Dear neighbors,

As we launch into November, we wanted to take a moment to talk about the Thanksgiving holiday. Today’s normalized Thanksgiving holiday tradition of a brimming table with mashed potatoes, candied yams, and pumpkin pie has a blurry origin. Currently a tradition of community, thankfulness and bounty, Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated annually until over a century after the first harvest of the Mayflower settlers in 1621. Thanksgiving was created as a national holiday to celebrate both the 1777 victory at the Battle of Saratoga and President Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation during the Civil War* However, history is often written by those in power, and the narratives passed down frequently minimize or exclude Indigenous voices. Many people have come to realize Thanksgiving sanitizes and whitewashes the history of European colonization and the treaties between the United States and sovereign Indigenous Nations. It obstructs recognition, healing and reconciliation by perpetuating the deep injustices and ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities.

In 1970, during the 350th commemoration of the Mayflower landing, Frank James of the Wampanoag community of Aquinnah, was invited to speak but had his speech heavily censored due to its “inflammatory” nature. In his rejected speech, he highlighted how Indigenous people’s lands were taken, and their culture and language nearly erased. Arising in protest and response to the suppression of his speech, grew the National Day of Mourning, an annual event to honor the historical and ongoing struggles of Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island.

Today, the mythologized Thanksgiving celebration, driven by white-settler society, supports industries that exploit Black and Brown bodies. Kara Roselle Smith, an Afro-Indigenous writer, speaks out against this celebration, "Thanksgiving, for me, doesn't exist just one day in November. Giving thanks and prioritizing community is a practice that I participate in every day." She emphasizes the importance of being still, reflecting, and honoring ancestors and earth rather than engaging in over-consumption. By disconnecting from untruthful traditions, we can find new ways to celebrate that are more aligned with our values and history.

The collective social pressure to meet on holidays like Thanksgiving with family can be immense, especially on federal holidays during limited paid time off. Especially when we associate those holidays with an experience of community and seasonal joy. While there is no expectation to abandon Thanksgiving entirely, it’s worth considering how the holiday aligns with your values and what might need to change. Acknowledging that celebrations like Thanksgiving have evolved over time creates an invitation to adapt our celebrations to decolonize them and reflect what truly nourishes us.

Did you know that Lansdowne is on the Lenape Nation's land? If you would like to know more about their rich culture and ongoing Indigenous rights issues, including Pennsylvania's refusal to recognize its Indigenous heritage or peoples, visit: https://www.lenape-nation.org/

Voting and Election Information

With the election cycle in full swing, the stress around voting is palpable. For those planning to vote, there is a drop box for mail-in ballots at the Lansdowne Fire Station on Highland Ave and you can find more in-person election information here. While Left of Lansdowne is not endorsing any specific platform, several resources provide insights into candidates’ positions on key issues.

• NAACP, in collaboration with guides.vote, has outlined candidates' stances on gun laws, abortion, and voting rules. For more information on a number of issues, guides.vote produces nonpartisan voters guides that show where candidates stand. 

• The Working Families Party has provided an endorsement slate for the state of Pennsylvania. Make sure to select PA in the ‘filter by state’ list. 

• A new wave in the political landscape, the Uncommitted Movement has urged its supporters to “vote against” former President Trump while avoiding third-party candidates, declining to endorse Vice President Harris for the presidency.

• Lansdowne Democrats published detailed information advocating for a Democratic vote across the ballot.

In solidarity,

Left of Lansdowne

P.S. As we head indoors for the colder months, and with holidays, gatherings, and travels on the horizon, Left of Lansdowne is happy to provide COVID supplies like antigen tests or masks, as well as Narcan or test strips for fentanyl/tranq. To arrange for delivery, please text or call ‪(215) 360-3096‬. Please note that this is a volunteer-run, non-emergency service.

*CORRECTION 10/30, 1:47pm ET: We had mistakenly stated that this was during the Revolutionary War. We apologize for the error.

HOT TOPICS

Several October subcommittee meetings were canceled or rescheduled. These changes were minimally advertised, perhaps due in part to a lack of access to the official Facebook account. That aside, important topics were still addressed. Key discussions included the 2025 budget, downtown lighting, and traffic issues.

• The Finance Committee confirmed a draft budget for 2025. The budget includes increased staff wages, a raise for the head librarian, and hiring for the codes department. A significant effort has been made to present a clearer budget to the public, promoting greater transparency.  

• Councilperson Hover’s request for continued oversight of the LEDC in Economic Development was denied. Instead, LEDC will report to the council as a whole. President Curry read an apology regarding the conflict that occurred at the Economic Development Meeting in September. Mr. Hover has filed a Right To Know request for all emails sent by community members regarding the September meeting conflict.

• Despite the delay in creating a comprehensive holiday lighting plan, temporary solutions will enhance downtown lighting this season with assistance from the LEDC. The borough plans to explore lighting upgrades in the business district in Spring 2025. 

• A different lighting issue: The borough plans to develop new regulations around “light trespassing”: bright outdoor lighting that spills over onto other people’s property, a bother to neighbors and wildlife alike.

• Concerns about Scottdale Road’s safety, the impact of future theater traffic, and speeding remain hot topics. One proposal includes a “porkchop” cement measure to calm traffic on Scottdale Road. Meanwhile, discussions about a Vision Zero program—aimed at targeting vulnerable areas and improving road safety—are ongoing following the review of the speeding survey.

• During the Parks and Recreation Board meeting, Councilperson Griffin shared that he wishes to cancel all remaining Community Development and Recreation meetings in 2024. Councilperson Martsolf, who reported to the board in Councilperson Griffin’s stead, is hoping to reach a compromise. Councilperson Griffin, as chair of Community Development, is required to bring recreational business to council as a whole. 

Other Borough News

• ​​The Community Service Unit (CSU) recommended council members and the Police Department engage in a meet-and-greet to foster mutual understanding. In addition, CSU is developing a resource guide to aid residents, council members, and borough departments.

• The Tech Board is reviewing the Borough’s Social Media policy, making plans to update the Borough website, and discussing the potential renewal of DandeLion Digital’s 2025 contract. Several issues have arisen with DandeLion’s work this year, including confusion about what services they provide and a breach on the borough’s Facebook page. Council is still unable to access the official borough Facebook page following the breach. Updates can be found on the council Instagram page (@lansdowneboroughgov). 

• A company has been selected for the Hoffman Park pedestrian bridge over Darby Creek, connecting Scottdale Road and Broadway Avenue in Clifton Heights. The project’s design contract was approved, and construction is set to move forward.

• Veterans Landing remains on schedule, completion expected in early December, with planned additions including outlets for the gazebo, a water connection, and drainage improvements.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE

The Lansdowne Theater’s reopening has been delayed to 2025, with no set timeline. Meanwhile, SAMA, the newest downtown business, opened its doors on October 19th. The next park cleanup will take place at McKinley Tot Lot on November 2nd, with a rain date of the 9th. Parks and Recreation is also exploring the establishment of a Friends of the Parks Association to boost community stewardship. Spotlight Theater will host performances at the 20th Century Club starting in November, providing the community with opportunities to enjoy local arts and culture. To round out the month, the LEDC is hosting A Bit of the Arts, November 29-30 at the 20th Century Club.

Upcoming borough meetings: