Why we need real change in Swarthmore
By Bob Small
Swarthmore has many many problems. Some are recent but many are long standing.
All didn’t begin under the current council, but they’ve done nothing to fix it.
Let’s start the list.
EIT — Swarthmore Budget is talking about an EIT (Earned Income Tax). This becomes an extra tax, for those who are not exempt. They have not clarified why we need this.
Cunningham Field — Because Swarthmore College has a “magic money tree”, — not listed on most College maps — it regularly passes funds onto the Borough. The citizens adjacent to Cunningham Field is forcing the College to rethink plans regarding the field. Borough Council has stayed neutral on the subject.
Parking Apps — The Borough has recently introduced parking apps to replacethe coin operated parking meters. This was not announced at the June 8 meeting. There was not a written notice on this subject. We are being forced to use the Parking App, without there being any vote on this issue.
Business District-We now have three bookstores and various places to be served alcohol. Yet we are without a bank among other missing businesses,
Former PNC Bank Site — The former PNC bank stands as a monument to bad planning. Borough council knows what is happening but refuses to answer. It’s easier to find out what’s going on in the Pentagon than why construction has stopped at 31 S. Chester Road.
Little Crum Creek Park Bathroom — A $200,000 bathroom was built at Little Crum Creek Park without any great demand. Now we discover the problem with low water pressure that had to be fixed which required a pump operation. This will involve tax dollars also.
Food Scraps — Then there’s the Food Scraps composting project of which only about a quarter of the public participates. Again, wasted money, to the tune of $150,000. We discover that there are now legal issues and the waste is being driven to Pottstown (46m), rather than Linvilla Orchards.
We will note that almost all the Borough Council members, besides being Democratic, are not working class. The insights gained from working on a regular 40 hour, or more, job are missing. This is unusual in Delco government, but that may be who the College wants to deal with.
And what the College wants…..
We’re not even mentioning the questions of lack of process and problems with secrecy, etc. or the Borough Manager cycle.
