Committee Hearing, February 27, 2001 (part 2)

m. - - - BILL 010005 - Re FY '02 City Operating Budget Public Testimony PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA, Chair COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL, Vice Chair COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 2114 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET I N D E X Page FRIENDS OF PHILADELPHIA PARKS Lauren Bornfriend, Executive Director . . 2118 James Brown, IV, Historic Preservation. . 2121 Brad Thompson, Board Member . . . . . 2125 Beth Ormsworth, President . . . . . 2128 OTHER PARK-RELATED WITNESSES Michael Groman, Director Philadelphia Green 2130 D. Goldney, President Carol Park Neighbors 2134 L. Galone, Concerned Northeast Resident . . 2143 Dr. Dominic Debias, Fairmount Park Adv. Comm. , Friends of Wissahickon . 2276 James Donaghy, Fairmount Park . . . . 2148 William Mifflin, Executive Director . . . 2285 Fairmount Park Commission MURAL ARTS Irene Russell, Grays Ferry Resident . . . 2150 Ana Uribe, Muralist . . . . . . . 2153 Jim Helman, Committee of Concerned Citizens 2156 David McShane, Mural Artist . . . . . 2161 Shira Walkinsky, Mural Artist . . . . 2348 Cherie Harris, Mural Arts Student . . . 2351 Elizabeth Zack, Mural Arts Advocate . . . 2371 VICTIMS' SERVICES PROGRAMS Mary Rose Atlas, Program Director. . . 2166 Families and Murder Victims Program Phyllis Gibson, Director . . . . . 2167 West Southwest Victim Services ENVIRONMENTAL-ISSUE WITNESSES Susan Gobreski, Program Organizer . . . 2176 Clean Water Action Camille Nicholas, Policy Analyst. . . . 2181 Clean Air Council Bob Pierson, Member . . . . . . . 2185 Recycling Advisory Committee Maurice Sampson, Director for Sustainable . 2188 Development, Citizens for Pennsylvania Future Shelly Yanoff, PCCY . . . . . . . ) FAIRMOUNT COUNCIL OF HISTORIC PLACES Scotty Gambala. . . . . . . . 2236 Maria Mirarchi, FDR Park. . . . . . 2240 FAMILIES OF THE DELL EAST Rena Brown, Recording Secretary . . . . 2243 Maya Burnett, President . . . . . . 2243 Ruth Birchette, President and Founder . . 2249 Heritage Community Economic Development Corp. Peggy Amsterdam, Executive Director . . . 2259 Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Wilkins Jones, Executive Director . . . 2263 Friends of the Free Library Michael McCrae, President . . . . . 2266 Philadelphia Recreation Advisory PA COUNCIL OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAM. SERVICES Lauren Ward, Chair. . . . . . . 2267 Dorothy Pat Simmons, Secretary of the Board 2267 V. Johnson, Healthy Family Health Life. . 2279 Tom Leonard, Philadelphia Firefighter . . 2302 Angela Logan, Childcare Matters . . . . 2306 PHILADELPHIA STUDENT UNION Day Augustine . . . . . . . . 2313 Ebony Jones . . . . . . . . . 2316 Jeremy Kaplan . . . . . . . . 2318 Ellen Maenner, 7th District Ward Leader . . 2324 Glenn Gross, Concerned Private Citizen. . 2331 Joseph T. Zemartis, Business Agent. . . 2336 AFSCME Local 222 A. ) Estelle Richman, Director, Social Services 2352 B. Martin, Town Watcher, Anti-Drug Activist 2369 Vivian Vanstory, President and Founder. . 2372 Community Land Trust Corporation Isaac Shomer, High School Student . . . 2375 Yvonne Money. . . . . . . . . 2377 Albert W. Christie Advisory Council S. Harper, District Public Health Centers 2380 PUBLIC ACCESS ADVOCATES Joan Preston. . . . . . . . . 2301 Time Deliverance Television Ministry George McCullough . . . . . . . 2394 Tanya Wanger (on behalf of D. Mendros). . 2396 Barbara Cook, Private Citizen . . . . 2400 Peter Tridish, Prometheus Radio Project . . 2402 Mamie Young, Private Citizen. . . .

. 2406 Sally Kennedy . . . . . . . . 2409 Greater Germantown Recreation Network 2117 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET P R O C E E D I N G S

Before we start the hearing, I have one announcement to make. We have someone here for sign language. Does anyone need the service? If you do, please raise your hand. There's one. Okay thank you.

Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. This is the continued public hearing of the Committee of the Whole. I would as Mr. McPherson to please call our first witness.

Lauren Bornfriend, Friends of Philadelphia Parks. And I believe she had a few other people to bring to the table: Beth Ormsworth, James Brown IV, and Brad Thompson. (Witnesses come forward.)

And while our witnesses are approaching the table, I would also like to make an announcement, that each witness will be given three minutes for testimony. Good afternoon. Kindly identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Good afternoon. I am 2118 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Lauren Bornfriend, the Executive Director of Friends of Philadelphia Parks. And I am joined here today by members of the Friends of Philadelphia Parks Board: James L. Brown IV, Brad Thompson, and our president, Beth Ormsworth. We are here to ask you to increase the operating budgets of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. By now, you are familiar with the Friends' specific request for increasing the park budgets. There is clearly an understanding among park people and agencies that the City cannot do and be everything to our parks. We do, however, ask for park budget appropriations that support and build on the extraordinary stewardship of the more than 30,000 volunteers in Philadelphia as well as on the commitment of the private sector, foundations, and nonprofits. To this end, here is what the Friends of Philadelphia Parks are asking for: First, budget allocations for full-time permanent maintenance positions and a special horticultural unit for preventive maintenance for all major Department of Recreation parks; 2119 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Second, for Fairmount Park funding for five volunteer coordinators and for the Ranger Corps, as well as increased funding for Corps staff, maintenance staff, and natural area restoration. At this time, Friends of Philadelphia Parks cannot speak accurately to the process of how funding for the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation is ultimately determined. We can speak to the need for a planning process by City government that will relate Philadelphia's parks to our City's programs, goals, and economic development. We can also speak to the need for statistics providing numerical and factual data about land use and the economic impact of Philadelphia's parks and open space on our neighborhoods and city. Friends of Philadelphia Parks has and will continue to present Council with comparative statistics illustrating that Philadelphia's investment in and commitment to our park systems does not measure up to other American cities. We will give examples of successful projects where public/private-sector partnerships created and 2120 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET rejuvenated parks and turned around misused, crime-ridden, and economically-depressed communities and districts. We will continue to ask you to make our parks a priority for the sake of our city and our neighborhoods. Last December, Friends of Philadelphia Parks gave each of you a book entitled "Inside City Parks" by Peter Harnick (ph.) of the Trust for Public Land in which Harnick ranked the park systems in our nation's largest cities. No 12 cities have learned earned the highest five-star 13 rating because all still have improvements to 14 make, but Philadelphia's score is two stars. 15 According to Harnick, Philadelphia spends less on 16 parks and recreation than all but six of the 17 cities profiled in this book. 18 In Harnick's comparison of park-related 19 expenditure per resident by city, the average 20 expenditure of the 8 highest-density American 21 cities, including Philadelphia, is $64. The 22 average expenditure for all of the 25 American 23 cities profiled in the book is $80; Philadelphia's 24 expenditure is only $47. 25 In the comparison of 30 American 2121 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET cities, park-related expenditure per acre by agency, Philadelphia's combined expenditure for the Commission and the Department is $ 6,658, which is $3,000, or 31 percent, below the average expenditure. We ask to you make a commitment to find a way to change Philadelphia's two-star rating so that we can become a first-class city with a five-star park system. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

