Savage’s year in Council
was well used

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

In his short time in office, City Councilman Dan Savage has addressed public safety and neighborhood and business corridor issues, but he seems to have placed the greatest emphasis on recreation.
From a total overhaul of Gambrel Recreation Center to a return of organized sports at Deni Playground to construction of a handball court at Towey Playground, he has made his funding priorities clear.
"You can never give enough money for recreation," he said. "It’s keeping kids off the street. The more that kids are involved, the more they excel in school and stay out of trouble."
Savage (D-7th dist.), who lives on Haworth Street in Northwood, is a ward leader and former Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission employee who was elected to Council last November. He won a special election to replace fellow Democrat Rick Mariano, who is serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted on corruption charges.
According to Savage, constituents thanked him early on for bringing integrity back to the office. He immediately tried to be a proactive lawmaker.
After less than six months on the job, Savage had to face the voters in the May primary. He lost a three-way race to Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who won the seat in a landslide on Tuesday, and Savage will leave office in early January. Still, he has remained engaged on the job.
"I’m working till the end," he said.
Savage, 36, who has a 16-year-old son named Danny, doesn’t yet know what his next career move will be.
He employs eight people at his City Hall office and is confident that they are talented enough to land good jobs.
"I have a good staff," he said. "They are people who grew up in the 7th district and really care about the neighborhoods."
At the very least, Savage will remain as Democratic leader of the 23rd Ward. He’ll team next spring with ally Marge Tartaglione, a city commissioner and Democratic leader of the 62nd Ward, to have a big say in the primary in the 179th Legislative District, where state Rep. Tony Payton will be seeking a second term.
As ward leader, Savage took over from his dad Tim, now a federal judge. Tim Savage succeeded Bill Green, a former congressman and mayor, as ward leader.
The younger Savage explained that the jobs of ward leader and councilman have at least one thing in common: they require a commitment to constituent service.
"I like that. That’s why I’m in public service," he said.
Legislatively, Savage drafted a resolution to increase the number of probation and parole officers in Philadelphia. And he expects Council to pass a bill he sponsored that would require carbon monoxide detectors in newly constructed properties.
In Council, he has supported an expansion of surveillance cameras. By the end of the year, the cameras are scheduled to be placed at the intersections of Frankford Avenue and Foulkrod Street, Arrott and Griscom streets and Oxford Avenue and Margaret Street.
"They’re definitely needed," he said. "They deter crime and are a witness that can’t be intimidated."
On Thanksgiving, Fox Sports Network will show Operation Field Rescue, the story of the overhaul of Gambrel Recreation Center in Frankford. The center received a new turf field, bleachers, fencing, goal posts, scoreboard, concession stand and more, thanks to a partnership that included the Eagles.
Savage provided some city money and lobbied a sporting goods company to donate balls, uniforms and helmets for the Frankford Chargers football team.
In other recreation news, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for this week for a handball court at Towey.
Savage directed some money to complete the long-delayed gymnasium and Northeast Older Adult Center at Rhawhurst Recreation Center. That project is scheduled for completion by late January.
Scanlon Recreation Center received a new roof for its ice-skating rink, and the councilman’s office organized cleanups at numerous parks and playgrounds.
At Deni, a newly formed playground advisory group will oversee sports teams, new basketball courts and a spray park.
"It had been neglected forever," Savage said. "It’s going to be beautiful. It will really upgrade the neighborhood."
Along the Frankford Avenue business corridor, Savage has arranged for the placement of trash cans, trees, planters, lighting and the re-striping of crosswalks and center lines. He also tried to make the avenue more friendly for motorists by securing free meter parking after 6 p.m.
On Castor Avenue, he’s worked with zoning guru Lorraine Brill on various issues.
In the more depressed areas of the district, he’s pushed for the demolition of crumbling properties.
In the last year, he’s sponsored free concerts at Womrath Park and a 15th Police District Advisory Council community day at Wissinoming Park. He’s given city funding to groups ranging from Rhawnhurst A.A. to the Historical Society of Frankford.
By the end of the month, he will release a report on how to make the city Department of Licenses and Inspections more efficient.
The councilman is working with the city Redevelopment Authority to buy the former Art Holiday theater and lease it to FrankfordStyle for a live performing arts theater.
Savage will not get to see the proposed theater or some of his other initiatives through to completion, but he’s satisfied that the community will benefit nonetheless. He has no regrets.
"It’s been an incredible experience for me," he said. "I have a love for public service, and this has been a great opportunity. When one door closes, another one opens. I look forward to a bright future."
The councilman has not ruled out a future run for public office.
"Politically, this is not the end of Dan Savage," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com