City elections commissioner Seth Bluestein spoke at the recent Burholme Civic Association meeting.
Bluestein distributed literature listing May 4 as the deadline to register for the May 19 primary. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is May 12. Mail-in ballots are due by 8 p.m. on election day.
To register to vote, visit vote.phila.gov/register
Blustein also handed out a form on becoming a poll worker. The maximum pay is $295. Go to https://bit.ly/phila-pollworker
Election information, Bluestein said, is also available at satellite elections offices, which are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local offices are at 6420 Frankford Ave. and 1619-81 Grant Ave.
The primary ballot will include the following proposed charter change questions:
“Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Philadelphia Retirement Savings Board to oversee a defined contribution retirement program for the benefit of eligible private-sector workers, and to authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the board?”
“Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of the Office of the Youth Ombudsperson to improve the safety and quality of services for youth placed in juvenile justice, child welfare, and behavioral health residential care facilities, and to authorize City Council to determine additional powers and duties of the Youth Ombudsperson as needed to carry out this mission?”
In other news from the April 9 meeting:
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, said Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has ordered each district to designate a quality-of-life officer to handle issues such as high weeds, trash and abandoned cars.
Mroz said he has recently cited operators of illegal car washes. He urged people to lock their windows and doors to guard against residential burglaries.
As for retail theft, Mroz said he will be meeting with Target. Retail theft, he said, remains an issue at Wawa, as he said the store’s security guards do little to nothing about the problem.
As the weather warms and more youngsters are using playgrounds, Mroz said some potential overcrowding will be relieved when Lawncrest Recreation Center opens this summer after renovations.
• City Councilman Brian O’Neill will hold several events at his district offices on upcoming Saturdays, from 9-11 a.m. E-cycling will take place on May 2 at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street. A recycling bucket giveaway is set for May 16 at 432 Rhawn St., behind American Heritage Credit Union. Shredding, sponsored by Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, is scheduled for June 6 at FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road.
• The Five Points Night Market, part of Wawa Welcome America, will take place on Wednesday, June 24, at 5 p.m., on Rising Sun Avenue, from St. Vincent Street to Cottman Avenue. Admission is free. The event will feature food trucks, live music, games, vendors and activities for all ages.
• Burholme Civic Association will meet on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. ••
