing PEOPLE creates a system for identifying individuals who 'need' to be suppressed or converted, either by bullying and or bribery. Addressing the QUESTIONS and CONCERNS of the community, while permitting questioners to remain anonymous, at least during the early stages, keeps the focus upon the track record of the developer and is a better method of analyzing the features and benefits of the proposed change/development. I think Karen's concern is valid. Further, information should be easily available to the entire community, through door-to-door delivery, not just to those who need persuading, or those on all the current computer lists. Best! Liz On Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:46:24 -0400 Doc Baldy [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi Karen, I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern. Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Best, Stephen On 10/21/07, Karen Heenan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I emailed a letter to the PHC on Friday setting forth my feelings about the proposed hotel. On Friday evening, at 6:14, I got a response. Not from anyone at the PHC, but from Tom Lussenhop, our friendly neighborhood hotel developer. I didn't send my letter to Mr. Lussenhop, and while I cc'd my letter to the SHCA zoning committee, that letter went out by snail mail, so he didn't get it from them. I'm curious how he got a copy of my letter within 5 hours of my sending it to someone other than him. Maybe it's me, but I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Also, the letter ended up in my junk mail folder, and when I clicked not junk, MSN asked it I wanted to add that mailing list to my safe lists. Apparently my response was one of many that Mr. Lussenhop sent out that day. Karen - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 6:14 PM Subject: Hi Tom Lussenhop here. Your friendly neighborhood hotel developer. Since you took the time to offer some thoughtful comments, I thought I'd respond. First, the hotel I am proposing is an extended stay hotel. That is, somewhere where the thousands of visitors to University City's institutions can stay for a 6 to 8 days (avergae stay) and not have to drive but can walk to the institutions. Harvard and MIT have several such hotels. The hotel is more like an apartment building since there is no meeting space...just quiet rooms with kitchens. Guests will be able to shop on 40th Street, take the trolley to Center City etc. The shop owners on 40th Street love the project. Talk, for example, to Larry at The Last Word bookshop. Second, there are 120 parcels located on the 3900 and 4000 blocks of Pine and Baltimore. I have letters of support from the owners of 90 of them. Of course they are overwhelmingly investor owned properties but that is the reality of this location and has been for 40 years. I think the hotel and restaurant cafe will introduce new (more responisble) neighbors to the area. Who knows? Maybe even a couple of nice cafes or restauarants might pop up! There will be community meetings coming up and I hope you will come. Despite what you have read, there have been a lot of meetings. Best, Tom 4244 Osage Ave You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. -- -- Studio 34 Yoga http://www.studio34yoga.com You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. Elizabeth Campion Cell Phone: 215-880-2930 215-546-0550 Main, -546-9871 fax, Desk + VM: 215-790-5653 PRUDENTIAL, FOX ROACH REALTORS, LLC Please read Consumer Notice
[UC] West Philly Town Hall Meeting
In addition to the mayoral forum tonite at 4225 Chestnut, there's a West Philly Town Hall Meeting with presumptive-Mayor-elect Michael Nutter and other community leaders at the West Philadelphia YMCA, 5120 Chestnut St, on Wednesday 10/25, 6:50 to 8:30. RSVP to 215-545-9700. Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
[UC] Missing tabby cat - more info
Hi again, A few more details about the diabetic tabby who is lost: His name is Hitchcock (not Hawthorne), which he responds to He's a big brown striped tabby, 13+ yrs His old home was around 47th Chester His new place (from which he disappeared) is at 48th Kingsessing It's been almost a week since he disappeared and has been without insulin. If you live in the vicinity please keep an eye out for him and contact Katie at 972-898-5367 (cell) if you think you've seen him. Many thanks, Linda You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
