Northwood
is moving on

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The drama within the Northwood Civic Association continued last week, with Gina Panchella presiding over her first meeting as president.
Absent was Joe Menkevich, who maintains that he is president of the organization.
Meanwhile, the board of directors moved to oust Menkevich’s one remaining supporter on the board.
The bitter divide became public at a June 19 meeting, where then-vice president Panchella, treasurer Bill Rodebaugh, secretary Kathleen Fitzpatrick and board members Michael Bane, Barry Howell, Lou Kubik and Renee Hudson indicated they wanted to change the group bylaws to allow for the impeachment and removal of an officer.
The board majority faults Menkevich for running disorderly meetings and allegedly saying and doing things that bring shame to the organization.
At the June meeting, several members of the board claim they heard Menkevich announce that he was resigning. The civic leader insists he said he was "considering" resigning.
Nonetheless, at a June 26 board meeting, the verbal resignation was accepted, and Panchella was promoted to president.
Menkevich and board ally Len Williams did not attend that meeting or a general membership meeting on July 10, contending the meetings were illegal because they were not called by the president.
Three men at last week’s meeting disputed the board’s belief that Menkevich announced his resignation, but the meeting moved forward.
"We consider Joe Menkevich to have resigned," Bane said.
Menkevich hired a video company to tape the June 19 meeting and wore a microphone. The board has asked him and Williams to turn over the tape to determine if he said he was resigning, but they’ve declined.
"It looks suspicious to us," Bane said.
Menkevich countered that he is holding the tape for possible use in court.
One man at last week’s meeting said the proposed bylaw changes were poorly written because there was no code of ethics attached to them. Another labeled the board a "dictatorship," adding that a discussion to change the bylaws should be tabled until September.
Board members said immediate action was necessary.
"We cannot wait to make these changes," Bane said.
Only residents who previously paid their annual dues were allowed to vote on the two proposed changes to the bylaws.
The proposal to allow for impeachment and removal of officers for four terms passed by a vote of 18-3. The proposal to require that withdrawals from the legal fund be approved at regular or special meetings passed, 16-5.
Board members have no plans to impeach Menkevich, since they have accepted his resignation.
However, Bane made a motion seconded by Howell to impeach Williams. Bane accused Williams of controlling Menkevich and engaging in the same kind of "malfeasance" and "verbal abuse."
The board unanimously backed the motion.
"Leonard Williams is impeached," Bane announced, adding that the board will present its case against him in front of the full membership on Sept. 18.
Williams believes the effort is a smoke screen. He is questioning some of the past board activities related to the group’s bank accounts.
"They want me silenced," he said.
Menkevich describes the board as a "mindless lynch mob."
"They’re out of control," he said.
Menkevich singled out Bane for what he called "Draconian" tactics, calling the WRDV-FM music show host a "frustrated radio announcer" who is seeking the spotlight.
Menkevich has offered to resign if the association returns $3,320 collected during his term for a discretionary legal fund. The money was donated by Northwood Academy Charter School ($2,120), Realtor Mike Galdi ($500), Menkevich ($500), attorney Flora Becker ($100) and Debbie Klak ($100), president of the Historical Society of Frankford.
Howell announced that the board had "fired" Howland Hess, the law firm representing the association, and hired Alex Talmadge, a former city election commissioner who challenged District Attorney Lynne Abraham in the 2001 Democratic primary.
Talmadge, who appeared at last week’s meeting, will review the request for the return of the money. He won’t get rich off the case, since the group has a measly $185.87 in its legal fund.
Howell got involved in a heated discussion with Galdi, one of the few Menkevich backers who attended the meeting.
The board member is angry that Menkevich never told the board he was establishing a discretionary fund to appeal a zoning decision allowing a grocery store to open on Horrocks Street. He called Galdi’s contribution "obscene" and reminded him that, as a businessman but not a resident of Northwood, he is a guest of the association. He vowed to remain vigilant on outsiders trying to influence the group.
"You’re on, brother," Galdi said, telling Howell he has been involved in neighborhood activities longer than Howell and owns more real estate than he does in Northwood.
In related matters, board members selected Bane to replace Panchella as vice president and Fitzpatrick to take Bane’s place on the board. The board also voted to remove Menkevich’s name from the bank account. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com