U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle and other politicians toured the Delaware riverfront in response to the congressional map redrawing.
When Pennsylvania’s congressional districts were redrawn, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle said the first thing he did was check to see if he was representing the Delaware riverfront.
“The problem is, for decades we treated the Delaware River as if it was a dirty back door instead of realizing it was our beautiful front door,” Boyle said.
To help him get acquainted with his new area and see it firsthand, Dana and Ron Russikoff of SureShade invited Boyle and others to tour the area on their boat Aug. 28.
Departing from the Quaker City Yacht Club, the group included Boyle, 6th District Councilman Bobby Henon, Councilmen-at-large Al Taubenberger and Derek Green and state Rep. Mike Driscoll. Erica Crocker and Gregg Inscore from the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Jim Morrissey of the Delaware River Yachtmen’s League were also present.
“Once the congressional redistricting took place, we realized once again after a decade, we are going to finally have our own congressional representation up here on the Delaware,” Dana said.
Boyle used the time to discuss the area with the local politicians and community leaders. Sites they discussed included the K&T Trail and other yacht clubs along the river.
“We’re trying to revive boating back here on the Delaware,” Dana said. “There’s a lot of dollars out there that leave this river every summer to head down to the Chesapeake or the shore.”
The yacht was equipped with a boat shade created by SureShade.
A fundraiser for Boyle was held at the yacht club after the ride.
“You absolutely can balance the commercial interest and recreational interest [of the river],” Boyle said. ••
