Letter to Yenta 11/08/06
Yes, I went to the meeting. The room was overflowing with folks that wanted to be in the know about their own and the future of downtown New Hope, there was an announced count of 19 more people than the room can safely occupy according to the Fire Code. Consequently the issue regarding Mr. Hipple's plans and his presentation was postponed until Monday evening, November 13th, 7:30PM at the High Scool in the cafeteria.
While HARB and other New Hope Boro meetings may be on a somewhat fixed, the operative word being fixed,( did I say FIXED,) schedule we all know that they have shifted to different dates and times for any number of reasons. Election Day should be one of those reasons. How inflexible can you get? Of course we all know there is no conspiracy, right? Lighten up already.
BTW, I have seen Mr. Hipple's plans on paper, all of New Hope should only look this good, what a credit it would be. To the rest of the landowners in town, take a hint, some of your buildings for which you charge and charge are falling down and are a disgrace and an embarassment...there oughta be a law!
-Nor Cranky or Subversive just a Realist!

Letter to Yenta 11/08/06
There is no HARB or Borough conspiracy theory. Check the New Hope website "The Historic and Architectural Review Board meets at 7:30 P.M. on the first Tuesday of each month at 41 North Main Street in New Hope". They've been meeting at this time for a long, long time.
But if you want to talk conspiracy theories ... I didn't receive the flyer on my doorstep. I'd like to know who took it off of my doorstep? Did the Republicans or Democrats do it when they dropped off their negative ads? .. or ..Did ABC do it so that they could get higher ratings for the semi finals of "Dancing with the Stars"?
Conspiracies theories aside, did anyone go to the meeting?

Letter to Yenta 11/07/06
Not being a conspiracy theorist myself, but I did notice that the HARB meeting is being held on Election Day. Now the only problem is this: is it a Republican or Democratic ploy, or just the stupidity of the powers that be in this town. Since it's election day, I'll vote the latter! From what I know of tonight's agenda, Mr. Hipple's plans will be presented last, now that's conspiracy!
-Not Cranky or Subversive, just a Realist.

Letter to Yenta 11/07/06
Has anyone besides me noticed that the HARB hearing on the issue stated below is on Election Day at 1/2 hour before the polls close. Strategy or coincidence??? TOB

Letter to Yenta 11/06/06
Please Read Before Tuesday...I recieved this flyer on my doorstep. I am hoping that it is not true but, I am passing it along Heaven forbid it is!!!! I am typing it verbatim.:
An Open Letter to the Residents and Business Owners of New Hope
A newcomer to New Hope, a certain Tony Hipple, has recently purchased all of the properties streching from the intersection of North Main St, and Bridge St. to Fishers Alley on North Main Street. He is presenting to HARB on Tuesday, November 7th,at 7:30pm a proposal to completely restructure, demolish and rebuild from Cockamamies up to the E.M. Adam's Gallery, just before Diana Michaels.
This translates into the total disruption of business as we know it today for Cockamamies, New Hope Leather, Burch and Jone's Jewelers, Meow Meow, Gargoyles, Ferry and Topeo South. As far as anybody knows, the above businesses will be served eviction notices as soon as possible with the total disregard and complete disrespect for the loss of the established and prized New Hope businesses, not to mention the several other resident tenants in these buildings.
This same man has previously bought and evicted the tenants of 31 North Main St to "renovate" and "expand" that building also, with the disruption of the established businesses at that time in the building (Made in Italy and Not to Shabby) along with the tenants in 4 apts. Needless to say the building has been empty and abandoned for nearly a year now.
This particular section of New Hope is zoned Central Commercial and Historical. The buildings in question constitute part of the core fabric of New Hope and are so unique in design and structure that anything involving the destruction or refacing of these parcels should be considered ludicrous.
Please show your support by attending the next Historical Review Board meeting on Tue, November 7th at 7:30 at the Borough Hall.
An informed community make better choices, please come even just to hear for yourself and formulate you own opinion.

The Yenta Column 11/03/06
Well, there has been a wide variety of discussion lately from the Old Cartwheel to High School Football, to the proverbial holiday parking issue (again), and of course....THE ELECTION! Let's get the old stuff out of the road...first, the Yenta begrudingly admits that it will have to do some research on the Buckeye Billy front. As for football...these newcomers should pay attention to history. New Hope ended the football program due to a player breaking their neck! Get the picture...small school, not enough natural
selection (purely due to numbers) to find kids big enough to stand up to the competition. Parents....STOP trying to live your life through your kids! Your vicarious thrill could cost them serious injury or worse. Just recently at George School (a not so big institution that
tries to be all things to all kids), which offers football and soccer, a student (who was not getting playing time on the soccer team) decided to go out for football. Went to practice on a Thursday, played in his first game on that Saturday, and Oila! Ruptured kidney and spleen, loss of two litres of blood....all on the first play of the game. Point made!

Now to the issue at hand --- THE ELECTION!!! Of course the Yenta must make some predictions and comments. What would an election be without at least some commentary! AND PREDICTIONS!! So, here we go! Predictions!

Big Ed Rendell is a shoe-in against, that's right, the football player...what's his name.
Casey and Santorum??? Well on abortion they both lose votes. And, Santorum really goes south on the gay/lesbian issues. So, the Yenta's pick is the lesser of two bad choices...Casey gets the nod.

Congress?? Fitzpatrick or Murphy? The polls have it close....but, Mike says he is NOT FOR CIVIL UNIONS, he is anti abortion and is in George Bush's pocket on Iraq. His CAFTA tie breaking vote really flies in the face of his claim to be independent of George Bush. Seem like real bad positions to take in this town. Toss up, in a hard fought battle (negative at best by Fitzpatrick-- clean and consistently on message and issues by Murphy)...Murphy is the Yenta's choice!

