Upper Holmesburg Civic Association President Stan Cywinski announced he will step down in 2010 to allow for "new blood."

The final 2009 meeting of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association was a short one. About 20 people gathered in St. Dominic’s Marian Hall for the 30-minute holiday meeting.

Much of the focus was on the upcoming year, which will begin with board elections at the January meeting. Nominations began last night, when three-year President Stan Cywinski announced he’ll step down and serve the Association in another capacity.

“It’s healthy for an organization to have these changes,” said Cywinski, who earlier said it’s time for “new blood.” continue reading »

District Attorney Lynne Abraham says a temporary farewell to Burholme's community groups.

There is nothing more important than a community “involved in its own life,” District Attorney Lynne Abraham said to attendants at last night’s monthly meeting of the Burholme Civic Association and Town Watch groups.

Abraham, a frequent guest of the Burholme groups, came to say farewell, as she is stepping down as District Attorney after 19 years on the job. She will be replaced by Democratic District Attorney-elect Seth Williams. continue reading »

Parkwood Civic Association members gathered in St. Anselm’s school hall last night, but they didn’t have a meeting. Instead, the board hosted a holiday party for the neighborhood, complete with an impromptu performance by a bell choir (with appearances from several legislative assistants, civic board members and NEast Philly’s very own editor), free hoodies and a full spread of sandwiches, salads, drinks and desserts.

Among festive table cloths, paper snowflakes and other holiday decorations, residents sat down to enjoy their food, talk about the neighborhood and wish each other a happy holiday.

And with that, Parkwood Civic Association closed out 2009, to reconvene in February.

Frankford residents ask questions at the Dec. 3 Civic meeting about the proposal for the new Frankford Y.

A starry-eyed plan for reinvigorating the century-old Frankford Y has now lost the support of the civic association to whom the proposal was first presented.

Northwood Civic Association President Barry Howell, who presided over the November meeting of his neighborhood group that featured the announcement that a for-profit group would purchase the cherished, nonprofit community center, stood up at Thursday night’s Frankford Civic Association meeting and addressed the issue aggressively.

“I sense a rat,” Howell said, to chatters of approval from the 16 residents and 10 Frankford board members in attendance. “They fed us Disney World, but this ain’t Disney World.” continue reading »

2nd District's Captain McCarrick (far right) takes questions from Lawncrest residents.

Be involved and care about your neighbors. That’s the advice 2nd District Police Capt. Michael McCarrick gave to Lawncrest residents who are looking to protect their neighborhood.

McCarrick was the main guest at last night’s Lawncrest Community Association, which garnered more than 50 attendees and political assistants.

“We need more people from the community [at these meetings],” McCarrick said. The captain went on to say the “sense of community has been pillaged and torn apart” – a reality that he thinks can be attributed to absentee landlords who are typically less interested in community involvement. continue reading »

Anthony Bannister, a partner in the company that is purchasing the Frankford Y, addresses the Nov. 17, 2009 Northwood Civic Association meeting.

A for-profit development company has agreed on terms to purchase the New Frankford Y, as announced at Tuesday night’s Northwood Civic Association meeting. The Y closed its doors back in May after 68 years as a neighborhood hub.

Portraying himself as well-connected and well-funded, a young and charismatic quarter partner in the Frankford Development Corporation said they plan to reopen the Y as the Frankford Community Center by September 2010.

“The place brings such a rich, beautiful element to the neighborhood,” Anthony Bannister told a dozen residents and the civic board inside a well-heated classroom at St. James Lutheran Church. “I’m not afraid of Frankford. You just need a vision, and I can see it.”

continue reading »

Somerton Civic Association President Mary Jane Hazell (second from left at September's meeting) passed away Sunday, Nov. 8. NEast Philly file photo edited by Bill Achuff.

It was business as usual at last night’s monthly Somerton Civic Association meeting, despite the fact that the board was one member short.

Mary Jane Hazell, president and 43-year member of the Somerton Civic Association, passed away early Sunday morning. Though it was tough for Hazell’s fellow residents to move on without her, the board agreed “Mary Jane would want us to go on.” continue reading »

Democratic district attorney candidate Seth Williams discusses the city's geographic assignments at the Lawncrest Civic Association meeting.

The Lawncrest Civic Association hosted many guests at its meeting last night, with Democratic District Attorney candidate Seth Williams being the highlight.

“No matter who you are or where you live,” Williams said, “everybody wants the same things: a good job, to go home to your family and be safe.” As the potential new district attorney of Philadelphia, Williams promised the packed meeting he’ll take steps to provide those things for the city. continue reading »

Upper Holmesburg Civic Association President Stan Cywinski discusses zoning issues. Photo by Christopher Wink.

Presidents from two other Northeast civic associations addressed the Upper Holmesburg civic about what they say is becoming a big problem in the area: neglect from the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Lou Iatarola of the Tacony Civic Association and Sean McAleer from the Holme Circle Civic Association, shared their neighborhoods’ experiences with the zoning board, as requested by Upper Holmesburg President Stan Cywinski, who said the zoning board needs a change. continue reading »

Somerton Civic Association board members present last month's minutes to the attendees.

The Somerton Civic Association was joined last night by  7th Police District Captain Joseph Zaffino discussed the monthly crime report, and gave residents tips on how to prevent themselves from being victimized. continue reading »