|
|
| From the President
Time to Get Serious about Pennsylvania's Cities
""We need statewide reform, and we need it now." So wrote Pittsburgh city councilman Bill Peduto in a letter he distributed last month to officials in every other city of the state. "The future of your city will be contingent on tax reform, pension reform, and health care reform. ... [W]e need to be unified to create a new agenda for older communities throughout Pennsylvania."
Four central Pennsylvania mayors struck a similar chord when they addressed the House Majority Policy Committee in York on January 14. York's Kim Bracey, Reading's Thomas McMahon, Lancaster's Rick Gray and Harrisburg's Linda Thomson all entreated legislators to pass the reforms cities need to get their fiscal affairs in order. These officials have good reason to sound an alarm. Last fall Reading became the latest city to enter Pennsylvania's Act 47 program for fiscally distressed municipalities. Many others are teetering on the edge of crisis and risk following in Reading's footsteps. The recession is contributing to the problem, of course, but the fiscal difficulties of cities have been mounting for years. More... | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Call for Entries - 2010 Commonwealth Awards
 Attention smart growth advocates and urban design professionals! 10,000 Friends is now accepting entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Awards program. Deadline February 26th!
The 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards is a juried state-wide program to recognize businesses, nonprofits, elected officials, and citizens contributing to the economic and environmental health of the Commonwealth. The awards pay tribute to visionaries - developers, builders, designers, community leaders, local officials, financiers, and others - who have invested in building a better future for Pennsylvania. These leaders put smart growth to work by envisioning, promoting, designing and building communities that improve life for residents, employers, employees, and visitors. We have added a new design and leadership category in 2010. The PNC Bank Opportunity for All - Affordable Housing/Community and Economic Development Awards will highlight affordable and special needs housing projects and community and economic initiatives that positively impact lower income communities. In addition to the project awards, The PNC Leading the Way Awards will acknowledge outstanding leadership by specific individuals or teams in promoting and developing affordable housing in the commonwealth. The Commonwealth Awards honor both design projects and individuals in two separate divisions. The design projects are evaluated by a jury of accomplished leaders in planning, design, and community development. Eligible projects must be located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the project must have been built or under construction since January 1, 2005. The individuals are evaluated by the 10,000 Friends Board of Directors. Entries must be postmarked no later than February 26, 2010. The 2010 winners will be announced at a program on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at the Hilton Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit the Commonwealth Awards website. |
There's still time! Sponsor the 2010 Commonwealth Awards, And Save May 11th on your Calendars!
Consider joining the list of our esteemed supporters by becoming a sponsor of the 2010 Commonwealth Awards program. Click here for more details! There are numerous sponsorship opportunities which include a variety of valuable benefits. All sponsors will receive recognition for their participation in the program as well as tickets to the event. The Commonwealth Awards program is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to smart growth to clients and colleagues. Your support will allow us to showcase the best projects and ideas as well as the exemplary individuals who are making a difference in our communities. |
 Did High Speed Rail Funds Bypass Pennsylvania?
It has been said that the federal government's recent announcement allocating $8 billion in federal resources for high speed passenger rail projects largely bypassed Pennsylvania. Of the $8 billion allocated nationwide, Pennsylvania received $27 million dollars to fund physical improvements to the Keystone East corridor (Philadelphia to Harrisburg) and to conduct a feasibility study for increasing passenger service along the Keystone West corridor (Harrisburg to Pittsburgh). At first glance, Pennsylvania's award compared to the amount received by other states seems somewhat insulting. But a deeper look at the numbers and the selection process reveals a clear direction and opportunity for the Keystone State. More... |
More Smart Growth News From 10,000 Friends
 As part of out ongoing effort to bring you the most relevant smart growth news from around Pennsylvania and beyond, 10,000 Friends now offers the "News" section of our web site available as an RSS feed. By adding this feed to a service such as Google Reader, you can receive current news highlights from 10,000 Friends as we add them to our website. We believe this tool will help you to stay informed of the many important issues facing Pennsylvania's communities every day.  10,000 Friends has also joined the growing network of Twitter where we are connecting with Pennsylvania's political leaders, partner nonprofit organizations, and activists interested in our issues. If you are also a Twitter user, you can follow us @10000friends for the latest land use and infrastructure news from Pennsylvania and beyond.  Are you on Facebook? Now, 10,000 Friends is too! Become a fan of our page for the opportunity to interact with 10,000 Friends staff and to network with other Pennsylvanians who are interested in smart growth issues. Finally, be sure to check in on the Transportation For Pennsylvania coalition blog to get all the latest transportation news from across Pennsylvania. |
Stay Connected
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders.
We update our site regularly with articles, opportunities and links, so please bookmark the home page of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and stop by often.
Our e-newsletters are designed to keep you in the loop on all of our activities. Click Join Our Mailing List! in the top right column to choose the e-newsletters you'd like to receive.
| |
|
|
|
|