My name is James L. Brown IV, and I am Executive Director of Parks and Historic Preservation Corporation. As you know, the Parks and Historic Preservation Corporation has been involved in -- right beside Fairmount Park in the restoration of the parks of the historic district. I am here today as a Board member of Friends of Philadelphia parks to talk about the importance of public-private partnerships to the 2122 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET process of park revitalization. In cities across America, government is recognizing the central role of the parks and open space in urban transformation formation. Of course, every city is different. Each is faced with its own history, structure, challenges, and needs. What the innovative cities have in common are creative vision, leadership, and commitment to work for change, in coalition with citizens, business, and the nonprofit sector. An example would be, as one, would be Chattanooga, Tennessee, as one of these cities. In the 1980s, it faced a serious economic recession, the loss of residents and tax base, the closing of factories, unclean air, crime, and unemployment -- not very much different than ourselves. In response, government, community groups, and the private sector came together to improve the city's quality of life. A significant focus of their plan was to construct trails, parks, quiet, open space, and clean their air. In Philadelphia's case, we do not have to do such, we already have an asset, which is Fairmount Park, which is already in existing 2123 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET condition. Along the Tennessee River, abandoned warehouses were transformed to an eight-mile greenway, the center of a planned 75-mile network of trails and greenways. The new Tennessee River Park surrounds a new aquarium, which, since opening in 1992, has added approximately 500 million into the new economy. Jobs and businesses in the downtown river district more than doubled in eight years. 5 percent. City and county property tax revenues increased by 99 percent. Today, Chattanooga thrives. ) said, "People ask why we should spend money on parks when we have schools that need money and roads to fix and we need to create more jobs. " Boston's Post Office Square Park is an example of a city partnering with the private sector to take down a 500,000 square-foot concrete 2124 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET parking garage in its financial district. It has been replaced by an underground garage, topped by an elegant park, boasting formal gardens, sculptures, fountains, a great lawn, cafe, and more. Boston receives $1 million in annual taxes and another million annually for its ownership interest in the garage. Ownership of the park and the garage revert to the city after the construction debt is paid. " In New York City, a 9-acre run-down, drug-infested Bryant Park was renovated over 5 years at a cost of about $9 million, and it is now a thriving, much-used park. Commercial activity has been rejuvenated and rents have climbed. In five to seven years, construction debt will be paid by revenues from park concessions, and the park will be financially self-sufficient, no 21 longer needing City Funds. I could sit here and give many more examples of cities that have reclaimed districts and neighborhoods by means of investment in parks that give back and pay back. Bryant Park in 2125 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Manhattan and Post Office Square in Boston are but two examples. It is time that Philadelphia began the process of conceptualizing and planning our own strategy to revitalize our remarkable 9,000 acres of park land and our neighborhoods. Philadelphia parks are viewed as venues for recreation and pleasure, but the City cannot meet the needs of these parks with its current budget and current revenues. To do this will require commitment, collaboration, and vision.

And lastly, I'd like to add that one of the things that we do see is that when we can create in those areas around the park and in the park, particularly where we have assets that already exist, using the private sector to stimulate the reinvestment of the City with smaller dollars, which I would think would bring larger returns. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I am Brad Thompson and I'm also a member of the Board of the Friends of 2126 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Philly Parks. And if you'll notice, with my testimony, I have addended a number of pictures that underscore the problems in the park.

Yes.

I'd like to first address the Fairmount Park budget. I must respectfully disagree that the proposed budget is insufficient to preserve, protect, and maintain the landscape, structure, streams, woodlands, trails, and education programs of the park. Every day, the citizens of this city, your constituents, request increased maintenance, more policing, control and abatement of trash and dumping. On any given day in our parks, one can find deferred maintenance, trash, and dumping uncollected. This is due to a large extent on the decline of staffing. The budget that is proposed will only continue this decline. Let me be more specific. The Commission's Division of Operation and Landscape Management budget contains staff reduction. Throughout the park, it's clear that there's not enough staff to maintain the appropriate level of maintenance, which, in turn, leads to further 2127 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET decline of the facilities and needs of more capital dollars. Again, the pictures addended to this will demonstrate those needs. Besides the decreases in park maintenance, the budget does not support the volunteer coordinators. This valuable staff works with local residents in the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the parks and work in the parks. Not only will we lose the valuable talent of our volunteer coordinators, we will lose our links with the stewards of the park, who are your constituents. Environmental education another area in the budget which has been decreased. Another program which offers promise in the park is the Rangers Program. This program is so poorly funded, it is virtually ineffective. As it was first conceived, it provided 80 rangers and could offer routine patrols to the six large watershed parks: Pennypack, Wissahickon, FDR, Tacony, Cobbs, and Fairmount. Today, the program has 21 rangers and is not able to offer routine patrols to Cobbs Creek Park, Tacony Creek Park, or FDR Park. 2128 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Throughout the City, people point to the lack of policing in the park as the cause of its current problems. The current lack of support for the rangers is inadequate to be effective in our park. Our Fairmount Park is in dire need of increase in maintenance, policing, as the pictures indicate. I urge you to increase the budget for the park in the areas of operations, the rangers, environmental educators, and volunteer coordinators so that we can begin to and reverse the overall decline.

Thank you.

