2017 Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park is here!
2017 Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park is here! Sponsored by Cedar Park Neighbors Fairmount Park Conservancy Holly Mack-Ward & Co. Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Spak Group Dock Street Brewery VIX Emporium University City Review and Baltimore Avenue Business Association.
Thank you to the Cedar Park Neighbors' Jazz committee including chair Renee McBride Williams, Monica Allison, and Jo Ann Fishburn!
18th Police District Town Hall Report Back
On Monday, May 15th, more than 50 neighbors joined Cedar Park Neighbors, Cobbs Creek Neighbors, Garden Court Community Association, and Walnut Hill Community Association for a town hall meeting with representatives from the 18th Police District to discuss the 2014 shooting of Philippe Holland. We appreciate that so many neighbors took time out to attend and have their voices heard on this issue. We thank Deputy Police Commissioner Robin Wimberly, 18th District Captain Gregory Riley, and 18th District Community Relations Mike Davis for their attendance and answering of neighbors’ questions.
Key Findings
- The District Attorney’s office declined to charge officers Mitchell Farrell and Kevin Hanvey criminally, and is the city office solely responsible for making such determinations.
- The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD)’s internal Use of Force Review Board (UFRB) concluded that the officers violated department policy but did not specify a punishment for the violation.
- The PPD’s internal Police Board of Inquiry (PBI) found the officers did not violate the policy prohibiting officers from shooting at moving vehicles. Police Commissioner Richard Ross overruled the PBI’s finding and suspended them for 25 days without pay.
- In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a report on the PPD’s use of force. This report cited exactly this type of internal conflict between the UFRB and the PBI. While the PPD has implemented 61 of the DOJ’s 92 recommendations, it has yet to take action on the DOJ’s recommendations that the dual boards be dismantled and their duties integrated into one board.
- The police union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), has indicated that it intends to file grievances to overturn the officers’ punishments and recoup their lost wages.
- The officers received counseling, and were retrained and evaluated by the PPD before returning to street duty.
- In response to the April 28th letter from CPN, CCN, GCCA and WHCA, the PPD transferred the officers to the 3rd Police District in South Philadelphia, and the 8th Police District in Northeast Philadelphia. The PPD believes that any further changes to the officers’ work assignments could be interpreted as additional punishment and may trigger additional union grievances.
- Information on Officer Involved Shootings is posted to the PPD’s website and available to the public at https://www.phillypolice.com/ois/
- Body cameras are in beta testing in the 22nd Police District and are being expanded into the 25th Police District.
Next Steps For Our Organizations
- Contact Councilman Curtis Jones, chairman of City Council’s Public Safety Committee, regarding the city’s current civil service arbitration negotiations for the union contract with the Fraternal Order of Police. The new union contract is to be negotiated in arbitration in July.
- Contact District Attorney’s office for more information as to why criminal charges were declined.
- Contact the Police Advisory Commission for more information on the implementation of the DOJ’s remaining recommendations.
Resources for the Community: Upcoming Meetings
18th Police District Community Meetings
- Police Service Area -1 Meeting, Wednesday, June 7th, 6:00 p.m., 6130 Cedar Avenue
- Police Service Area - 2 Meeting, Tuesday, June 13th, 6:00 p.m., 5510 Pine Street
- Police Service Area - 3 Meeting, Thursday, June 15th, 6:00 p.m., 4740 Baltimore
- Captain's Townhall Meeting, Tuesday, June 20th, 6:00 p.m., 5510 Pine Street
Police Advisory Commission Meetings
The Police Advisory Commission (PAC) is overseeing the implementation of the remaining DOJ recommendations and will issue a report updating on that progress. PAC meetings are open to the public and held on the third Monday of each month at its office (990 Spring Garden St, 7th Floor), or at community centers, churches and other locations throughout the city. Check for details at http://www.phila.gov/pac/Pages/default.aspx
Resources for the Community: News Coverage & Background Info
YouTube: Police Leadership in 18 district (30 minutes of the town hall meeting)
Newsworks: Dozens of residents protest Philly officers' return to duty
Philly Police: Officer Involved Shootings
Philly Police: Review Process for Officer Involved Shootings
Getting to Know Cedar Park Houses of Worship
Getting to Know Cedar Park Houses of Worship (FB Event Page)
Date: Thursday, May 25
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: People’s Baptist Church, 5039 Baltimore Avenue
Have you ever walked by a house of worship in Cedar Park and wondered what went on inside? What do they believe? Who are their members? How do they live out their faith in the community?
