The was a good crowd on hand last week for the Frankford Civic Association Meeting. Chris Wink has a great report on NEastPhilly.com which hits all the right notes. He was tardy and missed a short but important discussion we had at the very start concerning the property at 1520 Orthodox Arrott Street.
This is the location of the former Primo’s Sports bar that was closed as a nuisance. That closure is only effective for a year and then the premises are free to be reopened. Given the location and unregulated drug market that has surrounded the area, it is clear that it will once again become a problem.
Construction is now underway in the building. It has been reported on Philly311.com. Calls have been made to Councilwoman Sanchez office and to Tony Payton’s office. Jason Dawkins commented on our previous post linked above:
Our office did report out about the above location, the bar does not have a liquor license, which means it will not be a bar…. The location was shut down 7yrs ago and the owner never renewed his license, and there is no current application on file for another license. Folks should not make statements that are not true, if anyone has any questions please call our office and ask for me.
The reason why the folks are up in arms about this bar is that they have a history of ignoring the law and regulations. Not having a liquor license but still in business for the next 6 years would be one cause for concern. Building construction with no permits is another. So if it did not stop them before, it will not stop them now.
In fairness to Jason, I am sure he will do his best to keep it closed. You can call him directly at Councilwoman Sanchez office at 215-686-3448 or 3449.
THE REMARKS MADE ABOUT THE PLACE REOPENING AS A BAR were made by the workers remodeling the property to neighbors who asked them what the building would be used for. The workers said it was being remodeled to re-open as a bar. If anyone has any accurate information to the contrary that would be a great relief to the residents in the surrounding homes. People who have litteraly had to dodge bullets from this place long before Ms Sanchez or Mr Dawkins ever heard of it.
It is time for you and others to let go of the past and work with the future. Their are no issues in Frankford that can not be addressed and fixed with the active help of the people who continues to complain. I welcome you to come to meetings and get envolved with the positive things happen here in Frankford.
Jason Dawkins Says:
June 16th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
It is time for you and others to let go of the past and work with the future. Their are no issues in Frankford that can not be addressed and fixed with the active help of the people who continues to complain. I welcome you to come to meetings and get envolved with the positive things happen here in Frankford.
You havn’t been here long enough to know Frankford’s past and with your attitude you probably wont be here for much of it’s future. I have seen plenty of political aids come and go with their own egos and agendas, engaged in endless pissing contests in my many, many years of attending and facilitating meetings aimed at making things better in Frankford. This is a serious issue requiring the full attention of a competant individual who cares about positive outcomes for the community and the safety of the residents who will have to literally dodge the bullets after you go home from work for the day.
WOW lyndad; you really know how to take a person with an optimistic outlook and a genuinely helpful attitude towards this neighborhood and treat them like trash. You should be embarrassed about your previous post and probably even apoligize. The amount of time a person has been here has no bearing on what they are doing presently; and are working to do for the future. As for Jason going home from work for the day; I believe the trains are packed at 5:00PM while most people go home for the night. Jason spends almost every night of the week attending neighborghood meetings and other events that he could easily avoid instead of heading home at 5. I think I know now why you have seen an endless line of political aides come and go; because they have to deal with ignorant, unappreciative people such as yourself.
I think it should be noted also that Jason Dawkins lives here. I see him going to and from work on the El. That really counts a lot with me. There are tons of people from the civics to the CDC who don’t live here. I really appreciate it that he is here.
I’d love to concentrate on some concrete steps that we could take to ensure that this building is used in a responsible way.
it is unfare to judge me or wat im doing if u have not stopped to talk with me. That was the the past let it go this is a change for the good
NW Resident Says:
“WOW lyndad . . . You should be embarrassed about your previous post and probably even apoligize. . . .As for Jason … I think I know now why you have seen an endless line of political aides come and go; because they have to deal with ignorant, unappreciative people such as yourself.”
Lydad – you should be proud & you owe no apology.
Jason Dawkins is a paid City employee. He is the fall-guy & mouthpiece for Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez.
He will tell the Public what ever Maria Sanchez directs him to say.
