Mister Tredyffrin and Friends

Fellow blogger, Act Local, recently urged readers to use some of that focus and energy we’re expending on the national election to work for change right here in Tredyffrin. Locally, the issues we face not only impact our daily lives but affect the future of this township- like protecting Tredyffrin’s last undeveloped spaces, evaluating redevelopment plans along Lancaster Avenue and their impact on the community, dealing with planned roadway expansions that will encroach on our quality of life, lcoal traffic problems, stormwater issues, school funding etc. All of these affect us where we live.

Just imagine how our community would benefit if more people stepped up and got involved.

For years, one political party has controlled appointments to every board and commission in Tredyffrin. If you weren’t “one of them", you felt marginalized. But times are-a-changin’. Tredyffrin’s diverse mix of well-educated, community-oriented people is a resource many towns would love to attract. As a group, we have a wealth of talent and experience to offer. But as individuals we assume someone else is stepping up.

It turns out that a pretty small group of people are running things around here. Too small. Those who currently serve as supervisors, school board directors, members of the planning commission, zoning board, environmental advisory committee, library board, historical preservation committee,etc., or who are active in a civic or school group, are all investing in our community. And don’t get me wrong - I appreciate the fact that they bring with them dedication and a willingness to work hard on behalf of others. But they also bring their own beliefs, biases and personal agendas. That’s why we need balance and some new blood - to avoid the kind of partisan groupthink that has operated pretty much unchecked in Tredyffrin.

Heres’s a perfect example: this past January, Tredyffrin’s Library Board held a public hearing to respond to a complaint. In their capacity as co-chairs of the Library’s Capital Campaign, Anne Mc Collum, Rod Ross and Paul Olson publicly denounced two Supervisors - the only Democrats on the Board of Supervisors- for not contributing to the library’s Capital Campaign. Mc Collum and Ross wrote a sharply-worded letter to the editors of the local papers, and co-chair and Supervisor candidate Paul Olson placed his own campaign ad containing their letter in the same newspapers - all within days of the November election. The gist of the letter- those who didn’t contribute to Tredyffrin Library’s Capital Campaign were unworthy of public office.

Aside from the questionable ethics of using proprietary knowledge of contributors - including anonymous donors, as the basis for this charge, Olson, McCollum and Ross breached IRS rules that specifically prohibit tax-exempt organizations and those who represent them, from influencing elections. Not to mention, the arrogance of suggesting which charitable organizations are required giving for public officials.

When confronted with these facts, members of the Library Board backed away from their responsibility to repudiate such conduct. Though one Library Board member viewed the actions of the Capital Campaign chairs as protected free speech, others found fault with the chairs’ conduct but would not support taking any punitive action.

My point here? This board lacked the independence and courage to act in the public’s best interest, as is its obligation. Perhaps because each member been appointed by a Republican Board of Supervisors. Or maybe because of a bullying presence at the meeting. TTGOP chair John Alexander and Supervisors Warren Kampf and Bob Lamina were there to speak in defense of McCollum’s, Ross’s and Olson’s actions. All characterized the complaint as partisan whining. Mr. Lamina actually pre-empted the public comments portion of the meeting to warn the Library Board that any policy determination they might make should first be brought up “with the Board {of Supervisors} at whose pleasure you serve.” An amusing little joke, or a veiled threat? You decide. (More on Mr. Lamina’s questionable ethics in a future post….)

So it was no surprise that the Library Board folded under pressure. Their only decision? To form a subcommittee on “information in fundraising” to set policy for future fundraising efforts. Personally, I’m not holding my breath on that one.

…I am struck sometimes by the reality that many of our elected and appointed officals are so tied by partisan loyalties that they simply cannot represent the township’s best interests. Don’t you agree that we need more independent thinkers who have our whole community in mind?

Please add your voice to the public discourse. Write letters to the local newspapers. Attend township meetings (find dates and times at www.tredyffrin.org) and be heard on issues that concern you. Consider serving on a committee, seeking a municipal board appointment, or running for office if you have the stomach for it. At least give it some serious thought in this season of hope, change and a “different kind of politics".

Last year I would have been pleased to consider Pennsylvania moving primary day to earlier in the calendar year to give local voters a greater say in selecting presidential candidates. I’m not in favor of a national primary day, but Iowa and New Hampshire are afforded way more political sway than they are entitled to.

The Pennsylvania primary has unexpectedly become the next great focus of Obama and Clinton, and I’m still less than pleased. I guess it’s be careful what you wish for. I’m glad to have a meaningful say in the process, but I really wish it was already decided. The Democrats are playing a risky game without one clear candidate in the lead, ready to start the general election.

I would prefer a nominee by now even if it would mean that my vote on April 22 wouldn’t really count. There’s a lot of uncertainty at this moment and it is difficult to foresee how the Democratic nomination is going to sort itself out.

The situation is definitely cloudy. Maybe there’s a silver lining.