Cedar Park Neighbors and The People's Baptist Church are hosting a townhall called "Everything you always wants to know about the houses of worship in your Cedar Park neighborhood."
Houses of worship are such vital parts of our neighborhood and we know that many neighbors want to get to know better the places of worship here in our neighborhood.
Come hear from members from 1. People's Baptist Church 2. Hickman Temple A.M.E. Church 3. Calvary United Methodist Church 4. Kol Tzedek Synagogue 5. West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship 6. Renewal Presbyterian Church
The panel will be moderated by someone on the board of Cedar Park Neighbors, and each panelist will be asked about the history of their house of worship, what makes their service unique, and how their community is involved in the world.
We will then have an opportunity to have questions and answers from the audience.
We look forward to seeing you!
Michael Froehlich, Cedar Park Neighbors board member Rev. Eric Goode, Senior Pastor, People's Baptist Church and Cedar Park Neighbors board member
Love Your Park: Cedar Park Service Day (Rescheduled)
Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund Update - Scholarship Applications Now Available!
Update: the Cedar Park Neighbor's Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund is approaching 90% of our 2017 fundraising goal! Click here to donate and help us reach our goal to match last year's award numbers and amounts!
On to the scholarship applications! Each year, Cedar Park Neighbors is proud to award several scholarships to neighborhood students to help pay for college expenses.
Complete applications packs must be received at scholarships@cedarparkneighbors.org by 5p.m. on June 15, 2017 to be considered. Only students living within Cedar Park are eligible to apply. Not sure if you live within our boundaries? Click here for a map of our boundaries. Awards in the past ranged from $650 to $1,300 so don’t miss your opportunity!
If you are a NEW applicant, download the 2017 application by clicking here.
If you have received a scholarship in the past and are re-applying for the new year, down the 2017 RENEWAL application by clicking here.
Email us at scholarships@cedarparkneighbors.org with any questions!
Town Hall Discussion with the 18th Police District about the Philippe Holland shooting
Event: Town Hall discussion with the 18th Police District regarding the Philippe Holland shooting (FB Event Page)Time: Monday, May 15 from 6:30-8:00pm (followed by CPN's monthly board meeting)
Location: Chapel at Calvary Community Center at 48th and Baltimore Avenue (Enter from 48th Street entrance)
Cedar Park Neighbors, Cobbs Creek Neighbors, Garden Court Community Association, and Walnut Hill Community Association are co-hosting a community wide meeting town hall to discuss the 2014 shooting of Philippe Holland by police and reinstatement of the two 18th District police officers involved in this incident. More information on this tragedy is provided in the letter and links below. Deputy Police Commissioner Robin Wimberly, 18th District Captain Gregory Riley, and 18th District Community Relations Mike Davis have been invited to join the community meeting. This meeting will reiterate our concern about these officers still patrolling the streets currently in neighborhoods of South and Northeast Philadelphia, understanding the process for investigating/potentially prosecuting these incidents, and the mechanisms the Police District has to improve communication to the community.
This town hall meeting will be moderated by the participating community organizations. We will begin with a 10 minute introduction and followed by 20 minutes for the Deputy Police Commissioner and District Captain to speak to the community. We will conclude with one hour for questions from community members. We hope everyone's questions will be addressed at this town hall.
Our group letter of concern to the 18th District is posted below in addition to background stories of the Philippe Holland shooting, the historic $4.4 million dollar settlement, the reinstatement of the officers to our community, and press about our complaint.
