Tag: frankford civic association

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Sankofa Students at Frankford Civic

About 20 people turned out at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on March 3rd.

Discussion centered on the town watch proposal and Stephen Bowne distributed a flyer that he proposes using in his area of Frankford to solicit volunteers.  In Frankford it would take the form of an Eyes and Ears activity rather than an active patrol.  Bowne is also interested in the Safe Corridors program when enough people become active.

Students from Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School made a presentation of their research project titled the “Triple H Effect” which connected Homelessness, Healthy Eating and Human Trafficking.  Egypt Henry, Nairha Pugh-Bell and Abdul Foster did a great job and answered questions from the group about their research.

Sankofa Students

Pete Specos updated the group on the recent PSA1 meeting held in Bridesburg.  The next PSA1 meeting will return to Bridesburg to address the issues raised for those residents.  It will be held on March 24th at 7 PM at the Bridesburg Boys and Girls Club at 2901 Bridge Street.

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

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting for February

The Frankford Civic Association met on February 4th with about 15 residents attending.  People were concerned about the recent shootings as Pete Specos updated the group on the incident outside of Sugar and Spice at Frankford and Foulkrod.  The owner of that store has excellent video coverage of the event and the police have taken it in for evidence.

Veronica Daniel and Barbara Pippet expressed an interest in doing something to beautify the neighborhood.  The positive effect of group efforts like that are well documented.  Someone will contact Philadelphia More Beautiful for information.  Representatives from Senator Tartaglione’s office offered to provide support.

Tax rebate  and LIHEAP assistance is also available at Senator Tartaglione’s office for those who need it.  They also have recycling bins available.

Residents from Stiles Street in interested in participating in the Town Watch Safe Corridors program.

Specos also noted that the next PSA1 meeting will be held in Bridesburg at the recreation center on Richmond Street on February 25th.  This is a temporary move to make it easier for Bridesburg residents to meet the police and participate in the process.

The next Frankford Civic meeting will be held on March 3rd at 7 PM at St. Mark’s Church at 4442 Frankford Avenue.

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting January 2016

It was a good crowd for the first meeting of the year at St. Marks on January 7th.  The highlight of the meeting was the talk by State Representative Jason Dawkins on the ongoing budget stalemate and the inside story of how it a potential budget agreement all fell apart right before Christmas.

Veronica Daniel updated the group on the Town Watch being formed in PSA1 of the 15th district.  Residents interested or who want more information should attend the next PSA meeting on January 28th at 7PM at Aria Hospital.  She noted that a partnership with the Representative’s office would be very beneficial.

Rep. Dawkins agreed and went on the say that the community would benefit from stronger working relationships between the various groups in Frankford.  His team is looking into how to facilitate that goal.

Dawkins went on to a list of other issues they are looking at for this year:

  • The 15th District gun buy back in December was very successful with 82 weapons turned in.  Dawkins is interested in targeting the gun buy back at the younger crowd since that is the demographic most likely to be involved in crime involving guns.
  • Newly sworn in mayor Kenney has committed to community schools as are not implemented in the Cincinnati school district.  If something is implemented, Frankford should be at the top of the list.
  • We have a new Commissioner of Police and it would be good to have him come to Frankford to meet the community to hear about our concerns.

Chris from Margaret Street raised the issue of the truck parking on Ditman Street and Torresdale Avenue and also problem of Harding School failure to keep the sidewalk area clean on the Ditman Street side back where it intersects Margaret.

Pete Specos discussed the problem of lighting under the El being an invitation to crime because it is too dark there.  Rep. Dawkins said that it is being addressed as part of the reconstruction of the Arrott Street Transportation Center which began last week.  That is a 30 month long project that will bring the station into the 21st century.

The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be on February 4th at 7 PM at St. Mark’s Church at 4442 Frankford Avenue.  Entrance is through the side door in the parking lot.

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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..)