Embracing NE history
As a resident of Northeast Philadelphia since 1956, I found the 80th anniversary edition very interesting as it brought back many memories of this great area which has gradually become a “city” within the greater City of Philadelphia, populated in large numbers by Philadelphia policemen and firemen.
Living in close proximity to George Washington High School, I recall when it was an abandoned farm with the former owner visiting the grounds occasionally. Bustleton Avenue was a two-lane road from Cottman Street north.
I am very cognizant of the difficulty of including mention of all facets of this area’s growth and past history in this edition, but I would like to remind your readers of an asset to the area in the form of the John Ruan House on Griscom Street in Frankford.
Built in 1796 by Dr. John Ruan, an early outstanding citizen of Frankford, it has been in continuous use ever since and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the federal government in 1983 due to its history and architecture. It is currently the home of the G.A.R. Civil War Museum and Library, the only Civil War Museum in the City of Philadelphia.
Margaret Atkinson
Board Member Emeritus, GAR Museum
Pedestrians in the snow
We have been lucky so far as to snowfall.
However, if we do get a significant amount, it will be a mess. Bus stops will be snowed in, rather than the snow being piled on non-bus stop corners.
Driveways will be treacherous. There are many people who do not shovel their sidewalks. Last winter, I had to walk in the street to get to Frankford Avenue to catch the bus. I also had to climb over mounds of snow and ice that was piled at the bus stop.
The pedestrian is not thought of when snow clearing is done. I thought you could be fined for not shoveling your sidewalk. CLIP is out in force when there is one weed protruding on your property. Where are they in dangerous situations?
Many businesses along Frankford Avenue fail to clean their sidewalks, also. We all do not drive, many of us walk or take SEPTA. How about some consideration for us?
Pat Dougherty
Mayfair
More jobs leave Philly
The Nabisco-Kraft factory owned by Mondelez Global is closing May 1, leaving 300 people unemployed including many union workers.
Not only are these jobs being lost but the ancillary jobs such as packaging and transportation, restaurants, and small businesses in the area that serviced this plant will be negatively impacted. An estimated $15 million in lost wages to our local economy is a major concern.
For every problem there is a solution. If leaders felt so strongly, over a year ago, that the company had no intentions of staying in the Northeast then the focus should have shifted to finding new companies to fill the space, keeping our friends and neighbors employed.
We need to reverse the trend of job loss and underemployment in our area and bring back good paying family sustaining jobs.
Helping middle class families is a major reason I’m running for state representative. If I am elected on March 24, I will be making calls to promote job creation and get our families back to work.
Martina White
Candidate for State Representative — District 170
Zoning matters
I applaud Councilman Brian O’Neill’s bill, # 1–40831, meant to prohibit home businesses from being allowed to open and run out of residential neighborhoods, without first obtaining a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Requiring an adjustment usually means that the resident wishing to open a business must first go before the neighborhood’s civic association and win the support of the neighborhood residents.
For neighborhoods without civic associations, your city councilperson can represent you or send a representative, but the strongest and best representation is by a civic association. If your neighborhood does not have a civic association — start one. You can find the New Rules for Registered Community Organizations and civic associations on the City of Philadelphia web page.
John P. Dougherty
Morrell Park
