First Suburbs: "Pursuing an agenda of change"

From the Norristown Times Herald

Pursuing an agenda of change
MELISSA BROOKS, Times Herald Staff 09/29/2008

A common interest in revitalizing Philadelphia's oldest suburbs brought hundreds of people to St. Patrick's R.C. Church in Norristown on Sunday in an event that ended with Gov. Ed Rendell leading attendees in a rendition of the Philadelphia Eagles' fight song.

More than 500 community leaders representing more than 100 organizations from established suburbs of four Southeastern Pennsylvania counties attempted to shift the focus "from Wall Street to Main Street" as the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project, a nonpartisan, regional coalition of community leaders, unveiled its regional agenda and asked elected officials to join their cause.

Through out the past 18 months community leaders committed to reviving the older suburbs of Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties met in working groups to study and identify issues that most affect the health and prosperity of their communities.

"We are united in this place pursuing an agenda of change," Father William Murphy, pastor of St. Patrick's Church said at the start of the program.

A First Suburbs Project founding member and Yeadon Borough Councilwoman Jacquelynn Puriefoy-Brinkley explained "first suburbs" is a term used to describe communities like Norristown, Ambler, Upper Darby and Lansdowne, older towns that are now "victims of suburban sprawl."

"They're viable, pedestrian friendly communities with parks, trees, churches and synagogues and public transit access," she said, "with problems bigger than we can solve on our own."

A couple of gatherings between community leaders in the past year - a December 2007 summit at Bryn Mawr College and a May 2008 issues convention at Bishop McDevitt High School in Glenside - helped the coalition identify common challenges their towns face: Struggling school districts, diminishing economic development and declining infrastructure.

The DeKalb Street church was packed as First Suburbs Project representatives unveiled their "agenda for change" centered on three policy areas aimed at revitalizing the region, issues that Norristown Councilman Bill Caldwell said are vital to the economic redevelopment of many towns. "We speak with one voice," he said.

Norristown Municipal Administrator David Forrest addressed Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III regarding housing issues.

Hoeffel and other elected officials were asked to seek housing policies and funding streams that help promote greater socioeconomic balance and diversity throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.

First Suburbs also called on Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to create a comprehensive regional housing plan in the next year. Hoeffel committed to the coalition's housing requests and said DVRPC "has not focused on housing, and it is time for us to do so."

John McKelligot, former President of William Penn School District, said schools in first suburbs are inadequately funded, despite the fact that such communities "shoulder the highest tax burden."

He asked state Rep. Nicholas A. Micozzie, R-163rd Dist., and state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D- 153rd Dist., to back a state formula for financing public education that guarantees every school district has adequate resources to provide quality education to students, without overtaxing local residents "to provide what is ultimately a statewide responsibility."

Introducing the third action issue, Jenkintown Borough Councilman Michael Golden said first suburbs can no longer afford to carry the burden of managing water flowing downstream from newer communities into their towns' older systems.

He asked elected officials promote reinvesting in the region's deteriorating storm water and sanitary sewer systems before committing to new investments.

After the issues were revealed, Puriefoy-Brinkley said the First Suburbs Project seeks to "build powerful alliances with state and national government.

"This year is different," she said. "We will not be taken for granted. Because this year we're organized."

Rendell congratulated coalition members for their civic involvement and told them not to become discouraged if initially their goals are not realized. "Civic action is a marathon, not a sprint," he said.

He encouraged First Suburbs volunteers to contact their legislators daily and agreed to set up a meeting between the coalition's leadership and the National Governor's Association. "Your cause is right and just," he said.

There were a few elected officials who called the coalition's agenda items "too general," among them, Rep. Greg S. Vitali, D-166th Dist. and Sen. Anthony H. Williams.

"What are we saying yes to?" Williams asked. "For us to say yes to spending money is, frankly, bogus. We need to talk about how we're spending money."
Puriefoy-Brinkley said the First Suburbs Project's purpose is to make education finance, housing and infrastructure issues a priority now and in coming years. "We depend on the people we elect to serve us to fight on our behalf," she said.

The 600 people who filled the church, according to Puriefoy-Brinkley, represented thousands of active citizens across the region. "When we send you to represent us, we want you to be willing to listen to us. That's what we're asking for; that's what we're insisting upon." The crowd stood and applauded.

Lansdowne Borough Mayor Jayne Young also drew applause when she said, "This is a crisis of Main Street America, not Wall Street.

"Established communities must be supported," Young continued. "They are our most economically and racially diverse neighborhoods.

"A comprehensive regional approach makes the best use of tax dollars, reduces disparities, promotes diversity and ensures good schools. It's about fairness for Main Street, because we are just as valuable as Wall Street."