Picnic in Cedar Park!
Update: 2017 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser!
Thank you to the more than 50 neighbors who came out to Dock Street on a sunny beautiful afternoon for our 10th Annual Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser on April 23! We are additionally grateful to Mable Bakali and Andrew Kulasegram-Wilson, two of 2016’s TEN scholarship award recipients, who were able to join us and share the genuine impact these funds and community support have had on them and their studies.
These scholarship funds exemplify the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors! To date, this year’s mean donation is $90, and 77% percent of our donors live in Cedar Park with an additional 10% coming from other West Philadelphia neighborhoods. We have raised approximately 80% of the funds necessary to match last year’s award numbers and amounts. Donate to help us reach our goal! Donations of any amount are appreciated! Sponsor level donations with opportunities for recognition remain available.
The 2017 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship application will be posted online later this month to be due mid-June. Please check back with us and help to distribute the application widely to any neighborhood youth who may be eligible.
Finally, please mark your calendar for Friday, July 14th for the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship award ceremony in Cedar Park at 49th and Baltimore. The ceremony will take place during the 7:00 p.m. set break for the evening’s Cedar Park Live Jazz Friday concert. In addition to presenting the scholarship awards to recipients, we will also be recognizing our sponsor level donors. Want to add your name to the sponsor list below? Make a donation now.
Sustaining Neighbor Sponsor
Fleming Family Fund
Benefactor Neighbor Sponsor
Fred Wolfe, Jr.
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Patron Neighbor Sponsor
Amara Rockar & Mustapha Berkshan
Ana Lisa Yoder & G. Anthony Lapp
Claudia B. Hamilton-Ruffin
Duwayne Terry & Julia Katz Terry
Jacques-Jean Tiziou
Jesse Fuchs-Simon
Lisa Mitchell
Melani Lamond, Urban & Bye, Realtor
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Ryan Godfrey
Susan Kay Weiler
Friendly Neighbor Sponsor
Alfred C. Airone & Carolyn J. Kelly
Brad Wayland
Brandon Alcorn
Camden Segal
Darryl Bundrige
David Hincher & Mara Hincher
David Wengert
Debra L. Detweiler & L. George Detweiler
Elizabeth K. Sands
Jeff Lutzner
Joyce A. Brock
Kelly J. Ryan
Lewis Baum
Linford D. Martin & Marcella J. Zimmerman
Louis N. Tannen & Catherine C. Carr
Margaret Dowling
Mark McGuire & Jo-Ann M. Verrier
Maureen Tate & Gerald McHugh
Michael Froehlich
Michael W. Jennings & Alfred A. Giosa
Scott Geryk & Nancy Geryk
Patricia J. Lavelle
Patricia Warner
Sharon Smith & James Smith
Suzanne Banning Anderson & Kelvyn Anderson
West Philly Civic Associations Urge 18th District to Remove Philippe Holland's Shooters from Our Streets
Love Your Park: Cedar Park Service Day
Cedar Park Neighbors 2017 annual membership meeting and board elections
Cedar Park Neighbors’ annual meeting will be on Monday, April 17th at the Calvary Community Center at 48th & Baltimore. We will have our board elections as well as guest speakers discussing tenant/renter's rights and tax relief programs for home owners. Additionally, committee members will be speaking about our upcoming annual Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fundraiser and an Earth Day park event.
Doors open for board elections at 6:30 p.m. with program beginning at 7:00 pm. More information on board candidates is available in our Spring newsletter.
CPN annual memberships run from January to December each year. That means that unless you've recently joined or renewed your CPN membership, you're probably not a current member. ("Probably" since some people pay several years in advance.)
Join or renew your membership right now by going to our MemberPlanet site. It's fast. It's secure. It's easy. And annual memberships start at just $7/year (for seniors, students, and the unemployed.)
Run for election to the 2017 Cedar Park Neighbors board of directors!
