Tag: Civics

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A Win for Frankford

zba hearing

Tim Savage, Margie Rivera, Brian Wisneiwski, Pete Specos

The hearing at the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the 1522-24 church Street application was scheduled for 4:00 pm Wednesday.  This issue goes all that way to March of this year when we became aware of the new owners plan to use the properties for recovery houses.  Since the houses are near a church, school and home for young girls, it did not sound like a good idea.  Margie Rivera who is lives closest to the houses did not think it was a good idea either.  She was besieged at all hours of the day and night by noise in the house next door and people coming and going at all hours of the day and night.

The houses are zoned as single family dwellings and cannot be used to house more than three unrelated people.  Neighbors observed many men living there.  At some point, the men were moved out and women moved in.  The owner then applied to convert the houses into duplexes that would have permitted six people to legally live in each one.  The community came together to oppose that maneuver.

Petitions, letters from city, state and federal officials and all other stake holders were collected and a hearing was scheduled.  The owner sent a request for a delay at the first hearing.  At yesterday’s hearing the attorney for the owner sent a notice that he was withdrawing from the case.  The owner did not attend and the case was dismissed.

Attending the hearing were Pete Specos, Tim Savage and Brian Wisniewski from the Frankford Civic, Margie Rivera, Rita Lugrine and Joe Fernandes Legislative Assistant from Maria Quinones Sanchez office.  This campaign took a great deal of effort on the part of the civic to coordinate the drive.  They all should be applauded.   The unsung here in this is really Margie Rivera who stepped up and just said no.

This is not over however.  Now the line is clearly drawn.  No more than three unrelated people in those houses.  L&I has to enforce this.  We will see how it goes.  You can be sure that the community is watching.

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Frankford High School Incident Still Being Investigated – Yet Student Charged!

We first linked to this story on November 3, 2009. The incident is truly unfortunate and while it is still being investigated, many questions remain about what actually happened. However, this young man faces charges of assault at an upcoming hearing. We hope his lawyer is successful in postponing this hearing until the questions are answered and witness accounts are fully heard. Please read more of this story here. Thank you!

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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Christmas BazaarNext Week In Frankford
    When – Sat, December 5, 12pm – 4pm
    Where – Second Baptist Church of Frankford, 1801 Meadow St, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, December 6, 12pm – 5pm
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Civil War Era Music from the Front at Christmas Time Gleim’s Band 198th P.V
  • DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? St. Joachim’s Christmas Event
    When – Sun, December 6, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
    Where – St. Joachims, 1507 Church St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – St. Joachim’s is presenting the biggest Christmas event ever! It will be held in the Church on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM. Join us for an afternoon of music, fun, drama and prayer. Free admission. 3 pm to 4:30 pm with refreshments following. Invite your friends and neighbors!
  • Community Meeting on the SEPTA Margaret-Orthodox Station Rehabilitation Project
    When – Tue, December 8, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Where – Frankford Group Ministries, 4620 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Get details about what’s happening to update the station We invite you to attend the meeting to get: * an overview and progress update about the project; * details about improvements; * possible impacts to businesses, residents, and riders; * an opportunity to have your questions answered firsthand. Tuesday, December 8 Frankford Group Ministries 4620 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 5:30 pm Registration & Refreshments 6:00 Meeting Begins 7:30 Meeting Ends We look forward to seeing you. For more information contact Patricia Miller, Constituent Relations Coordinator, at 215-580-3609.
  • Historical Society of Frankford program
    When – Tue, December 8, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
    Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – MUSEUM and MEMBERS SHARE HOLIDAY TREASURES — Historical Society of Frankford Volunteers and Members. HSF’s Museum and Library has items in its collection that were likely holiday gifts or accessories for past Frankford families. You may have an item that your family has used or a special holiday gift that has been enjoyed over the years. Bring them to share with our members and volunteers as you get an insider’s view of some of HSF’s special items. Educational holiday crafts for the children will be offered, so bring your young people to this festive meeting. And feel free to bring a dessert as we gather to enjoy our traditional holiday sweets buffet.
  • Zoning Board Hearing on 1522-24 Church Street
    When – Wed, December 9, 4pm – 5pm
    Where – 1515 ARCH STREET 18TH FLOOR (map)
  • Philadelphia Energy Coordinating Agency co-host Weatherization Workshops
    When – Wed, December 9, 6pm – 8pm
    Where – Sankofa Charter School, 4256 Paul St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Rep. Payton and the Philadelphia Energy Coordinating Agency co-host Weatherization Workshops These free workshops are open to the public and will teach people how to save money through energy conservation. Trainers will present on how to install self-help energy saving material and provide these materials free of charge to qualifying attendees. Information will also be available on rebates, tax credits, and new energy programs. Referrals will also be provided to existing energy conservation and assistance programs. Sankofa Charter School 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 4256 Paul St. Philadelphia For more information, call 215-288-2001 http://www.pahouse.com/Payton/CommunityCalendar.asp
  • Frankford Garden Club trip to Longwood Gardens
    When – Sat, December 12, 3pm – 9pm
    Where – Bus departs Griscom and Orthodox Streets (map)
    Description – Trip to Longwood Gardens on Saturday December 12- $5 for Garden Club members, $12 for adult guests, $6 for children guests! The Bus will leave from Griscom and Orthodox Streets at 3:00 pm, arriving at Longwood around 4pm – we will return by 9pm
  • Frankford Garden Club Holiday Party
    When – Tue, December 15, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
    Where – Wissinoming Park (map)
    Description – For Garden club members and their invited guests.
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, December 15, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Italian Style Family Dinner
    When – Wed, December 16, 4:30pm – 8:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
  • Free Pictures with Santa
    When – Sat, December 19, 9am – 12pm
    Where – Dream Girls, 4601 Frankford Avenue, 2nd floor. (map)
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Frankford Civic Meeting

