Built to Last: First Suburbs Fights to Keep the Inner Ring Thriving

It's a pretty powerful thing to be in a room with 200 like-minded people, as I found myself in while attending the First Suburbs meeting on Thursday night, April 29.  First Suburbs is a non-profit advocacy group that focuses on issues facing the inner-ring suburbs (literally, the "First" Suburbs) and advocates to make their issues a priority for our elected officials.   
 
First Suburbs focuses on Housing, Infrastructure, and School Funding, since Federal and State policies on these issues tend to favor (and financially benefit) the newer, farther-out suburbs. By promoting the sprawl of these new suburbs, these policies deplete the resources of the older communities that make up the inner-ring suburbs. 

What I find most interesting at these meetings is the tenacity of the First Suburbs membership. Their questions are direct and to the point, they present their issues clearly, and they are not the least bit shy when asking invited politicians to support their agenda. Usually, a politician's choice not to attend a First Suburb meeting in the first place speaks volumes. If you are a smart politician and disagree with the group's policy points, you're probably not going to show up at the event anyway. 

 
Nonetheless, below is a summary of some of the question and answer sessions between these parties at last night's meeting:
 
 
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Question on Housing presented to Diane Lello, Acting Regional Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and John Pickett, Executive Director of the Delaware County Office of Housing and Community Development
 
QUESTION: Will you both work with the First Suburbs Project to make housing equity and mobility a priority in Delaware and Chester Counties by convening representatives of the Housing Authorities to: 1) Explore ways to use existing programs to promote housing choice and mobility, and 2) propose new ways to promote housing choice and mobility including a joint application to HUD for any new programs designed to increase housing choice for low income and families with special needs? 
 

Further, as we explore existing programs we need to look at how the current fair market rent calculations are reducing choice and mobility for section 8 voucher holders. We believe that can and should be changed. Will the HUD office agree to review how the fair market rent is calculated so as to better promote mobility and freedom of choice? 

ANSWER: Yes.

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Question on Infrastructure presented to State Senator Ted Erickson and Representatives Ronald Waters and Bryan Lentz
 
QUESTION: Will you work with First Suburbs to build support with the legislative representatives on the PENNVEST board to create a separate “fix it first” funding mechanism for sewers within PENNVEST?
 
ANSWER: Yes.

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Question on Education presented to State Senator Ted Erickson and Representative Ronald Waters and Senator Anthony WIlliams (via Rep. Waters)
 
QUESTION: Can we count on you to be champions for our school districts and work with us to:
 
- challenge efforts to weaken the formula in ways that undermine our communities?

- advocate to improve the formula so that is also addresses the costs of special education?

- advocate to make sure we have an adequate level of funding without taxing our communities out of existence?

ANSWER: Yes.

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I'm fully aware that there are probably not any elected officials that would come to the First Suburbs meeting and answer “no” to questions like those posed above. However, as someone in the audience with many of those same concerns, I found it very encouraging to hear affirmative answers from the officials present at the meeting. Straight answers are usually a rarity among elected officials, aside from a select few, often at a very local level. And while the succinct Yes/No answers can turn to convoluted grey areas in many instances, last night I heard nothing but resounding a "Yes" in all of their answers. 

I would like to give an big "atta boy" to the politicos that showed up last night. It took courage and conviction, and I really respect that. Nonetheless, I do wonder why a lot of other regional officials that represent constituents in the inner-ring suburbs were not there. Noticeably missing were State Senator Dominic Pileggi, State Representative Nick Micozzie, and State Representative William Adolph. I do realize and understand that our elected officials have a long list of groups that request their attendance and plenty of work to do, but I come from the “must be willing to move a mountain" crowd. So while the three named above probably had a legitimate reason not to be there last night, I do hope that by not being there, they now have an even better reason to be there next time. 

As for me, I can't wait until the next First Suburbs event. I am thrilled that I went last night, and was pleased to see that the meeting was so well organized and ended up being a productive experience for all involved. It is very reassuring to know that the First Suburbs organization, with its massive support, is actually having a positive impact on our inner-ring communities.

Line up your friends for next time! If you are interested in joining a group of folks who love their homes and communities as much as you do at the next First Suburbs meeting, please call or email me. 

 

 

Happening this Weekend in Lansdowne, May 1

The Great Things that Spring Brings

Just a reminder to make sure your calendar is clear for this Saturday. In case you didn't know, this week marks the first really big Saturday of the season in terms of things to do in Lansdowne, so be sure to include some of the events listed below in your plans. Bring your friends, too!