Are YOU interested in serving your community as a member of the board of Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN)? Are you a renter, homeowner or business owner? Are you a long-time resident or a recent transplant? People of color, women, men, trans and gender non-conforming people, queer people, people with disabilities, elders and young people are encouraged to run. If you live or work in Cedar Park and are dedicated to improving our community, please participate in your neighborhood board!
We’re looking for a few new members of the Board for two-year terms that start on June 1, 2017.
If you’re interested, please email David Hincher by Friday, March 10.
And please join us for elections at our annual meeting on Monday, April 17th at 7pm at the Calvary Center at 48th & Baltimore. (More details to come…)
Responsibilities of Cedar Park Neighbors Board Members
Cedar Park Neighbors is the recognized community organization for the Cedar Park neighborhood. As representatives of the community and the organization, CPN Board Members behave in a responsible, accountable organization, promoting the general welfare of the community. The basic responsibilities of a CPN Board Member are:
- Participate in monthly two-hour CPN Board Meetings (usually held the 3rd Mondays of the month from 7:00-9:00pm at the Calvary Center at 48th & Baltimore.)
- Join a Committee (Scholarship, Zoning, Holiday Basket, Jazz, Development Impact, Block Organizing, Membership, or start one that you feel is needed!)
- Encourage neighbors and friends to join CPN and participate in CPN activities
- Maintain your membership
Please note that in order to stand for election as a CPN board member or to vote in the elections, you need to be a current CPN member. You can join (or rejoin) CPN by going to the following.
Cedar Park Neighbors' Holiday Basket Drive 2016
Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park,
Once again, Cedar Park Neighbors, in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need during the holiday season.
In 2015, we were able to reach 130 families (over 550 people). As a continuation of this successful event, we need your financial help and support! Please click here for our donation campaign page on MemberPlanet.
Please consider a suggested donation in the amount of $36. Support at this amount will help us feed two families and foster our commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors.” For your convenience, we have also included payment options to join or renew annual membership with Cedar Park Neighbors as well as an “any amount” option.
We will be packing and distributing the baskets on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 8:30am -10:30am at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Ave. All volunteers are most welcome! Please feel free to contact us at mlewis1071@gmail.com if you have any questions. We thank you in advance for your support!
If you are interested in donating bulk items, please contact Michelle Lewis at mlewis1071@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Michelle Lewis and Beverly Rouse
Cedar Park Neighbors is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-exempt to the extent permitted under law.
Cedar Park Neighbors Fall 2016 newsletter is here!
Cedar Park Neighbors June 2016 newsletter is out
2016 Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park is here
CPN Spring 2016 Newsletter
Cedar Park Neighbors Spring 2016 Newsletter as a clickable "flip book" below.https://issuu.com/cedarparkneighbors/docs/1604_cpn_web_newsletter
Announcing CPN Annual Meeting *Lightning Round Presenters*
56th Annual Meeting & Board Elections
This Monday, April 18th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm (Facebook Event Page)
Calvary Community Center at 48th & Baltimore
Come hear reports on CPN’s activities and vote for next year’s officers and board members. Representatives from CPN's committees on Zoning, Jazz, Scholarships, Holiday Baskets, and the Park will be available to talk about CPN's work in these areas.
In addition, we'll be holding a lightning round update of lots of cool things in and around our neighborhood. Come hear five-minute presentations from:
- Ryan Kuck, Greensgrow West, talking about this summer's expansion plans
- Akeem Dixon, 52nd Street Commercial Corridor Manager, discussing recent developments to West Philly's Main Street.
- Jeff Wicklund, Enterprise Center, providing an update on the Common Table and the Culinary Center at 48th & Spruce
- Kittson O'Neill, Shakespeare in Clark Park, previewing this summer's presentation of The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Meg Ferrigno, Ahimsa House, with an update of Ahimsa House's programs and activities
- Judy Lamirand (or designee), Baltimore Avenue Business Association, about the latest on Baltimore Avenue
- Julie Scott with an update on the beautiful new Lea Elementary School playground project.
