Ed Neilson sponsored the following resolution while a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives:
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the publication of the Northeast Times in Philadelphia.
WHEREAS, The Northeast Times is a weekly publication that includes local stories and a community calendar of events along with photographs and advertisements from long-time contributing businesses; and
WHEREAS, The Northeast Times was founded in 1934 by Richard Thorpe Lawson;Â and
WHEREAS, Richard Thorpe Lawson oversaw the production of the Northeast Times for more than 25 years until his death in 1961, at which time ownership of the newspaper was transferred to his wife, Eleanor;Â and
WHEREAS, Eleanor served as Chairwoman of the Northeast Times until her death in 1998, while her sons Bob Smylie and Tim Smylie from a subsequent marriage served as Publisher and Advertising Director, respectively; and
WHEREAS, For many years, the Northeast Times’ administrative offices were a well-known fixture in the Philadelphia community with offices at 8033 Frankford Avenue in Holmesburg and at the Smylie Times Building at Rhawn Street and Roosevelt Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, During the 1980s, the Northeast Times expanded to Somerton, Bustleton, Lawndale, Parkwood and Oxford Circle;Â and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., purchased the Northeast Times in 1999 and oversaw production of the newspaper for more than a decade;Â and
WHEREAS, Today the Northeast Times is published by Broad Street Media, LLC in Philadelphia, who under the direction of Chief Executive Officer Darwin Oordt and Publisher Perry Corsetti, produces the periodical every Wednesday; and
WHEREAS, The Northeast Times has been recognized numerous times for its outstanding community coverage, earning awards for its work in sports media and photojournalism; and
WHEREAS, The Northeast Times has six editions and a weekly circulation of approximately 111,000, almost all of which are delivered directly to the doorsteps of its readers free of charge;Â and
WHEREAS, The Northeast Times also publishes content online and through social media outlets;Â and
WHEREAS, The Northeast Times partners with the Eleanor Smylie Community Fund in an annual effort to provide needy families in the community with gift cards to local department stores and grocery stores during the holiday season, thanks to monetary donations from contributing readers; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the Northeast Times on the 80th anniversary of publication.