He will make all the meetings for her (on the City payroll) and if something goes amiss – she will blame Jason, thus avoiding taking responsibility herself.
These were the same tactics used by ex-councilman Mariano.
“With nearly 80% of the vote, on November 6, 2007, with tremendous community support, Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican/Latino elected to a district City Council seat and the first Latina to serve on the Philadelphia City Council. She was sworn in on January 7, 2008 for a four year term.
In City Council, Councilwoman Quiñones-Sanchez serves as Chair of the Committee of Licenses and Inspections.”
So why do we still have so many problems if she is the Chair of the Committee of Licenses and Inspections?
Because Maria represents an Hispanic Section of Philadelphia in North Philadelphia that is so downtrodden – it makes even the ugliest section of Frankford look like an oasis of wealth & beauty.
Maria sends out “salsa flavored e-mails” promoting an Hispanic agenda to the exclusion of the rest of District 7; exhibiting a bias against non-hispanics.
She is out of touch with the reality of all things outside the “Hispanic Community.”
For the aforementioned reasons, Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez is not qualified to represent the working middle class of Northeast Philadelphia, who have a completely different quality of life from her constituents living in North Philadelphia.
When will she start representing ALL of the People?
Vern, New Owner, please contact the Frankford Civic and make your intentions known. Maybe then there will not be so much speculation as to your intent. By working with the civic you will not only put residents at ease, but you will make your own process go a lot smotther by garnering some support by the group. Each and every resident should not have to chase you down for info on what’s going on in that historically troubled property.
Political Ass assin–I take it you don’t like Sanchez no matter what she does. You made it clear that Sanchez doesn’t care about Frankford, only the latino community. Yet here we are discussing her representative and his constant presence in Frankford. I’ve seen Sanchez at numerous meetings in areas other than Latino communities, in fact she holds town hall meetings in Frankford just to discuss problems like the one above. I believe Sanchez was also present and effective in closing the other port-a-potty in Frankford; Deuces. I’m guessing that you’re just jealous of her success and really annoyed that a Latino woman has worked and earned her way to a position of respect?
June 17th, 2011 at 3:44 pm NW Resident Says:
“Political Ass assin–I take it you don’t like Sanchez no matter what she does. You made it clear that Sanchez doesn’t care about Frankford, only the latino community. Yet here we are discussing her representative and his constant presence in Frankford. I’ve seen Sanchez at numerous meetings in areas other than Latino communities, in fact she holds town hall meetings in Frankford just to discuss problems like the one above. I believe Sanchez was also present and effective in closing the other port-a-potty in Frankford; Deuces. I’m guessing that you’re just jealous of her success and really annoyed that a Latino woman has worked and earned her way to a position of respect?”
Please itimize :
What has Maria Sanchez done for the Frankford area?
What meetings has she attended in Frankford?
What does she do as chair of L&I?
What does she do for any part of NE Philly?
Closing a bar after a shooting was not the same as saving a life by closing it before a shooting took place.
Hyping one’s own carreer by taking credit fot it is even more shameful.
I have about as much respect for elected officials (that do absolutly nothing but take a paycheck), as you do for God.
Being that you are an athiest and all – you should understand perfectly.
NW Resident Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
“This is a great and inexpensive way to combat the dealers in many areas; and I’m an atheist. Marie you did a great thing for that area; I just wish it would continue today. This area near Arrott Street is again a bustling hot bed of drug dealers. I ride through there on my way home from work and I see them conducting business without a care in the world. Marie, please make your presence known at any of the areas civic meetings and we’ll see that you get assistance to start this powerful tool again; if you wish to do so. I myself would like to clear this area of dealers in a more Dirty Harry like fashion, but that would make just as bad as these losers.”
Diden’t you say that you were going to “sell my house as I move to the burbs” over a tax hike?
I hope that Nutter raises the taxes soon, as this hood doesn’t need you.
Political Ass assin–Please itemize: what have YOU done for the neighborhood? If my religious beliefs, or lack there of, is a big issue to you then why are you going to Sanchez for help; why not just pray?
