November 2008 Issue 5
THE
Southwest
CORNER
A
COALITION MEMBER S
Tyrone Benson
By Staff
Hanna Bryant
ADVISORY
Rodney Buckson
COMMUNITY
GROUP
RIGHT ON TARGET
Alexzina Bryant
Bruce Durham
PHILADELPHIA
Y O A C A P
For the second time this year, the Turn In Your Guns Campaign was an great success in Southwest Philadelphia
Carl Burman
SOUTHWEST
O F
Paul Bailey
Audrey Allen
Spencer Canty Andre Crews Agnes Currie Melvin Davis Clayton Dendy Stephanie Dixon Chad Enos Gregory Garrison Donna Gass Ron George Ida Glenn Cassandra Graves Constance Harris Crews
Forty-one was the number of tek-9s, Izus, 45 caliber, saw off shotguns, and other firearms that were turned in at the SW CAG’s Turn in Your Gun Campaign in exchange for Wii Consoles, Playstation 3 Consoles, Xbox 360 Consoles, IPODs, and $100 Gift Cards. Fox News and Channel 10 Incentives provided to participants covered the event with Power 99 FM broadcasting live from Kingsessing Rec. Center. During the broadcast, Monie Love of Power 99 interviewed Councilwomen Jannie Blackwell, Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell State Representative James Roebuck, Captain Anthony Washington (right) with Power 99’s Monie Love th from the 12 District Police Department, and Woody Wood, former member of “Three Times Dope” and current SW CAG member. “I was very excited to see so many young adults turn in their guns, especially the type of guns we were able to get off the streets. Our success shows how well the community can work with media, law enforcement, city officials, and businesses to make a difference in our neighborhoods”, State Rep. James Roebuck in Woody mentioned during his interview. For more information about an interview with Power 99 FM
Mark Harrison Lillian Hood Joanne Jones Vernon Keith Montague Marsha J. Moore Daryl Nelson Carol Payne Joe Purnell Christine Riddick Joanne Robinson Myra Robinson Michael Ross Eric Sabin Sims A’za Sims ChrisAnne Smith Yvette S. Smith Tara E. Smith Robert Stone
THE
P R O J E C T
Marsha W. Wall Cassandra Whiters Roger Wilkerson Officer Joe Young
PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS ARE DEEP By Staff December 16th is the day Mayor Michael Nutter will meet at Kingsessing Recreation Center with residents of Southwest Philadelphia to discuss the city’s proposed budget cuts. To better understand the cuts, the SW CAG met with the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Everett Gillison, City Councilwomen Jannie Blackwell, and State Representative James Roebuck during an Emergency Meeting on Saturday, November, 15 th. Seven SW CAG members asked questions and offered ideas for one hour with our distinguished guests. From that meeting, other Southwest Philadelphia Community Organizations who are equally concerned are meeting to develop questions and solutions to propose to city officials. Officer Joe Young, SW CAG member, noted at a recent meeting, “We cannot be emotional at this meeting because that wastes time. We need to work together to develop strategies to provide to the Mayor. Coordinating and collaborating services, working together, sharing resources are concepts that the SW CAG has been employing for a while. As a community, we need to do the same thing to make it through these difficult financial times.” So don’t forget: December 16th at 7 p.m. is your day when all your ideas and suggestions will be Everett Gillison, Esq., Deputy Mayor of Public Safety heard at the Kingsessing Recreation Center.
HARD WORK HAS ITS REWARDS By Staff Hard blowing rain did not stop over 80 concerned residents, stakeholders, and others in attending the SW CAG’s First Annual Community Meeting that was held at Myers Recreation Center on Tuesday, October 28th at 6 p.m. The 90-minute meeting was moderated by Lehronda Upshur of Clear Channel Radio, who kept the program exciting. Special invited guests were Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Senator Anthony Williams, Deputy SW CAG members explain their ideas to the more than 80 Mayor Everett Gillison, Captain Anthony Washington of the 12 th Southwest Philadelphia residents who attended the event Police District, and Carolyn Harper of the Mayor’s Office for the Re-Entry of Ex-Inmates. Members of the SW CAG explained how the coalition has been working over the past 15 months to implement suggestions provided by residents to improve public safety. Summer jobs, employment services for ex-offenders, getting rid of illegal firearms, giving out resource guides to residents, and capacity building for community organizations were a few of the topics that were discussed by SW CAG members. Light refreshments, incentives, and resources were also given out to residents Power 99’s Lehronda Upshur was the mistress of ceremony. Right: Guest speaker Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey that night. For more information about the SW CAG and upcoming spoke about the crime incidence in Philadelphia. community meetings, please call Marsha Wall at (215) 729-2389. Coach Theo Gibson led the Roadrunners to victory
PLAYING AGAINST VIOLENCE Football, Basketball, and Track is part of the SW CAG’s Violence Reduction Plan
The 160 lbs. Kingsessing Roadrunner Football Team ended their season with a bang by winning a close victory over the North Philly Titans. Even though the field was dusty, about 40 people watched the Saturday afternoon game at Kingsessing Recreation Center. In the last three minutes, the team scored a touchdown with a 35-yard pass from their young veteran quarterback. At the end of the game, Coach Theo Gibson told the team, “You never gave up and you fought as a team. As a team and as individuals, you have grown up.” Kudos to the Kingsessing Roadrunners (all weight classes) for their hard work and dedication. When football season ended, basketball season began at Kingsessing and Myers Recreation Centers. Wednesday, October 29th was the first tip off where the 12-year olds Getting ready for tip-off from Myers (Gray Team) battled Kingsessing (Red Team) during the opener of the Kingsessing-Myers Developmental Basketball League (KMDBL). Each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you can find youngsters from 8 to 16 years of age hooping it up, while learning life skills at the same time. Jayhawks Youth Association has coordinated the games and pre-game workshops with the Blueprint for A Safer Philadelphia, YOACAP, Myers and Kingsessing Recreation Centers. For more information about the league and upcoming Indoor Track Season, please call Daryl Nelson at (215) 219-0792.
F.Y.I. Ex-Offenders Program Free HIV Testing Interested in Becoming A Block Captain 18+ Interested in finding a job Track & Field / Ages 5 & up Support Group - Women infected w/HIV Possum Complaints Rat Complaints To be a Volunteer Townwatch Integrated Services
Call 215.685.3373 Call 215.724.7430 Call 215.971.0339 Call 215.851.1959 Call 215.219.0792 Call 215.851.1898 Call 267.385.3800 Call 215.685.9000 Call 215.729.2389 Call 215.686-1422
Help Line Ms. Hanna Bryant Mr. Bruce Durham Ms. Tameka Matthews Mr. Daryl Nelson Ms. Diane Mills Hotline Hotline Ms. Marsha Wall Ms. Tara Smith
12th Police District COMMUNITY WORKSHOP Wednesday, December 8th, 2008 Time: 7.00 P.M. At the 12th District Police Department For more information, call Officer Joe Young at (215) 686-3122 ********************************
Langtons Hughes’ BLACK NATIVITY
The Gospel Musical presented by Evelyn Graves Drama Productions At Evelyn Graves Dinner/Theatre W. Cobbs Creek Parkway at Whitby Ave.—Yeadon, PA For information about show dates, hours and seating, call Cassandra Graves at (215) 727-7796