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Yenta Archives Below

Letter to Yenta 08/17/10
Just curious, do the businesses in New Hope feel the fireworks on Friday nights brought in more business than usual? Was it worth it? Old time New Hoper

Letter to Yenta 08/16/10
To the deluded person who suggested the people in the hammocks live in V2, they do not live in V2 and people here will not put up with the garbage that was left behind and the sight of their behinds when they changed their clothes in the open not ten feet from the homes of people whom they were not visiting. Shocking!!!!!! Next time we’ll send em over to your backyard. Post your address, please.

Letter to Yenta 07/08/10
Could it be that Latinos rent apartments in Village II? That they live there? That they have a right to be there? Shocking!!!!

Letter to Yenta 07/06/10
Hilarious: We had Mexicans sleeping in hammocks in Village II in the vicinity of people’s backyards on the 4th. And cooking too! Guess V2 is now a public park. That no one dropped a dime to New Hope’s finest amazes. That no police took an occasional drive through on a holiday is also pretty amazing.

Letter to Yenta 06/10/10
I am amazed almost everytime that I check the Yenta. Usually there is a least one person who is complaining about something, and yet they have no idea what they are talking about. The posting from 05/11/10 is a great example. First and foremost is his negative remarks about the local police. The do a great job on a small budget, they are out there every weekend dealing with all the drunken fools that come to town. Almost every time they go into a situation, they are out-numbered and could easily get hurt. Yet each week they come back and do thier job with a smile in their face. So your remark about the "KEYSTONE COPS" is insulting to them and you should be ashamed of yourself for that remark. Next, you state that they have come to a completely nonsensical determination in regards to the traffic pattern for the intersection. The local police have absolutly nothing to do with the planning of the intersection, PENNDOT is the one who makes up the rules and plans for the intersections, NOT THE LOCAL POLICE. So next time before you start complaining about something, do your research and make sure you know what you are talking about. - Charlie C

Letter to Yenta 06/02/10
Congratulations to New Hope and Lambertville for the great fireworks last Friday. It was a fine display and as word gets around the area it will hopefully bring people into town on Friday nights during the summer. -TMP

Letter to Yenta 05/11/10
For months our Keystone Cops studied and re-built this intersection (the one at Wawa catycorner from Luk Oil) only to arrive at the completely nonsensical determination that the left lane travelling south on Sugan should be a "Left turn and straight, while the right lane is designated Right-turn only". This is clearly designed by someone who has zero experience driving in this town.

For starters: no driver seeking to make a right turn at Sugan and 179 would opt to turn off at Sugan from 202, when they could just continue to the next light south on 202 and come north on 179 to get there get there faster. Very few drivers want to access the few businesses on that small stretch from that direction anyway.

The current, and dangerous, trafic designations have drivers who want to continue straight south on Sugan Road, stuck behind drivers making a left on 179 (that would be most of them: all oblivious to using their turn signals). So these poor drivers are stuck in the situation of second-guessing the non-turnsignalling driver in front of them, waiting for another light, or risking a ticket by going around into the completely unused right-turn-only lane and doing the only thing which makes sense at that intersection. ie. If you're not turning left, you ARE going straight.

I am at this intersection every day, sometimes several times a day. You have been warned. This is an accident waiting to happen. Who plans this crap, 7th graders? Somebody give me a good reason why this intersection is planned this way.

Letter to Yenta 03/13/10
If by chance anyone living north of New Hope and on the Delaware river reads this column today; any periodic updates on what the river levels are doing at your location would be much appreciated. Thanks - olddog

Letter to Yenta 02/25/10
Dear Yenta,
Please be known that your town is not the only one with politics that start with the police - the good old boys in council - our taxing but not in existence ,business improvement district, and the complaining closed minded patrons of the city.
Your past posts could have been about our store and parking, events, politics, advertising, construction and more.
We will outlast them all!
We have been downtown 23 years and have no intention of leaving.
We are and have been "a thorn in their side"

Mora Blackmarsh
Dragonmarsh
Riverside Ca

Letter to Yenta 02/22/09
Dear Yenta
Scott and I wanted to thank the previous person for such a gratifying posting. We are very thankful for the community who has has supported us for almost a year. Its the thankfulness of others that give Scott and I the drive to push forward. The overwhelming gratitude from the patrons and the ability to raise money for wonderful places like BCSPCA & FACT is the best pay check there is and makes those long grueling difficult days all seem worth it. Everything is going great for us, and we want the community to realize we are here for the long run. We have a multitude of events coming up through the 2010 season including Broadway's Terri White. We would like to personally thank the entire new hope community, patrons from afar, and of course our staff who has been so helpful and supportive. New Hope has great potential for growth. With some hard work and coperation from all parties, we can make New Hope the Bethlehem of Bucks County. Again, we thank all of you and look forward to seeing you for years to come.

