Category: Civics

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Northwood Civic Pledges Support to Leiper Street Resident

The issue of housing for those in recovery programs has surfaced again on the 4700 block of Leiper Street.

There are presently two large houses being used for this purpose.  The Joy of Living program at 4716 Leiper is well known.  In addition there is another residence at 4747.  Mary, the owner of 4719 recently found out that the house next to her, 4717 has been purchased by the owner of Joy of Living.  She is concerned that it will be used as a residence for those in recovery.  The question is, how many houses of this type can one block support.    This is not a case of “Not in my back yard” but more of concern of how the neighborhood can support the density of concentration of short time residents.  Northwood Civic and those attending the meeting voiced their concern and pledge support.  Jason Dawkins also committed to setting up a meeting between the owner of the property and Joy of Living.

Mary says: “My family feels trapped here on Leiper Street, sandwiched in.. having to accept the constant turnover of neighbors on every side of us. Constantly there are people coming and going on this block, no peace and quiet. Men that we do not know hang outside, from very early to late at night, smoking cigarettes and talking inappropriate dialogue for a residential neighborhood. The environment here is starting to feel like a bus station. It is a terrible feeling knowing that you will never get to know who will be living next door to you (on every side). I feel that eventually all families are going to choose to move away because leaders of the community are not acting on their promises. Promises like limiting the concentration and overpopulation of transient like living. People like myself with kids are going to chose to move away to a better place more conducive to family life. Surrendering the block and the neighborhood entirely to passersby.”

In other news from the meeting on September 15th:

  • Joe Krause, Presdent of the Civic, reported that he had sent a letter of support to the zoning board for Amuneal Manufacturing for their application for a paint booth at their new facility on Torresdale Avenue.  A letter was also sent to support the application of the owner of 1301 Fillmore who wanted to add take out food to the services provided at their store.  These letters are in the interest of giving the neighborhood a voice in zoning issues.  At present the ZBA only requires applicants to appear before the Frankford NAC for approval.  The NAC has instructions to allow only residents living within two blocks of the applicant to vote on the issue.  The result is that a few people who attend a meeting are giving a disproportionate voice in determining the future.
  • The homeless veteran who had been living in his car on Herbert Street has moved. He caused no trouble and residents were more concerned about him the frightened.
  • The Castor Avenue traffic study has moved to stealth mode using radar guns.  This is to collect data and is not an enforcement tool.  By the time you read this it will be over but the data will be used to make recommendations for speed control.
  • Bandit signs are back.  Call 311 and take pictures if you report them on a mobile app.  There is a fine for each one they put up.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Assocation will be held on October 2oth at 7 PM at St. James Church at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street.

 

 

 

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Frankford Civic Debates PA Budget

It was a crowded and interesting Frankford Civic Association meeting on September 3rd with Rep. Jason Dawkins discussing the budget crisis.  Citizens will start feeling the effects of the failure to pass a new budget in Harrisburg.  One of the results could be no payments to subsidized child care centers.  He talked about the causes of the impasse.  One of the Republican proposals is the privatize the state liquor stores.  The Democrats do not see how that can be accomplished without losing a major source of income.  It is also projected that many of the liquor sales licenses that would be sold would end up in the hands of existing stores.  That would result in the overall loss of jobs.

civic edit

Jim Hannigan, who is the owner of the property at 4834 Penn met with a small work group before the meeting.  He brought his plans for the new unit which is being built at the rear of the property with an entrance on Harrison Street. it will be 19 one bedroom apartments with parking on the property for 5 cars.

Veronica Daniel updated the group on the zoning situation related to the Amuneal Manufacturing Company.  Amuneal, which occupies two buildings in Frankford, needed more space and expanded into a building on Torresdale Avenue.  They were told they needed a zoning approval for the paint booth used in their business.  They appeared at the Frankford NAC and 4 residents local to the business address voted against the application.  The Northwood Civic and Frankford Civic associations both sent letters to the zoning board supporting the application.  It was eventually approved.  Both Civic associations have said that they believe the present system of only permitting residents within 2 blocks to vote on an issue is too restrictive and are looking for improvement in that process.

The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be held on October 8th at 7 PM at St. Marks Church 4442 Frankford Avenue.

Comments by Joe Krause: 

No mention here of the complete monopolization of the 4700 block of Leiper Street by boarding/recovery houses and the lone resident on that block seeking relief for their family. That resident was in attendance I believe. That family is in a dangerous environment and it is only getting worse.
Further comments from Mary Jane Milich Pagan:
Thank you Joe!!! Yes, I was there- (back right side of room in picture above). I am really feeling outnumbered and unheard!?! I stood up in the center aisle and openly addressed the Civic and attendees about what is happening on Leiper Street. I was interrupted at the end and discouraged from continuing. I left this meeting feeling so sad…Where can I go from here when it appears as though speaking out doesn’t even get heard? (at least not heard enough to even gain mention in the article above..)

 

 

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Frankford Library to Reopen on July 20th

Betsy Baxter, Librarian at the Frankford Library, announced at the Frankford Civic meeting that the work on the library building should be wrapped up in time for reopening on July 20th.  The work included replacement of the heating and air conditioning systems as well as work on the floors, painting, stairs and the telephone system.

Pete Specos, who is President of the Frankford Civic Association is also Treasurer of the 15th Police District Advisory Council (PDAC), reported that they had another successful gun buy back on June 27th.  The event was sponsored by Barbera’s on the Boulevard.

gun buy back

John Pagano (Barbers’s) , SWAT officer, Pete Specos, Art Carita (Barbera’s), the Bear, Phil Poppas

Kat Hardy talked to the group about the upcoming Frankford Old Head Softball game and cookout on August 22 at Ditman and Wakeling Streets.  See more details at this link.

Several residents from the 4600 block of Penn Street talked about speeding on their block and the dangers of crossing the street in that area.  Darrion Shuford, representing Rep. Jason Dawkins and Kat Hardy representing Sen. Tina Tartaglione both said they would address the issues.  The residents were invited to come to the next PSA1  meeting to talk to the police directly.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on August 6th at 7 PM at St. Marks Church 4442 Frankford Avenue.