Civic Associations Respond to Vern Anastasio's recent Email criticizing Frank DiCicco

Dear Vernon,

We read your email dated 2/8/06 regarding the casinos and we share your interest and concern about what will happen on the riverfront. But we disagree with your allegations regarding Councilman DiCicco.

The Councilman has been proactive and had already implemented the type of strategy you suggested. Meetings with civic association presidents and developers had already been scheduled and public meetings with developers had been scheduled for mid-March.

We want to work together with other civic associations on all issues of common interest, including of course the casino developments. But we do not want any of these issues to be used as political barbs in an election year. We hope our usual substantive and productive civic association discourse will not continue to be used as a forum for negative campaigning.

We look forward to continued cooperation with you and all the other neighborhood folks involved.

Thank you,

Tania Rorke, President, Society Hill Civic Association
David O’Donnell, President, Queen Village Neighbors Association
Rich Horrow, President, Old City Civic Association
Matt Ruben, President, Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association
Judy Applebaum, President, Washington Square West Civic Association

(this email is being sent on behalf of all 5 presidents)


In a message dated 2/8/2006 5:38:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, AnastasioLaw writes:
Okay Friends:
I want to tell you I'm interested in this issue for two reasons.

First, I love this city. My family has called Philadelphia home for about 120 years. We've built homes, families and businesses here. And so it matters to me when I learn that one, and perhaps even two, casinos are coming to the Delaware River.

Second, and I don't think it's is a secret that I hope to be the next councilperson representing Philadelphia's First District and I look forward to earning that seat and advocating for the interests of all 1st District neighborhoods. And therefore, if a quality of life disaster can be avoided in 2006, then by all means I believe we should avoid it so none of us has to deal with too much traffic, litter, organized crime, prostitution and drug trafficking in 2010.

Months after four companies submitted proposals for casinos on the banks of the Delaware, the neighborhoods along the Delaware River -- Fishtown, Port Richmond, New Kensington, Northern Liberties, Society Hill, Queen Village, Pennsport, Whitman and to a lesser extent, Old City -- are still wondering what their plans are, how will it impact their communities and what partnerships are these companies willing to form in order to mitigate any negative impact.

This coming April, at Drexel University, the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission will hold public hearings on casinos in order to give residents an opportunity to speak up and speak out on the specific details in any or all of the applications.

Unfortunately, none of the neighborhoods along the Delaware will be prepared to make such a statement because all the details are being from them.

I believe it is the job of the District Councilperson to help facilitate an environment where these neighborhoods are empowered. It is also my firm belief that the district councilperson should be a vocal advocate for the interests of these neighborhoods. And, finally, I believe the district councilperson should contact each of the casino developers and call upon them to sit down with the specific neighborhood or neighborhoods that will be directly impacted if that developer is selected by the state gaming commission.

In my opinion, this makes perfect sense. District Councilmembers regularly weigh in on matters when an establishment in a particular community wants outdoor seating or a liquor license. It would follow, then, that a councilperson would want to pay close attention and be intimately involved in a development with several liquor licenses that will be open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
Sadly, this isn?t happening along the Delaware River. Instead, Councilman Frank DiCicco has attended two meetings -- one in Northern Liberties and one in Fishtown -- urging neighbors NOT to organize into a cohesive coalition and suggesting that they NOT meet with any of the casino developers until after the State Commission has made their selections.

This suggested course of action is a recipe for disaster. It runs counter to any thoughtful approach to responsible community development or urban planning. And, most importantly, it will put those neighborhoods most directly impacted at a severe disadvantage. Instead of negotiating from a position of strength before the developers are awarded their license, these communities will be forced to deal with these companies from a position of weakness.

One only has to look across town to see how this process should work. Democratic ward leader Ralph Wynder, with the support of district councilperson Michael Nutter, has helped facilitate a coalition that has already begun a dialogue with Trump Entertainment, who recently applied for a license in the Allegheny West neighborhood of the City. Through these negotiations, Trump Entertainment has extended a thoughtful offer to help mitigate any potential negative effects of their casino (see the offer here: http://www.hallwatch.org/news/1139321659603/trumpoffer). This is a smart and thoughtful approach to dealing with casinos.