On another note, John C. Berra (known to many simply as “JB” died of liver cancer at his home in New Hope on December 21, 2009. John was 57 years old. He worked extensively in food service and bar businesses, including The Golden Pheasant, Zadar’s and River’s Edge.
He was a staple of our community. His smiling face and kindness to others will be missed. But.. one those days when we are sitting at the bar laughingh and drinking, somewhere mixed in with the many voices is JB, laughing right along with all of us.
So please join us at The Raven from 7-10 pm on February 23, 2010 in the oak room. Food will be served from 7-9
All of John’s many friends are invited to attend and share remembrances of this extraordinary individual.

ryan and scott
The Raven

Letter to Yenta 02/14/10
For those of you who have fair weather permits to park on Buttonwood and Chestnut ( you know who you are...weekenders and those with too many cars) you do your fellow "locals" a disservice by not parking during the storms. Now there are ice wedges where your cars would have been. Of approximately 50 plus permits issued..only about ten cars are there. It took three hours to dig my car out and it will take one of you two minutes to take it. Not to mention, the elderly fellow whom my husband dug out...he's afraid to leave and come back to have no place to park. Shame on you if you take mine and "karma the cosmic fly swatter" will get you if you take his.

I really do find it amusing and odd how many people have alternative places to park..if need be.

I am in no means pointing fingers at the dept of public works. I am pointing fingers at you...earn your fifty dollar a year parking space by keeping it clean!

Letter to Yenta 02/08/10
For current information on the Scudders Falls Bridge Improvement Project, go to:
http://scudderfallsbridge.com/

On the left side, you will see a link for contacts which brings you here:
http://scudderfallsbridge.com/contact.htm

On the contacts page you will find phone and email contact information for the Chief Engineer, Project Manager, and Public Participation Manager.

The Public Participation page at:
http://scudderfallsbridge.com/public.htm
states that the comment period (at least for the Environmental Impact
portion) ended February 4. There were two public hearings/open houses in January. Information on the project has actually been available for some time, though in this era of sadly diminished local journalism, it might not have received the newspaper coverage it would once have gotten. -Caroline Dechert

Letter to Yenta 02/08/10
Here is an important alert!!! A recent article in the paper advised us that the Bridge Commission's plans for a wide bridge to replace the old one at Scudder's Falls do not include a walking/biking lane connecting the walker-biker friendly areas on either side of the river. An e-mail address was given at the end of the article for public comments. This is to advise that the reply from that address reads: "This address is no longer receiving public comments." What's going on here? A phone call to the phone number also listed advised that the mail box was filled and I hope it was filled with citizens interested in knowing why the Bridge Commissioin is no longer receiving public comments since we have only just heard about the plans for the bridge and many of us would like some input into plans which do not encourage healthy activities for citizens both sides of the river. Is anyone interested in this information?

Letter to Yenta 01/29/10
Hats off! To Ryan and Scott at the Raven for hosting an evening of drag benefitting the Bucks County SPCA!
The SPCA reps had a great time and we raised a wopping $1,200! Thank you to both of them, the generous patrons and the gals! The show was great!

Letter to Yenta 01/26/10
Come on folks - let's keep The Yenta going. There must be something that someone wants to vent about. Let's keep it current, courteous, not callow and without canards.

Letter to Yenta 11/03/09
For this election, once again only one person running for office is using a smear campaign yet again. Each election Bob Gerenser, the only way he knows how to campaign is to make others look bad to make himself look good. My question to him though is how can he save New Hope when he cant keep his own life in order. He says trust me and I will save New Hope, and bring back prosperity. Look at his business on South Main, the only thing holding that building together is the paint. How can he bring prosperity back to town, when he cant seem to do it for himself. When Bob was on council a few years back, it was one of the most turbulant times for New Hope.
Just my thoughts on another election.
Everyone please remember to vote, When Bob was on council a few years back, it was one of the most turbulant times for New Hope and we don't need to bring back the past.
- Charlie C

