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Date:                   Feb. 7, 2007

Location:             National Constitution Center

Participants:       15

Moderators:        Erika Kitzmiller and Pat Belk

 

Participants were first asked to describe one hope or one fear as the city enters its election year.  Then, participants were asked to imagine they were giving a good friend’s family advice on whether to move to Philadelphia.

  • What would be the pros and cons of that move?
  • What forces and factors underlie those pros and cons?
  • What steps could the city and region take to strengthen those pros or weaken those cons?

For a full description of the exercise, see http://go.philly.com/friendsdilemma

Moderators' Report:

By Erika Kitzmiller and Pat Belk

 

What were the group's most striking hopes/fears?

 

HOPES:

  • Focus on education
  • Focus on environmental issues
  • That the mayor will do what he/she says
  • Philadelphia would "come out of the darkness of violence"
  • More programs for youth
  • Increased school funding 

FEARS:

  • The mayor will not listen or have ideas.
  • Philadelphia would not "come out of the darkness of violence."
  • No gun control
  • Our city will "spin out of control."
  • Education debate will be about privatization.
  • That the next mayor will spread doubt among citizens. 

What "pros" emerged as most important?

1. Diversity

2. Education

3. Spirituality

4. Neighborhoods  

5. Health Care

 

What "cons" emerged as most important?

1. Violence

2. Education

3. Poverty

 

1. Pro: Health care   

Why forces or factors support it?

   The various programs and hospitals

 

What action steps could strengthen it? What actors should do them?

  • Provide better health education to students

  • Provide health care for everyone

  • Actors: government and citizens

2. Pro: Diversity and opportunities for fun    

Why is this pro important?

     It gives youth interesting things to do in their free time.

 

What forces or factors support it?

  • Sports
  • Clubs
  • Tourism—historical landmarks
  • Neighborhoods: "It always feels like home in Philadelphia."

What action steps could strengthen it? What actors should do them?

  • More summer programs

  • More job opportunities for young people

  • More support for the handicapped

  • Actors: a combination of both citizens contributing ideas and government making it happen

Now, the cons ...

1. Con: Education    

Why is this con important?

     It is both a pro and con. It’s a pro because it can help our future; it’s a con because it’s not being focused on enough.

 

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Standardized tests

What action steps could weaken it? What actors should do them?

  • Mayor should pay more attention to it.

  • Increased funding

  • Updated information on test scores and options

2. Con: Poverty and related crimes   

Why is this con important?

  • Prevents unity/other things from getting done
  • Escalates out of control
  • Affects the education system
  • Lack of business with high paying jobs
  • Economic problems

What forces or factors underlie it?

  • Drugs

  • Lack of unity

  • Other crimes

  • Economic problems

What action steps could weaken it? What actors should do them?

  • Increase jobs and businesses – city government

  • Stronger education system – citizens and the government working together

  • Increase unity

  • Provide programs to make kids want to learn/succeed.