Oh yeah, I have 2 names on here as I use 2 different PC’s.
NW Resident Says:
June 17th, 2011 at 8:44 am
WOW lyndad; you really know how to take a person with an optimistic outlook and a genuinely helpful attitude towards this neighborhood and treat them like trash. You should be embarrassed about your previous post and probably even apoligize. The amount of time a person has been here has no bearing on what they are doing presently; and are working to do for the future. As for Jason going home from work for the day; I believe the trains are packed at 5:00PM while most people go home for the night. Jason spends almost every night of the week attending neighborghood meetings and other events that he could easily avoid instead of heading home at 5. I think I know now why you have seen an endless line of political aides come and go; because they have to deal with ignorant, unappreciative people such as yourself.
Why don’t you two get a room you sound perfect for each other. If he is such a positive great guy he shouldn’t start trash talking to concerned citizens who pay his salary because he is for some reason in support of this very bad idea. If you and he think re-opening a nuisance bar location is such a hot idea your entitled to your opinions and as a resident that has to dodge bullets when this place is open I am entitled to do what ever to takes to see it doesn’t happen. You obviosly don’t know what you are talking about . How dare either of you say forget the past? To people who are being placed at risk of their lives? That is rediculous.
Political Assassin Says:
In City Council, Councilwoman Quiñones-Sanchez serves as Chair of the Committee of Licenses and Inspections.”
So why do we still have so many problems if she is the Chair of the Committee of Licenses and Inspections?
Because Maria represents an Hispanic Section of Philadelphia in North Philadelphia that is so downtrodden – it makes even the ugliest section of Frankford look like an oasis of wealth & beauty.
Maria sends out “salsa flavored e-mails” promoting an Hispanic agenda to the exclusion of the rest of District 7; exhibiting a bias against non-hispanics.
She is out of touch with the reality of all things outside the “Hispanic Community.”
I don’t know Maria and I havn’t seen her at many meetings I go to but am not impressed with the fact that her aid goes to meetings because that is his job. We pay his salary and we don’t owe him anything else. If anything he could be polite and considerate rather than whining because people have complaints. It would serve the people well if people all did their jobs. I have heard alot of people say the same thing about Maria and I heard about some comments that were made at local meetings that were inappropriate in my opinion but she was duly elected by the latino community and she does seem to serve the interests of those voters so I guess something is getting done in that area and that is not a bad thing. As you say the area needs help. Compared to Rick Mariano who only served his small group of buddies its not much different for Frankford really. I just am very suspicious of the motives of any one who would say bygones and let it all start over again. Any one who cares about the safety and welfare of the Frankford community would not want to see a bar at this location. As for L&I I think they should be eliminated and save the tax payers a lot of wasted money.
vern new owner of propery Says:
June 17th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
it is unfare to judge me or wat im doing if u have not stopped to talk with me. That was the the past let it go this is a “change for the good”
Yeah, that is what the last two owners said when they took over. If you had come in to it doing things the right way by posting notices and letting people know your intentions that would have been a fair thing expected from you. No one who lives in that area is going to be interested letting go. You should just get rid of that building no good can come from opening a bar there and if the LCB gave you stickers to post on your building why are they not posted? Why are no work permits posted. When are you at the building? I would be happy to stop and talk to you about what your intentions are if that is an invitation you are extending. BTW throwing old mail and glass, trash and cigarette butts all over the sidewalk from your renovation is an indication of what kind of neighbor you will be. Do you see those people sitting on your step selling drugs? Those are your customers no one else goes to that place when it is open but them. Is that who you are opening a bar for?
Jim say:
“There are tons of people from the civics to the CDC who don’t live here.”
If anyone could post a list of all the board members from the civics it would be interesting to see it. I wonder how many are from out of Frankford? I don’t see alot of people knocking down doors to be Board members on these groups. I have a lot of respect for all the Boards and members who volunteer their time and hard work in service to these organizations and I thank them. The politicians and aids that attend meetings I thanked them by contributing to their pay checks already.