Serpico vs McIlhinny or "Reformer" vs "The Good Ol' Boys". The Yenta would love to see Serpico win. The area needs to break the grip of sewer and developer money, hiding under the guise of land preservation. But, don't think that will happen...Nod to McIlhinney. (Come on folks!! Prove the Yenta wrong on this one!)

For the job of State Rep the battle is between a long time businessman and part-time politician and a full-time long term politician. Kirsch vs O'neill. Nod goes to O'Neill--but should go to Brad Kirsch for running a fully self funded campaign. He didn't take a nickel from anyone. So, if you really want change...vote for a man who has walked the talk of campaign finance reform-- VOTE for Brad Kirsch!!!

As Lou Dobbs has said..."Yes, the system is broken!" As the Yenta says, "YES!!! YOU CAN FIX IT! VOTE ON NOV 7TH."

Oh yeah, you can be the cynic and push the new "no vote" button to register your displeasure and tell us you were there. But that won't do anything to repair the damage. You voted for Ralph Nader and you got George Bush..."great choice". I don't think so! Vote for candidates that you can approach, hold accountable and continue to press them to fix the system, and...

TAKE BACK THE USA!!! VOTE ON NOVEMBER 7TH!!!

-The Yenta

Letter to Yenta 10/31/06
Re: Cranky Dave's letter...The Bank Building was not a Peddlers Village property, rather it was owned by some faceless landlord.....In any event I certainly agree with you on the Cartwheel or any older building issue. I've long wondered why it's legal to allow a property to fall into disrepair and later demolish it as "too far gone ", while you have to jump through hoops to fix it up, even repainting requires a tedious trip through the preservation process. Shame there isn't a way that historic properties can't fall under some protective legislation.....look at some of the properties on Mechanic Street....huge strips of peeling paint, rotting windows, roofs, etc., and the tenants can do little about it......maybe the subject of historic preservation could be addressed with town council and/or HARB, State Legislators,others (?) to push with other towns for some sort of legal protection ????? .....TR

Letter to Yenta 10/31/06
The slow death of the Cartwheel structure is nothing new to the area. The bank building in Peddlers Village was left to decay until it was declared dead by the builders, torn down and replaced with a sad copy. We’ve also had several attempts to level several historic houses under the guise that the buildings were too far gone to save. And after weathering 300 years of storms and floods the Wilkenson House is no longer worthy of being saved because it was under the same flood waters as the rest of the town? It seems as if some developers lie in wait until they feel they can get an historic structure decapitated to the point that they can rationalize their way to a demolition permit for the property.
We should all feel good however about the great job that’s been done over the past few years rehabbing some great buildings downtown. Love Saves the Day, The Mug Man’s place, the old head shop, are just a few of the great examples of preservation by people who are here for more than just a buck. It’s the character in these buildings that help make New Hope what it is and help bring people to town. And character is something that should be considered if the proposal does come up to level the Cartwheel to make way for the latest and greatest family food joint or another chain pharmacy. You can’t rebuild history. -Cranky Dave

Letter to Yenta 10/26/06
Why is the Cartwheel bar being let go like that? It's disgraceful, a historic building slowly and deliberately being destroyed. Hundreds pass it every day. Doesn't anyone care? I know the newbies in their ugly McMansions across the street would care to see it closed for good. -Tutor Boi

Lettter to Yenta 10/24/06
I'm currently a Libservative Demopublican. I used to be a Conservbral Republocrat but that wasn't working for me so I changed parties. I've been receiving brochures from the Independomipublicans but all they really want is a donation. I may be confused about my party allegiance but you can bet your @## that I'll be at the polls on election day and so should you. -The Old Beatnik

Letter to Yenta 10/24/06
BD - That's a frightening thought process! Maybe consider that everybody doesn't have a convoluted political psychodrama running behind every opinion. In my case, it's simply unabashed revulsion of both the Republican and Democratic party machines and their candidates. Their continued lack of meaningful attention towards trying to solve some of the great crisises of our time speaks volumes. I'm weary of campaign finance reform going nowhere year after year, with these political machines serving up round after round of their career stooges & slickers masquerading as representatives. Unfortunately it's money, not good ideas or fair play, that gets candidates on the ballot. I called the Bucks County Board of Elections and verified there is in fact a no vote/zero vote option on the new voting machines. Participating in the election and casting a zero vote will at least give those who object a small voice.

Letter to Yenta 10/23/06
Vote: Sounds like Republican Voter Suppression. Does this person really think we are that gullible. BD

Letter to Yenta 10/20/06
Thanks much for the info on the zero vote. I will now plan on going to the polls and getting my zero vote counted.

Letter to Yenta 10/20/06
New voting machines offer new opportunity:
Politicians consider poor voter turn out to simply be apathy. They never take your absence from the polls as your disappointment in their performance or your disappointment in the candidate choices offered.
The new voting machines have the ability to record a zero vote. This button was intended to allow you to make your presence known at the polls even if you wish not to place a vote, so your voting status remains active and you are not removed from the voting rolls.
The opportunity is to show the politicians that you are not in fact too lazy to vote. If you want to send the message that you are unhappy with them, go to the polls, register a zero vote. A zero vote can not be construed as apathy. It shows that you have the desire to vote, if only you had something to vote for.

Letter to Yenta 10/19/06
Thanks Borough Council....nothing doing. Thank you residents and taxpayers of this town for having some Christmas and Holiday spirit. You are the ones which gave all of our guests and downtown residents both a break and a gift. Our intrepid leaders were clever enough to know that New Hope could not sustain it's image as the Grinch not one moment longer. Council did nothing but the bidding of the people which is what their positions are all about in this which is still a representative form of government.
Thanks comrads!