Lansdowne Arts & Crafts Show: The third annual Lansdowne Arts and Crafts Show will take place from 9 am to 3 pm in the North LansdowneAvenue parking lot next to the PNC Bank. Rain date is Sunday, May 2. Enjoy Arts, Crafts, Music, Food and Fun - See what Downtown Lansdowne
has to offer! See our list of artists here.

The Dream of a Darby Creek Greenway Centennial Celebration: This year marks the 100th anniversary for Arthur Shrigley, President of the Natural History Club of Lansdowne, to publicly suggest the idea of a green way of protected and preserved beauty along the Darby Creek. The
Darby Creek Valley Association will honor this by celebrating the continued progress on the development of this greenway at the Twentieth Century Club on Saturday, May 1 from 10 am to noon. more

At The Garden Church: Yard Sale; All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast sponsored by Epiphany House: Fuel up for the big day at The Garden Church, Lansdowne and Stratford Avenues, from 7:30 to 11:00 am. Adults $7, kids 5 to 17 $5, and kids under 5 free. And don't miss the church's Spring Yard Sale, which takes place from 9 am to 3 pm.

Red, White and Bluesy Spring Social

The Union Athletic Association hosts its second annual Red, White and Bluesy spring social fundraiser at 7 pm, featuring live music from the Joe Stephenson Trio and the Overbrook String Band. The $30 admission includes refreshments and a full buffet. Wrap up your day with a night of celebration and good times at the Twentieth Century Club. Proceeds from this event support the Union AA's Fourth of July fireworks and celebration. More info

10 things I love about Lansdowne, in no order really...

1. People: Lansdowne folks are friendly, helpful, and active participants in the community. Wherever you are, you can usually expect a friendly "Hi," even from passing strangers.

2. Food: Regency Cafe, Sycamore, Provisions, Doyle's Deli & Grille, Paul Revere Pizza, My Old Place Bakery, Travers Food Market, Mar-Win Shop n Bag...no matter what you're hungry for, there's something good to eat nearby.

3. Lansdowne Farmers Market: Twenty-six Saturdays filled with local and organic fruits and veggies, live music, and artists. It's a place to socialize, meet new friends, and shop. What could be better? It starts May 29, 2010, so mark your calendars!

4. Lansdowne Arts Festival: Three days of art and music at the Twentieth Century Club in Lansdowne. September 10, 11 and 12, 2010.

5. Lansdowne Arts and Crafts Show: Just days away – Saturday, May 1, from 9 am to 3 pm in the parking lot across from the theater (Google "30 North Lansdowne Avenue" for directions). Over 30 artists out in the fresh air – a great way to kick off Spring in Lansdowne!

6. Walking: A truly walkable community, Lansdowne boasts parks, shopping, dining and some fabulous residential neighborhoods within its one square mile, and is well served by public transit. Want to see the highlights? A walking map is right here. And if running is more your thing, join us for the Memorial Day 5k on May 31, 2010.

7. No Place For Hate: There is not a lot of drama in Lansdowne and we like it that way. We get along, like good neighbors should. No matter who you are, or what you are there is a community group for you, and all volunteers are welcomed.

8. Leadership: Jayne Young is the hardest working mayor in Delaware County! You couldn't ask for a better town cheerleader. She is surrounded by similarly hard-working elected officials, who use common sense when running our community. It's good local government in action.

9. Music: Whether is the Lansdowne Folk Club, the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, music at the Lansdowne Farmers Market and the Arts Festival, or the Lansdowne Summer Concert Series, there's something worth hearing. Most of Lansdowne's musical events are planned by the talented Bob Beach, a living, breathing Lansdowne treasure who even hosts concerts in his house!

10. Communication. We have our own email newsletter, Discover Lansdowne. Written with a healthy dash of wit by one of Lansdowne's finest volunteers, Grace Caputo, the newsletter is funny, sharp and quirky. It's an easy read and and an entertaining way to find out what's going on in town. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Did I miss something? Do you know of a person, place, or event in Lansdowne that deserves mention? Feel free to let me know what you love about Lansdowne!

Clean Up and then the THEATER!!!

There is a good reason to clean!

Lansdowne begins spring with a Saturday clean up of the Central Business District. Come out and help, if you can. Its starts in the Parking Lot at 30 North Lansdowne Avenue (right across from the theater) at 9 am. Bring your gloves, supplies will be provided.

THE THEATER!!!
The Lansdowne Theater will open its doors to an audience for the first time since 1987. For this special night, the a cappella group Straight No Chaser takes to the stage to perform the first of what could be several fundraisers. For more on this exciting event, see the DelcoTimes.com article.

Do you have a story to share about the theater...
Did you go there when you were a kid? Did you make-out in the back row during a movie? What was the theater like? What role did it play in your life? Please share you stories....