Part Two: So my neighbors hate me...
04-27-2005, 10:58 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,268
Part Two: So my neighbors hate me...
Ladies and Gents, I give you the full news story on what I had talked about previously.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/n...y/11446473.htm
I'm going to go down and get my picture taken with the banning signs so you guys can see them. Also, everybody is getting ready for a nice ride through the park when the ban is lifted on May 7.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/n...y/11446473.htm
I'm going to go down and get my picture taken with the banning signs so you guys can see them. Also, everybody is getting ready for a nice ride through the park when the ban is lifted on May 7.
04-28-2005, 07:18 AM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,268
Township to lift parkway cycle ban
Tookany Creek residents protested heatedly, to no avail. At stake: $17,000 a year in Pa. tax revenues.
'By Oliver Prichard
Inquirer Staff Writer
Despite strident objections from dozens of neighborhood residents, Cheltenham Township will lift a more than half-century-old prohibition against motorcycle riding on Tookany Creek Parkway.
The township's Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 Tuesday night to remove the motorcycle ban along the 2.6-mile stretch of road, which bisects Tookany Creek Park and the Melrose Country Club. The ban had been in place since 1948.
The decision to rescind the local ordinance was made after PennDot notified the township that it risked losing about $17,000 a year in liquid-fuel-tax revenues if the ban were to stay in place. The revenues are allocated for maintenance on that part of the road.
More than two dozen residents concerned about potential noise and safety problems from motorcycles left the meeting in frustration after their pleas were rebuffed.
"I think what you're doing is selling our park" for state revenue, Arthur Krevitz, 44, a lawyer whose four children play in the park, told commissioners at the meeting.
"I think that is wrong, and I think that is irresponsible," said Krevitz, drawing considerable applause from other residents.
Joseph Schroeck, 80, who says he has lived on the parkway for decades, said motorcycles would be a nuisance for walkers, joggers and bicyclists who use the parkway.
The township would do better to forgo the tax revenue and let potholes develop, Schroeck said. "It would reduce the speed of all traffic," he told commissioners.
Commissioner Charles McKeown, whose district encompasses the park, sought in vain to have the issue tabled for further study. His was the only vote against lifting the ban.
"I believe that we have been rushed into action," McKeown said. "We're being asked to destroy the most beautiful part of Cheltenham Township."
About a half-dozen motorcycle enthusiasts who pushed for the ban's removal - and questioned PennDot on its legality - also attended the meeting. Some tried to alleviate the worries of fellow residents.
"You should have no concerns," said Albert Meinster, 62, an Elkins Park man who led the effort against the ban. "Motorcyclists are safe and responsible to the same degree that motorists are."
Bill Ellenberg, a motorcyclist from Melrose Park, had two reasons for wanting the ban lifted.
"One, it's my tax money," said Ellenberg, 54. "And two, it's my tax money, so I can ride wherever I damn well please."
The ban will be lifted as of May 7.
Tookany Creek residents protested heatedly, to no avail. At stake: $17,000 a year in Pa. tax revenues.
'By Oliver Prichard
Inquirer Staff Writer
Despite strident objections from dozens of neighborhood residents, Cheltenham Township will lift a more than half-century-old prohibition against motorcycle riding on Tookany Creek Parkway.
The township's Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 Tuesday night to remove the motorcycle ban along the 2.6-mile stretch of road, which bisects Tookany Creek Park and the Melrose Country Club. The ban had been in place since 1948.
The decision to rescind the local ordinance was made after PennDot notified the township that it risked losing about $17,000 a year in liquid-fuel-tax revenues if the ban were to stay in place. The revenues are allocated for maintenance on that part of the road.
More than two dozen residents concerned about potential noise and safety problems from motorcycles left the meeting in frustration after their pleas were rebuffed.
"I think what you're doing is selling our park" for state revenue, Arthur Krevitz, 44, a lawyer whose four children play in the park, told commissioners at the meeting.
"I think that is wrong, and I think that is irresponsible," said Krevitz, drawing considerable applause from other residents.
Joseph Schroeck, 80, who says he has lived on the parkway for decades, said motorcycles would be a nuisance for walkers, joggers and bicyclists who use the parkway.
