Former Swarthmorean Editor Chris Reynolds documents his travels this summer along U.S. Route 395 in California.
Daring to Produce
Swarthmorean Leticia Roa Nixon recently worked both behind and in front of the camera in Day of the Dead festivals in Philadelphia. As a member of an Aztec dance group, she danced in Love Park and at Fleisher Art Memorial in early November, then turned to video recording and editing to capture the pageantry, magic, and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos processions and celebrations involving members of Philadelphia’s varied Latin communities.
New Officer, Free Parking, Trash and Recycling Contract
Swarthmore Borough Council led off its monthly legislative session on Tuesday night with the ceremonial swearing of new police officer George Dunn, who was celebrated by a throng of fellow and family members. Officer Dunn actually began in the job last week following his official oath of office. Council president David Creagan congratulated council members Mary Walk and Ross Schmucki on their reelection, new member Jill Gaieski upon her election, and Mayor Marty Spiegel on election to his first full term. Gaieski will replace Creagan on Council as of the upcoming reorganization meeting.
The Next Chapter
I’ve spent the past 4½ years sitting at a big desk looking out onto Swarthmore, as I arrange words to describe what’s going on beyond the window. I’ll miss the work, and I’ll miss the view — the village of Swarthmore, whose sidewalks beckon you to stroll and explore; whose avenues invite you to ride a bike; whose yards and parks burst with vitality and imagination.
Edmund Jones to Be Celebrated Saturday
At Monday’s Swarthmore Borough Council meeting, Mayor Marty Spiegel read a proclamation declaring Saturday, November 9, 2019 as Ed Jones Day in Swarthmore. He presented the proclamation to Donna Kay Jones, Ed’s widow (left), who was in attendance along with six former mayors of the borough and members of the Centennial Foundation, which Ed co-founded. There will be a memorial service on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Swarthmore Friends Meetinghouse for Ed, who served Swarthmore as mayor and in many other leadership posts in the borough, county, and state.
Paper Trail Catches Fire
Who says people don’t get excited about newspapers anymore? Some Swarthmore residents are paying particular attention to papers delivered to their doorsteps recently without their say-so. On several blocks in the borough, subscribers to the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Delaware County Daily Times reported finding copies of News Corp papers — the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post — bagged in orange sleeves with printed inserts assailing the Democratic Party as a socialist and racist institution. Some are not happy to have the extra reading material.
Police Department Adds Officer and Technology
In its two October meetings, Swarthmore Borough Council approved several measures which should make the borough less attractive to speeders, and safer for all residents. Council members voted to approve the conditional offer of employment to Folcroft resident George Dunn as a patrol officer, gave the go-ahead to purchase two solar-powered radar speed signs, and adopted standards for hardscaping in the borough zoning code.
Tyler’s Edible Garden: a Fresh Approach to Learning
After a productive first summer growing season in Tyler Arboretum‘s Edible Garden, the harvest can be reckoned not just the tons of vegetables and fruit produced, but also in the seeds of ideas planted in the minds of visitors to the historic public garden in Media. A goal of the recently-completed $1.4 million project was to help visitors connect with nature on an entirely new level, said Mandy Santiago, Tyler’s executive director. “More than 800 children this summer attended camps at Tyler, and dedicated parts of each day to helping plant, dig, prune, and harvest crops in the Edible Garden.”
Building Relationships, and a Record of Service
Pennsylvania 26th District State Senator Tim Kearney and his chief of staff Sara McCullough recently met with The Swarthmorean to review results achieved during Kearney’s first eight months in office, and to discuss the political life of a first year senator as a member of the minority (Democratic) party.
Swarthmore Is Ready for 100
Swarthmore Borough Council Update
Swarthmore Borough Council acted on several matters that promise to make the borough a healthier place to live. With several members of the Sierra Club‘s team in attendance, Council adopted Resolution 2019 -05 - Sierra Club Ready for 100. This resolution commits Swarthmore to join hundreds of other U.S. municipalities in resolving to attain 100% renewable electricity use in all homes, businesses, and government buildings within the borough (not just municipal government) by 2030.