Letter to Yenta 10/24/09
Hi, I have been trying to learn about New Hope from the Web and not coming up with much. I come from Woodstock, New York where there is a wonderful close sense of community, great level of social consciousness, lots of cultural events, political concern and nuturing of artists. I am thinking of moving south and I am wondering if New Hope is similiar, especially with a close sense of community?
Thank you -Sam

Letter to Yenta 10/19/09
To the person wanting to correct me, I don't know where you live, but the sounds coming from the bars is a tad to loud to me at 1:30 - 2:00 in the morning!  FYI it doesn't bother me, I fall asleep through anything, I just don't get why people would complain about music playing in the early afternoon, when I would think most people are not sleeping. WHATEVER!!!!!!!  You try to do something nice for the tourist and all the neighbors do is complain, you should come on down and enjoy it yourself sometime HEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! -2cents

Letter to Yenta 08/28/09
OMG! Boro Council works for the Merchants???!!! Since when?? They work for themselves last time I looked. The only reason there are still tourists in New hope is because of HISTORY and the shops, restaurants and bars that make it worthwhile to come and see. Mom and Pop entrepreneurs and artists that have been and will always be the fabric and reason for New Hopes existence.
CfromMII
(CfromMII - this letter was not rec'd prior to this evening!)

Letter to Yenta 08/25/09
Subject: Downtown Music and Noise
A note to 2 cent Penny and Mystical Eric that there is a noise ordinance which affords ALL New Hope a baseline of audio comfort.

If I may correct 2 cent, your assumption that the Bars broadcast their sound through the night unfettered. is simply false. Fortunately for the downtown residents of New Hope any establishment in the Commonweath holding a license to serve or sell alcohol must adhere to STATE LAWS governing noise outside of the establishment holding that liquor license.

Violators of STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY REGULATIONS are served with notice and fined. Repeat offenders risk the loss of their license to sell alcohol.

As for the magical "get theF out" wizard perhaps a look at some reasonable accommodation for outdoor noise permits that are based in planning which includes resident buy-in rather than merchant whim or mood. It might just result in a more peaceable downtown area for all.

There are those in the merchant community who have little respect and much distain for the residents. Residents who, if surveyed, might find little effect to their tax base with the rise or fall of a single merchant. In fact given the high cost of municipal services I believe the argument has been made that taxes would be reduced if New Hope was not such a large Tourist draw. (Clearly my opinion and to be sure we all have them as well as other appendages not for civil debate or any debate :) )

If I may suggest an brief exercise in simple arithmetic which should illustrate the true balance of power here in New Hope .
Take a quick look up the hill to see the rise of our very own TAJ ( hmmm how many Zeros does it take to make a million?) which will house the expanded staff of service representatives who manage the affairs of a one square mile town. A good deal of their efforts are to the benefit of the Business Community. Perhaps I can be so bold as to ask if any Merchants, Wiz and 2 cent included , ever wondered , as you so invite us to leave town with such abandon, how it will be paid for and whom does it serve?

I doubt seriously if the New Hopians in Riverwoods or Village Two will see a difference in the services rendered to their neighborhoods - but oh how they will howl when the tax bill rises to meet the expected rise in budgets to cover this expansion .

alas don't get me started!

Letter to Yenta 08/24/09
Please ignore the last email sent from us. 90 Main called today to apologize. Thank you for your help. John & Michele Scricco

Letter to Yenta 08/24/09
Wow! Just saw "Souvenir" at the Arts Center. Great show. Very professional. Just the kind of production New Hope needs, and more of them. Congratulations to all involved. Everyone should see it! Larry

Letter to Yenta 08/23/09
This past Friday evening my husband and I went for dinner for the first time to a place called 90 Main in New Hope, PA. After 1 hour and half we sat at the bar enjoying each others company, spent 110.00 on dinner and drinks. My husband got up from the bar and moved to the other side and stood by the dance floor waiting for me not doing anything but just standing there.. As I approached him the bouncer came up to him and asked him to leave because he was wearing a sleeveless shirt. The bouncer said that he did not understand why he was throwing him out he never had to do that before. My husbands reply was "We have been here for more than an hour after I have spent money here you just noticed that I have on a sleeveless shirt." The gentleman that he is, he did not make a scene, we both left very upset ruining our evening. There is nothing printed anywhere at this establishment that there is a dress code. My husband and I were dressed better then some of the people there. The waitress have sleeveless tops. The bartenders have short shorts and black knee high boots. When we left we flagged down 2 NH police officers. They took down a police report and one of the officers suggested that we contact your newspaper for help. We contacted the manager Jason at 90 Main and he symphonized with us and said he too did not understand why this happened and the owner will not give him an answer why my husband was picked on. We asked to speak to the owner and he will not get on the phone to give us an answer. This is discrimination and the owner of this 90 Main should be embarrassed not my husband! My husband was embarrassed in front of me and everyone at 90 Main. We are shocked.