If you examine the proposal of Trump Entertainment, you will see there is an enormous amount of potential growth and investment for neighborhoods like Fishtown, Port Richmond or Pennsport and Northern Liberties. These neighborhoods have been historically neglected by the city for decades.

I envision a Community Investment Fund that gets annual revenue from casino developers and whose board is comprised of civic leaders of those neighborhoods within 1000 feet of the casino. This group would fund community investment projects like sidewalk safety lighting, green space, bike lanes, litter removal teams and other services. In effect, this organization could provide the services that City Hall is unable to fund. This organization would be very much like the Center City special services district or DiCicco's Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods -- only without the taxes of the former or the politics of the later.

An attempt to organize a coalition of Delaware River neighborhoods is struggling to survive because of Councilman DiCicco's early warnings against such a group. I believe Dicicco has let politics cloud his judgment on this issue. I realize his former attorney, Richard Sprague, is connected to one of the casino proposals. And I also know that Mister DiCicco is attempting to build a better relationship with our mayor, who supports the idea of a minority owned business receiving one of the city's licenses. But while Mister Dicicco takes care of his friends, who, I ask, is protecting the interests of those who live along the Delaware from Port Richmond to Pennsport? His lack of leadership on this issue is tantamount to a dereliction of duty.

We are running out of time. The sooner people who live along the neighborhoods of the Delaware speak up and demand a seat at the table with these developers, the better.

If you live in the First District or just care about thi sissue, I urge all of you to contact your Councilman DiCicco at 215.686.3458 and ask that he do exactly what a district councilperson SHOULD do in this instance -- call each casino developer and demand a meeting with them and the community directly impacted by their specific development. Now is the time.

I look forward to working with you in the future so that Philadelphia can achieve its destiny of greatness.

Until then, I remain

Respectfully yours,
Vern Anastasio

Differing Views on House Bill 1318

Majority Leader Sam Smith:
Our right to vote is a key to our freedom. This country's Founding Fathers fought the Revolution to protect that liberty, and the Voter Protection Act encompassed in House Bill 1318 will continue that protection. Every citizen has the right to vote and to have that vote count....
...We want to ensure everyone's vote is counted equally -- only once...
...It is the duty of every elected and government official to uphold the integrity of the election process, our basic American civil liberty, not perpetuate the problem with false arguments. The Voter Protection Act is a sensible solution to bring back the integrity of the election process....
http://phillyrecord.com/2006/0216/otheropinion.html

State Sen. Anthony Williams:

"As introduced, HB 1318 would have restricted voting rights for several populations in the Commonwealth, including seniors, those with limited polling options or in housing transition and ex-offenders."
...The fundamental concern remains that some voters may be disenfranchised, seniors in particular. As a proponent for democracy, anything that hinders voter participation draws my concern."...
http://phillyrecord.com/2006/0216/0-article-03.html

The bottom line here is, "One person, one vote."

Neighborhood Civic PAC Draft Scott Cummings Fundraiser a Huge Success - 2/9/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2006
Contact Ed Dixon, 267-918-6846
The Neighborhood Civic Political Action Committee is growing in its effort to Draft Scott Cummings for City Council.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Two winners were present Sunday at Chickie’s and Pete’s in Northeast Philadelphia. One was the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers; the other was local civic leader Scott Cummings. The Neighborhood Civic Political Action Committee, founded by several local residents to help jumpstart and resurrect local Civic Associations, has put a local leader at the front of its first foray into local politics. “Scott Cummings has single handedly resurrected the Mayfair Civic Association, helped propelled the Mayfair Town Watch to “Town Watch of the Year” status, and has reached beyond his neighborhood borders to help others, including Upper Holmesburg Civic Association and the Fox Chase Homeowners Association, take a stand in the neighborhoods and give power back to the people,” said attorney and PAC Chair Sam Mirarchi.

