Bustleton Civic
is looking for volunteers

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Elaine Griffin heads a Rhawnhurst-based organization that assists senior citizens, but she was in Bustleton last week to spread the word.
The Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Retirement Community tends to seniors in the 19152 ZIP code and part of 19111.
However, more than a quarter of Rhawnhurst NORC’s clients live outside those areas.
"The demand is huge," Griffin told members of the Greater Bustleton Civic League.
The organization was launched in September 2005 and is sponsored by Catholic Social Services, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the United Way. Its annual spring cleaning day will take place on Sunday, April 13, from noon to 4 p.m.
Volunteers will help seniors clean up yards, wash windows, make minor home repairs and replace smoke alarm batteries and light bulbs.
Griffin welcomes volunteers to call her at 215-728-1330.
"We really love the idea of neighbor helping neighbor," she said.
Griffin also asked residents to keep their older neighbors in mind. Rhawnhurst NORC offers a variety of services all year to seniors.
"I want referrals," she said.
There is another NORC organization in West Oak Lane.
A group called Senior Chai generally serves the 19115, 19116 and other ZIP codes in the Northeast. It requires a membership. The toll-free telephone number is 1-866-229-6672.
In other news from the Feb. 27 meeting:
• Keller-Williams Realty, based in Texas, has opened an office at 1917 Welsh Road. The local firm plans a Texas-style barbecue in June in its parking lot.
Agents Bob Roman and George Slawter explained that the company has a charitable arm, KW Cares. The parent company expects the office to raise $30,000 a year, with 90 percent of that total going to the local community.
"We’re here to help out," Slawter said.
On a real estate matter, Slawter said the company will work with banks and homeowners to avoid foreclosures and preserve an individual’s credit rating.
"There is a way out," he said of mortgage difficulties.
The Keller-Williams officials also indicated that their staff would volunteer with the Rhawnhurst NORC.
• John Farley, the Republican candidate in the 5th Senatorial District, is eager to debate Democratic Sen. Mike Stack.
Farley asked Gene McAleer, an aide to the incumbent, to tell his boss that he wants to debate eight times over the next eight months.
The challenger, a 42-year-old Bustleton native who lives in Somerton with his wife and two children, thinks his candidacy will be bolstered by low approval ratings of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
On the issues, he favors a bill sponsored by Rep. John Perzel that would lead to the hiring of 10,000 police officers across the state. More than 1,300 officers would come to Philadelphia.
Farley rejects the argument by opponents of the bill that it is too costly. A former soccer player for the Bustleton Bengals, Farley opposes state funding to bring a Major League Soccer team to Chester. The money, he thinks, would be better spent to hire more police officers.
The Republican vowed to serve no more than two terms and never to vote for a bill that included higher taxes or fees. He indicated he would side with police officers and firefighters on issues of importance to them. He’d also support more funding for public education, but an overall smaller budget.
"It’s time to put our government on a diet," he said.
Farley and Stack are unopposed in the April 22 primaries.
• Paul McSorley tried unsuccessfully to convince members to allow him to build two apartments on top of his existing television service and installation company.
The businessman wants to build two 600-square-foot, one-bedroom apartments on top of McCloy TV, at 1901 Grant Ave. (at Dungan Road). The addition’s exterior would be made of the same stucco as the existing structure.
The property is zoned commercial, and McSorley hopes to win a variance at an April 8 hearing in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Neighbors expressed concern over the steps, the entrance and exit, parking, traffic, trash and the look of the addition.
Residents sympathized with McSorley, but voted 24-1 to send a letter of opposition to the zoning board.
• Neighbors had no sympathy whatsoever for attorney Greg Prosmushkin, who wants to legalize a home in the rear of his law practice at 9637 Bustleton Ave.
John Sabatina Sr., the lawyer representing Prosmushkin, expressed surprise that residents would seemingly rather have the building vacant. Over the years, it has been home to a doctor’s office, a hearing aid center and a mortgage company.
But neighbors pointed out that the home has been occupied for the last two years or so.
Things really got heated when a resident who works as a police lieutenant produced a letter written by Prosmushkin last July. In the letter, the lawyer said he went to Internal Affairs because the resident said he didn’t want "undesirables" renting the home.
"What’s undesirable is people who don’t follow the rules," Maureen Greene, the civic league’s recording secretary, said of Prosmushkin.
Bob Barrilli, an aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill (10th dist.), said the Department of Licenses and Inspections is aware of the violation.
Sensing defeat, Prosmushkin stood up and put on his coat to leave just before the association voted 35-0 to oppose his plan.
• Several people complained that motorists are making illegal left turns out of the post office at 9925 Bustleton Ave. Rich Simon, community relations officer in the 7th Police District, said police will write tickets for the violation if they see it.
• The civic association is planning a trip to Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, May 28, for the Phillies game against the Colorado Rockies. Tickets cost $20. The seats are behind first base. A bus will pick up and drop off fans at American Heritage Federal Credit Union, at 2060 Red Lion Road. for information, call 215-676-6890 or write to gbcl@prodigy.net
• The Greater Bustleton Civic League’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. at American Heritage Federal Credit Union on Red Lion Road. More information is available by visiting www.gbcleague.com ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com