Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle, Councilman Brian O’Neill, and Pat and Nancy Boyle assist some very happy children at the playground ribbon-cutting at the Officer Daniel Boyle Memorial Rec Center. Photo/Michelle Alton

Somerton was full of excitement and emotion Thursday as the neighborhood celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new playground at the Officer Daniel Boyle Memorial Rec Center [map].

Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th, and Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-170th, were there to help city officials, rec center leaders and Boyle’s parents dedicate the new playground, which replaces outdated equipment and spray grounds.

See more of Bill Achuff and Michelle Alton’s photos from the event in the slideshow below. continue reading »

Fourth- to eighth-grade students living in Pennsylvania’s 170th Legislative District are invited to take part in a Presidents’ Day essay contest.

Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-170th, announced the contest Wednesday. continue reading »

The holidays are fast-approaching, but there’s still time to give to those less fortunate.

We’ll be keeping a running list of all the food, toy and clothing drives in the area (you can send details to us via our contact page). The Archbishop Ryan pet food drive is over, but many others are still going. continue reading »

Toy drive photo by Flickr user tyner_slay

Though stores (and maybe some of your neighbors) began decorating awhile ago, the holiday season officially began with Black Friday.

And with it in full swing, politicians are announcing their holiday toy drives. continue reading »

Pa. Sen. Mike Stack (left) and Rep. Brendan Boyle at the Benjamin Rush State Park improvement project groundbreaking. Photo/Office of Sen. Mike Stack and Rep. Brendan Boyle

Pa. Sen. Mike Stack and Rep. Brendan Boyle joined the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Monday to break ground on the much-anticipated improvement project at Benjamin Rush State Park, the city’s only state park.

Renovation plans include a new entrance drive and sign on Southampton Road; new parking spaces for the gardens, the model airplane field, and walkers and bikers; a bicycle and pedestrian trail; hose ribs for the gardeners; a water and sewer system; and a comfort station.  continue reading »

Holy Redeemer CFO Russ Wagner (background), Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle and SYO leader Fran Young celebrate the donation of a defibrillator to the organization with some of its young athletes. Photo/Holy Redeemer Health Network

The Somerton Youth Organization Tuesday received a welcomed donation from the Holy Redeemer Health System – an automated external defibrillator.

“Northeast Philadelphia is an important part of Holy Redeemer’s community,” said Holy Redeemer CFO and Somerton resident Russ Wagner in press statement.   continue reading »

Jack O'Hara is the current vice president and president-elect of the Greater Bustleton Civic League. Photo/Erin Dungee

This is the first in a two-part report on leadership changes within the Greater Bustleton Civic League.

The Greater Bustleton Civic League voted May 23 to replace many governing board positions. Accusations of poor leadership caused tension within the civic association and played a heavy role in the election, which led to the installment of a new president, vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary and treasurer.

Some Bustleton residents described the league as disorganized and have alleged past members of misleading the group about zoning, miscounting votes and failing to effectively communicate with members and each other.

“What’s great about the league is we do have a lot of very passionate people,” said Myles Gordon, former GBCL vice president a current 15-year member. “The problem is some discussions can get a bit contentious.” continue reading »

Comly Elementary School students got a peek at their new outdoor classroom Thursday. Photo/Office of Rep. Brendan Boyle

Pa. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-170th, in partnership with Tidy Cats, was at Comly Elementary School in Somerton with Principal Michelle Byruch, students and teachers to unveil Comly’s outdoor classroom.

“Outdoor classrooms provide an opportunity for teachers to engage their students in ways that are not possible within the walls of a traditional classroom,” Boyle said. continue reading »

The Somerton Youth Organization hopes a fence will enhance the safety of its fields that rest against train tracks. Photo/Matthew Flowers

This is the first of a two-part series about how neighborhood youth organizations interact with city departments and private firms.

When a tree-cutting company came by the Somerton Youth Organization facility to do some landscaping, members of the community thought little of it

Until the trees and bushes along one of the baseball fields were cut so short the train tracks behind them became exposed, creating a potential hazard for the organization’s young players.

The trees had to be cut down to reduce interference with electrical wires. But SYO Athletic Director Fran Young said he’s concerned about the exposed slope that was left behind in the process.

“Once they removed everything and removed all the shrubbery and trees, it left a pretty dangerous situation for the kids,” Young said. “There is a pretty steep drop, behind the bench of our players.” continue reading »

Responder Lou Maldonaldo (L) and BEMS Managing Director Tim Hinchcliff (R) accept a check from Rep. Brendan Boyle and the state. Photo/G.E. Reutter

State Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-170th, brought good news from Harrisburg to The Burholme Emergency Medical Service Friday. Boyle presented a check for $5,679.61, a grant from the Office of Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner to BEMS Managing Director Tim Hinchcliff.

“I am proud to support a great EMS in my district,” Boyle said. “Programs like the grant from the Office of Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner are critically important for public safety in the Northeast and Montgomery County.” continue reading »