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Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Is a Dog Park Possible in Bethlehem Township?

In response to yesterday's post about Nazareth's dog park, someone had this remark: "I'd love to see Bethlehem Township do this. Is it possible they have no funds from impact fees available? Otherwise they wouldn't want to raise taxes to pay for new soccer field, I guess."

Bethlehem Township Manager Jon Hammer told me "nothing is off the table." The township does receive a $1,500 impact fee for every residence built, although in some cases, developers donate green space. "We're pretty built out," he conceded, acknowledging there won't be much in the way of impact fees. But Hammer noted hopefully that the township has recently received a fifty-seven acre tract of land, devised by the Housenick estate. How that land is used is up to Bethlehem Township residents.

Located off Christian Spring Road, the Housenick parcel includes the mansion of Archibald Johnson, Bethlehem's first mayor. In 1919, as Bethlehem Steel prepared for a strike, Johnson armed mounted police with nightsticks and barred assembly by more than three persons.

Ahhh, the good 'ol days. Instead of dog parks, Johnson seemed more intent on creating pens for people.
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 6, 2008 at 7:46 AM

    Johnson's response to your blogging about him probably wouldn't have been limited to commenting on your sordid past.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SebrinkAugust 6, 2008 at 7:55 AM

    This guy from Quakertown has a very insightful and profound take on dog parks: http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/letters/all-nosal.6534755aug06,0,1015414.story

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bernie O'HareAugust 6, 2008 at 9:10 AM

    Papier, Very profound, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bernie O'HareAugust 6, 2008 at 9:12 AM

    Anon 7:46, The good ol' days. I prefer getting anonymous letters featuring me as a star in some gay porn flick to having my head caved in, but that's me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousAugust 7, 2008 at 9:00 AM

    The Shit you are flinging around makes you worse than a dog. Don't you realize how your hatred of your community is viewed outside of it?-
    California Beach Bum

    ReplyDelete

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