This is a follow-up story to our  coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

If any assumption was ever made about the Northeast, by any Philadelphian, it would be its position as a younger brother to Center City Philadelphia, not unlike Philadelphia in comparison with New York. However, Mayfair Civic Association President Joe DeFelice said that was an image his neighborhood aimed to defy.

One year ago, after and extreme fundraising effort, DeFelice met with NEast Philly to discuss the renovation and reopening of the Mayfair Memorial Playground. At the time, Mayfair was struggling with the recent political changes caused by the indictment of Pennsylvania House 172nd District’s Rep. John Perzel. The indictment, coupled with a downturned economy, forced the district into a difficult era.

State grants, which were freely given in previous years, dried up. Pennsylvania voted in a Republican governor and a Republican majority who created serious budgetary constraints. In the 172nd District freshman Rep. Kevin Boyle was elected in 2010. continue reading »

Al Taubenberger at the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. File Photo/Morgan Zalot

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with comments from incumbent Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd).

State Rep. Kevin Boyle has already announced his re-election bid for the 172nd Legislative District.

And if Al Taubenberger accepts the endorsement the Republican City Committee has offered, the two will square off in the general election.

Taubenberger, of Burholme, told NEast Philly today he’s still considering the endorsement and weighing whether he’ll run. We spoke with him after the Public Record reported he’d already decided to enter the race. continue reading »

Just a year after taking state office, Rep. Kevin Boyle has announced his re-election bid for the 172nd District seat.

Google user photo

Temple University Health Systems and Fox Chase Cancer Center are joining forces. The two institutions will merge resources, research and aspects of patient care.

Dr. Larry Kaiser, CEO of Temple University Health System, spelled out the details of the deal in a news conference Thursday: “As part of the terms of this agreement, Temple will invest in cancer research at Fox Chase, providing new resources to recruit additional physician scientists.”

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Fox Chase attorney Robert Nix hasn't decided if he'll run for the 172nd Legislative seat in the next election. Photo by G.E. Reutter

Fox Chase attorney Robert S. Nix had been mulling over a run against freshman State Rep. Kevin Boyle in next year’s race, but it seems unlikely he’ll go for it.

“Before I would make such a decision, my considerations include, first and foremost, my family,” he said. “It was an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience to run for state Senate in 2008, but it was also highly demanding on my wife and three daughters. I would fully expect that at least several qualified Republicans in the new 172nd District will seek the nomination, and if so, I will not run.” continue reading »

As the State Representative for the 172nd Legislative District in Northeast Philadelphia, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various city departments on a variety of issues.  An issue of extreme importance in my district and our city is blighted properties and negligent out-of-town property owners.  These disregarded homes not only denigrate the quality of life, but force hard working families to move.

I am elated that License and Inspections Commissioner Fran Burns has taken bold steps to help combat this plague.  According to a Philadelphia Daily News article on Oct. 26, Commissioner Burns state she would, “Extradite out-of-town owners and usher them into the city’s new blight court.”  It is encouraging to know that the city is willing to take the necessary actions to address these cancers that have affected neighborhoods. continue reading »

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoodsfunded by J-Lab.

With Perzel and three co-defendants having already pled guilty to their roles in a corruption scandal, Perzel’s former campaign aide Don McClintock testified in court Tuesday that state-paid technology staffers, computer software, and equipment were routinely used to fuel Perzel’s reelection campaigns over a decade.

In what’s expected to be a weeks-long trial, McClintock solidified his guilty plea in court when he explained how the “Computergate” scandal worked to use taxpayer money to further Perzel’s GOP campaign for his seat in the 172nd District, now occupied by Rep. Kevin Boyle.

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoodsfunded by J-Lab.

John Perzel, former Pennsylvania House Speaker and 172nd Legislative District rep, pleaded guilty today as expected to eight of 82 counts of corruption, conspiracy, theft and conflict of interest.

Both Perzel and Rep. Kevin Boyle, who defeated Perzel in last fall’s election, have released statements about the plea:

“I have decided today that my fight has come to an end,” Perzel said in court. “The truth is that as the legislative leader of my caucus, I oversaw the spending of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, and I bear the responsibility for the improprieties that occurred in the spending of those dollars.” continue reading »

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoodsfunded by J-Lab.

John Perzel, former 17nd District representative and former House Speaker, is expected to plead guilty tomorrow to charges of public corruption. He was set to go to trial this fall. continue reading »

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

UPDATE: Stokes and McClintock have pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal conspiracy Wednesday, and Stokes also pleaded guilty to one count of conflict of interest. Friday, Towhey pleaded guilty to one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of conflict of interest.

Three men linked to and charged in connection with the John Perzel corruption trial are expected to plead guilty this week. The former state representative’s brother-in-law, Samuel “Buzz” Stokes, former campaign aide Don McClintock and former chief-of-staff Paul Towhey are set to enters pleas between today and Friday. continue reading »