text:
by Wesley Ratko
After much discussion and a formal protest from the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee voted 5 to 1 in favor of accepting 15 "BigBelly" solar-powered trash compactors from the city's Streets Department to be placed along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill.
LUPZ co-chair Harriet Brumberg summarized the issue as two simple questions: "Do we want these and, if 'yes,' where do we want them?"
Linda Raucher from Green in Chestnut Hill (GRinCH) – the driving force behind bringing the BigBellies to Chestnut Hill – introduced Scott McGrath, manager of the BigBelly program for the Philadelphia Streets Department.
McGrath told the committee that there are 856 BigBellies deployed throughout the city – 481 in Center City, 375 along corridors in other city neighborhoods. Chestnut Hill remains the last neighborhood not to have them. The 15 proposed for placement would replace 21 existing cans along Germantown Avenue.
Previous BigBelly placements were made through a U.S. Department of Commerce program that paid to put 220 compactions along various city corridors as part of streetscape projects. A U.S. Department of Energy block grant, received as part of the city's stimulus money, will pay for an additional 245 – 15 of which may come to Chestnut Hill.
Of the 15 units slated for placement in Chestnut Hill, six or seven have recycling doubles. The appearance of the BigBellies can be changed with a vinyl wrap (which costs $400 a unit) or advertising panels can be inserted along the side (which cost $150 a unit).
When asked whether the BigBellies could be interspersed with the wire baskets now on the street, McGrath said no. Two separate operations collect trash from wire cans and BigBellies – the objective of which is to reduce the number of trash pickups per week.
"It eliminates operational efficiency having both containers along a route," McGrath said.
Questions about the appearance of the BigBellies dominated the discussion more than the specifics of placement of operations.
McGrath was asked whether the City's Mural Arts program could become involved in the decorating effort. He answered that they already had – fifty BigBellies now along South Broad Street were decorated by 8-12-year-old school students working with two artists in a program funded through a grant. The product of their efforts was then applied to the cans with a vinyl wrap.
McGrath told the committee that the surface of the BigBellies are designed to be sticker and graffiti-resistant. Those planned for Chestnut Hill are the third generation BigBellies, to date the most resistant to defacement.
The containers now on the streets could be stored by the city for possible redeployment to places like Pastorius Park. Another option included selling the wire cans.
Amy Edelman, owner of the Night Kitchen Bakery and co-founder of GRinCH, presented maps of Germantown Avenue that suggested two potential scenarios for placement locations. One scenario has the cans placed from Mermaid Lane up to the Chestnut Hill Hotel; the other has them beginning at Bethlehem Pike and moving down to the Chestnut Hill Hotel. Edelman favored placement on the lower part of the Hill, to better coordinate with the BigBellies now in place in Mt. Airy.
Jennifer Hawk, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, opposes the BigBellies. Hawk said she was disappointed that the questions posed by the Historical Society were "not answered as we'd hoped."
She began by asking whether they were required by the Streets Department.
"No they're not required," McGrath said. "I have other corridors that would love to have them."
"We have very little choice in strategic placement," Hawk told the committee. "Our concerns about this particular product remain the same, and that is we enjoy living in a National Historic District … these will have a definite impact on the streetscape."
Hawk expressed objections both to the size and shape of the BigBellies, estimating their height as shoulder level and explaining that their flat-fronted shape would attract graffiti and stickers. "I've personally observed graffiti and stickers on BigBellies in Center City.
Hawk reminded the committee that $33,000 had been invested in the cans now on the street and questioned whether an additional expense (estimated at $7,000) to wrap the cans is prudent. Committee co-chair Larry McEwen asked when the existing cans were purchased and whether they had a service life, but no one present could answer with any certainty.
Raucher asked McGrath whether the Streets Department received any positive feedback about the BigBellies. McGrath said that when units are removed for repairs the Streets Department get calls and emails asking when they'll be returned.
"In Center City, when the units are removed to be occasionally repaired, we often get calls and emails from residents asking when their BB will be back," he said.
McGrath added that a group of residents along Pine Street mounted an email campaign to the mayor to get more BigBellies because they noticed there were more of them on the other side of Broad Street.
