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The 4th VOLUM E ON E , E DI T I O N F O U R
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COUNCILMEMBER CURTIS JONES, JR.
IN THE NEWS
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OFFICE STAFF Joshua Cohen, Chief of Staff Joshua.Cohen@phila.gov Charlita Davis, Deputy Chief of Staff Charlita.Davis@phila.gov Samantha Williams, Esq., Legislative Director Samantha.Williams@phila.gov Crystal Tann-Roberts, Scheduler/District Office Manager Crystal.Tann-Roberts@phila.gov Dinah Hayward, Special Project Manager Dinah.Hayward@phila.gov Ytina Dudley, Special Project Manager Ytina.Dudley@phila.gov Michael Lane, Constituent Service Representative Michael.Lane@phila.gov Ronald Bell, Constituent Service Representative jamalbell5532@gmail.com Gabriel Hart, Constituent Service Representative Gabriel.Hart@phila.gov Gail Young, Constituent Service Representative
IN THE DISTRICT
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ON THE MOVE
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WELCOME TO THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE FOURTH! As 2020 mercifully comes to an end, we have discovered that there is a difference between being nice, being kind, and genuinely caring. It is safe to say 2020 has not been the easiest year. We have gone from mandatory shutdowns because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, to civil unrest, to lantern flies and murder hornets and on top of it all, a monumentally important election. In this surreal storm of events, it is even more important than ever that we look to find the things we are grateful for. If we decide to call this year a wash and let it go down in history as awful, with nothing of importance coming out of it, then we lose. If we learned a new hobby, completed an overdue home project, helped a family member or neighbor, or just got to slow down a bit and really live in the moment, and appreciate that, we win. So, in this season of gratefulness, it is time to reflect and truly give thanks for, if not the easiest year, the time. As we look ahead to 2021, I along with my City Council colleagues will show we care by addressing the issues of poverty in the City of Philadelphia, by restoring confidence in our criminal justice system and by giving support to small businesses that have been severely impacted in 2020. We hope to make the comeback better than the set back.
Gail.Young@phila.gov
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.
IN THE NEWS...
Moving Philadelphia forward from major developments to major legislation, which equals real change for real people. CITIZENS POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION On June 11, 2020, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. introduced Bill No. 200367 and Resolution No. 200377, which proposed an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter for the creation of a Citizens Police Oversight Commission. The ballot measure, which was passed by over 400,000 voters in the November 2020 election, authorizes Philadelphia City Council to move forward with additional legislation to create the Commission and set out its powers and responsibilities. Councilmember Jones has been meeting with various experts on police accountability to explore best practices for the new commission, which will replace the current Police Advisory Commission. The goal of establishing a new Citizens Police Oversight Commission is to have an independent, well-funded oversight agency that is reflective of the voices of Philadelphia’s communities.
100 SHOOTING REVIEW PROJECT On September 10, 2020, Philadelphia City Council passed Resolution No. 200436, introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., which authorizes the City Council Committee on Public Safety and the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold hearings to review and examine the perpetrators of the last 100 shootings in Philadelphia, as well exploring the source of the guns used to commit violent crimes and the role of the criminal justice system in the offender's life. This project is a collaboration of Philadelphia’s law enforcement agencies, including the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Defender Association of Philadelphia, the Department of Public Health, the Office of Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the First Judicial District.
BAN THE BOX UPDATE
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On September 17, 2020, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. introduced Bill No. 200479, which proposed an update to Philadelphia’s “Ban the Box” law. “Ban the Box” was implemented in Philadelphia in 2012 and was updated by Councilmember Jones in 2016. The current law prohibits employers from considering an applicant's criminal history outside of the past seven years. Councilmember Jones' newest update to this legislation solidifies City Council’s commitment to reducing barriers to employment for Philadelphia citizens by: (1) applying the law to current employees (not just applicants), (2) clarifying that the law applies to third-party employers and independent contractors and (3) allowing for damages to be awarded directly to the aggrieved party.
IN THE DISTRICT... With the help of community partners, such as the Share Food Program, Giordano Foods, Philabundance, neighborhood Registered Community Organizations (RCO), and community advocates, the Office of Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. spent one of the most surreal summers in American history reaching out to 4th District neighborhoods by distributing large quantities of fresh produce, masks, hand sanitizers and other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as supporting COVID testing through the Black Doctors Consortium, helping to ensure the safety of residents and preventing the loss of civilian life during a global pandemic.
With the help and support from our corporate partners, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), University of Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross (IBX), Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), and Belmont Behavioral Health, we were able to successfully provide hundreds of senior citizens living in our senior care facilities (Brith Sholom, Simpson Fletcher, Wynnefield Place and the Wynne), through our Senior Wellness Event with senior wellness packages, that were filled with thermometers, pillboxes, masks, hand sanitizers and essential supplies.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT With the challenges of 2020, the residents of the 4th District were able to come together and support community efforts to keep their communities safe and well informed during this unprecedented crisis. With extensive help from city and state officials, our office was able to aid neighborhoods and businesses throughout the district that experienced civil unrest.
