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COMMUNITY VISIONARY AWARDS
3-13-2011
Community Visionaries: Showing off their "reusable" awards from Transition Cheltenham are from left: Steve Strahs, Citizens Call, online local news; Diane Williams, LaMott Community Garden Group; Susan Myerov, Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership; Bill Mettler presenting the awards on behalf of Transition Cheltenham; Olga McHugh, Cheltenham Chamber of Citizens; and Cynthia Blackwood, Friends of High School Park and co-chair of Arts in the Park. Not pictured is John Dunphy, We the People of Cheltenham. The recipients were honored at the March 13th Launch Party.
Community Visionaries Named
Transition Cheltenham's mission is to foster a resilient, sustainable and connected community to face the economic, environmental and energy challenges that lie ahead. In keeping with that theme, they recently named 6 groups that are already underway in these endeavors. They will be honored May 13th, at Transition Cheltenham's grand Launch Party - a Potluck Banquet with music, as well as fun and learning activities. These individuals and their groups do a great deal to enrich our community" said Bill Mettler, founding member of Transition Cheltenham. "We hope to match our efforts with theirs."
Olga McHugh, of Cheltenham Chamber of Citizens (CCC), said the group formed initially around the Septa Garage issue at Jenkintown-Wyncote station. “After experiencing that process, we believe that there is a crucial need for citizens to have more meaningful participation in the decision making that ultimately effects the quality of their lives.” Working across many issues, CCC advocates for transparency and responsive representation in local and regional matters, in addition to keeping a large segment of the community informed of local and regional matters.
To further improve awareness and involvement, Steve Strahs has just launched Citizens Call (www.citizenscall.net), an online community news site. Citizens Call invites citizen participation and covers all facets of community life in order to inspire community dialogue and promote more accountability in governance, including, for instance, election reform.
Diane Williams, as acting president of the La Mott Community Garden Group, is working with the group to preserve this nearly two acre community garden in the nationally recognized historic district of LaMott. “ The LaMott Community Garden is a significant green space worthy of protection and a major thread woven into the fabric of the La Mott community” said Diane. Shared by more than 63 families, the land is a non-contiguous lot, deeded and taxed separately from the larger parcel Temple currently has for sale. The group is working to secure the land via Neighborhood Gardens Association, a Philadelphia Land Trust and continues to appeal to Temple University to recognize the 80+ years of garden tradition in this historically rich, predominately African- American community. They also are encouraging Cheltenham Township officials to pursue Open Space and zoning measures to preserve and protect the garden tract.
Susan Myerov accepted the Visionary award on behalf of Sarah RobbGrieco for the Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) . Connecting residents, businesses and government as neighbors and stewards of this local watershed is their goal. Ninety-eight percent of Cheltenham is in this critically important watershed and TTF works to restore its health, using educational, outreach and networking programs effectively.
John Dunphy and his colleagues at We the People of Cheltenham (WTPOC) have begun to demonstrate to township residents some of the ways to have a stronger voice in local government. Because Cheltenham's Home Rule Charter provides the tools that allow residents to participate directly in their government, WTPOC has twice brought questions to voters and plans to be active in that arena for many years to come. The group endeavors to keep citizens aware of the possibilities for real democracy in Cheltenham and, through its support of Democracy School, works to educate the community about our history, our need to be informed and heard, and our participation in local government.
Arts in the Park is a wonderful gathering, featuring largely local artists. Cynthia Blackwood, co-chair of the Friends of High School Park event, accepted the award for her group. In addition to the arts and artisans, juried shows and crafts, residents will enjoy the food, music, plant and gardening features and the grand spirit of community when joyously coming together.
The public was invited to applaud these Community Visionaries on March 13th at Transition Cheltenham's Launch Party, with music, fun and learning activities for all.
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