The Fox Chase Civic Association and Town Watch voted in favor of a proposal by St. Cecilia Parish to erect a double-sided sign on Rhawn Street.
At present, there is a free-standing, one-sided sign that will be moved to a wall that faces Jeanes Street.
The new sign will allow for rotating messages to be seen by motorists and pedestrians, not facing homes on Rhawn Street.
The Rev. Chris Walsh, pastor of St. Cecilia, joined attorney David Orphanides in making the presentation.
The new sign will go off at midnight, or possibly earlier, if requested by nearby residents.
The vote in favor of a variance for the new sign was 27-1.
In other news from the Sept. 11 meeting:
• The group observed a moment of silence for slain police officer Jaime Roman and the 2,977 victims, including 441 first responders, of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
• Capt. Scott DiDonato, commander of the 2nd Police District, and community relations officers Mark Mroz (2nd district) and Al Fiorentino (7th district) addressed the crowd.
The Town Watch and the mother of Town Watch president Steve Phillips presented checks in support of Saturday’s Hero Thrill Show, which raises money to pay the college tuition of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Police discussed retail theft, joking that Wawa stands for “Walk away with anything,” though adding that Wawa security guards are hired to protect employees, not stop thefts.
DiDonato spoke of a retail theft “blitz” earlier that day at local Wawa stores that resulted in eight arrests, including one suspect with a gun.
The 2nd district is monitoring an illegal car sale business on the 7300 block of Hasbrook Ave.
• April Street, of the Register of Wills public engagement unit, discussed ways to get free or low-cost wills, power of attorney or living wills (medical directives). Philadelphians can contact Community Legal Services (215-981-3700 or wills@clsphila.org), Christian Legal Clinics (215-399-0064 or clcphila.org), Legal Clinic for the Disabled (215-587-3350) and SeniorLAW Center (215-988-1242).
• State Sen. Jimmy Dillon and city elections commissioner Lisa Deeley are sponsoring an outdoor movie night on Saturday, Sept. 21, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 9601 Frankford Ave. The event starts at 7 p.m., and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will be shown at 7:30. Voter registrations will be taken. Snacks will be provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, chairs and blankets.
• The office of City Councilman Brian O’Neill is sponsoring several events on upcoming Saturdays, all from 9-11 a.m. There will be e-cycling on Sept. 28 at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street, above the 7th Police District. There will be a recycle bucket giveaway on Oct. 12 at FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road. There will be shredding on Oct. 26 at 432 Rhawn St., behind American Heritage Credit Union. Call 215-MU6-3422.
• Fox Chase Cancer Center will hold mobile mammography screenings on Thursday, Oct. 17, starting at 9 a.m., at the office of Sen. Jimmy Dillon, at 12361 Academy Road. Women must be 40 or older and have a prescription from their doctor. To schedule an appointment, call 215-214-1682.
• Among those in attendance were Sean Dougherty and Aizaz Gill, the candidates in the 172nd Legislative District race; and aides to Councilman Brian O’Neill, Sen. Jimmy Dillon and state Rep. Kevin Boyle.
• Fox Chase Civic Association and Town Watch will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, at 7976 Oxford Ave. There will be a speaker from Fox Chase Cancer Center, and the city Department of Streets will discuss planned work on the Pine Road bridge. ••
