Last week’s meeting of the Frankford Civic Association was punctuated by the announcement that longtime residents Bob and Pat Smiley are moving out of the neighborhood.
Bob runs the Frankford Gazette, a hyperlocal blog and monthly newsletter, while Pat is head of “Keep the Faith in Frankford,” a group that has tried to keep a Catholic presence in the neighborhood after the Archdiocese of Philadelphia closed two parishes in Frankford in 2013.
Pat has also acted as the facilitator of the Frankford Civic meetings for about three years.
“Bob and I kind of feel that it’s time for us to move on,” Pat said at Thursday’s meeting. “I personally felt I had done as much as I could here in Frankford with certain things I was working on.”
“Bob and I are older, so we’re stepping out so some young people can step up,” she added.
The Gazette, which launched online 12 years ago, will continue, and Pat said the couple is in talks with the Frankford Community Development Corporation to take over the publication.
Bob said the couple is looking to move to coastal Virginia.
At the meeting, Pat also presented a community achievement award to Frankford Civic Association President Pete Specos.
In other news from the Feb. 7 meeting:
Walt Waholek, of the Boy Scouts of America’s Roosevelt District, said Troop 585 is looking for a new home. The group previously met at St. Petri Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacony. For the time being, the troop will operate out of Redemption Lutheran Church in Rhawnhurst, Waholek said.
He also said the Boy Scouts are looking to recruit more participants in Frankford. Waholek told residents the organization now accepts girls, and he said scouting provides young people with experience and leadership skills.
State Rep. Joe Hohenstein’s office is hosting a community cleanup Saturday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at Womrath Park. All ages are welcome, and tools will be provided. For more information, call 215-744-2600 or email dmartino@pahouse.net.
The Frankford Neighborhood Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow St. Several zoning matters are expected to be discussed, including variances or permits at 4500-14 Frankford Ave., 1619 Wakeling St., 4514-18 Tackawanna St. and 4300-02 Frankford Ave. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com
