Mt. Airy’s Yvonne Haskins Takes on Many Challenges

by Bob O’Brien

Staff Reporter

For years, Yvonne Haskins has been involved in community activism throughout Mt. Airy and Germantown, but recent events revolving around the proposed Chelten Plaza development project has brought her to the vanguard once more.

Acting as an attorney for the seven Germantown groups interested in halting the project has almost overshadowed another responsibility that Haskins has also taken on. As of June 1, the 73 year old became acting executive director of West Mt. Air Neighbors (WMAN) following the resignation of former executive director Lizabeth Macoretta during the month of April.

Haskins’ outspoken demeanor has gained her the sort of notoriety which keeps her name in the press – for her community activism, her political opinions, and her guidance on legal issues.

“I’ve always been outspoken about representing what I feel is the best course of action, but some people take it very personally,” she said.

Although Haskins is quick to point out that she is working with WMAN on a temporary basis – the organization is referring to her as the interim executive director, stating intentions to find a permanent replacement by fall or winter at the latest – it hasn’t stopped her from jumping into the thick of things.

Haskins is no stranger to the task, either. In 1971 she signed on for the same position and manned the post for two years. At the time, she was one of the first people responsible for creating real lines of communication between WMAN and East Mt. Airy Neighbors (EMAN) when none really existed. Since last year she has been working on the group’s Zoning Committee.

Out of her earlier efforts to collaborate with EMAN, Mt. Airy Day was born, a tradition that has yet to die she said. Haskins also claims responsibility for getting the block captain program started in West Mt. Airy.

This time around, Haskins was wary of the position because of her responsibilities to her law practice and her family-owned development firm, Haskins Properties Management, LLC. But, she said her hesitation was unfounded.

“The director has a pretty free hand to keep things moving in the community,” she said. “It’s been challenging but I enjoy it.”

The executive director is responsible for “a lot of behind the scenes work,” Haskins said. Facilitating discussion within the community, settling disputes between members, addressing any issues raised by membership, and of course, paying the bills, are all part of Haskins’ job.

Haskins hopes that her previous achievements won’t overshadow her efforts while acting as director of WMAN. Although it is more than possible that Haskins will be replaced before she can see her goals come to fruition, she doesn’t see that as a reason to stop trying. With plans for replacing her less than sturdy, Haskins intends to make the best of her time as director.

Her first task: build the group’s membership, the foundation of the organization. “We lost membership last year,” Haskins said. “In addition to expanding and maintaining the quality of life services we provide, expanding our membership is extremely important.”

“We need to become more valuable to our members,” Haskins said.

There are several reasons for that, according to Haskins. A larger membership means a greater cash flow into WMAN, which means more opportunities for providing the services that the organization offers.

Furthermore, Haskins said, a larger membership allows for greater networking and communication throughout the community, which will benefit everyone.

Currently, WMAN is working through its annual membership drive, and Haskins has high hopes for the outcome.

Haskins also wants to focus on an issue that she feels most people ignore: the schools located in West Mt. Airy. According to Haskins, C.W. Henry Elementary and Henry H. Houston Elementary are good schools, but no one would know it. That’s because most of the older kids are bussed out to other neighborhoods, while kids from other neighborhoods are bussed in.

“The school’s supposed to reflect the neighborhood,” Haskins said. I don’t know where these kids are coming from, but they don’t feel allegiance to this neighborhood.”

Haskins believes that parents’ concerns about the safety and value of education in these schools is unfounded. “Real learning is going on in these schools and the kids are safe,” she said.

Haskins is currently working on a proposal for a publically-funded program that will help children identify and feel responsible for their communities, a notion that she think many children lack.

Haskins became involved in the Chelten Plaza feud as an attorney representing several groups, including her own development firm that feels developer Pat Burns has dealt with residents in an illegal and dishonest fashion.

The debate revolves around the site of a former Fresh Grocer at the corner of West Chelten and Pulaski Avenues, which abruptly shut its doors in February amongst many complaints about its management practices and the quality of its food. As a replacement for the grocery store, Burns plans to fill in the empty space with a Save-a-lot grocery store, and Dollar Tree and an Anna’s Linens. Burns also announced an intention to include a store associated with Weaver’s Way Co-op for the site, which many doubted and eventually was announced as false.

Members of Germantown Community Connection (GCC) initially took issue with the plan Burns put together, and voted to opposeit. However, after negotiating with Burns, the GCC threw its support behind the developer in a move that many Germantown residents, and Haskins, feel does not represent their best interests.

“They’re talking to GCC,” Haskins said. “They’re not talking to the community.” Haskins said that while the ideal of the GCC is admirable, purporting to represent all residents of Germantown amongst a fractured community, it fails to do so in that there are very few people involved in its decision making.

Haskins’ first step was to submit a petition to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment on behalf of her appellants, stating that the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a permit to Burns in a manner inconsistent with zoning protocol. “The argument is against L and I issuing a permit,” Haskins said. The hearing is set for September 21 at 1515 Arch Street. “A dollar store is illegal.”

According to Haskins, a zoning ordinance explicitly prohibits dollar and variety stores from opening in that area. To avoid this law, Haskins said, Burns was issued a permit for a grocery store where the proposed Dollar Tree will be built. Burns and his attorney have maintained that this is legal, because of the fact that the Dollar Tree will sell some food items.

“I would like to see a shopping experience (in that area) that is quality,” Haskins said. “I think (the development) is poorly planned, illegal, and that a Save-a-Lot isn’t going to attract anyone.”

In regards to her “interim” status witht WMAN, Haskins is not all too concerned with how soon areplacement will be found. She plans to keep herself busy with her work in the community. “If [WMAN] doesn’t find the right person, they don’t need to feel pressed that I’ll jump ship,” she said. “I’m here for as long as they need me to be here.”