The Frankford Civic meeting held tonight, was very well attended with about 30 people in the room.

There will be a SEPTA meeting at the Frankford Group Ministry building (4620 Griscom Street) on December 8th, to inform the community about the 7.5 million dollar rehabilitation of the Margaret-Orthodox El stop.  It was the first el stop rebuilt back in the 80’s and now they need to do it over again.  This time maybe it will be the right way.  See the community calendar for the details.

Rep. Payton has partnered with the Energy Coordinating Agency to offer a Weatherization Workshop in Frankford.   Weatherizing your home can reduce your heating bill dramatically, and provides a safer, warmer home for your family.  The Energy Coordinating Agency will show you how you can weatherize your home for little to no money.  They will also discuss assistance programs from the government that help pay for the cost of weatherizing your home.  See the community calendar for the details.  Please Call State Representative Tony Payton Jr’s Office at 215-744-7901 or email Simone Woods at swoods@pahouse.net if you plan to attend.

Zoning hearing at the ZBA for the conversion of 1522 and 1524 Church Street to multi family housing.  The community opposes the conversion and all concerned residents should attend the hearing to make sure the ZBA understands our position.

A contractor who owns the lot at 4205-07 Adams Avenue is seeking support for a zoning change to build a garage to store his equipment.  He came along IMG_3821croppedwith his architect to display his proposal.  He was advised to solicit support from the immediate neighbors adjacent to his property and to begin the application process.

It was anticipated that Anthony Bannister would appear to explain his group’s plan to purchase the now closed New Frankford Community Y property.   They have been in discussion with Senator Payton’s office as well as Councilperson Quinones Sanchez office.  No one from the group attended the meeting.  Reps from Sanchez and Payton’s office both said in the course of their meetings they had raised questions about the business plan and funding for the project. In addition,there is the issue of the sale of a non profit entity to a “for profit” corporation.   Barry Howell, president of the Northwood Civic was present and said that the Northwood Civic’s position at this point is to emphatically oppose the deal.

Good news to report. Somehow the long unmoving vehicle on Ruan Street that was discussed at last month’s meeting has been eliminated.  We’re not sure who deserves the credit for doing the right thing.

Next Frankford Civic meeting is January 7th.  Be sure all the details I forgot to report on NEastPhilly.com.

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Frankford Civic Meeting Tomorrow Night

From Margie on the message board:

I am fighting for my family’s home. Our comfort zone. I am making my voice heard in fighting this problem of “recovery homes” next door to families in Frankford. I’ve heard that there are many and I’ve even read a post about one on Penn St. having the same problems as mine. I do not understand why I am the only one showing up at the Civic Meetings wanting to make changes. I have never ever been a person to stand out in a crowd or speak out in front of a crowd. My own neighbors don’t go to the meetings. I figure it’s because they don’t live next door it and don’t see and hear what my family does. I know there’s got to be people living next door to these “recovery houses”. I can’t be the only one! One hour of one night a month of your time isn’t much to ask for to fight and get laws made so that if you should decide to buy a home and 3 years later a recovery home wants to move in next door to you, sharing your front steps, you’ll be able to stop them. We all can’t keep moving because of people wanting to make money off of addicts who need a place to live and open a house anywhere and call it a recovery home. Please come to the Civic Meetings on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Have your voice heard or just listen. The worse that came happen is that you will learn about what’s going on in your community.