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 »

Klein JCC's Lisa Sandler accepts a citation from Seth Kaplan, chief of staff for Rep. Kevin Boyle. Photo/Klein JCC

Brothers Brendan, D-170th, and Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, have had a busy week in the Pennsylvania House. Amid the daily goings-on, they separately recognized a deceased Navy SEAL and a local meal delivery program.

Monday, Brendan Boyle authored a resolution that was passed by the House to honor fallen Navy SEAL Michael Strange. Strange, a Northeast resident, died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in August.

“[Strange] was a dedicated and valiant soldier who remains one of the City of Philadelphia’s hometown heroes,” Boyle said.  continue reading »

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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State Rep. Denny O'Brien (center) announced bipartisan endorsements for his city council campaign from Democratic Reps. Brendan (left) and Kevin (right) Boyle.

State Rep. Denny O’Brien Friday announced bipartisan endorsement from Reps. Brendan and Kevin Boyle concerning his candidacy for City Council At-Large.

The announcement took place late afternoon at Poquessing Creek Park in the heart of Parkwood, which both Brendan Boyle and O’Brien represent. Supporters driving past the park honked in support of O’Brien, while others actually pulled over to shake his hand.

“I am proud to stand here,” said Brendan Boyle during the announcement. “O’Brien is one the finest people in public service.”

Both Boyles acknowledged the rarity of bipartisan support, but made it clear their endorsement was about the candidate, not the political party. continue reading »

Mark Keeley

City and state legislators yesterday joined Philadelphia Gas Works officials to announce legislation that would include natural gas responders in those who receive death benefits under the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.

Sen. Mike Stack; Reps. Brendan Boyle, Kevin Boyle and John Sabatina; and Councilman Jim Kenney were at PGW to detail their plans to provide a one-time payment to the spouses, children and parents of natural gas responders who die in the line of duty.

The move comes after 19-year-old PGW employee Mark Kelley died in January during an explosion in Tacony.

L to R: City Councilman Brian O’Neill, State Rep. Brendan Boyle, Sen. Stack, Cranaleith Director Sister Mary Trainer, RSM (in the driver’s seat), Sister Christine McCann, RSM (President of the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community), former state Rep. George Kenney, Cranaleith Board Member Tom Trainer, and Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President Al Taubenberger

State Sen. Mike Stack joined former State Rep. George Kenney on April 15 to present a significant state grant that will help expand the Cranaleith Education and Conference Center.

The $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant will go toward the $3.3 million project to renovate the existing barn into a welcome center and construct a conference center, a lodge with overnight accommodations and a chapel. Stack and Kenney each secured $500,000 in RACP funds. continue reading »

Officers James Boccalupo, James Snyder, Dimitrios Loizos, John Schmidt and John Seymour were honored at 8th District Officers of the Month for April. Photo courtesy of the 8th PDAC.

The 8th Police District’s April PDAC meeting was held on Wednesday, April 6. As usual, the membership came out in great numbers to partner with our police. At this meeting, five police officers were honored with Officer of the Month awards. Presentations were made by PDAC President, Mr. Harry Sonntag, supported by his executive board and TD Bank representatives. continue reading »

Hugh Campbell, a 45-year-resident of Burholme, thanked Matt Taubenberger for sweeping up trash Saturday.

Campbell said he can’t shop at the stores on Castor Avenue because there is too much trash.

“It’s good to see a couple of young fellas cleaning up,” Campbell said. “I’m a product of New York City and left because it was so filthy.”

Taubenberger and a group of college students took part in Philadelphia’s spring cleanup by packing mulch into the street trees and sweeping the sidewalks on Burholme’s end of Rising Sun Avenue. Councilwoman Marian Tasco joined volunteers on the Lawncrest end of the street.

“One of the things that I really hate and see all the time is people throwing their trash right on the ground,” said Taubenberger, who plays an active role in the neighborhood as part of the Business Association. “I think when people walk by and see us cleaning up they realize how hard it is to keep the street clean and they try not to litter.” continue reading »

Tom Corbett, courtesy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Many aren’t happy with all or parts of Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget. Among them are State Rep. Brendan Boyle and Sen. Mike Stack. continue reading »

Kevin (L) and Brendan (R) Boyle were sworn into the House yesterday. Photo courtesy of the House Democratic Communications Office.

For the first time in the history of the House of Representatives, two Democratic brothers were sworn into office together. Yesterday, Brendan and Kevin Boyle began their second and first terms, respectively, as state representatives.

Brendan Boyle, of the 170th Legislative District, said in a release: “I look forward to continuing the work I started in my first term, particularly reintroducing my REACH scholarship legislation.” continue reading »