Common Pleas Court Judge Charlie Ehrlich and Municipal Court President Judge Fran Shields last week spoke at the Rhawnhurst Civic Association.
Their appearance was part of a new Judicial Ambassadors Program.
Ehrlich is assigned to the homicide unit. He explained that Common Pleas Court consists of the Family, Orphans’ and Trial divisions, handling criminal and civil cases and those involving juveniles and domestic relations.
Municipal Court, Shields explained, consists of the Criminal, Civil and Traffic divisions.
Ehrlich said only 30 percent of Philadelphians who receive a summons to appear for jury duty bother to show up.
One woman suggested the courts hire retirees to appear for jury duty several days a week.
Ehrlich responded that the pay – $9 per day and lunch during deliberations – wouldn’t be worth it for retirees. He also noted the high cost of parking.
One man opposed using retirees on a regular basis, claiming defendants would not be facing a jury of their peers.
Ehrlich said the courts will work with jurors to find a day that is convenient for them to serve if they are busy on the date on the summons. He added that Jury Commissioner Patrick Martin is a Northeast resident.
In other news from the April 15 meeting:
• The group listened to a proposal to legalize a duplex at 1802 Kendrick St. The property is zoned for single-family housing. Members suggested the renters would likely be families sending children to an already-crowded Farrell Elementary School. The vote was unanimous in opposition.
“Case closed,” said zoning chairman Lee Horne.
• The civic heard from Mark Mroz and Al Fiorentino, community relations officers in the 2nd and 7th police districts, respectively. One complaint they heard was about a homeless man who has been living at Pelbano Playground for the last three years.
• Among those at the meeting were Peggy Recupido, an aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill; Rachael Horne, representing state Rep. Ed Neilson; and Viktor Kagan, chief of staff for state Rep. Sean Dougherty.
• 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.
• Rep. Sean Dougherty will hold a Mobile Mammography Screening event on Thursday, May 7, at 9 a.m. at his office at 7801 Hasbrook Ave. The mammograms are for people 40 and over who are due for an annual screening, have a prescription from their doctor, have no breast problems or implants and are not pregnant or breast feeding. To schedule an appointment, email [email protected] and include your name, date of birth and phone number.
• The Philadelphia Parking Authority Neighborhood Enforcement Unit accepts information on nuisance vehicles or illegally parked trucks or tractor trailers. Call 215-683-9620.
• The city Department of Parks and Recreation’s Pelbano Players will present four performances of the musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie at Northeast Older Adult Center, 8101 Bustleton Ave. Show times are 7 p.m. on April 24, 3 and 7 p.m. on April 25 and 3 p.m. on April 26. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
• Rhawnhurst Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at Pelbano Playground, Bustleton and Solly avenues. There will be a guest speaker from 311.
Also, the group will hold votes on whether it supports the proposed “road diet” to Castor Avenue, from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue, and any changes that might be proposed in the future on Castor Avenue north of Cottman. The board and members seem inclined to oppose changing Castor from four to three lanes. Repupido, the O’Neill aide, suggested speed cameras instead of eliminating a lane. ••
