City Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, along with the two candidates for city controller, attended Monday’s Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting.
Lozada (D-7th dist.) won a special election last November and a primary in May. She’s unopposed in the Nov. 7 election. She said the Max Myers swimming pool, closed this summer due to disrepair, should open next summer.
Some TBYN members were not happy with so-called “pop-up vending,” such as food trucks and car washes on private property on Castor Avenue and elsewhere, and suggested an overlay – such as the one in the 10th Councilmanic District – to shut down these operations.
Some of these businesses apparently pay PECO Energy bills, but it’s unclear where the bills are mailed.
Meanwhile, Democrat Christy Brady and Republican Aaron Bashir spoke about their campaigns for controller.
Brady, of Fox Chase, worked 28 years in the office. She was named acting controller when Rebecca Rhynhart resigned to run for mayor. Brady had to resign to run for the remainder of Rhynhart’s term, which ends in 2025. Brady said her top priorities for audits concern public safety and government accountability.
Bashir said he is the better candidate because he’ll be a fiscal watchdog on Democrats who have run city government for decades. He said Brady has had her chance over 28 years. He called for a change after Democratic rule has led to high crime rates, calls to defund the police, looting, drug markets in Kensington and elsewhere, poor quality of life, low-performing public schools, unchecked food vendors, poor response from the Department of Licenses and Inspections and high beverage and sales taxes.
In other news from the meeting:
• Matt Smith, store director at the Acme at 6640 Oxford Ave., encouraged people to use the pharmacy for things like COVID boosters, flu shots, the RSV respiratory virus and pet prescriptions. Smith said organizations can seek donations at AcmeMarketsFoundation.org. He also invited people to apply for jobs, as the store is hiring. He treated TBYN members to cookies and dirt pudding and brought Eagles schedules.
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, addressed the crowd. Capt. Marc Metellus was unable to attend, as he and his wife were out for his birthday dinner.
Mroz mentioned the three 2nd district officers shot on the 7500 block of Whitaker Ave., including one who suffered a serious knee injury. Another officer was injured. The gunman, who had been previously arrested for shooting rabbits, was killed. Mroz said state Rep. Jared Solomon arranged for the four injured officers to attend last Thursday’s Phillies playoff game. They were shown on the big screen and given jerseys with their names on the back.
Mroz also spoke of the shooting death of officer Richard Mendez at Philadelphia International Airport. He said a lot of people are stealing cars at the airport and driving them through the bars and gates. One suspect was arrested. Another was shot accidentally by someone committing thefts with him and dropped off at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he died. There is a $245,000 reward leading to the capture of the other suspects.
Mroz thanked the Philadelphia Parking Authority for removing nine tractor trailers and one large SUV – all parked illegally on Bleigh Avenue, near Bustleton Avenue. He said truckers receive stipends to park their vehicles in a lot, but often keep the money.
• A homebuyer fair will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. Realtors, lenders and other housing professionals will be there. Learn about mortgage eligibility and how to access homebuyer grants. Register at ahcopa.org/homeownership-fair.
• CUA 3, sponsored by Concilio, will hold a pop-up table on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. on the 4300 block of Frankford Ave. There will be free socks, clothes and hygiene supplies. ••
