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Obama offers optimism, but questions remain for cities

Josh Wheeling

Posted: 02.25.2009 / 12:18 AM PST

In cities like Philadelphia and across the nation, President Barack Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night was a welcome dose of optimism at a grim time.

There was talk of making healthcare more accessible, investing in renewable energy and providing tax cuts to the majority of Americans. Still, the speech did little to specifically address the pressing needs of a city like Philadelphia.

The City of Brotherly Love is facing a $1 billion shortfall over the next five years, and unlike the Federal Government, it must balance its budget and cannot run a deficit. The city will likely have to raise taxes – undoing some efforts of the stimulus plan – and cut services, whether that be closing pools or libraries in working class areas, laying off city employees or moving to biweekly trash collection.

An ever-present reminder of the hardships people in Philadelphia are facing as well as the bravery they can display was Richard DeCoatsworth, a Philadelphia police officer who was invited to attend the address, who sat next to First Lady Michelle Obama.

DeCoatsworth – who I, in fact, went to elementary school with – was making a routine traffic stop in West Philadelphia in September 2007 when he was shot in the face with a sawed-off shotgun. After regaining his vision, he proceeded to chase the perpetrators – who were eventually caught thanks to his efforts – three blocks before passing out.

As the Philadelphia Daily News’ Dave Davies asks, “Do we really want fewer cops out there with a harsh economy putting more predators on the streets?”

The stimulus plan will provide a nice chunk of relief for the states, but little of the plan, as with tonight’s address, will work to bridge the budget gap here in Philadelphia.

But as a fellow Philadelphian, I was proud to see DeCoatsworth shown time after time next to the First Lady on Tuesday night (not only because I joined him in the starting five of the middle school basketball team). While one has to wonder whether policemen like him will be able to remain on the streets to display their courage, DeCoatsworth represents the can-do attitude and perseverance that Obama instilled in the American people and Philadelphians tonight.
Philadelphia police officer Richard DeCoatsworth meets Michelle Obama