Sign up | Log in | Forgot Password

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

(your name)

Dear Elected Officials:

As a resident of the Historic Upper Roxborough District of
Philadelphia for 19 years, I want to voice my strong
opposition to any future developments in the area by Mr.
John Westrum. I don't want Mr. Westrum to destroy
anymore of Philadelphia's open space. Our neighborhood
does not need to be TRANSFORMED from a natural jewel
into dense housing by an out-of-city developer. Please stop
him NOW!

Sincerely,
Wendy Willard
8520 Hagy's Mill Road
Philadelphia PA 19128

Dear Elected Officials:
I wish to express my serious concern about proposed
new housing developments in our pristine neighborhood
presently being planned by Mr. John Westrum.
I have been residing in this naturally preserved and
historic corner of Philadelphia for more than 50 years.
Unfortunately the commercial developments introduced by
Mr. Westrum to date have seriously and permanently
destroyed the balance between people and nature in our
community.
The future plans of Mr. Westrum at Port Royal Avenue will
certainly undermine further the remaining natural resources
of our neighborhood. I hope you will take my views and
those of my neighbors into consideration.

Sincerely,
Betty L. Kinley

Dear Elected Officials:

As a resident of 8520 Hagy's Mill Road, Roxborough, for
more than 50 years, I wish to express my strong opposition
to the proposed commercial development by Mr. John
Westrum of residences at the Reservoir site at Hagy's Mill
Road and Port Royal Avenue.

Mr. Westrum's previous ventures in our neighborhood
have proved to be disasters with regard to the natural
balance of the community.

We hope for your support in opposing such development
and thank you for your continuing interest in our
neighborhood.

Yours sincerely,

David H. Kinley, Jr.

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

Donna Polkowski

Dear Elected Officials:

As if Upper Roxborough didn't have enough to deal with the
reservoir seige.Now along comes T Mobile with plans to erect a
new cell phone tower @ 8919 Ridge Ave.
This is the address for half of the shopping center known as
Roxborough Market Square.
The plan is to remove the exisiting signage and erect a 60 foot
tower disguised as a sign postabout 10 feet from the curb.

What a thrill to be able to see this monster tower as you are
leaving or returning from work.
The law firm of Saul Ewing is representing T Mobile in this
zoning request which is scheduled for Tuesday August 17th @
9:30 AM,calender #04-1096 be sure to include this in any
message.
I received a phone message today so I went out to look at the
area.
It took me 5 minutes to find the zoning notice.It's in plain
view behind a tree & 2 large signs so anybody driving up Ridge
Ave could not see it.
I call the short notice of things like this "the old summer
sneak by".Or here's hoping nobody will see it.
Please call your councilman & the ZBA to complain.
Thank you,
Bob Turino,president,Upper Roxborough Civic Association
215-483-4386
froggy1@erols.com

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, I object to the destruction of a neighborhood that still
can offer a suburban feel within the city. We are a community
that can boast a location between two bodies of water (the
Wissahickon and the Schuylkill), surrounding woodlands, bird &
animal habitats - all of which we highly prize and for which we
will spare no effort to preserve.


Yours truly,

(your name)

Dear Elected Officials:

As I learn about the cozy relationship between Westrum
Development,the Heritage Conservancy & city offical I can see
how "the pay to play" saga has grown.
1.How can the Heritage Conservancy collect grant money from the
state and represent Westrum?
If they are not they need to show the public.
2.How does Westrum have the inside track on public property
that is not listed for sale?
3.How can the city hand over the Upper Roxborough Reservoir
witout due process.
4. How is it that Upper Roxborough Civic Association has not
been given a copy of the grant application from the Heritage
Conservancy?
5. Why did they hold meetings in Chestnut Hill & Germantown
before coming to Roxborough?
6.The reservoir in question is located in Upper Roxborough with
a very active Civic group.
7. As president of URCA I can say without a doubt that we are
against any development on the 34 acre tract that the U.R.
reservoir sits.
8. How many times do we have to say know?
9. We have a better plan that keeps the revenue flowing in to
city coffers but not to Westrum Development.
10.With the 10 year tax abatement& other goverment welfare
being given to outside buliders how does the city benifit?
11.Does city hall care about it's "middle Class" that Senator
John Kerry refered to in his acceptance speach?

Sincerely,
Bob Turino,President,Upper Roxborough Civic Association
Froggy1@erols.com
215-483-4386
8135 Lare Street
Philadelphia,PA. 19128-4023

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

Michael Dylan Novak

Dear Elected Officials:

On August 1, 2004 a rainstorm destroyed Gettysburg Road. The
proximate cause of the damage is the absence of a storm water
management system the the area bounded by Ridge Avenue, Shawmont
Avenue, Port Royal Avenue and Eva Street. The storm water from
the rainstorm traveled down Summit Avenue, Evergreen Avenue,
Aurania Street and collected on Eva Street where in formed a
river, twenty-four inches deep, and cascaded down Gettysburg
Road, taking the road with it. Homes and property suffered
significant damage.

Whithin this area, there is a proposal to build 191 multi-
family units in the south reservoir basin and many single family
homes on the reservoir apron facing Summit Avenue and Eva
Street. The increase in impervious coverage represented by this
proposal is a material threat to the health, safety and welfare
of me and my neighbors.

Rather than encouraging dense development of this area, the
City should introduce an effective storm water management
system. Hopefully, in designing such a storm water management
plan the apparent errors adopted at Hunter's Point will be
avoided.

Sincerely,

Bill O'Brien

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

James Mako

Dear Elected Officials:

Fast forward one hundred years. What would be more meaningful
for the proposed Roxborough Reservoir site -- another Westrum
Development Corporation project, or a world renowned bird and
wildlife refuge (which it can become, and which you can go into
the history books as having helped create)?

