RE: [UC] UCD is innocent
As for evidence, there is rarely any evidence unless you're there, and since some people believe it's more likely than not, they require evidence that it did not occur. Darco, Thanks for speaking your views. It is not easy when everyone knows that any questioner/dissenter will be called paranoid leftists, liars, etc. This type of intimidation works against many neighbors, so the voices of reason are precious. I agree with your statement, but wish to add further clarification and emphasis. The patterns of abuse from entities like UCD, Department of Streets, FOCP, L I,(back room deals, misinformation, hidden agendas, refusal of accountability, etc.) show that the process itself is what must be rejected! Trustworthy entities asking for power over public policy understand the sacrosanct processes and principles acceptable in even remotely democratic or reputable systems. I worked in health care research for years. If I had ever refused to show data, processes, or answer questions like these entities, I would have been laughed at and completely rejected. The demand to trust these disreputable entities, until each hidden agenda is conclusively proven while their pawns hurl insults and misinformation, is also laughable. It is very important that more people understand that these dishonorable and unaccountable entities must ALWAYS be rejected until they show a real commitment to acceptable processes and accountability forever more! These entities always say, trust us; we are good and we are fighting for freedom and democracy and cleaner safer streets. Then they call people names and demand proof of their dishonest back room deals, at the same time as we watch buildings rise on Baltimore Ave or discover that Clark park has been privatized. (People should go back and look at how often Mr West calls people paranoid, while he is defending back room deals.) I published an article 7 or 8 years ago telling our neighbors that Penn was trying to privatize Clark Park and that UCD had community domination, rather than a cleaner safer agenda. I wish more of our neighbors had considered processes and credibility back then instead of voyeuristically watching me defend myself against UCD pawns like Mr. West. When you weigh the benefit of UCD street cleaning, also consider disempowerment of the community residents and loss of democracy for future generations when you do the calculations. Thanks again, Glenn PS: You and Karen are correct about the Vet school building. The marketing to the community was all billed as improving traffic flow. I saw announcements of a new Vet school building, only in communications designed for the Penn community, and the location was never clear. No where did they say they were taking over a public street! -Original Message- From: Lalevic, Darco lale...@wharton.upenn.edu Sent: May 18, 2010 11:23 PM To: Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net, UnivCity listserv univcity@list.purple.com Subject: RE: [UC] UCD is innocent Of course not, I was merely pointing out that there is ample evidence and historical events that lend credence to the theory of back room deals, and that powerful organizations and people usually work in their own self interest. In the case of University City/West Philly, those people and organizations often do things that individuals may find to be detrimental. Certainly UCD has done many positive things, even if some of us disagree with some of their decisions. So assuming that LI sweeps were prompted by an organization such as UCD (or someone associated) is not far fetched, and is just as likely to have occurred as not. As for evidence, there is rarely any evidence unless you're there, and since some people believe it's more likely than not, they require evidence that it did not occur. Darco From: owner-univc...@list.purple.com [owner-univc...@list.purple.com] On Behalf Of Anthony West [anthony_w...@earthlink.net] Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 6:15 PM To: UnivCity listserv Subject: Re: [UC] UCD is innocent Darco, do you envision a world in which no individuals at high levels can ever let their preferences be known in private conversations? Powerful people talk to other powerful people all the time, in every society humanity has devised. It is not presumptively evil or unfair for them to do so; even if it were, it is as impossible to remove this element from society as it is to remove oxygen from the atmosphere. Picture yourself in the role of a City agency. Do you have a mission to listen to input from the various communities you serve, about their specific needs? Would you look like a jackass if you didn't? Would the same purists who hammer you for listening to a reputable agency from a particular community, NOT hammer you just as hard for refusing to listen, if it came to you with a concern? You're damned if you do, damned if you don't. Equal
[UC] Weekend events to raise funds for an elevator at 48th Baltimore!
