PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON AUDUBON SOCIETY-OUTWARD BOUND® PROPOSAL

Press Release from the Mayor's Office:

The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commission (PaRC) is inviting public input on a proposal by the National Audubon Society, an international non-profit conservation organization, and Outward Bound Philadelphia, an affiliate of the national Outward Bound organization, to build an educational center for conservation and leadership development on the banks of the East Park Reservoir next to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.

In compliance with the Open Lands Protection Ordinance, (Bill NO. 110002-A, signed by Mayor Michael A.  Nutter on April 27, 2011) PaRC is conducting a review of the proposal with opportunity for the public to comment. “Comments from anyone who has an interest in this project are vital to our review process and we look forward to hearing from the residents of the entire region about the proposal,” says Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman, Nancy Goldenberg.

PaRC is providing a number of ways for the public to review and comment on the proposal: in addition to providing comments directly via email, regular mail and the website (listed below), PaRC is inviting the public to comment on the proposal at its regularly scheduled meeting on February 27, 2013 at 6:00PM in the Mander Recreation Center, 2140 North 33rd Street.

Following review and public comment, the Commission must render a determination on the proposed project. The ordinance states “City Council and all other City officials shall give substantial weight to the Commission’s determination.”

The Audubon/Outward Bound partnership is proposing to develop the 37 acres surrounding a man-made lake that was once part of Philadelphia’s water supply system. The elevated site, which runs along 33^rd street in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, is closed to the public and largely hidden from view by chain link fencing and dense vegetation.

Outward Bound Philadelphia is plans to use the new facility as its headquarters. Audubon expects to establish a hub for research and science-based conservation projects and programs in the Philadelphia region.  The Audubon/Outward Bound Alternatives Analysis contains detailed plans for the project, including environmental and traffic impact.

View the Alternatives Analysis submitted by the National Audubon Society and Outward Bound Philadelphia on the Parks and Recreation Department Web page. The Link to the full PDF is posted in Announcements.  http://www.phila.gov/ParksandRecreation/aboutus/parc/Pages/default.aspx

To read and post online comments about the Audubon/Outward Bound proposal, visit:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/122087980/Audubon-Outward-Bound-Leadership-and-Conservation-Center-Alternatives-Analysis

Those wishing to submit written comments may send them to PaRC via email at: parksandreccommiss@phila.gov 

MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL MAYOR’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED NATIONAL SERVICE

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the first annual Mayor’s Award for Distinguished National Service to recognize the outstanding contributions of a current AmeriCorps member, a current Senior Corps member and a National Service alumnus living in Philadelphia.

“National service is vital to the success of our city,” said Mayor Nutter. “AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members provide a cost-effective resource for stemming the drop-out crisis, engaging at-risk youth, enhancing environmental sustainability, catalyzing community revitalization, and much more.  Further, the significant contributions of National Service alumni are felt across our great city as AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members transition into important roles in their communities and the workplace.  Together, they are essential to what makes Philadelphia great.  I am proud to establish an award that will recognize the critical contributions of these important individuals for years to come.”

Each of the three award winners will receive four free tickets to a Phillies game in the Mayor’s Box and will have their names engraved on a plaque to be placed in or around City Hall.  The top four finalists in each category will be invited to join the winners at a Professional Networking Luncheon in May, sponsored by Comcast and hosted by Richard Negrin, Deputy Mayor of Administration and Coordination, and Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia.

“AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members make an intensive commitment to service, and our cities and our nation are much better off because of their dedication and sacrifice,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  “I salute Mayor Nutter for creating this new award to recognize the contributions of outstanding service leaders.  We hope this award will inspire others to follow their own path of service.”

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, March 15, 2013 and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 during an awards ceremony at City Hall to mark the first annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service.  Anyone may submit one or more nominations, including current and former national service members, program staff, board members and the general public.  Self-nominations will also be accepted.  A committee of the Mayor’s Executive Team will identify the top nominees in each category and present them to the Mayor for final selection. 

Further information, including the nomination form, is available at www.SERVEPhiladelphia.com. In addition, a paper nomination can be picked up and submitted to the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service, Room 112 of City Hall.

Former School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman dead at 66

Former School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman died today of pancreatic cancer. She was 66 years old.

Today, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter made the following statement on Ackerman's passing:

“Arlene Ackerman was a truly committed educator who demonstrated a profound passion for students and in particular the most disadvantaged students in our city. Through her leadership, Philadelphia took on the difficult, long-neglected task of turning around low-performing schools. Today, thousands of Philadelphia students are getting a better education thanks to her vision and advocacy. Her educational legacy will live on for many years through the initiatives that she championed. Our prayers are with her family and friends.”

If you can recall any innovations she made to help Philly kids receive a quality education in a building that wasn't falling apart in a safe environment, you're better than most Philadelphians, Mayor Nutter.

What I remember is Ackerman was fired in 2011 and when she was let go, she collected a buyout of close to 1-million dollars.

Then, she applied for unemployment.

I also seem to remember that she used tax dollars to run a school district communications department that was completely devoted to building and protecting her image as some kind of beloved leader with insight and  knowledge. She had this communications team organize rallies in her favor...even going so far as to make up signs for "supporters" to bob up and down at these rallies.

Now, while I'm sorry to hear of anybody's death, especially from such a painful disease as pancreatic cancer, I'm not going to re-write history. Mayor Nutter has to be respectful, but the rest of us don't have to play nice.

"...demonstrated a profound passion for students and in particular the most disadvantaged students in our city." Really? How does taking a giant buyout for incompetence and then applying to take more money that could be used helping those disadvantaged students profoundly passionate?