First vehicle crosses new Ferry Street Bridge

First car crosses the new Ferry Street Bridge in New Hope (Photo: John Sikora)

A reopening ceremony was held for the Ferry Street Bridge Aug. 23 at 11 a.m., a happy commemoration for a structure so near to the center of the town’s geography and heart. And another step towards the ultimate dream of a working canal bustling again with mule barges.

Restored Murals of Canal Life Add Color to Downtown New Hope PA

Above, some of the recently restored murals depicting life along the Delaware Canal by renowned New Hope PA artist William "Billy" Selesnick. They're located in a small pocket park near the stairway to the Locktender's House off South Main Street in New Hope PA.

His work can be seen here and there on building exteriors throughout New Hope, although Billy now calls Palm Beach, Florida his main home.

New Hope PA Burro Council Ponders Dried Out Canal Problem

According to minutes published on a recent New Hope PA Borough Council discussion of the dried-out Delaware Canal issue, Chairperson Sharon Keiser began by saying: "I would like to ask Council to consider authorizing the payment of up to $7,500 to water the canal from the Logan Inn north from July through October.

"The canal is quickly reverting to nature. Several large trees have fallen across it. Weeds are 3 feet tall in some places. It looks less and less like a canal and more and more like an abandoned ditch.

"If it is not watered this year we will not have water until at least Spring 2011 since the Rabbit Run bridge will be closed next year with a coffer dam restricting any water to New Hope. Who knows what the condition will be by then.

"The impact on New Hope may be severe, recreationally [sic], aesthetically and commercially. Apart from the river, nothing physically defines us more then the beauty and serenity of the canal.”

Sharyn Keiser went on to ask if any Council members would offer a motion, and said one challenge is that the water would cover 2.5 miles of Solebury and only .50 miles of New Hope. Eighty (80%) of the canal is dry at this point, she asseted [sic]. If the canal were to be watered, it would only extend to The Logan Inn due to the leak in the canal south of The Logan.

"Randall Flager stated that the canal is an eyesore at this time." (Nothing gets past Randy)

Claire Shaw stated that "she feels that it would be fiscally irresponsible to spend the taxpayers’ money in that manner especially since the expense serves Solebury more than New Hope."

Sharyn Keiser stated that "there is nothing in the budget for this" and asked the Manager to provide a cost estimate.

John Burke estimated that the cost would be in the range of $7,000 to $8,000 for the shortened season, from the middle of July through the end of October.

Randall Flager ejaculated "what was spent on watering the canal in 2008?!"

Sharyn Keiser stated that the cost was split 50-50 in 2008 with PADEP. The Borough’s share was about $6,000, which covered the period from April to the end of November.

Randall Flager asked "if the Chamber [of Commerce] has requested that the Borough pay to water the canal in 2009."

Sharyn Keiser stated that "there have been no requests from the Chamber or any residents of New Hope and there is one resident who is opposed to it because she is concerned with the fish that will be left behind once it dries up. In the past this resident has physically relocated the fish in the canal to the river."

Randall Flager stated that if the canal can’t be watered down to the Locktender’s House, then he is not prepared to pursue this matter. (Heart of gold, that Randy) Glen Stephan stated that he would like to see water along the entire length of the canal in New Hope and that he would consider contributing to this. (His money or Chamber members' money?)

Sharyn Keiser "stated that the projected time to restore water to the canal is about one year from now."

Annette Rosenberg, 137 S. Main St., keenly observed that "the canal is an eyesore without the water. Something should be done to clean up the canal."

Loretta Johnson, 16 West Bridge, "suggested taking water from the Primrose watershed."

Ed Duffy stated "that someone should organize a fund raising effort to pump water into the canal this year."

Perhaps Mr. Duffy, who is running for re-election to Burro membership next month, should consider taking the $7,500 from the burgeoning budget he helps administer -- one which is spending millions to buy a church for he and his fellow politicos, a path through the woods to a faraway parking lot, and a neighborhood park where kids and pets and trees aren't welcome.

Mayor Keller wished Doro Kerr a happy birthday.

Things Not to Do in Lenape ("The Quarry") Park in New Hope PA

An expensive-looking sign tells visitors what not to do in controversial Lenape Park on Ferry Street in New Hope PA.

Along with no pets, smoking, or evening strolls, the treeless, virtually grassless rock pile of a park provides little in the way of family fun. No swings for kids; this is a park made for speeches at the gazebo by local politicos, not recreation or communing with nature.

Estimated cost of this taxpayer-paid boondoggle? Rumor has it in excess of $600,000, but who knows? One local who saw the initial plans said the goldfish pond alone cost more than $32,000.

Money that could have been spent on strengthening the local economy, creating jobs, and helping support local art.

Any guesses on what that overbuilt, tax-wasting sign cost?

Ricky's Beautiful Garden Along the Canal

Has Third Federal Bank Woken Up & Smelled the Liability? Maybe.

Despite Third Federal Bank's denial of safety issues surrounding unfenced 12-15 foot deep foundations at George Michael's struggling Canal Street housing development in downtown New Hope PA, new fencing has miraculously appeared.

Guess Third Federal Bank finally figured out that the possibility of children plunging to their deaths might be bad for their corporate image, or maybe it was the sagging, shabby look it gave to their already cheesy sign. Could it be George Michael or the Borough realizing that deep unfenced foundations and drops around the site are a hazard to citizens and workers alike?

Meanwhile, despite claims to the contrary, work activity continues at the site. Below, two workers today on a moving platform two storeys up seem to say, "Look, ma! No hands or hardhats!"

Cracks and bulges continue to appear in a wall of the Delaware Canal adjacent to unfilled foundations at the struggling New Hope PA Canal Street housing development.