I totally agree with Glenn. Krajewski has unwittingly revealed how eager
some quarters are to exploit the new arrangement for supervising our parks.
In this case, however, she shot herself in the foot with a preposterously
broad proposal to open up all of Fairmount Park to developers. Her claim
that this legislation was only intended to address some problems at Glen
Foerd lacks credibility. For instance, why would specific issues regarding
the catering operation at Glen Foerd require new legislation to include
permission to build single-family residences in the park? You don't need to
be
a conspiracy theorist to suspect what's behind that proposal.
Particularly troubling was the tepid response of the new man in charge of
parks and
recreation, Michael DiBerardinis. Saying (in the Inquirer, 5/19) that he
was concerned about the broad nature of the proposed legislation, he promised
to attempt to rein it in! Is it unreasonable to expect the commissioner
charged with protecting our parks to clearly and firmly oppose such a
threatening bill? Either he is a master of tact, allowing Krajewski to save
face
while opposing her legislation behind the scenes, or he is just another
pol. Only time will tell.
Thanks to Karen for bringing this issue to the attention of the list. The
vigilance of organizations such as SCRUBS and the Philadelphia Parks
Alliance stands in sad contrast to the poor performance of our own neighborhood
organizations with regard to the 40th and Pine hotel project and the
destruction of the historic building at 43rd and Baltimore.
Mary
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