Here’s a roundup of some of the latest news and events in the area.
First Lay Principal for West Catholic Preparatory High School
James P. Gallagher
The Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (OCE) has recently announced the appointment of Mr. James P. Gallagher as Principal of West Catholic Preparatory High School in West Philadelphia effective July 1st. He is the first lay principal in the 98-year-old history of the school. Mr. Gallagher’s appointment follows the January 2015 announcement that Sister Mary Bur, IHM, will retire at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year after 21 years as principal and 27 total years of service to the school.
Mr. Gallagher holds his Masters of Education Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, Technology, and Education from Temple University. He has taught for several years at Lingelbach Elementary School for the School District of Philadelphia and most recently has worked as an Instructor of Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary Classroom at Saint Joseph’s University.
A new Principal will be the latest in a series of changes over the past three years for the school. Since July of 2012, West Catholic has welcomed a new President, Vice President, Vice Principal, Advancement, Admissions, and Counseling personnel, a new Board of Trustees, a Strategic Plan, a new school name (Preparatory), and various physical enhancements. The school has also had a consistent growth in enrollment and fundraising over the last few years.
Southwest District Services under scrutiny
Ryan Briggs and The Philadelphia Daily News are looking into a non-profit group, Southwest District Services, that has a powerful neighborhood voice in zoning matters. The group includes a Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell employee, Saboor Muhammed, who chairs the organization’s board of directors. Blackwell said that the organization had held “one or two” fundraisers on her behalf, according to the Daily News report. City employees are prohibited from participating in political fundraising, the Daily News writes.
115-year-old Furness-designed church at 47th and Kingsessing.
Southwest District Services is a registered community organization (RCO) for 47th and Kingsessing where the 115-year-old Frank Furness-designed church building is located. The church, which was saved from demolition last year, is currently being renovated with plans to host two local day care centers in the near future, but re-zoning is necessary to move ahead with these plans. A zoning meeting for the project took place on April 15, where Southwest showed their opposition to zoning changes. “I think they said they wanted a $10,000 donation,” zoning lawyer Carl Primavera, who represents project developer Guy Lauren, told the Daily News.
Cedar Park Cleanup on Saturday, May 9
The annual spring cleanup is scheduled to take place in Cedar Park on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Neighbors of all ages are welcome to participate in the following activities: mulching tree pits, removing invasive weeds, planting trees and flowers and doing general cleanup. No experience is necessary, and the tools and gloves will be supplied.
International Children’s Festival Returns to Annenberg Center
Annenberg Center Live (3680 Walnut Street) is closing its season with three days of family fun at the Philadelphia International Children’s Festival. This year’s festival’s program includes dance, music, circus art, theatre and film. The Festival is set to run May 7-9 and will also include lots of activities in the outdoor Fun Zone. The highlights will be performances by Pilobolus Dance Theater, the theatrical performance of Lifeboat, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and two comedic circus like performances. For more information and tickets ($10) click here.
May 5th, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Great article on SWDS — much more needed. Would love to hear more about the big city money SWDS supposedly got: “Southwest Philadelphia District Services landed a $190,000 grant from the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development in 2012 to renovate a dilapidated building on Woodland Avenue near 52nd Street for use as a headquarters. But that building is still boarded up.”
If true, that’s crazy, and people responsible need to explain.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
According to http://citymaps.phila.gov/portal/ and Zillow.com … SWDS purchased 5213 Woodland Ave on 12/28/12 for just over $6k.
Here’s a little bit more on the $190k city grant to SWDS:
http://planphilly.com/articles/2012/07/12/city-announces-500000-community-development-block-grants-affordable-housing-and-comer
That is huge money to a self-described former gang that has no credentials to allocate this responsibly (and apparently isn’t).
May 5th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
SWDS seems like corruption near its worst and a self-serving roadblock to people trying to do decent things in the neighborhood. I hope that the heat stays on and that they get taken down, and if Blackwell goes with them that’ll be no loss.