Mirarchi, along with other local activists, sees a vibrant future in the success of civic associations. “These are the backbone of our neighborhoods, “ he said. “That is why we are coordinating the effort to put Scott where he needs to be, that is in City Council continuing his fight for the neighbors in our City’s most critical arena.”

The event, attended by roughly two hundred people including local civic, community, labor and party leaders, as well as elected officials and the Quaker City String Band, with their Captain Bob Shannon, Jr., was a tremendous success. Scott, who has been at the forefront of rectifying concerns of the residents of the Northeast, was humbled by the amount of support he has received throughout the community and by the subject draft effort. “These individuals [referring to the PAC] have approached me about doing what is right. In their minds, that is taking my fight, along with the fight of the people, to City Hall. This is something I have been thinking about for quite some time. I, of course, still have to discuss this with my family and will make intentions known when the time is right.”

Kevin Kelly, who will be deploying to Iraq just days after the event and is the current Chairman of the Philadelphia Young Republicans, came out to support and has joined this effort. “Scott is a fighter. There are too many politicians that are only in this game for themselves. Scott has put the citizens first and I am sure he will continue to be their voice in City Council.” It is evident that many echoed this very sentiment based upon the attendance on Super Bowl Sunday.
If you would like to join the fight, help Draft Scott Cummings for City Council. For more information, email neighborhoodcivicpac@yahoo.com, visit neighborhoodcivicpac.blogspot.com or call 267-918-6846.

Local Groups Unite to Fight Drug Use

A rally was recently held at a Sunoco station in Fox Chase at the corner of Rhawn and Verree combating that store's sale of drug paraphernalia. Several groups came together including the Fox Chase Homeowners Association, the Mayfair Civic Association, the Neighborhood Civic PAC, Men United for a Better Philadelphia, Mothers in Charge, the Guardian Angels and Transit Town Watch. These groups have been active in combating quality of life issues in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Spearheading this event was Jerry Rocks, who became disgusted with rise of drug use in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Rocks enlisted the help of Mayfair Civic Association President Scott Cummings amongst others including Bob Tausendfreundt, father of slain teen Matthew Taylor, who has started the Northeast Chapter of Men United.
Cummings, "a likely candidate to replace City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski next year" spent $160 of his own money in order to clear all paraphernalia off the shelves. In a display of unity, Rocks, Cummings and Tausendfreundt destroyed the paraphernalia in a curb side demonstration and disposed of such. Sunoco plans on working with the group and has removed the rolling papers. However, several types of "Blunts" remained in the store until the group bought them out. If anyone is interested in aiding the effort to remove paraphernalia from neighborhood stores, contact the Neighborhood Civic PAC at mailto:neighborhoodcivicpac@yahoo.com

Cummings Wins At Super Bowl Party (Philadelphia Public Record)

Cummings Wins At Super Bowl Party
by Tony West
Pittsburgh wasn't the only winner last Sunday. More than 200 supporters turned out to support Scott Cummings at a fundraiser for his race for City Council, chipping in $50 a head to build his war chest.
The fundraiser, held at Chickie & Pete's, was a Superbowl party. Cummings, who is president of the Mayfair Civic Association, drew on a wide network of well-wishers. Cummings is seeking the GOP nod to contest the 6th Councimanic Dist. Being vacated by Joan Krajewski. Philadelphia Republican Chairman Vito Canuso dropped by to wish Cummings success in his race.

Emilio Agustin Vazquez Clears the Way to Harrisburg

Emilio Agustin Vazquez, a member of District Council 33, has appeared to have cleared his path to Harrisburg by picking up the endorsement of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and the powerful Building Trades. Mr. Vazquez ran unsuccessfully previously to replace State rep Bill Rieger, however, Mr. Rieger to various ethical and health concerns has indicated that he will not run again. With no Republican candidate and no other viable Democratic Candidate, it appears Vazquez is slated to be the Democratic Nominee almost ensuring him a seat in the General Assembly. Picture reprinted courtesy of the Philadelphia City Paper.