This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Councilwoman Miller Often Criticized for Ignoring Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill

Councilwoman-elect Cindy Bass aims to increase communication throughout the district by forming a new council.

Editor's note: This is the first in a three part series that focuses on outgoing Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, who served the 8th Councilmanic District for 16 years throughout the course of four terms. Parts 2 and 3 are coming later Thursday and Friday.

One of Cindy Bass’ immediate goals to prove herself as councilwoman may be convincing northern neighborhoods in the 8th District that she doesn’t play favorites.

That particular charge was often levied against . Miller, who served the district for 16 years, is often criticized for catering to Germantown. Cultural tension sprouts from the fact that, driving north on Germantown Avenue, neighborhoods quickly become more affluent and have different needs.

Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bass’ press officer, Joseph Corrigan, is aware of the distance some in the district feel toward their current councilwoman. The Democrat will take office next week after winning a and .

“One of the many things we want to do is form an 8th District council with representatives from community organizations who will meet regularly from all areas of the district,” Corrigan said.

Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The idea is to increase communication, which is another of Miller’s perceived weaknesses.

Dan Muroff, the former president, hasn’t himself observed that Miller favored some areas of the district over others. He has, however, heard plenty of buzz about it. 

“That’s because, in no small measure, I don’t think she felt welcome,” Muroff said, adding that the neighborhoods northwest of Lincoln Drive were more critical and less inclined to vote for her.

Miller's office did not respond to a request for comment.

A 2007 editorial in Philadelphia Inquirer—which endorsed Bass—called Miller “a reliable vote for maintaining the unsatisfactory status quo, and a roadblock to ethics and tax reform. … Complaints are common that she ignores huge swaths of the Eighth District to dote on her favorite areas and supporters.”

The same editorial observed that the many political adversaries Miller made during her career due to this alleged favoritism actually worked to her advantage during elections. Democratic primaries during Miller’s 16 years in office sometimes featured so many candidates running against her that dissenting votes would be split, leaving Miller the victor.

Muroff speaks optimistically of Bass, an East Mt. Airy resident who has served as president of EMAN. While he has nothing negative to say about Miller, he does think that Bass seems less provincial, and that she probably recognizes that assistance to the northern neighborhoods doesn’t need to come at the expense of others.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airy