Thomas Paine was quoted as stating “that government is best that governs least” during the early years as this country was shaping its form and practice of a new experiment in democracy, a participating republic.  What he meant, of course, is that the people themselves would govern by participation in decisions from the bottom up.  Authoritarian top-down governments run by a few had ruled the majority since the beginning of recorded time; this was a step in a new direction. A close look at Philadelphia in general and Germantown in particular today would make Paine roll over in his grave.

 

Our District Attorney incorrectly stated during the recent election that investigating City political fraud was not her responsibility; claiming only the Federal Government had the financial resources to do that effectively.  Although begun accidentally, Federal investigations were initiated some time ago into corruption at the city government level, and we are told that grand jury investigations continue.  Federal trials have already convicted several including the City Treasurer; and a City Councilman and State Senator are under investigation as we speak; and they are only the ones we know about.  Federal investigations and grand juries work quietly in secrecy as long as possible. The last time our city was under investigation at this level, grand juries sat for six to seven years (interrupted by World War II) until all the internal corruption was brought forward and we saw political change. I don’t think our city can wait that long this time.

 

The initial round of investigations brought several indictments but only one council district was brought into the expose of fraud, corruption and redirecting of city tax dollars to insiders with connections for doing nothing.  That would be our own 8^th Council District covering all of Northwest Philadelphia under the authority of Donna Reed Miller for the last 10 years. In fact her Chief of Staff, Steven Vaughn, pled guilty rather than defend himself in orchestrating a plan to skim tax dollars owed by a well-connected Chestnut Hill real estate developer to the city. Just recently, testimony from the ongoing trial of  Vaughn’s collaborator, Imam Shamsud din Ali included wiretap information where Mr. Vaughn bragged he could shake down nearby LaSalle University for $100,000 to close a section of 20^th Street that bisects their campus. There is no confirmation the $100,000 was ever paid, and the street remains open in one direction, but the point was clear in how business was to be done in the 8^th District.  Although Vaughn is yet to be sentenced, one would think that any connection with city government would automatically be severed, if for no other reason, to avoid “the appearance of impropriety”.  Not in this city, and certainly not in Germantown where the power is concentrated in the hands of a few, for the benefit of a few others, at the expense of the majority. Only grass-roots activism and press coverage of questionable practices brought Steven Vaughn to resign as President of the Central Germantown Council, a non-profit that will move $186,000 in city funds this year to favored destinations. The operation of this non-profit conduit for many millions in federal dollars over the years has been essentially controlled by the 8^th District council office, with little transparency. Inconsistent practices in appointing rather than electing directors and defiant management practices have characterized this organization. The most recent meeting saw a temporary  president outline a new policy of openness and inclusion with elections forthcoming. Only time and careful observation will tell. None of this should surprise area residents who have followed political events in Germantown . This type of situation has been standard operating procedure for many non-profits with clear political connections. They have moved many millions of taxpayer dollars through this immediate area with little to show for it.

 

Political cover is the name of the game here, and it runs all the way to Harrisburg with one notable local exception. Rosita Youngblood, State Representative in the 198 District, operates with independence, integrity and determination found no where else locally in my experience. Her failure to follow orders from the State and local political machine has become a serious financial handicap, but has not diminished her dedication. Let’s face facts, one political party has controlled city government for 53 years and no challenges of any significance from the opposition have held anyone’s feet the fire.  I don’t care what party has the power, without opposition, or reform from within; responsive government can sell out to special interests and cover their tracks.  Germantown has been burdened with such a condition for some time. I contend that there has been a long existent “arrangement” in 8^th District politics.  No one from committeeperson, up through ward leader, will ask any questions about what happens in Germantown as long as they “get theirs” in the other nearby communities. Leaders at the City and State level do the same thing from above.  George Burrell, highest-level mayoral assistant just testified in Court that the obvious kickback from the City Solicitor’s Office to a do-nothing Mt.Airy front collection business was a normal business practice in Philadelphia . Germantown ’s physical decay, rise in crime, and a reading of the local newspapers over the last few years, makes the case easily.  Looking just under the radar screen at public records raises so many more questions that need answering.

