MARC and CLIP are basically nothing more then extensions of a couple of elected officials offices AKA patronage havens. Even though the intentions and goals are well meaning they can be used (albiet rarely) as a harrasment tool when one nieghbor has it in for another or someone "connected" wants to get even and be a waste of time and money. I'm waiting to see how long before Pets and Aquariums at Fkd/Knorr gets called out/cited for the jungle that's been developing in front of the place. If you can't force places of business to cleanup in front of their properties and the surrounding area on a daily basis why should we expect the residents to do so?

__________________
"Barack Obama has found his people.
But, unfortunately for his election prospects,
they're German, not American."
-The Guardian, UK

RE-ELECT DAVID OH COUNCIL AT LARGE 2011

http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/

Esposito's Water Ice!

That may be true, however, it is our tax dollars that are funding these programs. Therefore, it seems to me that any changes--or accountability-- of these groups needs to come from the top down. Meaning: Krajewski should implement an initiative like I mentioned before to hold not only CLIP accountable, but her very own constituant service staff.

When/If Mayor Nutter implements the 311 system, I hope NE neighbors bombard this system with complaints.
Complaints about litter, drug dealing, illegal rentals, etc.

But I have a feeling we will never know how many calls are made to 311 from the NE, what they were for, or what has been done about it.

That leaves it up to the local city councilperson, IMO.

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United we stand. Divided we fall.

CLIP is wonderful, however, their staff is way too small. By July every year they are so backed up, the absentee landlords and low-life renters know the drill and they all know they can ignore the notices they receive for longer periods of time. Their logic is purely ???--the less they have to have their lawn cut, the more profit they make. It can take up to 30 days or more instead of 10 days by mid-summer for CLIP to abate all the overgrown lawns that they cite. Sadly, this sends the wrong message to both the community (we have to look at the jungle lawns day in and day out) and the absentee landlords/low-life renters.

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"Public opinion is a weak tyrant, compared with our own private opinion." Henry David Thoreau, 1854

"Either you're part of the solution, or you're part of the problem." Eldridge Cleaver

If there was ever a place that should be shut down, THAT would be the the place. If you ever go inside of that place, you will be INSTANTLY almost knocked out by the horrible smell. I don't think that place has seen the wet end of a mop in over 10 years.

This is exactly why our councilperson needs to step up to the plate and address what is going on and what is being ignored in her district, IMO.
I'm sure if this was done, a clear pattern would form.. and nuisance citizens would be exposed, and easier to deal with.
But this would require some interest and a bit of an agressive approach on behalf of our elected leaders- state and city.

__________________
United we stand. Divided we fall.

I've actually thought abou that a little

I think it would be cool to have a site ... maybe THIS one ... where right after you place your 311 call, you can post it here so that we ALL can not only see that a call was placed, but also see how the follow up is going.

This is the information age ... let's USE IT to do some good !!

You meant councilpeople, didn't you? I guess it is a little known fact that, thanks to some redistricting a few years ago, Frank DiCicco now has some of Joan Krajewski's old terrain in the lower part of Wissinoming. The least he could do is occasionally show up for a photo op with Krajewski and McGeehan now and then for the NE News to let the people in Wissinoming who helped re-elect him think that he cares about anyone outside of South Philly.

__________________
"Public opinion is a weak tyrant, compared with our own private opinion." Henry David Thoreau, 1854

"Either you're part of the solution, or you're part of the problem." Eldridge Cleaver

Have you tried calling the business directly and make a complaint?

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This is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

I won't speak for CLIP, since I don't work there. But if MARC's a patronage haven than I'm missing something. Doesn't MARC have to provide money, jobs or a service to be labeled a patronage haven? That's how the dictionary defines it anyway.

MARC has exactly one full-time employee. I work part-time and my full-time job is not in any political office. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors serves on a volunteer basis.

MARC's funding comes mostly from grants and has to be spent on specific projects with receipts for everything. And, the services we provide are for everyone.

The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation selected the contractor for the Torresdale Avenue Project. The $100,000 in business facade improvements went to members of local business associations and the recipients were chosen by the business associations.

If a patronage haven means:

- Giving flower pots to those business willing to care for them

- Painting blighted train trestles

- Running street sweepers up and down the avenue freely

- Cleaning up and beautifying public property with the MARC Summer Youth Employment Program (those kids are seasonal employees)

- Buying the equipment for local youth sports leagues

- Sponsoring a hole for a charity golf outing

- Assisting in the art show of a community art school

- Hosting MARC's Movie Night, which is free for everyone thanks to Republic First Bank

- Providing $10,000 for last year's Tacony Summer Concert Series and another for Tacony History Day

- Raising $9,000 for the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society

- Organizing a fundraiser for a local mother stricken with breast cancer

In that case, MARC proudly stands guilty as charged.

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Edward J. Vassallo
Director of Media & Public Relations
Major Artery Revitalization Committee (MARC)
www.marc-cleansweep.com