From left: City Council members Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Mark Squilla, Kenyatta Johnson, Marian Tasco, Darrell Clarke and Bill Greenlee. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Can a City Council budget hearing be called such if only six members attend? Last night was Northeast Philadelphia’s turn in a series of meetings Council is holding to take public testimony about the Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

President Darrell Clarke led the hearing and was joined by a mostly silent but present 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla, 2nd District Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, 9th District Councilwoman Marian Tasco and Councilman-at-large Bill Greenlee. continue reading »

Photo/Philadelphia City Council

It looks like owners of vacant properties in Philadelphia will have to do more to keep squatters out. The matter had a rare Friday committee hearing at City Council.

The issue of high risk vacant buildings came to the forefront after a fire at a Kensington warehouse killed two Philadelphia firefighters this month.  Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez is pushing a bill that calls for sealing doors and windows on empty buildings using 14 gauge rust proof metal instead of plywood.   She says the extra strength is needed to keep vandals, scavengers out of vacant buildings.

“We’re call it our steel seal bill and basically it sets a standard for how and what kind of materials should be used for sealing buildings,” said Quinones-Sanchez.

Read the rest of this story from our partners at Newsworks.

Family and friends gathered last February outside the T&T bar to remember Christopher Spence, who was fatally shout outside the now-closed establishment. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Mention of the T&T bar once again raised eyebrows at the Frankford Civic meeting on Thursday night.

Neighbors have been watching with concern as work has been going on at the now-closed bar at Margaret and Hawthorne streets. It has been not quite a year since young Christopher Spence lost his life there in a senseless shooting.

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6th District Councilman Bobby Henon in an April 2011 interview with NEast Philly. Photo/Saleem Ahmed

When asked back in October if he’d accept a city-issued car if re-elected to City Council, 10th District Councilman Brian O’Neill said he would.

“I need it more than anyone,” he said, because of the district’s distance from City Hall. He added that he’d support legislation to remove car privileges for all city employees.

O’Neill, who was re-elected, still has his car and the pool car assigned to his staff. So do Northeast incumbents 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and 9th District Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco. continue reading »

New Philadelphia Councilman-at-large Denny O'Brien and 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez

Some things won’t be changing in Philadelphia City Council. Tenth District Councilman Brian O’Neill retained his seat as a Republican despite a challenge from Democrat Bill Rubin, and O’Neill also still holds his seat as minority leader.

But other things will change. With six new members and a new president, council had some committee holes to fill as newcomers Denny O’Brien, Bobby Henon, David Oh, Cindy Bass, Mark Squilla and Kenyatta Johnson were sworn in. continue reading »

Photo by Flickr user kristib2pea

It’s election day in Philadelphia and polls are open until 8 tonight. You have until then to get to your voting place and elect the candidates of your choice.

In the Northeast, 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and 9th District Councilwoman Marian Tasco are the shoe-in candidates, having defeated their challengers in the primary.

In the 6th District, Democrat Bobby Henon and Republican Sandy Stewart will face off to replace Joan Krajewski, while incumbent Republican Brian O’Neill and Democrat Bill Rubin will go head-to-head in the 10th. continue reading »

Jason Dawkins and Maria Quinones-Sanchez comfort Chris Spence's family in front of the Frankford bar where he was fatally shot.

As was discussed at Thursday’s Frankford Civic Association meeting, a hearing has been set of T&T bar. Jason Dawkins, Jorge Santana and the offices of Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and Rep. Tony Payton have pushed for a ’611 action’ hearing to take action against the bar where Christopher Spence was fatally shot in February. continue reading »

Dozens of volunteers helped spruce up three Frankford parks over the weekend for Philly Spring Cleanup. The Friends of Overington Park and Frankford CDC led the efforts, with help from Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and State Rep. Tony Payton.

The Frankford Gazette has recaps of both events, which included cleaning and planting in Overington and Wilmot parks and the small park at Hedge and Orthodox streets.

Friday — Two women in their early 20s died Friday morning in a single-car crash in Somerton. Melissa Lees, 22, of the 800-block of Barlow Street; and Caitlin Hennessey, 23, died when their vehicle lost control at Byberry and Worthington Roads around 2 a.m. The 20-year-old driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries and faces DUI charges. continue reading »

Shirley Phelps-Pollard holds pictures of grandson Christopher Spence during his days playing football for Frankford High School. Spence's mother, Javese Phelps-Washington, (r) says she forgives the man who fatally shot her son.

Early Saturday morning, Christopher Spence died. The 20-year-old former Frankford High School football player was shot once in the chest after a scuffle inside T&T bar at Margaret and Hawthorne streets.

His friends, family and former teammates gathered outside the bar this afternoon, which the owner has closed temporarily, to honor Spence and take action.

“They killed my boy,” Spence’s mother, Javese Phelps-Washington, sobbed over and over, standing at the corner outside the bar. Bundled in coats, hats and gloves, the crowd grew larger as more came to comfort Phelps-Washington. continue reading »