Letter to Yenta 08/14/09
I sympathize with Mr McDermott's dilemma, but I must correct a mistaken assumption on his part. The Library from time to time holds events outside normally scheduled operating hours. On the afternoon of Sunday, July 5, library patrons were properly parked in our spots for a poetry event. Library doors were unlocked, with a large sign in the lobby announcing that we were open at this special time for the Poetry Group meeting. Earlier in the afternoon, prior to the meeting, library staff and volunteers may have parked in the library spots preparing for the meeting and for other special summer activities.
When the library holds events outside of normal hours we notify the New Hope Police Department via email so that they will be aware of our activities. Library staff and volunteers working outside of normal hours who need to park in library spaces (often to load and unload heavy materials) place small placards in their car windshields to alert police to their identity. This would not be apparent to a casual visitor, but it is familiar to local police and library staff.
The library will participate in next week's meeting with the Borough's parking consultants in an attempt to help alleviate parking issues within New Hope. I will bring up the issue of the wording of the signs at that meeting.
Mr McDermott, I hope you are reading this column, and I sincerely hope that and your family will visit again (and, dear Yenta, I would be grateful if you could forward this email to Mr McDermott, please, in case he is not checking this page).
Caroline Dechert, Director
Free Library of New Hope and Solebury

Letter to Yenta 08/06/09
Dear New Hope Police, Mayor and elected officials,
On July 5, 2009 I visited New Hope with my wife and five children, after a wonderful lunch at The Landing Restaurant and some shopping, we returned to our vehicle to find a $25 parking ticket for “Disregarding a no parking sign”. The sign I am accused of disregarding stated “Library Patrons Only during Operating Hours” as it reads on my ticket. I received this ticket on a Sunday which is not during Library operating hours. The Library was closed. There were several other cars parked in theses spots and I assume they were not disregarding the law but assuming the sign meant what it said. I apologize for misinterpreting your sign but I think we could all agree that it is not clear. I live in Florida and will not have the opportunity to fight this ticket in court. It is very unfortunate that after spending over $300 in New Hope that I am given a ticket unjustly for $25. In a struggling economy I am sure your local businesses appreciate their customers being scared off by unfair parking tickets. I visit family in Furlong, PA twice a year and If this check is cashed you can be sure we will never visit New Hope, PA again.
Regards, Michael McDermott

Letter to Yenta 07/18/09
Complainers are everywhere, but where are they when we need some constructive criticism (e.g. the Comprehensive plan) 2 people showed up at the public review! An update of the Open Space Plan is now being prepared. NOW IS THE TIME to come out and make your voice heard. Don't complain afterwards about what New Hope "coulda, woulda, shoulda". People complained about the noise of the church bells!!! Can you imagine that? So there will always be complaints, but let's move on. Get involved in your local government. Volunteer for something - anything - there must be something that you think needs some improvement. Note to the merchants - please do a little gardening around your shops. Public Works had to weed whack around the light poles in town. How about a few flowers there merchants, or at least pull the weeds. Let's get back to being partners in progress. Shop owners and residents pulling together. Each of us taking on a small responsibility for our own surroundings and help the next guy. Yeah team!

Letter to Yenta 07/07/09
As a business owner in the great town of New Hope, we have something to say! Over the few years of having a business in a town that we love, we have sponsored a few bands to play in our courtyard. Young persons trying to make it in the music world, great talent! And during those times all we have gotton are some complaints from unknown people in this town. New Hope is an arts and music town. This music is during the day, and we can't see why anyone would complain, when at night the music from the bars can be heard all through the night till they close. This also brings people to town to shop and patronize our businesses. Without tourists, without businesses, without entertainment there would be no shops, no restaurants, no town! There would be tumbleweed rolling down the streets of New Hope. Then property values would go down and your taxes would go up, up, up, and away! Businesses keep your property taxes down in New Hope. And if you are a business owner and you're doing the complaining, you should be ashamed of yourself!!!!!!!! The next time they play, you're all invited to come and hear the band!!!!!!
My 2 cents, Penny

Letter to Yenta 07/01/09
I just wanted to add a heads up for Eric and his parking woes. Borough or some other group is doing a parking study. They hired a crew to survey the parking situation and I guess suggest where improvements can be made. Maybe they will be taking suggestions from us common folk that actually live here and know exactly what the parking problems are at a meeting?? That's a good question I think and If any one knows if and when that will be on the agenda maybe write in!
CfromMII

Letter to Yenta 06/27/09
Hey Eric It's a little walk maybe but there are 3 lots always open, 2 with prepaid ticket machine and one metered, plus like 100 spots on the street on North Main St. Are the lots that are closed down your way private?
C from MII

Letter to Yenta 06/26/09
I as stated befor have worked on many issues in this town but stop bitching....

