We are NOT going to regurgitate last evening’s MUST meeting for the civic associations minute by minute. Actually, for us, the opinion people, this will be short.

Last evening there was a MUST meeting. It was very confusing from jump because it was supposed to be for civics, and there was much confusion over the public attending and participating or attending and NOT participating - just listening. As a matter of fact, the sheer confusion over particulars in parameters caused a lot of interested individuals, in the end, to stay home.

This MUST meeting wasn’t a formal public hearing, ergo, wasn’t televised. Many of us were there as representatives of our various civic associations. Mind you, all of us feel that SAC as a citizens’ group SHOULD be afforded rights to not only attend meetings like this at the township, but be allowed to participate in the actual conversation – not just observe.

Last night, more tough questions were asked about MUST. That leaves you with the distinct impression that because there are so many VALID questions and concerns, why the rush to shove this puppy through? As the press aptly put it last week: Is plan a MUST for Ardmore? We feel folks were also asking why MUST we have MUST?

Last night was also a conundrum because of the developer who was in attendance. Now while no one thinks he didn’t have a right to be there, there are many questions as to why he was allowed to participate and initiate dialogue if this WASN’T a public hearing? Was he there as a civic association member and he forgot to mention that alliance? It’s just a question. After all this is a person, who could possibly hold one of the keys to Ardmore’s future.

What made it worse? If he was going to speak, how the heck could you listen for the President of The Ardmore Business Association’s BIG mouth? Myrna the Myna Bird needs to just SHUT IT once in a while. If she thinks Ardmore is SO bad, why is she here? And also, let us not forget, as president of the business association, what does she do really? Other than self promote? And last night was supposed to be for the civic associations. She has had AMPLE opportunity and has spoken multiple times at other meetings. We know where she stands. After all, it is the same old spiel she prattled over eminent domain and redevelopment plan B, with MUST inserted. Last night, we wanted to hear what the civic associations’ thoughts were. It was their meeting, after all.

Face it. There are no easy answers for Ardmore. There are also no easy answers for MUST. Even if people get accustomed to the idea of MUST, they still can’t wrap their brains around why we NEED MUST, or if MUST is a good solution for any of our towns. Transit Oriented Development is quite possibly a lot of hype, and a trend that might be utterly regretted. After all, the thing is this: TRID, MUST, and TODs are all centered on public transit. We are serviced by an almost bankrupt national rail system (AMTRAK), and an equally questionable local transit system (SEPTA). Is it worth the financial gamble to bet the farm and our towns on entities that could quite possibly cease to exist, or change so drastically due to financial issues that they are not longer viable partners in all this development everyone is so SURE we need?

We still say it’s NOT all aboard for MUST. It is proceed with caution – it’s still slippery rail season ‘round these parts.