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Biography of
Marc Stier
Marc Stier is a
teacher and community activist who has taught and written about and taken an
active role in politics and community service for most of his life.
Marc’s Leadership of West Mt. Airy Neighbors
Soon after he moved
back to Philadelphia, Marc was recruited to
become a board member and Vice President for Community Affairs of West Mt.
Airy Neighbors (WMAN). He has been President of the organization since July
2002. Marc has worked with incredible volunteers and staff members to make
WMAN an extraordinarily effective community organization. Details of WMAN’s
achievements under his leadership can be found on the
WMAN website.
Among the highlights of the last five years are these:
- Marc worked
 with
other community groups,
Councilwoman
Donna Reed Miller, 22nd
Ward Leader Vernon Price, and State Senator Allyson Schwartz on a two-year
effort to
bring a new Acme Supermarket store
to Mt. Airy. Two
unsatisfactory plans were rejected
before Acme put forward a plan acceptable to the community.
- Marc worked to bring
appropriate development to the important corner of Mt. Pleasant and
Lincoln Drive. WMAN
successfully blocked a 7-11 store and then welcomed a proposal to build a
new CVS pharmacy. In doing so, WMAN secured funding for a multi-year
landscaping and streetscape plan for this entire commercial district.
- After an intensive
five week period of negotiations, Marc forged a compromise between the
Houston School Playground Raising Project and the
near
 neighbors of the Houston School that allowed a new $160,000 school /
community playground to be built.
- Marc led the process
by which disputes between the New Covenant Church, one of the largest
property owners in Mt. Airy, and its neighbors are being resolved.
- Under his leadership
WMAN worked with Senator Allyson Schwartz to close a facility for the
mentally ill, Mt. Airy Commons, that mistreated patients and created a
serious burden on the community.
- Marc worked with Homeowners United to Protect Pelham to thwart a proposed development
at the Cecilian Academy property that threatened the integrity of zoning
regulations in both Pelham and West Mt. Airy as a whole. Under his
leadership WMAN supported two low-income senior housing projects at more
suitable locations in the community.
- Marc has supported
the Mt. Airy Schools Committee’s efforts to expand its programs in
the schools and, especially, to bring a new tutoring program in reading to
the Mt. Airy Schools.
- Marc helped create
the Mt. Airy Neighborhood Network, WMAN’s grass roots block
organizing effort. The Neighborhood Network brings together existing and
new neighborhood, block, and town watch organizations. Marc also was
instrumental in creating the Mt. Airy Neighborhood Summits.
- Marc has been
working most recently to create a Mt. Airy Wireless Internet Hotspot in
the central business district of Mt. Airy. This effort will spur both
commercial and residential development on Germantown Avenue
.Hometown
Hero
  In
November 2003, Marc was recognized as
a Hometown
Hero by the Philadelphia 76ers for his
efforts on behalf of West
Mt. Airy. Pictured at right is Marc with World B. Free.
A Teacher and Writer about
Politics
Marc’s Leadership of the Northwest
Campaign for Public Transportation
Political Activity
Family
Interests
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