Borough Residents Support 3rd St. Compromise

Several residents showed support at last week's Media Borough Council meeting for what has been called a "compromise" on the across the dam.

Media Borough Council voted 4-3 in favor of a one-lane, one-way roadway across the dam in September as residents continued to sit on both sides of the fence regarding the number of lanes and width of the roadway prior to the vote.

Following the vote, Broomall's Lake Country Club filed a contempt of court petition against the borough saying it is in violation of a three-way stipulation agreement to "re-establish" the roadway as it was 16 years ago.

Borough Council President Brian Hall said council has responded to the petition but could not comment on the ongoing litigation.

At Thursday's meeting, several residents spoke to council saying they were not "happy" with the one-way, one-lane decision, however they support this compromise.

Linda Healy, of Media, said the one-lane compromise is somewhat similar to the greenway initiative she supported about a year ago.

Debbie Krull, of Media and the borough's Democratic party chair, said the issue has lasted a long time and was complicated and she commended council for moving forward. Krull also blogged about the compromise here.

Stephanie Gaboriault, of Media and chair of Friends of Glen Providence Park, said the group did not "get what it wanted" in a greenway and removing the dam and a compromise was the narrowest possible road with a pedestrian lane and the one-lane decision is not as narrow as possible.

"So we still didn't get what we wanted," Gaboriault said. "But we recognize that it was a compromise and we support that compromise."

Former Councilman Peter Williamson, who is the borough treasurer and works as a conservationist, said he supports the compromise and said every foot that is saved on the roadway, saves a foot in the park.

"This is a complex problem with a long history," Williamson said. "Several councils have wrestled with this thing and you have the unfortunate task of being handed the remanence of all of that activity and have come up with something, and I think you've done a great job."

Cindy Miller, of Upper Providence, said although she is not a Media resident she attends events and activities at the park often and encouraged those who support the park to actually attend the events.

She said Upper Providence was disappointed that they were not informed of Media's position on the one-lane, one-way decision.

"We (Upper Providence residents) do have a stake in this and you folks know my feelings on this," Miller, who is not in support of the one-lane decision, said.

Two other Media Patch bloggers shared their views against the compromise earlier this month. Tracy Brown Barusevicius wrote here and Jim Cunningham wrote here.