I am Beth Ormsworth, President of Friends of Philadelphia Parks, and to conclude the testimony of the Friends of Philadelphia Parks, I would emphasize the overall need for long- and short-term allocations for the parks. And as you have heard today from my colleagues, other cities appear to value their parks as a fundamental benefit to their taxpayers. They put a priority on the enrichments that parks and open spaces offer to their cities as a whole 2129 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET and to their citizens individually. Creative financing can be found for large recreational projects such as stadiums; yet it is a shame that adequate monies cannot be found to finance the long- and short-term needs of our parks. Many of our citizens cannot afford to pay for a ticket to a professional sports event but are free to use our park land for rejuvenating their bodies and spirits. The parks afford opportunities for Philadelphia's children to become acquainted with nature and provide them with educational programs. In 1855, visionaries saw the need to protect the drinking water and acquired the land above the Schuylkill River. Subsequently, our City's leaders envisioned protecting the Wissahickon Gorge. Apparently, there was dissention in City Council at the time about the expense, but fortunately for us, our forefathers made good decisions to preserve these green spaces and all of the park land we enjoy today. Buildings decay but parks remain forever for the use of the citizens of Philadelphia. It is our duty to see that future 2130 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET generations inherit a safe and well-maintained park system.

Thank you all very much. I believe -- Councilwoman Blackwell, did you have a comment that you wanted to make?

Thank you, Madam President. Certainly I would like to thank this organization, but a special thank-you for Jim Brown for all of he does at Parkside and has over the years. We thank you for your commitment to the parks and your commitment to Parkside. Thank you.

Thank you all very much. Our next witness?

Michael Groman. (Witnesses come forward.)

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Councilmembers. How are you.

Fine, thank 2131 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET you.

My name is Michael Groman. I'm the Director of the Philadelphia Green Program at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. And with me is Doris Goldney (ph.), who represents the Friends of Carol Park in West Philadelphia. And we do have some official testimony that has been prepared and is being passed around, so I'll just take my time to paraphrase some of the statistics that are in there.

Thank you.