Actually, while it may be that in court you don't disclose your strategy, you do disclose your evidence and issues before trial.? The evidence comes out in discovery and the issues should be framed in the pleadings. Paul -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 8:45 am Subject: Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply In a message dated 10/21/2007 11:49:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern.? Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns?? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Oh, c'mon Stephen. It obviously biases the proceedings at the Architectural Committee meeting. Does one side of a court battle tell the other its strategy? ? If, in fact, someone working for the PHC leaked this information to Lussenhop, it's a breach of conduct and ethics that could justifiably result in immediate job termination. ? Always at your service ready for a dialog, Al Krigman See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage. Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com
Re: [UC] 40th Street Hotel letter - an interesting reply
Hi Liz, I wasn't speaking to the issue of PHC outing Karen by name (if that's what happened). My point was in regards to whether or not it's more beneficial to the process and the community for the developer to know the concerns of the community prior to the meeting. Best, Stephen On 10/22/07, Elizabeth F Campion [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Like it or not, zoning change involves a petitioner someone planning some benefit for themselves (or their agenda/goals if a nonprofit) requesting an accommodation/change from neighbors and existing communities. I do not see the benefit in revealing names or contact info of those who have objections (or even questions). Outing PEOPLE creates a system for identifying individuals who 'need' to be suppressed or converted, either by bullying and or bribery. Addressing the QUESTIONS and CONCERNS of the community, while permitting questioners to remain anonymous, at least during the early stages, keeps the focus upon the track record of the developer and is a better method of analyzing the features and benefits of the proposed change/development. I think Karen's concern is valid. Further, information should be easily available to the entire community, through door-to-door delivery, not just to those who need persuading, or those on all the current computer lists. Best! Liz On Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:46:24 -0400 Doc Baldy [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi Karen, I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Hopefully without taking sides in this issue.I'm curious about your concern. Why is it better to surprise the developer with your concerns? It seems to me that providing the developer with time to consider your concerns allows him to more thoughtfully take them into consideration. Best, Stephen On 10/21/07, Karen Heenan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I emailed a letter to the PHC on Friday setting forth my feelings about the proposed hotel. On Friday evening, at 6:14, I got a response. Not from anyone at the PHC, but from Tom Lussenhop, our friendly neighborhood hotel developer. I didn't send my letter to Mr. Lussenhop, and while I cc'd my letter to the SHCA zoning committee, that letter went out by snail mail, so he didn't get it from them. I'm curious how he got a copy of my letter within 5 hours of my sending it to someone other than him. Maybe it's me, but I don't think that it's appropriate for the PHC to forward letters from residents to Mr. Lussenhop prior to the hearing - isn't that giving him advance opportunity to respond to any comments we may have? Also, the letter ended up in my junk mail folder, and when I clicked not junk, MSN asked it I wanted to add that mailing list to my safe lists. Apparently my response was one of many that Mr. Lussenhop sent out that day. Karen - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 6:14 PM Subject: Hi Tom Lussenhop here. Your friendly neighborhood hotel developer. Since you took the time to offer some thoughtful comments, I thought I'd respond. First, the hotel I am proposing is an extended stay hotel. That is, somewhere where the thousands of visitors to University City's institutions can stay for a 6 to 8 days (avergae stay) and not have to drive but can walk to the institutions. Harvard and MIT have several such hotels. The hotel is more like an apartment building since there is no meeting space...just quiet rooms with kitchens. Guests will be able to shop on 40th Street, take the trolley to Center City etc. The shop owners on 40th Street love the project. Talk, for example, to Larry at The Last Word bookshop. Second, there are 120 parcels located on the 3900 and 4000 blocks of Pine and Baltimore. I have letters of support from the owners of 90 of them. Of course they are overwhelmingly investor owned properties but that is the reality of this location and has been for 40 years. I think the hotel and restaurant cafe will introduce new (more responisble) neighbors to the area. Who knows? Maybe even a couple of nice cafes or restauarants might pop up! There will be community meetings coming up and I hope you will come. Despite what you have read, there have been a lot of meetings. Best, Tom 4244 Osage Ave You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. --
