Painted Brick - Blah Facades

Painted Brick - Blah Facades

When painted brick and blah facades
Of downtown building's past hurrahs,
No longer cloaks Pottstown in dress
Of trees tall shading sidewalks the best.
A return of shoppers is merchant's talk
Yet to happen, to be fulfilled, their walk.

Studies pile high our manager's desk,
Editorial writings overflow his journal.
Citizens resolve that the ultimate task
Is to plant a seed, to nurture that kernel.

Which sprouts the voices of discontent
That quickly grows groups who question.
Where are those leaders we voters sent ;
In closed halls, locked, executive session ?

What ? Build a brand new Borough Hall
To fix the ills of lean, dry, tough years ?
While town's shoppers all sent to the Mall
As high taxes drive weak elderly to tears.

We're left with bills for little done
To stem the rising tide of disrepair.
Wake up- speak out - decay hasn't won !
Don't throw in the towel of utter despair.

Demand that your group voice is heard
By elected servants who loudly promised
Your needs and that your town be served.
It's up to you to keep all of them honest.

Ronald C. Downie

Written 22 years ago when a new borough hall was first seriously considered but misappropriation of borrowed funds stopped the effort dead in it's tracks. Now we have a new Borough Hall but the ultimate conflict between those in charge and those who pay taxes continues on. The problem remains : can the vocal activists keep up their energy so change will happen in their engaged civic life time ?

Hope being eternal, the stars seem to be lining up in favor of real change finally happening. Activists and administrators are talking with each other rather than at each other.

Each side seems to know that real problems exist and, if each is willing to forgo old differences that created former positions cut in stone, I am totally with them. Let's pray !
O