Flak and flapjacks on menu in Cherry Hill

John Ziomek/Courier-Post

By JANE ROH
Courier-Post Staff

One brought photographs of all the strange cars parked around her neighborhood. Another came waving a campaign brochure for the Republican candidates who lost a bid for council last November.
The Cherry Hill residents visited with three council members and a mayor's aide at Ponzio's on Thursday to air their complaints and seek help.

It was part of the township's first "Coffee With Council," which will continue the first Thursday of every month between 8 and 9 a.m. The day and time are up for revision, depending on subsequent turnout.

The first resident who came was a Cherry Hill native who stopped by on her way to work. Employees of businesses around her Kings Highway neighborhood were parking on residential streets, blocking leaf collection and snow removal. She had the pictures to prove it.

"It was an issue she had brought up before, but didn't know where to go with it," said Dan Keashen, chief of staff to Mayor Bernie Platt.

He was there with Council President Dave Fleisher, Vice President Sara Lipsett, and Councilman John Amato. The plan is to rotate council members and mayor's aides available at every session.

Some residents who showed up were "lifers," who are on a first-name basis with council members. That's why Nick Naum, 88, was miffed at the letter he received from the mayor's office informing him he was no longer on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board.

"I really don't give a damn at my age, but who made that decision?" Naum wanted to know.

At the bustling diner, everyone seemed surprised that the 54-year resident and community volunteer wasn't told in person or reached by phone.

"You've been here a long time and you don't deserve that treatment. I agree," Amato said.

Keashen promised to track down an explanation. Council and the mayor approve board appointees every year.

Irene Burke, the board's chairwoman, had been on vacation and Naum hadn't been able to talk to her to find out. When reached later that day, she said: "I don't even know who's on the board until I go to the first meeting."

Back where Fleisher and Lipsett were sitting, Bill Turner wanted to know why the township's road maintenance seemed to be slipping.

"Partridge is terrible. Brick Road's falling apart," said the 75-year-old Fox Hollow resident. "It's the whole township. It's a major concern because it means major bucks. You can't come back and do these roads for cheap."

Fleisher and Keashen assured Turner there was a road renovation program in place and it would be unfolding in stages.

"Certain streets are included in next year's program," Keashen said. "We have a formulaic equation in place -- years between maintenance and, of course, wear and tear of the roadway."

Fleisher, whose parents also live in Fox Hollow, and Turner discussed the streets in the area. And that may ultimately be the point of the monthly exercise: to remind Cherry Hill residents their local officials are their neighbors.

For council members, talking with residents at length about their concerns also might underscore accountability. It's far easier to ignore an electronically transmitted complaint than one hashed out over an egg-white omelet.

"We'll make sure we get back to you with what progress we're making," Fleisher said, as Turner wrote down his name and number.

Rotary Club kept Turner from attending council meetings. He seemed grateful for the opportunity to vent -- which he topped off with waffles and coffee.

"I think it's an excellent idea," he said.

So far, anyway. He promised to follow up on the township's follow-up after taking a reporter's business card.

Also at the diner was Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer. He also plans to hold informal chats with residents, to be held one Saturday a month at an area business. Camden and Moorestown have similar sessions in the works, as well.

Reach Jane Roh at (856) 486-2919 or jroh@gannett.com.

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