CLIP visits Northwood
civic meeting

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Tom Conway, a deputy city managing director, believes the Community Life Improvement Program has helped the Northeast over the last five years.
CLIP started in the 6th Councilmanic District but has grown over the years. The program’s focus is exterior property maintenance.
The staff hopes residents clean up their property upon a citation before city workers have to clean the mess and bill the homeowner.
"Our whole goal is compliance," Conway said.
Conway and CLIP inspector Roseann Elia were guests at last week’s Northwood Civic Association meeting.
CLIP, which has an office at 8747 Frankford Ave. in Holmesburg, removes graffiti and cracks down on high weeds, unkempt lawns, yard debris, dog dirt and other nuisance issues.
Elia said she will work on a complaint by a resident of the 1100 block of Herbert St. about an alleged automobile sales business on the block.
As a whole, the neighborhood plans to team with the Tacony Civic Association to address nuisance properties owned by absentee landlords.
Residents can call in complaints to 215-683-CLIP (2547).
Conway appeared with his recently shaved head. The city official raised $4,000 earlier this month during a fund-raiser at Paddy Whacks for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which benefits childhood cancer.
Participants shave their heads to show solidarity with children undergoing cancer treatment. Paddy Whacks, at 9241 Roosevelt Blvd., raised $22,000.
In other news from the March 18 meeting:
• Nancy Doerr, a volunteer at the youth curfew center at Frankford Group Ministry, encouraged others to volunteer.
The center, at 4620 Griscom St. (at Orthodox Street), is open Thursday through Sunday nights. To volunteer, call 215-744-2990, Ext. 211.
Meanwhile, Doerr listened to complaints by civic association president Barry Howell and others that there are not enough police patrols in the neighborhood.
Doerr, vice president of the 15th Police District Advisory Council, recommended that residents meet with Capt. Frank Bachmayer, commander of the 15th district, during the monthly captain’s forum. The next forum, which will be open to the public, will be Monday, from 8 to 9 p.m., at the John M. Perzel Community Center, at 2990 St. Vincent St.
Howell, the civic leader, has accepted an invitation to attend a Frankford Crime and Safety Initiative meeting on April 10. The two-hour meeting is open to community leaders. Guests will include Mayor Michael Nutter, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, City Managing Director Camille Cates Barnett, state Rep. Tony Payton and City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez.
One of Howell’s top complaints will be the number of halfway houses and prisoner re-entry programs in Frankford.
• Dan Lodise, chief of staff to Payton, said his office is available to help people secure payments as part of the federal Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.
Payments will automatically be sent to anyone who files a 2007 tax return.
However, individuals who normally do not have to file a tax return, but had more than $3,000 in earned income, Social Security benefits and/or veterans payments are eligible to receive a check. Those folks have to put their name, address and Social Security number on a 1040A form by the regular April 15 filing deadline.
Payton’s office is at 4915 Frankford Ave. The telephone number is 215-744-7901.
Lodise added that Payton is working on legislation that would provide payments to people whose tips lead to confiscation of illegal guns. Florida already has such a program in place.
• Rebecca Willems, an aide to Quinones-Sanchez, said her office is working on a couple of issues of concern to Northwood.
Neighbors have complained about a broken-up sidewalk on the 1000 block of Haworth St. and a proposed triplex on the 1300 block of Foulkrod St.
Willems said 7th Councilmanic District residents can call the office at 215-686-3448 with any problems.
• Nancy Rivera, a representative of the city Commission on Human Relations, said she is available to provide prevention programs, assist in mediation efforts and open lines of communication in disputes in the 2nd and 15th police districts.
"Sometimes it works, and sometimes it’s not enough," she said.
Rivera stressed that the program is voluntary but that the commission can contact police if a problem persists.
Complaints can be filed at www.phila.gov/humanrelations
• Civic association board members Gina Panchella and Lou Kubik are graduates of the Civilian Police Academy and encouraged others to attend.
The 13-week course, operated by the Philadelphia Police Department, is open to any Philadelphian age 18 or older. Lt. Mary Jo Brady oversees the program.
For an application, call 215-685-8120 or 215-685-8080.
The deadline is April 4 to apply to become a police officer. The application fee is $35. The test will be given on May 31 and is open to individuals age 19-39. The starting salary is $38,481 a year.
Applications are available at local police districts, at www.ppdonline.org or by calling 215-683-COPS.
• Northwood Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.coma