Great Expectations

Citizen blogger Susan Zalenski of West Philadelphia attended Citizen Convention issues sessions based on: What she knows best, what she thinks about most, and what she takes for granted. She writes:

When it comes to Philadelphia, “Great Expectations” is something most residents probably lack. We’ve learned to lower the bar and deal with. But why shouldn’t we expect more from our civic leaders and our city government? How can we make Philadelphia a Great American City?

Great Expectations has put forth the agenda to make Philadelphia great.

Mayor-elect Michael Nutter warmed up the crowd with a heartfelt speech about Philadelphia, the Great Expectations agenda and a promise to focus on doing instead of dreaming about doing. How can we improve our city? Why DO we choose live here? And better yet what, can we citizens do? The day was an opportunity to open up to ideas and think about how our civic leaders and institutions can initiate and manage the change than needs to happen. The agenda has been drafted – now it’s time to fine-tune, modify, review and elaborate – what do you LIKE about the agenda, what could be different and how will YOU make a difference?

There were a dozen core issues up for discussion. Each person was encouraged to attend three sessions during the day. Choosing only three topics wasn’t an easy task, but I went with what I knew best, what I think about the most, and something I take for granted.

What I Know Best: Transportation

Myself and a group of other engaged citizens/SEPTA warriors gathered for a moderated discussion on the transportation issues that affect Philadelphia with the #1 priority going to something basic, but very important: SEPTA Customer Service.

Citizen blogger Beth Lewis, who previously about the civic leaders' summit for Great Expectations, returns to give us her take on the Dec. 2 Citizens Convention. She writes:

There was no question that Michael Nutter’s presence, and the determination with which he spoke about Philly already being great, buoyed up the spirit of the group that had gathered at last Sunday’s Great Expectations Citizens Convention with the sense that a “new day”, as he described, was dawning. But equally uplifting, I felt, was the opportunity to meet people from the entire Philadelphia community and together discuss the strengths and shortcomings of the Citizens Agenda. While the problems we face as a city are large, the recognition that we need to pull together to dialogue about what needs to be done to address them, to me, represents the value of the Great Expectations effort.

Citizen blogger Bill Rowland takes a look at the District 3 community forum, which drew a record number of participants for a Great Expectations neighborhood meeting. (Bill's own blog can be read at http://phillyfoodguys.com/).

He writes:

The March 5th presentation of Great Expectations’ Citizens Agenda to residents of City Council District 3 was energizing, if not informative. With attendance more than 100% greater than expected, West Philly’s participation blew away that of other sections of the city. Meeting in the heart of West Philly at 39th & Market Streets was a diverse group of 140 including residents, activists and students, as well as a squad of City Year volunteers.

Discussion of the Citizens Agenda started over dinner, as individuals and small groups arrived to share a buffet meal before the event began. The feeling was perceptibly optimistic as neighbors became reacquainted; Great Expectations “veterans” chatted with “newbies”; and everyone shared their hopes, concerns and dreams for the city’s future.

Citizen blogger Jennifer Yuan attended the "Presenting the Agenda" community forum in the 8th District. Jennifer's personal blog, A Thousand Times No, can be found at http://1000timesno.net).

She writes:

Snow fell over Mount Airy on Feb. 20, the evening of the Great Expectations District 8 agenda forum. Despite the weather, nearly 60 people from neighborhoods throughout the district, including Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill, filled a large conference room at the Lutheran Theological Seminary on Germantown Avenue. In this setting, project director Chris Satullo kicked off the evening with an apt description of the Great Expectations Citizens Agenda as an act of faith: “It’s an act of faith in our city; it’s an act of faith in the citizens of the city and the power of civic dialogue. It is also an act of faith in our leaders: a belief that if we are better citizens — that if we are ready to step up with our hearts, our minds, and our muscles to make this a better city — they will also be better leaders."

After the opening remarks, people broke into three smaller discussion groups, focusing on separate clusters of issues addressed in the Citizens Agenda.