Committee Hearing, March 18, 2009

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:20 a.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN, CHAIR COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN BILL GREENLEE RESOLUTION 090057 - Resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings for applicants seeking nomination to serve on the Commission on Parks and Recreation... - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2

Good morning. A quorum has been established. The City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is now in a public hearing to hear testimony on Resolution No. 090057. I wish to name all of the members of the Committee. To my immediate right is Councilman Curtis Jones, Vice-Chair of our Committee on Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs. To my extreme left is my colleague and partner in this nine-year endeavor -- let me repeat, nine years. We're finally here -- Councilman Darrell Clarke, and Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. I will now ask the Clerk to please read the title of Resolution 20 090057.

Resolution No. 22 090057, authorizing Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings for applicants seeking nomination to serve on the 3 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Commission on Parks and Recreation, and further authorizing the Committee to recommend for Council's consideration nominations to be forwarded to the Mayor.

Thank you. You should know and I will state for the record publicly David Forde, my Chief of Staff and member of the technical staff, and the President's Office worked courageously over the last many days to accommodate, receive, log more than 250 applications from a diverse mix of Philadelphians who care about the future of our parks. So I would be remiss not to say thank you to the enormous amount of preparation they had to do prior to us getting to this table. Let me open by thanking my colleague Councilman Clarke, who was joined to my hip on this long road to get to this day. I must also thank our Mayor, Mayor Nutter, who supported this effort, has been strong well before his tenure as Mayor. Finally, let me say 4 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 thank you to the Recreation and Park advocates and employees from across this city who each and every day devote their time, their talent, their energy to improving our Park and Recreation facilities. " That ultimately led to the City and the William Penn Foundation together funding a strategic plan for Parks and Recreation. That strategic plan process lasted about months, 16 where Park experts were called in and 17 interviewed persons, stakeholders up and 18 down the ladder, from the user to the Park Commissioners and everyone in between. This led to a series of events and improvements and ultimately led to a City Charter change which allows for a best practices management structure, thus putting us now in the top ten cities around the country that have what we now 5 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 have in the City of Philadelphia, and that leads us to today. Recently, the Philadelphia Inquirer in an editorial said, quote, "Nothing less than a stellar Commission will do," end quote. That is the goal of this Council and this Mayor, to have a stellar, talented, committed Commission of members. As this process moves to the Committee -- I chair Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs -- and ultimately through all of City Council, I commit to you that we will be finding the best and the brightest candidates that reflect a diversity of this city and a diversity of the users of Philadelphia's Recreation and Park facilities. So let me repeat that. We're looking for the best and the brightest in terms of talent, expertise and commitment of candidates that we will then send to the Mayor's desk. This is a monumental challenge, one that myself, this team and City 6 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 government is excited to face head on. It is really an unprecedented, exciting time. We're going to find a dedicated and passionate Commission on Parks and Recreation, and that search starts today. I look forward to working with all interested in achieving this important goal. And now the ground rules. As a former teacher, ground rules are important when we're dealing with large numbers. So we will be calling you up in groups of three. And it's three because that's how many chairs are seated for you comfortably at the table. As stated in the e-mail that you all received, remarks will be no longer than two or three minutes. Unlike normal hearings where you can really speak as long as you'd like, because we have such an enormous number and we're under a time window with this particular process, we're going to ask you to honor the time clock, two to three minutes. And most often we do not 7 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 have a clock. Today we do. So please do not move us to become time police. Council staff will be collecting your written testimony. And that is desirable. If you don't have written testimony today, you're certainly welcome to get it to us, and any other documents you wish to share with the Committee. We have a lot of interested people -- the number again is about 250 -- to listen and learn from over the course of these hearings, which for us are going to last about three and a half days. So we want to ask you to honor the clock.

And this also is not customary: We will not be asking a lot of questions. We may ask questions for clarity purposes on the facts that you present, but we will not be engaging in the type of thorough, detailed questioning that we prefer. One last note. I would be 8 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 remiss if I did not mention again the hard work of Hal Thickhander -- where are you, Hal? Stand up so we can see your face -- and other City Council staff and Sharon Ortiz from the President's Office, who I mention very, very, very, very closely -- worked closely with David Forde. They have been extremely helpful in working with my staff to pull together this very important hearing, and I want to know and say thank you to them publicly. We will now move on to our first group of testifiers. And in an effort to be efficient, I'm going to call the first six. So what we will do is, the first three will move to their seat and then the next three will move to the seats behind them, and that allows us to chip off a few seconds as we move through this process. Hello? AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Yes.

The first 9 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 six -- the first three to the testifier witness table are -- and please forgive me if I do not pronounce your name properly -- Noel Abejo, Cynthia Affleck, Paul Agostini. If you would move to the witness table. Behind them please move Lacey Alexander, Patricia Baldt and Charles Baltimore. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

I would ask all of you to remember, we want to take the record, and you help us when you state your name for the record prior to giving your testimony. And so, sir, we're going to ask you to move to the witness table since there are only two there. Ernest Barile, III, Gregory Benjamin, Shaun Bennett. If you are here, you're welcome to move to the next three seats behind them. (Witnesses approached witness table.) 10 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

So then let me stipulate another rule. For those persons who completed an application, did confirm their attendance but are not able to be here at the time that we call them, we'll have to move you to the back of the list and we will circle back for those who are not here when we start. Good morning, gentlemen. Please state your name for the record. Sir, if you could start.

Good morning. My name is Noel Abejo.

Good morning. My name is Charlie Baltimore.

Good morning. My name is Paul Agostini.

Thank you. And we'll need you to repeat your names once we move into your testimony. Please, sir.

Good morning. My name is Noel Abejo. I would like to thank the City Council and the Committee 11 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Committee Chair Blondell Reynolds Brown, Vice-Chair Curtis Jones, Committee members Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Councilman Darrell Clarke and Frank DiCicco for giving me the opportunity to give an overview of my background, education, work, volunteer and leadership experience and the reasons why I should be considered in serving on the newly created Commission on Parks and Recreation. I have been a resident of Philadelphia for 37 years. I have lived in West Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, North Philadelphia and now Northeast Philadelphia. Why is this important? Because this gives me a bigger appreciation for what we need in the many neighborhoods. I have benefited from the Parks and Recreation Departments, and I want to help others continue to get improved benefits throughout the entire system. 12 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 I earned a Bachelor's Degree from Widener University and a Master's Degree from LaSalle University. In addition to the advanced degree, I have continued taking courses through the years, which I feel is of great benefit for the new organization. Courses include Diversity, Management, Communications and Leadership Training. My professional background is concentrated in information technology, which includes years in a management 14 and leadership role. Responsibilities 15 include documenting standards and 16 procedures on a corporate level. As 17 Vice-President of IT, I am involved with 18 a group whose function is to provide the 19 organizational structure to enable a 20 culture of continuous improvement. I 21 believe the skills and attributes gained 22 in the corporate environment can be 23 transferred to the new organization. I've also been involved with several mergers of companies and departments, so 13 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 I fully understand the task at hand, which is trying to do more with less. I've been involved on a voluntary basis for the Filipino American Community Athletic Association. I was a Founder and past President and currently the Advisor. We are in our 15th consecutive basketball season, where we served over 700 players since 1995. I'm also a member of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, an umbrella group consisting of organizations in the 15 region. I was the past Vice-President 16 and currently the Press Relation Officer 17 responsible for communication and website 18 administration. 19 I was also a member of the 20 Police Commissioner's Advisory on Asian 21 Affairs, where we facilitated open 22 communications with the Asian community. 23 I'm also a member of 24 Philadelphia CARES, where I assisted with the Dash for Democracy, the Broad Street 14 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Run and the Philadelphia Marathon. And I'm also a member of WorkReady Philadelphia Business Mentoring Youth Program. I was the instructor for the workshop on business expectations, communication skills, resume writing and interview skills to prepare high school students for the job market. I've worked with assigned students for three-month segments to gain skills in the workplace. In summary, you need a candidate with a broad background who is willing to contribute professional knowledge and personal resources to benefit the preservation and use of the Park system. I believe I am that candidate. Thank you, Councilmembers, for your interest and leadership in this area. I look forward to working with the Commission on Parks and Recreation to ensure our citizens have access to our treasures. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have. 15 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Thank you, sir. Please, sir.

Good morning. My name is Charlie Baltimore. Let me first thank the Mayor and Council for affording me this opportunity to interview for a seat on the new Parks and Recreation Commission. Opening up government to include ordinary citizens as myself is not only civic engagement in its purest form, it is reflective of the national mood and direction of our country. I am the Dean of Learners and a health and physical education educator at the High School of the Future. Very pleased to hear, Madam Chairwoman, that you are a former educator.

Yes. 16 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

My interest in fitness and recreation has been life-long. As a coach I once assisted, for it he once told me, You have to be what you sell. Eating healthy and exercising regularly is a part of who and what I am. Understanding the benefits of both is why I am seeking a seat on the Commission. Each morning at 5:00 a.m., my wife and I are out the door for a visit to our gym. The visit sets the tone for the day, awakens our minds, stimulates us physically, and truly has an impact on our self-confidence. Not every Philadelphian can afford a club membership of any cost. What more can these two City entities do to make programming more adaptable, accessible, relevant and effective? These are the questions that I bring to the selection process. For the past year, I have helped with flag football and youth 17 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 basketball at the Palumbo Recreation Center. Palumbo is a blue ribbon facility, by any standards. What makes it successful? Programming directed towards its neighborhood interests, programming that strives to expand neighborhood interest, a dedicated and hard-working staff, and community volunteers. Teams are coached by fathers and relatives, neighbors help with events, and the community uses the center as a central gathering point. How do we replicate this model in areas where adult involvement is rare or non-existent? By global standards, our Park system is truly a treasure, offering endless opportunities for connecting with nature, understanding our past and leisure activities. In my mind, the two most pressing questions for the system are: How do we keep the facilities and grounds in top shape in these economic, challenging times, and how do we ensure use of the Park maximizes its potential 18 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 and is relevant? The answers to my questions are twofold. Dare to self-reflect boldly, creatively and critically, free of political allegiances and self-interests. What are our assets, what are the needs and interests of our community and how do we leverage our assets to reach our goals? Second, we must be willing to look at our expenditures and decide if we are making the correct decisions based on our desired outcomes. We cannot continuously use the same policies simply because that's the way it has always been and yet expect to move forward. Partnerships are a key to sustainable success for any organization. We must decide if our current partnerships are beneficial to the Department and citizens and if we are effectively utilizing organizations which share many of our department goals; i.e., the AmeriCorps and Philadelphia School District. 19 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Lastly, there was little interest in applying for this appointment until Mayor Nutter nominated Michael DiBerardinis to head the new department. I recall Mr. DiBerardinis' previous tenure with the Recreation Department. He has proven he has the fortitude, skills and vision to address all the issues I have discussed today and more. It would be a privilege to support his efforts to make two great departments one exceptional organization. Thank you.

Thank you. Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Proceed, sir.

Good morning. My name is Paul Agostini and I'd like to thank the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs for conducting these hearings and providing me the opportunity 20 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 to present my testimony before the Committee today. The Department of Parks and Recreation may be the one department that can truly provide something for everyone in Philadelphia. I would relish the opportunity to contribute to the newly created department as a member of the Commission on Parks and Recreation. I would bring the same level of dedication and determination to the Commission that has brought me success in my career and volunteering endeavors. I have extensive professional experience working with colleagues, clients and vendors with diverse backgrounds in multiple industries, covering both the public and private sectors. My management consulting and financial industry experience developed my team-building and problem-solving skills, and I have a strong understanding how project work should be executed. My previous exposure to City employees has 21 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 demonstrated to me that they are a dedicated group of individuals who take pride in their work. I would welcome another opportunity to work with these professionals. My intention for participating on the Commission would be to advise the Department of Parks and Recreation on what I thought was in the best interest of the City and its residents. I do not have a personal agenda, nor would I seek recognition for my participation on the Commission. I have no political platform and I am not seeking favor with any religious, social or civic organizations. I simply want to draw on my professional and personal experiences to provide thoughtful, logical insight and advice to the Department of Parks and Recreation. I have benefited from the recreational facilities and public parks in the City for years, and my goal is to contribute to their continuing success as a member of the Commission on Parks and 22 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Recreation. While the Department of Parks and Recreation may offer benefits for all of the citizens of Philadelphia, I think particular attention should be paid to serving the youth of the City. After the School District of Philadelphia, I think the Department of Parks and Recreation should be the most influential City agency on its young residents. Additionally, I think the Philadelphia Park system is one of the City's best assets for retaining young professionals after they have completed their studies at one of Philadelphia's many fine institutions of higher education. I would enjoy working with the Department raising awareness, soliciting participation, seeking financial contributions and serving in any other capacity that could benefit such worthwhile pursuits. I appreciate your consideration to serve on the Commission on Parks and 23 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Recreation, and I thank you for your time this morning.

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Mr. Paul Agostini, for clarify for me, second paragraph, first sentence, you indicate that you've worked with colleagues, clients and vendors. Cite examples of each.

Well, colleagues would be any co-workers I had with my consulting companies, Xenture in Philadelphia. The clients would include the City of Philadelphia Department of Records, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Vanguard Financial. And vendors would include software companies such as Investran, Eagle Software and larger vendors like Oracle and Microsoft.

Okay, then. Thank you very much. Anyone else? 24 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 (No response.)

We thank you all for your testimony.

Thank you.

Ernest Barile, Gregory Benjamin, Shaun Bennett, please step to the witness table. Harry Benson, Max Berger, Randolph Blakeney. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Any order you prefer, gentlemen. Scott Bluebond, Blaine Bonham, Samuel Botts, if you could please move forward to the chairs behind them, that would be appreciated. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Good morning, gentlemen. You may proceed. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

My name is Randolph Blakeney. Can you hear me? 25 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Yes.

Randolph Blakeney. First, I want to thank you for allowing me to come here this morning. The reason why I feel I should be nominated for the Commission of Parks and Recreation, because I have a passion for organized sports and I believe that the development of a well-rounded youngster is important, and adequate facilities is a must to develop the potential and learning the fine art of team work. This passion is an outgrowth of my years of involvement with youngsters and knowing that a void was filled in my life when I was introduced to team sports. I know to develop an outstanding Park and Recreation Commission system requires tapping into the community for funding and so forth, and I believe I have the kind of experience, expertise that will allow me to negotiate, brainstorm and seek help 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 for the City's Parks and Recreation, develop a plan best used for valuable wealth within the City in the form of parks, trails, woodland and unutilized recreation centers. Aside from the passion I have for the recreation and sports and my love for nature, I wish to give the City, which provided me with so many opportunities, my family childhood home, memories of me and my dad going to the park to drink the water from the park to fill up a jug, an opportunity to get education that includes team sports, playing for a City championship team back in 1960, a place of employment until I retired, which was 2004. It is time to give back. Even though I have moved out of the City, I still utilize their golf course, and I feel that I must give back. Thank you. Any questions?