- Abby Sullivan, Phila Water Department, on new streetscape improvements coming soon in our neighborhood
- Nate Hommel, University City District, on coming improvements to Cedar Park and 40th Street Portal
If you're looking for a way to get more involved in our neighborhood or simply have a question about what's going on in our community, come to this very important meeting. See you there!
Cedar Park Neighbors 2016 annual membership meeting and board elections
Cedar Park Neighbors’ annual meeting will be on Monday, April 18th, at 7:00 pm at the Calvary Community Center at 48th & Baltimore. We’ll hear a report of what CPN has done over the past year and vote for next year’s officers and board members. Voting for CPN Board Members will begin at 6:30 pm. General membership meeting and presentations start at 7:00pm. To vote, you must be a current member of Cedar Park Neighbors as of April 1, 2016. The meeting will take place at Calvary Center for Culture and Community in their chapel. Please enter through the doors on 48th Street.
At the meeting, you will also get to meet the candidates for the CPN Board of Directors. If you’ve never been to a CPN meeting, the annual meeting is a great introduction to the organization and the work that it does throughout the year. An informal meet and greet will follow the meeting. More meeting information is available on our Facebook page.
Below are the candidates who are standing for election:
Candidate for President
David Hincher
50XX Catharine Street
David moved from Texas to Philadelphia in 2006 and bought their home in Cedar Park over 8 years ago. He and his wife are raising their 7 year old daughter and are actively engaged in the West Philly Girl Scout troop. They love the neighborhood and are excited to see it brimming with activity and new businesses. David worked with Soccer Shots to bring toddler soccer program to Cedar Park in fall 2013 , which now offers their program to the community year round.
He has a particular interest in issues that impact the quality of life in the community, such as the vitality of neighborhood schools, zoning, development, safety, etc. David was the lead volunteer on the Baltimore Avenue Community Corridor design study, completed in 2010. He is the chair of the Development Impact Task Force, which produced the “Future of the Neighborhood” survey in 2012. David’s goal is to assist CPN in achieving the Baltimore Avenue vision to re-extend prosperity further west along our main street corridor.
Candidate for 1st Vice President
Suzanne Banning Anderson
7XX S. 48th St.
Suzanne joined the board in 2013 after being active on the Zoning Committee for several years. She lives on the 700 block of S 49th Street with her husband, Kelvyn, two teenage daughters and two Golden Retrievers.
Suzanne currently work as a psychiatric social worker at Mercy Philadelphia Hospital at 54th & Cedar Avenue, having earned her MSW from Temple University 20 years ago and her JD from Widener University School of Law in 2012.
An avid gardener, her particular civic interest is in greening and cleaning the community. Suzanne hopes to continue to apply her skills and interests to reduce blight and litter and increase the number of trees and amount of green space in the Cedar Park. She believes that a cleaner and greener neighborhood will enhance the quality of life for everyone in Cedar Park.
Candidate for 2nd Vice President
Renee McBride Williams
51xx Webster
A native of West Philadelphia has become one of the leaders in her humble Cedar Park community. In 2016, Renee received an award from the Mastery Charter School on Shoemaker campus for participating on their career day events. In addition, she was featured in the "Them That Do" project of Visual Artist, Lori Waselchuk's 40th Street, "Windowishes" Street Art Exhibit. Ms. McBride-Williams received the 2014-2015 Dorothy I. Height Award from the National Council of Negro Women, Philadelphia Chapter for her community service and leadership.
Renee McBride-Williams is the General Manager to West Philadelphia’s only community radio station, WPEB 88.1 FM. While juggling her responsibilities to the broadcasters at the station, Renee was the Project Manager for the 2015, “Arts On Air” projects spearheaded by Scribe Video, Inc. and sponsored by PNC Bank Arts Alive Project. She is also the director of the “Youth On Air” project at WPEB. With all that, Renee McBride-Williams is a mentor and educator to middle to high school students in the Philadelphia school community while still volunteering in the Arts and Broadcasting, Today, Renee is the Senior Executive Producer of a public affairs program called, “The Shed Kitchen” with Karen Dunn and Tamara Dumas. Above all, she is committed to her 16-year marriage to her best friend, George E. Williams and mother to 5 time Grammy winner, Bassist Christian McBride.
