It was almost surreal to hear, once again, a call for a moment of silence at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on Thursday night.  At December’s meeting, Frances Clay had asked for that moment in honor of Thelma Young, long time member.  This month, Brian Wisniewski asked for that moment of silence in honor of Frances who passed away before Christmas.

Alice Henry read a thank you card to the Civic for the remembrance at her memorial service and then the meeting commenced with new business exactly as Frances would expect.

The election for officers was conducted with the following results:
President – Brian Wisniewski
Vice President -  Alice Henry
Secretary -  Rose Zimmermann
Treasurer -  Tim Wisniewski
Zoning – Pete Specos
at large – Al Rose
at large – Al Mitchell
at large – Margie Rivera
at large – Steve McClintock

Jason Dawkins

Several issues of problem properties were raised by Mike Mawson of West Frankford Town Watch.  The Civic will look into those issues.

Roselyn Gonzalez attended on behalf of the club the “Third Floor” at 4651 Frankford Avenue.  She has been in contact with Councilwoman Sanchez office recently(Jason Dawkins) in attempt to work through the process of finding out what has to be done with the city to become legal. You can see the coverage and video by the NEastPhilly.com here.

The club has been operating unlicensed for several months with some problems as previously reported here.  The intention is to resolve the problems and become a members only club.  They will be going before the zoning board to complete that process at some point in the future.  The Civic will then have some input in the process.

Roselyn Gonzalez

The next Frankford Civic  meeting is scheduled for February 3rd at 7PM at Aria Health, 2nd floor conference room.

The Frankford Special Services District has a recent vacancy on its Board of Directors, and is accepting applications for the next 30 days. Please note the attached flyer, which is being distributed to every business on the Corridor. Those interested in applying can do so using one of the following methods:

• Filling out the form on www.frankfordssd.org/vacancies
• Calling our office at 215.535.2637 and answering the form’s questions over the phone
• Filling out the paper application (PDF here) and following the mailing instructions printed on it

There is a good story today in the Inquirer about the Frankford Special Services District clean up efforts.

When I talked to Tim at the last Frankford Civic meeting, I asked about the funding for the program since the states are all in or going into budget crisis.  He says the funding is secure for the foreseeable future.  We have seen programs like this come and go depending on the whims of the powers that be.  Frankford needs the political cooperation to keep this one going.

Frankford is waiting.

Tim Wisniewski discusses the safety ambassadors with Lt. Zaffino and Officer Andrews

Tim Wisniewski, shown at a previous PSA meeting, went to Washington DC yesterday to lobby for Frankford.  (I don’t think I’ve ever written those words before.)

“We have now 8 Way to Work employees. We currently have a safety ambassador program, the employees of which are Way to Work employees. It’s a program that we’ve wanted for a while and we’ve been able to bring it about because of Way to Work, because it provides that wage subsidy. Unfortunately, Way to Work is due to expire at the end of the month, unless Congress renews it.”

Read the entire story on KYW1060.com

Tim Wisniewski discusses the safety ambassadors with Lt. Zaffino and Officer Andrews

The PSA meeting was held Thursday night at Aria Health.  If you read only that first line you would think we were all getting together for a prostate check.  No wonder so many guys were there.

Seriously though, PSA in this instance refers to patrol sector area of the 15th district of the police department.  PSA number one is the area that covers Frankford and Bridesburg.  The meeting gives citizens an opportunity to talk with the police about what is going on, in their neighborhood and on their block.

If some slime sucker has decided to sell drugs on your doorstep, you can talk to the Lieutenant and he’ll tell you what can be done and what he’ll do and he’ll give you his email address.  That’s what the meeting last night was about.

Lt. Zaffino runs a very good meeting.  He asks everybody what is on their mind and then provids answers.  There is not always a easy solution but over the last few months, I’ve seen that he has done things that have helped people who attend this meeting.

I don’t report details of the issues discussed at these meetings to protect the identities of the people who attend.  However, Tim Wisniewski of the Frankford Special Services District discussed the positive impact the safety ambassadors are having on the avenue.

If you have a problem, show up at the next PSA meeting for Frankford which is on August 10th at 7 PM at Aria Health, second floor conference room.  This is your best shot at talking to somebody who can get things done.