State of the Union

Greetings Neighbors,

As we head into fall I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the great summer that we had. Since assuming the role of president of the Civic Association in May, I have been humbled by the overwhelming support, by all Tacony residents, community groups and businesses. Despite this summer’s challenges with the weather, we were able to host several events including our Kickoff to Summer Festival, 4-Summer Concerts, a community cleanup, a rally, ice cream giveaway and a fall craft vendor fair. Thanks again to all our great sponsors whose generosity allows for us to host these magnificent events.

            As president, I have been able to meet some great people as well as reconnect with so many more. As time goes on we tend to form new friendships and often drift away from others. Being reconnected to former classmate’s friends and neighbors was very eye-opening. This thing called Tacony Strong, most don’t understand it, but it’s a way of life for us because we face many challenges here. A neighborhood can also be like a family, where this guy from Leo’s married this girl from OLC, which is true in more than one case. We look out for each other and each other’s properties, we are seen laughing together, celebrating together and crying together. When you lose a neighbor that you’ve known for years it’s like losing a family member. We sit on our steps or our porch over a drink and talk about the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies or Sixers or whatever else is happening in the world. Those are the things I enjoy about this neighborhood and that’s what makes us Tacony Strong.

            As I have made my way around the neighborhood, and have spoken with people, I feel the same way you do. We are plagued by quality of life issues daily, whether its trash on the ground, areas used as dumping grounds, drugs, prostitution, petty theft, car break-ins we all feel the same pain. What is the answer? I honestly don’t think there is one answer, I do know however it is up to us as a community to make things better, and I truly believe we are on the right path. Joining together and working with all community groups is key to a successful neighborhood. Ego’s need to be put aside and we must work together. We cannot allow jealousy, the nay-sayers, or those that no longer live here deter us from our goal. We can no longer be dragged down by nonsense on social media, and we must not be in fear to walk our streets and avenue because of a few malcontents. We need to organize each block, by electing a block captain and have block events and street cleanings, work together in teams to help cleanup unsightly areas and properties, volunteer for Townwatch, be the eyes and ears for our police, work with our elected officials or hold them accountable for our neighborhood if they don’t step up, and most of all stop being afraid, lets these insignificant people know this is our neighborhood, and you are no longer allowed to do these things here. BE TACONY STRONG

Pete Smith

Presdent Tacony Civic Association