Anonymous, nowhere did I say to forget the past; that was the new owners statement. I also don’t see on here where anyone but the new owner is in favor of this place reopening. Read the posts, but if you are having trouble comprehending what you are reading there are some neighborhood programs in Frankford that can help with that. The only thing I read today that was ‘REDICULOUS’; was the way you spelled ridiculous.
Joey K – You are very very confused individual on several levels.
Jason Dawkins is a paid City employee. He is the fall-guy & mouthpiece for Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez, so he gets a pass for doing her dirty work.
It was you that said: “I’ve seen Sanchez at numerous meetings in areas other than Latino communities, in fact she holds town hall meetings in Frankford just to discuss problems like the one above.”
So Joey K, back it up & start to itemize. Name & date all those meetings & compare what was discussed to what got resolved.
Joey K, you also said: “If my religious beliefs, or lack there of, is a big issue to you then why are you going to Sanchez for help; why not just pray?”
I cannot begin to try to even figure out what that is suppose to mean – except that you are an atheist with no respect for anything & no belief in anything.
So sad!
Now back up your mouth & itemize the following:
What has Maria Sanchez done for the Frankford area?
What meetings has she attended in Frankford?
What does she do as chair of L&I?
What does she do for any part of NE Philly?
God knows that the poor people in North Philadelphia need her help, and it is a good thing that she can help them, but not to the exclusion of the rest of her constituents.
Closing a bar after a killing is not the same as saving a life by closing it before the killing took place. Hyping one’s own carreer by taking credit fot it is even more shameful or just plain dumb.
For the aforementioned reasons I have said:
“Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez is not qualified to represent the working middle class of Northeast Philadelphia, who have a completely different quality of life from her constituents living in North Philadelphia.
When will she start representing ALL of the People?”
======
Joey K, here is a message from GOD for your atheist mind to think about. It is not too late for you to find Inner Peace.:
“All thy enmity will certainly be charged upon thee one day.
Thou hast the beginnings of hell in thee already. Enmity is a hellish disposition.
As the perfection of love in heaven is a part of heaven’s happiness, so the perfection of enmity in hell is a part if the damned’s misery.
There is a time when all thy acts of enmity shall be set in order before thee. I will set them in order before thee.
The sight of God in heaven inflames love in saints, so the absence of God from hell enrageth enmity in the devils and damned spirits.”
i will be there by 9:00 i am there everyday and u keep saying bar i know nothing about that when it is time to post notices they will be posted rome was not built in a day everything takes time
@ Vern- The idea that you are renovating the building to become a bar came from the men working on the building who when questioned politely by concerned owners of surrounding properties what was going on there, they responded that they were renovating it to re-open as a bar. If you don’t like people speculating on your project and asking questions you are free to follow the procedures that others follow by informing the community of your plans as it very much effects their quality of life. If you choose not to do so then you deserve whatever problems that choice may cause.
@ Joey K- Do you have nothing better to do than troll here and play internet tough guy, spelling police captain athiest avenger bs games. If you are so bored why not turn your spell/grammer checking super powers on your buddys Vern and Jason. What if anything constructive do you do for Frankford? Please enlighten every one about your positive efforts, from the way you speak down to everyone they must be very special.
Lyndad, I am active in cleaning garbage from the streets on my own time. So much that News stations have interviewed me and reported on my volunteerism and my quest to beautify the city. I attend zoning meetings and hearings and support civics in preventing bars like Primos from opening. I take vacation time from work to attend these hearings. I also maintain my own home and raise my child to be respectful of others as well; that’s the most important thing I do. I volunteer, I don’t get paid. I could go on but I won’t; I’ll wait to hear what you and Anonymous do other than sit here and bitch about things.
I can’t imagine how further bickering would be productive.
Let’s clear the air. I do ‘NOT’ get paid to attend meetings. My pay stops at 5:00 everyday, I choose to go the extra mile because I and Maria care to put the work in for our communities. It is clear that Lyndad & Political coward doesn’t know what the hell is going on in this community. I dare either of you to get involved with the neighborhood and learn the people, these issues are personal, I live in Frankford… Not Northwood, but Frankford, East side to be exact!!! These locations that we are discussing is right around the corner from my house. Everyone that works for City Hall is not here to take from the people, if you weren’t so focus on the negative aspects of her work, and worked with her on the current issues, things would be totally different in this community. Stop passing judgement, if you are not apart of the progress, your opinions don’t matter.
