Charlton Open Space Suggestion Brilliant — Alex Charlton is asking the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to donate the Don Guanella property in Marple Township as public open space.
It is about time someone brought this up and the Archdiocese should act on his suggestion.
Charlton, of Springfield, is the Republican candidate in the race to replace Bill Adolph in the 165th District of the Pennsylvania House. Adolph, who has held the seat since 1988, is not seeking re-election.
A plan to develop the 213-acre tract bordered by Route 320, Reed Road and the Blue Route into “Cardinal Crossing” fell through. Cardinal Crossing would have been packed with homes and shopping centers. It would have ruined the quality of life for thousands of people in Marple and Springfield townships which make up the bulk of the 165th district. It would have snarled traffic and extended commute times for people in two counties.
Charlton, in his open letter to Archbishop Charles Chaput, notes that Pope Francis has baldly declared that we have an essential duty to protect the environment and that “it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”
He didn’t note, although he could have, Francis’ condemnations of greed and corrupt corporate culture. Development that objectively makes life worse rather than better would certainly fall under these rubrics.
By the way, greed applies to corrupt public culture too. There are those who want to raise taxes to buy open space without considering how the existing tax burden is already crushing the poor and needy. It is the already rich with more than enough income to dispose who are suggesting this, naturally.
If the Archdiocese donates the land it would a remarkable Christian witness, a profound act of faith and, if honestly sacrificial, would significantly help its reputation.
Kudos to Charlton for thinking outside the box and making the suggestion.
Here is his letter:
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Archdiocese of Philadelphia 222 North 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Dear Archbishop Chaput,
An Open Letter to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
July 2, 2016
I write with concern for the future of the Archdiocese’s Don Guanella property, located along Route 320 in Marple Township, Delaware County. The Archdiocese recently terminated an agreement for sale of the property to a commercial developer. Its future, and its impact on the quality of life of the residents of our area, now rests entirely in your hands.
The Marple Township Planning Board and its commissioners were right to deny the Cardinal Crossing plans. The Archdiocese should have been paying attention.
This property is among the last large, open areas of natural beauty in eastern Delaware County. It’s imperative to preserve the land for future generations and prevent the environmental damage and massive traffic delays that would result from largescale commercial development. I am calling on the Archdiocese to donate this entire parcel of property to the Natural Lands Trust so that it can be preserved permanently.
Taxpayers have long borne the hidden cost of the Don Guanella property by virtue of its taxexempt status. The tax exemption has cost millions of dollars in lost revenue for the township and the county. Alreadyoverburdened taxpayers should not have to take on more debt to obtain and preserve property they’ve been subsidizing for years
As you know, the protection and preservation of our natural world is a tenant of our faith. Our Holy Father Pope Francis, in his recent environmental encyclical “Laudato Si”, speaks of the duty to protect our environment. His writings indicate the Church has a duty to conserve the natural beauty of the land it owns. Pope Francis writes:
“…the ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion. It must be said that some committed and prayerful Christians, with the excuse of realism and pragmatism, tend to ridicule expressions of concern for the environment. Others are passive; they choose not to change their habits and thus become inconsistent. So what they all need is an ‘ecological conversion’, whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. ”
I respectfully request that as the leader of the Philadelphia Archdiocese that you consider the words of our Holy Father and be a protector of God’s handiwork by donating this land for preservation in perpetuity.
CharltonForPA.com
Paid for by Friends of Alex Charlton
I am well aware your obligation to be a good financial steward of the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese has indicated that this property needed to be sold in order to assist parishes because of the financial crisis that has arisen from the sex abuse scandal. A recent victory in the State Legislature will save the Archdiocese tens of millions of dollars in compensation to victims. The need to generate additional revenue by the sale of this property in contravention of Pope Francis’ teachings is offset by these savings.
I close with the following prayer from Pope Francis in “A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation”: “Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sun of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out.”
CC: Delaware County Parishes
Governor Tom Wolf
Senator Robert Casey
Senator Pat Toomey
Congressman Patrick Meehan Pennsylvania Senator Tom McGarrigle Representative Bill Adolph
Delaware County Council
Marple Township Board of Commissioners Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Springfield Township Board of Commissioners Save Marple Greenspace
Charlton Open Space Suggestion Brilliant
That’s great, but do remember that in preserving that space as open space, you now remove it from space that could be developed and taxed. I’m not saying it’s a good or a bad idea, just pointing out the opportunity cost.
While I see your point, I think we have enough space that has been developed and taxed. This area could use some open space and preserving this area would increase the quality of life of those living around it rather than developing yet another area into yet another shopping center.
And don’t forget that while homes and businesses provide tax money they also absorb it.
I like the way you think Rachel. I think your solution would work.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the track record of open space laws. As public costs go up in the community, the burden to pay for those increased costs tend to fall on property owners. Businesses can pick up and move more easily than homeowners. Unless the local property owners are diligent and can hold their municipalities to high standards of fiscal responsibility, they wind up paying for the open spaces. Those restrictions can also drive up the cost of property, shutting out new residents. This scenario has played itself out most notably in several California communities. That’s why I point it out. Yes, open space is nice, but be aware of the potential cost.
Clearly, the only option should be to preserve this land. Furthermore, I agree with Alex Charlton and think that urging the Archdiocese to donate this land is a great idea. The Pope preaches on the mandate to protect our environment and the Archdiocese should heed this advice and donate the land. This is not to mention the tax increases that the entire county would suffer regardless of proximity to the land.
Well , Alex Charlton will get my vote, but I think he ought to cut the Archdiosceses a bit of a break. I think the public would be forunate to get that property at say 50 percent of the assessed value.
I’d love take my pooch for walks through the beautiful setting.
GOP complains about PEOPLE wanting FREE stuff . Practice what you preach.
Yhe Archdiocese provides care for many mentally challenged adults and can use the money. God know the Republicans hate social programs Still entry of privately owned open space in the county, why not ask them to donate their land?
Plenty of privately owned open space it should read. .little keys
Keep it open YES bit pay for it.
God know the Republicans hate social programs
Nobody — Republican, Democrat or Libertarian — hates a program that works. There are those, however, who defend corrupt programs based on lies that have not merely failed to achieve their claimed ends but have actually made things worse. They generally don’t vote Republican or Libertarian.
GOD’S GREEN EARTH With exquisite color and texture He fashioned a masterpiece__Made for our enjoyment, Tranquility and peace. Endless skies are azure With a golden sun so bright; Black velvet to enhance the moon And shimmering stars at night. Adorned with lustrous gardens And mountains quite pristeen__He placed the trees magnificent And rolling hills of green. Every intricate detail Since the moment of its birth Was made for all of us to share….The gift of God’s green earth. C 2007 Terri Johnson. Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees…Revelation 7;3