"In the past two weeks we've collected almost 200 signatures in support of them," Edelman said, noting that 25 businesses were also in support. "No one refused to sign."
The CHCA board of directors voted to send this issue to the LUPZ at its January board meeting held Feb. 3.
Robert Rossman, present in the audience, stated he'd made the motion.
"All we were really looking for was a recommendation," Rossman told the committee. "We felt that the expertise lies here, and you can add a lot to the discussion about whether or not we should have BigBellies and where they should go," he added.
Brooks Turkel, CEO of Chestnut Hill Hospital, opposed the BigBellies, saying the "design is terribly flawed." Turkel's concern centered on the need to touch a handle in order to place trash inside and the health hazard that posed.
"It's exceptionally unfortunate…that you have to open the darn thing with your hands, in a day and age where I'm spending lots of money on things where you don't have to do that," Turkel said.
Committee member Toby Horton responded to Turkel's health concerns by suggesting that any hazard posed by the BigBellies handle would be offset by the benefit of having a closed container in which to safely hold litter to keep it from blowing around and preventing squirrels from getting inside.
Horton also asked whether the historical society had done any research to determine how Chestnut Hill residents felt about the BigBellies.
Hawk replied that they had not.
"Petitions and public opinion doesn't change the visual impact of the BigBellies, and it doesn't change what makes up a National Historic District," she said.
McGrath stated that the Streets Department would work with the community association and any other interested group to find the most appropriate locations for the BigBellies.


text:
|2003-12-04, 11:25
|Link #61
merely a ghost
|2003-12-04, 12:45
|Link #62
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Age: 34
it's pretty clear WHO the ANBU is... i mean you do see kabuto holding the mask and putting it on his face -_-"
nywayz... yes they did change the seal
and i really enjoyed 61...
no real crap at all... and not to mention that when Neiji was talking about the cursed seal and how his father got killed etc... it was a lot more dramatic and a lot more touching in comparison to the manga...
furthermore... im sorta wondering how almost 10 years later Hiashi looks just as young -.-" lolz...
in addition... i don't understand why Neiji's dad... (Hizashi) would want to kill Hinata nywayz...
o... n if Hiashi is such an asshole why would
|2003-12-04, 12:47
|Link #63
Terabyte needs anime!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Awesome episode!!! It ends after Neji explains his seal and history.
Aha! Kaboto returns... always sneaky.. the life of a spy.
I understand why Neji is so upset because of birth order etc..., but why he can't feel proud about what his father did is beyond me. His father gave so much to the clan and not unlike a warrior giving his life in battle, Neji should feel honored of what his father (and also what Neji could himself carry out in the future) accomplished.
So who is more honored? The soldier who dies for the freedom of his loved ones or the loved ones who enjoy it? Heck we all have to die, but at least his father's sacrafice will be remembered as honorable. That should mean a lot to the living.
can't wait to see Neji's "eyes opened" in 62... me think that Naruto will have that pleasure.
Quoted by Archnai: "in addition... i don't understand why Neiji's dad... (Hizashi) would want to kill Hinata nywayz..."
I also didn't understand this part
|2003-12-04, 12:52
|Link #64
Angel Of Death
Join Date: Nov 2003
Hmmm the Kaiten looks a little different from what I was thinking. You know one thing I really liked about this ep is the score. The score when Neji removed his head band has to be my second favorite my fave is Oros score.
As for the episode I liked it. The 64 hands of Hakke was the shiznits. I also liked the extra added part of Hiashi bitch slapping that dude that took Hinata. As someone said the Real Fight is gonna begin in the next ep. Oh yah that scene with Chibi Hinata and Neji was also great. Even if it was only like 15 seconds.
Last edited by Gabriel710; 2003-12-04 at 18:25.
|2003-12-04, 13:15
|Link #65
Bubbly and super fun
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Doesn't look like Kansas
Pretty useful to fill a post which lack of arguments eh?
And no, there is different definition for different contexts, not for different opinions.
So what's the utility of these definition, except filling your post?
