E. Torresdale: Where have
all the members gone?

The East Torresdale Civic Association last week discussed ways to invigorate more participation among members in the activities of the organization.
The Feb. 11 ETCA general meeting lasted less than an hour and was the group’s second such members session in as many months. Bernard Reidenberg, first vice president of the group, said he has experienced increasing difficulty trying to schedule guest speakers for the meetings.
Meanwhile, winter weather likely has discouraged some folks from attending meetings. The cold also has put some of the neighborhood’s persistent problems on ice.
One member suggested that ETCA try to convince a local paper to send a photographer to the meetings so that more politicians start showing up. In response, a news reporter explained that his organization could photograph a meeting if a scheduled topic warranted such coverage, but also emphasized that the mere presence of the media should not be used to manipulate news or generate it.
Reidenberg stated that he would invite a guest speaker from the city’s Department of Recreation to the group’s March 10 meeting to discuss recent improvements at the boat ramp.
Also during last week’s meeting, Victim Assistance Officer Jeanne Austin of the 8th Police District warned residents to keep their mail receptacles secure because there had been three reports of mail theft in recent weeks. Residents should retrieve their mail as soon as possible after delivery or install a door slot so that thieves wouldn’t be able to get the mail without breaking into the home. Another security option is a locking mailbox.
Joe Hansbury, the district’s community relations officer, reminded residents to be careful about what they discard in the trash since it is legal for identity thieves to take your trash once it’s left at the curb. All personal documents should be shredded before being discarded.
One neighbor complained about an over-abundance of potholes and sinkholes along the 9100, 9200 and 9300 blocks of State Road. Reidenberg said he’d contact the city’s Department of Streets to investigate.
Another resident reported that she had distributed fliers in the area of the former Byrne Golf Course to warn residents of a pending liquor-license application that had been posted there. Those living within 500 feet of the property had until Feb. 11 to comment formally on the application to the state’s Liquor Control Board.
The next East Torresdale Civic Association meeting will be March 10 at 7 p.m. at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street. Free coffee and doughnuts will be served. ••