Basically, what we're here today is to talk about maintenance of the park system in the City a Philadelphia and a little bit of background in our relationship to it. Back in 1993, we received some generous support from the William Penn Foundation and then later from the Wallace Reader's Digest Fund to start what we call the Parks Revitalization Program in the City of Philadelphia. And the overall objective of that program was basically to -- not only to improve the appearance of parks throughout the City, and these are neighborhood parks throughout the City, but also to build the 2132 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET capacity of the Friends groups that are out there taking care of these parks, and also to, in general, make parks the vital centers of communities as they once were. And over the past eight or nine years we're getting into, we've had some tremendous results. We've been working closely with the Department of Recreation. We first started out this program with Commissioner DeBerardinis, and we're now working with Commissioner Richard. We started ut with three parks, we're now working with 31. We built a coalition of 1500 volunteers who are working to support the work in the parks. We've coordinated over 50 new programs, we've planted 300 new trees, we've helped to renovate acres of turf in these parks. We've helped to 18 leverage the $1 million that we've brought into 19 the program with the support from City Council and 20 the Department of Recreation for another million dollars. And we even had the Friends groups raise over $150,000 on their own to bring into their neighborhood parks. So we think that's quite a tremendous feat. But the main thing is that we've 2133 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET established this partnership with the Department of Recreation. And in many cases, we now have mothers pushing babies carriages in parks in places where we would have had criminals pushing drugs. So there's a wide of positive impacts that this work has on neighborhoods parks. One of the big results over the last two years has been the introduction of the seasonal maintenance attendance program at the Department of Recreation, and we can't emphasize enough how important maintenance is to the long-term success of this program. The seasonal maintenance attendance, I think right now, is about 28 people. Some of them re students, young of them are adults. They're hired for about anywhere from to 35 hours per week. And 18 they're the general caretakers during those 19 critical months between May to October of the 20 parks. So they not only help to do general 21 cleanup, they clean up after events, but they are 22 the eyes and ears of the park, they help to be the 23 connection to the Department of Recreation, and 24 they're the bridge between the Department of 25 Recreation and the Friends groups. So they're 2134 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET really a vital component. And what we're looking to do over the long term is continue to continue have support for the SMA program, and hopefully institutionalize this program over the long run. Now, let me introduce Doris Goldney, who will give you her firsthand look at the parks and provide her testimony. Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Thank you. I'm Doris Goldney, I'm the President of the Carol Park Neighbors. I am a park person. We are the 200-plus volunteers who have reclaimed City 17 parks on behalf of the neighborhoods in which they 18 are located. Neighborhood transformation? These 19 25 parks are already transformed and are at the 20 forefront of neighborhood transformation. 21 At last, the citizens of Philadelphia 22 can now believe that their city's government is 23 serious about removing blight and stagnation in 24 all of the neighborhoods outside Center City. 25 Although some people may grumble that all of the 2135 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET hoopla about neighborhood transformation is merely politicians talking out of both sides of mouth and what else is new, the park people who arrive early on park cleanup days and stay late to tidy up after the refreshments have been served must believe that the neighborhood transformation plans of this administration are real and true. Indeed, we have seen Councilwoman Reynolds Brown hit the ground running on behalf of Philadelphia's parks. And Councilwoman Blackwell, applause and bouquets to you for your service to Malcolm X Park. And Councilman Nutter, please do not weigh yourself for payment in gold; we at Carol Park, Gorgus Park, and Manayunk Park cannot pay you. Councilman Nutter has been unwaivering and loyal in his support for his parks. As we speak, tree work in Carol Park is being completed, paid for with funds given to us through Philadelphia Green by the Wallace Reader's Digest Foundation. Next month, a contractor will begin working on improvement plans for the center of Carol Park. An exercise track with four piece of exercise equipment will also be installed around the perimeter of the park. These two 2136 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET projects are being paid for with City funds. The Philadelphia Green Parks revitalization program is gaining recognition in greening programs around this country. Representatives from the Department of Recreation, Philadelphia Green, and I have been invited to a parks conference in Cleveland, Ohio, next month to bring to the park people in Cleveland the story of a unique relationship established in Philadelphia between the Department of Recreation, Philadelphia Green, and volunteers from the community. How would it play in Cleveland if the story taken from the wire revealed that funding for Philadelphia parks was reduced. How would that bit of news be received in New York by the Wallace Reader's Digest Foundation, whose generous donation to Philadelphia Green enabled 16 more parks to join the Philadelphia Green family. After 30-plus years of neglect, the pathways in our parks need to be repaved for the safety of park visitors. The sidewalks around the parks needs to be repaired. A park is supposed to have grass. Turf improvements are a necessity. The seasonal maintenance attendants need to be 2137 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET paid a decent wage for their service to the parks during the summer when activity in the parks are at its peak. Park lighting is a priority. I cannot emphasize this issue too strongly. Park lighting is a priority in the dark places. m. and dawn, the 9 self-employed young ladies and their attendant 10 entrepreneurs ply their dark trade. In the daytime, Carol Park is a pleasant place in which to spend leisure time, but the negative activity in the small hours of the morning is the other story. After 30-plus years of neglect, the condition of our parks would suggest that the funding for park infrastructure and capital improvements should be raised so that 30 years from now, park groups and the City will not be faced with these daunting capital expenses and social challenges. A park group cannot deceive the City of Philadelphia, we cannot put one over on you. Any member of this august body can visit any active Philadelphia Green park at any time and see if 2138 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET that park is being cared for.

I feel that I, along with my fellow volunteers in the others parks around this great city deserve consideration and continuing support from the City until we all have our own Rittenhouse Square. Thank you.

Thank you very much. We appreciate your coming in to testify and certainly for all of the work that you do. (Applause.)

The Chair now recognizes Councilman Nutter.

Miss Goldney, I deeply appreciate your comments. I don't remember in recent times my mother, who loves me dearly, speaking so highly of me. (Laughter.)

I'll have to ask her to come to these hearings from time to time. So I appreciate that, and I will continue to support the great work that you do and the groups do at Carol Park and the other parks 2139 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET that you mentioned that are in the 4th District. I've been a longtime park supporter before I ever arrived at this particular place, and spent a lot of time actually in Councilwoman Blackwell's district, where I grew up, in what used to be Black Oak Park and is now Malcolm X Park. I don't, Madam Chair, so have much have a question for the witnesses at the table. On the other hand, we've had a couple folks up at the table talking about concerns about the park. We did go over some of this in earlier budget hearings, and my concern is that there is a record that is seemingly being established that Council either is waivering in its general support for the parks, which I do not believe to be the case, or that there is an overall lack of concern for the parks by the City government, which I also don't necessarily believe is the case. At the same time, I am unaware of any requests, official requests, for additional funding for our park system. And I think that it's very important, given the public testimony and the public interest in this issue, that we try to provide some clarity to the record on that in 2140 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET just where things are and where they're not. And so obviously, Madam President, as the Chair, at your discretion, there has to be some opportunity to make sure that this record is crystal-clear about who is doing what or who is not doing what and to whom. I'm going to maintain my strong support for the park, but there is no proposal in front of us at this moment during these budget hearings making a request, general or specific, regarding park funding. And so if there is one, again, I'd like to have an opportunity to see it and to read it, but I will reiterate my concern that given some of testimony and where it seems to be going, that the Council is potentially being portrayed as less-than-caring about our park system, and that is absolutely not the case.