You moved here knowing about the river
You moved here knowing about the motorcycles
you moved here knowing about the tourists
you moved here knowing about the music
you moved here knowing about the bars
you moved here knowing about the late night trafic and trafic in general
you moved here knowing about the low taxes
you moved here knowing about the comunity l g b t s q etc....
you moved here knowing about the great night life and great food

so if you all bitch about everything just get the fuck out ......
because all everyone wants to do is change New Hope and the reason they moved here in the first place.

Eric Lee
Mystickal Tymes

Letter to Yenta 06/25/09
AS a store owner and resident I feel and am preturbed about this town haveing 2 lots (empty and closed) and no main street parking taking me 8 times to find one at waterlue only to have my CLASS STUDIENTS SAY THEY MAY NOT COME BACK .due to the parking. W T F come on open the lots thru the week at 8 .00 per day and weekends at 10.00 this is nuts.
Eric Lee
Mystickal Tymes
14 yrs in the business

Letter to yenta 06/06/09
I picked up a brochure regarding the "2009 40th Anniversary Lambertville Regatta", so they have been coming here for a long time. They can be reached at www.APBA-Racing.com or www. HydroRacer.net, so as the brochure says "enjoy the race."

Letter to Yenta 06/05/09
Yes, Brad, the noisy boat race is annoying and is an annual event. No one I asked seems to know who sponsors it. I have unsuccessfully surfed the web trying to find the sponsor. I have read all the press releases this year from New Hope and Lambertville and there is no mention of the race. Quite curious.

Letter to Yenta 06/01/09
This past Saturday was a lovely day to visit New Hope. While dining at the Logan Inn there was this excruciating motorized wail that kept coming back over and over again. I felt self-conscious as we sat there in our leathers, assuming it was some morons on race-bikes spoiling the peace. When we finished our meal and went to the waterfront we found the source of the sound - a boat racing event featuring high-strung little cigarette boats. Whose brilliant idea was this?
There was a disgruntled couple next to us at the restaurant, aggravated about receiving a ticket because they parked in one of those spaces meant for compact cars and motorcycles. I heard the words "last time we come here." Oh well. I have a feeling that folks don't expect to need NYC -style vigilance about signs when they visit New Hope. Maybe small signs should be posted on the meters as well to alert the casual or inattentive visitor. Of course if these people didn't insist on buying three-ton battle cruisers that would solve the problem too but that's another subject entirely.
I always enjoy my visits but the narrow sidewalks still make me crazy.
A romantic window-shopping stroll is simply not possible when everyone must squeeze by single-file.
-Brad

Letter to Yenta 04/29/09
Great week-end! We can all breathe a sigh of relief that New Hope and Lambertville are still a #1 destination! Was getting pretty scary though, it's been quite dead for the past 6 months if not more.
So sorry for Bridge street, my sympathy goes out to all involved in this terrible mess of a construction sight. I sincerely hope that the work is on schedule if not finished before schedule for everyones sake.
I do have one question about the Shad fest if someone who knows could respond. Stores try to stay open on Saturdays until 9 even in the dead of winter and for once we have a full house (2 full houses with both towns!) on a Saturday and the festival closes down at 5??!! I mean I know there may be a lighting problem with the stands but it doesn't get dark 'till after 7:30. It was a shame to hear all the comments that the festival was over when people were just coming in. And then many stores closed by 7!! What's up with that???
You're open till 9 only 'cause it's a 2nd Saturday with a ghost town and have the audacity to close at 7 with the streets packed? I dont get it.
Cfrom MII

Letter to Yenta 04/15/09
Many thanks to George Fernandez for helping to preserve the New Hope Mule Barge operation by purchasing the mules and maintaining them until the three bridges are repaired and water can again flow into the canal. With all the problems - floods, bridge repairs, economy, etc. this has not been easy and we also thank those previously involved in keeping the mule barge operational. This is such an important item for New Hope's interest, economy and fame. While much of the canal is under construction Saturday, April 25 has been selected as "Spring Cleanup Day". Call 215-862-2021 or www.fodc.org to find the closest part of the canal to help with the cleanup. With much of the canal under construction there is very little water in it and it is an excellent time for a clean-up operation along our sections. Join your neighbors and help out where you can to restore the canal to its original beauty so that the mules can earn their keep by pulling paying customers in barges.

