Bryn Mawr

LMPC Gives Bad Citizenship Award to Citizens Bank

carla — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:13:49 +0000

Bad Citizenship to Citizens Bank? They want to go into the old Dunkin Donuts site in Bryn Mawr at made up street Town Lane or whatever and Lancaster Ave:

What Does "No" Mean To This Property Owner and Citizen's Bank?

carla — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:34:11 +0000

Ok, so what is this? Flood the Lower Merion Township Planning Commission with multiple applications of virtually the same application until they say "uncle"? Serously? It's not like this is a new topic. It's a we have discussed this too much in this township topic. This Dunkin' Donuts site, abandoned by Dunkin' Donuts a year ago has been sitting like a big freakin' wart just off the center of Bryn Mawr for a year. The piggy developer and Citizens Bank wanted at first to add on to the existing building and add two drive thru lanes. Then they wanted to demolish and build new with two drive thru lanes...and then I remember an article written by I believe Cheryl Allison in Main Line Life and Main Line Times that it was denied, yet here we are, yet again? they are in front of the Planning Commission on December 1st with THREE applications of the the SAME bad idea?

Ben Breskman's Quest for SEPTA Rail Safety. Will You Join Him?

carla — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:18:46 +0000

UPDATE:The Delco Times has a very nice article today, albeit slightly inaccurate since neither Radnor nor LMT has publicly heard Ben's presentation at a meeting, although he did speak in front of Haverford Twp. BOC last week (I hope he will be allowed to be heard in Radnor and Lower Merion before year end). Septa needs to know glow in the dark decals won't cut it, rail safety needs to take more of a priority...and the comments on the Delco times website were kind of unfeeling and ignorant all things considered.... Here is an excerpt of the Delco Times article: Victim’s father on mission to make SEPTA route safer Sunday, November 16, 2008 6:17 AM EST By Lois Puglionesi Times Correspondent

HAVERFORD — Ben Breskman’s oldest son, Brian, was fatally electrocuted on the third rail of SEPTA’s Route 100 trolley line in a tragic accident Breskman wants to keep from happening to anyone again. As Breskman sees it, unsafe conditions along the Route 100 contributed to the “perfect storm” Brian walked into the night he died. A graduate of Episcopal Academy, Brian, 19, had completed his freshman year at Penn State and was home for the summer, when on May 25, 2007, he went to the Bryn Mawr home of an old high school buddy. Ben Breskman said he later learned a parent improperly served alcoholic beverages. The decision to take a midnight walk to 7-Eleven after cocktails proved disastrous for Brian. When a police cruiser stopped to question him outside the store, Brian panicked and fled into a wooded area. Looking for a shortcut back to his friend’s house, Brian came down an embankment in the dark, about 80 yards south of the Rosemont stop on the R-100. With no fences, lights, or visible warnings, Brian began crossing the tracks and stumbled, his foot grazing the trolley line’s electrified third rail. A lethal jolt killed Brian instantly. Charred over three-quarters of his body, Brian was later hit by an oncoming train....In the course of a wrongful death action against SEPTA, Breskman subpoenaed records documenting about 1,000 “unscheduled stops” since 2003, many involving children. The trolley was halted near Beechwood-Brookline on June 14, 2006, for example, because of three young boys “jumping tracks with skateboards.” On Jan. 22, 2005, children were sledding “and almost made contact with train” near Pennfield. A bicycle was found wedged between the track and third rail south of Parkview in November 2004, while “juveniles playing chicken with the train” caused another stop near Rosemont. SEPTA did not release information regarding fatalities, Breskman said...For more information about Operation Lifesaver: http://www.septa.org/inside/safety/operation_lifesaver.html

ORIGINAL POST: I have gotten to know Ben Breskman just a little bit since he has begun his quest for rail safety, especially on the R100 Septa line. (But I know he has obvious concerns about the R5 as well, because much of that track is not fenced off, either). But the R100, the trolley line is doubly deadly with that 3rd rail that is electrified. As a matter of fact, Ben presented to Haverford Township's Board of Commissioners this past Monday thanks to 5th Ward Commissioner for H.T. Jeff Heilmann, and the Board of Commissioners of Haverford Township, and they put forth this: To Surrounding Communities Re: R100 Septa Line

November 12, 2008 TO: ALL INDIVIDUALS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF HAVERFORD AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FROM: Township of Haverford – Board of Commissioners SUBJECT: R100 SEPTA LINE

AQUA Never Learns

carla — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:25:13 +0000

Even when they are doing a job - an infrastructure upgrade in the Haverford Township section of Bryn Mawr - Penn Street, Martin Ave,Railroad, etc. - they can't get it right. Even when the job site is literally around the corner from AQUA's corporate offices.