And Neji should feel honored for that? :/
|2003-12-04, 13:31
|Link #66
Terabyte needs anime!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
yes, because they are family. His father saved many lives (perhaps even Neji's) from a war. He also saved everyone... not JUST the MAIN clan. His father was unselfish and thought of others or perhaps just himself (as stated "he may of actually made this decision on his own-to be killed instead of his brother). This benifited several people including the leaf village, not just the main clan. If Neji's dad truly had issues with this he should of sorted it out before he decided to have a family. (as he knew Neji would have to also serve in this mannor)
I could see Neji going around saying "my father died for shit like you Naruto"! now that would be cool!
|2003-12-04, 13:58
|Link #68
Terabyte needs anime!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
In many sagas truth or fiction regarding history the heir is always saved at any cost. I could dispise my sisters and still be willing to die for them.
You don't think that kakashi (any ninja actually) would mind being assinated instead of the kage? That for what ever reason(s) Neji's clan set up these rules. All clan members knew it and yet they existed and flourished
|2003-12-04, 15:22
|Link #70
Bubbly and super fun
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Doesn't look like Kansas
It's the way of acting of Oro, to kill your subordinate for your own sake.
The branch family members are cursed when they're child, after that if they disobey the orders of the main family, they can be tortured and killed in all 'legality'.
The main family flourished on the dead and cursed bodies of the branch family.
|2003-12-04, 15:32
|Link #71
Terabyte needs anime!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
yeah inbreeding will fuck up even the best of family lines
royal family
Neji's clan
Haku's clan
Sasuke's clan
awhhhh I feel sorry for the nine tail as he is ending up being a slave to Naruto.
heck, Neji's clan is the only one that appears to be flourishing.... and on the backs of their own kind! Bad bad clan
|2003-12-04, 15:43
|Link #72
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SoCal
Age: 39
i'm getting really bored of seeing naruto do his stupid kage no bun thingy. He uses it none stop and it seems like he hasnt grown since episode 3. I would be happier with him doing his sexy no jutsu and winning, atleast it would be more entertaining than this crap. Then we can get onto fighters that accually know more than 1 stupid technique. Thank god neiji kept me some what entertained during this episode, otherwise I would have been fast forwarding through it.
Edit: forgot to add narutos falling down and getting back up scenes.. What is it? We have to sit there and watch naruto take 2-5 minutes to get up. Then each time he finally gets back up theres another speach. With the way naruto gets the crap beat out of him, it could take another 5 episodes before we even see some action.
|2003-12-04, 15:50
|Link #73
Terabyte needs anime!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio
a lot of the times Naruto perfoms the multiple kage no bushin (what ever) narutos is because the TV episode animator/writers stick it in as "FILLER" (not in manga) As someone stated before this move uses a lot of charkra and Journins rarely are able to perform it so it surprizes people (Naruto's calling card), and he can get his licks in....
but you are right, it does appear annoying as it is so easily and readily used often in excess
i'm hoping ep 62 will show us something new (come on I need a dream)
hey, what is to keep the "ANBU" *wink wink* guy from stealing Hinata's secrets? She has no seal, so why wouldn't she have like a body guard when she is like ill?
|2003-12-04, 17:00
|Link #76
Bubbly and super fun
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Doesn't look like Kansas
She has one.
It's Neji
|2003-12-04, 18:32
|Link #79
Ero~Kairin! ^-^ Yeay!
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ~ Montreal
Age: 38
DA$?&*&()(*&?%?&!!!!#!!!! ... Oof I feel better now for waiting a full week again
oh great episode by the way, we finaly get to now someting about Neji
What was that thing again about fly or cameleon in the Darkanime sub?
Did I miss something..
|2003-12-04, 19:41
|Link #80
Junior Member
When I read this part in the manga I too pictured the heavenly spin looking so much better... seems like they ran out of money for this ep and couldn't animate it as good as they should've. Hopefully they saved the money so they could animate the next couple of eps tite. But yeah, i always wondered why Naruto didn't summon gamabunta on neji's butt. THat would kick ass.
I wonder why they changed the seal on neji's forehead *cough*swastika*cough*.
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