Letter to Yenta 10/19/06
The Borough Council approval of bagging the parking meters Monday thru Sunday was not in fact an act of generosity on the part of the individual members of Council, it is a fact which is built into the budget of this town, they gave a way nothing that in fact
had not already been budgeted. What they attempted to do was take away any free parking for visitors and residents alike. It was not a gift of any kind on their part, but rather it was from the taxpapyers. But therein lies the problem, we have become a culture in this country which thinks that leaders are looking out for them, another aspect of a cradle to the grave mentality. What most of you do not realize is that the full burden of police protection for the ENTIRE borough is born on the backs of residents that live downtown with parking meters in front of their homes and with the help of visitors to this town that clunk quarters into our meters. The attitude of this town council and in fact many of the residents is that these visitors are a pain where we all sit. One would think that residents of New Hope never go anywhere, and are never a part of traffic congestion and parking issues in the places which they visit. Get off your high horse New Hope, we are not an oasis, we are not an island and we are not the country paradise which we once were. We need these people that visit our town, they help to provide a lower tax base for us all. If downtown were boarded up and potential buyers to our properties drove through a ghost town do we really think that our property values would be where they are. Would any of us like to live in a boarded up or depressed downtown commercial district? I think not!
Give the people bread and circuses, let them think we care could very well become the motto of New Hope. First it's the visitors, then it's the businesses and then it's all of us, the people with the power that we have generously granted to all politicians on every level of government. My neighbors ox is goared, no matter, my friends ox is gored, well maybe to a point we care, my own ox is slaughtered, there's no one left to give a damn. WAKE UP!
Not cranky or a subversive just a realist!

Letter to Yenta 10/19/06
New Hope Borough Council's approval to bag the meters weekdays between Thanksgiving and Xmas was generous. We all pay taxes and most of us are happy that Council is keeping an eye on our finances. Thanks Borough Council.

Letter to Yenta 10/19/06
Yenta need your help: Please find out about 'Buckeye Billy' - what is the real story?
Why doesn't New Hope play football? Help we are using this as a theme for Halloween.

Letter to Yenta 10/18/06
Yenta - maybe it doesn't count! I for one have lost all faith in our political system and it's so called representatives. Shallow & self serving leeches dominate the political arena on "both" sides of the proverbial aisle. The ballot choices usually boil down to nothing more than a choice between the lesser of 2 evils (same book, different covers). Even anarchy and revolution look better than the present political culture of the republican and democratic party machines (national, state & local). Maybe no one should vote. Continued participation in a political culture validates it. Any actions that move power in the direction of a participatory democracy and away from our corrupt representative system would be a ray of hope. Where one spends their money (or does not) and what people are willing to organize with their own neighbors will likely have more impact than any repubacrat vote that allows the electees to say that they speak for the people.

The Yenta Column 10/15/06
Alas MugMan... you are always on target. As one reader mentioned, cyberspace is a big world...and yes, there are more people reading the Yenta than you can ever imagine. And yes, it does matter that you keep writing and exercise your right to free speech. All of the local organizations, the chamber, council, and business associations will change their form, their members and their goals. That is something we cannot control. The only thing you can hope to do is participate and for a brief instant, make your voice heard, and hope they respond.
But there is a chance, every day, to make a difference. You can dare to speak your mind, even in the face of ridicule. The moment that we stop exercising that right, we will lose it forever and the form of government that has protected our right to do so, will be gone. For just a moment, step out of our microcosmic world of New Hope, and for the next three weeks pay close attention to the election which is looming. YOUR VOTE COUNTS...if you are not happy, staying home on election day will not make it better!
If you are tired of the war in Iraq, tired of war profiteering, tired of the erosion of social security, health care, rising insurance costs, higher taxes, gerrymandering, and criminals in our legislature...now is the time to carefuly review the candidates and make a change. A change for honest government, and statesmen in place of politicians.
- The Yenta

Letter to Yenta 10/14/06
I was at the Borough Council meeting last Wednesday and what these guys are saying is true. We were literally scolded in the High School lunchroom for having the gall to ask about parking meter relief for our visitors over the Christmas Season. Our visitors who no longer casually linger in our stores and restautants, but nervously run back to check a meter, only to find they've been ticketed for being an inch too far from the curb or over some other white line. I think we need a more friendly, compassionate Borough Council next election. We live in the most beautiful town I know, with some really interesting people who come together when it counts, but we're held back by the same tired, privilaged and out of touch leaders, at least from where we sat in the lunchroom Wednesday night.
--Uncle Charlie

Letter to Yenta 10/14/06
Well thank you boro council and chamber and least of all The Golden Boy New Hope did'nt even make the top fifty places to live according to the phila. mag. But, yet Warwick a cross roads in the middle of nowhere made it. Could it be that New Hope is no longer a quaint little town that people in the past dreamt of living in but alas that was then and now well who would want to live or visit a town of million dollar homes and shops that are either closed down or just plain closed. Now they can just walk along licking and looking at what? Not much of anything. Maybe in the future you people will finally agree to cut back on the expansion of town. Instead you would probably allow the GB permission to build on a 8 x 8 plot and build a father,son and holy ghost home. The next thihng you know you will probably allow someone permission to tear down Odete's and erect condo's, but what alse is new. Mechanic st. will probably be named Michael's st. or worse Canal st. My rant has gone on too long obviously so I will close and look into moving north to hopefully a quaint town on the river that wants to stay quaint and hidden. -Hyinski

