Déjà vu all over again in Marple

To the Times:

To borrow a phrase from that great 20th Century philosopher, Yogi Berra; “It’s like Déjà vu all over again.” Marple Township and beyond, here we go again! The obliteration of a living ecosystem at the Don Guanella site for outright American greed. The first attempt to destroy the site was by Goodman Properties (ultimately sent packing … Bye, Bye Bruce!). Now it’s Carlino Commercial Development with yet another proposal for a ginormous blacktop beast for your shopping pleasure.

To what end for our community you may ask? Intolerable snarled traffic and the din of traffic noise seven days per week. Environmental destruction coupled with increased pollution contributing to the exacerbation of respiratory conditions and other maladies. Crime, pressure on our infrastructure and years of discombobulation caused by the site construction. Also, for those of us residing near the proposed Carlino blacktop beast, the ruination of peace in our own neighborhood.

The Marple residents’ clarion call throughout this Don Guanella ordeal has been: “We do not need nor want another intrusive shopping center in our community. Preserve this precious piece of nature!” In fact, this sentiment pervades far beyond the boundaries of Delaware County as well. Alas, with the Carlino proposal currently on the table we are back to square one.

There are copious layers to this debacle. A quick response to three germane issues:

For those who reject the reality that sustained human activity has a deleterious effect upon our fragile living planet, I have a simple experiment for you. Remove the air filter, fuel filter and oil filter from your automobile. Drive around for six months. Have your car checked out by your mechanic. Report the damage to us.

Greenspace, trees, waterways and biological processes are the Earth’s filter system. Persistent encroachment will ultimately result in our own demise.

I have heard the term “Smart Development” (a.k.a., “pro-development”) bandied about by public officials. Really? Smart Development in 2018? LOL! Delco, we have crossed the threshold from smart development to dumb development decades ago. We need to be thinking in terms of “Smart Preservation.”

Lastly and respectfully, to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The sign located at the corner of Reed Road and Sproul Road identifies the Guanella site as “Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery” with a crucifix above the inscription. I am assuming as all-Catholic Cemetery that this is consecrated ground. Selling this hallowed ground to a commercial interest would seemingly be in direct conflict with the biblical narratives, “Cleansing of the Temple / Jesus and the money changers.” Please avoid transforming this consecrated ground into “a den of thieves” by maintaining its divine purpose. Raymond A. Cerio Jr., Broomall