Biden Bucks In Swarthmore Pa
By Bob Small
There’s always something to learn at your local Borough Council Meeting. We learned at the July 26 Swarthmore Borough Council Meeting that the Feds have allocated us $664, 230.82.
Now, according to the US Department of the Treasury, these funds can be used to “address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency” and “replace lost public sector revenues”, among other generalities.
Like many communities, we have a volunteer fire department. They could use some monies. Our police department is funded, though they could always use more. (They don’t need their own tank, though.) The Library and some of our Senior Groups always need additional funding. And, of course, our business community will all be vying for their share of the Biden Bucks. The new vaping shop will apply but that money could go up in smoke.
Luckily, we do not have an Antifa or Proud Boys Chapter in Swarthmore, as they might also try to apply. (I’m not suggesting formation of either for these purposes.)
I’m somewhat regretful that I’ve retired from coordinating any Political Forums or Poetics, which means I’ll miss out on this magic money tree.
A direct quote, says that within these overall categories, five overly broad categories, “recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities” (home.treasury.gov)
Outside of a child’s allowance, when are monies issued without some guidelines?
I still remember hearing my parents say “Now, Bobby, don’t spend it all on cookies and beer.” (We lived in Northeast Philly.)
You don’t just give monies to local government. That involves a level of trust that most local government has yet to earn.
These are monies meant to earn approval ratings and votes, nothing else.
Bob Small is a resident of Swarthmore, Pa.
Biden Bucks In Swarthmore Pa
