Patricia Epps recently addressed members of the Holmesburg Civic Association as the “proud” principal of Edwin Forrest Elementary School.
The school, at 7300 Cottage St., has about 1,200 children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Enrollment has almost doubled in the eight years Epps has been there. Second grade is the largest, with seven classes.
The principal said one upcoming amenity will be erection of an LED sign that will show school news and announcements.
Epps, who has spent 31 years in the School District of Philadelphia, told the crowd that budget cuts will cost the school some of its custodial staff.
“It is so disheartening,” she said.
In addition, the school will not be able to offer any summer programs.
“You’re going to see a lot of children walking up and down the street with nowhere to go and nothing to do,” she said.
• Fred Moore, president of the civic association for the last 12 years, will step down because he is moving to Huntingdon Valley.
Moore has lived in the neighborhood for 41 years. He counts the people and the history as the neighborhood’s top assets.
“I’m only twenty-five minutes away,” said Moore, adding that he is seconds away on the computer.
Rich Frizell, a Walker Street resident who serves as a board member, will become the new president. He moved to the oldest house in the neighborhood in 1987, after living in Northern Liberties.
Moore’s last meeting as president will be next month, and Frizell will take over in September after a summer break.
“I’m very excited,” said Frizell, noting that the group has a strong board and that Moore has promised to help in the transition.
The group’s secretary, Luz Paradoa, resigned, so members are looking for someone to fill that seat.
• Mike Tomlinson, the Republican candidate in the 5th Senatorial District, said he plans to knock on doors in a district that stretches from Port Richmond to Somerton.
Tomlinson is challenging three-term Democratic Sen. Mike Stack.
The challenger grew up on Meridian Street in Holmesburg and today lives on the 4400 block of Oakmont St. He’s married with four children and three grandchildren.
A Father Judge High School graduate, his background includes serving as a coach at Holmesburg Boys Club. He’s a former teacher at Overbrook High School and has worked as a certified public accountant.
Tomlinson said he wants to go to Harrisburg to fight for constituents, not special interests.
“I’m going to be the lobbyist for the people,” he said.
• Louis Giorla, commissioner of the Philadelphia Prison System, discussed the success of a year-old composting project.
A federal grant helped the project launch in May 2011.
In the past, prison food that was not eaten was taken to a landfill.
Now, it is composted for use in greenhouses, gardens and farms, both on-site and in the community. Prisoners have been trained to do the work.
The project helps the city save money because less waste is taken to landfills.
Giorla was joined by Laura Cassidy, the program administrator.
• Holmesburg Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, June 12, at 7:15 p.m., at Holmesburg Recreation Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets. The guests will be City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) and Capt. Len Ditchkofsky, commander of the 8th Police District. ••
