It always puzzles me when I see and hear people lament controversy and seek a return to nothing but happy talk, whether it’s about their town, their particular interest group, or about some relationship. The Titanic might be sinking, but they just want to gaze at the majestic iceberg in the water. Those of you who just want “everyone to get along” or to stop saying bad things about Jenkintown truly need to get your heads out of the sand. In the face of recent events, your choices are these: lead, follow, or get out of the way.
I too love, or at least desire to love, this little town. It is a special place in more ways than one. However to live here with blinders on does this community a grave disservice, especially when the main source of the problems here comes from our own government. The abuses and incompetence of Borough Hall simply cannot be ignored any longer. As homeowners and taxpayers, we ALL should be concerned and not be afraid to speak out against what is happening. Because YOU might be next.
In the 15 years I’ve lived here (so far), the one thing that continues to bother me is the underlying fear that so many have expressed to me of Borough Hall. People do not want to speak out because they do not want to get in the Borough’s crosshairs. I get that. I suppose with all that’s happening to Peggy and Dave Downs, who could blame them. The last thing I want to do now is improve my house in any way because of the permits it will require and the hassle I expect to get. If you don’t think that Sean Kilkenny and the gang aren’t trying to make an example out of them, you are kidding yourself.
I don’t know about you, but I’m simply not the type to bend over and take it. I grew up in a hard scrapple household with a single mother who fought her way through life. She was a hell-raiser, a union maid, and at times a determined battle-axe of a woman who did not always do what she was told. She was a high school drop-out who would eventually graduate from college at 49 with a degree in education. So, no, I’m not going to be quiet when I see good people wrongfully targeted by government abuse.
I know there are plenty of others here in this town who get this, who are more than a little sick and tired with our government’s activities, but you have to speak out now. I would also urge you to reach out to the media or any other organization you know of that might take an interest in delving deeper into this matter and others.
A couple of years ago, the National Geographic’s website published a charming piece about our “Big Hearted” town. That may indeed be true, but failing to consider the flaws in that heart makes the story a lie. Not everyone here is happy with what’s going on. Besides the negligence of our government, people leave here because they can’t pay the taxes. Some of that is not under our control, but much of it is.
Jenkintown is slowly but surely becoming an enclave for the wealthy on one side and a transient “community” of renters on the other. If you think it’s bad now, just wait another ten years.
