Appeal on Chelten Plaza to be Heard Sept. 21

Editor:

The Zoning Hearing (on September 21, 2011, 1 pm) for our Petition to Appeal the illegal permit issued to allow a Dollar Tree in the Chelten Plaza project at 301 W. Chelten Avenue is finally about to happen. Everyone who cares about this case should be at the hearing at 1515 Arch Street, 18th floor no later than 12:30pm to show strong opposition to the illegal permit.  We need a huge showing at that hearing in order to bring home the message that we’re determined to build a BETTER GERMANTOWN.  Readers should also come out to Vernon Park on September 17, 12 to 4 pm, to join us in a Pre-Hearing Potluck Picnic and Celebration of the Fight for a Better Germantown…all are welcome and encouraged to bring food to share.  It’s intended to be spontaneous …. Games for kids, games for adults, speakers and music are some of the activities loosely planned. 

I filed the zoning petition during the first week of July because a Dollar Tree is not permitted on this site under the Zoning Code.  The developer got the illegal permit by misrepresenting what he intends to put there.  He said that he was putting in a “retail grocery store” when the real deal is the Dollar Tree.  Since that time, more and more people have stood firmly and openly in opposing this development and have done a lot of work to let the community know about this wrongdoing. This letter is one way for me to acknowledge and commend the initiative, leadership and sharp focus of people in keeping their eyes on the ball.  The commitment by so many people during the past two and a half months is more compensation that I could ever expect for my legal work (although there’s no charge).  

When we first filed the zoning appeal, I spoke to some about “taking on the big boys downtown,” extracting promises from a number of people that I wouldn’t be in this battle alone.  It took very few days before dozens of people came forward to organize a serious grassroots uprising in Germantown.  What a joy it has been to represent six (6) community and business organizations, to meet people from all areas of Germantown and to witness their growing empowerment on changing the economics of Germantown’s commercial corridors.  It’s been a long time since people have visibly and vocally stood on principle and ideals about the potential for Germantown, especially in the face of most politicians either remaining silent or blatantly turning their back on even meeting with us.  Except for Senator Shirley Kitchen and Representative Rosita Youngblood – who have given their full support – no other politician has stood with us, despite the documentation that we uncovered about the developer, Pat Burns, not following the rules with public dollars and not keeping promises made.  Could that be because of the large political contributions Burns (sometimes through his associates) makes to various politicians?

For the past two months, we’ve tried through many channels to get a meeting with Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, with no response.  We’ve sent requests for a meeting and petitions signed by almost 2,000 people who support us…still no response from her.  The Zoning Board is always interested in hearing from the District Councilperson on any zoning matter before it; therefore, we really want Miller’s support to keep yet another dollar store from being developed in Germantown, given the 12 dollar stores already there. 

We urge those reading this letter to please call, email and/or visit Councilwoman Miller’s office to ask her to meet with us before we appear before the Zoning Board and also ask her to send the Zoning Board a letter of support for our Petition.  (Her email address is donna.miller@phila.gov; her phone number is 215-686-3424.)   Out of respect for her constituents, Councilwoman Miller should be willing to listen to our account of the issues and consider whether this development meets the economic development standards Germantown needs.   If she would listen to us, we have no doubt that she would be convinced of the correctness of our position.

For those who wish to know details on the background of this movement, please go to www.germantowncares.org to get the history and an update on the current activities.  Or check out Newsworks for over 30 articles about the fight.  And, of course, Germantown Newspapers has been diligent in its expose’ of everything that has been said or done in connection with the corruption exposed about this development.   One interesting aspect about the media is that with all of this coverage, the Philadelphia Inquirer has chosen not to print anything about this story.  With all of the demonstrations on the corner of Chelten and Pulaski every week (even in the rain), not one of the TV stations has sent a camera to record our protest.  But no matter, G’towners are not deterred or discouraged by such lack of political and media support. 

People with a cause justified by ideals of the common good and economic potential don’t really need the sanction of people in power to spur them on…the energy and the spirit of these people feed on their own vision. The movement refuels itself without need for such endorsement.  So, I’m proud to have been able to play a small part in supporting these determined people who look like America at its best.  Come join the fight by your presence at the zoning hearing on 9/21 to support our Petition and then get involved after that hearing. 

In my humble opinion, this community and all of the people who are fighting for a Better Germantown are on an epic journey…and it’s about time. 

Yvonne B. Haskins

Philadelphia, PA 19119