Improving Our Neighborhoods

Curbing Unsightly Billboards:

A stealth amendment passed by the General Assembly in November 19, 2004 deprived many Philadelphians of the right to protest unattractive, overlarge billboards, which debase their neighborhoods. I am now working for a bill, which will rescind this amendment and restore this power to civic organizations like SCRUB, historical preservationists, voters, and taxpayers.

Closing Nuisance Bars

I work cooperatively with community groups and civic associations to close bars that serve minors, push drugs, promote prostitute, make excessive noise, and destroy neighborhood tranquility. My office helps civic associations bring actions against these bars before the Liquor Control Board, and unless I am out of the city on official business, I will personally attend every Liquor Control Hearing in which your neighborhood has an interest. I do so, because I want the Hearing Examiner to understand that I am on the side of neighbors.

Parks and Recreation:

Skateboarding:

I supported the mayor’s action to reserve LOVE Park for strollers, lunch eaters, and bench sitters, but not at the expense of expert and youthful practitioners of this exciting extreme sport. I am committed to bringing a world-class skate park to the city and to that end; I have given grants to the lead skateboard not-for-profit, Franklin’s Paine. I am pleased to have put Franklin’s Paine leaders in touch with city officials and planning agencies that support their vision.

Bicycling:

I advocate the creation of bike lanes and trails to keep our bikers safe and allow them access to everywhere in the city. This will encourage regular commuting by bicycle and thus aid in the reduction of pollution and congestion, and promote a culture of healthy living. To this end I fought to get SEPTA to install bike racks on their buses and am a member of the Bicycle Coalition.

Urban Open and Green Spaces:

I have given grants to and worked with city officials to restore the Taney Park Playground on the Schuylkill River. I am working along with the Hawthorne Empowerment Council to find state money for a park that would commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King at 12th and Christian Streets. In cooperation with Free Schuylkill Park, I am fighting CSX’s attempts to close access to the river at Lombard and Arch Streets. I have helped Cianfrani, Bardascino Park and Bocce Court, Fitzwater Garden, Kahn, Seeger, and Logan Square Parks thrive and get greener. For more information on the Parks of the 182^nd please check out my Parks Section.

I have supported greening though grants to place trees in the Rittenhouse Square and Hawthorne Neighborhoods.

Babette Responds to Constituents:

SCRUB

July 6, 2005

Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about House Bill 1968, the bill that would repeal the bad public policy embodied in last session’s House Bill 1954.

As you know, HB 1954 had a serious negative effect on the rights of Philadelphians to influence zoning by limiting the number of citizens who can appeal Zoning Board of Adjustment rulings to those who reside in the immediate affected neighborhood. Civic organizations, historical preservationists, and ordinary voters and taxpayers were stripped of their rights.

I appealed to the governor to veto HB 1954, and when he did not, I joined with others to draft and support HB 1968 which would rescind the offending provisions of the HB 1954.

The economic, social, and cultural life of our beautiful city depends on the actions of committed Philadelphians. I believe that we ought to have more to say about how our city runs and what it looks like, not less. Please see the SCRUB press release.

I will work tirelessly until HB 1968 becomes law. You have my pledge on that.

Yours,
Babette Josephs