Next Great City Philadelphia

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

America Recycles Week

November 15 marks America Recycles Day, but Philadelphians can celebrate all week! Check out these great events to hear more about recycling in Philadelphia, how you can participate, and learn about the future of zero waste:

Recycle Now Philadelphia: The Vision is Zero Waste on November 15 will celebrate the success of the RecycleNOW Philadelphia campaign and feature speakers talking about the future of Philadelphia's recycling program, including Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson and Mayor Michael Nutter.
Then on November 20, the Urban Sustainability Forum: Waste Not, Want Not will focus on the economics of recycling and what it means for the city and region.
Send and Email to Councilman Green

Last week Mayor Nutter announced his plan to deal with the economic crisis that has left the City short almost $1 billion.  While no one is happy with the many cuts that had to be made, Councilman Green suggested, Mayor Nutter should have cut the Office of Sustainability and the new bicycle and pedestrian coordinator since they are " trendy non-core services”.

Councilman Green’s position is short sighted. The combined work of these positions will help the city save millions of dollars a year in energy costs, earn money through increased recycling, bring additional federal and state transportation funds to the city and attract new green businesses to employ a green collar job workforce.  We need to let him know how valuable the Office of Sustainability and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator are.

Send Councilman Green an email through our online action center. Tell him you value the Office of Sustainability and that its work will help boost our economy and environment.

Election 2008 Recap
The 2008 election was certainly historic. Among the many issues to consider, voters clearly came out to vote for the environment.

Over 60 percent of Pennsylvania voters signaled their support for clean water with a vote to approve borrowing $400 million for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities to upgrade and repair failing water and sewer systems.

In Philadelphia, an overwhelming 73 percent of voters expressed their passion for the parks by approving a charter change that will merge the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation. This change will help increase transparency and accountability while also setting new guidelines for the use of park lands. This success also means another Next Great City recommendation has been completed.
Delaware Trail Extension Ceremony
 The Fairmount Park Commission and the Delaware River City Corp. will be invite you to join them as they celebrate the new Pennypack on the Delaware Trail Extension.

After hearing guest speakers Mayor Michael Nutter and Secretary Michael DiBerardinis of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, attendees will be able to take a walk on the new trail.
VOICES OF PHILADELPHIANS:
In the latest edition of Voices of Philadelphians, Clean Air Council's Eric Cheung talks about the Phildelphia Diesel Difference Working Group and its role in reducing diesel emissions in Philadelphia that are linked to health problems, such as asthma and heart disease.

Next Great City recommends the City retrofit its diesel fleet to reduce emissions, which Philadelphia Diesel Difference is helping to make happen.

SPREAD THE WORD:

We want every Philadelphian to learn about Next Great City! If you want to help us spread the word, invite a Next Great City representative to come speak at the next meeting of your civic association, church group or other community organization.

In addition, if you'd like copies of the Next Great City report or brochures, contact Christine at 215-545-9692.