Any questions from members of the Committee? 27 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 (No response.)

Please. You may proceed with your testimony.

My name is Ernest Barile. Good morning, Chairwoman Reynolds Brown, Vice-Chairman Jones, Committee members Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, Councilman Clarke and other members of City Council. Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my information. I would like to first reflect on my work history. I was employed by the Fairmount Park Commission and Recreation Department for over years. 17 I started as a tree climber for the 18 street trees. I progressed to computer 19 programmer. I worked in the Park and 20 Recreation Property Division overseeing 21 the golf courses, park properties and 22 Mann Music Center, Horticulture Center, 23 things of that nature. One thing I'm passionate about, I currently work for the Philadelphia 28 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Prison System and I see how valuable our Park and Recreation system is, as every day I'm in the jails, where we're crowded, nearly 10,000 inmates. That is why I'm so passionate about it. I've dedicated my life to civil service and community activism, and as a member of the Commission, I will fight to improve, preserve, promote and protect the entire Fairmount Park and Recreation system and will work tirelessly to ensure its availability to the public. To support the Commission, I would work to organize friends groups, advisory boards, community organizations, civic groups and other shareholders. I would ensure public input and involvement in creating a strict set of bylaws and guidelines. The Park and Recreation system of the City of Philadelphia has impacted and influenced my life. I had the privilege of growing up on Fairmount Park property in the historic Thomas Mansion 29 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 when I was three years old, and I was able to experience the Park environment in all of its glory and share in its splendor. My father was employed by the Park for 40 years, so our conversations always involved the Park and Recreation system. I remember the Park at its greatest and I desire to work to restore it for the generations of today and the future. As we know, Fairmount Park is a gem of a natural resource, offering our citizens the chance to enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery. I will work to guarantee that those resources are used to their maximum potential. I will be a watchdog for the communities, neighborhoods, friends and volunteer groups. I will listen to input from the community and stakeholders, work to provide a peaceful refuge. As an employee of the Park and Recreation system for over 23 years, I have tremendous insight into the inner 30 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 workings of both departments, and combining this with my community involvement, I believe that I will be the perfect candidate to serve on this Commission. Since I am heavily involved with all aspects of the Park and Recreation system, I will bring extensive knowledge relating to the adoption of standards and guidelines necessary to improve the facilities and the land use while promoting its preservation. I will incorporate public comment into the need to convey and acquire parkland and facilities. To promote and invest in the Commission, I will lobby City Council, the Mayor, state and federal officials for dedicated funding. I will incorporate a grant-writing program, allow the Park and Recreation to keep all generated funds, appeal to corporate sponsors and professional sports teams for financial assistance. I will sell advertising space in the prime Park and 31 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Recreation areas and utilize special events, the trolleys, golfing, skating, biking as fundraising tools and seek private and philanthropic donations. I will work to create a task force to reevaluate the uses of our recreation centers and parkland and ensure that the needs of the public are being met. Our mission should be to properly serve each specific community.

I will utilize user surveys to maximize the program and facility uses that work to move beyond basic recreation and establish youth development programs, gardening, debate teams, landscaping, et cetera. We must expand and innovate and meet the needs of each community. Our Park and Recreation system contributes greatly to the physical and aesthetic qualities of our neighborhoods and strengthens our communities. We must invest in them, since their improvement equates to positive change in the community. I will work tirelessly to 32 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 provide the youth of our community with the forum to voice their concerns and interests, as we must get our young people involved. As we know, the nationwide trend is to take advantage of the public-private partnership to renovate Parks and Recreation facilities. This has proven successful over and over again, and we must work to strengthen those ties in our city. To refurbish the Park and Recreation areas, despite battling budget constraints, we must combine the current public infrastructure - buildings, land, employees, et cetera - with the private sector's flexibility - fundraising, attracting political support, promoting civic group participation. Our diversified interest and our broad-based constituency are our greatest assets, and the Park and Recreation system must bond with the civic, community, environmental, historic and nature groups and partner 33 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 with universities, businesses and corporations. We are very fortunate that the citizens of Philadelphia historically show support for our Park and Recreation systems and they're willing to invest in that and come out and fight for it. We are obligated to cultivate that relationship and join forces to improve the quality of life for all. I am the right person to create that unity. I believe that my work history, life experience, community service and love for our Park and Recreation system allows me to be a valuable resource and outstanding candidate for a seat on the Commission of Park and Recreation. Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you for your testimony. Please, sir.

Honorable Councilmembers, my name is Max Berger. I 34 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 have testimony and recommendations contained in here, as requested. I am here today for three reasons: I love the City, I love the Park system, and I wish to serve. What we have in our Park system is unique to any city in the world. We have a phenomenal recreational resource in the Park and its amenities, which are part of the founders and grantors gift to all of us who live and work in and around Philadelphia. I refer you to my application regarding my specific academic and professional qualifications. In addition to some of the charitable boards which I am currently involved with, I have been fortunate to serve this City in other capacities in the past. I was trained as a literacy trainer in the 1980's and served in that capacity for a number of years. In the '90s, I was a Fair Housing Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia. In the 2000's, I was also a member and an 35 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 ambassador for the City of Philadelphia of the Airport Advisory Board. For the past five years, I've remained involved in and have been on the Board of Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust and have been intimately involved in promoting Park activities and creating revenue opportunities for the Park system. Recent Trust success stories include the Centennial Cafe at the Ohio House and the Allen's Lane Art Center. Total investment to these Park facilities totaled over $1.5 million, mostly private dollars. In conclusion, the Recreation Department is vital to the civic health of our community. We need to develop ways to make sure our citizens have access to clean facilities and open pools for continued enjoyment now and in the future. While it may be difficult to pay for these facilities, it has been proven time and time again that given opportunities to participate in organized 36 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 activities, children grow and develop self-reliance and purpose. This Commission, once formed, must find a sustainable path to keep our Recreation Department facilities open and provide these opportunities to the youth of our city for success. Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony. I wish us all success in this endeavor.

Questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

We thank you for your testimony very, very much. And we thank you also. The first six panelists have honored the clock. So they've set the tone. Following our next panel, I'd like to ask Samuel Botts, Andre Bright, David Broida, Richard Brown to please move closer to the witness table. (Witnesses approached witness table.) 37 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Okay. Thank you. You may proceed with your testimony.

Good morning. My name is Scott Bluebond. Thank you for considering my application today and for your time. I'm a Philadelphia native. I went to Central High School and I have a BA Degree from Penn State and an MA Degree from Colorado State, both in speech communications. I've spent a good deal of my life in Fairmount Park. Some of my fondest childhood memories were of family picnics there. And, fortunately, I was young enough that I didn't have to get there at 6:00 in the morning and get dibs on the covered picnic areas, as my family members took turns doing that growing up. I have years experience in 22 marketing and public relations, and the 23 last 15 have been for non-profit 24 organizations. I'm currently the 25 Marketing and Communications Director for 38 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 the Wellness Community of Philadelphia. We provide free support services for people with cancer and their loved ones. We're located in West Fairmount Park in the lovely historic Ridgeland Mansion. So I've been promoting the Wellness Community and marketing it for ten years, as well as Ridgeland Mansion. Since 1999, we've had 15,000 people make approximately 100,000 visits to our home in the Park. I dare say that is a larger number, many times over, compared to all the other historic sites and recreation in the Park. I coordinated and promoted with the Mural Arts Program and Girard College to place a beautiful and inspirational mural at the latter, named "Beyond Our Door...There is Hope." Councilman Clarke, you spoke that day at our dedication back in October of 2002. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, I know you're aware of the Wellness 39 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Community's growth since you served on our Board for several years. I'd like to be able to do for Fairmount Park on the whole what I've been able to do at a smaller level for the Wellness Community of Philadelphia. Prior to working at the Wellness Community, I was Vice-President of Marketing and Public Relations for Please Touch Museum. My contributions in raising the profile of Please Touch Museum undoubtedly have played a major role in allowing it to land in the spectacular, revitalized, improved Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall. Prior to that, I served as Public Relations Manager for Dorney Park. I acted as the park's official emergency spokesperson, tactfully handling several crises there. Undoubtedly, my skills in tourism, marketing, public relations and crisis communications would help the Commission. 40 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 I understand the sacrifices that have to be made to reduce expenses and to help raise funds. I've worked with city, state and federal government officials on promotions, events and appearances, from presidential candidates on down. My experience working for both non-profits and for-profits has provided me with insights on the challenges that both face. I've worked -- having worked in the Park for so many years, I understand many of the issues it faces, especially from a public relations standpoint. The newly found Commission is going to need to continue to do the best work done by the prior Commission, but will now have a chance, in effect, to start over with fresh ideas and a clean slate. Most of all, I want to continue to advocate for Fairmount Park, because I think it's just a fascinating place - trails and gardens and rivers and 41 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 streams, picnic areas, historic homes, the Mann, the Zoo, the Art Museum and now the Please Touch Museum and so much more. What a tremendous place. I don't have any hidden agendas. I don't have any past political connections to interfere in my decision-making. I have no reason to be on the Commission other than to serve for the city that I love. I will work hard to accomplish the Commission's goals. I'd be honored to be selected to steward the assets of the Park and to serve on the Commission. And I thank you for your time.

Thank you for your testimony. Point of information. Councilman Jones.

Yes. And I promised the Chairwoman I would limit my questions, and I will honor that, but my colleague Maria Sanchez wants to know where exactly is the Please Touch Museum? 42 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Do you know what district? And where is the Wellness Community, just for the record?

Well, the Wellness Community is in West Fairmount Park.

Which would be what district; do you know?

Yours.

There you go. Continue.

I missed that breakfast that day when you came in not too long back. And, of course, Please Touch Museum is right around the corner.

Thank you.

Thank you for your testimony.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the Council 43 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. I'm Blaine Bonham, and I appreciate the opportunity to apply to serve on the Philadelphia Commission on Parks and Recreation. The potential for Philadelphia to be both the next great city and Mayor Nutter's dream as the greenest city in America is inextricably tied to the preeminence of the Fairmount Park system and our places of recreation. The challenge for the Commission and the newly created Parks and Recreation's Department is to preserve our open space system in this challenging economic climate, while fixing their sights firmly on the future. We must create a dynamic and stellar asset in the City's portfolio that will enhance our image significantly to help position Philadelphia as one of the successful and vibrant regions globally of the 21st century. I believe I can serve the City well in meeting this challenge. 44 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 I'm a four-decade resident of our city, living in many different neighborhoods over that time, and as an avid City dweller, I have been an active contributor on a personal level to improving the quality of life in our city. Spanning almost that entire period, my professional career has been with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, where I have been rooted in the experience of working across the City on a wide variety of open space and greening issues through my development of the Philadelphia Green program. I believe this experience will be invaluable to establishing citywide priorities and policies for land use, preservation and strong and healthy communities. Innovation will be especially critical to the Commission as it works to create a new paradigm for the future operation of Fairmount Park. In this economy where we all have to do more with less, the Commission must work with the 45 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Administration to focus on increasing volunteerism, developing strong collaborative public-private partnerships and creating a public relations and marketing strategy to promote our open space and recreational assets. To that end, I believe I can be an excellent partner, as at PHS we have successfully raised private and public funds to create new greening models with a broad array of City agencies, community-based organizations, businesses and other non-profit intermediaries to address open space challenges. These include the Park's Revitalization program with the Department of Recreation and the Fairmount Park Commission, the Vacant Land Management program for the Office of Housing and Community Development, Tree Tenders, now replicated across the state, City Harvest program, storm water management projects and open spaces with the Philadelphia Water Department, and the citizens' engagement process for the 46 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Philadelphia's GreenPlan. The talents at PHS are deep and broad. The organization's staff of highly skilled and innovative landscape architects, horticulturists, community organizers and planners will support and advocate, as our resources permit, the goals of the Commission and the City for its Fairmount Park and open space system. As a passionate Philly booster, I would make a good candidate for the Commission because I bring over three decades of experience and commitment to the greening of Philadelphia. If I'm selected for the Commission, I will be an active and involved member, and am ready to serve in this capacity. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Thank you for your testimony. 47 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Please, sir.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of City Council. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak before you this morning and present my case for being appointed to the Philadelphia Commission on Parks and Recreation. My name is Samuel Botts, Jr. and I am the owner of VIGORworks, LLC, parent company of VIGORworks Fitness Center, VIGORworks Management Solutions and B&R Wellness. VIGORworks is also the creator of a childhood obesity program called the Youth Challenge. The program allows teens receiving state medical assistance the chance to participate in a 12-week physical activity and nutritional education program. The program was created in Philadelphia and, after being piloted for the past three years, will be offered in community recreation centers and churches in Philadelphia's underserved communities. For my work in 48 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 childhood obesity, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Calvin Johnson, nominated me for a seat on Governor Rendell's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which the Governor appointed me to last week. Virtually all of the kids that have been in our programs are overweight because they are not engaging in the proper amount of exercise and healthy eating to maintain a healthy weight. While attitudes towards healthy living may play a part in their condition, our experience has shown that lack of access, perceived or real, is the real culprit. Many families share that they do not have safe places to be physically active or that there are no programs that they can afford where they can participate in routine exercise. With all of the parks and recreation centers in our city, it saddens me to know how underutilized they are by the communities they are designed to serve. 49 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 The problem with the parks is that primarily it is only the flagship parks that receive routine maintenance and upkeep. Parks in underserved neighborhoods, by definition, do not receive the attention they deserve to make them attractive venues to engage in recreational activity. As a frequent user of parks throughout the City, I have witnessed myself the presence of drug paraphernalia, used condoms, broken glass and other debris that poses real risks to anyone who uses these parks. Lack of use by residents also attracts those who engage in other illicit activity. While City resources are limited, I do believe that we can work hard to identify other resources and create community service projects to help make all of our parks havens for fun, friendly, family activities that will ultimately result in a healthier population. In regards to the recreation 50 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 centers, I believe there is significant opportunity to increase awareness of the types of programs offered. While basketball programs always seem to enjoy high participation rates, these centers offer a host of other programs and services that are of extreme benefit to the community. I feel that the Commission can work to help the recreation centers promote these programs and services in a way to increase utilization of these facilities. In my role as business owner, identifying quality resources on a tight budget has become a key attribute that has allowed my company to remain in business in a very competitive environment. Not only does this skill allow me to operate efficiently, it forces me to think creatively, especially in marketing ourselves to customers. In my role on the Commission, I will regard my responsibility to the citizens of Philadelphia in relation to 51 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation system in the same fashion that I regard my responsibility to my customers in their relation with my health club. Like our customers, the citizens want clean, safe, well-maintained facilities, offering programs that cater to their exercise and activity needs.