Letter to Yenta 10/12/06
I have to agree with the writer before me here who speaks so passionately and accurately about the October Borough Council meeting. I attended to support Mr. Kooperman's request for parking meter relief during the coming Holiday season. I thought his presentation was well thought out and effectively presented. Before he was even given any discussion by the council as to the validity of his request he was asked for some sort of bona fides as to why he was asking for something they all thought was the purview of their favorite business organization, the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce. Eventually Mr Kooperman and the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce were asked to present a combined proposal which they did in about 5 minutes. Now I understand that there are two groups here now. One, is the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce which offers membership to not only New Hope businesses but also to businesses in Lambertville, NJ and surrounding towns, thus the "Greater..." title. And now we also have a New Hope Business Alliance which is open to purely New Hope Borough businesses. For the record I, like Mr. Guerenser don't belong to either organization. But if you were to ask me which one of these organizations deserves to ask for parking meter relief I'd say it was the one that works purely around those meters. So imagine my surprise when Mr. Kooperman returns to the mike to inform the Council that both the Alliance and the Chamber agree to Mr. Kooperman's request...HA! AGREEMENT?? That should mean something...but alas! we needed to have the budget discussion. I guess in a town where a 3 million dollar property is torn down and replaced with a 20 million dollar town house complex...in a town where over 100 downtown parking places have been approved by this council for removal...in a town where property values which don't suffer too much from three floods in 2 years need revenue protection more than its openly suffering business community which DOES; I guess its feasible to assume that a policy of "revenue neutral" needs to be followed (said facetiously!!). I'd like to think that when the two business communities in our town agree to ask for some meter relief to stimulate a seriously fading economy, they are not treated as they were last night with lectures about budgets, burdens and bylaws. If this council feels the need to tell us once again about much money they lose when they bag the meters they have to believe we didn't learn the budget lesson the first 6 times they taught it to us. Treating the business community like a 200 level college economics class is ridiculous and insulting and seriously inhibits any future community creative cooperation. I agree with the previous writer that this Council, which ran for reelection on its slogan of "More of the Same", is in serious need of some deep editing.
-the MUG Man

Letter to Yenta 10/11/06
Once again New Hope residents and business owners that bothered to attend the October Borough Council meeting were treated to another public display of this Council's public disdain of the business community. Once again the public was told that The Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the business community even though Council knows that their representation of the local downtown business community is at an all time low. Once again the public and those business people present were treated to yet another lecture by Council Vice President, Sharon Kaiser on how their businesses ought to be run. Once again a fine display of New hope's very public attitude of live and let live, so long as you are living and running your businesses the way we want you to. Once again a member of the public and a business owner, Gregory Conocchioli was treated to Council President Richard Hirschfeld's own brand of imprudent arrogance. When told by Greg that he (Greg) would remember this at election time. Richard's response was "I was not counting on your vote." Richard Hirschfeld should have been reminded that he won the last go around by one vote, perhaps Greg's vote of which he now feels he does not need or is not counting on.
Before Council was a proposal by the New Hope Business Alliance which was requesting a parking variance which would have allowed free parking from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. Council had before them all kinds of facts and figures to suggest that parking meter revenues are down, yet the information to countermand those figures was not available, in re: the increased revenue to date generated by the 33% increase in parking meter violation fees as well as in the inordinate increase in aggressive ticketing practices by New Hope Borough. When Council was told by Greg that without that information the process of an impartial and coordinated discussion could really not take place, Council decided to vote on the issue. Greg was right, without the facts how can substantive discussions to real problems be addressed let alone be solved? If in fact parking meter revenues are down then this Borough ought to recognize that there is problem within and not make or accept as the reason for same that the "economy is down, people are not getting raises," topped off by a reference to the high cost of gasoline. Gasoline prices are actually lower than they were one year ago and if it is to believed that people are not getting raises and that the economy is down than their revenues ought at least to be where they were one year ago as substantiated by the leading economic indicators. The most notable aspect of a downturn in the economy is in new housing starts and the sales of existing housing. Has anyone thought about the fact that housing prices were just out of this world to begin with and that a reality check is not such a bad thing. Any Realtor that I have spoken with has indicated that sales are in fact brisk where the pricing is complicit with actual values. Greg admittedly is no diplomat, but I have rarely heard him speak to any issue to which he is not inherently correct.
Every request to this Council for an expenditure is met with the same scheme which calls for, their word "revenue neutrality." What this council fails to recognize is that the cost burdens of an ever increasing police force; when in fact crime within the borough is flat, is being shouldered by the visitors that come to this community. They come for the museums, the restaurants, the services and the shops, and for what New Hope once represented to them. They are not and they will not come to look at million dollar houses within the historic district, they will not come to look at tract housing where once fertile cornfields thrived and they will not come as is already evidenced if they feel that they are being mistreated or abused by overly aggressive parking policies. If this Council wishes to run the Borough like a business which is laudable and simultaneously practical and expected by the electorate, then they need to address what it is that they are doing right as well as what it is that they are doing wrong. They need to come up with practical solutions to real problems and work with the entire community to satisfy the needs of the entire community, they need to make the burdens which are currently shouldered by the downtown community of residents and businesses alike more equitable and sustained by every taxpayer. No one likes a tax hike of any kind but property taxes in the Borough are not inline with actual market/ property values. It is time for them to get from behind their budget numbers and admit that the burden of the entire Borough's police protection is being borne on the backs of visitors through parking and enforcement revenues and is in fact not at all revenue neutral.
This Council needs to be shown the door, it is just incredible to me that very few of them ever have any real questions. It must be an awful burden to know everything, to never need clarification and as in the case of many of them never have an opinion, to exert some real humanity for the very real public good or the courage to dissent from within their ranks.
Not cranky or a subversive, just a realist.

