March/April 2012 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association SOCIETYHILL Reporter www.societyhillcivic.org Real Estate Reassessment: Taxing Times he Society Hill Civic Association (SHCA) high real estate values, has reason to be T invites you to our March 21st General concerned about the 2012 reassessment. Membership Meeting to hear Jeff Hornstein, a Jeff Hornstein, former Service Employees First District candidate for City Council last year, International Union leader, lives in Queen Save the Date: present an overview of the City of Philadel phia’s Village and is now president of the Queen Village proposal for citywide real estate reassessment, Society Hill Neighbors Association. He’s also president of the using the Actual Value Initiative (AVI). Philadelphia Jewish Labor Committee and has Open House & Garden Tour AVI is meant to correct long-standing inequities worked for the American Federation of Teachers. Sunday, May 20th in property assessments across the city. Values The General Membership Meeting, open to all 1-5 p.m. are currently so inconsistent or inaccurate that neighborhood residents, will take place at 7:30 Mayor Nutter froze reassessments on most p.m. in the Zubrow Auditorium on the first floor properties in 2011. This process, in which all of Pennsylvania Hospital, just inside the main properties are to be assessed at market value, entrance at 8th Street near Spruce. Prior to the will hit each property owner and neighborhood General Meeting (at 6 p.m.), we will hold our differently, with some seeing higher tax bills and monthly Board Meeting at the Hospital’s Grand some experiencing lower bills. Society Hill, with Court Room. All current SHCA members are its low demand for City services and relatively welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you! SHCA Board of Directors Candidates Sought lections for SHCA’s Board of Directors and three-year terms, one from each of Society Hill’s E Officers occur annually, in accordance with quadrants. SHCA’s Nominating and Election the organization’s bylaws. This year’s election will Committee nominates persons for these posi- Proceeds benefit take place at our May 16th General Member ship tions. Addition ally, others may be nominated by SHCA’s neighborhood improvement projects. Meeting. The members will elect a President, petition. To nominate someone (yourself included), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four submit a petition signed by 10 SHCA members. Directors-at-Large, all for one-year terms. We Nomina tion for Quadrant Director requires the will also elect four Quadrant Directors for signatures of 10 residents of that quadrant. Although not required, consider including information about the nominee. Send to SHCA’s WED. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Administrator Matt DeJulio, c/o Society Hill March Civic Association, P.O. Box 63503, Philadelphia Society Hill Civic Association Meetings PA 19147 or to [email protected]. The deadline Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 for submissions is April 1st. All nominations will 21 be listed in the next issue of the Reporter. Visit Pennsylvania Hospital, 8th & Spruce Streets www.societyhillcivic.org for information about our civic association, board or nominating process. 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting Pennsylvania Hospital Grand Court Room Which Quadrant? All SHCA members are welcome. 7:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting Are you unsure of your quadrant? Society Hill is Pennsylvania Hospital Zubrow Auditorium divided into four quadrants: Northeast, Southeast, All neighborhood residents are invited to attend. Northwest and Southwest. Fourth Street serves as Speaker: Jeff Hornstein the north-south dividing line between the east and west quadrants. Spruce Street is the east-west Topic: Citywide Real Estate Reassessment dividing line between north and south quadrants. PAGE 2 SOCIETYHILL Reporter SOCIETYHILL Liberty Tree Reporter by Thomas Paine Managing Editor Graphic Design Sandra Rothman Judy Lamirand A song written early in the Columnists [email protected] American Revolution. Claire Batten Press Release Liaison Jane Biberman c/o Matt DeJulio In a chariot of light from the regions of day, Matt DeJulio [email protected] Bernice Hamel The Goddess of Liberty came; Advertising Manager Lorna Katz-Lawson Ten thousand celestials directed the way Martha Levine Lenore Hardy And hither conducted the dame. Jim Murphy [email protected] Keri White Submission Deadlines A fair budding branch from the gardens above, Spring/Summer Issue Where millions with millions agree, Contributors Kim Balaschak Advertising: April 1st She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, Kate Bieg Editorial: April 10th And the plant she named Liberty Tree. Hans Bombeck Society Hill Laurel Landau The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground, Civic Association Sissie Lipton Like a native it flourished and bore; P. O. Box 63503 Joan Putney Philadelphia, PA 