I am confident that I will be someone that the Commission can rely on to carry out its mission and objectives. Again, thank you very much for your time and consideration. My main goal today was to provide you with insight into the underlying reasons of my intention to be on the Commission on Parks and Recreation. I hope with this insight you will be able to make the best, informed decision regarding my recommendation to the Mayor for appointment to the Commission.

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.) 52 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Let me thank you all for your testimony. Thank you very much. I'm going to repeat the next series of names. Andre Bright, David Broida, Richard Brown, John Barry, Michael Burch, Richard Cantor, Jeremiah Carber. Any one of the other gentlemen, please, you're welcome to take the seat at the witness table. Good morning, gentlemen. Welcome. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Good morning. My name is Richard Cantor.

David Broida.

Andre Bright.

Okay, Mr. Cantor.

Thank you. My name is Richard Cantor, and having recently moved to the City two years ago from Abington, I would like to thank the 53 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Council for affording me the opportunity to appear before you. I'd like to be very brief and just touch on a couple of points. It's my understanding that the Commission would serve and the folks who you are going to be nominating would serve in an advisory capacity to the Commissioner, and I think that the position requires an understanding, some goals that would be set, and the folks who would be nominated would be instrumental in setting those goals and building consensus within the Board and certainly the community that it serves. The Board would be also responsible for being extraordinarily supportive of the Commissioner, Council and the Mayor. It's been my experience, having served on a number of Boards, that in order to effectively facilitate the goals that are set, that one has to be very supportive of -- on the Boards that I served, it was Executive Director. In 54 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 this particular instance, it would be the Commissioner. And although we all have some issues that we may personally identify with, in fact, it would be the Commissioner who would be -- we would be supportive of. Since this is a new endeavor for the City, the infancy of the Board, as it learns to structure itself and function, would be an important purpose of this new Commission and the Board members, and I feel that my experience, having served in various capacities with Pennsylvania Legal Services and having served as the President of that Board and been instrumental in its restructuring, in its securing a permanent source of financing, having served as Vice-President of the Abington School Board and dealt with the reasonable expectations that the community and the Board could provide, that was an important criteria, again, in terms of being able to balance the expectations 55 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 with the realities of the budget. And having served on various other Boards, I would think that I would appreciate and be honored to have the opportunity to serve on this new Board and help with its being able to find its appropriate footing to be supportive of the Commissioner, Council and the Mayor. Thank you.

Any questions from members of the Committee? Councilman Clarke.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, real briefly, I don't have a question, but I just want to make a brief statement with respect to what we anticipate this Commission will ultimately be. During the course of the debate, there were some concerns that the newly formed Commission on Parks and Recreation would essentially be a paper tiger, and that, to a large degree, 56 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 created a significant level of difficulty to get people to buy into this, and I would just like to say today that we hope that it will be anything but that. The reality is is that in our cursory review of the written applications of individuals who will be coming to testify, frankly speaking, we are going to have a significantly difficult decision to whittle this down to people, because we have some very 13 strong candidates. Frankly speaking, I 14 don't know how we're going to do it. 15 We'll figure it out. And I would hope 16 that the individuals who are not selected 17 to be the 25 nominees will still be 18 engaged. 19 Probably next week City Council 20 will be introducing legislation that will 21 enhance both this process as it relates 22 to participation and open up an 23 opportunity for those of you and any 24 other individuals who want to continue to 25 participate in a meaningful role in this 57 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 very important endeavor, not just Fairmount Park but also Recreation. So I say all that to say that we're going to be leaning on the Commission heavily, both for support, and when we say we want the Commission to talk about -- make recommendations on guidelines relating to Park disposition/acquisition, watershed management, all of those types of things, we really mean that. I mean, we're going to be looking to you. We also would like to see this Commission be proactive. One of the issues that I had in my prior life as a member of the Park Commission and then President of my advisory council is that we weren't out in the community nearly as much as we should have been. We essentially sat in Memorial Hall. We did our thing. And for those individuals who had an opportunity to come and see what was going on -- and it wasn't a lot of people, because Memorial Hall was 58 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 somewhat removed from the community -- was a little disappointed in that process. So for the individuals who are going to be on this, we're going to be expecting you to be out on the road quite a bit and to really touch base with the citizens to make sure that you give us the significant input that we so sorely need as we develop our policy. So with that, Madam Chair, I have met my three-minute time limit and I'm now going to defer to you. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Councilman Clarke. For the record, please share with us skill set. We learned of your experiences, but if you could cite examples of what skill sets you would bring to the Commission.

With regards to skill sets, I've been an attorney practicing for almost 35 years. I've 59 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 served as general counsel for manufacturing companies. I'm currently general counsel for an issues management company.

That is helpful.

Okay. Thank you.

Your previous testimony didn't capture that information. Okay, then. Thank you. Please.

Good morning. My name is David Broida, and I have no idea how you're going to be able to distinguish all 250 or so of us, but I'm going to make it easy for me. There's a provision in the application process in the law that allows for residents of adjacent counties to apply for the Commission. I live in Lower Merion Township. I'm probably the only applicant from Lower Merion. What interests me in being a Commissioner are two things. One is my 60 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 professional experience. I worked for 32 years as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Upper Merion Township in King of Prussia. So everything that's done on a large scale in Philadelphia, I've done on a somewhat smaller scale. I've written requests for proposals, for acquisition, development, design for park projects, and I've created a full-time, year-round recreation program for residents of all ages and interests. In addition to my professional experience, where I also served as the Interim Executive Director of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis from last August to this January, I also feel like a resident of the City of Philadelphia after having paid wage taxes and parking fines. But in addition to my professional experience -- and I have a Smart Card also. In addition to my professional experience, I'm also a 35-year-old patron and user of Philadelphia parks and an 61 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 active volunteer. Among other things in Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez's district, I spearheaded, raised money and directed the project for Eric Casiano Memorial Field that renovated that baseball field. I worked constantly with Anthony Washington at Nelson Playground, getting Phillies tickets, getting donations to sports equipment and other ways to improve that. At Pennrose, I've been involved with Arthur Ashe and the Love to Serve program. We had a great project, a joint project, for Martin Luther King national holiday. And at Rose Playground and Arthur Ashe itself, we've been involved with Councilman Jones in terms of helping increase the funding. Just cutting to the chase, I've participated in a million things. I bring my kayak down to Lloyd Hall and paddle up the Schuylkill River. I've run in the Broad Street Run four times, Philadelphia Half Marathon, I've been a 62 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 volunteer, the Philadelphia Marathon, but I'd just like to just focus on what my interests are in the parks. I've been all over the City as a volunteer and with Arthur Ashe. I've seen the playground, the ball fields at 24th and Jackson that are totally overused. They have football, baseball, soccer all day long and then until 2 o'clock at night. Some of the residents come out and play nighttime soccer under the lights. I've seen the tennis courts at 52nd and Wyalusing Street. They're absolutely unplayable. Same thing for the tennis courts at 10th and Montgomery. What I would like to see and everybody in this room would like to see is every tennis court in the City look like the courts at Mander Playground, look like the courts at Water Tower. That would be great. One of the ways to get there is to look at how Philadelphia stacks up against other cities in the country and even against small places 63 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 like some of the suburban places, like Abington or Upper Merion, in terms of per capita expenditures on parks and recreation services. We can do better, and I think one of the roles of the Commission is to come right back to the Council, the Mayor and also the state Legislature and our federal officials and try to improve the funding for the parks. So as the Commissioner, I would be interested in that. And whether I'm appointed on the Commission or not, I'm going to stay active and keep working to make Philadelphia parks and recreation services better. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today. And I have two letters of recommendation from Phil Goldsmith and also from Kenny Holdsman, Arthur Ashe's new President.

Are you submitting those today or were they with your packet? 64 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

I submitted them. They collected those letters. They have them.

Today?

Yes.

Okay. Thank you for your testimony. Let me just say for the record that in the deliberations that Councilman Clarke and I had with the Park advocates, we wanted to be as inclusive as possible. I mean, that's one of the reasons why we've started down this road, because we felt that the predecessor was not at a place we felt it needed to be given the mix not only of the City but of the region. And so it was a very tactical decision for us to open it up to parts of the region.

Thanks. I also just want to add, I'm an active member of the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, who is here in the audience today. We're also deeply interested, as you know. Thank 65 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 you.

You're welcome. Please, sir.

Hi. My name is Andre Bright. I am a lifelong resident of Philadelphia. My interest in being a member of the Commission comes basically from my interest in being a part of the City, being one who utilizes the parks frequently. I've always believed that the parks represent an opportunity to expand the City, to promote the City, and I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of that. I firmly believe that by implementing this new Commission, we are able to take advantage of some untapped resources that the parks provide for us. I believe that the parks also represent an opportunity to show us what opportunities are available. I also believe that the parks will also 66 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 demonstrate an opportunity to take advantage of various functions within the City. I'm sorry. That's all I have.

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Then we thank you all for your testimony. Thank you very much. Jeremiah Carber, Harvey Cantor, Richard Carfagno, Carlos Cartegena, Marc Caserio. If you could please move closer to the witness table. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

You're welcome to join us, sir, at the witness table. Andrew Celwyn, Joseph Certaine, Robert Chimchirian. I'm trying to pronounce that phonetically. I failed. (Witnesses approached witness table.) 67 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Okay, gentlemen. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Thank you, Mrs. Brown. My name is Jeremiah Robert Carber. Let me just start by saying I'm from Sellersville, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. I started coming to Philadelphia since I was getting my hair cut in Chinatown. 13 I've been raised in an environment where 14 I'm very cultural and very business friendly, and I believe competition brings business. Let me just say that I'm a small business advocate and that I work for getting small businesses back in this country to help them grow and get our economy back on its feet the way it should be. Right now it's a struggle for everyone in all classes, and if we just be happy with what we have, I mean, our Park has 9,200 acres of land, which is 68 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 just quite a lot. I've been privileged to work in Fairmount Park for the past two summers and I've gotten to know the people and I've gotten to know the clan, so to speak, that come there and they rollerblade and they bike and walk and they run and they enjoy what they have, and that doesn't cost a lot when people are just happy. So I'm also a very big tourism-friendly person. I like culture. I like different things on my dinner plate. So what I bring to the table is a strong representation for business and tourism. I've tried to get my certain businesses -- how do I say it -- advertised or, so to speak, out there for people to see and enjoy. So I'm really happy with the way things are going with this reform and I'm really happy to support and do the best I can. And even if I don't get picked for the application for the 69 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 position, I'm still going to come out to the Park like I do regularly and I'm going to support whoever is here working hard. And I'm just happy that everybody showed up. I thought there was only going to be applicants. It turns out 8 there's 250, 208. I don't know. I'm 9 just happy to get to know Curtis, to get 10 to know Laverne. I've gotten to know a 11 bunch of people on the Park system. 12 From what I understand from the 13 library when I read a book that talks 14 about Fairmount Park and the history for 15 last hundred years, I also got to see 16 Mr. Darrell Clarke in his position with 17 Fairmount Park. So I really know that 18 we're on the right path. 19 I don't want to take up too 20 much time, but I'm very open to questions 21 and any ideas that anyone may have of 22 interest. 23

Any 24 questions from members of the Committee? 25 (No response.) 70 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

We thank you for your testimony.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Sir.

Good morning. My name is John Barry and I'd like to thank you for this opportunity to be here today. I'm born and bred Philadelphia, 46 years. I have utilized almost every aspect of the Parks and Recreation Department or the future Parks and Recreation Department - played ball on the fields, skated in the ice rinks, swam in the pools. I currently bike and run through the Kelly Drive and the Wissahickon. I've seen the City of Philadelphia at its best and at its worst, but yet everything that I've always done through those things even still today, riding a bike and running 71 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 through the trails, it still works for many, whether it's good or bad. Currently, I am a realtor and I have the privilege of showing people moving into the City of Philadelphia -- almost half my business is relocation -- showing them the best parts of the City. And I also serve as a Board of Director of the Washington Square West Civic Association and I am the liaison to the Police Commissioner for the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual communities. In those capacities, my main goal is to build communications between government, between either quasi-government, as in a civic association, or in the Police Department through their communities. So we build relationships in the sense of community that allows us to maintain and improve the City of Philadelphia, the place where we live. We need to find alternate sources for funding for this particular Commission. As a member of Washington 72 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 West Civic Association, we wanted new lights for the streets, and the City had no money. We raised $900,000 on our own. We went and knocked on doors, some Councilpeople's doors, but we went and knocked on doors and got that money and got those lights put up. That's what we're going to need to do for this Commission, and I'm not afraid to knock on doors at all. I've owned four businesses. Through my life I've owned four of my own businesses. I know what I need to do to get money. It's not easy, but that doesn't mean that it's hard. Most people think that because it's not easy, that it's hard, and it's just not the case. When I was nine years old, we were playing ball at a park in South Philly where I grew up, and the City did the worst thing to a ten-year-old that could ever happen. They decided to take that park and build a library there, which for a ten-year-old kid a library is 73 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 not a good thing. So they took our ball field. That was the concern. And after we moaned about that for about 5 minutes, we went two blocks away and 6 found a new vacant field, and that's what 7 we made our ball park at. 8 So there's something to be said 9 for the ingenuity of children. We need 10 to bring that to this and find other 11 ways. We need to go knock on the doors 12 of our private, public, institutional and 13 corporate partners and make them 14 partners. And it's as simple as sitting 15 down with a cup of coffee and saying, Give me a little money, we just need this much, we need this much to do this. And it starts like this, one little step at a time, and that's what I can do for this Committee. Thank you.

Thank you for your testimony. Good morning.