 

Political dollars have been channeled through 501c3 non-profit organizations, long the favorite of politicians to buy votes and concentrate power.  Senator Vince Fumo is being investigated for this very practice, but he is not alone.  Millions of federal, state, city and private dollars have passed through Germantown non-profits in recent years, some with much fanfare, and some well under the radar. Expensive studies, urban renewal projects, designated commercial development areas, and beautification projects were promised, but very few ever delivered. Oh, you will see them in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, but what happens to that Germantown money delivered in much larger amounts than the other two combined? The most prominent (but not the only) recipients have been the Germantown Settlement and the Greater Germantown Housing Development Corporation.  Recent articles in the Germantown Courier indicate serious substandard conditions at GGHDC properties.  This conduit for massive grant and city funding appears as #26 on the city’s list of businesses most delinquent in property taxes.  Many are afraid to ask questions as the strength of the political organization includes intimidation.  Business enterprises make “suggested” contributions and hire referred “consultants” in order to accomplish routine matters that involve permits or zoning and the like. 

 

We have a very strong Council Government in this city; so strong that virtually every dollar and every decision affecting Northwest Philadelphia runs through Donna Reed Miller. Well meaning individuals who changed the City Charter in the early 50’s did not see the future unintended consequences of such localized power, but we now live with virtually unchallenged local authority and purse strings manipulated for the favored few, dialing out the majority of local citizens. Many long term residents are well aware of the negative impact, but it is time all were aware and force the records into public view. 

 

My own experience with local issues and community organizations over the last few years confirms how pervasive the problems are.  Attempts to get routine inspections and evaluations of abusive treatment in the largest personal care home, Mt. Airy Commons on Johnson Street , were met with only lip service and obvious side-stepping by the Council Office, City Departments, State Representative and State Senator despite overwhelming evidence gathered independently through city and state records.  Only the initiation of press and TV coverage prior to an election brought instant action.  Unfortunately the action was more directed to closing the homes quietly and burying the evidence, than using them as an example for reform legislation.

 

  Attempts to ramrod zoning changes through by excluding community organizations are frequent and mostly successful, as few have the financial wherewithal to fight back.  Two significant exceptions were the proposed Asher building conversion to a half-way house and the failed attempt to double-deal community groups with the demolition of two historic retirement homes.  Both were fought aggressively by grass roots local activists against intentional misrepresentations by our Council Office.  It was clear that during those deliberations that other city departments and officials were ready to rubber stamp the process.  How many similar situations never made it to open discussion or debate?  A conversation with local community organizations can answer many of those questions.

 

The Weaver’s Way “bailout” is another example of getting the job done just before election. $100,000 passes from the Council Office to save a favored MtAiry organization that did not even know when their last financial records were updated and had accumulated bounced check charges over $140,000! To this day many unanswered questions surround this oft-reported situation, not the least of which should be how the Chestnut Hill Bank justified carrying an account in overdraft for years while generating what appears to be an undocumented loan and usurious charges.  Apparently the more irresponsible you are, the more likely you are to get city relief if it might buy votes a few weeks down the road.  When I questioned Donna Reed Miller at the last election “debate” if she would extend the same consideration to businesses that might be impacted when lower Germantown Avenue is repaved and they lose access for weeks or months, she changed the subject.  Surprised?

 

Strong-arm political tactics are no stranger to the area.  During the last council election, freshman opposition political candidate Deborah Williams, unlikely to garner enough votes to come anywhere near victory, was physically “escorted” off Germantown Avenue during, of all times, Germantown Unity Day! When questioned by the Germantown Courier, those who participated claimed they were only doing it for her own good in order to make sure that “nothing happened” to her.  This was of course at 2:00 or so on a busy Saturday afternoon.  Such “concern” for the opposition reaches a low not seen since Tammany Hall.  At the Settlement Music School during the last major elections one witnessed political chaos and out of control manipulation of the process of free exchange of ideas.  U. S. Congressman Chaka Fattah, substituting for the Mayor, spread the language of racism and reckless innuendo like gasoline on the floor and lit the match with high-decibel fabricated rhetoric. That stage set, candidates for Mayor and local offices from minority parties were shouted down repeatedly by a loud group of Miller supporters to the point that several had to give up even making opening statements. Unfortunately those running the event did little to restore order despite the fact that several police were waiting in the lobby or just outside.  Intimidation is standard fare in Germantown .

 

There is a term used to describe a violation in our zoning code called “Demolition by Neglect”; whereby an owner can be cited for doing nothing and letting a property deteriorate.  I suggest that description fits when it comes to how our Council Office has treated Germantown .  Donna Reed Miller is the only district council person who does not even have an office in her own district. The development organizations seem to have done more harm than good over the years. She is often unavailable for comment on important issues and appearances at important local events are few unless favorable press coverage is guaranteed.  Last, but far from least, what happened to all the money?

 

How much longer do citizens have to tolerate one of the most continuously undemocratic local governments one could image?  You can answer that question. Reform begins with information but is effected at the voting booth.

 

Jim Foster

Mt. Airy