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Borough Council Meeting regarding Gladstone Manor Lights
October 19, 2011 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm EDT
In January 2011, Lansdowne’s Borough Manager, Craig Totaro, contacted the GGCA requesting that we schedule a meeting so he could discuss a proposed street light replacement with residents. Since these are an important part of the charm and personality of our community, and since these lights sit inside a homeowner’s property line, we proceeded with notifying residents about and urging their attendance at the upcoming meeting.
On February 9, 2011, Mr. Totaro, met with Gladstone residents to discuss the removal (no longer a proposal but a done deal) of these historic lights and replacement with new lighting. Residents were allowed to vote on color and style for the street light replacement. In response to the obvious displeasure of the resident-attendees, Mr. Totaro suggested that the lights could be given to residents to be repaired and installed at their own expense in their front lawn. He further indicated that the GGCA could conduct a lottery to decide who would receive the lights. These statements were made in front of a roomful of Gladstone residents.
Despite repeated phone calls and emails by the GGCA and individual residents, and nearly 7 months later we have 2 problems:\
- A number of lights have still not been installed due to apparent delays in materials causing us to wonder how closely this project is being managed. Near the Island and on good portions of Mansfield Road and Madison Avenue we have no working lights or no lights installed at all, creating a significant safety concern. Other lights appear to be working sporadically, also creating a safety concern.
- Mr. Totaro now says that the lottery for the street lights was just an idea. He has said that the new plan is to sell the lights to the highest bidder.
Some members of Borough Council are attempting to find an acceptable resolution to this problem. But we also need your help. We have been advised that our concerns will be addressed at the next Borough Council Meeting. It is important that we have as many residents as possible attend to ask questions and show support for this community issue.
Please make every effort to attend the next Borough Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:30pm in Borough Hall located at 12 E. Baltimore Avenue.