We The People of Cheltenham
ph: (215) 572-0752
voice
WHO DECIDES?
We The People of Cheltenhamn thank all the forward thinking residents who signed the petition and voted for the Community Bill of Rights.
We have succeeded in raising the level of awareness on the issue of corporate rights vs. the rights of the people. We have empowered the community with the tools to continue work to attain a deciding voice on their quality of life issues. We have supplied the citizens of Cheltenham Township with the education to begin to protect the integrity of their neighborhoods.
Considering the level of unified political resistance, we have discovered that the opposition continues to side with the corporations and not with the will of the community. In the light of the brief campaign and political roadblocks, we consider these results to be a foundation for work to continue that the people might challenge what has yet to be changed. As a community, we have had our eyes opened to new possibilities and a new way of being involved in our local government.
We have succeeded in raising the level of awareness on the issue of corporate rights vs. the rights of the people. We have empowered the community with the tools to continue work to attain a deciding voice on their quality of life issues. We have supplied the citizens of Cheltenham Township with the education to begin to protect the integrity of their neighborhoods.
Considering the level of unified political resistance, we have discovered that the opposition continues to side with the corporations and not with the will of the community. In the light of the brief campaign and political roadblocks, we consider these results to be a foundation for work to continue that the people might challenge what has yet to be changed. As a community, we have had our eyes opened to new possibilities and a new way of being involved in our local government.
Understand What A YES Vote is For
Watch neighbors speaking at the most recent Commissioner's Meeting
Who Decides
Our Quality Of Life?
A. The Residents of Cheltenham Township
B. Corporate board members who do not live here
(right now, the answer is B)
With a Community Bill of Rights, the people who live in Cheltenham Decide what Cheltenham will look like in the coming years!
Be Informed ~ Be Heard ~ Participate
Join Your Neighbors
Amend the Cheltenham Township Home Rule Charter with a Bill of Rights, giving US, the people of Cheltenham, the Right to decide our Quality Of Life.
Get Involved Today!
WE THE PEOPLE OF CHELTENHAM DENOUNCE PARTY PROPAGANDA
We The People of Cheltenham is a community group. We endorse no political candidates. We have no party affiliations. Time, money and labor spent on this campaign to amend the Home Rule Charter has been channeled into accurately representing the proposed Bill of Rights. Town meetings were open for all to engage in a community dialogue to establish a foundation for democratic self-governance.
Some oppose such honest displays of democracy.
Recent mailings by the Democratic Party are no better than last minute tv attack ads. The black and white ones, which feature unflattering video of candidates coupled with a voice over disdainfully mouthing spin to affect your vote.
What is being attacked here? Initially, the ballot question is fired upon for potentially giving Cheltenham citizens the right to a deciding voice, by voter referendum, on certain kinds of corporate development in their neighborhoods. We learn, via the mailer, that all our local and county Commissioners are united in their disregard for considering the will of the people to make an amendment to their Home Rule Charter. The Charter was enacted into law in 1976 to serve residents by declaring their right to be informed, to be heard, and to participate in their local government, and to amend the charter as needed.
Who is the real target of such misinformation? When the mailing misrepresents the Bill of Rights, people are not informed. When attempts are made to deter a YES vote, 3000 plus signers of the petition and other YES voters are denied the right to be heard. When local and county lawmakers cynically attempt to defeat the citizens legal right to petition and subsequent vote on the ballot question, Cheltenham residents are denied the right to participate in their local government. Finally, the goal of the mailer is to strike down our legal right to amend the Home Rule Charter.
The target of this attack tactic is the people of this township. At the county level, the plan to silence the people is orchestrated. At the local level, the plan is initiated. If township and county officials are united, they are united against the people. Local endorsers of this ploy are in conflict with the very Charter they were elected to uphold.
Who do they really represent? The PA Constitution states that government draws its power to govern from the people.
Why would these elected officials roadblock voters from having a deciding voice in maintaining the integrity of their neighborhoods and quality of life?
The Community Bill of Rights transcends party politics, elevates the rights of individuals over corporate interests. It will instate a reasoned and balanced system for the people, their community groups, elected officials, and public benefit corporations like SEPTA to work together in a just and democratic way.
Let the people have the deciding voice.
What A Community Bill of Right Does For Cheltenham Residents:
- Guarantees Cheltenham residents a right to local self-government.
- Grants residents a deciding voice in issues that impact our quality of life.
- Requires public benefit corporations, like SEPTA, to ask residents approval before they change our community.
- Assures the Rights of Cheltenham residents will not be subordinated by corporations.
- Creates an environment of more civic involvement and encourages voting.
- Will unite community groups, citizens, developers and commissioners to facilitate development that meets community approval.
- Respects the Rights of residents to plan and maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods.
What A Community Bill of Rights Does Not:
It does not apply to all types of corporate land development - it only applies to land development proposed by public benefit corporations.
It does not affect business privilege or mercantile tax, as these do not apply to public benefit corporations, like SEPTA - which does not pay taxes, and in fact is tax payer funded.
It does not limit or abolish enumerated or unenumerated rights in the US Constitution, Pennsylvania State Constitution or Cheltenham Charter.
It does not change current zoning process.
A Community Bill of Rights will not increase taxes.
It will increase your Rights and allow your voice to be heard.
Click Here to See Full Amendment
- Between July 4 & August 4, 2009 over 3000 Cheltenham Township registered voters engaged real democratic process by signing a petition to have a question placed on the November ballot amend the Home Rule Charter of Cheltenham Township.
- On August 20, 2009 the Montgomery County Board of Commissiners, acting as the Board of Elections, unlilateraly blocked a question to amend the Charter from being placed on the ballot.
- September 9, 2009 We The People of Cheltenham challenged, in court, both the decision, and, in our opinion, misuse of authority.
- September 16, 2009 We The People of Chletenham received a favorable ruling from the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
- October 7, 2009 an approved and finalized ballot question has been submitted.
- October 21, 2009 the Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners declines to vote on an injunction which would have nullified any votes to the ballot question.
GET OUT TO VOTE NOVEMBER 3RD
VOTE YES!
FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Contact us for more information
(215) 572-0752
voice@wethepeopleofcheltenham.com
ph: (215) 572-0752
voice
