President’s Letter

Good Neighbors

By Eleanor Ingersoll, QVNA President

Hello Neighbors,

Like you, I too long for a sense of normalcy. We can all reminisce about sitting in a sardine-packed row at the movies or at a local restaurant, laughing out loud next to perfect strangers. Also missed: QVNA community meetings, talking face to face with neighbors, and even meeting new acquaintances. But words like social distancing and staying apart together will be a part of our national conversation for the foreseeable future.

Yet I’m optimistic. Witnessing the mutual support that residents and business owners have been giving to one another during the challenges of a pandemic-filled year is testimony of the resilience of Queen Villagers and is a reminder of the meaning of community. My role as QVNA president allows for a neighborhood perspective that fuels optimism and appreciation for living alongside neighbors who are willing to step up and take responsibility for helping others, thus helping our community.

This issue of the Crier, like our three preceding issues, shares stories highlighting this optimism.

Still for all of its positive qualities Queen Village, like any neighborhood, isn’t perfect. It continues to be a work in progress, fueled by neighborly initiative. Mona Liss’s article on page 4 reminds us all that Queen Village is still plagued by the decades-old bad habit of short dumping: when neighbors leave household trash bags in and around public trash cans. Front Street Rose Garden and Bainbridge Green are just two examples of where this happens—with the repercussions of rat colonies. Also an age-old problem: when dog owners drop bags filled with poop on sidewalks, curbs, and neighbors’ recycling bins. These actions are more than irresponsible; they give rats easy access to food.

Currently, QVNA knows of three rat infestations in our neighborhood. We’re working with the city to reduce our rat population. But realistically, we can’t do this alone. Please stop feeding the rats. Keep household trash at home. And after dog walks, please take the bag home or to a public receptacle. If your neighbors’ actions feed rats, please ask them to stop.

Another quality of life topic: the increase of noise and community nuisance during warm-weather months. Last year, this was the focus of our September community meeting (recording available at YouTube.com/queenvillage) and introduced QVNA’s Neighbor Complaint Form to Report Alcohol-Licensed Nuisance Businesses (on our homepage at QVNA. org). While not a substitute for calling 911, it’s another option to report community nuisance activity at alcohol-licensed businesses (such as loud music or noise from boisterous crowds). Each submitted report notifies the NightLife Task Force immediately and simultaneously. These enforcement officials work along with QVNA, our adjacent business district, and three adjacent civic associations to address these quality-of-life issues.

In early March, NightLife Task Force members met to review the best practices of 2020 and to discuss plans to help mitigate noise and nuisance in 2021. I’ll keep neighbors informed as the season unfolds.

Last but not least, it’s gratifying to see the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination center in Queen Village. Exclusively for patients of Penn Medicine, it is at Theatre of the Living Arts. (Appointment registration information is on page 5.)

Thank you in advance for continuing to wear masks and for doing your part to help improve our collective quality of life.

See you around the neighborhood,

QVNA President Eleanor Ingersoll