Cloudy

• Clinton and Obama may beat up on each other so badly that the Democrats enter the general election with a scarred candidate. Remember how the 76ers and Celtics sometimes fought each other so fiercely that the tank was empty when it was time to battle the Lakers for the national crown? I’d hate to think that the negativity will be fodder for McCain and that the Democratic nominee is seriously wounded before the general election begins.

• Who’s going to have time to pick a Veep? McCain has months to vet a running mate. He can throw a lot of names against the wall and see what sticks. Obama and Clinton may have as little as two days after they have the nomination before a vice presidential candidate needs to be nominated. And it’s worse than that. How does Clinton or Obama approach someone in the opposite camp at this point? Whoever they talk to might feel like a traitor to even discuss such a possibility in advance. It could be like giving up on your own side. Yet, more than geographic or any other kind of balance, wouldn’t it make the most sense for either candidate to pick a running mate that their primary adversary’s partisans would be comfortable with?

• Ill will. I’m really much less concerned that Obama and Clinton will wound each other than I am that their partisans will become disenchanted. I’m confident that Clinton and Obama supporters will vote for the Democratic nominee regardless of who it is. I’m much less confident that they will work their tails off for anyone other than their current hero. There won’t be any gimmes in November. We need everyone energized and doing their part way before November 11. If anyone sulks for long or sits the race out in September and October, McCain will literally have a field day in November.

Silver Lining

• The Democratic race is monopolizing the bandwidth. After each party has their nominee, newspapers and television will tend to give each side fairly equal amounts of coverage. Right now there’s only one race, so Obama and Clinton are getting more coverage than McCain. There is only so much oxygen in the press room. Clinton and Obama are news and newsworthy; McCain is much less so.

• Obama and Clinton are becoming battle tested. At this point, they don’t have to answer anything that they won’t hear again louder, more pointed and nastier in the fall. It’s like a series of practice exams before the final. Their primary experience will make them better in the general election.

• Record turnouts. Past performance is the best predictor for who will vote in an election. The Democratic primaries have seen a record number of first time voters. In November, they should all become second time veterans of the process.

Next - Part II: Who Act Local is Voting For

            A.L.  11 March 2008

So here is a small piece of irony for you.

It turns out that reporter Dan Kristie, recently moved from the Main Line Life to the Daily Local, and yet still publishing articles in all three local newspapers, has… wait for it… started his own blog! Yes, you heard me right. A blog.

All kidding aside, I look forward to seeing what Dan has to say when he is slightly less shackled to editor opinion and the burden of a journalistic mindset. Dan and I have enjoyed a bit of an email exchange lately, and I’ve begun to better understand some of the decisions he made in writing the pieces that I reveled in berating last Summer and Fall. It could be that he may also see the world a little bit easier through a local blogger’s eyes, as well. We still disagree on a lot of things. But there is more of an… understanding. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how deep he digs and in what direction when wearing his blogger’s hat as opposed to his journalist hat.

So, without further ado, check out Daily Local Dan at the Daily Local web site.

Best of luck, Dan.

Why Act Local?

Think Globally, Act Locally was a common t-shirt and bumper sticker slogan in the 70’s, with its roots going back to the Friends of the Earth, an environmental group still active today. Not quite as eternally relevant as Question Authority, it’s still important and a personal favorite.

Like many people, my interest in politics – what I like to think and talk about – centers on international and national issues: global economy, foreign affairs, diplomatic and military action (I’m no pacifist, but please, diplomacy first), the freedoms guaranteed in our Bill of Rights, liberal society. And these are the issues I hope to blog about.

The question for us is how do we take ideas & ideals and get them translated into policy. That’s where local politics becomes important. We live in a representative democracy. We can skip the high school civics lesson and just remember it’s all about electing people who will work towards the policies and goals you find important.

Interested in immigration policy; the effectiveness of the surge; whether the Democratic presidential candidates will harm each other sufficiently to elect John McCain? Great! Want to do something about it? Help organize our precincts right here in Tredyffrin; support and elect our local candidates; build a grassroots base. I chose the moniker Act Local because it all starts here. As we think and discuss (I hope future posts will elicit an occasional comment) the big picture, I will be careful to remember that our work is right here.

            A.L.  1 Mar 2008

Tony Auth’s cartoons have been gracing our Philadelphia Inquirer for many years, and George W. Bush’s tenure has provided him with a target-rich environment. This recent Auth image has been sticking with me, because it sadly and so deftly sums up W’s legacy.

Okay, maybe you’re one who prefers facts and statistics, rather than a satirist’s snapshot.

Take a look at this chart from the staff of the House Democratic Caucus, comparing our national health when Mr. Bush entered the White House to conditions as he prepares to exit. (Click chart at left for detailed view and sad comparison.)

And the next occupant of the White House? What an inheritance. With the looming Bush legacy and the current President’s approval ratings scraping bottom, most of the candidates of both parties have taken pains during the primary season to distance themselves from the President’s program, …except for one steely character whose relationship to the President is captured in this recent video from the Democratic National Committee. …Sure, Valentine’s Day has passed, but the kiss lingers.