Tacony meeting
discusses city violence

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

The Tacony Civic Association’s meeting last week began with a moment of silence for slain police officer Chuck Cassidy, who was laid to rest two weeks ago, his family, as well as two officers who were shot in Frankford about an hour before the Tacony meeting began.
Two undercover narcotics officers had been serving a warrant at Torresdale Avenue and Orthodox Street when 16-year-old Donyea Phillips allegedly shot at them from inside the house. Civic association president Anthony Naccarato later announced that his wife text messaged him that the officers’ injuries were not life threatening.
"It’s a new day in Philadelphia," Naccarato told members, referring to the Michael Nutter’s election as mayor the day before Cassidy’s funeral. "In the same breath, it’s not going to change overnight."
Tacony members will join neighboring civic associations, who will bring their issues to the table at a citizens convention on Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, designed to help set an agenda for Nutter and his administration. The mayor-elect will be the keynote speaker.
"It’s a very exciting time for people in this city. To say we’ve been challenged...would be an understatement," said civic association vice president Lou Iatarola.
Iatarola also gave those present an update on recent zoning cases, as well as a case that the organization has initiated.
The city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a permit for the conversion of a storefront to an apartment at 6734 Torresdale Ave., something the organization has typically opposed in the past as a way to preserve the neighborhood’s business district.
According to Iatarola, there may be a loophole that permits the conversion of mixed use properties that were built prior to 1964. Allowing this precedent to go forward unchallenged could be devastating to the community’s commercial district and invite more absentee landlords to change the face of the community, he said.
"L&I abused their discretion," Iatarola said. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com