Jaywalk Cam

carla — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:17:27 +0000

Why do people jaywalk on Lancaster Avenue in front of the Bryn Mawr Acme when the traffic light is not even half a block from the most frequent jaywalking? I have even seen people do it when Haverford Township has police there at a live accident scene...and this intersection is a frequent scene of nasty accidents too! So, here is some jaywalk cam in the hopes that (a) the intersection is addressed sooner rather then later (b)maybe there could be a "no jaywalking" or "jaywalking is dangerous" sign? I have seen people jaywalk with small kids even.

Armed Robbery in Bryn Mawr...add it to the growing list along the Main Line?

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:19:11 +0000

Another armed robbery on the Main Line? Yep, it's true. This time it was the restaurant Tango at the Bryn Mawr Train Station. Is this another "sign of the times"?

How Many Accidents Are Enough Accidents at Penn St and Lancaster Ave in Bryn Mawr?

carla — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:03:38 +0000

Porshe meets Pole...there is no subsitute. This happened yesterday on a busy, busy Saturday afternoon. So how many accidents are enough accidents for this problematic Main Line intersection in Bryn Mawr...yes, the intersection of Penn Street and Lancaster Avenue. It is in Haverford Township actually. What do you say PENNDot?

Last Word on Central Avenue in Bryn Mawr

carla — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:26:43 +0000

This is what Central Avenue used to look like:

Bi Co News is Talking Local Burglaries

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:04:27 +0000

So here is a full fledged article on recent crime on local college campuses. Bravo for BiCo news for talking about it openly. As we all know, colleges are not always forthcoming when it comes to talking about crime on campus since it's bad for business so to speak. Date posted: Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 Section: News Wave of Thefts hits Haverford By Sarah Mills

Bring Back Helmet Laws in PA

carla — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:34:54 +0000

Yesterday as I sat stuck in traffic in my car on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr, alongside me came a gray haired woman on a Vespa darting in and out of traffic. She had a helmet on, but was wearing a dress with a long skirt, purple I think. She wasn't wearing solid shoes either - she was wearing a sandal shoe for lack of a better description. A Vespa is still a motorbike, so I thought that kind of dangerous, just like the darting and weaving in and out of traffic.

Missing: Bryn Mawr College Grad Hannah Upp

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:23:14 +0000

**UPDATE**: Here is what Bryn Mawr and Haverford College's BiCo News is saying: BiCo News:Date posted: Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 Section: News Hannah Upp BMC ’07 Missing By Andrea Milne

Haverford Twp Deals Death Blow To Rugby Road.

MainLineThoughts — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:25:31 +0000

So, Haverford Township Commissioners are you proud of yourselves right now? Ah yes, The News Of Delaware County is reporting on the death of Rugby Road in Bryn Mawr, PA.

Does Lower Merion Have a Sunshine Issue?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:25:09 +0000

You know, it sure seems that Lower Merion might have a "Sunshine Issue" going on over this scooter accident. Do you think Lower Merion is embarrassed about how cold they are being portrayed by this particular media attention? Should how accidents are handled and how what one would think is public information is actually released be re-examined? [color=purple]Please note that I am not trying to intentionally slam the police department, and I acknowledge they work incredibly hard...but I feel that what I am reading represents a problem, ok?[/color] You know, this article makes people think. After all, how many accidents (even fatal ones) might get a tiny blurb , and then nothing ever is said again? Why is that? Why does it seem this reporter can't get information? FATAL SCOOTER ACCIDENT Details emerge in investigation of Gee family tragedy Saturday, August 9, 2008 3:09 AM By Theodore Decker THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Dr. Rebekah Gee and Dr. Allan Moore were not wearing helmets when their scooter crashed into a sport-utility vehicle in suburban Philadelphia last month, police said. Moore, who was driving, suffered fatal injuries. Gee was severely injured. Lower Merion Township police have released few details of the July 12 crash involving the daughter and son-in-law of Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee. Unlike in Ohio, crash reports in Pennsylvania are not considered public record. In an e-mailed statement, Lower Merion Police Superintendent Joseph Daly expressed condolences for the Gee and Moore families, calling the collision "an intersectional crash that occurs countless times throughout the day in this country." "There were no deliberate or criminal acts on the part of either operator," Daly wrote. "In regards to the helmet issue, no helmets were in use." He said his department would not comment further.

Baldwin, Baldwin, Baldwin?!