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ON THE MOVE. SHEPARD RECREATION CENTER
This Fall, we kicked off the Rebuild process for a brand-new Shepard Recreation Center in the heart of West Philadelphia. The $12 million project will completely transform the Haddington neighborhood. Haddington Shepard has a long and vibrant history that includes Wilt Chamberlain, who played here as a kid. Thank you to Nicetown CDC, the Rebuild team and everyone associated with this project.
LANSDOWNE AVENUE SEPTA RAIL RENOVATIONS Before & After – From “To Do” to “To DONE”
If you have ever driven along Lansdowne Avenue from 53rd to 63rd Streets, you have experienced a bumpy ride! The residents along the avenue have been inconvenienced due to the reconstruction of the trolley line; We thank you for your patience... Here a few pictures of before and after work. Progress does have a temporary price, often inconvenience. Thank you, SEPTA for working through a heat wave and a pandemic to ensure the rail renovations were completed.
NEW CASSIDY PUBLIC SCHOOL COMING SOON
The tentative designs for the new Cassidy public school will be with the future in mind-- a place where the Jetsons would want to attend and send their children.
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EYE ON THE DISTRICT... A few snapshots of some of the great events in the 4th. Secured Affordable Housing I am proud to support the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, a $400 million program that will fund affordable housing, commercial corridor revitalization, repairs to existing homes and multiple other urgent needs caused by the pandemic.
Activate Mc Michael Park Despite not being able to have a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, Fallser families are enjoying the new playspace at McMichael Park today. Thank you to the Activate McMichael Playspace group and everyone else who advocated for this dynamic new amenity at McMichael. We look forward to formally celebrating in early 2021.
Preserving Valley Green I am enormously proud to represent 66% of Fairmount Park, including most of the Wissahickon. This summer, my office worked with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Wissahickon and the 5th and 14th Police Districts to curtail and eliminate the illegal activities occurring at Valley Green and Devil's Pool. Through this collaboration, regular cleaning of the park continued, and social distancing ambassadors handed out masks, palm cards with park rules and regulations, as well as trash bags. We will continue to meet and fine-tune our efforts so that all park-goers can enjoy this natural treasure.
Rediscovered Friends of Granahan
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Friends of Granahan Day Winter Coat Drive was a collaborative effort among community stakeholders, such as Overbrook Monarchs, N.O.A.H, West Philadelphia Achievement Charter School, St. Frances Cabrini Regional Catholic School, and Skate University. Great partnerships and teamwork allowed us to provide hundreds of coats to the community and with the generous support from Share Food Program, Philabundance, and the office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, we were able to provide tons of food to the community.
A LOOK AHEAD. January
• Virtual Town Hall Webinar - Philadelphia Water Department
NUMBERS TO KNOW. City Hall Information 311 Licenses & Inspections (215) 686-8686
February
Philadelphia More Beautiful (215) 685-3968
• Virtual Town Hall Webinar – Philadelphia Streets Department & Water Revenue • Black History Poetry Contest
Philadelphia Parking Authority (888) 591-3636 Philadelphia Water Department (215) 685-6300 Police Tip Hotline (215) 686-TIPS (8477) PECO (215) 841-4000
March
• Virtual Town Hall Webinar – PECO & PGW
PGW (215) 235-1000 Alzheimer’s Association 1 (800) 272-3900 Older Adult Behavioral Health Program (215) 787-2065
April-June
Temple Elderly Law Project (215) 204-6887
• Block Beautification
Community Legal Services Elderly Law Projects (215) 227-2400/16
June-August
• Community Jazz Series • Rock the Block
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (215) 765-9040 New Courtland Senior Services 1 (888) 530-4913 AARP (215) 525-6040 Mayor’s Commission on Aging (215) 686-8450
CONTACT US CITY HALL
WEST PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT OFFICE
Room 404 City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: 215.686.3416 Fax: 215.686.1934
5901 Market Street, Suite 107 Philadelphia, PA 19139 Phone: 215.764.1542 Fax: 215.764.1541
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
E Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. D @Mr_4thDistrict Q @Mr4thDist
University of Pennsylvania Living Independently for Life (215) 573-7200/7100 SNAP, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger (Food Stamps/ Food for Seniors) (215) 430-0558 CARIE (Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interest of the Elderly) (215) 545-5728 Covid Testing Site Dr. Bernett L. Johnson, Sayre Health Center (215) 744-4444
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COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. WEST PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT OFFICE 5901 Market Street, Suite 107 Philadelphia, PA 19139 Phone: 215.764.1542 Fax: 215.764.1541
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