Out with the Old (Voting Machine), in with the New (Voting System)
Like all 67 Pennsylvania counties, Delaware County is under mandate to replace its voting machines by the end of 2019. In Delco, that means goodbye to the Danaher voting machines in place since 2005, which had notorious setup and reliability problems, and anyway are at the end of their useful life. Replacement of these machines has taken on added weight in light of recent election system hacking efforts.
Cracking the Code
Recently, Swarthmore Borough issued notice to owners of adjoining properties at 311 Cedar Lane and 406 College Avenue that the structures are unsafe for human occupancy, that rehabilitation is not feasible due to the degree of deterioration, and that the structures should therefore be demolished, according to Borough Manager Jane Billings. The owner of 311 Cedar Lane has appealed the notice.
The Stones Endure, and So Do We
As the Rolling Stones jumped into “Jumping Jack Flash” near the end of their Philadelphia show last Tuesday, I flashed to one thought: this is why I’m here. That riff is what hooked me on the Stones. Keith Richards’s 11 note riff made that song, I bought the single, I got the Stones. More than 50 years later, remembering wearing out the record on a mono record player, I basked in that guitar riff as it washed around me in the delirium of stadium rock, part group ecstasy, part mind-altering acoustical slapback from the concrete bowl.
Rutledge Borough Council Report
On a night when tornado-like winds struck Swarthmore, most of Rose Valley and much of Wallingford were darkened by power outages, Swarthmore Police Chief Ray Stuflett told the assembled members of Rutledge Borough Council, “You guys are lucky.” In fact there was at least one emergency call from Rutledge for a fire ignited by a lightning strike.
Beavers Building a Presence on Crum Creek
Swarthmorean Robert Scott recently mentioned beaver sightings on Crum Creek, where the toothy furbearers abounded in the time of the Lenni Lenape, but were absent for decades and have only returned in the past few years. The lower trail is all but inaccessible due to tree fall, but walking downstream from the “Crumhenge” meadow near the SEPTA viaduct, Scott said, he had seen four beavers and their lodges during his evening walks along the trail.
Council Addresses Park Walls and Parking Meters
At its combined work and legislative session on Monday night, July 1, Swarthmore Borough Council focused most of its energy on two parking issues and one park improvement.
Swarthmore Borough Council opened its meeting this Monday night with a public comment session, and Jackie Dering of the 500 block of Cedar Lane quickly took to the podium to address Council on what she called “a neighborhood health issue.” She spoke of an incident last weekend in which a rabid raccoon bit her next door neighbor. Although that raccoon was captured and killed, she said, “That means there are other animals with rabies — that raccoon had to get it from somewhere.” She noted that local raccoons can be fairly bold even when not rabid, appearing by day as well as in their typical nocturnal habit.
Parking Wars, and Peace
Among dozens of opinionated and voluble contributors of posts to social media site Nextdoor Swarthmore, only three Swarthmoreans rose to comment at the Monday work session of Swarthmore Borough Council. Isabel Paynter, who ignited a virtual firestorm with her original post recounting her frustration at being given a ticket for parking at a non-operable meter last Tuesday, spoke first during the public comment period at the opening of the Council session on June 3.
Paving the Way for a Smoother Borough
Swarthmore Borough Council voted at its Monday meeting to approve awarding of a seasonal paving contract to contractor Glasgow Inc., for just under $100,000. Although Glasgow was not the absolute low bidder, it was the “lowest responsible bidder” as required by code in awarding this type of contract.
Fraternities Disband, though Work Remains, as Media Spotlight Shines on Swarthmore College
Prior to Tuesday’s announcement of the disbanding of Swarthmore College’s two fraternities, the college’s campus and town center were buzzing this week with microwaves beaming live feeds to TV stations, and reporters for local and national media recording interviews with students at the college.