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:44:47 +0000

Baldwin, Baldwin, Baldwin...you haven't completed your pedestrian "green bench" that I can see (unless those roots I tripped on the other day while avoiding becoming road pizza ARE the green bench?), and there you are on page 24 of the Thursday July 31st, 2008 edition of Main Line Times advertising a new swim club? Ahh yes:

Bryn Mawr- Originally known as the Polar Bear Swim Club (circa 2006),the Baldwin Swim Club will be open to the community, and plans to continue the tradition, in it's home at the new Athletic Center on the Baldwin Campus....the Baldwin Swim Club's first practice will be Sept. 15. For more information....call 610-527-2700, extension 601 or e-mail dhart@baldwinschool.org

Wow...yet another institution trying to get their facilities to pay for themselves, eh? Now, that's not being mean, just check out artificial turf field at another private school with parking issues - it is in constant use, and not just school functions, right?

Doctor Hit By SUV in Bryn Mawr Dies...So Sad...

MainLineThoughts — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:48:02 +0000

This is really sad news to read. As previously discussed, our area has received national attention over a recent accident in Bryn Mawr. I am sorry to report that one of the young doctors hit by that SUV (Land Rover?) in Bryn Mawr has died. He was on a Vespa (or some other kind of scooter) with his wife when they were hit as previously reported. Why do we keep having these awful accidents in our area? And why do we have to read about them in newspapers from other areas? Gee's son-in-law dies at age 31 Allan Moore and Rebekah Gee were in scooter crash July 12 Thursday, July 24, 2008 4:41 PM By Encarnacion Pyle THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Allan Moore, the son-in-law of Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee, died at about 4 p.m. today. He and his wife, Rebekah Gee, were injured July 12 when their scooter collided with a sport-utility vehicle in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Moore, 31, had been in a coma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania since the crash. He had suffered abdominal injuries, broken bones and head trauma and his condition never stabilized. He also was fighting pneumonia.

Restauarant Chatter and Table Hopping

MainLineThoughts — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:09:53 +0000

Time for a little restaurant chatter.....

National Attention on Main Line Drivers

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:54:01 +0000

So...nothing like national attention on our local drivers, eh? Obviously to some this is not just another Main Line accident...One question: who is FOR motorcyclists, scooter drivers, and mini bike drivers ALL having to wear helmets? Maybe this will draw the attention to what needs more attention? Hospital: Gee's Son-In-Law Improving Monday, July 21, 2008 11:11 AM Updated: Monday, July 21, 2008 2:53 PM

Sunday Garbage in Bryn Mawr

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:01:44 +0000

Nice trash...and it was outside a church...please note there are several trash cans in the vicinity...just more litter for someone else to pick up....

Emergency Moving of Bryn Mawr Fire Company?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:06:37 +0000

Our firemen are valued highly in Lower Merion, as it is a volunteer force and a lot of these emergency responders are folks from our community and neighboring communities. So, it was kind of a bummer to read this press release on the Lower Merion Township Website:

Fire Committee Meeting to Address Emergency Relocation of Bryn Mawr Fire Company Meeting to be Held July 9th at 6:30 p.m Posted Date: 7/5/2008 11:00 AM A Fire Committee meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 9th to address the emergency relocation of Bryn Mawr Fire Company due to structural deficiencies at the Company’s fire house. “Following the Township Engineer’s inspection of the fire house floor, it was determined that its condition presented a safety hazard,” stated Charles McGarvey ( cmcgarvey@lowermerion.org ), Chief Fire Officer. “To accommodate the necessary repairs, which are projected to take 10—12 weeks to complete, several possible sites were studied for the temporary relocation, and a small portion of Ashbridge Park was determined to best suit this emergency situation.”

Check Out The Welcome Wagon In Bryn Mawr...

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:16:15 +0000

[color=red]UPDATE![/color][color=green] Well, apparently, you can't smoke on Lower Merion Township owned property, but you CAN take a nap. :jawdrop: Check out this photo from the same day as the "no smoking" photo. Can you imagine just HOW relaxed or oblivious one must be to take a nap on Ludington Library's lawn along Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr? This was definitely a photo op![/color] [color=red]PREVIOUSLY:[/color] All hail the Welcome Wagon! :wink: So check out the paper sign taped to a public bench in Bryn Mawr outside Ludington Library (also nice to know how our taxpayer dollars are being spent and wonder what they have to say about those occasional homeless seemong people that pop up in this location?)...too bad the signmakers can't be as proactive with the Graffiti clean up that is needed next to the Bejing Inn, or even tackling Bejing Inn's gross looking building: Welcome To Bryn Mawr, Please Enjoy Your Stay