Also, if you weren’t happy with the Councilwoman performance than you all should have selected a better candidate to run against her, since you didn’t I guess you have to deal with it for another 4 years……lol
@Jason I don’t need you to invite me to get involved in the community. I am satisfied with my over a quarter century of civic involvement and service to the community. I don’t need to engage you with your immature attempts at being insulting and making personal attacks on concerned residents. If you don’t like hearing the people who pay you complain you should get into a different line of work. Your attitude and remarks show what you are made of. If you claim to know what is going on in the community and this is your childish response you are a big part of the problem and no part of the solution. I never said I was unhappy with Maria’s performance. I said I don’t know her, I don’t see her at meetings I go to. I do see her helping the latino community. However her choice in picking you to represent her was a poor one. You seem hell bent on causing problems not solving them. Try using your hands for something other than patting yourself on the back. If ou know what is going on with property and are not telling the communityI am done feeding the trolls.
Jim Says:
June 18th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I can’t imagine how further bickering would be productive.
I agree. I repeat if anyone has any accurate information about this property please share it with the community this is not a game, people’s quality of life is a serious issue.
Pay Attention Joe – you are all under the either:
Leading The Fight For Frankford Kate Clarke’s Lower Northeast Community Is At A Turning Point. She Acts As Its Guide.
November 21, 2000|By Elisa Ung, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
In the dim City Council chamber, Kate Clarke has just displayed why she has a reputation for being an aggressive Frankford neighborhood activist.
Today, she is chastising the Department of Licenses and Inspections about the problem of abandoned houses.
“Our reports are often met with frustration, leaving us with the picture that Frankford is a forgotten community. However, this community will not allow that to happen to them,” she says.
Grandly, she hands Council members a pair of scissors – “to cut the red tape,” she says.
Clarke, 45, waited three hours last week to testify to a near-empty room, but she did get a payoff: a meeting later with L&I officials to discuss the 369 properties her community-development corporation has identified as abandoned.
Despite her no-nonsense attitude, she says testifying in front of Council can be nerve-racking. Then she pauses and gets a gleam in her eyes: “I like a good fight, though.”
She’s got one. As her Frankford neighborhood teeters on the brink of either further progress or deterioration, all eyes are on Clarke. This fall, the former political aide and Democratic committeewoman took charge of Frankford Plan 2000, a community-advancement initiative compiled by residents throughout six weeks.
It was conceived as a sequel to the first plan, developed in 1993, which gave Frankford a special-services business district and was eventually used as a nationwide model.
The new plan is a way to bring the numerous Frankford community and business associations together under a single vision. It is a collaboration designed to cut down on crime, vacant storefronts and homes, and trash-filled lots – this time by emphasizing arts and culture, cleaning up open space, and marketing a positive image.
Clarke, residents say, is a natural to take over. She has headed Frankford United Neighbors for the last two years, and she is a lifelong neighborhood advocate who has been hooked on activism since she worked on a high school campaign. Her strident, politically astute attitude has gained residents’ trust.
“I’ve got a mouth on me,” she says, flatly. “I try to right a wrong. I know a lot of the ins and outs of the system.”
(Page 2 of 3)
Her group has been identifying abandoned properties and reporting those properties to L&I. And she has spearheaded the cleanup of Womrath Park, a triangular piece of land where Kensington and Frankford Avenues meet under the El. Residents say it used to be full of prostitutes and drug dealers but now attracts picnickers and, in the warm months, sunbathers.
“Kate is the type of leader in this community that, whether she’s being paid . . . or she’s doing it as a volunteer, she takes all of it with a great deal of responsibility and also with a sense of the greater good,” said Connie DeLury, president of the first Frankford Plan.