19147 The fame of its fruit drew the nations around, Patty Redenbaugh tel: 215-629-1288 To seek out this peaceable shore. Jan Stephano April Thomas-Jones Website Unmindful of names or distinction they came, Lisa Unger www.societyhillcivic.org For freemen like brothers agree; With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, Submissions And their temple was Liberty Tree. We want to hear from you. Our goal is to print news of interest to Society Hillers — happenings in and around Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old, our community for residents, businesses and professionals. Their bread in contentment they ate, Direct your editorial submissions and/or queries to Unvexed with the troubles of silver and gold, Sandra Rothman by phone at 267-671-0554 or email The cares of the grand and the great. [email protected]. To publicize an event, submit all press releases directly. With timber and tar they Old England supplied, And supported her power on the sea; Materials must be submitted in writing — via mail or email — and must include the name of a contact person. Her battles they fought, without getting a groat, Edited submissions will be considered for publication For the honor of Liberty Tree. if the subject matter is community-related and if space allows. Otherwise, upcoming events of interest may be But hear, O ye swains, ‘tis a tale most profane, listed in the Community Calendar. Letters to the Editor How all the tyrannical powers, will be considered for publication only if signed and Kings, Commons, and Lords, are uniting amain the writer provides contact information. To cut down this guardian of ours; From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms SHCA Board Officers and Directors Through the land let the sound of it flee, President Quadrant Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer, Steven Weixler Representatives In defence of our Liberty Tree. Vice President Northeast Benita Fair Langsdorf Lorna Katz-Lawson Treasurer Andrew Hohns Marc Feldman Lenore Hardy Directors-At-Large Northwest Bernice Hamel Lawrence Burstein George Kelley Andrea Layden Martha Levine Sissie Lipton 215. 886. 6111 | Oreland, Pa Mike Duffy Jerrold (Jim) Moss Southeast 215. 725. 3637 | Philadelphia, Pa Certified Arborist Robert Curley PD-1766A | Jane Ahn 215. 572. 6937 Fax 21 years experience www.libertytreecare.com Southwest Melvin Buckman Francisco Carreno MARCH / APRIL 2012 PAGE 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It Takes a Neighborhood... s I write this, I’m beginning to feel a hint We also need your eyes to assure that the new A of cautious optimism that we may yet work is up to the quality we expect in Society Hill. escape last winter’s harsh weather. Brave buds SHCA is facing another important challenge emerge here and there, as well as a flower or two. as City Council revisits the subject of property Some neighbors have boldly put out green plants tax reassessment — known as the Actual Value to help lift our midwinter moods. More prudent Initiative. The Association has formed a working people wryly shake their heads, but I prefer committee to study the issue, and I have had to be the optimist. several conversations with First District As we enjoy longer, warmer days and more Councilman Mark Squilla. We are also in the chances to meet our neighbors and appreciate early stages of forming an advocacy coalition the beauty of Society Hill, we need to renew our with Queen Village Neighbors Association commitment to keep our neighborhood a won- (QVNA), Bella Vista Town Watch, Washington Steven Weixler, derful place to live. As the President of SHCA, West Civic Association, and the Center City President I receive calls and questions that run the gamut Residents’ Association. Plans are being made of quality-of-life issues. Some are easily resolved, to hold a large town meeting later this spring to address the many unclear issues surrounding others are more difficult and require that SHCA We can all work uses the tools it has as a respected and cohesive this proposal. I am determined that Society Hill organization to influence policymakers, legisla- will be treated fairly in this process, and not be together in small tors or city government to produce satisfactory a “cash cow” for the city. If you can only attend and large ways to results. We are fortunate, also, to have a large one evening of civic engagement this year, make Society Hill and active Board of Directors who volunteer this should be the one. Watch for flyers and a better place. their time and talent to serve the community in announcements in our weekly email blast. many ways. My hat is off to the many dedicated Another issue impacting Society Hill’s quality of people I work with every week. life is the state of business activity on South Street. But the coming spring and summer are going Wouldn’t you like to take a short walk to a nice to bring a set of challenges that will require restaurant, or shop in a boutique offering quality us all to pull together as a community.