Fox Chase Town Watch and Homeowners Association’s first meeting of 2020 saw updates from police, a zoning presentation and a visit from Rep. Kevin Boyle.
Boyle stopped by to take questions from residents. After recognizing the 25th anniversary of the murder of Eddie Polec, he answered questions about asbestos in city schools.
“The fact that we are sending kids to schools where their lives will actually be shortened because of environmental dangers is an absolute disgrace,” he said, adding his daughter goes to a school in the district. He said the state of Pennsylvania should be made to fund schools getting rid of asbestos, and that there are too many gifts that go to elected officials.
“As chair of state government in Harrisburg, I’ve been promoting a bill that will prevent gifts from going to elected officials,” he said. The bill says elected officials can’t take gifts above $10.
He also talked about working with state Sen. Christine Tartaglione to get a million dollars to Father Judge High School’s technical career program, and securing $2 million for People Acting To Help, which helps treat people with intellectual issues.
Police updates
Community relations officer for 2nd Police District Mark Mroz said almost every one of the crimes he had highlighted to present to the organization were thefts from unlocked automobiles.
He said to call police if anyone sees kids going to the playground or anywhere they are not supposed to be after hours.
Joe Staszak of the 7th Police District talked about two thefts from autos, one of which was unlocked and the other of which a truck was broken into and had tools stolen. There was also an attempted burglary and one aggravated assault at a bar.
Police also hosted a couple of holiday parties for about more than a hundred underprivileged children and children with special needs.
Zoning
Drip Drop Car Wash plans to open a second location at 7885 Oxford Ave., where a dilapidated BP gas station and car wash currently sits. Plans include dual processing lanes to reduce wait time, free vacuums for customers and four to six employees on site at all times. They also plan to touch up the exterior to make it look nicer.
No specific zoning variance was requested, but the owners wanted to introduce themselves to residents and answer questions. Residents voted unanimously to not oppose the car wash.
In other news
- Elections for Town Watch and Homeowners Association will take place later this year. Homeowners Association president George Bezanis said there are vacancies on the board and volunteers would be appreciated.
- Meetings take place the second Wednesday of every month at 7976 Oxford Ave. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