Candidate for Treasurer
Amara Rockar
50xx Catharine St.
Amara Rockar has lived in West Philadelphia for over a decade, most of it in Cedar Park. She and her husband bought their home in 2010, and are raising their family here. Amara is a board member of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools. During the day, she works as an admin for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
Candidate for Secretary
Tori Bourret
46XX Chester Avenue
Tori is a Communications and Project Manager at the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. She manages HomeHUB, a special homeownership initiative in PA, and provides management and outreach assistance for policy campaigns and specialized projects at the Housing Alliance. Tori is also in charge of all communications at the Housing Alliance, including social media, the newsletter, and the website. Prior to working at the Housing Alliance, Tori served two terms in Americorps, one with Americorps NCCC in Denver Colorado and one with Public Allies in Delaware. Tori holds a bachelor’s degree in Women Studies and Psychology from the University of Delaware and a MSW from the University of Pennsylvania.
Tori has lived in the Cedar Park neighborhood for four years, always moving within one to two blocks of the previous location. She loves the strong community in the neighborhood, as well as the diversity and green space. She hopes to contribute her knowledge in the housing field, as well as communications skills to Cedar Park Neighbors, in order to increase community involvement in and the capacity of the organization, so the organization can make a greater impact year after year.
Candidates for At-large Board (vote for up to 9)
Al Airone
10XX S. 47th Street
Al Airone has lived in West Philadelphia since 1982, having moved here from New York City along with his wife, Carolyn Kelly. Al and Carolyn bought their house on the 1000 block of South 47th in 1984 and have lived there ever since. They have one daughter, now grown, working in Center City and living elsewhere in Philadelphia (but we still talk!).
Al was always impressed by the strong tradition of neighborhood involvement in West Philly and the vitality of the many neighborhood organizations. Al served as an (totally unofficial) block captain for a number of years, and also served on the board of the Squirrel Hill Community Association in the early 1990's. He was active with corner recycling and later was the regular volunteer at the Cedar Park Recycling venue at 50th and Baltimore for a number of years.
Al retired from the Philadelphia Water Department just over a year ago, having worked there for 25 years in the laboratory division, first as a chemist, then as the lab's main IT person. He enjoys walking around the city and the neighborhood, making use of the many coffee-shop reading locations (he can be found at least once a week in the Satellite Cafe), keeping up his IT skills, and generally keeping up with goings-on around the neighborhood. He welcomes the chance to serve a term on the Cedar Park Board.
Mike Farrell
5XX S 49th Street
Mike is a Philadelphia trial lawyer representing persons, accused or injured, with a multi-state practice in the state and federal trial and appellate Courts of New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for over 35 years.
He lives with his wife, Sharon, an Orthopedic nurse practitioner at CHOP, and their youngest of 7 children, Lindsey, who is a junior at Merion Mercy Academy. They lived in our home from 1982-90 and then moved and lived in NJ for 25 years while renting their home in Cedar Park. They moved back last June and are back for good. They hope to contribute to the community in any way they can.
Jo Ann Fishburn
10XX S. 49th Street
Jo Ann moved onto 49th St. in 1972, raised her son Harry here, and has always thought this is the best neighborhood in Philadelphia. It worries her that the housing prices continue to grow but she hopes CPN can work to make sure there are homes for people of all income levels. Jo Ann is retired from over 30 years teaching at Jones Middle School in Port Richmond, and for many years was involved with Warrington Garden and Philadelphia Green. Since retiring, she has been working in adult beginning literacy, most recently in a program sponsored by the Friends of Kingsessing Library. Jo Ann would like to get more involved in social justice efforts, especially decarceration and reading classes for returning citizens.
