Tag: Frank Bennett

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Northwood Civic Doubles Membership

The Northwood Civic Association meeting ran overtime with a full plate of issues on Tuesday, June 19th.  Joe Krause opened the meeting.  It was noted that membership has doubled in the Civic Association in the last few months.  The minutes from last month were read and a verbal treasurers report was given.

1142 Kenwyn Street (Kenwyn and Horrocks)

1142 Kenwyn Street

The Northwood Civic board took emergency action after last months meeting when residents reported that the property was open to vandals and attracting problems. They cleaned it up and sealed it with new locks.  The realtor who is handling the property has been advised of the deed restriction so that it does not become a rental.

4834 Penn Street (Penn and Harrison Streets)

Although this property is not in Northwood, it is too close to ignore.  A population of 36 men in drug recovery only one block from Frankford High School is intolerable.  Jason Dawkins, of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez staff, discussed the issues and strategy that the councilwoman’s office will be taking to oppose the use of this property for a drug rehab.  Northwood Civic will work with Frankford.

5030 Oxford Avenue Sheriff Sale Delayed

The property had been listed for Sheriff Sale but it is off the list.  The owner says they have a possible renter.  More news on that issue next month.

949 Foulkrod Street Deed Restriction Violation

949 Foulkrod Street

The Board has surveyed the Northwood deed restricted area and found some owners in violation of the restriction.  However, the most significant violation is an owner who is renting a single family home to multiple families.  The board recommends that the Civic file suit against the owner for compliance with the deed restriction.  There will be a Northwood Civic meeting on July 3rd at 7PM at St. James for the specific purpose of having a membership vote on the issue.  All voting members are urged to attend.

Northwood Town Watch

Tom McAvoy, President of the Town Watch, reported the they are still organizing and are looking for new members.  At present they will be the eyes and ears for reports of problems.  No patrols will be undertaken at this stage.  The email for the Town Watch is nwtownwatch@hotmail.com.

Report on PSA1 Meeting

Frank Bennett reported that the board attended the PSA1 meeting in May.  He noted that the answer to why there are no patrols in Northwood is that the police are too busy answering calls to do much patrolling.  He noted that in some parts of the city, neighbors have organized to hire private security companies to provide that service.  If enough households got together, it could be cost effective.

Thanks to Joe Menkevich

Frank Bennett went on the record with a thank you to Joe Menkevich for all the work he has done in the last few weeks on the deed restriction in Northwood.  His research has been extensive and invaluable.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic will be on July 3rd at 7Pm at St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Ave. and Pratt Street.

 

 

 

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Northwood Civic Explores Town Watch

At the Northwood Civic Association meeting on Tuesday April 17th, Vice President Frank Bennett proposed that the Civic look into establishing a Town Watch group for the neighborhood.  Member Paul Sager who had formerly headed up a Town Watch group in Northwood, volunteered to co chair the group with Bennett.  A proposal to fund the initial study with $300 in Association funds had to be tabled until next month’s meeting because a quorum of members was not in attendance to approve the motion.

Gina Panchella opened the meeting for President Joe Krause who was absent on personal business.  Panchella read the minutes of the last meeting.  Renee Hudson reported that there had been one small withdrawal from the treasury since last meeting.

A member reported on the status of the Edmund School charter meeting she attended.  That was followed by a discussion among the members of the pros and cons of the change.  The Philly2035 meeting was also discussed at length.

The Civic will continue to try to have the bus stop at the corner of Foulkrod and the Boulevard repaired by SEPTA.  It has become a hazard to residents who have to wait at the location for buses.  It need a concrete pad installed.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be held on May 17th at 7PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Pratt St. and Castor Avenue.

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Northwood Civic Association Reorganizes

The Northwood Civic meeting on Tuesday, January 17th had about 20 people attending.  The board is continuing to organize itself with the new officers coming in.  President Joe Krause led the meeting.

The board has decided that the issue of 950 Filmore Street is now closed.

Frank Bennett

Frank Bennett, Vice President said the board is looking toward organizing committees within the civic to deal with specific issues.  The committees will be initiated by member interest and willingness to organize one.  Examples might be neighborhood cleanup, town watch, vacant property, welcome to the neighborhood etc.  If you are interested in organizing a committee, come to the next civic meeting and talk to a board member.

Tom McAvoy had previously volunteered to serve as Treasurer and his offer was accepted.  Walt Melbourne has volunteered to serve as Secretary.

Joe Menkevich

Joe Menkevich, raised the issue of transparency and the board responded that although they are in the beginning of the process, they fully intend to be completely transparent in their activities.  Future meetings will include a treasurer’s report and minutes of the last meeting.  They also indicated that proper procedure will be followed for speakers to be recognized by whoever is conducting the meeting for asking questions or making comments.

Jason Dawkins

Jason Dawkins, representing Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez spoke about the recent redistricting exercise which resulted in the change of representation in City Council of Northwood from Darrell Clarke to Ms. Sanchez.

Jason also noted that the former Central United Methodist Church building will in all likelihood be demolished, possibly as early as this week.

Edgardo Gonzalez, Legislative Assistant to State Representative Tony Payton spoke about the fate of the shuttered former Frankford Community Y.  He said there is interest in the property by The Center for Urban Theological Studies which is presently located in Hunting Park.  They are still in the process of making a decision but there is hope that the deal might go through.

The meeting was adjourned at 8PM.

 

 

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Northwood Civic Meeting

Major news last night was the appearance of Frank Bennett who has taken title to 4712 Castor Avenue and is in the process of restoring it to its former grandeur.  Mr. Bennett intends to occupy the home with his family and has taken on a formidable task.  Work is underway at this time but on Saturday there will be an open house between noon and 4PM for those who would like to see the property.

Michael Ogden made a presentation on behalf of the Bridge, a residential treatment facility for adolescent boys between 14 and 18.  They are looking for community support for their proposed move to the 1100 block of Adams Avenue.  They presently occupy a building at 8400 Pine Road in Fox Chase on the Medical Missionary Sisters grounds.  That building will be taken over by the sisters for a residence for nuns in retirement so the Bridge must relocate.  A new facility would be built on that hill on Adams Avenue and the Bridge would have a long term lease.

Ogden made his case to the audience and it is clear that they run a very good program.  The issues raised by the audience were of security since this is not a lock down facility.  It is run like a school.  If a kid wants to run away, he can.  Ogden stated that no violent offenders are in their program.  Jorge Santana (Tony Payton’s Chief of Staff) pointed out that the property now is frequented by drug users who are more likely to be criminals than the residents of the school that would hopefully replace the empty lot.  Two young men, residents of the Bridge, spoke eloquently of their life changing experience in the program.

No vote was taken regarding the Civics’s support for the Bride at last night’s meeting.  It is a tough call.  Most residents are opposed to more social service programs moving into the neighborhood.  However, the audience last night seemed to be favorably impressed with the quality of the Bridge.