Partner with the Roxborough Green Space Project!

Christina Binder
Roxborough Green Space Project Board member
Chair, Conservation/Environment Committee, RGSP

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

(your name)

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections to
the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer is
John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to develop
'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public for

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we are
quite concerned about the potential sale of the Roxborough
Reservoir to a developer who intends to build over 240 homes on
the site. We're sure you have heard the traditional objections
to the development of remaining green spaces in the City for
residential or commercial use. These objections, voiced by
citizens and community groups like ours usually include the
following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space Project,
and others are pursuing all of these issues with the resources
available to us to prevent further development in the 21st Ward.
However, our concern is with your decision to sell the site to a
favored developer (and one of Mayor Street's financial
supporters) without "due process". As you know, that developer
is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community who
have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public spaces in
Roxborough, we must ask the following questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to insure
that the objections mentioned above are addressed rather than
ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers who
would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet plans to
develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City, simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public properties
under the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, or as a
corporate umbrella/joint venture with a conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the apparent
impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the arrogance displayed
by our city government for ignoring traditional contracting
practices intended to return to the owners of the reservoir (we
taxpayers) the best value for our tax dollars. We elected you to
provide "stewardship" over City assets, including public
property, but the present relationship with Mr. Westrum raises
many more questions than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and the
Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your earliest
convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

(your name)

Dear Elected Officials:

As residents of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia we
are quite concerned about the potential sale of the
Roxborough Reservoir to a developer who intends to build
over 240 homes on the site. We're sure you have heard the
traditional objections to the development of remaining green
spaces in the City for residential or commercial use. These
objections, voiced by citizens and community groups like
ours usually include the following;

* increased traffic and congestion
* public safety concerns
* inconvenience/disruption during construction
* elimination of recreational space
* disturbance of protected plant and animal species
* creation of environmental hazards
* ...and many others

Be assured that our group, the Roxborough Green Space
Project, and others are pursuing all of these issues with the
resources available to us to prevent further development in
the 21st Ward. However, our concern is with your decision to
sell the site to a favored developer (and one of Mayor
Street's financial supporters) without "due process". As you
know, that developer is John Westrum.

If a sale is imminent over the objections of the Community
who have been laboring to preserve the open, green, public
spaces in Roxborough, we must ask the following
questions:
1. In view of the obvious impropriety of this 'deal' and the
financial crisis facing the City, why is there no competitive
bidding taking place for purchase of the reservoir?
2. What is the price the City is asking for the reservoir? Is
this the price John Westrum is paying for it? Is it fair market
value, or discounted for any reason?
3. Would the City obtain concessions from the bidders to
insure that the objections mentioned above are addressed
rather than ignored - to the detriment of local taxpayers?
4. Why are long-term tax abatements offered to developers
who would wipe out environmental enhancements, yet
plans to develop 'greenways' that would enhance the City,
simply ignored?
5. Would the City consider the purchase of the public
properties under the Neighborhood Transformation
Initiative, or as a corporate umbrella/joint venture with a
conservation developer?

Mr. Mayor and Council Members, we are outraged by the
apparent impropriety of this "deal". We denounce the
arrogance displayed by our city government for ignoring
traditional contracting practices intended to return to the
owners of the reservoir (we taxpayers) the best value for our
tax dollars. We elected you to provide "stewardship" over
City assets, including public property, but the present
relationship with Mr. Westrum raises many more questions
than just poor financial judgment.

Lastly, we are saddened that the bid for 'stewardship' by the
Roxborough Green Space Project of (two) 2 Reservoirs and
the Shawmont Waterworks has been largely ignored.
We would appreciate answers to these concerns at your
earliest convenience - preferably at a public forum.


Yours truly,

(your name)

Dear Elected Officials:
Dear Mayor Street and his cabinet:

Woe unto those who join house to house
That lay field to field. Till there is no space
That they may be placed alone
In the midst of the earth

Isaiah 5:8
A wise prophet of the Old Testament had that to say about how to
live on the earth....

The area between Manayunk and the County Line, along the east
side of the Schuylkill River has one of the largest
concentrations of open space left in the inner ring of
metropolitan Philadelphia. Anchored by the Schuylkilll Center
For Environmental Education, there is an historic opportunity
to conserve a larger area for the ages. There is a compelling
case to be made for protecting this big green chunk of the river
valley and the waters of the Schulykill River.

Neighborhood and community groups have organized and battled to
preserve the integrity of the water quality, character and
historic significance over the past 20 years and have had a
significant number of successes. The consciousness that has
come out of these victories has fueled a sense of possibility
about doing something on a larger scale. Rather than fighting
each situation in isolation, a larger plan could focus future
efforts within the context of a larger purpose.

While there are many different landowners in the area, there is
a nascent sense of preservation- shared by many- that can be
advanced through a carefully considered plan for the future. We
are fortunate to have a core group of committed people who are
willing to support Roxborough Green Space Project in it's
efforts to protect our neighborhoods and our water.

We ask that you, our elected officials and policy makers,
consider very carefully how you can best help all of us push
this rock up the hill together. At the end of the day, we must
leave a legacy we can all be proud of..
I remain,
sincerely yours,
Mark Soffa

Dear Elected Officials:

Please go to the Web and check out:
http://www.berkeleygroup.com/index.cfm?articleid=110
It's how a developer named Berkeley Group created a lovely and
successful wetland theme park from an abandoned Victorian
reservoir!
Chuck Hetzel

(Next 20 results)