Letter to Yenta 09/27/06
Last night I dreamed there was a groundbreaking on my block. It's a kind of press event held at a construction site where you pretend to dig the first load of dirt for the thousands of popping newsphoto bulbs, or in this case, Sean from the Gazette. The builders laid down some new gray gravel, and put up a white tent, along with several tall, colorful flags atop the tattered, drab green fencing surrounding the site. People went to see, to show support, to be seen, pitch their property, and possibly land a checky for the cause. It all seemed to go well. I saw several people smiling. I remembered a few days earlier when I was snapping photos of the "green space" portion of the site, the former Hacienda parking lot west of the Stockton Avenue bridge. This cheerful guy who lives on the hill and belongs to town committees that won't let me join walks by and says, "It's good to see they've finally started and things are moving forward." I sputter in response, "Yeah, yeah, but look at that gravel, it's two to three feet thick!" A bulldozer had just carved a gash in the center of the lot below. We'd been told the gravel was only inches thick and would be removed before replanting, but now they were covering up a third of the area with a thin layer of topsoil and filling in the marshy spot where waterfoul nest and feed, and putting up black plastic fencing across an open field, separating the bank houses of West Mechanic from the Ingham Creek for the first time in 200 years. Our little row of families along the bank like to feed the goslings in the spring, some of us plant flowers in the field, we take care of stray cats and let the deer eat our hostas. Anyway, The Cheerful Guy says to me, he actually says, "Charlie, it's best not to micromanage these things. Let's leave the past in the past. Our leaders know what's best. Let's not try to second guess them." I wanted to quote Thomas Payne or Thoreau or anybody but I was too creeped out and continued to be for hours later, felt like checking my basement for giant cocoons or seed pods with replicas of my family and friends being formed inside. I felt like I couldn't ever go to sleep, or I'd become one of them, the ones who want to clean up our town, cleanse it, have you join them, become one with them, Under Them, a worker in the hallowed chamber of chairpersons of chiefs with no proverbial Native Americans, because if you ask questions you're being negative, if you organize people you're being divisive, and if you don't believe me, come to Stockton Street, stand on the bridge there and look west and see what the've done. My friend Warrick, who moved his store to Woodstock last week, says the land around there is full of ghosts trapped when the Inn and restaurants and homes were torn down to make way for the new townhomes, and some folks say a really old, really big black walnut tree was cut down over there, too. That's why I didn't go to the groundbreaking. I'm busy figuring out a way to feed the goslings out behind my house by next spring, and it looks like another litter of kitties will be arriving down by Dalton's shed. The big rain will come soon and George's topsoil will be washed away from Pam's overflow parking lot, the Ingham will reassert itself, and someday some of those folks at the groundbreaking in my dream will ask themselves what on earth they were thinking when they tried to build million dollar houses in the middle of a floodplain at the end of something called the "real estate bubble."
--Uncle Charlie

Letter to yenta 09/26/06
Dear Yenta,
Recently relocated from New Hope, we spent last Saturday visiting its twisted sister town of Temecula, CA.
"Historic Old Town", about the length of New Hope's Main Street, is a nostalgic sight to behold. Harley riders who continue to impress us with their ear-splitting revving of engines in stopped traffic to remind us that they are really the born to be wild rebels as claimed in their high school yearbook, the "antique" shops with Harry Potter lunch boxes, and, yes, you guessed it, the beer can wind chimes. Moreover, there is the debate between shop owners and developers, the latter of whom wish to relocate the shops' historic buildings to make way for condos.
The town has a good "living history" show, with "Old West" psychopaths shooting each other over a bottle of whiskey. I bet New Hope can out-class that with an Aaron Burr showdown. Great patriotic education for the kids.
It would be interesting if other readers of The Yenta can share their experience of other "twisted sisters" they have visited.
-Thanks, The Pump House Gang

Letter to Yenta 09/22/06
Hey Mug Man - missed you - glad to see that you are back and writing again. Looking forward to some interesting posts.

Letter to Yenta 09/22/06
The MUG Man returns---OK so my place didn't sell and I'm back here indefinitely once again. I have just a couple things to say. It seems The YENTA has been getting slammed by a lot of people here in town as a "worthless site" full of whiners and a lot of our town officials are being looked down on when they admit that they sometimes actually READ the wanderings of all of us who write in here. I talked to one official yesterday here who laughingly berated our Yenta Banter as a worthless exercise of verbage. He also said that a lot of letters to this blog are being censored and not published. These Deriders of the YENT seem to feel that since we sometimes don't sign our letters that this is just another "whiner site" full of people who don't ever actually join in to DO and FIX things. They tell us that whining doesn't help and that no one of any importance is listening so just shut up and go away. I have to take issue with this and berate these town officials who feel this way because as I have said all along here, whining is an art! I don't write to the Yenta because I know that The Mayor, the Borough Counsel or the Chamber of Commerce is reading this.
I write because I don't think ANYONE is listening.
Only The Yenta provides the citizens of New Hope a place to vent and feel that someone like Uncle Charlie or the Old Beatnik or even Cranky Dave cares enough to read these ramblings. The Chamber doesn't read this...the Borough doesn't read this...Its JUST US in here yelling into the darkness at each other. Maybe some editing is done...maybe this will never get posted...all I know is that I feel better by writing it. Yea for the power of Free Speech! Let those beraters and detractors of the Yenta NOT read the words of the whiners. Let them continue in their misguided thinking that no one out there cares about the things they do or say. They didn't even listen to us when we stood up at their meeting and tried to whine then so why should they hear us in here? I do think, however, that a lot of them are spending a lot of time telling us they don't read this blog, so maybe just one or two of them...late at night...dressed in their robes...are signing on and secretly listening to the people they claim to serve and maybe learning a thing or two about how some of us feel....a closet YEN-Tite if you will. Write us when you feel you have something to say...we are good listeners.
-the MUG Man

Letter to Yenta 09/20/06
Let's make some noise and get all the bridges on River Rd., from Rt. 611 to Washington's Crossing fixed. Why has the bridge between New Hope and Washington's Crossing been out for three years? It's part of the scenic route and should be a priority. What kind of an impression does it make on visitors when you have to detour for years to get to one our most important area sites? And why does the sign going north on Windy Bush Rd. read "Washington's Creek"? instead of Crossing. I have reported this several times. Apparently the powers that be can't navigate the detour either.

