There will be a contested election for the Greater Bustleton Civic League’s board posts on May 23, and the opposition to the incumbents is organized.
Jack O’Hara, the current vice president, is running for president against John McKeever, the incumbent, and O’Hara is leading a full slate of candidates. McKeever said in an interview that the incumbents are not running together.
All candidates were nominated during the league’s April 25 meeting at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union. Members who were in good standing as of that meeting will be eligible to vote on May 23, McKeever said.
Barry Stucker, the league’s parliamentarian and chairman of the nominations committee, said members in good standing are residents of the 19115 ZIP code, are current with dues as of the April 25 meeting and are at least 21 years old.
Harry Haberkern, who is running with O’Hara, is the only candidate who is unopposed. He is running for O’Hara’s seat.
Maureen Greene is challenging incumbent corresponding secretary Lillian De Krafft. Greene previously had held the post. Incumbent recording secretary Diane Caruso is being challenged by Marlene Markowitz. Bob Hall is seeking the treasurer’s post now held by Joan Rhoades.
The challengers distributed a flier at the April 25 session in which they said they said they want to increase the league’s efficiency and make it more representative of its membership.
Stucker conducted the nominations process. Each nomination had to be seconded and those nominated had to accept their nominations.
Later last week, Stucker said there have been contests for various board seats over the years, but contests for four out of five seats are unusual.
Last year, O’Hara defeated incumbent vice president Myles Gordon. One hundred and one votes were cast in that contest, Stucker said.
McKeever said more than 400 households have membership in the league, one of the Northeast’s largest civic associations. Each household can have more than one voting member, he said. Those elected on May 23 take office in July, O’Hara said.
In other business, members voted to tell the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment they had no position on a request for a zoning variance on the 1100 of Norwalk Road.
Owners of a home on that block need the variance because they want to build a one-story addition, McKeever said. However, since current zoning regulations do not require applicants to present their plans to local civic groups, the owners decided not to do so before the league, McKeever said. He told members that the property’s neighbors are not opposed to the building addition. Greene suggested that, instead of voting to support or oppose the variance, members simply tell the zoners they have no position. That’s the motion that passed.
Rich Simon, the 7th Police District’s community relations officer, told members officers are looking for the occupants of a white van they believe have been involved in several neighborhood burglaries. He said two black men have been seen in the vehicle, which he said might have a black back door.
Simon said the phrase “clean it all” or “clean up” might be on the side of the van. He urged anyone who spots the vehicle to call 911.
Members agreed to award $100 to one pupil from each of the following schools: Anne Frank, Baldi Middle School, Greenberg, Maternity B.V.M. and St. Alberts. The pupils, who will be nominated by their schools for their community service, all must live in the 1915 ZIP code. ••