My name is Harvey 74 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Cantor. I want to thank the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs for allowing me as an applicant to the new Commission on Parks and Recreation to testify. I believe I'm qualified for the position on the Commission of Parks and Recreation. I retired in December 2007 from a 33-year professional career with the City of Philadelphia, initially as an auditor in the City Controller's Office and finally as an Accounting Manager in the Revenue Department. Moreover, I'm mostly proud of my over years as an 16 officer of the Friends of Pennypack Park. 17 Currently, I hold the title of 18 Vice-President. I also had the privilege 19 to serve as a member of the Fairmount 20 Park Commission Advisory Council. The Friends of Pennypack Park, with close to 2,000 members, has become a role model as a roll-up-your-sleeves volunteer organization as the custodian of a 1,600-acre urban woodland park. 75 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 However, the FOPP is just one group of many dedicated volunteers that give of their time in the parks and recreation centers throughout the City. We volunteers will look to the new Commission for guidance and an open arena to address the many problems that we face in our endeavors. I have been involved with such problems, issues and activities with the Friends of Pennypack Park and the Fairmount Park Advisory Council - natural land and watershed management issues, animal management issues, storm water issues, pollution problems within the Park and the Pennypack Creek, illegal dumping, bike and natural paths, and the promotion of the Park in the community, including the outreach in the schools. As a Park historian, I am dedicated to preserving the past. I was instrumental in obtaining improvements to our Park at the Holme's Crispin Cemetery within the Park, which is the resting 76 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 place of Thomas Holme, who was William Penn's planner of Philadelphia. While a member with the Fairmount Park Commission Advisory Council, I was involved with public safety issues in our parks. In these difficult economic times, the Commission must support and improve the promotion and investment in the City and Parks and Recreation system. Our major cities are doing much more to fund their parks and recreation facilities. There must be a more aggressive, long-term plan for funding. To achieve these goals, the Commission must be involved in dedicated funding sources, whether it's a portion of current assessed taxes or fees for things like street trees or a user tax on recreational and athletic activities for profit events. The City must earmark back to the Parks and Recreation monies collected from their activities to the Parks and Recreation budget and not to 77 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 the General Fund pool. There has to be an active and aggressive program to have corporate sponsorship of Parks and Recreation facilities. There should be a dedicated promotion of the Fairmount Park as a destination in such things as national publications. Special attention should be made to the historic mansions in Fairmount Park, which are an undervalued jewel in the system. That would include promoting historic sites, the Zoo, the Art Museum and the mansions and the river drives. Most importantly, the neighborhoods of this diverse City must have representation to improve and add recreation facilities in their neighborhoods. There must be an atmosphere of cooperation and a listening to the residents by the new Commission and not a feeling that the powers-to-be operate in a vacuum. I feel, as a resident and 78 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 active community volunteer of Northeast Philadelphia, I will fill a void on the Commission of Northeast Philadelphia representation that is currently lacking on the Fairmount Park Commission. I am committed to the welfare and success of the City of Philadelphia.

Good parks and recreation facilities are such a vital part of the life of this city. I hope you will allow me to serve on the Commission to apply my experience and commitment to help maintain and sustain green open space and facilities for the recreation and the relaxation of the citizens of Philadelphia and to those who visit our great city. Thank you very much.

Thank you all very, very much for your testimony. Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

We thank you, gentlemen. 79 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Sir, you're going to leave copies of your -- okay, then. If you have testimony, it would be helpful to us to get it prior to the start of your testimony. Richard Carfagno, Carlos Cartagena, Marc Caserio, Andre Celwyn, Joseph Certaine, Robert Chimchirian, Robert Clothier, Luther Collins, Peg Connor. Thank you. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Good morning, gentlemen. (Good morning.)

Welcome. Please provide us with your testimony. State your name for the record and then you may proceed.

Good morning. My name is Andrew Celwyn.

Good morning. My name is Carlos Cartagena.

Good morning. My 80 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 name is Luther Collins.

Very well. Okay, then. Please.

Good morning. I'd like to start by thanking the Committee for taking the time today to meet with the candidates, myself included. There are obviously a large number of people who are qualified to sit on the new Commission, and I don't envy you in the task of choosing which ones to send to the Mayor. When my wife and I decided to move to East Falls, we did so to be just a few blocks from Schuylkill River and the pass on Kelly and Martin Luther King Drives. Aside from the occasional flooding, it's been a great choice for us. Whether walking our dogs, going for a run or taking a leisurely walk, we have thoroughly enjoyed our mix of city and park living. I'm very thankful for the life that we have in East Falls and I've tried 81 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 to give back to my community in several ways. I coordinated a petition to have my street institute permit parking and alleviate some of our parking woes. My wife and I applied for a grant to erect bat houses and put up one on our street and one on an adjoining street. With any luck, the bats will start nesting this spring and help reduce the mosquitos in the area. Finally, this past year I volunteered for the Obama campaign and was Precinct Captain during the primary for East Falls, Roxborough and Manayunk. Through all of these experiences, I've developed stronger relations with both my neighbors and my community. It would be a pleasure to take the experiences I've had with my neighbors in East Falls and build on them by working with the Commission on Parks and Recreation. In addition to my work within the community, I also have 20 years of experience working as a manager 82 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 for both large corporations and small businesses. In this time of tightening budgets, we need people on the Commission who have both the desire to protect and develop parks and recreation, as well as the ability to analyze budgets and promote growth with the private sector. It is this mix of skills that would be my foundation and contributions to the Commission. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you very much. Councilman Jones.

Thank you for choosing East Falls, and we're going to try to work on the flooding conditions there, but bear with us.

Thank you.

Good morning, Councilwoman and Madam Chair Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilman Vice-Chair Curtis Jones, Jr., members of the 83 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Committee, Councilman Darrell L. Clarke, Councilman Frank DiCicco and Councilwoman Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez. First and foremost, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to testify before you in order to be considered as a participant on the Philadelphia Commission on Parks and Recreation. I am testifying today on my interest and qualifications for requesting the Committee to consider me as a candidate to participate on the Commission on Parks and Recreation. I was born and raised in Philadelphia and have been a Philadelphia resident most of my life. I currently reside in the Rhawnhurst section of Northeast Philadelphia with my wife and two-year-old daughter. My interest in the Commission on Parks and Recreation is to be in a position of leadership in which I could contribute to the improvement of the 84 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 quality of life for Philadelphia and its residents. Through my experience in community building and community work, I believe that I will bring a fresh community perspective to the Commission -- or I would, rather. As a member, I would pledge to commit to supporting families and communities with the creation of new innovations and ideas. I will also support initiatives that help to identify more green space through green job initiatives, thus bringing jobs to the community and its members. I currently work as a manager of community initiatives for a non-profit organization in Philadelphia. I have worked with the Philadelphia community in different capacities in the last nine years. Through my experience in community building and community work -- I'm sorry. Through my career as a social worker and community participant, I have been privileged to have represented 85 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 families, youth, as well as community groups. I have worked for some very outstanding organizations in Philadelphia in the non-profit sector. I've also provided direct services, managed youth programs and organized community groups in Philadelphia. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Temple University. I am currently in my last semester obtaining my Master's in Social Work, concentration in community and policy, specializing in health and mental health. I'm practicing policy at Pennsylvania's 179th Legislative District out of the office of State Representative Tony Payton, Jr. I believe that the creation of new ideas and innovations involving community participation can eventually help families and youth enjoy our City's parks and recreation facilities even more. I believe that populations such as youth and families, the elderly, as well as all Philadelphia residents should 86 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 enjoy quality recreation and leisure time in their own neighborhood parks. Improving quality leisure time and activities in communities that involve its community residents can contribute to the improvement of the quality of life as a whole for our families and residents in Philadelphia. Because of my interests, qualifications and beliefs, which I previously mentioned, I would like to be considered to participate in the Philadelphia Commission on Parks and Recreations. Thank you very much.

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Thank you. Councilman Jones.

I just want to thank you for what you do out in Papa and working with young people there, and thank you for every year stepping up for 87 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 free to work with those young people. On opening days, their faces have lit up and the amount of parent participation is impressive, and I just want to on the record say thank you.

Thank you, Councilman, for your support, and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, who has always been a supporter of us there, and Councilman Clarke for starting this, and then Councilman Jones and Sanchez for what I have been at several recreation meetings with. My name is -- good morning. My name is Luther Collins, and for over the past ten years, I have been a parks and recreation community organizer, volunteer coach for youth sports, and mentor and parks stewardship program. I think this is just a great thing here this morning to all the volunteers, the 250 people who come out. I represent three groups, and, that is, the Morris Park Restoration Group, that 88 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 is also the Arroyo Gardens Association and Papa Playground. So we bring together three groups to the table to sit on 300 acres on the western end of the Park bound by the City line. If I had to say there was one event that was most important to me, I could not. Every project has been to us most important. But there is one project that I don't know that everyone is aware in the City that happens every fall and it happens at different locations. Papa happened to be the recipient and Morris Park in 2003, and it's the Falling for Your Park event. This is an event which I've been involved in with planning that event at our location, at Papa Recreation Center and Morris Park, and in the Overbrook -- in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia, also along with Philadelphia Green's Park Revitalization. This is a most important event because in spite of departmental barriers, this yearly event brings 89 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 together volunteer groups from all over the City and coordinated efforts of many City agencies and private companies. I know that the newly formed Parks and Recreation Commission is an outgrowth of this event. You have the Recreation Department, Fairmount Park works together, Philadelphia Water Department, Streets Department, Fire and Police and Philadelphia Greens together with one common goal, and, that is, to improve Recreation sites and Park areas. Yes, the Mayor and City Councilpersons do come out and work with us in those events. I would like to leave you with this thought. And we just painted for our MLK 2009 365-Day of Volunteer Service a mural, which we will unveil when the Councilman comes out and throws out the first ball this baseball season, and on the banner on the top, it reads "Outreach and Civic Pride Will Start With the Newly Formed Commission." And I just have to say, we all went through elementary 90 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 school. I think it's one thing that we all share, and, that is, civic pride. Thank you very much.

Thank you very, very much, gentlemen. Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

I would like to acknowledge our colleague Councilman Bill Greenlee who has stopped down, which clearly indicates and is evidence of his interest in the process and the candidates. Councilman Clarke.

That's okay, Madam Chair. I already had my three minutes.

Well, the good news is, we're ahead of time and you're absolutely welcome to three more minutes.

No. That's okay. 91 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Thank you, gentlemen. Now, if you hear me repeat names, I'm backing just to make sure I capture everyone, although I will be circling back at the very back end of this for any persons whose schedule did not permit them to be here when their names were called. Next up, Robert Clothier, Peg Connor, Scott Collins, Nehemiah Davis, Andrew Denison. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Again, if you have written testimony, we would welcome it prior to your testimony. I'm a note-taker and I would rather put it on your testimony. Okay. We're going to start from, according to my list, Ms. Peg Connor.

Yes.

So welcome 92 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 to all of you, and if you could please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Good morning. My name is Peg Connor, and thank you for the opportunity to allow me to testify at this public hearing. Open and transparent processes are crucial building blocks in further strengthening the public trust in City government, and I appreciate it. Simply put, my career in sports marketing is a direct result of my participation in a parks and rec tennis program at age 10. My sisters and I would grab our rackets and walk up to the tennis courts every day during the summertime, and it didn't take long before I was hooked. My love for the sport of tennis led me to become a competitive player, a certified teaching professional, a collegiate coach and instructor, a professional sporting event manager and finally to my current 93 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 position as a Director of Sports Marketing Logistics at Prince Sports, a leader in the tennis equipment industry. I've seen firsthand the power of Park stewardship and community leadership through my involvement with Friends of Schuylkill River Park, a 501(c)(3) organization. I currently serve as President of the Board, with oversight of directors and a 12 membership list of over 400 people. 13 Through memberships, donation and grants, 14 our organization raises an average of $25,000 on an annual basis to support the Park and its programs. The boundaries of the Park encompass Markward Playground, a "Best of Philly" Dog Run, basketball and tennis courts, a baseball, softball and soccer field, a CCRA community garden and ample green space lined with winding pathways, benches and trees that attract many diverse users from all parts of the City. Major initiatives spearheaded 94 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 by Friends of Schuylkill River Park over the past five years include development of a Master Plan to prioritize allocation of funds, a capital fundraising campaign for purchase and installation of new playground equipment, creation of an informational website that also solicits memberships and donations, maintenance and enhancement of the tree canopy, and a fall festival that attracts several thousand people and raises significant funds for our organization. In addition, I also serve on the Boards of several other community organizations such as the Schuylkill River Park Alliance, the Philadelphia School Neighbors Committee and the Markward Playground Advisory Board. The experience gained over my 20-plus-year career in sports marketing has given me a broad perspective on the business side of sports, from amateur to professional sports, participation to spectator sports and everything in 95 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 between. The current fiscal crisis that is facing us simply provides motivation to dig in and create solutions to drive revenue, a necessary mindset in this day and age. My ability to see the big picture, find common ground and build consensus among groups with competing agendas has evolved significantly as a result of my community leadership activities. Schuylkill River Park encompasses both Fairmount Park and the Department of Recreation in one location, giving me unique insights into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as these two departments are combined. Bottom line, my husband and I decided to make our home in Philadelphia after graduate school at Temple University in large part because of Schuylkill River Park. My career is a direct result of participation in a 96 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 recreation program when I was a child. The power of the Parks and Recreation programs to shape lives is undeniable, and I am living proof and a powerful advocate as a result. I feel I have the skill set, the passion and the enthusiasm to contribute in a significant manner. It is time to pay it forward, and I hope you grant me the opportunity. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of my application and I'll look forward to next steps.

Thank you. Good morning.

Good morning.

Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Nehemiah Davis. Good morning, Council. I want to thank you guys for the opportunity to serve. I'm Nehemiah Davis, a 21-year-old student, entrepreneur and community activist. I'm the President and CEO of 97 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Indent Worldwide Group, LLC and the Chairman of a forming non-profit foundation, the Nehemiah Davis Foundation. Presently, I believe our youth -- presently, I am trying to serve on the Youth Commission, and I strongly believe our youth is the future. I'm an advocate for youth. Presently, I work with Veronica Joyner in a homeless school project, which we feed less fortunate Thursdays as well as Mondays. With my foundation as to date, we gave 15 families Thanksgiving dinner. For Christmas we provided toys for over 250 children. And for the future, we're also giving an Easter egg hunt, as well as a clothing drive and canned good drive for the whole -- the entire West Philadelphia community. These activities are relevant in my participation to serve on the Commission of Parks and Recreations. I strongly believe that our youth believe 98 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 that -- I strongly believe that our youth participates in parks and recreation daily and is a vital source for Philadelphia. I'm proactive, ambitious and driven for change, and these characteristics will make a great candidate to serve on the Commission of Parks and Recreations. Thank you.

Thank you. Please.