The township would do better to forgo the tax revenue and let potholes develop, Schroeck said. "It would reduce the speed of all traffic," he told commissioners.
Commissioner Charles McKeown, whose district encompasses the park, sought in vain to have the issue tabled for further study. His was the only vote against lifting the ban.
"I believe that we have been rushed into action," McKeown said. "We're being asked to destroy the most beautiful part of Cheltenham Township."
About a half-dozen motorcycle enthusiasts who pushed for the ban's removal - and questioned PennDot on its legality - also attended the meeting. Some tried to alleviate the worries of fellow residents.
"You should have no concerns," said Albert Meinster, 62, an Elkins Park man who led the effort against the ban. "Motorcyclists are safe and responsible to the same degree that motorists are."
Bill Ellenberg, a motorcyclist from Melrose Park, had two reasons for wanting the ban lifted.
"One, it's my tax money," said Ellenberg, 54. "And two, it's my tax money, so I can ride wherever I damn well please."
The ban will be lifted as of May 7.
04-28-2005, 07:18 AM
#5
Biker
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Citrus Heights Calif
Posts: 100
That was a great article Mongo. So the residents would rather have potholes than have the road repair $$$$$$$$$$ Good to see that ban lifted.There is one here outside of Monterey Calif. banning motorcycles from the 17 mile drive which is part of Pebble Beach golf course. I'm sure they don't care that they don't get my $$.
From the article it seems as though the board voted against the residents wishes. Now the bikers are going to disturb the playing children and joggers, LMAO
From the article it seems as though the board voted against the residents wishes. Now the bikers are going to disturb the playing children and joggers, LMAO
04-28-2005, 07:24 AM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,268
The funniest part of the whole thing is that they have about 4 car/bike shows down on this stretch along the creek every year. So 4 times a year, they close off the distance of it and loud hot rods and bikes line the whole thing.
When I went out this morning, I saw that somebody had put up protest signs all over the park - I took them down since it's a public park. I'll get that pic of me with the ban sign up soon.
When I went out this morning, I saw that somebody had put up protest signs all over the park - I took them down since it's a public park. I'll get that pic of me with the ban sign up soon.
04-28-2005, 08:21 AM
#7
Biker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Flanders, NJ
Posts: 148
Ha! Just as I thought. If you're taking state D.O.T. funds, that kind of stuff isn't going to work. As the one individual said, if it's my tax money that's being used to maintain that road, then I can ride were I damn well please.
04-29-2005, 03:01 AM
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,268
Yesterday when I got home, I heard some people talking on bull horns and seemed like a big ruckas was going on in the park. So of course I headed down there, and the 'pro-motorcycle-ban' people were having a little get together. At this point, since the ordinance was already repealed - it doesn't matter. I still say these people are blind and if anything are just blaming motorcycles for a problem that's unrelated. Really, are the motorcycles any louder than any old muscle car or shitty rice burner with a coffee can exhaust (don't understand that whole thing either)? If anything, maybe the residents should be focusing their efforts on pushing the cops to enforce the sound ordinance.
04-29-2005, 05:36 AM
#11
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fairfax, Iowa
Posts: 1,111
Bunch of damn tree huggers if you ask me. Get a job ya hippies! Like we are the antichrist or something.
This guy rocks Mongo, take him a beer!
Bill Ellenberg, a motorcyclist from Melrose Park, had two reasons for wanting the ban lifted.
"One, it's my tax money," said Ellenberg, 54. "And two, it's my tax money, so I can ride wherever I damn well please."
"One, it's my tax money," said Ellenberg, 54. "And two, it's my tax money, so I can ride wherever I damn well please."
04-29-2005, 06:02 AM
#12
Biker
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sherman, Texas
Posts: 111
Chalk one up for the motorcycle riders. Sure seemed convenient for the reporter to interview a lawyer. HMMM!!! He made it sound like the riders are going for the kids and joggers. Please!!! Can't we simply just go for a nice enjoyable ride with out being labeled as hoodlums or troublemakers. AMEN on the tax dollars.
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