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| Abe Atiyeh and Mark Malkames Wait For a Ruling |
In previous hearings for a similar proposal adjacent to Bethlehem Catholic High School, Atiyeh faced strong opposition from a galvanized community, joined by City Council. But only two people spoke against a drug and alcohol treatment center located 550' away from the closest school.
Unlike the Becahi proposal, Atiyeh told zoners he'd run this facility himself. That led board member James Schantz to question whether the colorful developer is "in it for the long haul." Atiyeh pointed to Whitehall and Saucon Valley Manor, where he's been in business for the past fifteen years. "I enjoy what I do. I was born in the Lehigh Valley. I'm here to stay."
Atiyeh added that, unlike many other developers, "I get no government grants, no subsidies, and everything's on the [tax] rolls."
Attorney Mark Malkames, representing Atiyeh, pointed out that Atiyeh is unlike other developers in another important way. He specializes in the "adaptive reuse" of buildings like Saucon Valley Manor, an old school, or the old silk mill in Bethlehem. "Your comprehensive plan encourages this sort of thing," Malkames told zoners.
Asked to describe the typical resident at this adult-only for-profit center, Atiyeh stated that firemen, police officers, nurses and doctors head the list.
"And Zoning Hearing Board members," wisecracked zoner Bill Fitzpatrick.
Although the center is voluntary, Atiyeh stressed that anyone wanting to leave the facility will be transported by staffers. There will be cameras and security staff 24/7. There will also be at least one security officer on duty at all times. And a seven feet high fence.
"To me, it sounds like Betty Ford meets Alcatraz," complained neighbor Sherri Kelly, worried that the drug rehab will reduce property values.
Atiyeh told zoners he expects to invest between $12-14 million into the project, and it will take three years before he can turn a profit. But he added there is a real need for a private residential treatment center in the 800,000-person Lehigh Valley. " This will be the first one of its kind in the Lehigh Valley," he stated.
Even Stewart Early, a thorn in Atiyeh's side in previous zoning requests, told Atiyeh he was pleased.
"I've learned a lot," answered the developer.
With approval for a 150-bed center, Atiyeh told zoners he will withdraw all applications and appeals for other treatment centers in Bethlehem.
9 comments:
I love the look with the beads and the cross.
Perfect!
"And a seven feet high fence."
Should be:
And a seven-foot high fence.
Just trying to help Bernie. Otherwise, well done.
Al
WHO CARES
Thank you, Al. I am just not sure which is the correct usage. I would agree with you. That is certainly my usage. But think about it. Foot is singular. Feet is plural. 7 is a reference to more than 1. So isn't 7 feet more accurate than 7 foot?
I notice that in one of my pieces for the BP, my usage was corrected from foot to feet. But I don't really know the correct usage.
From: Grammar Girl
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/units-of-measure.aspx
Plural Units of Measure
For the next point, let's go back to talking about feet. The singular is obviously foot, and the plural is usually feet, except when you are using it as a compound modifier. You would say that Squiggly climbed a tree that was 10 feet tall†; feet is plural there. But you don't say Squiggly ran up a 10-feet tree—you say Squiggly ran up a 10-foot tree. Foot is plural when it's part of a compound modifier. That's also true for other units of measure like inches and pounds. Squiggly was running from a 100-pound monster, and he nearly lost his 10-inch tentacles.
Similarly, the abbreviations for units of measure are the same whether the units are singular or plural. the abbreviation is ft. whether it is foot or feet. Occasionally you will see an s after the abbreviation for pounds, lbs., but it isn't necessary.
Al
Thanks, Al. So basically, I was using it correctly before, and changed it to make it incorrect. I do that often.
anyone can be bought - bethlum proves that each day
To hell with proper grammar, the fact is this artcle is about a drug/alcohol treatment center. The developer seemed to forget politicians because after the sitcom that has transpired with the Allentown Arena/MUDHOLE LMFAO rollin in allentown mudhole?
Stick to topic bernie
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