“She sees the reality of what it takes to do something, and she sees the theory of the nonprofit boards, how they want a better world and they want things done nicely,” DeLury said. “That really brings together a set of experiences that is beneficial.”
Frankford’s gradual decline began in the 1960s, when suburban shopping malls began grabbing business from Frankford Avenue. In 1977, the Frankford Arsenal closed, taking with it numerous jobs. Then, in the early ’90s, renovation of the El pulled pedestrian and automobile traffic off the avenue, further sinking the area.
That was when business and community associations began to mobilize, resulting in the first Frankford Plan.
By the late 1990s, the decline of this lower Northeast community of 35,000 was slowing, and the area started getting national attention.
The Pew Charitable Trusts offered a $1.2 million grant to bolster the plan and made it a case study for a nationwide community-revitalization program. In 1996, a stretch of Frankford Avenue was made part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street project, aimed at transforming business corridors nationwide.
“There was a time when people looked to the city or the federal government to bring change in neighborhoods. That’s not the case now,” said Steve Culbertson, executive director of Frankford Group Ministry Community Development Corp.
The new Frankford Plan has concentrated on arts and culture, following the energy behind a new art gallery on Frankford Avenue.
“Where artists are attracted, other people seem to flock,” Clarke says. “You can concentrate on the housing end of it, but if you don’t have culture and recreation, people won’t want to live there.”
(Page 3 of 3)
Now, Clarke has the task of heading the latest revitalization initiative, which has no staff and is searching for funding. Her days are spent cheerfully, though, repeating the same message again and again. Frankford is on the upswing, she tells anyone who will listen.
Just look, she says. A local director recently put on the neighborhood’s first nonmusical play in more than 50 years. Frankford Group Ministry is rehabilitating houses and building new ones. Frequent park cleanups and community barbecues are held.
For more than two years, Clarke has been executive director of her neighborhood community-development corporation, which has an annual budget of no more than $110,000.
“She’s a very tenacious lady,” said Mark Lopez, a former coworker and now a Philadelphia Parking Authority official. “When you are doing battle with her, you know you have a worthy adversary in Kate Clarke, and she puts Frankford first.”
Clarke grew up in nearby Juniata Park and graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls. She dabbled a little at Community College of Philadelphia but soon got married and never went back to school. Community activism, she thought, was more fun.
She worked for a time in a day-care center, then an art gallery, then as a secretary for a construction company, all the while doing political campaign work here and there.
She wore out three pairs of shoes going door-to-door for State Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s unsuccessful 1992 campaign for the state House, then worked on Tartaglione’s winning 1994 campaign for the state Senate. Clarke then served as Tartaglione’s administrative assistant until 1998.
“Kate understands politics,” said City Councilman Rick Mariano, whose district includes most of the neighborhood. “She’s got good people skills, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty.”
Now divorced, Clarke lives in her late mother’s home in nearby Juniata Park with her partner of two years, Debbie O’Malley, 31; an additional roommate; and their collective four dogs (all dachshunds) and seven cats.
“A lot of her personal life revolves around the community work because it takes a lot of time,” said O’Malley, who works at a Center City brokerage firm. “She wants to make the world a better place. She wants to work for the people. She thinks people should live in the right way.”
Sitting on a sunny bench in Womrath Park, Clarke says she and her neighborhood have a long road ahead.
“We’re probably in the gawky stage right now,” she said. “We know what we want to do. It’s not quite there yet, but we’re getting in that direction.”
Elisa Ung’s e-mail address is eung@phillynews.com
http://articles.philly.com/2000-11-21/news/25611772_1_neighborhood-properties-residents
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To All I’m sorry to say I had to back away from Frankford because of some of the petty -politcal in-fighting as long as this goes on ,places like Primo’s are going to get thier way.. As for Jason Dawkins he has done a GREAT JOB working with NORTHWOOD CIVIC ,now that the election is over , I can also say Council women Maria Sanchez is doing excelent job representing NORTHWOOD.I would have said this sooner ,but as president I have to be NON-Politcal. If any one wants to see if Jason Dawkins is doing his job come to the NWCA meeting .