Letter to Yenta 09/11/06
The New Martine's Riverside: What a beautiful site to see. Dan and I were there on Sunday to see our favorite bartender Philip Nicolosi. Tremendous job. I would hope the rest of New Hope see's what you can do even after a challenge (take a look pictures of the flood inside). Absolutely beautiful. Good luck Martine.
-Bill Duval

Letter to Yenta 09/06/06
I saw a nice promotional ad on TV for Newtown the other day. What's the publicist hired by the chamber been up to??? -The Old Beatnik

Letter to Yenta 08/30/06
It's all well & good to talk about actually doing something, and I applaud that spirit., But you've got to remember that it isn't just residents of New Hope and businessmen who read, and write to Yenta. It's a big, wide net out here folks, and a great many who are here are your potential customers....

Letter to Yenta 08/28/06
As a suggestion in response to Howard Cooperman's letter of 8/24, you can buy your flags for the Labor Day Weekend at the "Homestore", The DelRay Plus True Value hardware store next to Clemens at 322 West Bridge Street, New Hope. Let us see how many people are willing to join in and make a cohesive statement to celebrate our town in which we live and work. Good idea.
-Edwin, 92 Towpath

Letter to Yenta 08/24/06
It's nice to see that a couple of people responded to my letter regarding Town Spirit for the September 3rd weekend. I am volunteering my time and energy to try and help whatever business community we have at the present time. Nobody can possibly change the type of businesses that have chosen to set up shop here. If you have the ability to do so, then why not start doing something about it instead of complaining. Let's see some positive energy spent from all of the critics that want to moan about parking, beer can wind chimes, and $4.00 sunglasses. With all of the advice I am hearing from people that want to complain instead of help, I have not heard anyone offer to start calling shop owners from outside New Hope and inviting them to fill some of the vacant shops available in New Hope to have a more upscale selection of businesses here. Do you have the GUTS to start working with the Alliance, the Chamber, or town council to take charge in town? Stand forward and help me to allure town council into giving out parking vouchers. This town is what it is for right now, and in my opinion, we have got to work with what we've got. Please feel free to contact me with your positive suggestions at your earliest convenience if you really want to see some changes. In the meantime, please be sure to display the American Flag at the very least for the upcoming holiday and show us your willingness to cooperate.
Please call me with your ideas and offer to help New Hope become a better, stronger, business community.
Sincerely, Howard Cooperman
215 862-5272 email: framz1@aol.com
Howard Gallery of Fine Art /
New Hope Business Alliance - an all inclusive organization
Dedicated to promote tourism, commerce and community involvement

Letter to Yenta 08/22/06
I still think selling merchandise that people want to buy is still the best place to start. The land locked towns of Doylestown and Newtown have no river and no tourist industry yet they have healthy vibrant downtowns with robust business communities. Why? They sell real stuff for people who live in the area. Black velvet paintings, $4 sunglasses, and beer can wind chimes have somewhat of limited market among the locals or anyone with any taste. -Cranky Dave

Letter to Yenta 08/22/06
Wow, Howard, you seem to have stunned everyone with your invitation..
No one has written to Yenta since... Seriously, though, the big thing you could do to attract visitors would be to have a voucher system for parking - I think the parking situation is a major negative for people thinking of visiting New Hope. The businesses need to get together with the town council to try some alternative system...

Letter to Yenta 08/12/06
I would like to personally extend an invitation to each and every resident and especially the business owners in New Hope to participate in celebrating Labor Day weekend by proudly displaying the American Flag outside their homes and businesses.
Labor Day is generally regarded as a day of rest and celebrated as a tribute to the working person. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water activities, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school.
Tourists as well as residents in my opinion, would love to see some "town spirit" and cooperation spread around New Hope. The New Hope Business Alliance will be celebrating Labor Day on Sunday September 3, with a town wide party. Our goal is to hand out snack foods to people visiting New Hope, and showing them we do have spirit and stand united. I invite all of you reading this open letter to pitch in and make this destination a great one that people will want to return to time and again.
It's not too late to go to your local store and purchase an American Flag. Please display it prominently. Please ask your neighbors to do the same. On upcoming holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, I will invite you to show your spirit again. In October, we'll have some fun events going on that will include Borough council, and other officials, judging a town wide Halloween decorating contest with prizes for the best display at a residence and business. More events are scheduled for November and December.
I look forward to your involvement, and volunteers are encouraged to join us.
-Sincerely, Howard Cooperman
215 862-5272 email: framz1@aol.com
New Hope Business Alliance - an all inclusive organization
Dedicated to promote tourism, commerce and community involvement

Letter to Yenta 08/06/06
Mr. Waldman's Aug. 3 letter to the Editor of the New Hope Gazette should be required reading for all the merchants in New Hope. He is absolutely correct when he says "United we win, divided we fall". Stop the bickering - unite with one voice - and get the job done.

