LOL! Round Radnor gets two thumbs up for new acronym NIMFY, which is "Not In My Front Yard"...this is of course kissin' cousin to NIMBY , or "Not In My Back Yard".

Another VERY interesting point is the point RoundRadnor makes about residents not coming to life and getting involved until there is a bulldozer at their door.....however, this NIMFY thing which surrounds a sidewalk debate near the St. David's train station is so ridiculous isn't it? Aren't they in fact discussing sidewalks that will be placed in a public right of way? Why is Radnor even having this discussion? Seems silly and a waste of money. If it is a question of public safety, shouldn't they just be able to do it? Like a speed hump or a new stop sign?

Round Radnor: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Commish Meeting 6/16/08

This was a lengthy meeting due to a discussion regarding the installation of sidewalks along Chamounix Rd from the Train Station to the entrance of Eastern University. As usual, we got to see some of the more negative aspects of the public (and Commissioners). Included were unsupported claims, revisionist history and dismissal of any thing that doesn't support ones position. I was really taken aback by the suggestion that only the folks in the second ward had valid opinions.

There was one aspect of the discussion by those opposed to the sidewalk and that was the lack of "Process". There apparently was no notice to the affected property owners and no public discussion of the final design for the sidewalk. This being said, I support the sidewalk. I was really fascinated that we have NIMFY in addition to NIMBYs (eg Not in My Front Yard). Commissioner Spingler said it best when he suggested that 90% of folks are in favor of sidewalks but 80% don't want them in front of their homes. This was certainly borne out in the discussions.

Radnor claims to value walkability (particularly in the Wayne-St Davids area) and has included this issue in the Comprehensive Plan. We also have been making efforts to make transit options available so that we can reduce traffic (Transit oriented development, for example). The issue is simply public safety and ease of access to/from the train station....There was another item on the agenda which also had "public involvement" sub-text. This was the approval of the construction of the new park on the D'Antonio tract and Liberty Lane. Several folks commented that they did not know about the construction. In this case there had been plenty of opportunity for these folks to know about the project. There were Ward Meeting, direct contact with many of the neighbors, Parks and Rec Board Meetings, and also prior discussions at Commissioners' Meetings. During my 13 years on Parks and Rec there were more times than I can count where folks did not pay attention until the "bulldozer showed up".

By the way, I did not hear any questioning about the cost of the "comfort station" ($95,000)