My only reply is this: Responding that way would only make me look
unprofessional if I were to walk into court or the Zoning Board hearings and
say that. But I'm not stating a professional position in a professional
setting; I'm stating my personal opinion in a public forum. When speaking on
this list, I retain the right to speak as myself with my own opinions and
voice.
For whatever reason, you manage to drag the fact that I'm a lawyer into
virtually every discussion that involves me, whether on the listserv or in CPN
matters. For the record: I know that I'm a lawyer; I don't have to be reminded
of it 24/7.
Believe it or not, I do not feel the need to throw the fact that I'm a lawyer
into everyone's face. That is my job, not my life. It's what I do; not what I
am. And I will choose when it's appropriate to disclose that fact.
It's something that I turn on when I'm at work, and turn off the rest of the
time. I have never tried to use my job or JD degree as a bludgeon to silence or
intimidate others ("well, YOU don't know what YOU'RE talking about because I'M
a LAWYER, and I KNOW..."). I have never used that to give my opinions give any
added weight, because I believe that I can defend my opinions on their own
merits without having to inject inflated ego into the mix. Apart from those
who may know me personally, I'm sure there are a lot of listserv readers who
may not even know that I'm a lawyer were it not for you telling them, because I
rarely have reason to mention it.
In fact, when I testified at the myriad Campus Inn hearings, I never did so as
an attorney, or tried to claim some professional aura for my private opinions.
I made it clear that I did not live in Spruce Hill, and that I was testifying
as a resident of University City who was concerned about the broader
implications if that project was allowed to go forward.
Broader implications such as what may be on the horizon at 43rd and Baltimore.
Once opened, the Pandora's box Al Krigman referred to can never be closed.
From: [email protected]: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:03:56 -0500Subject: Re: [UC]
Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave.To: [email protected];
[email protected] a message dated 2/10/09 3:02:09 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Well, geez, Melani, ya know, I'd really like to get upset about that but I'm
going to be busy fighting a 10-story building at 40th and Pine. I can only
fight one building desecration at a time. Maybe Tom Lussenhop, Ed Halligan,
Jeff Block, "Danny" DeRitis, Dave Adelman, Barry Grossbach, Mike Hardy, that
blonde woman from 41st and Pine and the gang at the Spruce Hill Zoning
Committee can help you.Karen, I'm sorry that you feel the need to personalize
the things that I write about on the listservs. What I write is not meant to
be about you! When you respond this way, I'm afraid that it may make you look
unprofessional, unfortunately. You are a well-spoken attorney, and when you
testify before city officials, you present your viewpoint clearly and
compellingly. I am always glad, when you and I are working together in front
of the Zoning Board as representatives of the CPN zoning committee, that you
speak so eloquently on CPN's behalf. I don't know why you want to write in
this other way, to and about me, in front of the listserv audience.The hotel
issue is clearly something about which you and I have differing opinions - my
focus is on restoring the Italianate building; your concern is with the height
issue and the new building's appearance and potential uses. I think that each
of our opinions has merit, and I regret that many folks have become so
unpleasant in their passion. I think that this has led to exaggerations and
stretching of the truth, which is regrettable. With your suggestion on Monday
that the hotel's "most strident and outspoken supporters.....just happen to be
mostly real estate agents" and your comment that "All of this is to say that
'the community' can be hijacked by those with self interests who are willing to
throw the actual community under the Penn bus," you imply that I, as a real
estate agent and supporter, have something personal to gain by a hotel going
into that location. I don't; to the contrary, it will actually be competition
for my Carriage House on 46th St., which I rent out for similar short term stay
uses, to the very types of visitors which the Campus Inn expects to attract!
And if the hotel is built, it will not present me with any sales opportunities,
and I have never worked as an agent for Tom Lussenhop, David Adelman, or the
University of Pennsylvania. To the contrary, lending my name in support of
this project actually has the potential to COST me future real estate business,
since those who disagree with me are unlikely to call me when they want to buy
or sell houses. What do you see as my "self interest?" As a pragmatic
preservationist, I merely want to see the old house restored!You, as an old
friend of mine and a board colleague at three different UC organizations in the
past, are well aware that I have from time to time had differences of opinion
with Penn - and with many of the folks that you mention above, as well. In
those cases, I've fought for the same side that you have. My relationship with
my surroundings is not "knee jerk;" it is issue-driven, and I think for myself
- and you know that very well! I regret that you choose to paint me with such
a limited brush.Our community would be so much better off if we could look more
closely at the merit of the issues before us, rather than only at the names of
the persons supporting or opposing them. And we'd lead much less stressful
lives if we could respect one another's' different opinions, honestly fight the
good fight, and then shake hands and move forward without being vocal, angry
enemies for life. I do not consider you an enemy, and I know that I will
continue to attend Cedar Park Neighbors zoning meetings with you, and work with
you before the ZBA, and appreciate your skills & thoughts. And I have no wish
to attack you personally on community listservs. Let us try to work in
thoughtful, professional ways, even if we have different opinions.Melani
LamondMelani Lamond, Associate BrokerUrban & Bye, RealtorPA License Number
AB048377L3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104cell phone 215-356-7266 -
office phone 215-222-4800 #113**************The year's hottest artists on the
red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there.
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