Tag: Civics

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We are not going away

KatieRose Keenan of the Northeast Times writes about last week’s Frankford Civic meeting.  One of the important issues addressed:

During the association’s meeting, the membership also turned to the continuing saga of its fight against the opening of substance-abuse treatment facilities and recovery houses in the community.The civic group has been opposed to the opening of the Wedge Medical Center, a treatment facility at 4243-47 Frankford Ave.At its June meeting, according to the civic organization, Roland Lamb, director of addiction services for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services, promised to organize a town-hall meeting so that the community could discuss concerns about a recent spread of these facilities in Frankford.
Civic members are taking steps to push for that meeting. “We addressed Mr. Lamb and requested that we settle on a date for the town-hall meeting we were promised,” aid Brian Wisniewski, vice president of the civic association. “We have been waiting well over six months for a town-hall meeting.”
During that meeting in June, members said, Lamb also outlined the criteria that a treatment facility must meet for approval to operate in a community. One of those provisions, Wisniewski insisted, has not been met. “Mr. Lamb stated that a treatment center had to have letters of support from the community,” Wisniewski said. “There were no letters of support from this board for the Wedge Medical Center to open up.”
“We have also asked Mr. Lamb repeatedly to show us who from the community supported Wedge. So, far we have received no answer.”

A common strategy in government for dealing with problems is to ignore them.  Sometimes they go away and you solve the problem that way.  But Frankford is not going to go away.  We are waiting.

It is time for Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez to step into this issue.  She is the chair of the L&I committee.  Seems like she is the go to person when it comes to enforcing regulations.  We is she waiting for?

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Next week in Frankford

  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When-Sun, December 7, 12pm – 5pm
    Where-4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description-Presentation at 1:30 PM: ‘Christmas at the Front in Music, Song, and Story’ Presented by Gleim’s 198th PA. Regimental Band – 6th Union League Regiment Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 1:30PM Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Civil War Museum & Library 4278 Griscom St Philadelphia, PA. 19124 tel: 215-289-6484 web: www.garmuslib.org e-mail: garmuslib@verizon.org FREE & Open to the public!
  • Historical Society of Frankford Open house
    When-Sun, December 7, 1pm – 4pm
    Where-1507 Orthodox Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Budget Cut Town Hall Meeting
    When-Mon, December 8, 7pm – 9pm
    Where-John Perzel Community Center – 2990 St. Vincent Street (map)
    Description-Public should arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 PM At each session Mayor Nutter will make opening remarks and run the audience through a short overview presentation and then open up for approximately an hour-long Q&A session. The Managing Director, Deputy Mayors, Finance Director Rob Dubow, Budget Director Steve Agostini, Police Commissioner Ramsey, Fire Commissioner Ayers, Recreation Commissioner Slawson, L&I Commissioner Burns, Streets Commissioner Tolson, and Fairmount Park Commission Executive Director Mark Focht, and other department and agency heads will all be available to answer questions.
  • Historical Society of Frankford Program
    When-Tue, December 9, 7:00pm – 10:30pm
    Where-1507 Orthodox Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description-Tea Sandwiches and Dessert Social PLUS December’s Program: Dickens and “A Christmas Carol” Presented by Rochelle Christoper 6:30 pm Social, bring tea sandwiches or a dessert to share 7:30 pm Program begins 8:30 pm Carols and dessert The program starts with the true history of Christmas as a Saturnalian festival and goes on to discuss Charles Dickens, how he came to write the Carol, and how he single-handedly changed the face of Christmas both in England and in the United States. It will end with a reading of the Carol and Rochelle will use Dickens’s “reading copy” of the story. “Christmas Carol” was Dickens’s favorite story and he had a special adaptation that he used for Christmas. The family still uses it for Christmas dinner. This will be accompanied by color illustrations by Roberrto Innocenti.
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Frankford Civic Association Meeting

Frankford Civic met tonight and on the agenda were a number of important issues:

  • One zoning issue from a past meeting was updated.  Since there were some new folks at the meeting looking for information or support, Pete briefed them on the role of the Civic in this arena.  The Civic does not look to obstruct business.  The Civic desires t0 help new businesses come into Frankford, provided they meet their legal obligations and are supported by the community.
  • A member of Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez staff spoke about the budget cuts that are devastating recreational programs.  The bottom line is that the cuts must be made to balance the budget and the focus must now be on making up for the lack of funds with community involvement.  Many at the meeting expressed concern over what will happen to the kids this summer when they are out of school and have no swimming pools or to cool off in.  No solid answers were provided.
  • A representative of the 15th district PDAC (Police District Advisory Council) talked about the closing of the curfew centers.    How will the effect the problem of kids on the streets late in the summers.  All were advised to attend the next town hall meeting at the Perzel center on Monday night to voice their opinion.
  • Brian read a letter that was sent to Roland Lamb at the Office of Addiction Services.  The point of the letter was to request that a promised meeting be scheduled.  This is to be a community meeting to determine the degree of support for the various drug services offered within the Frankford area.

As usual, the meeting was orderly and fast paced.