Phoenixville has been the center of this areas activity for quite sometime. Phoenixville has also taken more than its fair share of density while helping the surrounding townships keep their open space. This has posed many growth issues for the Borough from traffic congestion, parking and increased services.

The part that I have enjoyed being a Councilman Representing the North Ward, was that I not only represented my neighbors but it also allowed me to have in a voice in what I believed was right for the community as a whole. Phoenixville is renowned for having beautiful architecture, aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods, and its fair share of parks and in all a very generous and giving community. With the growth of the past few years that Phoenixville has gone through, I fought hard to keep the new developments match their surrounding neighbors.

I do not believe that anyone in town is against the expansion of the library. It is a beautiful building inside and out and by some accounts haunted (which by the way, activity is supposed to increase during renovations). Everyone continues to say about the existing plan for the library expansion is still in the information and gathering stages. Council has forgone the part of Second Avenue as long as there are some zoning issues are met. The School Board is ok with everything as long as they ‘cannot be sued,’ (in this litigious society, I did not know that you can say, 'Do what you want, but you have to take the blame’). The problem with this tactic is that sooner or later unless someone steps up and states that this is a bad plan, it WILL become the PLAN! The time, money and man hours invested in this type of project add up quickly and just as quickly other ideas are too late to be researched properly.
The Philadelphia Library has 54 branches according to their website (http://libwww.freelibrary.org/branches/branchmap.cfm); Chester County ’s Library System is 18 branches strong according to their website (http://www.ccls.org/cwo/Find_a_Library) most of which are along the main line and to the south of the county. It makes you wonder if other townships are opposed to having a Library in their community, so much for all of the previous Regional Planning that we have done in the spirit of cooperation. If Phoenixville is sternly committed to keeping the complete branch within the Borough limits, why not look at a satellite location? I have heard the argument that we cannot afford the extra staff, but I have to ask then who is working the coffee bar and overseeing the teen area. The old Moose building, the bank across from the Civic Center and the Friendship Fire Company all possess good attributes for making a beautiful building a public treasure. I also find it difficult to believe that the rehabbing of the interior of any one of these gems would cost anywhere near the proposed new building. I would love to see those actual estimates.
In short, I know too late, we must continue to impress upon the builders, developers and rehabbers that the surrounding areas cannot suffer for their gain. This must include the library. Planning Commission and Council must hold the line and not surrender any more of the community assets for special interests.

Bob Tigro
North Ward Candidate
www.bobtigro.com