Many at U. look to bring 'good gov't' to Phila.

Universities are often thought of as distant, secluded ivory towers, set off from the rest of society and endowed with enough money and resources to function fully, and quite happily, on their own. But several prominent University faculty and administrators are looking to change that perception, with a new project conducted by Philadelphians for Good Government, a non-profit organization which was started just over a year ago. Designed to foster communication between citizens and their elected leaders, PGG has organized the first of several planned month-long phone polls, according to University trustee and PGG member Susan Catherwood. "When we saw how many people were not voting and felt disenfranchised, we felt we needed to re-enfranchise them," Catherwood said this week. "We are hoping this will be a vehicle to re-enfranchise the voters." The organization, which counts President Sheldon Hackney among its several University members, was founded after local business, profesional and community leaders became increasingly concerned with deterioration of the fiscal stability of the city. "Our organization is designed to let the people of Philadelphia express thier points of view on major problems and issues facing the city," said chairman Milton Feldman in a statement. "We hope to become the focal point of grassroots Philadelphia -- a conduit through which citizens' voices flow to government." Catherwood said that the University community members wanted to become involved in the project out of a desire to help the city. President of PGG and University Political Science Profesor Edward Shils said he hopes the organization will be able to regain the growth environment of the 1950's, when the City Charter was adopted. "This is not the first time Philadelphia has just about hit the bottom," he said. Shils said the poll aims to determine what people need, and what their frustrations are. The 15-minute survey asks people if they are willing to be involved in improving the city, and will question their views on issues covering all aspects of Philadelphia life. "We want citizens to have the opportunity to express themselves and get mainstreem feelings about good government," he said. "The people think they have been forgotten." Catherwood said initial response to the polls have been "fascinating," and that respondants are generally willing to participate. "People have been very appreciative to have someone care about what their opinion is," she said. "People are obviously frustrated [with the current system]." Survey results will be prepared in August and released through the press and through direct meetings with local government officials, Catherwood said. Shils said PGG hopes to attract 100,000 members when membership opportunities are announced to the public. Membership will be available to anyone who lives or works in Philadelphia or the surrounding region. The idea for PGG began when several members involved in other "do good" groups in Philadelphia came to Shils to create an organization that would foster relationships with citizens that would have feedback to city leaders. "We are trying to create a broad-based membership," said Shils. "There will be an academic, business, political, religious, and ethnic input." While designed to foster positive political change, PGG will not support or oppose any candidate for political office, and is not affiliated with any political party or organization, several members said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.