Among the three dozen Northeast Philadelphia residents who gathered at Holy Family College were people who valued the city nearly for as many different reasons as there were Citizen Voices: from those who find it friendly, accessible, and convenient, to those who value its cultural attractions, historic buildings, university life, and diversity.

There were no Pollyannas in the group, though, when it came time to envision the city's fictional route to success a decade from now. The panel of five Citizen Voices deputized to appear on a mock Oprah show focused on some of the toughest issues facing any city: Crime, taxes, schools, diversity, leadership, and quality of life.

How did the city tackle these demons? New York-style policing of quality-of-life crimes cut into the crime rate, and eased the perception that crime was a problem. Eventually, the city's crime statistics were put to rights -- and they showed an actual, and believable, downward trend.

The city's taxes were tamed by spending tax dollars -- or, rather, by investing them. Businesses were attracted to the city, and existing ones given incentives to expand, through the use of tax credits. The result was a rising tide of taxes paid by businesses and employees who paid a lower wage tax.

The public schools had improved, the group said, by virtue of competition -- vouchers were enacted. Some of the best students "opted to go to the best schools in the system," explained panelist Walter DeTreux. So, school reforms didn't result in the further ruin of the public schools. At the same time, standards were toughened for both students and teachers.

"How did you get the kids to go to school?" was firefighter Thomas Leonard's probing question of the panel. Because, explained Olu O. Segun, the improved schools encouraged better attendance. And they knew there was a job waiting for them if they graduated, added Joseph Getter, another Oprah guest.

Another concept that the city implemented was the need to prepare children to learn -- especially those from lower income families. The city made sure families had the necessary supports, said Annemarie Clarke -- like day care and before- and after-school care.

Harrisburg hadn't necessarily come up with more resources, the panel said, but the adversarial relationship was resolved. Quipped one panelist, "Vince Fumo retired in 2000 and that seemed to help things."

Neighborhood improvement, race relations, and leadership were the other stand-out areas, this panel said. Weekly meetings were encouraged among neighbors, and across racial lines. Community work was promoted as a virtue. Other leaders in the mold of Ed Rendell took office (no names suggested.)

Who accomplished all this, the panel was asked? "People who have a vested interest in the city," said John Zwiercan.

"People like us."