Phoenixville Borough Council Re-organization

Phoenixville Borough Council will hold it's re-organization meeting on Monday, January 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 140 Church Street.

The purpose of the meeting is to elect the Council President, Vice-President, and for the appointment of committee Chairmen and members.

Every two years the borough re-organizes after the Council elections, and it's an opportunity to not only change seats, but also change the direction of the borough.

That being said, I'll predict Henry Wagner is returned to the presidency.

Why?

Because the most qualified Democrat member simply cannot assume more responsiblilites at this time and the most qualified Republican won't get the votes.

Clean and simple.

Add to that sad set of circumstances the fact that Wagner won his seat by the skin of his teeth. Approximately one-half of the Middle Ward voted for his opponent, Marc Reber, and if we were to extrapolate the message sent Wagner to one received from town-wide, one-half of the voting residents of Phoenixville quite possibly don't want Henry in Council at all. Yet, because of two flukes, Wagner may sit as president. Bah. Maybe miracles still do happen.

Mind you, under Wagner's term we, in my humble opinion, experienced some of the worst decision making I have ever seen in all my years of political observation. I would go as far as to say the previous Council was the worst Council I have ever seen.

Let's see, we had massive tax increases in the borough, we had a run-away train with the CDC, we saw hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on downtown bling, we saw the abdication of responsibilities of elected officials which were handed over to CDC members, we saw the development of a flawed library plan, complete with the support of a majority on Council, which may have increased safety risks for our children and defintely destroyed the entire area surrounding the library, saw the sale of Second Avenue for $1, witnessed the attempt to sell Prospect Street parking lots for $1, saw $5000 spent for PRIVATE marketing for a "Classic Community" designation, and among other items, the residents will now have to contend with a Parking Authority that doesn't know a parking spot from first base at Doc Kennedy Field.

Does that sum it up? Help me if I've neglected to mention other outrages.

With Wagner at the helm, are we doomed for more of the same? What is Phoenixville's future?

I have never, and let me underscore that point, NEVER seen a Council such as the one finally put to pasture, focus what seemed to be almost their entire attention on the business community in Phoenixville, as this one has.

Thankfully, we have new members coming on board for 2010.

Although the first vote may not show bi-partisanship, if my perceptions are correct, we may finally see the first break in the infamous 5-3 votes on Council.

In fact, there is the possibility we may see Mayor Scoda break more ties than in the past.

I sincerely hope that the new members will display individuality and not play the age-old "follow the leader" game. Private agendas have no room here. Phoenixville deserves strong, independent representatives willing to slough off the persistent political barrage to come.

I also sincerely hope that the new members are politically astute and understanding of the fact that they may be courted, flattered, mollycoddled, on everyone's A list, and otherwise "guided" by skilled maneuverings by anyone who wants something.

On the other hand, I would like to believe the nets that may have already been cast are already disolving, and the offered trinkets snatched by recipients as they turn about and chart their own course on the good ship Phoenixville.

To all the residents of Phoenixville, I wish you a safe, healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!

I also wish for a Council passionate about and focused on the needs and requirements of the residents of our town, I wish for meetings filled with heated discussion on the issues which affect us, I wish for debate and a display of intelligent understanding used when reaching decisions.

Phoenixville deserves no less.

And, lastly, I wish for a Council which cares about the people of our town.