I've been asked to post this for Curio Theater Calvary UMC. They are working to make their building at 48th Baltimore handicap accessible. Many, many community events, plus a group of churches a synagogue, use this building, so it's a great cause (and, full disclosure, I'm on the board of Curio Theater) - Melani Lamond ACCESS FOR ALL BENEFIT WEEKEND AT CALVARY SATURDAY, MAY 22 6 PM: Arts/Crafts Show and Refreshments 7:30 PM: The First Annual West Philly Gong Show: an evening of hilarity and fun – winner takes home $399.95! SUNDAY, MAY 23 11AM: Special commemorative worship service. Special Speaker: Rev. Art Brandenberg, Pastor Emeritus at Calvary, who was pastor at Calvary when it became a reconciling congregation. Sermon: Rev. Gil Caldwell, retired United Methodist District Superintendent and long time advocate for reconciliation in the UMC. 2:00 PM: Arts/Craft Show and Refreshments 3:00 PM: Concert featuring Anna Cruses Women’s Choir, and Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus’ Brotherly Love Raffle: Grand Prize: 1 week’s stay at a Florida condo, 4 season tickets to Curio Theatre 2010-2011, Tickets for 2 for any three Crossroads Concerts in the 2010-2011 season, and dinners for two at four University City Restaurants! Second Prize: $100, and two season tickets to Curio Theatre. Suggested donations: $20 for Sunday concert, $15 for Gong Show, $30 for both! All Proceeds from the Benefit Weekend will go to the John Jerry Greene Memorial Fund, funding an elevator for the Calvary building which will finally make the building truly open to everyone! Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban Bye, Realtor PA License AB048377L 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266/ office phone 215-222-4800, ext. 113 I-Fax 215-525-3460 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] UCD is innocent
Glenn moyer wrote: As for evidence, there is rarely any evidence unless you're there, and since some people believe it's more likely than not, they require evidence that it did not occur. back in 2003, ucd used l+i to get rid of undesirable established businesses. now that it's 2010 and ucd has the 'right' new businesses on baltimore avenue [many re-façaded in ucd colors -- or is it campus apartments?], ucd is warning businesses of an l+i sweep and helping them to prepare for it. whether it's 2003 or 2010, ucd knows how to apply l+i to baltimore ave, is in close communication with l+i, and knows in advance of unsuspecting businesses what l+i plans to do. 1 oct 2003: http://www.mail-archive.com/univcity@list.purple.com/msg04748.html letter to uc review from chris white: I talked to Eli Masser [ucd's corridor manager for baltimore ave] when I saw him at the Neighbor to Neighbor Street Festival, the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. I confronted him about the rumors that he had been calling LI. He admitted to calling LI and pushing for a general crackdown on businesses on Baltimore Avenue. I don't expect you to agree with me about this, said Masser, but new businesses can't compete with neighboring businesses that are totally illegal. We debated for about half an hour. During this time, he made many slanderous remarks about Baltimore Avenue businesses saying that they do not pay their taxes or care about the community. I asked him why he thought new businesses would compete with established ones, especially when they are offering different products and services. I defended merchants he spoke against as businesses I depend on for my needs. And I challenged him to find out from business owners what would really help them improve their businesses besides urging them to go into debt for facade changes. 12 may 2010: http://tinyurl.com/325envq the uc review reports: Joe McNulty, the Commercial Corridors Manager for the University City District joined them [Editor Robert Christian and Staff Reporter Nicole Contosta] to announce an LI sweep of Baltimore Ave from 40th through 52nd Street starting the week of June 14th. An inspector will visit every business to make sure that it has the proper licenses and zoning, said McNulty. As the conversation unfolded, McNulty explained that some of the most pressing concerns facing those businesses along Baltimore Ave include making sure owners have an up to date privilege license and other applicable licenses such as for liquor. Also, is not currently legal for a business to provide outdoor seating unless it is in the bounds of that property, added McNulty. In an effort to help business owners along Baltimore Ave prepare for the upcoming inspection, McNulty has asked an inspector to come to the next Baltimore Ave Business Association Meeting on June 1st. Note: The UCD is in no way involved with the LI Sweep, it would simply like to help businesses prepare for it so the Avenue can maintain its vitality. .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN 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] UCD is innocent
