Well, looks like I will finish out my career in Phoenixville, and when people judge my body of work, they will look to Phoenixville as my main project. I think I have done a good job here, but I know that I have had my detractors. I accept their criticisms and will try to do better in the future.

I have led somewhat of a charmed life; if something bad happens to me, it opens up the door for something good to happen to me. I don't know why that is, but has been that way my whole life. My life has turned out just as I wanted it to, I am living my dream and I am doing it here right in front of y'all.

It is hard to hide from issues. I try to initiate change and projects and submit myself to all the pain and scorn that goes along with it when such actions are proposed. I am a big boy, though, and I understand it goes with the territory. In Lock Haven, the merchants gave me a T-shirt with a target on the back… too many people with rifles up there for me to ever wear it.

I just try to be fair, treat everyone equally and try to not make life one long emergency. That is why I asked that my status be determined early to avoid emergency at the end of the year whereby after 5 years of service I was given 2 weeks notice and not have a job. I believe I did a good job for you here and hoped I would be treated fairly. I believe I was treated fairly and thank the council for their decision.

I am actually moving into uncharted territory in duration of employment. I normally move every 3 to 5 years to take on a new challenge. What made Phoenixville so attractive to me is that we really are on the verge of doing some very special things here. The addition of Jean Krack and the continued efforts of Brian Watson on the Borough side was a factor in my decision to seek continued employment in Phoenixville. My Board, led by Robb Frees and Manny Demutis the last 4 years or so, has provided me a work environment, which promotes creative flow. So it is all good here and I am happy to extend my contract.

So what can be expected? Hopefully more of the same! We will continue revitalization in both the commercial and residential sectors of the borough. The long awaited Elm Street projects, streetscapes on both the north and the south side, parking garage, train to Paoli as well as the continued arts and entertainment economic development strategy are all parts of a continued agenda.

We will be working to develop the Steel Property in a manner, which is acceptable to the community. Continued work through the system, to develop a common effort with the borough and the developer, working together, to get the job done in a timely manner will be the key to success.

The train is moving slowly as I negotiate terms with the large corporations in the Great Valley area to fund the study that will be the part of a continuing effort to link them and their workforce with city and western suburbs. I figure I am about 45 days behind schedule doing that, but it is necessary to deal with the project in a manner consistent with the wishes of the funders.

The applications are in for most of the funding for the housing effort. Kurt Kunsch and Tim Daley will head that effort up. That effort will include the north and the south side areas surrounding the downtown. The areas of concentration are those that border the brownfield project near the center of town.

The funding has arrived for the lighting on the High Street streetscape project. That area will be lit up pretty well after the lighting is installed. The police, DA and the CDC are working to deal with landlords who do not meet the standard for safe clean affordable housing. That effort cuts across the board, if you are a slumlord you will hear from us.

Finally the arts and entertainment strategy will reach new levels in the next 5 years as the downtown becomes home to a fun filled entertainment and art filled experience. We will complete the streetscape in the downtown next year. We will pick up where we left off by the Kiwanis Children's Plaza and get to somewhere around Church Street.

We have a new round of murals planned. These are smaller murals and there will be about 20 them placed on the buildings in and around the downtown. That effort should get underway sometime around spring.

We will be opening a free gallery for art sometime late October early November. We seek to have an art opening every week in order to continue to claim our place as the location to be on a Friday night. The art gallery will be open to anyone who wants to show artwork for a small admin fee to cover the utilities and a small % of sales to pay the rent.

I have some other ideas I will be trying as my role in the town becomes a little more focused and as I pull away more from some of the general issues of government which will be handled by the borough manager.

I know some people will always dislike me but I have no control over that and really cannot factor any of that into my thinking. I realize this is a "hang and bang" political town and I am just happy I am still here. Again, I thank everyone for the support and say to my detractors, I will try to work harder to gain your support. Looks like I ended up being the last man standing.