The Somerton Civic Association met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday to discuss a variety of issues within the community. The first issue addressed was the recent resignation of the association’s vice president, Michael Smith. The board encouraged members to step up and put themselves in the running for the position. Whoever is elected will serve until June 2012, when elections for the entire board will take place. “We would love to see some new blood,” Pat Cantwell remarked.

The board also thanked everyone who participated in the Community Day event last month. The only issue with the event was that the members wished they had more time to plan the festivities. It was noted that if there is a Community Day in 2012, it would be held in the beginning of October.

Officer Rich Simon spoke to the association about recent criminal activity in the area. In the last month there have been 11 burglaries, either physical or attempted.

“Keep your windows and doors locked. Be vigilant,” warned Simon. One patron expressed concern about the delayed response time of police officers to the area when called.

“It took 2 ½ hours for an officer to respond to my call,” said the upset community member, who would not go into specifics of the issue. Another issue brought to attention was the sighting of teenagers partying around the Red Lion Bridge on nights and weekends. Simon urged community members to document any incidents by calling 911. A complete video of Officer Simon’s report is available below. continue reading »

Firefighter Stanston helps a young boy with his items from the days event. Photo by George Mai.

Somerton celebrate its first-ever Community Day Saturday, Sept. 10 at Fellowship Bible Church after months of planning and organizing by the Somerton Civic Association.

The day was a tribute to veterans, and featured food, games, prizes and meet-and-greets with police and firefighters.

Check out the slideshow below with photos from George Mai. continue reading »

Image courtesy of glaringfact.com.

The Somerton Civic Association is looking for help and suggestions from its residents and business owners in putting together its Community Day event.

The Sept. 10 event will begin with a tribute to veterans service members, and will continue throughout the day with participation from neighborhood schools, VFW posts, American Legion posts and more.

You can expect all the offerings of a Community Day — food, games, prizes and informational booths, plus performances by schools’ dance, choir, gymnastics teams and more. continue reading »

The Far Northeast will get two additional red light cameras. That was one of the bigger announcements at last week’s Somerton Civic Association.

Councilman Brian O’Neill said two busy intersections — Grant Avenue and Academy Road and Bustleton Avenue and Byberry Road — will be among the many Northeast corners to have red light cameras.

Zoning and crime updates took precedence during the second half of the meeting. Those details are below. continue reading »

Tonight’s meeting of the Holmesburg Civic Association has been canceled due to impending snow. We’re awaiting calls back from the Tacony and Somerton Civic Associations to determine if their meetings are canceled, as well.

Northeast residents listen as the Philadelphia City Planning Commission's Michael Thompson explains the proposed zoning code rewrite. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Neighborhoods.

At a 10th City Council District open house for the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission, Northeast Philadelphia residents thought certain aspects of the code rewrite would negatively affect their neighborhoods, while other parts would be beneficial. Northeast residents were especially unhappy that the reform discussed legalizing the practice of converting single-family homes into duplexes or triplexes, often with rental units. This is known as accessory dwellings and is a common phenomenon in neighborhoods like Fox Chase, Bustleton and Somerton.

Pat Cantwell, the treasurer of the Somerton Civic Association, was especially irritated by the proliferation of accessory dwellings on her blocks. “The conversion of houses into apartments, and duplexes into triplexes affects parking, which is already bad in our neighborhood,” said Cantwell. The president of her civic association, Domenic Ragucci, elaborated by saying accessory dwellings in basements is a serious problem in Somerton.

You can read the rest of the story on Philadelphia Neighborhoods or PlanPhilly.

The city is in for more snow, in addition to the 20+ inches seen here in the December 2009 storm. Photo by Bill Achuff.

As of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, the following weather announcements have been made:

-Tonight’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting is canceled.

-All public and parochial schools will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 10. KYW has school closings by code.

-All city employees not required to help with snow removal are encouraged to stay home from work tomorrow, and all city offices will be closed to the public.

-Tomorrow’s meeting of the Parkwood Civic Association is canceled.

-Phone calls to the  Somerton Civic Association have not been returned, but we’re assuming tonight’s meeting canceled, as well.

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 »

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

Mary Jane Hazell was the president of the Somerton Civic Association, and was involved with the group since 1966. Her friends and family honored her memory at last night’s monthly meeting. Her obituary is below. 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 »