First Suburbs

The idyllic American Suburb is moving farther from the city center, leaving the classic first ring suburbs on hard times. Residents of Coatesville, Norristown, Yeadon and Lansdowne are struggling to maintain the quality of life that was envisioned from their planned beginnings. The Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project is a coalition of institutions and community organizations working on revitalizing the original suburbs. They share common problems of declining economic investment and infrastructure, affordable housing and keeping their children in public schools. We talk to two people working with the First Suburbs Project: JOHN MCKELLIGOTT, a former school board member of the William Penn School District; and community organizer, PAUL SCULLY, Executive Director of the New Jersey Regional Coalition. Scully has worked with several community groups around the country, training and organizing citizens to change their transportation, housing and tax policies. Listen to the mp3