Public swearing-in ceremonies are coming up on January 7, 2008 for our recently elected officials.

Magisterial District Judge Stephanie Klein will be sworn in for her third term at 3:00 that day. (Ceremony to take place in the ceremonial courtroom of the main courthouse in Media, 2nd floor.)

Nether Providence Township Commissioner Frank Noyes and Commissioner-elect Matthew C. Sullivan will be sworn in at 7:30 that evening at the Township building, Sykes Avenue.

This letter to the editor of the Delaware County Daily Times appeared in the paper last week. Pat Tillson (6th ward) rightly points out how the Democratic majority on the board has turned around Township governance in two short years.

    Since regaining control of the Nether Providence Board of Commissioners two years ago, Democrats have addressed serious problems that had been largely created and then ignored by the previous Republican-controlled Board.  Today, under the Democratic majority Board, the Township is in solid financial shape.  Long-term maintenance of sewers, parks, and other Township needs is being funded without major tax increases and without drawing down the Township’s reserve fund, which Republicans had raided over the years.  Morale among Township staff has largely recovered from the turbulence of 2004-2005.  That’s when Republicans forced out one employee and their actions appeared calculated to drive out others so they could fill those jobs with their political cronies. The effort backfired, but not before we lost several experienced, hardworking, and capable staff members and paid out thousands of taxpayer dollars in a settlement to one of them.

Control of the Board will be decided in the November 6 elections, as four of the seven seats are up for grabs.  If Democrats are able to win, they will retain control and be able to continue their efforts to reign in development, preserve open space, address storm water problems, improve recycling, make personnel decisions on merit, and keep our taxes under control.  On the other hand, if Republicans take back Board control, we’re likely to see a return to the practices of the past:  no-bid contracts awarded to the politically connected; a short-sighted view of government that puts ward politics ahead of at-large community needs; ever more intensive development; and little or no action on other issues that so many of us care about.

If ever there was an election that could change the character of our community, it’s the one that’s just days away.  I urge everyone to go to the polls to vote on November 6, and consider voting Democratic to keep the good government momentum moving forward in Nether Providence.

Sincerely,
Patricia Tillson

The next in Bryan Lentz’s town hall meetings will take place close by at the Hedgerow Theater. This is your chance to hear an update on a range of issues, as well as to ask any questions you might have of your state representative.

Where: Hedgerow Theater, 146 W. Rose Valley Road [map]
When: Wednesday, September 19, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m

Residents who cannot make it to the town meeting are reminded that Lentz’s district office is located at 630 Fairview Road, Suite 104. You can call the office at (610) 544-7301.

State Rep. Bryan Lentz (D, PA-161) invites all district residents to a town hall meeting. Bryan will hear from constituents and discuss some of the critical issues recently debated or coming up in Harrisburg, including mass transit funding, energy independence and legislative reform. He will also be discussing his proposal to create a Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Airport Authority to help relieve the overcrowded air traffic at Philadelphia International Airport.

Where: Ridley Municipal Building, 100 E. MacDade Blvd, Folsum. [map]
When: August 30, 2007, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Residents who cannot make it to the town meeting are reminded that Lentz’s district office is located at 630 Fairview Road, Suite 104. You can call the office at (610) 544-7301.

* * * *

Update: The Delco Times covered the town hall meeting, which ranged over a variety of issues.

What: Town Hall Meeting on Iraq
When: Thursday, August 16th at 6:30 pm
Where: The Science Center, Room 101, Swarthmore College.

Congressman Joe Sestak will hold a town hall meeting on Iraq. He plans to give brief remarks and then take questions from the audience. The event will be open to the public and press.

Directions: From Rt. 320 North, turn left onto Elm Avenue. After the first stop sign, proceed to the stone pillars on your left. Turn left onto Whittier Place. Cross several speed bumps. Park in the large visitor’s lot on your right. The Science Center is the huge building right next to the lot.

This Sunday (8/5/2007) at 11:30, the NBC-10 News Live @ Issue program will focus on the controversial FAA airspace redesign. Both Congressman Joe Sestak and State Representative Bryan Lentz are expected to appear.

