The issue of handicapped parking spots, which has divided Fountain Hill Borough Council recently, cropped up again at the end of their Oct. 7 meeting. A bid for a handicapped spot in the 1100 block of Broadway had been denied last month because the applicant had a handicapped placard, but not a handicapped license plate as required by the borough ordinance. Though the requirements to get a handicapped license plate or a handicapped placard are identical according to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Fountain Hill Resolution No. 2004-001, which implemented rules for the handicapped parking ordinance, states, among other requirements, the applicant must have "handicapped placard license plates".

The applicant asked for a waiver of the license plate requirement at the Monday meeting. Councilmember Norman Blatt said that he would like to grant a waiver, but Council President Larry Rapp and Councilperson Fred Capuano said a waiver could only apply to the cost of the handicapped parking space application and not other requirements. Capuano stated the situation was not ideal, but "it is the law".

However, Ordinance No. 686, which established the procedure for obtaining handicapped parking spots, states in "cases of hardship, Borough Council may grant a waiver upon request from any section of this ordinance" and gives the council leeway to establish the "standards and procedures" to process waiver requests. Both the resolution and the ordinance were passed Jan. 5, 2004 earlier in Rapp's tenure as council president.

Blatt responded to Capuano, saying council should change the law, and asked for a vote. Rapp responded, "It's not on the agenda," to which Blatt said he would motion to put it on the agenda. Rapp asked each council member if they would like to change the law, Blatt and Councilperson Carolee Gifford supported the motion, but it failed 5 to 2.

"Handicapped people are not treated equally," Blatt said, adding that the council was on record voting not to change the rules.

rules.

Rapp called Blatt's actions "grandstanding" and said he should not "pull this bull in front of everyone." Rapp called for the meeting to adjourn to the executive session, which is not open to the public.

Earlier in the night Michelle Geiger and Theodore Kiskeravage were sworn in as part-time police officers by Fountain Hill Mayor Jose Rosado. Their families were in attendance. They are expected to begin their duties immediately. Rosado concluded by wishing the new officers "the best of luck in our department".

In other business, council received a letter from Annette Kistler, a member of the Jay Allan Fan Club, requesting Moravia Street be renamed to honor Allan, a Fountain Hill resident and Elvis impersonator. Rapp said renaming a street is "a very expensive proposition," citing the changes that would have to be done with the post office and GPS navigation systems. Capuano added Moravia Street stretched the length of the borough and the cost of new street signs would be significant.

Gifford agreed, saying, "I live on Moravia Street and I don't like that idea." Rapp suggested there might be another way to honor Allan and said council would deny Kistler's request.

The portion of Church Lane behind the Via Thrift Store is becoming a one-way street following an ordinance unanimously passed by borough council. Rapp said there had been "a lot of close calls".