Here are the minutes from our last meeting.

 
Meg
 

Meeting Minutes
October 28th 2009
 
Our October meeting was a "Meet the Candidates" event.  There were many speakers from a variety of different positions and neighborhoods.  The candidates each introduced themselves and spoke briefly about there platform as follows:
 
Art Haywood who is running for Commissioner of 2nd ward of Cheltenham Township was the first speaker of the meeting.   He has been spearheading community meetings to get information on what the people in Cheltenham want and how to progress to the future.  Art has been working to get the pulse of all of Cheltenham so that the changing community reflects the change in its members.
 
Lois Murphy, Ann Thornburg-Weiss and Joel Bernbaum came to represent the group of seven democrats that are running for Montgomery County Judges.  Currently there are no democratic judges representing Montgomery County and they along with Cheryl Lynne Austin, Richard Haaz, Jeff Lindy and Michael Shields are looking forward to making a change this year.  They encouraged everyone not only to vote, but to remind 5 or 10 friends and family members to come out and vote with you on November 3rd.  They will be looking for volunteers for Tuesday to make calls to remind voters to head out to the polls.  See www.judgeswebelievein.org for more information. Much like the Phillies they "have a great line up and don't quit until they win."
 
Joan Goldstein introduced herself as a candidate for Abington Township Commissioner.  She will be running against an office held for the last 16 years by republicans and is excited to introduce some new ideas.  She is hoping to use her fiscal experience to better Abington Township where she has been a resident for over 30 years.
 
Steve Burns is running for re-election for Cheltenham Finance Officer (Tax Collector).  He would like to keep progressive, oversea expenditures and continue to keep a fair checks and balances system in Cheltenham Township.  Burns touched upon the importance of the ballot question this year for Cheltenham Township residents.  The question is about creating an amendment to the Cheltenham Charter to define a corporation not as a person which he explained may have a negative effect on the community.  This enables corporations to become tax exempt with an estimated loss of 2 million dollars in tax money. 
 
Representative Larry Curry also expressed some concern about the ballot question.  This ballot question will also effect the Septa Garage and Curry spoke about his experience in the past with the Delaware Valley Planning Commission as the federal agency that is involved with community planning.  Curry also expressed concern about what would happen if the Township decides to fight the Septa garage on a state and federal level.
 
Jenkintown candidates also quickly introduced themselves.  BTCB's own Nate Kleinman is running for Constable of Jenkintown!  Deborra Sines Pancoe is running for re-election of Ward 1 Borough Council.  She is looking to grow commercial and business space in the area to add to the tax base and promote local business.  She would also like to concentrate on reviewing zoning codes and parking efforts.  Lastly Edward Foley is running for Jenkintown Mayor.  Although he is running unopposed he stressed the importance of getting out and meeting the voters.  He feels as if people have the right to know who is on the ballot.  Foley would like to increase communication in the borough and also get people more involved with local government. 
 
Jeff Harbison is running for Commissioner of Ward 2 for Springfield Township.  Currently the President of the Board of Commissioners, Harbison briefly spoke about the recent buzzword "Progressive".  For Harbison, progressive means that there is a curiosity and willingness to try new things to see if they will work. 
 
Tina Viletto spoke about the Cheltenham School Board.  Currently serving as president she is running for re-election unopposed.  Viletto touched on the fact that in the last few years the school board has worked on technological advancements for example information found on their website www.cheltenham.org and the board's list serve.  They have focused on energy efficiency for there buildings and building communication.  
 
Lastly Kathy Hampton spoke about her running for Commissioner for Ward 4 for Cheltenham Township.  She would like to have an open line of communication and serve as a liaison in a position of leadership where she can advocate for residents of her community.  Visitwww.cheltenhamforchange.com for more information.
 
For a great resource to find out who is running in your area or to find out more information about the positions visit the League of Women Voters Guides at http://www.palwv.org/montco/
 
 
Please remember to go out and vote on Tuesday November 3rd and encourage friends, family, co-workers and loved ones to vote too!  Please join us for our next meeting November 18th at the Elkins Estate where we will be discussing Civil Rights issues.   
  

Submitted by Abbie Synan