It's Just A Bryn Mawr Kind of Day

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:22:28 +0000

Last night was all about Bryn Mawr at the Lower Merion Township Building. Everyone was very dressed up and had their hair done...television cameras and all...a lot of people spoke...some were quite curious - like that Bryn Mawr business owner who spoke about the "BID" (i.e. having an Ardmore Initiative for Bryn Mawr). One thing? Are all the property owners there hip to the fact that if it goes through there will be annual assessments they will have to pay? That is one of the realities of those things - also, if the proposed "BID" for Bryn Mawr is formed, they will have to get along with the Bryn Mawr Business Association, and a BID needs a healthy business association associated with it since a BID would be more for the property owners, while a business association addresses the needs of business owners... We also suggest if they are serious about this that they spend some time with Christine Villardo and some of the Ardmore Initiative folks...not just people with BIDs in other communities - talk to one right in our own township. Anyway, apparently this zoning thing will come back again in June, since there are wrinkles to be ironed out. Here is an update from Diane Mastrull and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Also, check out a couple little virtual tours of Central Ave, Old Lancaster Road in Bryn Mawr and Pennsylvania Ave: Central Ave Bryn Mawr Old Lancaster Rd Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania Ave Bryn Mawr Posted on Thu, May. 15, 2008 Bryn Mawr downtown plan closer to final approval By Diane Mastrull INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Bryn Mawr Learns Her Fate This Evening

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:25:08 +0000

Tonight is the night for Bryn Mawr. Will it end up being zoned to be supersized, or is that a special treat reserved only for Ardmore? Will the remaining residents feel any protection from hospital sprawl? Thirty years from now how will we feel? Will we wonder why we had to have "hospital town"? Hospitals are still in the business of medecine, right? Just checking. And what of Five Points? Where are the "improvements"? When do they start? Who will lose land or sidewalks? Whatever. At this point, can it be said why discuss it any longer?

Bryn Mawr Car Wash Involved in Illegal Alien Case With Feds?

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:04:31 +0000

Hmmm...this is bad. Is this the car wash blues? Is this what we could face down the road if they shove that car wash into the Exxon station at Woodside and Montgomery? Can you believe the Bryn Mawr car wash involved in something like this? WOW. Are we all to assume that this is the car wash in Bryn Mawr that has changed hands several times, that started out as "White Glove"? This is not good. This is the second case that has had Fed attention in the recent past. Remember Ardmore in April? When a case of a battered woman in Ardmore led to the discovery of some sort of illegal alien ring only a few blocks from downtown Ardmore? Illegal aliens, and the case for them pro and con is nothing new in this country, but it is new to hear things happening right where we live. What does that say about us as a society? These illegal aliens often live in squalid conditions and make sub-standard wages. Yet, they are willing to put up with it in order to get their chance at a better life, and a slice of the pie that is the "American Dream". Yet does the "American Dream" even exist anymore? Around here sometimes you have to wonder when all we see is the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer. Interesting. Car-wash franchise charged in undocumented-worker case By MICHAEL HINKELMAN Philadelphia Daily News hinkelm@phillynews.com 215-854-2656

A federal grand jury yesterday charged a Horsham-based car-wash franchise and five of its managers with conspiracy to defraud the government, to harbor undocumented workers and to commit identity theft. Authorities said that Car Care Inc., which operated full-service car washes in Norristown, Flourtown, Bryn Mawr and Cherry Hill, engaged in a scheme from 2000 to March 2006 to hire undocumented workers by giving them false names and a way to cash their checks at local banks without showing identification.

Oh, It's a Big Plan Alrighty...

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sat, 10 May 2008 03:37:57 +0000

...and we're not sure it is anything to brag about in hospital town, err, Bryn Mawr...you know, that town that tore down essentially all of the affordable housing and small neighborhoods? Posted on Tue, May 6, 2008 Big plans for Bryn Mawr almost a reality By Cheryl Allison

Litterbug Lisa? Carwash Coupons Not a Go-Go? (Ruh, roh Scooby)

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:55:50 +0000

:jawdrop:***Ruh, Roh Scooby Doo,:jawdrop: there's an update on this over at GrassRootsPA..somethin' about an investigation?

