Yeah, and Dr. Albert C. Barnes stated in his will that his possessions and legacy be as "a living museum of art and as a botanical garden to be used as part of the educational purposes of The Barnes Foundation in both the art and horticulture programs." http://www.barnesfoundation.org/h_main.html

The Orphans’ court ruled in favor of moving the Barns Collection from Montgomery County to Philadelphia.

This would summarize the move of the Barns collection:

"The works in storage have not served [Dr. Barnes' mission] for more than half a century. Nor is there a prospect that the works will serve Dr. Barnes's mission in the future unless they can be sent to locations that have the capacity and environment to exhibit them properly." – http://www.barneswatch.org/pdf/student_brief.pdf

You can't fight City Hall and you can't stop progress, even though progress is up for interpretation by what they say in City Hall.

“Our city! In her intercourse with its citizens rights, may she always be in the right; but our city, right or wrong.”

If anyone wants a park in Philadelphia, they can find one someplace else.

Sick a fork in this one. It's over.

__________________
"All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility. If all mankind were of one opinion and only one man against it, all mankind would have no more right to silence that one man than he, if he had the power, to silence all mankind." - John Stuart Mill

"No man dared venture to speak against God, Government, or the Established Order without encountering that most valid of arguments: a brickbat, a bully's fist, or a policeman's truncheon!" - John Cournos

Maybe Not!


Burholme talks about the new curfew center

“Also at the Nov. 8 meeting, supporters and opponents of Fox Chase Cancer Center’s proposed expansion into Burholme Park debated the latest development in the continuing saga.
There will be a City Council hearing on Nov. 26. Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.), who won re-election last week to an eighth four-year term, has introduced legislation that allows the cancer center to proceed.” –No Name For Author of the Article
http://www.northeasttimes.com/index.html

Well, this news account amounts to the other side of the coin.

I was informed from a member of the association that this meeting almost broke up into a very nasty rebuke for the officers of the association who had supported and approved this expansion without consulting the members.

How about that?

My guess is the officers forgot that this park is owned by the People of Philadelphia. They also forgot that the People of Philadelphia does not mean only the residents of Burholme and Fox Chase.

Eventually the People of Philadelphia may wake up. When they do, it will probably be too late. Their cherished park will be Gone!

According to some sources, Sam Stretton, Esq., Former Chief Council to Disciplinary Committee of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, simultaneously represents SCRUB and Save Burlholme Park, and was suppose to be representing Mr. Fred Maurer pro bono, but latter on into the case, decided to bill Mr. Maurer.

Even though Sam Stretton failed to appear in court at the required time because of a “murder trial,” he was still billing Mr. Maurer. Stretton soon entered into negotiations with the opposition, with out the knowledge or consent of Mr. Maurer, and made a settlement.

That could have something to do with Councilman Brian O’Neill, having “introduced legislation that allows the cancer center to proceed.”

In the interest of the evolution and expansion of conspiracy theories, here are some notes:

'Can you help us save Burholme Park?

The frantic call came to SCRUB from a distraught Fox Chase resident who knew that unless the community organized, they would lose a huge portion of their beloved park, which has provided a place to recreate and enjoy nature for generations of Philadelphians.

Burholme Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is considered one of Fairmount Park’s crown jewels, as its elevation offers a majestic view of center city’s skyline. Sloping downward from the historic mansion are paths for walking and jogging, a large well-used picnic area, a playground, a driving range, miniature golf course and batting cages that provide hours of recreational fun and practice for golfers, ballplayers, children, youth and families.

The land belonged to Robert W. Ryerss who bequeathed it “to the citizens of Philadelphia to be used as a park forever.” Yet despite its commitment in 1905 to maintain the land “according to the will of the testator,” the Fairmount Park Commission recently voted to lease 19 acres of Burholme Park to Fox Chase Cancer Center for construction of new buildings and a parking garage.

Over 2,400 local citizens signed a petition opposing this lease and several have joined in a lawsuit to stop the city from breaking Ryerss’ will.

This Fall, Philadelphia City Council will hold hearings regarding the 120 year lease to the Cancer Center, and a vote will be taken for final approval. However, the final decision will rest with Common Pleas Judge John W. Herron of the Orphan’s Court Division, who will hear arguments when the City of Philadelphia asks the court to break the will of Park philanthropist Robert W. Ryerss. Samuel C. Stretton, Esq will represent local residents, a member of Ryerss’ family, and SCRUB in this appeal.' www.urbanblight.org/newslettersummer05.pdf

Sam Stretton, a West Chester lawyer representing Save Burholme Park and the named defendants, said the group is challenging the zoning board's decision because Fox Chase failed to prove a hardship existed to merit being granted a variance for the project. "What they said is this would be nice to have, but that's not a hardship," Stretton said. http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/s tories/2007/03/19/story1.html

Throwing Stones From a Glass House – 2001
During a March 12 hearing on Bill 629, the legislation that would gut taxpayers’ rights to appeal zoning board decisions, Councilman Frank Di Cicco interrogated anti-bill board activist Mary Tracy about who contributed money toward her efforts.What makes Di Cicco’s questions so hypocritical is the fact that a non-profit group he and state Sen. Vince Fumo co-founded in July 1991recently reported $5.6 million in anonymous "contributions, gifts or grants." Sam Stretton, an attorney who represents SCRUB pro bono, says he would be "jeopardizing" SCRUB’s funding if he revealed its main donor. http://www.urbanblight.org/news/citypaper20010322. htm

Mayor Street vetoed Bill 629, but latter a different version was introduced to accomplish the same thing: House Bill 1954. http://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&lr=lang_ en&safe=off&rlz=1B2GGFB_enUS220US221&q=%22House+Bi ll+1954%22&btnG=Search

Everyone should know that House Bill 1954 is the tool of all politicians of both political parties, created to strip the rights of citizens and community organizations in order to prevent opposition at the ZBA, especially when it comes to building Casinos and possibly the taking of Public Property (Parks) for the benefit of private development.
http://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&lr=lang_ en&safe=off&rlz=1B2GGFB_enUS220US221&q=%22House+Bi ll+1954%22+%22Scrub%22&btnG=Search

2400 signatures and only two people left standing. Wow! It must have looked like rats jumping from a burning ship filled with Powder.

How does things like this happen?

Answer: Philadelphia Politics

(More to come)