Area residents accused a prominent local organization of spreading "propaganda" at an emotionally charged town meeting Wednesday, and some of those in attendance vented their frustration against Penn.
The organization, University City District -- which seeks to maintain and promote University City -- held the third in a series of public meetings at the Spruce Hill Christian School, located at 4115 Baltimore Ave., to discuss the creation of a non-profit organization that would aim to continue socioeconomic progress made in recent years in University City.
Community members present objected to the way the district is planning to fund a proposed initiative because it would force owners of commercial and some residential properties to pay extra money on top of their property taxes each month.
According to UCD, the average additional cost for affected property owners would be about $55 per month.
Earl Dumas, a senior citizen and landlord in West Philadelphia, doesn't think he can afford more expenses.
"I'm at a point in life where I have limited resources and a fixed pension," Dumas said. "I can't do $50 more a month with the heating bill as high as it is."
Rev. Larry Falcon, a local church leader, also expressed anger over the district's relationship with the University.
"There is an oligarchy in University City with Penn and the UCD," Falcon said. "They have all the money, and they make all the decisions."
Dumas and others questioned the direction of the neighborhood at the meeting.
"I've been in Philadelphia all my life," Dumas said. "Every time I turn around, the University buys everything, so that the prices are sky high, and people move out."
Local resident Bob Winnet said his opposition to UCD is based on fundamental property rights.
"I've been dealing with yahoos who feel entitled to tell me what to do with my piece of America," he said. "This is wrong."
University spokeswoman Lori Doyle declined to comment.
According to University City District Executive Director Lewis Wendell, Penn "was instrumental in the formation of the UCD and is the largest contributor of funding to the UCD budget."
He emphasized that, although the district is an independent non-profit organization, it "has always been associated with Penn."
The initiative under attack would increase cleaning and safety services and promote businesses in University City.
Mike Demaio, the owner of Best House Pizza at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, believes that the services provided by UCD have proven to be very beneficial.
"When I bought my store, I wanted to improve its condition, but I didn't have the money to fix-up the outside," he said. "They helped make it happen."
And local resident Josh Sevin supports the plan.
"A lot of communities are dying for an option like this," he said.
If 51 percent of all property owners were to object in writing, the plan wouldn't be enacted, Wendell said.