May 5th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
One more interesting tidbit. SWDS did not claim anything close to a 190K grant on its tax forms in 2012 or 2013. And in 2012 form, Saboor Muhammad (of Jannie Blackwell’s office) and Michael Ross (President/resident of Pottstown) each claim to work 10/week for Southwest District Services.
https://www.citizenaudit.org/562667714/
May 6th, 2015 at 7:30 am
Look at blackwells SOFI for council this year. she claims 0.00 no pay no debt no donations nothing nadda! She lies on an application and the judge allows such blatant discrepancies. Corruption across the board, in my opinion.
May 6th, 2015 at 9:34 am
Well, he doesn’t seem like the most serious of candidates, and he is apparently in appeal to get back on the ballot after Blackwell challenged signatures on his petition (a very typical dirty trick to keep the “ins” in) to get on (for the second time, I think). But, as unlikely as it its, it’s possible that she could be voted out on 5/19.
http://www.king4council2015.com/
May 6th, 2015 at 10:12 am
Doesn’t the fact that SWDS excludes women violate Philadelphia’s own anti-discrimination clause? How can they still get money from the city?
May 6th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
Because Saboor Muhammed works for Jannie and raises funds for her so she gives him favor. They should never have been an RCO but the blackwell office jumped through hoops to get them the RCO status. Just like MCIC and Rick Young over in Mantua….
May 6th, 2015 at 9:45 pm
So could someone bring a civil rights case through the city against them?
May 12th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
This kills me.. Every one is afraid of Jannie blackwell WHY? This woman has been embroiled in more scandal and corruption than any politician I know. First theres Christmas The Junior Black Mafia. Then PHA then SRC and then Graft from MCIC and SWDC the monies lost the funds swindled the community in ruins and people let this MONSTER continue her run in city hall. She has condoned through inaction this corruption and profited from it by her own admission. When is enough enough. She lied on her SOFI she lies about her residence she lies and lies and lies! WHEN DEAR GOD WILL THIS REIN OF TERROR END? IMPEACH JANNIE BLACKWELL! before it’s to late and we are all homeless priced out of our homes and businesses.
May 12th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell you have a lot of explaining to do!!!!!!!!!!!! You sold out and the people are tired!
May 12th, 2015 at 6:09 pm
I don’t know that everyone is afraid of Jannie Blackwell. But despite her many shortcomings, she has a lot of political power in West Philly because she turns out votes on Election Day. We need a viable candidate to run against her next time around.
May 12th, 2015 at 6:28 pm
We need a DA who is willing to file charges against her. Voter turn out!! I won’t touch that one….. We need citizens to stop putting their heads in the sand and stand up against this woman. If she goes to jail special elections could be held. Jannie Blackwell is the pimple on the ass of west philly
May 14th, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Set aside who sponsored the fundraiser. Let’s not call out one elected official for associating with questionable characters, let’s call them all out. Most are pretty much doing the same thing. Let’s not play the pick and choose game as it is very old. Name them all or don’t.
June 12th, 2015 at 11:40 am
It is easier to name the officials who are not corrupt. BUT Jannie L Blackwell is “supposed to” work for this district and she is a corrupt politician who places her staff in positions to do her bidding. WHY has the law not gotten involved in this blatant graft and violation of city codes as well as Bribery? What the heck?
And lest we forget the child hit and murdered by a driver who IMO is a city hall worker. Cover ups corruption. Graft. Embezzlement violation of RICO yet this city sits on their arses.
June 12th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
sickofcorruption: I agree. What ideas do you have for what people who feel the same should be doing to get rid of Blackwell?
June 13th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
File a petition of NO Confidence and have her removed. It takes a court order but to get one is not difficult. We just have to prove corruption which has been done time end time again. Very similar to what they did for Tamir Rice. (may he rest in peace) If the officials won’t get rid of her we can.
June 13th, 2015 at 4:12 pm
Person having knowledge of offense to file affidavit – official review before complaint filed. We gather affidavits by persons who have knowledge of criminal activity and bring it before a judge
December 8th, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Tired Of Old Blood,Jannie Is Getting,Old,It’s Time Leader Ship,In Philly3Dr District.From African man1100.