"Car Wash Coupons Feature Paolino’s Picture and Campaign Information; Former D.A. Bruce Castor Joins in Call for AG to Investigate"

HMMMM...will they say nasty things about GrassRootsPA now for breaking this story in the blogosphere? Luuuuccccy, is there more splainin' to do? Or will this be a tempest in a car wash? :? :-? :puzzled::? :-? :puzzled::? :-? :puzzled::? :-? :puzzled::? :-? :puzzled: (OK,what was said previously? It's below.....) So we started getting alerts to some stuff happening in Bryn Mawr... everyone is talking about these silly things...so Ardmore Shutterbug took a tour and reported back. The discovery? Shall we call it "Lisa Litter"? These little squarish cards with for a good time call on the front and discounted car wash coupons on the back? Hmmmm, we thought, who owns this Bryn Mawr Car Wash? (Well, the location has changed car washes so many times over the years, what's not to ask?)

Support Maryam's Amendment For Bryn Mawr!

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:24:55 +0000

You know, by our township's history, we were established as diverse communities with people from all walk of life, creed, and color. But bit by bit, diversity has disappeared due to multiple factors. One of the things that is disappearing way too fast is affordable housing. Affordable housing is not an evil thing, it is a necessary and welcome community component. In addition, good residential communities on the fringe of our retail district is just common sense, and it is so sad the way those residential neighborhoods in Bryn Mawr just disappeared - Central and Summit Grove Avenues were raped. It's a harsh word, but seriously, look at before and during and after: To that end an amendment proposed by Maryam Phillips (and suported by many commissioners including Jenny Brown) with regard to Bryn Mawr and their new proposed zoning for that community's redevelopment should be supported and embraced by citizens throughout this entire township. We urge EVERY citizen to not only support this effort, but to send Commissioner Scott Zelov and BOC President Bruce Reed a polite note to ask him to give one up to the little guy: ask them to support Maryam's amendment, cc Maryam, and cc SAC. Here are the e-mail addresses you will need: vscottzelov@comcast.net , BReed@berwind.com , maryam@rcn.com , and comments@saveardmorecoalition.org - please remember to cc us if you e-mail, because it is important that nothing gets lost. Community input is critical to any good plan, and all in all parts of this plan are not so bad - it just needs a little tweaking to achieve the best balance, and this one amendment along with a provision that the remaining homeowners on Central Ave not only be protected no matter what, but that they should also be able to remain in their homes as long as they are able, and when they are no longer able, they should be able to pass their most valuable asset to their blood related heirs via estate planning as long as their heirs are going to physically live on Central Avenue. If the homeowners or poetntial legal heirs were interested only is selling their properties on Central Ave, then rights of first refusal should revert to the hospital. No one is saying no to development - it's just about making it the best it can be! What are we talking about? Read this follow-up article by Diane Mastrull (and save the date of May 7 for the hearing at the township): In Bryn Mawr, issues center on Central Avenue The tiny street is in the middle of a just-approved zoning plan. By Diane Mastrull Inquirer Staff Writer

Bryn Mawr in The Spotlight

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:53:05 +0000

In advance of this evening's important meeting comes an article taking the lid off Bryn Mawr. Or, should we call it TRID Village Hospital Town? And in the end, if the township had NOT caved, would the hospital have really left Bryn Mawr? Posted on Wed, Apr. 2, 2008 Disputed Bryn Mawr rezoning up for a vote By Diane Mastrull Inquirer Staff Writer

Got Awning?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:06:32 +0000

A few people now have pointed out the latest must have campaign fashion accessories for campaign 08- awnings!! We are so happy to see awnings that we thought we would help the candidate out --- we figured there would be a forthcoming press release on the topic to go with all of the candidate's "firsts", right? Anyway, the other two had better get busy, everyone should waste campaign pork on awnings, right?

Good Deeds

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:06:56 +0000

Might we suggest this group turn it's attention to a couple of boarded up homes wayn down in Ardmore slightly off the beaten path? LM fighting cause one house at a time By Cheryl Allison

Student Housing Changes Passed (not a surprise)

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:01:25 +0000

Many thanks to Cheyl Allison for always being there. Here is the end result of the student housing issue. Our apologies to Bryn Mawr College, but we are looking at a bigger, future picture, not just their immediate needs. Everyone would have been a whole lot more comfortable if an accomodation for them and them alone could have legally been found. But the only way the township could do this was to look at the whole ordinance and change it that way. And now that is done, what were the interesting glances which occured during the vote on this item between select commissioners? Just askin' Main Line Life: LM ordinance for student housing gets passing grade By Cheryl Allison

The town-gown relationship in at least one of Lower Merion's college communities is about to get closer.In a unanimous vote Feb. 20, the board of commissioners amended the township's Student Housing Ordinance to permit a college or university to house a limited number of students in an off-campus apartment building.