Allentown's Future: A Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Community

By Ed Pawlowski, Mayor of Allentown

With summer fast approaching, I am delighted to share with you the many improvements planned for Allentown's bicycle and pedestrian transportation systems.  In 2010, our city adopted Connecting Our Community -- our plan for linking Allentown's parks and people through an interconnected network of bicycle and pedestrian trails.  Our goal is to encourage active transportation in Allentown by allowing people to access parks and other popular destinations located along a new network of on- and off-street trails.     

Encouraging active transportation in Allentown is of vital importance. Increased rates of walking and bicycling are linked to reduced pollution and lower rates of obesity, cancer, stroke, diabetes, asthma, and mortality. Currently, more than 40% of Allentown youth are overweight or obese. In addition, only 0.3% of commuters in Allentown regularly get around by bicycle (a tiny fraction of the rate found in numerous other US cities). 

The reality is that many people -- even confident and enthusiastic cyclists -- do not feel safe riding with cars on city streets without designated space for bicycles. In fact, where cities have implemented modern bicycle trail and lane networks, cycling rates have skyrocketed. Consequently, there is a need for new biking and walking facilities, especially on-street facilities, that will encourage more people to bike or walk to their jobs, to schools, the library, or other destinations, as well as providing a means of exercise. 

Streets with pedestrian improvements and bike trails and lanes don't just make people feel safer--they actually are safer. A recent Harvard School of Public Health study of on-street physically separated bike lanes found a reduced risk of injury and 2½ times as many cyclists on streets with such bicycle lanes compared to streets without them. In addition, these projects also reduce the rates of cyclist and pedestrian crashes by encouraging more people to bike and walk thus motorists become more accustomed to watching for these vulnerable users. 

In addition to the obvious health, safety, and environmental benefits, the traffic calming effect of on-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities has been shown to result in economic benefits such as increased property values, reduced vacancy rates, and new customers for businesses. Our new trail network will offer us the same economic, ecological, and health-related benefits enjoyed by many of our nation's most progressive cities.

Funding for the project has been secured through grants from the Harry C. Trexler Trust, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the federal government.
Whether you walk, bike, or drive, all of Allentown stands to benefit from implementing the city's new Connecting Our Community plan. By creating a comprehensive and interconnected network of trails that serves all user groups, the city will foster a culture of active living and promote Allentown as a recreational destination.  

I want to especially thank Allentown City Council, city staff, the Connecting Our Community Committee, and the several hundred city residents contributing to the city's up-and-coming trail projects.  In addition, I encourage everyone to attend one of the public meetings on the project being held on Wednesday, April 27, at 7:00PM, at Central Elementary School, or October 26 at the Public Library.   

For more information regarding the Connecting Our Community plan, please visit: www.allentownpa.gov/parks. 

Jobs are the Answer

by State Senator Lisa Boscola

The simple answer to solving what ails our struggling economy, stagnant tax base, sluggish housing market, worsening crime problem, and so many other social and financial ills -- is jobs.
 
In the words of Ryan Boyer, business manager for the Philadelphia Laborers District Council, who took part in my recent Senate Democratic Policy Committee roundtable discussion in Philadelphia, "The best social program is a job."
 
For Senate Democrats, our top priority this year is to strengthen our economy and help create jobs -- without hiking taxes.
 
To that end, we have introduced the six-point "PA Works" plan. Our legislative package would create more than 28,000 jobs while actually saving state taxpayer dollars. By leveraging $2 billion in private investment, our plan would help put people to work, cut business taxes, help small businesses be more competitive, rebuild the state's aging infrastructure, foster the growth of promising new clean and green energy industries and retool worker training programs.
 
In the weeks and months ahead, my committee will be holding hearings throughout the state to gather local input on our plan. We want to hear from employers, workers, labor leaders, government officials and taxpayers to help us hone our legislation, pinpoint what will work, what won't and what we can improve.
 
Our first hearing was held recently in Philadelphia and focused on job training. I was impressed by the comments and ideas panelists openly discussed with my fellow Democrats and me. 
 
Labor, government and job training experts discussed consolidating and streamlining job training programs, simplifying contract processes and placing more emphasis on finding work opportunities for workers who are disabled, uneducated or under-educated. Others weighed in on the need to coordinate training programs more closely with employers, tie economic development incentives with the hiring of Pennsylvania workers and provide tax incentives for high paying manufacturing businesses willing to relocate to Pennsylvania.
 
It was a good healthy discussion and can only strengthen what we hope to accomplish with limited resources.
 
In my view, creating jobs should be at the top of the priority list in Harrisburg and Washington. If you get people back to work, nearly all of the "other" problems we face will dissipate.
 
My late father, a former Bethlehem steelworker, taught me the value of hard work. To him, a job was one's prime source of dignity, a means to support one's family, and the foundation for building a future for one's children. 
 
Jobs put money into people's pockets, customers into local shops, provide a positive and constructive influence on young people, and produce the kind of revenue that enables government leaders to provide important services without raising taxes.
 
In these difficult economic times, it is imperative that we do all we can help good people obtain the training and opportunities they need to find meaningful work.

 

State Must Continue Funding Of Early Childhood Education

A column by Senator Pat Browne
16th Senatorial District

The financial struggles and challenges facing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the upcoming budget process are well known. Governor Tom Corbett made it abundantly clear in his first budget address that he will not support a budget that increases taxes. He also was clear that each department and agency will have to make do with less as the state works to erase a $4 billion deficit.    

This will require examining every area of state funding to determine where cuts are necessary and which programs merit continued funding. 

One area that deserves continued funding and is critical to the future growth and prosperity of the Commonwealth is early childhood education. This funding is vital in giving at-risk young people the opportunity to succeed in school and later in life. 

As co-chair of the Early Childhood Education Caucus, I applaud Governor Corbett for protecting and preserving state support for these programs in his 2010-2011 budget proposal. He understands that these initiatives are not only essential to the education of these children, but also to our communities and the future fiscal success of our great commonwealth.

There is no denying that investing in early childhood education comes with an initial cost. However, in the long-run, these programs improve the lives of those who need help the most. They also provide long-term value to taxpayers in the form of more productivity and less dependence on government assistance.

Case studies have shown that children who participate in early education programs were more likely to graduate from high school, lead more productive lives afterward and were less likely to be arrested or reliant on social services. Additionally, at-risk children who participate in the early childhood education programs are significantly less likely to repeat a grade in school, and that alone results in thousands of tax dollars saved each year. 

A few weeks ago, America's Edge -- a group dedicated to strengthening businesses, the economy and communities through proven investments in children -- disclosed the results of a new study and report that detailed the clear and deep economic connections between early childhood education and business growth and development in Pennsylvania. The report showed that investment in quality early care and education will actually generate $1.06 in sales of local goods and services from Pennsylvania businesses for every $1 invested. 

As the state looks to find resources and ways to promote job growth, reduce unemployment rates and remove individuals' reliance on government, starting kids out on the right foot early in life by providing them with the proper educational tools will go a long way to doing just that. 

The state, however, cannot do this alone. It is imperative that families, educators, business leaders, legislators and, of course, the students themselves take an active role in the education process.  

Without question, this will be the toughest budget process that the state has faced in a long time. I hope and look for the Governor and my fellow legislators to join me to continue Pennsylvania's involvement in early childhood education. It is a must for the future of our children, our state and our country.