Good morning. My name is Robert Clothier. I'm honored to be here today before you all. I know your time is precious and I won't repeat what I said in my application. What I would like to say is this: Having lived almost all of my life in the Philadelphia area, I am bullish on this city and believe that an even better future lies before it. I want to be able to help shape that future any way I can. Given my interests and experiences, I 99 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 believe that I could make a real contribution to the work of the Commission and thereby serve the City and all of its citizens. While our parks and recreational facilities reflect the good service of so many over the years, all can agree that there is ample opportunity to do better, so long as we all pitch in and pull together. Our City government is not and, given the current economic climate, cannot be solely responsible for our parks and facilities. Everyone is responsible. And I believe we need the active effort of everyday citizens, civic organizations, foundations and businesses. If everyone takes ownership, great things will happen. The Commission on Parks and Recreation must play a fundamental role in bringing these wide-ranging human and capital resources together and working productively towards a common goal of making our parks and recreation areas 100 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 strong and sustainable. Since you may not have my application in front of you, I'll just add just a couple of comments about my experiences and whatnot. I'm a First Amendment attorney and a partner at a large Philadelphia law firm. I do quite a bit of marketing and PR for myself and my firm. I know that's one of the qualifications you're looking for. I've served on numerous non-profit Boards, whether it's school, art organizations and civic organizations, including the Chestnut Hill Station Train Committee. I live in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. I know how Boards operate and I know what works and what doesn't from these experiences, and I think that's a very important skill to a newly formed Commission that's going to have to create a way of doing its work. 101 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 I use the parks and recreation facilities. I coach my daughter's indoor soccer team. I've seen all the rec facilities around the City, gotten to know my way around the City. I bike and hike in the Wissahickon. I bike to work increasingly going down Valley Green and Kelly Drive. I actually biked this morning. And I'm concerned about our environment and about the preservation of our parks. If given this opportunity, I promise you and the City and its residents the following: Energy and hard work, solid judgment, creative and visionary thinking, a long-term approach, the ability to make difficult decisions, persistence and focus in achieving goals, respect for different opinions and perspectives, a consensus-building style, and last, but not least, good humor. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.

Well, we 102 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 thank all of you for your testimony. Comments, questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Thank you all very much.

Thank you.

Scott Cummings, Andrew Denison, Danielle Denk, Charles Dilks, Joanne Denworth. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Any one of you are welcome to take the remaining open seat. Good morning to all. And we'll proceed with your testimony, sir.

My name is Andy Denison. First off, members of Council, thank you for the opportunity to present my credentials for your consideration for a position on the Commission on Parks and Recreation. I think it's wonderful that you are recognizing the value of citizen 103 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 input into guiding this new department. An effective Commission on Parks and Recreation should act as a supportive and collaborative partner for the people in City government who will manage our parks and recreation centers in a fair and fiscally responsible way. Having lived in Philadelphia for more than years, I do have a broad 11 understanding of the diverse offerings 12 now contained in the new Parks and 13 Recreation Department. I've been 14 involved in sports teams that played on 15 the Recreation Department's fields and 16 gyms all across the City. My children 17 have benefited from the programs offered 18 in the recreation centers and other 19 facilities as they grew up in the City. 20 I've ridden the rugged trails on my 21 bicycle, hiked the serpentine paths and 22 taken advantage of the glorious historic 23 and cultural facilities with family and 24 friends. 25 I also know some of the 104 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 dedicated people in the Recreation Department and in the Fairmount Park Commission who have worked selflessly to make this system work at its best. I know they take their jobs seriously, and so should we. In these challenging times, it's more important than ever that the mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is clearly understood by the diverse communities served by the Parks and Recreation Department. My experience in business as a marketing and communications executive for one of the largest advertising agencies in Philadelphia -- our offices are just across the street from Philadelphia City Hall -- has given me unique capabilities that will serve me well in collaborating with others to promote the new role of the Parks and Recreation Department and any new programs that they would have. As an experienced member of the 105 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 news media, more than eight years at KYW-TV, I have a good understanding of the role and responsibilities of government and the dynamics that exist in the public arena. I am familiar with how public policy is shaped and respect the public servants, including members of this Committee, who devote their lives to making our communities better. I understand the need for sound fiscal management and strong political leadership to maintain a public treasure like Fairmount Park and get the most out of precious community-based playgrounds and recreation facilities. I'd also like to say that I'm a long-time Board member of the Fairmount Sports Association. We're involved in youth baseball and basketball programs and have for more than 30 years. Thousands of children have been able to get their first taste of competition on the hardwood or the baseball diamond by participating in our programs. And many 106 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 of those children who played in the league have stayed involved as coaches, referees and umpires. Even though my children have outgrown the league, I have continued as a league Commissioner and volunteer umpire and referee, because I love doing it and I understand the value it provides to our community. If I were honored with an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission, my experience in business and in my community will give me the tools to help see that our parks and recreation facilities enter a new area of relevance for our city. I've spent all my years in Philadelphia making good calls, whether it's in business, directing news coverage for KYW or as a volunteer umpire at a youth baseball championship game, although some may question some of my calls at home plate. Now, more than ever, this guidance is critical to seeing the resources contained within the Parks 107 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES.

090057 and Recreation Department survive and thrive for all to enjoy. In these uncertain times, the challenges will be many, but the opportunity will be great to make the Parks and Recreation Department the envy of every other city in the world and the pride of every citizen of Philadelphia. I do hope you choose the best to help guide this new department, and I hope you choose to give me that chance. Thank you very much.

Thank you for your testimony. Councilman Clarke.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Denison, I just want to say that I'd also like to thank you for your work with the Fairmount Sports Association, a great association, and I have been practicing over the winter and I guarantee when I throw the first pitch, it will make it to the plate this year. 108 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

If I'm behind the plate, I'll be sure to make it a strike.

All right. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good morning.

Good morning. My name is Danielle Denk. Thank you, Council, for the opportunity to speak today. I would like to present to you three reasons why I should be considered on the Commission of Parks and Recreation. One is my professional credentials as a landscape architect and as an architect. Two is my use of Fairmount Park. I am frequently in the park, and it is my passion. Three is my ability to think outside the box and strategic visioning for the City with regards to sustainability. One, I am both a landscape architect and an architect. I have a Master's Degree from Penn in Landscape 109 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Architecture and a Professional Degree in Architecture as well. I received numerous international design awards, and in particular, I was fortunate to work with Alan Greenberger on the Master Plan for the Centennial District and the Vision Plan for the WaterWorks Gardens. During these designs, I was doing historic research and came to find immense inspiration from the Park, from the history of how the Park started, how it was set aside as a special place for clean water for the City, and it was these inspirations that led me to not just love using the Park, but love the ideas behind the Park, and I think that with that, we can bring forward a new way of thinking about our resource in a new light. With my skills as a designer, I understand the technical aspects of grading for sports fields and the safety requirements for play equipment. I understand the requirements of restoring 110 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 riverbanks and the need for clearly marked trails, from the planning of new green spaces to the detailing of new guardrails. I can assist the Commission with my design expertise. Two, personally I'm an avid Park user. In all weather my family is often found hiking the trails in the Wissahickon. In snowy weather my family is found sledding down the Belmont Plateau. In summer we frequent the Kelly Pool. There really hasn't been a week of my life in Philadelphia without an experience of Fairmount Park or the Rec Department, for that matter. That one can encounter sublime nature in the City is remarkable. My daily life in University City revolves around Clark Park, be it the tot lot, the bowl, the farmers market. Clark Park is a truly successful neighborhood park, but it wasn't always. I had been around to assist and witness its transformation. Recently our family 111 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 has begun to frequent Kingsessing Park, and I look forward to a day when West Philly can claim that as another jewel in its neighborhood. We basically grew roots here in Philadelphia because of the Wissahickon, and we thrive here because of the neighborhood parks. Three, I believe that Fairmount Park has the potential to reclaim its status as one of the nation's greatest urban parks. It contains the historic and natural fabric necessary to weave an experience for visitors of centennial history, of sustainable planning, of visionary design and of sublime nature. I foresee a time when again people will travel the world over to Philadelphia, not just to see the Liberty Bell but to see Fairmount Park. It's the emerald jewel on the City's historic necklace, and the potential of our wonderful Park is unlimited. The current state of our Park is a sad result of neglectful funding and 112 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 limited confidence, but I believe we stand poised to shift that perspective back towards grandeur and can celebrate the civic resource by learning from it. I speak of the foresight of sustainable planning that brought about the large tract of land to be set aside for the citizens of the City, to hold strategic acreage safe from development so that our city could benefit from clean drinking water. It is this vision that allowed for our healthy Victorian City of Philadelphia to thrive giving us this great space here. Fairmount Park gave us this historic city and it again can give us the great green city.

Mayor Nutter believes that Philadelphia can be the next great green city, and it is Fairmount Park who can deliver on that dream. As a member of the Commission, I would promote this dream by challenging short-term fixes. I will call for visionary thinking about the entire city and use the Park as a 113 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 vehicle for sustainable change. I imagine a new crew of green-collar jobs set to improving the infrastructure of our city by improving the Park. Specifically, there are large pools of federal money available for infrastructural improvement, and I would propose projects classified as such to gain access to these federal dollars. Infrastructural improvement does not begin and end with highways. It must include recreation. Like the WPA that constructed many of the bridges in West Park, the current economic crisis calls for a reemployed population. " Charged with the creation of the next great green city, Philadelphia needs someone on the Commission who knows how to merge good design with sustainability. Philadelphia needs someone on the Park -- on the Commission -- I'm sorry. Philadelphia 114 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 needs someone who uses the Park on the Commission, and Philadelphia needs someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about the rich history who is inspired by this history to move that thinking forward. Philadelphia needs someone on the Commission who understands a challenge of reducing global climate change, someone who is excited by that challenge of supporting this mission and knows that Fairmount Park will inevitably be the lynchpin in any truly sustainable city. Thank you for the opportunity to present my case to you. I look forward to a time when I can turn my passion for the Park into action by joining the Commission.

You just made it. Thank you for your testimony.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. Good morning. 115 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Good morning. My name is Charles Dilks. I'm a life-long resident of the City of Philadelphia and I appreciate the opportunity to present my credentials here today and to serve, if possible, on the Commission. I wanted to present myself in two ways. One is a volunteer and activist for the environment, and two is a professional person that has been involved in economic development in West Philadelphia at the Science Center where, Blondell, I know you know what we've been doing out there. So, first, in my environmental volunteer activities, I will mention some, but I want to also say that all cases, I've been on the Board of Directors of these organizations. In almost every case, been an officer and often President or Chairman. So I've done more than just serve. I've actually taken the leadership responsibilities. One of my more recent 116 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 activities have been with the Friends of the Wissahickon where I was President. That organization when I got involved had a budget of about $40,000 a year, no 6 staff. It currently has a budget of about $400,000 now, staff of three and a half people, and is in the midst of doing a major trails renovation project in the Wissahickon and is in the process of raising $1 million towards that effort, as well as put in in volunteers to do a lot of the work themselves. Also, I've been very involved with Valley Green Inn, as you may know, and is a good example of public-private partnership where the Friends are actually the tenant and have leased it/subleased back to an operator, and the funds that result from that go towards the improvement of Valley Green Inn and some of the nearby improvements. I'm also very active in the Natural Lands Trust. I was Vice-Chair there for almost 20 years. It's the 117 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 largest easement and open space organization in the region. We have raised an endowment of nearly $50 million there over the years to acquire, preserve and to manage open lands, and I was Chairman there of the Acquisitions Committee, making many of the decisions as to the properties we should select. Many of them, some of which are in the City of Philadelphia, and many are in the three state region. I was also Chairman of the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, or the Schuylkill Center now. And that organization, as you may know, has a large tract of land that is used by the children primarily of the City to go and get environmental education opportunities. Besides actually maintaining that property, they've also put together programs to bring environmental education programs to schools by either eco vans or training materials that teachers are made 118 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 available to them over the summer so they can get their environmental education curriculum in order. I am currently Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, a statewide environmental advocacy group, and, in fact, I was supposed to be at a Board meeting of theirs today, but I am here with you instead. But that organization, as you know, has offices around five parts of the state, has a large staff and has been very active in all kinds of advocacy issues regarding the environment in this area, both at the state and the city levels. I might also say that I was a Board member of the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, and I know the people, some are here today, and I enjoyed that work as well. I have letters of support, by the way, from the Friends of the Wissahickon and Natural Lands Trust, Pennsylvania Environmental Council as 119 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 well and the Schuylkill Center. The last and second part I wanted to mention is that I was involved for 35 years with the development of the Science Center in West Philadelphia. It's a two million square foot development primarily set up to grow young technology businesses that spin off the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel.

That project involved complicated public-private partnerships, involves very sophisticated real estate transactions, and I think that that kind of experience also would be valuable as you think about the Park and some of its financial issues and some of the transactions that will come before the Commission. So I present myself in two ways, then. One is an environmental advocate and a leader in that field as a volunteer, and two as a professional that has been involved in economic development issues for the benefit of the City of 120 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Philadelphia. Thank you.

Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)

Thank you all very, very much for your testimony. Scott Cummings, Joanne Denworth, Paul DiLorenzo, James diMartino, Maureen DiStefano. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Good morning. Thank you all for your presence. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Good morning. Scott Cummings. MR. DiLORENZO: Paul DiLorenzo.

Joanne Denworth.

Thank you. Okay, Mr. Cummings.

