I went to the Council meeting thinking that I would hear
about what this leadership group learned at the Delaware County Regional Planning
Commission’s meeting on how to improve the housing market and increasing jobs
in communities. The story was
front-page news on Sunday’s Delco Times.
The Mayors of Lansdowne and Upper Darby were there, to name a few.
Here’s what our Borough officials learned:_________________________________
Yup, that’s right.
No mention of it. I guess
everyone was busy this weekend.
The entire leadership group of this Borough could not muster up enough
‘know how’ to simply get to a meeting of the DCRPC that is meant to specifically
help towns like Eddystone. For all
the talk about jobs, taxes, and revenue, no one wants to actually do something
to improve these areas.
We did get to hear about the WIN Committee, though. And there was a little squabble between
the Chief and Councilwoman Reeves over the alleged ‘comparison shopping’ that
happened with police car maintenance.
There was a long discussion about a stop sign and shrubbery. And we got to see someone who according
to Councilwoman Reeves, has no platform or ideas to help the Borough grow, get
appointed into Kevin Begley’s vacant seat.
Well done.
I actually feel bad for President Pappas. He looks like he is trying to captain
the ship and get it moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, a group that refuses to row the boat in the
same direction surrounds him.
The Borough has serious issues facing it. Housing. Land use.
Maintaining safety. Hiring
police. Attracting residents. Just to name a few.
Yet, we get to go to monthly meetings and listen to reports
on hot dogs and whether or not a pork chop should be taken out of Wal-Mart’s
parking lot. (Here’s a hint for
you on the pork chop issue….leave it alone and go to the other end of the
parking lot. Have the Highway
Department move the concrete barrier out of the entrance point near 10th
street. Access will then be
provided to Simpson Street.
Problem solved.)
President Pappas, and I would venture to say a handful of
Councilors, want to see this Borough thrive; yet, Eddystone’s Republican Party leader
holds them back. Pappas and this
Council have a front row seat to see just how vindictive he can be and how
personal agendas drive everything this so called leader does. Pappas, just like a group of residents
who came together and got something accomplished, not only want positive change
in this Borough. They are willing
to put their personal feelings aside and actually do something about what they
believe to be true. Whether or not
he agrees with ER4PC, that group of residents had the love for this town to
fight for something they believed in, the discipline to stay the course with
their fight, the knowledge to challenge anyone who tried to placate them with
hot dogs and presents, and the endurance to sustain their cause. They worked with state officials, both
elected and employed, they worked with County officials (elected and employed),
and they tried to work with the local government. In fact, they worked with the local government until the guy
who sits in the corner of Borough Chambers started making his mocking ‘done
deal’ comments and harassing the people who were trying to do something
positive for this town.
Those people actually had a vision for Eddystone that
allowed the town to grow into something just a little bit more than what it has
been or is. Just to be clear, I
did not say change Eddystone. I
said grow.
Here’s the thing that Mayor Orr doesn’t want to
acknowledge. The rest of Ridley
has such a poor view of Eddystone, they would rather move into a different
school district than move into Eddystone.
So, when they are losing their houses or moving because taxes are too
high, those people move out of Ridley.
Don’t believe me?
Ask your middle or high school kids what the other kids in school say
about Eddystone.
Furthermore, life long residents continue to move out into
other areas because they are trying to get away from the Eddystone stigma of
being the bottom of Ridley. Don’t
believe me? Ask a lifelong
resident about how the housing market used to be, even in times consumed by a bad
economy. There was always a strong
housing market in Eddystone because there were always kids growing up and ready
to buy homes in their hometown.
The worst part about all of this for Mayor Orr: He knows this is happening and has no
idea how to fix it. He is so far
out of his league and so beyond his personal ability to succeed. Instead of acknowledging his weakness
and asking for help, he simply deflects the conversation to hot dogs and
attacks anyone who contradicts his way of thinking. Thus, he still remains ‘the man’ in his own eyes even though
the rest of us can see that he is nothing more than the ‘Emperor who has new
clothes’ (remember that childhood story of a guy walking around naked?).
President Pappas wants this Borough to thrive. So does a very dedicated group of
people (some elected, some not) who
successfully demonstrated their abilities. Councilman Stewart has stood up for behavior expectations
for employees. Councilwoman
Thompson has argued for fiscal responsibility and workplace expectations. Councilman Paterson brought outside
resources into the Borough and stood with ER4PC members who fought for this
town. I’d even venture a bet that
Councilwoman Reeves would jump on board if there was a majority in place.
We all can see the crossroads at which Eddystone stands; who
is going to be the leader to step up, take the Borough down the proper path,
and allow our community to grow?
Monthly grades:
President Pappas gets a B. I give the man credit for trying. I don’t agree with everything he is saying, but I do think
he is putting forth a good effort.
Yet, there is no mention of any of the larger issues facing the
Borough. He needs to reach out to
the people who want to be involved, despite the feelings of one small-minded
party leader.
Councilman Paterson gets a B. He tried to nominate someone who has served the Borough for
years as a member of the Recreation Board. He is also trying to bridge the gap between this Council and
his neighbors who are shunned by the ‘emperor’ sitting in the corner (notice,
Mr. Paterson did thank all of those people who worked Memorial Day). Unfortunately, he is getting nowhere.
Councilman Stewart gets a B. He is trying to get lines painted on the roads that Sucher
paved two months ago. He
also asks questions with just about every issue that comes up.
Councilwoman Reeves gets a D+. Abstaining from a vote just because you do not want to vote
is not a legitimate reason to abstain.
Stand up and fight for your town.
You wanted to fight the Chief and his ‘comparison shopping’ yet you
won’t fight to put someone strong on Council. Weak.
Councilwoman Thompson gets a D+. Was she there?
Councilwoman Tatiscoire gets a J. Yup, four levels below a big fat F. Missing half of this year’s meetings is
a joke.