Letter to Yenta 04/15/09
To Born and Raised a New Hoper
Park at C'est la Vie and get really great pastry and coffee there.
Maybe Dunkin' Donuts only wants the walk-in tourist crowd. -TMP

Letter to Yenta 04/14/09
Just where does one park when you want a donut and coffee? I circled the block 2 times with no success. It's great to have the new Dunkin Donuts shop if only you can get to it.
A born and raised New Hoper

Letter to Yenta 02/13/09
It will be interesting to see what happens to small town papers across the U.S. as the current economic crisis works out. Hats off to those who've written to express eloquently their personal experiences writing for the Gazette and some good memories many of us have of that great little paper. One must admit, however, that somewhere along the line, New Hope's economy shifted from hippy crafts to flipping houses, Borough counsel members with their own real estate interests utilized their positions, and unfortunately some editors seemed to forget that newspapers also have a duty to help expose corruption, inform decision making and protect common people from being exploited by a self-interested, secretive leadership within a democracy. Toward the end, editorial decisions were made in a corporate office in Philadelphia. As I recall at the time, and in my personal opinion, everyone was too busy falling over themselves trying to kiss the Almighty Developer's tushy until it was soda cracker white. Our local monument to this era will be George's Hole, a large excavation on West Mechanic Street topped by 5 unoccupied plastic house reproductions, which may well be superior in some ways to hordes of Hacienda patrons descending on the block to urinate in doorways, but many of us moved to New Hope because it's got lots of old houses and funky businesses and is different than the franchised suburban wasteland. Another form of news media will hopefullly rise soon from the Gazette's ashes, employing some great writers and columnists of the past, giving a chance for new writers, helping to introduce potential newcomers to New Hope and Lambertville in a unified and competitive manner, and helping to keep the bigwigs honest. And it'll probably be online. -- Uncle Charlie

Letter to Yenta 02/08/09
I’d like to echo Lisa Bodine’s from-the-heart sentiments about the demise of the New Hope Gazette. It’s a sad day.

Lisa, at least, was lucky enough to hear about the Gazette’s closing through normal channels. By normal, I mean people she knows. I learned about it from a total stranger, an attorney whom I happened to be talking with at a creditors’ meeting, I being one of the gnarling creditors.

“It was too bad what happened to the Gazette,” he said. “Dan Brooks is a friend of mine.”

“Whadya mean,’what happened to the Gazette’?” I asked. And that’s how I learned about it. This was not through any fault of Dan’s. He had to clear out his desk and vacate so abruptly that my email address remained in his work computer.

Kindly permit me some reflection on a significant passing.

Unlike Lisa, I am not a Hew Hope resident, nor did I often write about New Hope per se. I was an outsider who stumbled into town in 2004 as the new high school baseball coach at New Hope-Solebury and then stumbled upon an opportunity to write for the New Hope Gazette. Fortunately for me, the Gazette thought more highly of me than the former school superintendent did, and I’d like to take this opportunity to tell her that the feeling was mutual.

This coming April would’ve made five years since my first column appeared in the paper. Back then, I was two months shy of moving out after the breakup of my 21-year marriage and clinging to anything that would distract me from the pain or focus me in a positive direction. That’s exactly what writing for the Gazette did for me. To borrow from a post-lachrymal Hillary Clinton after her New Hampshire win, “I found my voice.” (That quote, by the way, has 41,000,000 searches on Google. People apparently looking for their own.)

So before I write another word, let me publicly thank Scott Edwards, the Gazette’s former editor, for seeing something of value in my submissions that let him confidently run me in the paper each week.

And in the same breath, my gratitude to Daniel Brooks, who took over for Scott after the latter moved on. Dan had the honor of telling me, just a few months after becoming editor, that the parent company had eliminated its columnist budget, leaving me the choice of writing for free or saying goodbye.