Letter to Yenta 08/05/06
In re. the comments made about one group attempting to direct the flow of tourism...
All that Greg from Variete has done is to generate support for a generic "Come to New Hope" advertsing program. Something which the professional leadership has ignored and with rare exception has chosen both not to participate in or cooperate with. Shame on them, they missed the mark of true leadership. Disappointed, yes but he was undeterred. The initial goal was to have 25 supporters of the program from both the residential and business community. To date the number of participants has reached 50 plus. Quite a remarkable achievement in a town that thinks it cannot work together. It happened because he took initiative and then walked the streets visiting many if not all merchants and community groups. He did not use emails, he did not use flyers but only good old fashioned face to face encounters. His focus was New Hope needs your help and he succeeded where in the past many have failed. He maintained that every initiative has a beginning and you have to do something, anything so that you can evaluate that something's success or failure. I do not think that he was afraid of failure. Please do not lump him into a category of people that at once have self promoting agendas. His idea for a marketing/advertising strategy is a good one, it is an attempt to "brand" the town and incorporate the old image of New Hope with its' desire to move effectively into the 21st century. He has the recognition that New Hope is broken and yet is very fixable. When at first you recognize that there is a problem and then couple it with a willingness to speak to the issues you at once begin to solve the problem. He believes in the conjugation of "good, better, best," and seeks the best for everyone. He does not seek to be successful at anyone elses expense but his own. He expends his own capital, be it financial, emotional or intellectual. He is not interested in "slow, slower, or slowest," which is at present and at best the business climate of this community.
One of the things that I hear him regularly say is that if any one business or resident were the ONLY one here, the distinction would be that they were the LAST one here. There is on his part a very strong desire, because he is a resident and business owner to see both groups prosper, flourish and realize each group or individuals full potential. He seeks creative and practical solutions to the problems that confront us all and maintains that we need to begin to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box to him is not relying on the same people that sit on commitee after commitee and apply the same thought processes to each. There is, it seems, a posture in this town that if at first you don't succeed, just sit on a different commitee and sooner or later your idea will be accepted. Accepted not so much for whether it is doable or practical, but whether it is popular. Give the people bread and circuses! It has been said that people, like water, seek their own level. Greg in this case has risen to the top!

Letter to Yenta 08/05/06
I am a solebury resident for the past year and it seems to me that the towns biggest problem is parking. After the recent flood I wanted to support local businesses and went to town on at least 5 occasions. Each time I came in to town I could not get a metered spot so I am forced to pay for a lot. I continuously hear on this site how you need to support local business and I agree to a degree with that cry. But how about supporting the local guy who isn't a millionaire. Make Monday or Tuesday Family night out. Get involved with the school. Last year they had a parents night out their had to of been at least 50 couples who wanted a relaxing evening out. It would have been nice to had the night pre planned instead of running around looking for a place to eat. Organize an event Monday or Tuesday or even a weekend night during your slow season and arrange event geared to the local clientele. Your concentrating on tourist dollars and losing your everyday customer. Lastly try to be positive I constantly why can't people on the yenta offer solutions to the problems that seem so apparent. Lambertville is kicking your butt and its for a reason. Parking, Affordibility, Sidewalks and overall friendliness
-A newcomers view

Letter to Yenta 08/04/06
To Mr. Rice and the "Wake Up and look at the Calendar" writer of 08/02/06:
You're right, change is an inevitable part of any community. The types and character of changes are one of the primary topics people are writing on here. Discussing negatives and positives of issues, directions and the players that affect the community commons (physical & psychological) in a public forum will predictably range widely in tone from ridicule to well intentioned; but most appear well intentioned & sincere. To characterize those you refer to as the vocal (who have recently been writing their views on Council's directions, the COC and the developers' flavor of remolding the town) as bastards & sour grapes is off the mark. The comment regarding "a ritzy bedroom community full of millionaires and soccer moms" was highlighting the probable economic exclusion of anything but, on the current path. "Embrace it or get buried"? If it's any consolation, I do feel buried by the economic exploits of some and on a regular basis to boot. But, do you really think there is any vibrancy, inclusivity or democracy in any community any place where public policy discourse is limited to meetings controlled by those in power, news outlets which filter what they report based on the sensibilities of their commercial advertisers and well financed political parties who mostly determine who gets on the ballots? I for one would favor the directions of our communities and the country to not be so disproportionately dominated by the ideology of corporations, developers, the wealthy or any other group able to buy or corner more democracy than the plain old citizen. On a broader level, this happens everyday in our society by those with the resources to hire lawyers & lobbyists, mount marketing and P/R campaigns in the media, buy respectability & kind words from non-profits in exchange for donations and a variety of other elements of sway & control. Public officials in theory should be responsible for equally representing all the citizenry and soliciting the ideas and opinions of all (including those with views dissimilar to their own) to gauge majority opinions. Amongst the occasional sour grapers and messiness here; there are a variety of ideas, commentary, criticism and suggestions from a range of different type folks. There are more than a few people who care about the character and path of this community that have taken the effort to pen their comments here over the years, including yours. I think government and institution officials of today do not want to engage our messy public in settings they do not either control or preside over, even here in little New Hope. How does one get represented by representatives that view themselves as the "deciders"? By all means, please thoughtfully look forward on the calendar 5 and 10 years out and envision where the current paths will move things! Power economics will probably continue to a total win out, but my opinions for right or wrong are verbalized out of concern and probably some unrealistic idealism. -JC

Letter to Yenta 08/04/06
Again - wouldn't it be more productive to have one powerful and unified group to conduct the business of bringing more business to the New Hope area? We now have the Chamber, the Business Alliance, Second Saturday and Greg from Variete. Can't we forget the past - unite - start fresh - and conduct a united effort to do what all the groups profess to want - more tourists coming to, and buying in, New Hope.

