State Rep. Mark Cohen addressed last month’s meeting of the Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association, endorsing National Small Business Weekend, which encourages consumers to shop locally and buy American-made products.
“I think it’s a very positive initiative. I fully support it,” he said.
Cohen (D-202nd dist.) credited the Town Watch/civic association members for their involvement. He noted that his mother and brother onced headed civic associations, and that his father, the late City Councilman David Cohen, was an activist who once organized a demonstration that stopped traffic at the five-points intersection of Cottman, Rising Sun and Oxford avenues to gain concessions from Pathmark before it opened near that busy stretch.
In addition, Cohen pointed out that top aide Phyllis Swing is president of the Friends of Summerdale Civic Association, and that he supports community groups in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
“Civic associations are the lifeblood of any community,” he said.
Cohen, who has been in office since 1974 and serves as the minority party chairman of the House State Government Committee, would like to secure more money for Kennedy Crossan Elementary School. Last year, he read The Lorax, a book by Dr. Seuss, to children at the school.
Also, the lawmaker would like to play a role in establishing a business association along Rising Sun Avenue to address issues such as lighting, parking, cleanliness, police protection and store marketing.
Cohen’s district offices are at 7012 Castor Ave. and 7601 Glendale Ave.
In other news from the Jan. 9 meeting:
• Capt. Frank M. Palumbo, commander of the 2nd Police District, is warning business owners and managers about a recent increase in robberies at stores and of food delivery workers.
Palumbo said that anyone who is robbed at a store or on a delivery should call 911 immediately and provide a description of the offender’s gender, race, age, height, weight, clothing and vehicle information.
The commander also recommends that businesses install security cameras.
• The deadline is Feb. 21 for high school seniors to apply for a city-sponsored college scholarship program.
Fifty seniors will earn scholarship awards of $1,000 for each academic year for four years in a full-time bachelor’s program.
To obtain an application or for more information, contact the offices of City Councilman Brian O’Neill at 11630 Caroline Road (215–437–9167), Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street (215–685–0432) or 562 City Hall (215-MU6–3422).
• Members observed a moment of silence in memory of Joe Duda, the recently deceased former city elections commissioner.
• Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association will meet on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, at Cottman and Lawndale avenues. ••