Rhone Fraser
9XX S 49th Street
Rhone has been living in Cedar Park for about two years, since March 27, 2014, and has organized many community events in that time. The past two summers he organized "Readings at the X" - free bi-weekly readings with professional actors including BRYAN ANTHONY WILSON, ZUHAIRAH MCGILL and NORMAN MARSHALL, under the pavilion at Malcolm X Park, showcasing "historic plays that show more militant and revolutionary themes of Black Life." Rhone is a well-read historian who teaches at Howard University (he goes to DC Tue-Thur for this) and volunteers tour guides at the Paul Robeson House. He is starting a chess class for West Philadelphia youth on alternate Saturdays from March 19th to May 14th. He is also a board member of the Liberty City Democrats and the Life Center Association; he lives at the Sankofa House where he and his housemates host events like weekly Sunday "Art Church" for community members to come play music, make visual art and do yoga together.
Lisa Johanningsmeier
9XX S St. Bernard Street
Lisa has lived in the Cedar Park neighborhood since 1983. During the last 12 years she has served on the CPN board and Zoning Committee. She hopes to be able to help the Cedar Park community grow and change in a positive way that is inclusive of all community members.
Franchon Pryor
48XX Baltimore Avenue
Franchon is owner/operator of Hair Vyce Studio at 4828 Baltimore Avenue. H V S was born here, in Cedar Park late summer of 2013. For 16 of her 24 years in cosmetology, she worked in Rittenhouse Square located in the heart of Center City. West Philly was her first choice of a location for the salon, because: (1) she owns a home in the neighborhood, (2) the location is close to Center City and close proximity of New Jersey, (3) diversity of businesses in the surrounding community.
Community service is a key qualification for consideration to become a Cedar Park Neighbors Board member. With 24 years of cosmetology, customer service and community service come hand in hand. Her strong interpersonal skills make Franchon a great communicator. For over two years, she has served on the Baltimore Avenue Business Association, BABA Marketing, and most recently, was chosen to be its vice president. In becoming a Cedar Park Neighbors member, her contribution will be to strengthen the bond between the neighbors of Cedar Park and rejuvenating CPN’s outreach to the community. Sitting on the board would also strengthen communications between BABA and CPN. Dual seating brings the voice of the community to the ears of business owners.
Kelly Ryan
50XX Catharine St.
Kelly relocated to Cedar Park in 2004 and live on Catherine Street with her partner, 2 children and 2 rescue cats. Growing up in Brooklyn, she has a deep respect for the neighborhood and supporting those around you. She is interested in maintaining open communication and respect for the neighbors while supporting new opportunities for celebrating the diversity of Cedar Park.
Ryan Spak
10XX S 51st Street
Ryan Spak is an entrepreneurial business owner dedicated to his family, his city and his neighborhood. He and his wife, Jessie, are firmly planting their family’s roots in this community. Over the past several years, Ryan has invested heavily in rehabilitating distressed properties in our neighborhood. It is his desire to continue to invest physically and monetarily in the neighborhood in the future. But it is also important to him to invest in the community by engaging his neighbors. Joining the CPN board will allow Ryan the opportunity to continue support the community and its efforts.
Five years ago, Ryan created Project Rehab for the University City District. This completely free, yet comprehensive real estate program guides owners of distressed properties through the process of rehabilitation. The program has positively influenced the renovation of 24 previous blighted properties, creating over $8.1 million in real estate values in our neighborhood. Over that same time, Ryan has practiced what he teaches others by financing, rehabilitating and managing more than 30 units —mostly in West Philadelphia.
David Wengert
49XX Walton Ave
A resident of West Philly for 7 years, David is excited about the opportunity to join the Cedar Park Neighbors board. By day he works as a social worker at Community Legal Services advising and representing subsidized housing tenants facing eviction. He is particularly proud of his work organizing the Philadelphia Hoarding Task Force to expand resources available to people who struggle with hoarding. On evenings and weekends he rehabs and manages real estate through his company Hayworth Properties. A big fan of movies and board games, David can also be seen around Cedar Park stocking vegetables at Mariposa or eating pesto buddies at Satellite.