Good morning, 121 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Madam Chair, members of the Council. I'll take a moment to thank you and realize how important this Committee is of you folks being here in the midst of a crucial budget meeting tomorrow. So I think to acknowledge that, it means much more to me knowing how important it is for you to be here and how much more this Commission is being looked upon by City Council. I think it's very important to make mention. One of the reasons I'm applying for this position is, 2002 I was asked to rejuvenate a civic association in Northeast Philadelphia; namely, Mayfair Civic Association. It had been defunct for about seven years. I was assigned that from the local CDC, and I'm happy to report that we have about 2,000 members in the civic association, and basically it was done by hard work and encouraging people to volunteer. Since I've been President over the last seven years, we've taken on a 122 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 lot of civic issues in the neighborhood, a lot of problems, a lot of constituent services. I since have taken on to become President of the 15th Police District Advisory Council, which we work closely with the Police Department in the community handling some of the crime issues with the Captain. I'm on the Board of the Holy Terrors Youth Organization, which has about 1,800 families, and I've been a coach there for the last 11 years coaching three teams per season. I'm also an advisor to the Northeast Peanut League, one of the Northeast's premier organizations, has about 500 teams, soccer, basketball, baseball. So I've been locally involved in advising that group. I'm also on the Board of the Mayfair Town Watch, and I'm the proud coach of City of Philadelphia Tarken Recreation Center, which is also named to be a member of the Advisory Council. I have a Bachelor's Degree from 123 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Mansfield University in Criminal Justice. Some of my previous positions, one here in the City of Philadelphia, was Chief of the Bench Warrant Unit for Family Court, Court of Common Pleas responsible for all the dead-beat parents, support domestic warrants. So I've learned a lot about some of the children here in the City of Philadelphia and some of the cards that they've been dealt with. I've also served as a Director of Security for former Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger. Got a chance to leave my Philadelphia roots for a short time and travel the world, Africa, Japan and China, and got a chance to see what some of the other world is about. I'm sitting here as living proof that the Department of Recreation works. I had an option as a teenager, as a young youth in order to go to the dark side where you had the graffiti, the drug use, the alcohol with some of the teens. As I see it now with my children, they 124 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 have a choice to either play sports or to go to the dark side, and thanks to the Department of Recreation and some of the leaders back then, they had led me to the right way, to play sports, where I was athlete in three or four different sports. So the Department of Recreation does work. That's why I feel a need to become more active with the Department of Recreation and the Parks Commission. I sit here today as a father of three and soon to be four children that I've brought up and raised in Philadelphia. Part of the problem is, is people don't realize how important the youth is. Part of society's problem today is the time that we did not spend with our youth, and it's very, very adamant now with the crime rate in Philadelphia. I think if people decide to spend more time with youth, volunteer their time, spend some time in the guidance to these youth, I think you have a better shot of making a nice 125 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 five-year-old a nice 15-year-old and then finally a nice 25-year-old and one of our neighbors. I think one of the things I'm good at is cultivating volunteers.

If I'm in a civic meeting and I have somebody throwing grenades -- and I'm sure being a member of Council you have been to those meetings -- I try to cultivate them and work them into volunteers and teach them how to join and make them a part of our group and make them a part of our decision-making. I've been very active in fundraising, and I believe that there's a lot of corporate sponsors sitting out there just waiting for us to knock on the door. Score boards, vending machines, there's lots of opportunities. Sponsoring bricks at the local recreation centers is other way of raising funds. Partially there is how many thousands, maybe even millions of trees in Fairmount Park? Sponsoring A Tree 126 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 program would be nice to walk our kids through one day and say, I sponsored that tree, I helped the Department of Recreation, I helped the Department of Parks and Recreation with that. One of the most important things right now that we're doing up in Mayfair is, we have a defunct playground. We're rebuilding that. We're doing it not by City money. We're selling bricks, we're selling benches, we're selling trees to rebuild that playground. I'll be happy to report back later how we're doing. We just got the assignment recently. " And I believe that if you can guide these children with more time in the sports -- and I'd also like to ask the judges in the City of Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas to 127 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 allow community service to be dedicated to this Board under their direction to allow them to clean the parks, to become part ownership, to sweep and guide the Recreation Departments. There's not enough volunteers out there. The budget situation is, it's crunch time. We need volunteers. The local groups have to step up. And I believe I'll be out there knocking on doors and getting people to volunteer for this organization. And I thank you for your time, Councilwoman, Councilman.

Thank you very, very much for your testimony. Please. MR. DiLORENZO: Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to address the Committee regarding my application to serve on the Commission of Parks and Recreation. In my written application I noted that I have over 30 years of public service experience at the local, state and national levels. I 128 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 worked in the state and local government here in the City of Philadelphia. I have been a consultant to government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations. I serve on a number of both state, national and local boards and currently I serve as a Senior Director at Casey Family Programs, a national operating foundation based in Seattle. More importantly, though, I have been and continue to be a life-long user of the recreation programs, parks and libraries in the City. As a kid growing up in Overbrook, I played summer league basketball and I was a frequent user of the City's libraries. At least a few times a month now, I still go running or biking in Valley Green and the river trail areas.

Pause button. We need to hear your name for the record. We have your testimony, but our recorder needs to know that as well. MR. DiLORENZO: My name is Paul 129 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 DiLorenzo.

Okay. MR. DiLORENZO: My first date with my wife was at Belmont Plateau and the Mann Music Center. So the well-being and survival of the parks and recreation centers is a personal issue for me. I understand that the City of Philadelphia is at a crossroads with its parks and recreation, but I think that there are both challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Let me offer a few quick thoughts. " I believe that this provides us with some wonderful guidance about how to manage the City's resources. Our parks and recreation centers should reflect our appreciation for beauty and practicality. The reality is that people come from all over the region to utilize the City parks because 130 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 they are unparalleled in size and the richness of the species. But the parks need to be more than that. We should view them as resources that must be nurtured, protected and managed within our means. The parks and recreation centers are not just for fun. They are wonderful sources for learning, and they are opportunities for us to demonstrate responsible stewardship. World-class cities understand that parks and recreation centers can attract people from all over and make them part of something that's greater than themselves. Caring for the parks and recreation centers is a social contract between the citizens of the City and their government. I believe the Commission will embody that social contract. Here are a few specific recommendations that I might offer as a Commission member: With input from the City's residents, right size the City's 131 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 recreation center and the public park areas. Where it no longer makes sense to maintain a center, be willing to make the hard decisions to focus the resources on a smaller number that will offer greater quality. Further decentralize the responsibility and participation for the recreation centers and parks so that locals can have a greater say and a hand in managing the resources. Reduce the role of City government from the rowing to the steering of resources. With more local control, the City's responsibility might shift to providing dollars and other resources, setting benchmarks for success and technical assistance. There are community groups and non-profit organizations that would be willing to step forward to manage the work if they were given the adequate resources. This might be done through a formal proposal and bid process. In return, the City 132 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 should establish and emphasize clear guidelines for successful operations of the centers. The City will need to provide technical assistance to these organizations and will require day-to-day management of selected parks and recreations. Find new ways to connect non-profits and businesses to the recreation centers and parks. This could include the use of the centers and the parks as public service outlets for children and families, as well as opportunities for corporate sponsorships of sporting events. I agree with the idea of having the courts have kids do volunteer and community service work there. Create links between the parks and recreation centers to the City at all levels. Parks and recreation centers represent creative ways to engage families and newcomers to the City, as well as those people in need of 133 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 additional support; for example, senior citizens, young people at risk for delinquent behavior and citizens looking for volunteer activity. But there might be other opportunities as well, including things like summer internships. Finally, a media campaign is needed to highlight the value of the parks and the recreation centers, including the history of great sports figures that played in the City's recreation centers or the miles of hiking and biking trails within the City limits. Thanks for your attention today. I do appreciate the opportunity to share a few of my ideas. I welcome any questions you might have.

Thank you. Proceed. Good morning.

Good morning. I'm Joanne Denworth. Madam Chair, Councilman Clarke, I'm very pleased to be here to have an opportunity to talk to you about my application to be a member 134 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 of the new Commission on Parks and Recreation in the City of Philadelphia. I have to say, I'm somewhat daunted by the number of applicants competing for these positions, but I really take that as a very positive sign that so many Philadelphians see the importance of parks and recreation facilities and libraries too to the health and life of the City and that even in these tough economic times want to embrace and be part of the new vision and commitment to parks and recreation that Mayor Nutter, City Council and the voters have made. Also, with Mike DiBerardinis as Commissioner, whom I've seen do great work in Harrisburg and around the state, I see a really flourishing future. It may take some years, but for the park and recreation system. I believe I am a strong candidate for the Commission because I have deep background and expertise on the 135 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 issues the Commission will likely address and a great deal of experience in leadership positions working collaboratively with others to develop sound policies and programs at the local, regional and state levels. I have been President of two statewide organizations where vision, collaboration with public and private organizations, fundraising, marketing, public relations and fiscal management were essential to success. I've lived in Philadelphia since the '60s when I came here to go to Penn Law School, met my husband Ray and never left. We became urban pioneers in the early days of Society Hill, renovated an old shell into a great house, where I still live, and brought up our twins in the City. As a family, we made huge use of Fairmount Park, biked out there on Sundays for picnics, walked the Wissahickon, hiked on many parts of the park, played tennis, and believed in the parks, but saw the state they were in and 136 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 the need for a lot of work and money and time that many have spent, but still needs more. And I'm so glad to see the kind of commitment that the Mayor and City Council have made, even though I know exactly what the difficult challenges are of doing this fiscally. As a young lawyer while practicing with two large firms, I really got involved in civic issues in the neighborhood, posing the crosstown, getting involved with promoting affordable housing in crosstown neighborhoods, and I even did some private development restoring historic or old buildings for new uses. I was appointed by Governor Shapp to the Environmental Hearing Board in the mid '70s, I guess it was, and in that job, which really changed my career course, I decided environmental cases on all kinds of issues from all over the state, and it really led to my focusing and have focused in my career ever since 137 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 on environment, community development and land use, as well as the related issues of transportation, housing, water, resource management, open space, including recreation and parks. The two organizations -- I should say I'm a lawyer. I graduated from Penn Law School. I did work as a lawyer at Ballard Spahr and then Drinker, Biddle and Reath. I began running the Pennsylvania Environmental Council as President back in the mid '80s and worked there for 12 years, and we did a number of things. A lot of it is in my resume and in the submissions that I made and the essays, so I'm not going to go over all of that, but there are a few things I would highlight. I think we were the first to have the green city platform as a mayoral platform for the 1992 -- I guess it was when Governor Rendell was first running -- mayoral race. We developed the Green Space Alliance, which is still 138 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 going as a regional network of organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the five counties.

Thirty seconds.

Thirty seconds, whoa. Okay. Well, let me skip to what I think we need to do, and I must say, I agree with some of the suggestions that have been made this morning and with some of the things that these gentlemen have said. But I would very much like to bring my experience to bear on the challenge to the new Parks and Recreation Commission, the financial challenges certainly. I do believe that there is such enthusiasm for the parks and the new vision for the river parks that might expand the green network that Mayor Nutter and I think many City Council members are leading. And I think we can do this, but we're going to have to think 139 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 about it very carefully, make careful choices, explore all the financial options that there are that parks have used in all parts of the nation and the world. And I'm quite familiar with the New York park system where a lot of private fundraising of various kinds, including some of the kinds of fundraising suggested by these gentlemen, have been very successful. So some combination of public and private, volunteers, of hard work I think can really help to make our park system and recreation system central. I guess most important to me is the role a vibrant, healthy, park and recreation system can play in helping all the children from wherever background, neighborhood or income level they come become great adults who contribute to their families and their communities. Education and freedom from crime are first priorities for many of our children, but a free park and recreation 140 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 system where children and teens can enjoy sports and discover the wonders of nature and libraries where they can learn and discover the world will nourish the development of our children, who are the future of our city and our country. I believe that I have a very strong background in collaboration, consensus building and decisive action based on consensus, and I would very much welcome the opportunity to serve on the new Commission on Parks and Recreation and Libraries. Thank you so much.

You're welcome. We thank you all for your testimony very much.

I do have two letters.

We would welcome them as part of your packet. James diMartino, Maureen DiStefano, Edward Drayton, Virginia 141 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Duerr, G. Barry Esslinger. Prepare for the next round of testifiers. Leslianna Federici, Vincent Fenerty, Johannah Fine, if you can move closer to the witness table. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Good morning. Thank you for your patience and indulgence. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Good morning. My name is Ginny Duerr.

Did you have testimony?

Yes. I handed it to the gentleman. Thank you.

Okay.

Good morning. My name is Edward Drayton. MS. DiSTEFANO: Good morning. My name is Maureen DiStefano.

Okay, 142 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Ms. Duerr. Proceed.

I will, yes. My name is Ginny Duerr. Good morning and thank you for accepting my application to become a member of the Commission on Parks and Recreation. Without fail, every garden client I've ever had over the years has asked me for more color, and my answer is always the same: Green is a color, too. I would be honored to advocate for the greenest and I think largest park in America. I firmly believe that all things have their season. Spring is here literally and figuratively, as this panel dusts off an idea born in March of 1867 and opens the doors to the future. Politically, we are in a season of reawakening as new local and national leaders re-envision our green future. Seasons exist for individuals, too, and I believe this is my season of service to a place and a cause that I 143 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 love, the crown jewel of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park. For over 30 years, I have been building my resume as a business owner, a marketer, an investor, a designer, a horticulturist and as a community activist to be ready to serve this Commission with passion for the land, proven leadership skills, creative vision and solid ideas for the future. I think it could be argued that during the most challenging moments people with ideas and a willingness to work together and give of themselves cannot only meet but rise above and succeed brilliantly. We are at such a moment. And I am ready with energy, new ideas and a desire to serve. Thank you for taking my testimony.

Thank you for your testimony. Please, sir.

Good morning. 144 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Make the mike comfortable for you. So bring it closer --

Actually, would it be okay if I stood up?

Whatever is comfortable for you.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

Sure. State your name for the record.

Edward Drayton. Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Edward Drayton. I am applying for the position on the Board of Parks and Recreations. Before I begin, I'd just like to take a brief moment to thank God for putting me in a situation just to be up here to be able to speak to you guys. So I wanted to thank him first. I'd like to start by saying that I'm a father, I'm a husband, I'm a mentor, I'm a friend and I'm a concerned citizen. My reasons for applying for 145 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 this position is really quite simple. I'm qualified, I'm creative, I'm courageous and, most of all, I'm concerned about the future of our city. I currently am on the Advisory Council of the Houseman Recreation Center. I volunteer at the Holy Lutheran Church Communion at the Welcome Center feeding homeless people. I'm also on the Hope Coalition Board advocating to prevent homelessness. I am a member of Data University. I just started my own youth organization called Street Knowledge Youth Organization. The reason that I feel as though I should be on this Committee, because I sit back every day wondering what could I or what should I be doing to help make a difference in the lives of the City's youth, and every day I come up with something different. The City's parks and recreation centers are instrumental in the sense that they provide safe havens for those who need 146 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 it. They provide a place to relieve stress and others, and they also provide a platform for our future athletes, musicians, artists, cooks and so on. You see, one thing I've always believed in is that it was legal to surround yourself with people who have an attitude of indifference about the goals that our youths try to attain in life. There are many issues that could be corrected through teaching and leadership. I for one know this to be true. But you can't teach someone to care or have passion about a cause. , basically the growing problem that is affecting our youths today. The answer to that has been eluding the powers-that-be for some time now, and by starting with the appointment of a new Director, which basically means a new direction, it shows that we are 147 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 taking necessary steps to put things in their proper perspective. Now, it is understandable that some financial restraint will limit the scope of what we want to do and what is necessary to do, but I think together as a whole that we'll find a common solution to some common problems. This is my city, these are my neighborhoods, and these youths are my responsibility. So if a person has no passion for this situation that we face, then I guess they're in the wrong place. Because this is a problem that we can't win if our agenda is one of monetary or financial growth, because it will ruin the very fiber of productivity that we strive to achieve. The Department needs people who are willing to make certain sacrifices. And Mr. Clarke was saying that knocking on the doors and just putting your boots on and just getting out there. In order to move on into the future, that's what needs to be done. That can only be done 148 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 by finding the people who share your vision, your dreams, your goals and your hopes for the future of our youths and our communities. You may ask, how will we be able to tell? I heard that asked, how are we going to pick from so many people, how are we going to know? My answer to that is, you're going to be able to tell by passion. And I've heard several people say the passion. We're going to be able to tell by passion, because basically I always had an obsession with just striving to make our city a better place. It comes from the fact that at one time I believed that life was fierce and formidable. My obsession with freedom comes from the fact that I once didn't have it.

