University City's own State Rep. James Roebuck moves to a position of prominence this week as chair of the House Education Committee. It is a delicate balance he must strike, since the house is split 102-101 in favor of the Dems -- yet with a Republican Speaker! A truly amazing turn of events. Roebuck, like every other committee chair, will be threading a course through uncharted waters this session in Harrisburg.
He is well respected on Capitol Hill, though. Arguably, he could now count as the most prominent University Citoyen in public affairs. Roebuck has earned a good name among his neighbors and constituents. His wife Cheryl has been a longstanding backer of West Philadelphia's cultural organizations. -- Tony West
