Cut the grass and clean up!
Yo! Mayor Kenney! Have you traveled anywhere in Northeast Philly that has an island? On Roosevelt Boulevard, above Grant Avenue; Academy Road, north of Grant Avenue; and the length of Holme Avenue are a disgrace and dangerous. While you are daydreaming about new taxes you can impose on us, you should be taking care of the services we are already paying taxes for. And when the four-foot grass is finally mowed, it will be left on the road to rot. By the way, the “stormwater charge” on our water bill is up to $14.15. What a joke. The city should pay for clogging the drains with grass left in the gutters.
I was traveling north on Roosevelt Boulevard and encountered two police barricades keeping traffic from going through flooded areas of the highway. I mean, the entire three lanes above Red Lion Road (two cruisers, one at each end) and another area in the left lanes near Nabisco. This is my question, mayor. Was that more cost effective than cleaning up the grass that was cut? Keeping the storm drains clean are important. We taxpayers and water customers pay for it. Get the job done! We are an eyesore to the people coming to our city. Shame on you for letting things go. Is it going to take an accident before something is done?
Carol Malinowski
Morrell Park
Disston mural is insulting
As a lifelong Tacony resident and Hamilton Disston Elementary School graduate, I was distressed to see a mural on the brick exterior of a historic building. The school has maintained a dignified appearance since 1923. With the exception of the main entry doors, the school has held up against the ravages of time.
It stands as an architectural asset to the Tacony neighborhood, which has recently been granted historical designation. I find it insulting to those who live and work hard to keep the historical assets we have protected, that no input on this project was given to Tacony Historical Society or Tacony Civic Assocation.
With few exceptions, those depicted on the mural have little to do with Tacony’s rich history. The Lenape Indians who settled here, the Irish, German and Italian people who build the neighborhood, nothing. Bottom line, we had brick walls laid by craftsman in their design, with little graffiti. Now it will be a splash of multiple colors that will not blend well with the homes nearby.
I think money designated for the project should have been used inside the school, where the direct benefit would be the children. Or put the mural inside so the children would see it. I guess fixing the school lunch room would not have made such a good photo opportunity on the news.
Marie Springer
Tacony
Make a difference and become a home health aide
For the past 31 years, Community Care Center of the Northeast has been providing in-home care to the residents of Northeast Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Montgomery County. It has been a most challenging experience, and we have found enjoyment in meeting many individuals and their families.
Our direct care workers and our office staff have a desire to serve their community. We meet regularly to discuss the latest trends and changes in our health care system. Education has become the hallmark of Community Care Center.
The new wave of health care will focus on home care. Much of the money from the federal government will be filtered to home care, and the home care industry will be entering into a new mode called “managed care.” The paperwork is more involved in order to secure the mantra of quality care, and most of all, fraud-free care. It will be quite a challenge for existing agencies as well as new, start-up agencies.
Home care workers (also called direct care workers) are needed to fill the increased demand. They must be trained and ready to recognize the health care needs of those they serve. We are offering a 75-hour Home Health Aide Course on an ongoing basis. There is a fee for the training. We also offer partial scholarships. Our next program will begin in June, and it will run for 10–11 days, Monday through Friday. We offer this training and employment for those who have a heart’s desire to serve the elderly and developmentally disabled. It is an education that you will always need because we will all become caregivers at some time, either in the present or the future.
Quality care is our motto. This is not a job that is easy, but it is sorely needed. Do not apply if you want an easy desk job. It is hands on, and heart driven. You will work with individuals who need you to find peace in their lives of confusion. We at Community Care will support you while you are out in the field.
Please call 215–335–4416 for information. You may speak to Judy, Jean or anyone on our staff.
Jean E. Langenbach
Founder and director of nursing and education