I believe that growing and wanting to make a change comes from feeling that pain and dissatisfaction that it causes to change the power to be able to help make a difference by focusing on solutions as a whole is a 149 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 beautiful thing. It's been said that we respect and love in others what we value in ourselves. Our youths' lives should be about living, growing and knowing how to overcome their fears. I think if we show the confidence that's needed and the passion and skills that's needed to be successful, all should be well. I always say a child's state of mind is the result of their internal representations, both of those which can change in a matter of moments. The one thing I do with the guys in my youth organization is, I give them -- we have ID cards at Houseman Recreation Center. B. DuBois that says, "There is no such force as the force of a man determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently changed. " Thank you for your time.

Thank you 150 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 for your testimony. Good morning. MS. DiSTEFANO: Good morning. My name is Maureen DiStefano. I reside in the Art Museum/Fairmount area of Philadelphia and currently I am employed with Dunkin Donuts and I do licensing and agreements for them in the East Coast. I've heard so many things this morning, just incredible passion for the City, I'm in awe of the number of people that have come out and the ideas and the talent that has been discussed. My children, just hearing three of the testimonies, have been fortunate enough to attend the Mark Art Summer Camp in the Fairmount Sports Association, and having been raised in Overbrook, I remember the summer basketball leagues very well. So it's in Philadelphia I think that kind of community -- six degrees of separation is always something that you feel in this city. In my research around the 151 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Committee and the members that comprise the Committee, the one word that comes out is "service," service to the community and the greater good in general. My first job was as a junior swimming counselor, and we had a camp leader that, after morning meeting and everyone saying hello to each other, at the end would say, Does anybody have anything for the good of the group? And it was at that point that any small camper or anybody could raise an issue, a concern that would be addressed and acknowledged. The example is a willingness to be connected and to be a listener, and it has stayed with me since that first job at 13. It is a challenge to present what would qualify me as a standout with so many good candidates. My addition to the Commission and to serve would be a personal achievement, and I hope that it would provide long-term dividends for my 152 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 children, their friends and the next generation in Philadelphia. I have been in the private sector with Dunkin Donuts, which is a lot of fun, and also as an owner of a small business in Philadelphia and understand controversy and the diverse thinking that goes with organizations. Each need not result in one person winning and another losing. And my success has been focused on fostering relationships with individuals within larger organizations to achieve those goals to provide a great product and to make them profitable. I was raised in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia and have had an opportunity through career changes to live in many cities. Upon returning to the City and getting married, we spent a short time in the suburbs. In 2005, we moved back to the City of Philadelphia and to the Art Museum area, which I adore, and we've developed a life where out in the suburbs I felt very 153 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 disconnected. We didn't have a lot of people right next to us. In the Art Museum you can't walk out your front door and get back down the street in under 30 minutes, because you'll be stopped and you'll be chatting with neighbors and there's always somebody out, there's always someone to play with. We walk to our T-ball fields, the Franklin Institute, classes at the Art Museum, just unlimited possibilities for my children to take advantage of the treasures of the City. Recently in our community -- and I'm not sure -- we had a fundraising event for Save the Francisville Pool, which was very well attended and just showed the sense of community spirit that drives our neighborhoods. I've never had the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom, but I do dream that I could be part of something larger that results in making the City that I care for a better place for our children. Mayor Nutter and the 154 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 talented individuals that are mapping out the future have been an inspiration.

I would like to bring my enthusiasm, business acumen and tenacity to this group, asking for nothing in return but the personal satisfaction to be "for the good of the group," as I've learned so long ago, and putting my energy and skills to work for Philadelphia. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you all so very much. Leslianna Federici, Vincent Fenerty, Joanna Fine, Marion Fox, Matthew Gionta, Leslie Miller, Alexander Scarola, Francis Vargas, Nick Bucci. Those are the candidates remaining. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. I'm Leslianna Federici. 155 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

Marion Laffey Fox.

Matt Gionta.

Thank you. Okay. Ms. Federici, proceed with your testimony.

Thank you very much. First of all, I just would like to say that with the abundance of applicants and the small number of seats available for this Commission, that I just request that City Council and that the City of Philadelphia utilize the remaining applicants in some way. It would just be such a loss for this city not to find ways for the multitude of people who are just dying to be of service.

Well, let me underscore that. I've taken a lot of notes here, and that was certainly one of them. The breadth and depth of passion and commitment that has come through the testimony has made me in awe, quite frankly, as well, and it would behoove us to find a way to go back to the table and 156 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 figure out how we capture the enormous amount of energy and ideas that have come forth. So know that we have heard you and we'll act accordingly.

It's very moving. Thank you. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Almost three years ago, I purchased a home in what is now the Newbold neighborhood of Philadelphia. This neighborhood spans from Washington Avenue to Passyunk Avenue and from Broad Street to 18th Street. I chose this home because I recognized a seed of possibility, the possibility of a thriving, integrated and diverse neighborhood. I quickly became involved in the horticulture club that served the local DiSilvestro Recreation Center immediately behind my home. Within a year, I began to serve the students of this rec center by teaching capoeira and martial arts to the program, and this 157 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 program continues to thrive at the recreation center due to Activities Fund Grants and a partnership that I cultivated with the Philadelphia Capoeira Arts Center. After marking one enriching year in my home and neighborhood, I, along with other new neighbors, formed the Newbold Neighbors Association to address cleaning and greening, public safety, zoning and social issues. Our common commitment centered on the concept that everyone currently residing in our neighborhood could thrive and together we could grow as a community. I contribute my unique talent of community organizing, my passion and history as a leader of environmental clubs, my expertise in the area of health and fitness and wellness, and my skillful leadership. My leadership is driven by having others around me discover their leadership, generating supportive winds in sails of individuals such that each person I work 158 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 with get what they need to step out and be the leader in their family, on their block and in their community. Support by my leadership over the last two years, we have planted over 40 trees in South Philly, started the Bouvier Community Garden in conjunction with Neighborhood Gardens Association and a generous assistance from Council President Verna's office. As Clean and Green Committee Chair, I have made certain that we are integrally involved in the citywide clean-ups both in 2008 and currently coming up in 2009, neighborhood-wide block clean-ups and regular maintenance of the DiSilvestro Playground, the health center and the South Philadelphia branch of the public library. Through the partnership that I have created with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, we are committed to planting over 60 additional trees in Newbold over the next six months. As a result of my participation on the 159 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Advisory Board for DiSilvestro, we obtained financial support for over a half dozen programs at the recreation center this year. Grants and programs that I have specifically generated include the Capoeira/Martial Arts grant, the Wellness Grant, the Wellness Workshops and the donation of over 10 Macintosh computers. 11 About two and a half years ago 12 I was about to leave the country and 13 settle myself in a beach town in Brazil, 14 happy to spend my time tending a garden 15 and serving tourists in a little beach-side hotel. That at least is what I was planning to do two years ago. Then something happened. In April 2007, standing in my kitchen, I got the phone call that my dearest uncle and friend had passed away. This man was the king of taking life by the horns. He made a difference with his life in the world. He did this literally right up until his last battle with lung cancer. It is said 160 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 that moments like these are pinnacle experiences that stand to change one's life forever. Well, this was one of my moments. During the last few months I got to be with him, I took on the commitment to make a marked difference in the world with my life just as he.

For me, it was clear that my connection to my growing community, my passion for the youth succeeding in my community and an unwavering conviction that Philadelphia pulse with laughter of people and the breath of green life formed my stand that not just South Philadelphia thrive but all of Philadelphia thrive and be alive. I have no question that my talents as a leader, organizer, health and fitness professional, manager of people and coordinator of events will serve this Commission and this city. My commitment is to serve this Commission and the City in accordance with the highest good of the citizens that enjoy 161 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 our parks and our recreation areas and to honor the land and natural resources that sustain our life in this great city. Thank you for the generous gift of your time and attention this morning and I look forward to working with you in any capacity.

Thank you.

Madam Chairwoman, Honorable Councilmember, I have to underscore my colleague's sentiment about harnessing this energy. It is just remarkable. My name is Marion Laffey Fox. Since my graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, I have been a resident of the Greater Philadelphia community. As a journalist and author, I have written books, including "Philadelphia - World Class," a large coffee table book that chronicles my love affair with the City. Much of my work focuses on architecture, gardens, antiques, 162 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 preservation and travel. As such, I have visited and written about gardens, parks and recreational facilities all over the world. In my career as a journalist, I travel and am familiar with tourism, marketing and public relations people worldwide. In that regard, I have learned what kind of campaigns work and those that do not. I am at ease in writing about subjects that need attention and action and would be a valuable member of the team and hope that understanding would make me even more valuable. I have been and am presently a member of the Park House Guides Program at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with a full schedule of guiding visitors through the Park and its illustrious homes, which serve as living museums that testify not only to Philadelphia's earliest years and the Park's earliest years, but these houses and their surrounding parkland 163 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 must be preserved, rejuvenated and made into must-see visit sites for visitors from all over the world. In researching my work and my experience in guiding, as well as helping some of the City's cultural institutions such as the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Orchestra, I have come to appreciate not only Philadelphia's legacies but also its potential, and I believe that potential can be realized by magnetizing a host of diversified, interested, talented and capable individuals to get involved with the Park. I think I can help in that effort. This morning is an indicator that it is time for those responsible for the welfare of Fairmount Park, the crown jewel of our city, to think outside the box. The leadership of the Park cannot be satisfied with its annual budget, for over the long run as maintenance and capital programs are reduced and 164 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 deferred, the downward spiral becomes more difficult to reverse. The leaders of the Park have to come up with new sources of capital funds, new corporate benefactors and individual supporters with the experience in these areas. I believe I can be of service in that comprehensive and imaginative ways. My goal is to see the river crowded with boats, fountains spewing high, flowers everywhere, and Park houses filled with awestruck and appreciative visitors. This astounding number of applicants that you received makes me wonder if we all ascribe to the same creed of life. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for a good man to do nothing. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. I'm 165 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Matt Gionta from LaSalle University. I'm the Director of Campus Recreation there. And as a Catholic school with Christian brothers, when they tell you to do something, you do it. So I'm going to give you two minutes and that's about it, so I'll make it brief. The formation of the Department of Parks and Recreation comes at a time of economic uncertainty and fiscal crisis. This certainly makes the Department's task more challenging, but I believe it gives citizens of Philadelphia a greater opportunity to make a difference and have their voices heard. The Commission on Parks and Recreation provides that opportunity for non-citizens. It is a responsibility I have tremendous respect for. I am confident that I can act as an ambassador of my community in serving the newly formed Commission. I am currently employed at LaSalle University as Director of Campus 166 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Recreation. I understand the challenges that face many of the City's recreation centers and parks. Funding is tight, staffing is short, and new programming can be difficult to implement. My challenges at LaSalle are similar to those of the Department of Parks and Recreation and I feel that my varied background in the field will help provide a unique perspective to the Commission. The Commission needs people with dynamic ideas, who are willing to challenge their fellow citizens and the Department of Parks and Recreation to create a better Philadelphia. I am someone who can be a link between the Department and the community, as well as someone who will be able to strengthen the bond between the two. Our current economic climate will not allow us to simply make up grades on facilities and spend money we do not have to improve our Parks and Recreation. We need strong leadership from the Department, dedicated 167 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 volunteers, and commissioners with creative spirit and vision to get us where we need to be. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you and for your consideration.

We thank you all for your testimony as well. Thank you very much. Leslie Miller, Alexander Scarola, Francis Vargas, Nick Bucci. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Good morning. Thank you for your patience. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.

I'm Leslie Anne Miller. Madam Chair, Councilman Jones, I, like everyone present in this -- I'm sorry; Councilman Clarke. I need to get my glasses changed. I certainly know who you are. I'm off to a great start, aren't I? 168 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 I, like so many in this chamber this morning, have been struck by the array of talent who have testified, as well as by the outpouring of love for the Park. I think that in no small measure it's a tribute to the new system that you two have endeavored to create over the past nine years. I hope that it provides you some small measure of comfort as you struggle to make your choice of the individuals that you're going to forward to the Mayor from this incredible list. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself and take a few minutes to respectfully suggest why my name should be included in the list that you will ultimately forward to the Mayor for his final selection of those individuals who will serve on the new Commission on Parks and Recreation. As my application and accompanying resume demonstrates, throughout my 30-year career in Philadelphia, I have combined the 169 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 practice of law with community service. And, by the way, I'd like to refute the assertion of one of the prior individuals who testified. I too live in Lower Merion Township, but whenever asked, I declare myself as a Philadelphian. During those 30 years, I've been involved in a wide variety of organizations, often in leadership roles. There are five specific examples that I'd like to point out which I believe have particular relevance for my potential service on the Commission. First, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where I became Acting President at the request of the Board and helped to complete the fundraising on this $265 million project, just before it opened. Secondly, the Women for the Water Works, which I currently chair and where I help to complete the remaining renovations of the Cliffside Paths and 170 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 the South Gardens by raising the final $5 million of this 30-year $30 million project. Third, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, which, as you know, is the official fundraising arm of the Park, where I am currently Vice-President of the Board. Fourth, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, where as Chair of the Green City Strategy Committee, I am leading an effort to build further support for one of the nation's most comprehensive greening programs. Finally, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, where I am the First Vice-President, and as you know, that foundation is the financial support of the Free Library system. My work with these organizations has educated me about the importance of the Park as a natural, recreational and economic resource. More importantly, it has caused me to think 171 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 increasingly about the untapped potential the Park holds for Philadelphia's future, particularly with the advent of the new Parks and Recreation Department and the current support of the Mayor. It is critical that the new Park system be properly implemented. A strong Commission on Parks and Recreation should play a key advisory role in this process and ultimately in the Park's oversight. I would like to continue my work on behalf of the Park by helping to define the Commission's role within the new system. I believe that my professional training and volunteer experience will serve me well in this process. As should be obvious, I'm a prodigious fundraiser, having honed my skills on behalf of a wide variety of not-for-profit and political causes. This training can and should be readily applied to the Park. 172 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 As an individual with many ties to the community, I believe that I could also be helpful in building consensus on key issues regarding the Park.

