Jannie Blackwell has concerns about Regester Community Organizations

**brandywine** · 06-29-2012, 09:10 AM

Check out this link.

Councilwoman Blackwell calls for hearings on Registered Community Organizations | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

The "esteemed" councilwoman has "concerns". Why does she continue to get elected?

Hurry up and gentrify West philly already!

**raider.adam** · 06-29-2012, 10:25 AM

Actually, I have concerns over them as well.

**thoth** · 06-29-2012, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Actually, I have concerns over them as well.

I'm going to guess yours are different than blackwell's, which apparently are about "inclusivity". To preserve the rights of the guy who founded Nu-Juice to have a say on zoning matters.

**raider.adam** · 06-29-2012, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

I'm going to guess yours are different than blackwell's, which apparently are about "inclusivity". To preserve the rights of the guy who founded Nu-Juice to have a say on zoning matters.

Yeah, probably a safe bet, haha.

**ArcticSplash** · 06-29-2012, 01:26 PM

My civic has $600 in the bank thereabouts and we're registering as an RCO. We're almost done with it. Jannie, as always, is "concerned" probably not because of money-issues, but CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Like Developers both market rate and low income controlling the zoning say, NACs that don't do anything and are controlled by political flunkies, and what-not.

No wonder Jannie is "concerned"

**seand** · 06-29-2012, 03:31 PM

For a refresher on how Jannie plays the "community organization" game - here's that article about the "community organization" of one single person, one of Jannie's committee people, who has primarily used his "community organization" to get funding out directly out of the city's Park and Rec funds.
One-Man Show | Philadelphia City Paper | 04/05/2012

Community Achievement Association a.k.a. Shawn Kelly is exactly the type of "community organization" Blackwell sets up to reflect her own political agenda and the type she is most concerned about seeing disappear from her bag of tricks if community organizations have to register and prove they have, you know, things like regularly scheduled meetings open to the public, a board of directors, a membership of more than one person.

Another dubious "community organization" Blackwell created was Squirrel Hill Civic Association, a group whose boundaries largely overlaps with the larger Cedar Park Neighbors. CPN has been an active non-profit since it first recieved a charter from the city more than 50 years ago, where as Squirrel Hill Civic's very existence seems to come and go as is convenient for the councilwoman, primarily. Prominent in the membership of Squirrel Hill group (which no longer regularly meets to the best of my knowledge) is Blackwell's close aide Marty Cabry. Cabry will ocassionally make comments to the press as a "neighborhood group representative", conveniently neglecting to mention his employment in the Councilwoman's office on this or that neighborhood controversy. Squirrel Hill was also infamous for building the expensive, never open and now crumbling Squirrel Hill Falls Park at 48th and Chester.
For folks unfamiliar here's a story about the controversy about wasted funds when the park was new.
The Secret Garden

And a thread about its current sad state of disrepair and haven for short haul dumping.
http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...ace-again.html

**thoth** · 06-29-2012, 06:16 PM

Nu-Juice got PAF funds as well
Bios for Ward, Nu-Juice raise questions - Philly.com

**brandywine** · 07-03-2012, 09:52 PM

Jannie's wig glue has seeped into her brain.

**whatever** · 10-08-2012, 02:13 AM

this gives me a bad taste.

Cities Like Philly Waste Millions Defending Crooked, Racist Cops: "Alley Cat" Ethics and Other Antics

Everybody write in their own name.

**whatever** · 10-08-2012, 11:12 PM

RCO are sort of like Councilmanic perogative and "walking around money." Wide open opportunity for corruption and prejudice. Philadelphia has a tendency to make up rules that go against the norm of law in the country as a whole. We have a Constitutional right to assemble and rights of transparency in zoning. Giving one group of citizens rights and lessor or zero rights to other citizens is illegal. I wonder how many "zoning permits" are worthless in this city because they were based on corrupted failure of law and due diligence. I know the Devon Project permit is useless and illegal. http://www.klgates.com/files/tempFil...t_Land_Use.pdf

Philadelphia likes to feel special and have special groups to belong to. That is the only perk I see for those kinds of people who like to feel special in that way. How can a governing body officiate ANY group as more official than any other. That is just Un American.

**whatever** · 10-08-2012, 11:15 PM

Delete the Philadelphia Government and everyone write in your own name for all offices.

**BarryG** · 12-23-2012, 09:32 PM

This passed, though in modified form.

"The bill—which went through many iterations as the Councilwoman and Planning Commission debated its language and potential impact—requires developers and RCOs to notify everyone within a block of proposed projects that need zoning approval or Civic Design Review... Councilwoman Blackwell said she introduced the changes to assure that all groups that wanted a say in what goes on in their neighborhoods could have one.... Nothing in the code enacted in August would have prevented any member of any neighborhood from speaking at the Planning Commission, Civic Design Review Committee, or Zoning Board of Adjustment. "

I'm having a hard time understanding what this aspect of the bill actually accomplishes, besides the small burden of making developers notify everyone within the block. Seems like a weak sop to the Tiffany Greens around the city--who under this provision seem to lose on of their argument "we weren't notified."