Letter to Yenta 08/03/06
Dear Yenta, This past June, a group of concerned business owners decided to form a new group called the New Hope Business Alliance. The chairman of the organization is Howard Cooperman the owner of the Howard Gallery on Bridge Street. The purpose of the organization is strictly to promote tourism. Promoting tourism is the goal of each business and organization in New Hope. Therefore, we are encouraging every organization within the community to join us in achieving our goal. As event committee chairperson, I recently presented a roster of events through April 2007 to our Borough Council president, Borough Manager and our Police Chief. Not only were they pleased with what they heard, they have offered us their full support. We appreciate their time, effort and support in helping the New Hope business community. Since all of our goals are the same (to increase tourism) the New Hope Business Alliance is a totally inclusive group. Rather than charge dues, we would rather have members roll up their sleeves and volunteer their time. As of our July 13th meeting, we have over 50 local businesses on board in helping us achieve our goal. Below is a copy of our latest press release that will cover our events for August 2006. Press release (PDF)
-Herb Millman, Events Chairperson

Letter to Yenta 08/02/06
Much as one might love to "embrace the change" there's a distinct eau de ca-ca surrounding the destruction of Hacienda, Canal House et al, for along with them went space for six commercial businesses and 90 parking spaces courtesy of Borough Council's archaic zoning ordinances and conflict-laden planning committee. Yet, miraculously, the Borough levies the highest business tax in Pennsylvania, plus an additional, hidden "processing fee." And despite virtually no major increase in crime during recent years, our police budget has mushroomed, fueled by the most expensive, longest-running parking meters around. So, here's your basic economics: the Borough charges business owners the highest tax in the state (despite being in a disaster area), and then actively prevents them from earning the money to pay it. That's how they're trying to sink Cap'n Bob's and the rest of the commercial district and replace it with HARB-approved four-story condos along with the occasional high-end franchised boutique, instead of things we residents actually want like a movie theater, jazz club, luncheonette, health food store, used books, etc. The future of New Hope is too important to leave to the vagueries of the marketplace and a Council uncomfortable with tourism and untroubled by the vision thing. Unless there is a marked change this year in Council's policy of malign neglect, business owners should organize to prevent the continued collection of the Business Privilage Tax, and residents need to vote some of these rascals out if they truly want to preserve the charm and uniqueness of our town. -Uncle Charlie

Letter to Yenta 08/02/06
I want to clarify something. I'm not sure why people jumped to this conclusion, because I certainly didn't say anything in my post to indicate this, but I didn't make my money by starting and/or owning my own business. I made my money by working a corporate job, and climbing the ranks. So even though I do shop at Greg's store - bought a few things there last week - I don't think he would want my advice on how to succeed, unless of course he is considering a total career change. Aside from shopping and eating in town, I also buy a block of tickets to the playhouse, support local charities and regularly attend borough council meetings and hence consider myself an active member of the community. -New Hope Millionaire

Letter to Yenta 08/02/06
Could everyone wake up and look at the calendar?! The year is 2006. It is not the 60's, 70's, 80's or 90's. New Hope and the surrounding areas have changed and will continue to do so. Change is inevitable .. embrace it or get buried by it.
The Canal House and Hacienda were torn down because they weren't maintained and it would have cost too much to repair them (something too many New Hope properties have in common). Condos are going up, because somebody can make a business case for it (I'm amazed that people are lined up to pay $1,000,000 for each, but that's a rant for another time)
Yes, Marsha Brown's and Zoubi's are expensive .. but they too have a valid business case (people are lined up there to eat).
Maybe I missed something, but I don't see council trying to kick out Cap'n Bob, John & Peters, Havana's, the hippies or the artists.
What I do see is change and it's rippling effects. The residents and tourist population are changing as are the businesses. Those that adapt will be successful. Those that can't or won't will probably not be successful. It's basic economics at work.

Letter to Yenta 08/02/06
To the Millionaire..There are always the vocal few that feel that ridicule is their best (only) form of communication. Please do not listen to them, most of the time it's sour grapes. Personally I know of no-one who does not welcome all into their store(s)...Stop by my shop, you will be welcome. Whether rich,poor,young or elderly, odd or normal (define normal), or in between, the greeting will be a welcome hello....Spend or not, you will be treated as a valued guest and welcomed to return.....Don't let the bastards get you down....Best, Tom Rice, The Jonathan Rice Collection, South Main St., New Hope

Letter to Yenta 08/01/06
Lately I've begun to think that there's a crucial class difference between the Borough Council members of New Hope, who are largely from professional and corporate backgrounds, and our visitors, who mostly are not. Borough Council members like to eat at Marsha Brown's or Zoubi; I and most of my customers cannot afford to. Our leaders seem to favor unbridled condominium development; but my customers can't understand how we allowed the Hacienda and Canal House to be turned into Ground Zero. Councilpersons like to emphasize the "arts," i.e. hazy, tonal landscapes and noncontroversial sculpture; New Hope's tourists are largely from Central New Jersey and Bucks/Philadelphia counties and their fondest memory is of the Now & Then headshop.
It seems that New Hope's leaders do not like messiness of any type, that they want a Disney version of New Hope, without evil Captain Bob and his screaming blue awnings, without Warren's oxygen bar, without Havana or John & Peter's, without live music, without Mexicans, without ex-hippies, without actual artists. As a resident and business owner, I am angry that our most senior town officials have never stepped foot in my store or those of my friends to say, "we wish you luck." If we appear before Council to ask for even moral support, we're treated like ungrateful children who don't appreciate pocket parks and the Visitors' Center (paid for by businesses).
All of this will change, of course. As the deflating real estate bubble slows all development, Borough Council will not be able to rely on generous real estate barons and parking tickets to balance their budgets, they'll need a vibrant, diverse business community more than ever. As business owners, we're always told to listen to our customers. But will Borough Council listen to the emerging business leaders of New Hope, or continue fiddling about as New Hope's business community burns?
-Uncle Charlie

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