Neighbors are organizing a cleanup for may 28th around Simpson Playground . Take a look at the details below.
Northwood Neighborhood Cleanup
Month: May 2016
Dawkins Proposes Task Force on Juvenile Life Sentences
State Representative Jason Dawkins in working on final preparations to issue a resolution in the 
General Assembly to establish the Task Force on Juvenile Life Sentences.
The task force will meet to develop recommendations regarding how best to handle appeals and applications for post-conviction relief from the hundreds of individuals in this Commonwealth who were sentenced to mandatory life without parole when they were under the age of 18.
The task force will be comprised of eleven experts that are knowledgeable and experienced in issues relating to criminal appeals, post-conviction relief, and the appropriate sentencing of youth offenders. Seven members will be appointed by the House, Senate and governor, while the remaining four will consist of representatives from the Department of Corrections, the Board of Probation and Parole, the Sentencing Commission, and the Office of Victim Advocate.
In 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory life without parole sentences for individuals who were under 18 at the time of the offense are unconstitutional. Then, on January 25, 2016, our nation’s highest court ruled in Montgomery v. Louisiana that its decision in Miller must be applied retroactively. Pennsylvania faces a greater challenge in complying with Miller and Montgomery than most states, as it is home to nearly 500 of the nation’s 2,000 “juvenile lifers.”
The resolution calls for a thorough and comprehensive review of laws, court decisions, policies and procedures. This will ensure an efficient appeals and post-conviction relief process that will provide just and fair sentences that are sufficient to protect public safety and promote rehabilitation.
Follow this link for a draft of the proposed resolution.
Stormwater Going Green in Frankford
On May 17th residents met at McIlvain Playground to hear Haley Stern, Philadelphia Water Outreach Specialist explain the stormwater improvement project planned for Frankford.
These projects are part of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program. Green City, Clean Waters is Philadelphia’s plan to reduce stormwater pollution currently entering our Combined Sewer System through the use of green infrastructure.
Green City, Clean Waters represents a major shift in the way we think about and deal with stormwater in Philadelphia. We’re recreating the living landscapes that once slowed, filtered, and consumed rainfall by adding green to our streets, sidewalks, roofs, schools, parks, parking lots and more—any impermeable surface that’s currently funneling stormwater into our sewers and waterways is fair game for greening. It’s going to take decades of work, but when it’s all done, we’ll have reduced the stormwater pollution entering our waterways by a stunning 85 percent.
That means rivers and streams that are swimmable, fishable, drinkable on a level exceeding even the memory of Philadelphia’s oldest residents.
By employing green tools instead of just relying on traditional infrastructure like pipes and storage basins, we meet standards set by the Clean Water Act while saving Philadelphia an estimated $5.6 billion. Since Green City, Clean Waters was adopted in June 2011, Philadelphia Water and private developers have added over 1,100 green stormwater tools to our landscape.
The plan (follow this link for a color map) for Frankford will focus the following streets:
- Sanger St. between Valley St. and Walker St.
- Van Kirk St. and Walker St. intersection
- Cottage Street between Bridge St. and Cheltenham Ave.
- Bridge St. between Walker St. and Cottage St.
- Cottage St. and Harrison St. intersection
- Darrah St. and Allengrove St. intersection
- Duffield St. between Pratt St. and Conklin St.
- Streets surrounding McIlvain Playground (Saul St., Bridge St., Penn St., Pratt St.)
The purpose of the meeting was to provide a summary of improvements planned for those streets and residents were invited to provide feedback on proposed designs.
A swale, similar to the one put into Womrath Park and recently Harding Middle school, is planned for the cemetery.
Swale at Harding Middle School under construction
Residents from the area of the cemetery expressed concerns about trash and dumping and said they would prefer that the proposed swale there be fenced in. They were told that it would be put into the plan.
Construction is anticipated to begin in one to two years. For more information about these Green City, Clean Waters improvements, contact Philadelphia Water Outreach Specialist Hailey Stern at Hailey.Stern@phila.gov.
Frankford Business Mixing It Up
The Frankford Business and Professional Association (FNPA) helds its annual Spring mixer and networking gathering on May 19th at the Historical Society of Frankford (HSF).
Over 50 of the community’s movers and shakers attended the event to socialize and talk about their various ventures.
Short clip below from the event which also showcases the HSF freshly painted and spruced up meeting hall.
A good time was had by all.
Get Well Shout out to Pete Specos
President of the Frankford Civic Association, Treasurer of the 15th Police District Advisory Council, leader of the 15th District PSA1 meetings, board member and chef for Keep the Faith in Frankford at Dining With Dignity at St. Marks. He is recuperating from some health issues.
