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Organization seeks to make adifference
By: CHRISTIAN MENNO
Bucks County Courier Times
Newtown 21st Century Voice stresses nonpartisanshipas it explores issues that affect the township andborough.
Join us; be heard!That's the call coming from a recently formed communitygroup in Newtown.The slogan can be found at the bottom of press releases and e-mails from Newtown 21st Century Voice, anonpartisan organization made up of residents from the township and borough.Formed in January, by resident Karen Katz, Newtown 21st Century Voice originally came together to voiceconcerns over McGrath Homes' plan to build a 56-foot high, mixed-use complex on the Acme site on SycamoreStreet. McGrath has shelved that plan but is expected to show the township supervisors an updated design inthe next few weeks.Although that site still is a major focus of the group, 21st Century is exploring other issues that affect theNewtown area."I think our original concern is that Newtown seemed like it was about to change," township resident HarrietBeckert said regarding proposed development on Sycamore Street, "and we just believe that rather than sittingback and letting it change, we'd actually get together and make a difference."Beckert is a Republican and a member of the township Historic Architectural Review Board. She said sheusually gets involved in issues from a historical perspective."When I heard about McGrath's plans for the Acme site, I was instantly opposed," she said. "It is right next tothe Newtown Presbyterian Church, which is probably the most historic building on the street and even (in) thetownship. I didn't think it'd be appropriate to put such a large modern structure so close to the church."However, she added, other members of Newtown 21st Century come from very different backgrounds -including the Democratic Party - and have varied areas of expertise."Political parties are never even mentioned," Beckertsaid Thursday. "All of us are coming from a differentangle and the goal is to get everyone involved."Supervisor Phil Calabro said nonpartisanship will bethe key to the group's success in its causes."I think these kinds of grassroots operations workingfor the concerns of the citizenry are always a goodthing," he said Thursday. "They are helpful to thesupervisors as they can basically give a voice to thepeople. It is our job to listen to the people.""However," he added, "When it turns political, that's adifferent story. But if it remains non-partisan, I find itpositive. Sometimes these groups work even betterthan committees appointed by the township becausethere is no input by the supervisors as to who getsselected."Beckert said meetings are informal, and no one holds a leadership title, so everyone is equal. Anyone iswelcome to attend. Information can be found at www.newtown21stvoice. blogspot.com.Natalie Kaye, a Democrat, has lived in the township for 20 years and said when she heard about the groupdecided "it was time to get involved.""For quite some time I've been concerned over the traffic and the growth of the area," she said. "I just feel weneed to take a stand. This is where we live."I think we have a very committed group with over 10 members who show up to each meeting and more throughthe Web site," she said. "We are moving ahead with a survey that we will hand out to residents on WelcomeDay on May 3 on State Street."Kaye said that since joining the group, she and her husband have been attending township supervisor andplanning commission meetings to "become informed residents of Newtown."
April 10, 2009 02:10 AM
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PhillyBurbs.com: Organization seeks to make a differencehttp://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times/courier_time...2 of 34/14/2009 11:42 AM
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