Money Doesn't Talk -- It Swears

In Much Ado About Nothing, I gossiped about the latest diversion in Chestnut Hill, with the local "real estate magnate" providing a source of amusement for some people (me, at least). Of course, once I covered the issue, the Inquirer decided that the story was obviously worth reporting.

Noting "Chestnut Hill groups are in a tizzy over developer," in Local antihero signs up enemies, Natalie Pompilio covers the controversy:

Snowden is the area's highest profile landowner and the managing partner of Bowman Properties, the company that owns the sign-bearing real estate. His name - often preceded or followed by obscenities - is the one scrawled across some of the signs and is hissed at by those who forcibly remove them. Most of the signs have been placed on vacant properties.

The oversize boards seem to be harbingers of Snowden's continuing love-hate relationship with the community his family has called home for generations, and which has taken one of its dark turns.

Reached by cell phone last week, Snowden said he does not speak to The Inquirer but would have his company send a statement. Bowman Properties then issued the following on company letterhead:

"While it is not the practice of the Bowman Partnership to comment publicly on business matters, the current marketing effort reflects a repositioning of our Chestnut Hill real estate portfolio to reflect the leadership and support of the community's various organizations."

The man is obviously a Republican. That statement is pure spin-speak for I'm going to have a temper tantrum and take my toys and go home. I will also teach Chestnut Hill a lesson it won't forget. Rehashing the incident over the series of articles about Snowden in the Local that is the source of his pique, the Inquirer adds:

What Snowden wants is an apology, printed on the newspaper's front page, above the fold, with specific language. He also wants the newspaper to agree not to write about him, his family or his business dealings.

One 2004 draft of the apology, obtained by The Inquirer, includes sentences such as, "Mr. Snowden believes that he was unfairly criticized by this most recent story and a series of reports on his business within the past three years... . The Local regrets any impression that it may have conveyed to suggest that Mr. Snowden or his company are anything but respectable and responsible members of the Chestnut Hill community."

Ron Recko, president of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, said the organization and the newspaper would not be "extorted" by Snowden's demands.

"He says he wants respect. How can you respect a person who wants to destroy a neighborhood?" Recko asked.

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Coincidentally - or perhaps not - the first signs went up just hours before the Chestnut Hill District launched "AbZOOlutely," an exhibit that features sculptures of about 50 animals, each decorated by local artists and placed throughout the neighborhood.

The event drew a crowd that included residents, politicians and local television stations.

"Mr. 'I love my neighborhood,' Mr. 'I'm so concerned with historic beauty,' puts these ugly signs up to distract from the day," said Paul Roller, owner of Roller's Restaurant at Flying Fish, a Germantown Avenue staple.

Roller said the signs weren't pretty and customers asked him about them, but he didn't think they hurt his business. Still, he's not happy with Snowden's tactics and he's not afraid to say so publicly.

"A lot of folks up here are scared of [Snowden]," Roller said. "He's not worth being scared of. As Bob Dylan says, 'Money doesn't talk. It swears.' "

Notwithstanding the kick I get out of making fun of this guy, John O'Connell of Weichert Realtors, McCarthy Associates, put it in the right perspective:

"I am constantly reminded that there are children in this city who aren't getting a proper education, who go to bed hungry. Look at the violence we have here," O'Connell said. "My guess is Richard Snowden lives a life of great comfort. His problem with a small community newspaper pale in comparison to people in this city who have real problems."

Tags: Philadelphia, Philly, Chestnut Hill