The second part is will have more impact:

"Blackwell’s bill also allows District Councilmembers to appoint representatives to the CDR Committee and require more than one meeting between neighborhood groups and developers"

Link: Council adopts amendments to Registered Community Organization process | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

**thoth** · 01-04-2013, 03:07 PM

God this whole thing is so dumb and transparent. So Philadelphian to treat builders and sex offenders in such a similar fashion.

I agree, the first thing is vague and seemingly pointless. What "notification" even means is vague and probably just means the RCO and/or developer will stuff a flyer in people's mail slot, which was sort of happening already.

The other part is confusing to me. When it says "require more than one meeting" does that mean that councilmembers CAN force additional meetings or that there MUST be more than one meeting in every instance.

Also, just to say it again: all of this is dumb and unnecessary and only furthers the political stranglehold on development and the ability for a single politically connected person to gum up legitimate development indefinitely.

Originally Posted by BarryG

This passed, though in modified form.

"The bill—which went through many iterations as the Councilwoman and Planning Commission debated its language and potential impact—requires developers and RCOs to notify everyone within a block of proposed projects that need zoning approval or Civic Design Review... Councilwoman Blackwell said she introduced the changes to assure that all groups that wanted a say in what goes on in their neighborhoods could have one.... Nothing in the code enacted in August would have prevented any member of any neighborhood from speaking at the Planning Commission, Civic Design Review Committee, or Zoning Board of Adjustment. "

I'm having a hard time understanding what this aspect of the bill actually accomplishes, besides the small burden of making developers notify everyone within the block. Seems like a weak sop to the Tiffany Greens around the city--who under this provision seem to lose on of their argument "we weren't notified."

The second part is will have more impact:

"Blackwell’s bill also allows District Councilmembers to appoint representatives to the CDR Committee and require more than one meeting between neighborhood groups and developers"

Link: Council adopts amendments to Registered Community Organization process | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

**thoth** · 01-04-2013, 03:08 PM

God this whole thing is so dumb and transparent. So Philadelphian to treat builders and sex offenders in such a similar fashion.

I agree, the first thing is vague and seemingly pointless. What "notification" even means is vague and probably just means the RCO and/or developer will stuff a flyer in people's mail slot, which was sort of happening already.

The other part is confusing to me. When it says "require more than one meeting" does that mean that councilmembers CAN force additional meetings or that there MUST be more than one meeting in every instance.

Also, just to say it again: all of this is dumb and unnecessary and only furthers the political stranglehold on development and the ability for a single politically connected person to gum up legitimate development indefinitely.

Originally Posted by BarryG

This passed, though in modified form.

"The bill—which went through many iterations as the Councilwoman and Planning Commission debated its language and potential impact—requires developers and RCOs to notify everyone within a block of proposed projects that need zoning approval or Civic Design Review... Councilwoman Blackwell said she introduced the changes to assure that all groups that wanted a say in what goes on in their neighborhoods could have one.... Nothing in the code enacted in August would have prevented any member of any neighborhood from speaking at the Planning Commission, Civic Design Review Committee, or Zoning Board of Adjustment. "

I'm having a hard time understanding what this aspect of the bill actually accomplishes, besides the small burden of making developers notify everyone within the block. Seems like a weak sop to the Tiffany Greens around the city--who under this provision seem to lose on of their argument "we weren't notified."

The second part is will have more impact:

"Blackwell’s bill also allows District Councilmembers to appoint representatives to the CDR Committee and require more than one meeting between neighborhood groups and developers"

Link: Council adopts amendments to Registered Community Organization process | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

**DCnPhilly** · 01-05-2013, 02:46 PM

Wow, Megan's Law for developers...and one more roadblock to send developers out of town. Blackwell never ceases to amaze me.

You know with Philadelphia's stock of abandoned houses, burnt out shells, and vacant lots, how can any sane person make it harder to develop a property? Oh, right, because career politicians aren't sane. Keep your voters poor, keep their expectations low, and keep your council seat.

Congrats, Jannie. Ever striving to make Philadelphia as picturesque as Detroit.

**torts** · 01-06-2013, 05:32 PM

Any concerns about this Janie?

Murder witness fatally beaten; link uncertain

**raider.adam** · 01-07-2013, 09:14 AM

Keep in mind it isn't just Blackwell. The majority of Council has to vote in favor of it as well.

**seand** · 01-07-2013, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

Wow, Megan's Law for developers...and one more roadblock to send developers out of town. Blackwell never ceases to amaze me.

You know with Philadelphia's stock of abandoned houses, burnt out shells, and vacant lots, how can any sane person make it harder to develop a property? Oh, right, because career politicians aren't sane. Keep your voters poor, keep their expectations low, and keep your council seat.

Its because placating people's fears and racial distrust of "them" "taking over" is deemed more politically advantageous than encouraging a secure source of property taxes to you know, actually pay for decent schools and city services.

**DCnPhilly** · 01-12-2013, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by seand

Its because placating people's fears and racial distrust of "them" "taking over" is deemed more politically advantageous than encouraging a secure source of property taxes to you know, actually pay for decent schools and city services.

It's unbelievable how transparent that is. Keep your voters poor and stupid. The hypocrisy is insane. Clarke is no doubt salivating over this.