Neighborhood Networks is a new political organization that aims at liberal political reform. Any time a new organization that talks about reform comes about, established groups get nervous. So I am grateful to the Public Record for giving me an opportunity to set the record straight about Neighborhood Networks. Continue reading
Published in the Mt. Airy Times Express, June 2005 West Mt. Airy Neighbors (WMAN) is just beginning our annual membership drive. This, year, our membership drive is more important than ever. The results of the membership drive will determine the kind of organization we will be in the next few years and beyond. Continue reading
Chestnut Hill Local, June 16, 2005 Many of us involved in public transit issues in Northwest Philadelphia are eager to see the return of the 23 Trolley on Germantown Avenue. Indeed, public transit activists around the world are seeking to create or recreate the trolley systems, which now go under the name “light rail.” Trolleys are much more energy efficient than buses. Each trolley can carry far more people than a bus, while at the same time giving each rider a bit more room and a much smoother ride. Most people prefer riding trolley to buses and evidence from around the world suggests that transit ridership declines when buses replace trolleys. Ridership has declined on the 23 line by at least a third since the buses started running in place of trolleys on Germantown Avenue. Reviving the 23 trolley would be particularly beneficial in Northwest Philadelphia where the trolley could… Continue reading
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 19, 2005 For the first 47 years of my life, I was a law abiding person who never saw the inside of a courtroom. Recently, however, I deliberately violated the law, just as I did last spring. What is this great crime I committed? I put up posters on utility poles for a community festival, Mount Airy Day. Last year, in addition to violating the law with posters for our annual community day, I put up posters for my campaign for state representative in the 198th district. I also was a witness in federal court for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which convinced a judge to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting the city from enforcing its poster ordinance on the grounds that the law likely would be found unconstitutional. Continue reading
After a year filled with the trials and convictions of political officials and bankers for political corruption—and the recent indictment of Councilman Mariano—one might think that the worst ofPhiladelphiapolitics is almost behind us. One would be wrong. For the most serious problem with politics inPhiladelphiais not what’s illegal. It is what’s legal. A great deal of political activity in this city is both entirely legal and morally corrupt. After all, our former treasure Corey Kemp, and his late partner in crime, Ron White, were primarily guilty of impatience and bad timing. There is nothing illegal about trading campaign contributions for government contracts, provided that neither our politicians nor our contractors—whether they are business owners, real estate developers, or lawyers—ever explicitly make such a deal. Nor is there anything illegal about a former political official benefiting from the contractors in return for past favors after he leaves office. Had Corey Kemp… Continue reading
Published in the Philadelphia Public Record, May 2005 Someday—I hope it won’t be long—we will be talking about how, where, and when political activists associated with the Democratic Party revived first themselves and then their party. When we do, I would not be surprised if we point to the victory for advocates of public transit in Pennsylvania last years as one important step towards this revival. Continue reading
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 16, 2004 As a teacher, I know that review sessions are useful, so the end of an academic semester and calendar year is a good time for a review of public transit 101. A final exam is coming up soon, both for our political leaders and for us citizens. We all are in danger of failing. Our semester’s project has been to put pressure on our political leaders to make sure that there are no service reductions or fare increases at SEPTA. That means all of us should be contacting the leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties in Harrisburg, Gov. Rendell and Speaker of the House John Perzel, as well as our own legislators. It is easy to find excuses for not doing our homework. SEPTA is an unloved course for most of us. It often is unresponsive both to low grades and constructive criticism.… Continue reading
Center City Press, October 20, 2004 The crisis in transit funding is real. SEPTA is facing a $62 million deficit for the current year. Without new, dedicated funding for public transportation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, SEPTA will be forced to institute a fare increase of 25% coupled with a gigantic reduction in service of 20%. Weekend service will be eliminated as will much evening service. This, we know, sounds familiar. It seems that SEPTA threatens fare increases and service reductions every year. And every year, at the last moment, SEPTA receives an infusion of funds, its proposed cuts and fare increases are rescinded, and life goes on much as it has before. So why should we believe the threat this year? One answer is that SEPTA was not crying wolf in the past. Other major transit agencies have what is called dedicated funding, tax revenues that automatically go to… Continue reading
Mt. Airy Times Express and Germantown Courier, September 22, 2004. Also published as On Johnson Street, The Issue is Not Race, Philadelphia Public Record, October 7,2004 The current dispute over the West Johnson Street properties has been among the most complicated and contentious issues WMAN has dealt with in the six years I have been involved in the organization. I would like to explain to the communities of Mt. Airy and Germantown what this issue is about and, also, what it is not about. Continue reading