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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, February 24, 2012

Atiyeh's Proposed Rehab Spawns Website

Eleven North Bethlehem residents opposed to Abe Atieyeh's proposed rehab, adjacent to Bethlehem Catholic High School, have been at nearly every one of the seven (and counting) hearings before the Zoning Hearing Board. They got the Mayor and City Council involved. They hired a lawyer. And now, they've started a webpage, North Bethlehem Action Committee.

This group, which includes former Judge William Moran, former Northampton County Council member Greg Zebrowski and retired educator Bill Nelson among its members, is a direct response to Abe Atiyeh development proposals. In addition to opposing the proposed voluntary substance abuse residential treatment on Dewberry Avenue, they're also against Atiyeh's plans to build either luxury apartments or a psychiatric hospital on a five-acre tract, directly across the street. They're also concerned about Atiyeh's recent purchase of a nearby residential property, located at 2110 Center Street. "This property may be a part of a grand plan for this area—either multiple drug and alcohol treatment facilities or large, high density apartments."

Using the Internet, they've circulated a petition opposing Atiyeh's proposed rehab, and have collected 240 signatures.

All Atiyeh has on his side is a former Phillies ace.

And the law.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

When you say "and the law", are you saying you believe the former judge is on the wrong side, legally?

-Clem

Bernie O'Hare said...

No. What I'm saying is that this is very unpopular, and the only thing Atiyeh can rely on is the law, which does tend to favor special exceptions.

Anonymous said...

Alrighty, then.

I think he IS on the wrong side of the law on this one. I think that if the law doesn't allow people to protect themselves from this kind of thing and allow them to determine what is good for their community, it is bad law.

But, it is the law, and I think this and other judges, past and present, are no better at respecting that than the common man whose sensibilities are offended by bad law. The difference is that, if the common man stands against bad law, judges get all indignant and arrogant and threaten and jail. But when the judge takes exception, well, build a website and smear a guy, it's all good.

I don't like Abe Atiyeh and his antics any more than the next guy. But, I dislike what I see from Moran and his ilk a whole lot more.

-Clem

Anonymous said...

The ZB must grant a "special exemption" for the plan to proceed. Three is no "law" forcing them to do so. they should reject this plan.

the Law is the Law!

Chrispus Attucks said...

the board will be canned by the administration if they pass this.

AND RIGHTFULLY SO!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Just checked the website. I don't see where they are smearing Atiyeh at all. That's been done on this blog and on newspaper comments boards, but not by the neighborhood group. In a time when we so often lament apathy, it's refreshing to see a spirited group form to protect their neighborhood interests. The website is issue-based and contains no personal attacks.

stew said...

And we will try to keep the website issue based and informative.

We invite people to send ideas and suggestions (to info@northbethaction.org ) for how to resolve these issues. Atiyeh has invested in 5 acres plus the corner house; and Calvary Baptist Church has a building it doesn't need.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"That's been done on this blog and on newspaper comments boards, but not by the neighborhood group. I"

Please. I've been to the hearings.

Anonymous said...

I think the Board should let him do this, there is no reason to deny the special exception for these NIMBYs and this goofy old judge

Anonymous said...

A "special exemption" is just that, a "special exemption". The Board is not required to exceed the authority of their positions to accommodate a variance. They must confine themselves to their duty.

The Law is the Law!

Anonymous said...

Bernie you may want to check, I think the contract for Atiyeh to purchase the old church has been cancelled by the old church for non-payment. Check it out first of course, but this is just what was heard from a pretty reliable source.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Will do. i doubt Atiyeh would spend all the $$ for the zoning appeal and then let the contract expire, so I think it's unlikely.