I chose the former, partly for selfish reasons (which obviously had nothing to do with money) but largely because I felt an attachment to the many readers out there who seemed interested in what I had to say. No, I didn’t often write New Hope-specific content. But I always tried to find the kernel of universality in whatever mundane topic was commanding my attention that week. And New Hopeans are bona fide members of the universe, last I heard. (Not to be confused with an old Dan Quayle quote: It's time for the human race to enter the solar system.)

In return for my continued commitment to the paper, Dan graciously gave me my own page. Alright, so I shared space with ads for real estate auctions and power wheelchairs. His heart was in the right place, though – even if my column wasn’t.

Now unattached and unmarried, I gradually made New Hope an actual destination, not just a paper one. Shows at Havana, summer ice cream at Gerenser’s, dinner at Marsha Brown. At the latter, I ruined a blossoming relationship by writing in the Gazette about the “Kama Sutran” oysters I shared there with another woman. (Lesson for columnists playing the field: Leave your social adventures out of the newspaper. You don’t know who’s reading it.)

Gazette or no Gazette, I can’t imagine New Hope not being an ongoing part of my life now (news I’m sure the former school superintendent is delighted to hear). But it’s the Gazette I have to thank for that, and I will miss it.

--John Shields

Letter to Yenta 02/06/09
If a house isn't in the historical district, there are no rules to prevent it from being knocking them down. I looked at the 3 houses on the river side of North Main when they were up for sale and if I had bought them, I too would have knocked them down and started over -- all of them were in really bad shape and it would have cost way too much money to fix / modernize them.
In defense of borough council, they didn't pucker up to "the developer" of the house on N Main St. He wanted a bunch of variances to build that house but wasn't able to get them all approved.
In the end, borough council can't stop people and/or developers from building houses where they are legaly entitled to. Unfortunately Borough Council hasn't quite figured this out yet because they waste a lot time and taxpayer money each year suing people (and losing).
yes, we do need more "affordable housing" in town .. but developers are the people that would do that, not Borough Council. and developers will only do that if they can make money doing so.
and if you think that the Hacieda and surrounding buildings were "one of the most picturesque sections of New Hope", then you should open up a store in New Hope and start selling those rose colored glasses you are wearing -- you'd make a mint! The Hacienda, IMO, was a far greater eyesore than the townhomes that the developer is building on that property.
lastly .. you might want to check with Parks & Recreation to learn how the new park was funded -- I think you will be surprised.

Letter to Yenta 02/05/09
This is response to “ Concerned” who wrote into the Yenta on 02/03/09
The answer to your question lies in just the recent past of the going’s on in New Hope.
In the not so distant past a developer came into the Burg promising the “ Moon and the Stars “ Tears down one of the most picturesque sections of New Hope. Promises money, promises million dollar house, promises this, promises that. Bough puckers up , HARB bends over.... and now after how many years New Hope still has the unattractive eyesore of a half finished housing project ....still. When Will It Be Finished ? Did ya ever get that money that was promised ?
Maybe instead of “Million Dollars Houses” that don’t sell and will not sell. Maybe it is time for borough council to get off its’ collective ass and demand action. Maybe it is time to rethink the project and here is a shocker “ Build Affordable Housing “ You remember what that was. Houses your average person could afford, you remember small abodes that artist and craftsman and us working people could buy. No we cann’t do that here in New Hope. We only build “Million Dollar House” helps keep the rift raft out. But we like to cling to our art colony past ( its’ so warm and fuzzy ) I just don’t want some artist ...... N.I.M.B.Y.
This same developer eyes a beautiful frame Victorian house up on North Main Street and again the collective brain drain that is in charge of New Hope (bends over and puckers up) lets’ him tear that house down. For what, another unfinished house, One he sold New Hopes royalty on that “He Would Live In “ That is of course up for sale now.....if it ever gets finished.
The Burg has another developer build 2 monster twin houses on land that was a large public parking lot. Well at least those houses got built. But only one “Million Dollar House ” got sold, See a trend here of only building elitist housing in New Hope.
Oh and yes a historic house that was in the town that burned down. What replaced it. Oh that’s right that house that had nasty old apartments in it, cann’t have that in this town. Oh but lucky for us it is right next to the Mayor’s house. Lets’ spend....How Much ? ......to build a park to enhance the mayor’s property value. Oh please........for what was spent on that boondoggle, a house could have be built to replace the one that burnt down.
Am I going to fast for ya ......or not sugar coating it enough for you. It is was it is.
Let’s tear down buildings to build driveways to failing shopping centers. Let’s build houses in a flood plain 100 yards from the river and watch them flood over and over. On land that was once an old waste water treatment site/ dump for the paper mill . Got a million plus for those eye sores. It just goes on and on.
Lucky that these people, that are guiding the future of New Hope were not around when the wanted to build a gas station where the “Perry Mansion” is. Because it would probably would be a gas station or a “Million Dollar House” .
Then when it doesn’t get dumb enough. The Burg wants to spend how much, $40,000.00 dollars on a study of public and private parking in the Burg. After they ok’d the building on and elimination of two fairly large public parking lots. New Hopes’ “Geniuses” need a study to tell them whats wrong. Here let me give you a hint for free. Ya built “Million Dollar” houses that aren’t selling on land that once was parking for 110 + cars. Oh please, a study that will have great insight and ideas to only end up in some file cabinet. To be forgotten about when the next developer comes into town waving money and making promises. I guess New Hope’s building code book is fairly short. I think it only contains one page that states
“ Hell build whatever you want just as long as it cost too much money for average people to buy and you throw money at us “
Yes to “Concerned” you would think
“..... that this building is a late 18th or early 19th century building, is a rich part of New Hope's commercial history, is in the Historic District and is still pretty much still all there. I wonder how renovations, as depicted in the rendering, that will compromise the historic integrity of this building will sit with HARB as they contemplate the loss of another historic buildings historic character. “
You would think someone might care, some thought might go into the design. Just don’t put any money on it, well maybe................