The FAA released its final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) in the Federal Register on August 3. Within 30 days, the FAA can issue its Record of Decision. Implementation of new flight paths would take at least 8 months. By that time, the Government Accountability Office will have released its study of the process. Congressman Sestak has this to say on the issue:

“I have worked aggressively with leaders in Congress, as well as with those at the state and local level, to address the concerns my constituents have over the noise and environmental impact of this redesign,” stated Congressman Sestak. “I’ve said all along that the FAA’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement is based on flawed models and assumptions. The study conducted by GAO will give us the investigatory results for stopping the FAA Airspace Redesign Project in its entirety. This GAO report will serve as an accountability study of whether a true cost-benefit analysis was done, and will serve to halt this project until a proper analysis is done, forcing the FAA to look at other options because Congress is now provided with an objective government study outlining why this process is flawed, forcing it to be ended.”

In the meantime, Rep. Lentz is advancing his proposal for a regional airport authority in Harrisburg. The transportation committee held a public hearing at Ridley High School on July 23rd. His legislation, H.B. 1182, has bi-partisan co-sponsorship from legislators throughout suburban Southeastern PA. The legislation would create a regional approach to planning and operations among the area’s airports. The authority would also coordinate with neighboring state authorities.

* * * UPDATE * * *

The full program on the FAA/Philadelphia Internation Airport can now be viewed online.

Fast on the heels of the Money Magazine “Best Places” announcement, more kudos poured in today for Nether Providence. The Sierra Club and Smart Power held a joint news conference today to celebrate the commitment of the Nether Providence Commissioners to find local solutions to curb global warming emissions.

As a Cool City, Nether Providence will join the more than 600 municipalities nationwide who have signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. As part of the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign, the township is joining 23 leading municipalities in southeastern PA who have committed to purchasing and promoting clean, renewable energy. The township will move from commitment to real action that will re-energize its community with proven innovative local energy solutions such as cleaner car fleets, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“We are proud to be the first community in Delaware County to become a Cool City and participate in the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign,” said Lin Axamethy Floyd, President of Nether Providence Board of Commissioners. “Together these initiatives provide a winning combination: saving local dollars and doing what we can to curb global warming.”

State Rep. Bryan Lentz (D, PA-161) invites all members of the district to a town hall meeting. Bryan will talk about a lot of the current issues before the House, including public transit and healthcare reform. This is also an opportunity for other concerns and questions to be addressed.

Where: Rutledge Borough Community Center, 212 Unity Terrace
When: July 12, 2007, 7:00-9:00 PM

**UPDATE**

An emergency session to approve the final version of state budget will require Bryan’s presence in Harrisburg on July 12. As a result, the town hall meeting has been rescheduled. Here are the new details:

Where: Ridley Municipal Building, 100 E. MacDade Blvd, Folsum.
When: August 30, 2007, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Residents who cannot make it to the town meeting are reminded that Lentz’s district office is located at 630 Fairview Road, Suite 104. You can call the office at (610) 544-7301.

This is strictly non-partisan news, but it’s a nice story about the Nether Providence government at work, so it’s worth noting here.

On the evening of June 15th, the Nether Providence Board of Commissioners held a dessert reception at the Helen Kate Furness library to thank all Nether Providence residents who volunteer their time to our community, including service on the Township’s various committees, boards and commissions. Over 45 people enjoyed some sweet treats and the chance to meet other residents who shared their enthusiasm for our community.

Especially noteworthy was the presence of Mervyn Harris, currently on the Historical Commission. Mr. Harris has served on nearly every imaginable volunteer capacity in his over 50 years living in Nether Providence. Thank you, Mr. Harris!

The event was also an opportunity for the gathered to meet our new assistant township manager, SheaBrianna Christilaw, most recently of Upper St. Clair, PA. The assistant manager’s position was eliminated by the previous board, but was reinstated by the current board. The Township employees have quite a workload to manage, so it’s great to have Ms. Christilaw on board to help keep things running smoothly.

Congressman Joe Sestak has found a way to slow down–and possibly halt–the FAA’s plan to send low-flying planes over Delaware County. Sestak, along with Robert Andrews (D-1, NJ) have persuaded the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) that there was sufficent cause to launch an investiagtion of the cost effetiveness and unadressed impacts of the FAA plan.

While the GAO’s investigation will only result in a non-binding report, a finding of serious flaws would give Sestak and other legislators much better leverage in withholding funds from the FAA for the project.

Sestak was quoted in the DelcoTimes:

“Without question, if the GAO’s report shows a flawed outcome, Congress can go over it and decide to stop the project or begin an entirely new process,” Sestak said.

“Our studies have shown that the FAA’s plan was poorly thought out and has little results, and I think that’s exactly what the GAO is going to find.”

Additional reporting on the GAO investigation can also be found on nj.com from the Gloucester County Times.