TCA’s Love Your Neighborhood Volunteer Event RecapBoard Members and volunteers welcomed neighborhood residents to the Tacony Library on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 to discuss the various volunteer opportunities available with in the Tacony Civic Association. This event highlighted how neighbors can help neighbors, not only by serving and volunteering, but also through the services each committee provides to residents.
The TCA has several subcommittees devoted to different aspects of neighborhood upkeep. Committee Chairs and volunteers were on hand to explain in detail what each committee does and how residents can become involved. As TCA Secretary Anne Marie Kuvik put it, “there is something for everyone, whether it is helping behind the scenes or the day of a special event.”
TCA Treasurer Linda Salandra summed up the mission of the TCA as helping the residents of Tacony improve the quality of life of the community by devoting attention to specific concerns such as traffic, community clean-up, and zoning, while also fostering a sense of community by hosting events like the Summer Concert Series and Winterfest.
Below is a brief description of each committee, how it serves the neighborhood, how you can get involved. Contact the TCA via email at TaconyCivic@gmail.com, or by calling (215) 338-2575.
Zoning Louis M. Iatarola
Volunteer members of the zoning committee serve by holding meetings in the community to discuss zoning variances. Currently the City of Philadelphia is revising its Zoning Code. Members of the TCA committee have attended meetings discussing the proposed changes, where their feedback has helped shape the new code.
Residents can report the misuse of properties to the Zoning Committee. Then, the Zoning Committee mediates and works with residents and owners to legalize structures and correct any zoning problems. They listen to concerns of residents and seek feedback from the community. The Zoning Committee will also explain the zoning process, how to seek a variance, and can help residents undertaking new projects.
As such, you are encouraged to attend an important zoning committee meeting to discuss the project to build 14 apartments in the form of seven attached duplexes at 4900 Levick Street. The site is currently zoned for commercial use. It will be 7 PM at the McDonald's on Torresdale Ave. on Monday 2/28.
Public Works Anthony Naccarato
The Public Works Committee deals with issues pertaining to streets, traffic, water, and sewer. Currently the committee has been working with neighbors affected by ramp construction for I-95. Their priority is safety, responsibility for the sites, and quality usage.
Residents can report issues with street lights, potholes, and street signs to the committee, as well as make suggestions for needed traffic controls.
Membership Dawn Ramos
The Membership Committee is responsible for welcoming & informing members. They deliver welcome packets to new homeowners, recruit residents to become TCA members, handle the quarterly newsletter mailings, and staff tables at community events.
The first way you can help is by joining, asking your neighbors to join, and attending the quarterly meetings. Volunteers are always welcome to hand out flyers. Long time volunteer Roseanne Rocco manages the quarterly mailings, but additional help may sometimes be welcomed for special events. Or, spend a few hours manning a table at one of many community events throughout the year.
Special Events Mary Benussi
The TCA hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, ranging form one day occasions such as Winterfest and flea markets, to the popular Summer Concert Series.
Volunteers are needed in a variety of activities. You can fill the role of greeter, serving refreshments, or help with set-up and clean-up on the day of a special event. If you prefer to work behind the scenes, there is always a lot to do to make an event happen.
Quality of Life Joe Sannutti
Quality of Life complaints will be taken via email at TaconyCivic@gmail.com, or
by calling (215) 338-2575.
Clean and Green Troy Everwine
The Clean and Green committee works closely with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Tree Tenders and others to keep area parks clean and replenish trees throughout Tacony. Their next event is the Love Your Park clean-up at Disston Park on Saturday, April 16, 2011, 9am to Noon. Volunteers are needed and most welcome!
Public Relations Troy Everwine
The Public Relations Committee’s job is to get the word out!
The committee is seeking volunteers to inform us of community events, provide relevant community based content for the TCA blog, update the TCA’s Facebook page and blog, and provide pictures from community events. One current goal is to bring together information from neighborhood schools, churches, clubs, and organization and host an online community calendar.
They also write the quarterly newsletter.