-Sign “Two Cents”

Letter to Yenta 01/23/09
The New Hope Gazette printed the last edition this week. On a rather mundane day I received an email from a friend asking me if I heard the news. Not a chance, I responded - I just received my copy in my hot little hand. A few strategic emails later, I heard from Dan Brooks, the editor. Sad, and true, the Journal Register closed both the Gazette and the Doylestown Patriot papers. Advertisement revenue is down, along with the economy - so, another one bites the dust!

I loved writing my column. After the first few, I ran into Doro Kerr at an event. She remarked that she liked my writing and asked me how I came up with enough material to write a weekly. I sorta stared at her and contemplated "writer's block" for the very first time. But, then I explained to Doro that every day I meet with clients who
inspire new and interesting ideas for my Sunday night production.
Honestly, I thought it would be a chore at some point...happily I found it to be the highlight of my week!

So, today (in tears) I told my husband the news. Frank suggested I contact some other papers in Lambertville or Lower Bucks. For a minute I considered the thought, and nearly as quickly, I knew why it would not be the answer. It was because THERE is not HERE. New Hope, the town I love. Yeah, my column was about money and investing and the economy; but, the thoughts were nearly always germinated from a particularly "New Hopian" experience. If not in New Hope, then no reason to write.

I must tell you that I found the whole experience very interesting.
Particularly the process. It all began when I heard Dan Brooks was going to be the Editor. Dan goes to my church and I stopped him one Sunday at the church door to tell him I had an idea for a column. Dan told me to write and he would see what he thought. The first column was full of stats and boring Econ 101 theory. We talked, he critiqued, and I got it! "Make it about the town, about the locals, bring it from your heart," he said. The technical aspects - like how long and deadlines - were not discussed. I literally took a column from the Wall Street Journal and counted the words to figure out how long to make the column. To my horror, I found that the shorter the column the larger my picture became! Haha! Dan and I were learning at the same time. Finally I found the ying and the yang of the length of the column and the acceptable size of my picture. My editor named the column and cheered me on.

I must tell you that Dan Brooks literally LOVES this town. He immersed himself in all things New Hope! When Frank and I opened our business here six years ago, Dan became a friend during our support of Gay Pride weekend. To watch him enjoy the life and spirit of New Hope was like watching a kid in his first candy shop! My heart breaks for what could have been for New Hope through the eyes and love of Dan Brooks.

So, today I vent. Today I mourn. And, today I just feel really lousy that I can't share my thoughts and ideas in my weekly way. I hope New Hope can find some way to resurrect this paper; but, at the minimum, I want to say goodbye and thank you....thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this town that has given back to my family in ways that I will never forget.

This economy has affected nearly everyone I meet, but today it became way too personal.

Lisa Bodine ("Financially Speaking")

Letter to Yenta 01/02/09
Critics, we have too many critics. Become consumers and acquire what you like. That is real criticism in action. Become a consumer if you can and stimulate this sucky economy.
-The Old Beatnik

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Drop the yenta a line at: TheYenta@NewHopePA.com