A Rubber Door » Pennsylvania

85 dogs convince me to not move into Philadelphia

Speener — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:03:26 +0000

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This is one of the saddest stories I’ve read in a long time. How does a city allow something like this happen? 7 years of complaints, 87 dogs (including two dead), two cats, and a stench that caused even the most experienced PSPCA officers to leave the house for a break. How does this happen? One word: bureaucracy.

The story about 739 Earp St. on Philadelphia Weekly is pretty amazing. This one article convinced me that I should stay in the suburbs. The fact that these taxpayers complained to the city government, city council, the PSPCA, Licensing and Inspections – and were unable to get any of them to act until a false tip was called in, tells me all I need to know about my hometown.

One thing about living in my small town, just outside of Philly – if something is happening that I want to ask about, I can call or email my councilperson and expect a response. I don’t know how these people dealt with it for as long as they did. I would have gotten in trouble.

So for all of that, I’ll stay in the suburbs. Close enough to enjoy, but far enough away to comfortably ignore and remain blissful.

Zoning Hearing on Proposed Bank in Conshohocken

Spencer — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:16:42 +0000

A few days ago I wrote about a historic building here in Conshohocken that a developer wants to tear down to make way for a bank. To follow-up there will be a zoning board hearing in a couple of weeks regarding the building at 528 Fayette St. The following is from Councilman Jason Salus’ website:

The Conshohocken Zoning Hearing Board will consider the applicant’s zoning requests at their meeting on Monday, February 15 at 7:00 PM at Conshohocken Borough Hall (720 Fayette Street). This is a continuation of a prior hearing and the record for the hearing is closed. The Chair of the Zoning Board will have the discretion to take public comment. I encourage all interested residents to attend.

I encourage you to attend and to forward this post to any Conshohocken resident or business owner.

Wall Street vs. Main (Fayette) Street in Conshohocken

Spencer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:47 +0000

It seems the past few years that we’ve been assault by banks. If it’s not credit cards or crazy mortgage lending. Now it seems that Continental Bank wants to tear down a beautiful building in the center of Conshohocken to build a bank. Within this small borough we have six banks (including a credit union). Do we really need another one?

I will be writing more about this as I find out more, but Conshohocken residents can not let this happen.

Read more about this on More Than The Curve.com

Conshohocken Lends a Hand to Haiti

Spencer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:53:32 +0000

On Wednesday, January 20, ten Conshohocken restaurants are donating 20% of your bill to the American Red Cross. The restaurants are:

You may think that there is enough money, but there isn’t. Haiti was destroyed, when the thought of that a few weeks ago would seem redundant. They are going to need our money for years to come. If you’re going to eat out, why not make sure some of the money goes to a good cause? See you tomorrow.

Where are the Philly police

Spencer — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:24:01 +0000

I recently returned to work for a non-profit in Center City Philadelphia. It’s great to be back in the city, it makes me feel more a part of things. Because of the cold, my walk has been limited to about seven blocks. What’s crazy is what I haven’t seen in this time.

It’s been a little more than 3 weeks and I’ve yet to see my first police officer aside from those whizzing by in their cars. Not one policeman or woman walking a beat. No directing of traffic, no standing on the corner making sure there’s no trouble.

It’s not like there isn’t a need – there is a total disregard for traffic laws by drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. There are intersections where blocking the box is the rule. And what happened to the blitz on renegade bicyclists? Seems like it lasted a day. And while they’re at it, there are too many pedestrians that could use a jaywalking ticket. And maybe a visible presence on the streets would prevent the bank robberies that happened downtown recently.

It seems to me that policing shouldn’t be limited to cars, subways, airports, and ghettos. It seems that the Philadelphia Police are only focused on anyone carrying a gun or selling drugs. That’s all well and good, but for the other 99% of situations that deserve their attention, it’s every man, woman, and child for themselves.

Yet another place for me to write

Spencer — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:01:42 +0000

So yesterday I posted that I am writing for the Philadelphia Examiner – it’s about time I mentioned my new blog: Orangeliners.com, a blog about Philly sports.

One thing that I noticed here is that the readership I had cultivated wasn’t as much interested in sports talk, but I wanted to write about it. I figured it would help me to have the two distinct sites. I haven’t quite found my voice there, but I’m hoping to grow that site into an interesting destination covering all Philly sports.

If you’re interested in writing for the site – let me know either through the contact form or leaving a comment here. Kristen will stop in every once in awhile to provide the woman’s point of view. Also would love for to subscribe to the blog or it’s twitter feed.

Or just stop by and join into the conversation.

The Philadelphia Examiner now featuring me

Spencer — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:47:28 +0000

I’ve been attempting to re-envision myself as a writer. Part of that re-envisioning or reinvention is my current position, writing for the Philadelphia Examiner. The Examiner is a part of the very popular San Francisco Examiner website. They’ve expanded to include many local metros across the country. For the Examiner I will be covering the Conshohocken community.

It’s funny that I have to re-envision myself as a writer; yesterday was the 3 year anniversary of my WordPress site, and it’s been over 4 years total writing this blog. That’s approaching almost 800 posts in that time frame. I might actually be a writer, an unpaid writer, but a writer none the less.

So for all my Conshy friends, family, and peers – please add this page to your daily reads. Also, if you have article ideas for me, let me know.

Spencer’s Conshohocken Community Examiner Page

70′s era Phillies take another hit: Danny Ozark RIP

Spencer — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:05:53 +0000

This has been a tough year for Phillies fans that grew up in the 70′s as I did. First Harry Kalas and now Danny Ozark. Ozark was not as beloved as Kalas – he managed the Phils for 7 years and never made the World Series, but without him, the Phillies don’t win the series in 1980. Those teams he had in the 70′s were fun to watch – Cash, Bowa, Maddox, Schmidt, Luzinski, Carlton, Johnstone, McGraw, among others.

No he didn’t win the series, but he set the stage and was part of the most successful stretch in history for the Phillies – from 1976-1983.

Ozark is survived by his wife, Ginny, two children and three grandchildren.

SEPTA needs to move into the 20th century

Spencer — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:45:55 +0000

On my way into Philly to meet some former co-workers for a drink. I’m taking SEPTA public transit and I’ll give them props when deserved but today the deserve complaints. SEPTA charges extra for buying tickets on the train but provides no way to buy tickets ahead of time at most stations. No online e-tickets, no ticket machines, and few ticket counters with decent hours. What’s worse is that SEPTA tickets expire, so you can’t buy a few in advance and just keep them around.

In this day and age, with all the technological advances available this simply makes no sense.

SEPTA – you can do better than this.

Save the Conshohocken Fireworks

Spencer — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:32:10 +0000

Every year since I moved into this house, I’ve had a little get together on our deck to celebrate Independence Day. Drinks, food, and then walk over to the fireworks on the west side of town. Yes the fireworks are on the 3rd – don’t ask me why, maybe it’s because it’s cheaper, maybe so as not to compete with Philly’s display, regardless they are on the 3rd, and this year they may not happen at all.

In these trying economic times…

Conshohocken can’t afford fireworks this year. There is a fundraising effort underway to bring the fireworks back. If you’ve been past my house before for the party, consider donating a couple of dollars to the effort. This weekend there will be a Pig Roast Fundraiser to save the Conshohocken fireworks.

When: Sunday, May 3, 2009 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Conshohocken Bocce Club, 339 West 3rd Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Donation: $20 at the door
Free Food: Pig Roast, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Etcâ€¦â€¦â€¦..
Free Drink: Beer and Soda
Contact: Liam McGuigan, cell (215) 518-6358, liam@coventrycg.com