Burholme learns
of fire safety, expansion

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

On Jan. 10, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers received some good news.
Ayers, who was appointed by former Mayor John Street, was re-appointed that day by new Mayor Michael Nutter.
That appeared to be good timing for the Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association, which had Ayers scheduled as its guest speaker. But the commissioner canceled his appearance shortly before the meeting.
Battalion Chief Mike Wahl filled in for Ayers. He announced that 40 of the 52 people who died in fires in Philadelphia in 2007 were in homes without working smoke alarms.
Wahl, who lives in Somerton, explained that the fire department will provide and install some detectors for free to any needy Philadelphian who requests one.
In addition, the department is looking for an individual on each block to serve as a fire safety representative.
To reach the fire safety division, call 215-686-1367.
In other news from the Jan. 10 meeting, held at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer:
• Joanne Rosenthal, owner of Storybook Children’s Center, and attorney Steve Pollock, asked the group to approve an expansion of the facility, at 7722 Dungan Road (at Napfle Street).
In January 2003, Storybook opened with a capacity for 80 children, including 28 children age 2-1/2 and younger.
Now, because of growth, the center will appear in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment asking to increase the number of children it can care for to 130, including 35 kids age 2-1/2 and younger.
The 11,000-square-foot facility opens weekdays at 6 a.m. and employs a staff of 22. Employees drive the older children to school in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon and bring them back to the facility. They offer hot food, snacks and homework help.
Immediate neighbors who were at the meeting said they’d be in favor of the center’s expansion. Before giving its final approval, the civic association’s zoning committee wants to visit the site.
• Al Taubenberger, president of the civic association and Town Watch, had a sharp exchange with a couple of opponents of Fox Chase Cancer Center’s proposed expansion into Burholme Park.
Taubenberger read the testimony he gave recently in front of City Council. He favors the expansion.
The president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Republican candidate for mayor last year, Taubenberger has a degree in agronomy and is former head groundskeeper at Friends Hospital. He described trees and parkland as important but not sacred.
"They’re not worth one human life," he said. "Lives are more important."
• The group help a moment of silence for patrolling Town Watch member Fred Ackerman, who died suddenly.
• The Northeast Sunriser’s Rotary Club is inviting individuals to join the group. The club meets for breakfast and a speaker every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at the Country Club Restaurant, at 1717 Cottman Ave. Call 215-576-0666 or 215-745-5963 for more information.
o United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, at Cottman and Lawndale avenues, will host a live Nativity scene on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. The church scheduled the event twice before Christmas, but it was rained out both times.
The church will also hold its annual Super Bowl party on Sunday, Feb. 3. The game starts about 6 p.m. and will be shown on a big screen television.
• The Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association will meet again on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m., at Kennedy Crossan School, at 7350 Bingham St. (at Bleigh Street). The group usually meets on the second Thursday of the month but changed the date to avoid a conflict with Valentine’s Day.
To sign up for Town Watch as a patroller or base operator, call 215-722-4901. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com