Yet, a constant stream of bashing against UCD, Penn, FOCP, or any other entity yields nothing except a population numb to it and therefore indifferent. Rejecting the process itself is a wonderful idea, but it disenfranchises the population. The process is part of our political system - that is unlikely to change on any level, but where citizens can have the most influence is on the city level. Back room deals are unfortunately a systematic issue in any politics, and in Philadelphia (IMO) borders at time on illegal corruption. Additionally, how do you expect Penn, Campus Apartments, or any entity to behave? Just like most individuals, they have their own best interests to look out for. It is a constant negotiation that any large entity has with the public around it. Individuals may have a wide range of response. Clearly there are many people who are willing to accept the negatives for the positives. I certainly disagree with many things Penn does, yet I also respect the many things it does right. What makes Penn need to be held accountable to neighborhood response? It doesn't need to, it can go back to the 70s when it shut itself off from the neighborhood. Instead, Penn finally recognized that it needed to embrace the neighborhood, that the University and the neighborhood are intertwined, for good or bad. Is Penn only expected to give out of charity to the neighborhood? Do we, as beneficiaries of having Penn as a neighbor, have an obligation to concede some to Penn? I would argue that we do - not all big corporations are evil (Comcast and Verizon may be the exceptions, along with most large financial corporations, but that's another topic). Right or wrong, UCD is a creation of Penn. Most of it's board are either representatives of one of the Universities or Real Estate Developer/Agents. So of course most of it's agenda will benefit those groups. Privatization of public resources is rampant throughout the country. It's the new politically in thing to do - reduce public costs by privatization. Rejecting the organizations will do little to change things. Voting and public pressure on local, city, and state representatives is the only recourse. Darco -Original Message- From: Glenn moyer [mailto:glen...@earthlink.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 6:24 AM To: Lalevic, Darco; Anthony West; UnivCity listserv Subject: RE: [UC] UCD is innocent As for evidence, there is rarely any evidence unless you're there, and since some people believe it's more likely than not, they require evidence that it did not occur. Darco, Thanks for speaking your views. It is not easy when everyone knows that any questioner/dissenter will be called paranoid leftists, liars, etc. This type of intimidation works against many neighbors, so the voices of reason are precious. I agree with your statement, but wish to add further clarification and emphasis. The patterns of abuse from entities like UCD, Department of Streets, FOCP, L I,(back room deals, misinformation, hidden agendas, refusal of accountability, etc.) show that the process itself is what must be rejected! Trustworthy entities asking for power over public policy understand the sacrosanct processes and principles acceptable in even remotely democratic or reputable systems. I worked in health care research for years. If I had ever refused to show data, processes, or answer questions like these entities, I would have been laughed at and completely rejected. The demand to trust these disreputable entities, until each hidden agenda is conclusively proven while their pawns hurl insults and misinformation, is also laughable. It is very important that more people understand that these dishonorable and unaccountable entities must ALWAYS be rejected until they show a real commitment to acceptable processes and accountability forever more! These entities always say, trust us; we are good and we are fighting for freedom and democracy and cleaner safer streets. Then they call people names and demand proof of their dishonest back room deals, at the same time as we watch buildings rise on Baltimore Ave or discover that Clark park has been privatized. (People should go back and look at how often Mr West calls people paranoid, while he is defending back room deals.) I published an article 7 or 8 years ago telling our neighbors that Penn was trying to privatize Clark Park and that UCD had community domination, rather than a cleaner safer agenda. I wish more of our neighbors had considered processes and credibility back then instead of voyeuristically watching me defend myself against UCD pawns like Mr. West. When you weigh the benefit of UCD street cleaning, also consider disempowerment of the community residents and loss of democracy for future generations when you do the calculations. Thanks again, Glenn PS: You and Karen are correct about the Vet school building. The marketing to the
[UC] UC Review
A vital chapter in the protracted saga of the South St. Bridge restoration came to a close last week with a presentation by Penn students of their development ideas for the Grays Ferry neighborhood at the eastern foot of the South. St. bridge. Vital? Really? http://www.ucreview.com/default.asp?sourceid=smenu=1twindow=mad=sdetail=2117wpage=skeyword=sidate=ccat=ccatm=restate=restatus=reoption=retype=repmin=repmax=rebed=rebath=subname=pform=sc=2320hn=ucreviewhe=.com Their suggestions are preposterous. I have to say that when I lived in the the Grays Ferry neighborhood in the mid 80s it was the most intolerant place I'd ever experienced. My partner and I were harassed almost daily, mostly because we were gay but also because we were RENTERS! It was awful. F 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] UC Review
