Yesterday, in honor of Earth Day, I helped neighbors from East Goshen plant native shrubs and trees along the Chester Creek. A group from East High School was there with their environmental science teacher, as well as dedicated residents, including Jane Fava, Kathy & Jack Yahraes, Linda Gordon, and Ginny Newlin.

After all of the plants were in, I dashed off to help a group in West Goshen clean out the Crum Creek behind the KMart on Paoli Pike. Both Henderson High and Westtown School sent students to help. Shopping carts and a stove were the largest items pulled from the bottom of the creek. I bumped into Tim & Terri James from Westtown and met teacher Judy Jones from Henderson.

Lastly, I drove over to the borough's Public Works to see how the group cleaning out Goose Creek faired. They had already disbanded, but left behind were heaps of trash bags filled with other people's thoughtless and careless acts of littering.

As an enrolled member of the federally recognized Sac and Fox Tribe, I was raised in the knowledge that we are all connected through our attachment to the earth. All living things share the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil in which our food grows. What we need to remember is that everyday is Earth Day.

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." - Chief Seattle, 1855

"There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet." - Brooke Medicine Eagle

Posted by Barbara McIlvaine Smith at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today was a RED LETTER day! The Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund is once again endorsing my candidacy for the General Assembly.

Recently, I attended their 3-day campaign school that was held at F & M College in Lancaster. Even though I have been to four other campaign training workshops, this one was the best by far. The level of expertise of their two trainers was phenomenol. Anne Crowley, candidate for State Rep in the 167th, Mary Kivlin and I were there together.

Several members of the state Legislature joined us for dinner to hear political analyst Terry Madonna speak. Here's a shot of PWCF's President Martha Lester Harris introducing him. Martha has been involved with the Fund since its inception in 1982. During her career, she has served in Governor Tom Ridge's Cabinet, as Press Secretary to U.S. Senator John Heinz, and as Associate Director of Pennsylvania’s Washington office, under former Governor Dick Thornburgh. She began her career as a broadcast journalist.

Posted by Barbara McIlvaine Smith at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

About 50 people showed up this morning to weigh in on ways the new Planning, Zoning, Business, and Industrial Development (fondly known as PZBID) Committee of Council could enhance communication between elected and appointed Borough officials. All of the department heads were there, including Mayor Dick Yoder and Borough Manager Ernie McNeely.

Carolyn Comitta, Chair of PZBID, put this meeting together. Her husband Tom Comitta, who has 30 years experience as a facilitator, led the discussion for 2 hours and listed speakers’ comments on a large tablet in the front of the room. Fellow committee member, Chuck Christy was also there.

The afternoon session, which ran for nearly another 2 hours, was well attended by many residents. Sharing their visions for the borough, people talked about their concern for a healthier environment, public transportation, and affordable housing. One woman remarked that we need to protect and enhance our "perfect town" by keeping it livable and walkable.

At the end of the workshop, the audience helped prioritize both lists, which then will be emailed to all participants.

Posted by Barbara McIlvaine Smith at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)