It's critical that the many Park-related groups unify in support of the work of the Commissioner and ultimately the Administration. Our common agenda must be to strengthen the Park. A cleaner, greener Fairmount Park, which generates more revenue, will not only enhance life for all of the citizens of the Philadelphia region, but will support economic development in our region. It needs to be sold as a reason to visit and/or use the City of Philadelphia for business or pleasure. The Park is a resource whose potential has yet to be fully realized, and now is the time to do so. I hope that I will be given the chance to participate in this critical period in the history of Fairmount Park. In case you can't tell, I too love the 173 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Park and I want to do everything that I can to make it truly the crown jewel of our city's natural and economic resources. Thank you for your perseverance here today.

Thank you for your testimony. Good morning.

Good morning. Alex Scarola. I'd like to be interested for the Commission on Parks and Recreation because I'm a resident of the City of Philadelphia and I regularly use the parks and I really want to help make them better. I believe the Parks and Recreation system in this city is a vital part of what makes Philadelphia a great place to live, work and visit, and I want to help make sure this continues for generations to come. I've been using the parks in this City for almost nine years. Four to five days a week I exercise in 174 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Rittenhouse Square, Schuylkill River Park, Boathouse Row or the loop around East River and West River Drive. I played a number of games of softball and football in Fairmount Park. I've participated in many charity runs, and I even participated in the Philadelphia Triathlon the past two summers. Yes, I swam in the Schuylkill River, and I enjoyed it. Over the course of many years, I've seen a lot of improvements to the parks in the system and I believe that we can continue to improve them for everyone's benefit. In addition to being a regular user of the parks in Philadelphia, I am a public finance lawyer who has worked on a number of financing transactions for local governments, some of which in the past related to capital funding for parks and recreation facilities. I can provide ideas that have worked in the past related to capital funding for the parks 175 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 and recreation facilities. In addition, I think it is very important, especially in these economic times, to come up with new and creative ways to finance operating and capital costs to promote, support and enhance the image of the parks and recreation system in Philadelphia. I can provide some unique ideas related to funding of the parks and recreation system. I feel that the Department of Parks and Recreation must be viewed as an integral part of the growth and prosperity of the City of Philadelphia, and I want to be a part of that. Bottom line is, I really just want to help. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Thank you for your testimony.

Hi. I'm Francis Vargas. Good morning, members of City Council and to those who have come to participate in today's public hearings 176 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission. I understand that I'm one of the last to provide testimony today and in the interest of time, I'll make every attempt to provide a short and concise statement.

Let me say this: You do not have to rush. You do have three minutes like everyone else. So seize the moment.

Great. I will. Thank you. Once again, my name is Francis Vargas. I'm a life-long Philadelphian, born and raised in eastern North Philadelphia and a current resident of East Mount Airy. I want to first thank everyone here for the opportunity to present testimony in support of my application to the Commission. I'm thrilled to see there's so much interest in the process and so many applicants. My interest in the Commission is admittedly 177 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 self-serving. As a Philadelphian and a new father, I am deeply invested in our city's future and, more specifically, our children's future in this city. I worked in community development for over 7 years now. I've worked at two great 8 non-profits, Asociacion de 9 Puertorriquenos en Marcha and Friends 10 Rehabilitation Program. I worked in City 11 government at the Redevelopment Authority 12 and currently am working in the private 13 sector for Allied Construction and the 14 Altman Group, where I concentrate mostly on affordable housing in the Philadelphia area. Over the years I balanced my career pursuits with volunteer activities on various boards and advisory groups, including Philly Green and the Community Scholars Program at Germantown Friends School, and I am currently on the Boards of People's Emergency Center and Octavia Hill Association. I have been involved in 178 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 planning, developing and building hundreds of affordable housing units throughout Philadelphia. While this has been very rewarding, I feel that my biggest accomplishments have been working on the smaller-scale projects, like working with Philly Green on community gardens in North Philadelphia or working with Jane Golden of the Mural Arts Program to bring murals and children's art projects to North 5th Street. It's these smaller, low profile and grassroots efforts in our community, coupled with well-planned housing and commercial development, that makes community development and community building work. I believe my participation in the Parks and Recreation Commission would be just as rewarding as the work that I do day to day. I believe my work and life experiences could be a valuable perspective as we plan for the future. I would urge us to look at our future strategically, and while I readily 179 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 acknowledge that we cannot always escape the politics of our decision, we have the responsibility as stewards of this great task to think past the next round of elections and think of our children. I also understand that you have many qualified candidates for this position and urge you all to select wisely and to select the most qualified applicants, and wherever I fall in that process, I will be happy to know that the best candidates are serving the City. I'd like to add a quick blurb in addition to my written testimony, just a reflection of some of the testimony I heard today, and talk a little bit about where I group up at 7th and Cambria as a child. There was a rec center at 5th and Allegheny and we had a park at Fairhill and Lehigh. I was prohibited to go to both of those as a child. Fifth and Allegheny was known as a dangerous spot. There was drug dealings. There was active shootings. I did not have a 180 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 positive experience as a child at those locations. The park was filled with needles. It was filled with people that will bring the associated drug trade to the park, and my father prohibited me from attending these areas. In East Mount Airy, we have thriving recreation centers. We have access to a beautiful park that's used by everyone around the City. I believe strongly this inequity is unacceptable and we have a responsibility to do something about this.

I'd like to also reflect on a comment that Councilman Clarke made many, many years ago when I was at RDA and we were working on a very small community garden project or a side yard, and I was very excited about it and Councilman Clarke was very supportive of it and looked at me said, You know, some day I hope we can work on a project that's like a Rittenhouse Square in North Philadelphia. And it's a notion that 181 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 stuck with me for many years and something that I hope some day we can do, and in the mean time, take our current assets and make these available to everybody of Philadelphia. They're not just neighborhood assets. They're assets of the City of Philadelphia. So thank you for the indulgence and the extra time. I've provided three letters of recommendation and support, with written copy of my testimony, as well as my application and resume outlining my interest and background in much greater detail. Thank you for your time and consideration. I'd gladly welcome any questions that you may have regarding my application.

We thank you all very, very much for your patience as well and understanding this process. Thank you so much for your testimony. Welcome. Please have a seat at the witness table. And might you have 182 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 testimony for us? It's okay if you don't. I just need to know for my records here.

I do not. I was given a phone call yesterday and there was a Sharon Ortiz who called me, and I called her back all day long.

And you're here.

And I came here because no one told me not to.

It's okay. It's all good.

So I'm unprepared in the matter of paperwork, but I've got something to say and I'd be glad for the opportunity to say it.

Terrific. Please be seated. You're not unprepared because you applied, and your application alone warrants the next step, which is for you to be here today --

Very good. Thank you. 183 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

-- to offer testimony.

I can provide paperwork.

That's your desire and your choice.

Very good. Yes.

And I need to hear your full name.

Nicholas Anthony Bucci.

And if I could please ask Wendy Rosen to report to the witness table. Terrific. So let's give her a chance to be seated.

Sure.

So let me just underscore, if you don't have testimony today, that's not a problem. You're welcome to submit it at a later time.

Very good. Thank you. 184 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057

We have information because of your application.

Very good. Shall I start?

Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony. I might add, you do have three minutes.

Thank you. I'll keep it short. The reason I applied was that I have a number of unique qualities to offer, and I seek to offer them, especially in Mr. Jones' district regarding the Wissahickon. I am friends with Bernie Strain, having recently met him at the Kelpius celebration. I lead tours in that area, and curiously people do not know that that very ridge in the Wissahickon is one of the oldest geological formations in North America and one of the most sacred sites in North America within one of the largest cities. Aside from that, I am a stone 185 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 mason by trade, a restoration carpenter and a classical cabinet maker. I'm a master in each one of those crafts, and I have two Ph.D.'s. And where I came up, Ph.D. stands for post hole digger.

Thank you for that.

Yes. Therefore, I am the person who is on the ground, and because I'm on the ground and in it, I have a rather unique view and understanding of the Park in workings that most people do not quite grasp or understand, particularly with the environment, the ecology, the geology and all of the natural ideas and items regarding the Park. Plus, the Park has almost 200 antique or period structures, most in dire need, and the time unfortunately for half measures and talk is over. Something very much needs to be done, because we are in great danger of losing some of these structures, Glen Fern, for one. Even though it is 186 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 somewhat maintained, it is reported to be the second oldest house in Pennsylvania. The Hermitage, of course, built on the site of the very spot which was at one time the Tabernacle and home of Johannes Kelpius, a German pietist who came with 40 followers and who in turn his disciples went on to become the instructors of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, David Rittenhouse, Benjamin Rush, John Bartram, those men who framed our Constitution. So essentially the freedoms, separation of church and state, emanate very much from the Wissahickon. And that is my area of expertise. Nobody really understands or knows this. A number of people from all over the country I've led on tours, and I've seen how we need so very much in the Park. Not as much as the money, and I realize everything costs a lot of money, but we need people. And I lead so many volunteers so often who want to help and 187 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 they don't have any money to spend, but they are willing to make the time and not the money to give, and those are what we really need in the Park, because those are the people -- it's their park. They don't own it. They take care of it. And those who care for it are the ones who very much own the Park. And we need those people. And I've interviewed 40 people, from one scale to the other, some former Park employees, and everybody is saddened at the fact that they have difficulty trusting the hierarchy because of the boondoggles that have constantly been stumbling in the Park. And there's no one in particular to blame. The system is just failing as it were. And what we need to do is essentially formulate a new system through this Commission, forming of people, the locale. The Roxborough-Manayunk Historical Society is very much interested in formulating a coalition. And I seek to form a coalition of the 188 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 various historical societies, the various groups and organizations that ring the Park, that really use the Park, because all of them are willing to help. And I, in reaching out with them, have listened to what they have to say, but so many of them feel that these hallowed halls are so far from their reach, and because I'm on the ground and in it, I seek to be a liaison between they and you in order to bring these nine of us together to formulate much more than a commission, much more than a committee, but an organization of people. Because they make money every day, they print it every day, but we don't get people every day. So when we get them, they are our most precious. And the most important thing we have is the children. No matter whose they are, they are the future. And there are so few children involved, and I seek to bring an educational curriculum. And I've approached a number of our 189 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 institutions, colleges, that is, to create an educational curriculum within the Park, and through their educational curriculums actually provide a labor force by volunteer, which in turn will help alleviate some of the cost.

And I've been working on programs for the last several years in regards to bringing environmental stability between the Park, the people and particularly the Philadelphia Zoo, because the Park has so much land, so much to offer, and it can actually create a food source, which are, again, part of the programs which I like to implement. And the reason, bottom line for doing all this is that it is for those who I have known and loved and they have --

Thirty seconds.

And for those who I have never known and loved what they left. 190 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Thank you.

Thank you very much for your testimony, and thank you for being able to respond so quickly.

Well, I can think on my feet.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Wendy Rosen.

Please pull the mike closer to you.

How is that? Does that work?

Yes.

Okay. Wendy Rosen. I've been a resident of Center City Philadelphia for over years and I'm 20 also the President of the Friends of 21 Rittenhouse Square. 22 This is a landmark moment in 23 Philadelphia's history, with the merger 24 of the City's Parks Commission and 25 Recreation Department. I think it's a 191 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 perfect moment to think differently about our green spaces. Obviously parks should be clean, welcoming, restful places, but they have the potential to be so much more. They can generate revenue for the City and limit the amount of expenses for the City. They may eventually pay for themselves. And when parks work well, property values and quality of life skyrocket. Making this happen means thinking creatively. It means learning about innovative approaches taken by other cities and transplanting those ideas here. It means dreaming up our own new ideas, imagining the unthinkable and putting them into action. Parks evolve over time. Today's Rittenhouse Square was a product of a redesign dating to World War I, the work of a French-born Philadelphia architect, Paul Cret, who literally did some of his planning and sketching in a 192 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 foxhole. It is important to remember that parks can and should change over time. In Rittenhouse Square, we have had a successful public-private partnership with Fairmount Park, a model that I can strongly recommend. It puts more operational responsibility in the hands of the public, while relieving the City of the considerable burden of both administrative and financial oversight. Checks and balances are ensured by the cooperation of the two parties. Against this background of a partnership with the former Fairmount Park Commission, I feel I am perfectly suited to continue this cooperative relationship and I am honored to be considered for this position. I am also excited to contribute to and benefit from the new energy, ideas and inspiration of the Commission. Thank you.

Thank you 193 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 for your testimony. Are you providing copies?

They have them. I already turned them in.

Terrific. All right, then. Councilman Clarke.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I just want to say, keep up the good work.

Thank you. Thank you, Darrell.

Is there anyone else to testify on this resolution? (No response.)

Just for the record, 53 were scheduled to offer testimony today and 39 actually were able to be here. So with that said, Councilman Jones.

Yes, Madam 194 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Chair. I want to commend you on your ability to endure all of those and conduct this hearing in a timely, efficient manner, and it speaks well of your ability to be a chairperson of this committee. I also wanted to say that a lot of the testimony, Ph.D. also must have meant Philadelphia Historical Dean, because you cited a lot of interesting points, referencing the beauty of our Park, particularly Rittenhouse up in the Park and near Wissahickon, which is the home of the first printing press ever introduced to the continent of the United States, or the Ohio House out in Centennial District, which is the celebratory building that sited the centennial celebration for this nation, and the Benedict Arnold's Mansion near the 5th District, which Benedict Arnold actually had as a summer home. These are the things that enrich our Park. And I wanted to say that today, 195 3/18/09 - PARKS - RES. 090057 Madam Chairwoman, I saw a variety of people come out and show their support for the Park. It's unfortunate that there are only limited amount of slots available, because I would hope that whoever winds up successful, those who don't wind up on the Commission still keep their level of commitment to this wonderful institution and this wonderful park. Thank you, Madam Chair.

You're very, very welcome. We have a huge task ahead of us, but the good news is that we have a rich slate of candidates. Let the record show that this hearing stands in recess until March 19th at 1:00 p.m. Thank you. (Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs recessed at 12:15 p.m.) - - - 196 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on March 18, 2009, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)