RE: I have to say that when I lived in the the Grays Ferry neighborhood in the mid 80s it was the most intolerant place I'd ever experienced. My partner and I were harassed almost daily, mostly because we were gay but also because we were RENTERS! It was awful. F That little neighborhood's actual name is Schuylkill, and runs east of the Schuylkill River to about 23rd Street, Pine to Christian: http://www.phila.gov/PHILS/Docs/otherinfo/pname3.htm It was an Irish-Catholic neighborhood for at least most of the 20th Century, until an aging population and gentrification brought change. The parish church was Saint Anthony of Padua at Grays Ferry Avenue and Fitzwater Street, and it's the tall church tower you can see when looking east across the river from West Philadelphia. St. Anthony's was closed in the 1990s and was sold to a Baptist church. Unfortunately, Frank, that neighborhood had a long history of intolerance: I was raised from birth by my great aunts, and from the mid-1950s until 1968 I lived with them in South Philly, first in the 2100 block of St Albans Street, where they had been raised, then in the 1900 block of Catherine Street. Both locations were a short walk from the South Street Bridge. When I was small (late 1950s thru mid 1960s) my Aunt Florence used to take me on Sunday outings, and we often walked across the South Street Bridge to go to the University Museum or the old Commercial Museum (the little building that used to be adjacent to the old Convention Hall). Aunt Florence used to say that we had to be back across the bridge before dark, because otherwise we could be harassed by the white people there. She also told me about how her brother William had gotten beaten up by white kids in that neighborhood when he was a kid, which would have been sometime during the 1920s or 30s. From: fcarr...@pobox.com Subject: [UC] UC Review Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 12:12:11 -0400 To: UnivCity@list.purple.com A vital chapter in the protracted saga of the South St. Bridge restoration came to a close last week with a presentation by Penn students of their development ideas for the Grays Ferry neighborhood at the eastern foot of the South. St. bridge. Vital? Really? http://www.ucreview.com/default.asp?sourceid=smenu=1twindow=mad=sdetail=2117wpage=skeyword=sidate=ccat=ccatm=restate=restatus=reoption=retype=repmin=repmax=rebed=rebath=subname=pform=sc=2320hn=ucreviewhe=.com Their suggestions are preposterous. I have to say that when I lived in the the Grays Ferry neighborhood in the mid 80s it was the most intolerant place I'd ever experienced. My partner and I were harassed almost daily, mostly because we were gay but also because we were RENTERS! It was awful. F 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] UCD is innocent
In this case, we have evidence that it did not occur. Andy Frishkoff, who is in a position to know, has posted a definitive answer. He said LI was just doing its job, and he was proud of the job it has done on this project. We also have evidence posted by me that ticket sweeps in general have dramatically increased in the city, in such numbers that no one organization like UCD, covering just 3% of the city, could possibly account for all this increase. Hence, Occam's razor holds. Given incomplete information, the simplest working explanation is the best. In this case: tickets are up in University City because tickets are up in Philadelphia, and University City (perhaps to the amazement of some) is part of Philadelphia. Further evidence may always turn up that Andy's statement is incorrect or inadequate. But it's not Andy's job to turn up further evidence that he's correct. The burden of proof now falls on accusers. If they don't have any proof, then they have nothing further of value to say in this instance. They are free to continue to be suspicious; but they cannot assert that their very suspicions are proof that their suspicions are well-founded. Appealing to other cases in previous years is no form of proof at all. The fact the Teapot Dome Scandal of 1922 was improper, does not constitute evidence that the Whitewater Scandal of 1993 was improper. Cheers, -- Tony West E.g.: So assuming that LI sweeps were prompted by an organization such as UCD (or someone associated) is not far fetched, and is just as likely to have occurred as not. As for evidence, there is rarely any evidence unless you're there, and since some people believe it's more likely than not, they require evidence that it did not occur. Darco 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] UCD is innocent
Translation: a Business Improvement District (BID), whose sole raison d'être is to help neighborhood businesses in a given area, has liaisoned with LI to help execute an LI initiative in such a way that it hurts neighborhood businesses in its area as little as possible. In order to do so, UCD must know how to communicate LI's plans for Baltimore Ave. to Baltimore Ave. It must remain in close communication with LI. And it must know in advance of unsuspecting businesses what LI plans to do, in order to communicate those plans to those businesses, so that they will no longer be unsuspecting. All of which, UC-list readers are asked to believe, has harmed our neighborhood in some ineffable manner Deceptive paranoid bumf rises like a zombie from the grave of UC-list's archives. -- Tony West On 5/19/2010 10:13 AM, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN wrote: back in 2003, ucd used l+i to get rid of undesirable established businesses. now that it's 2010 and ucd has the 'right' new businesses on baltimore avenue [many re-façaded in ucd colors -- or is it campus apartments?], ucd is warning businesses of an l+i sweep and helping them to prepare for it. whether it's 2003 or 2010, ucd knows how to apply l+i to baltimore ave, is in close communication with l+i, and knows in advance of unsuspecting businesses what l+i plans to do. 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] UC Review
Karen Allen wrote: http://www.phila.gov/PHILS/Docs/otherinfo/pname3.htm great link! especially because they include the years. thanks for posting it. another philly site I love: http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/Home.aspx .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN 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.