And, Councilman, if my memory serves me correctly, when we had our budget hearings and the Fairmount Park Commission did in fact testify, they indicated for the record that their budget was sufficient. That was the exact word that was used, "sufficient," and they felt that it was ample to do the work 2141 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET that they had before them.

I understand that and, I mean, obviously --

And we have always been, as you said, very, very supportive of the parks.

The public, obviously, absolutely has the right to testify, and people have the right to feel how they feel about their parks; I feel very strongly about them as well. But we are now in this public forum, in a budget-hearing setting and, again, at the appropriate time, so that people can understand what is going on, I think the record does need to be made clear about what's going on in this process.

And we will certainly be happy to do that. Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.

Thank you, Madam 2142 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET President. I too want to -- two points. I want to, one, echo the sentiments raised by Councilman Nutter and to say that given the testimony and the very organized presence of the Philadelphia parks and Friends of parks, it behooves us to look again closely at how we can actively respond to their requests. And, secondly, let me say to you in particular, since you represent this world that you're speaking about, you mentioned a number of accomplishments, and hats off to you. Let me encourage you, as you continue to shape and reshape your strategy, to include all of the work that you're already doing with area schools, public and private, and often remind us on how you're expanding that particular partnership, because that too is a part of the overall strategy.

Right. Very well taken.

Thank you very, very much. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. 2143 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET And thank you both so much for coming into testify. We appreciate it.

Thanks a lot. (Applause.)

The next witness is Shug Davis. Shug Davis? (Mr. Davis not present at this time.)

Lorraine Galone?

Is this Miss Galone? Please approach the witness table. (Witness comes forward.).

Good afternoon. Kindly identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Hello. I'm Lorraine Galone. I live at Winchester Park in the Northeast. And I am here to speak for my family and neighbors. I'd like to say that the Fairmount Park Commission has turned our neighborhood park into a war zone. The Fairmount Park Commission has chosen to spend a large amount of money to conduct their deer kill in the Wissahickon and now in Pennypack Park. A supporter of this organization 2144 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET stated he wanted to save the park for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. Well, the children and grandchildren of the residents of the 8200 block of Winthrop Street actually got to see how the park got saved and heard firsthand how this policy has gone astray. Police were called on Friday evening, February 23rd, because of vehicles on the dirt paths, hunters' lights, including one hunter, who was on private property in a park area that stretches from the rear of the properties to the dirt trail. It is approximately 54 yards from the property lines to the dirt road. The lone shooter was spotted behind a tree at a distance of six feet from the property line, and upon fleeing, ran over several private backyards. Saturday evening was a recurrence of Friday, with the addition of neighborhood involvement with the police on the Welsh Road Bridge and in their backyards. Between 2:30 and 3 a.m., the park area under and around the Welsh Road overpass was described by the residents of this block as "a shooting gallery." Between 3 a.m. and 3:15 a.m., the shooting continued but 2145 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET was sporadic. One of the adults distinguished two separate weapons being used. A resident informed me that the FPC has denied involvement. If so, then this cull has produced an environment where poaching is acceptable. And if so, this is even more dangerous. I strongly implore Mayor Street, Council President Verna, and all members of City Council to deny any funds used for this kill and see that the appropriated funds are used economically. They have seriously compromised the safety of the residents of a vital, family-oriented neighborhood. The park has been an important part of community life for all of us who have moved close to the park to improve the quality of our families' lives. It has provided a wildlife education, as well as recreation. Please help us to have a safe park again. Safety is a huge issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Galone. Just a moment, please. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo. 2146 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET

Thank you, Madam Chair. This issue of the deer cull in the City of Philadelphia has obviously gained a lot of attention, and I know that last year, we conducted a cull, which was not very effective for many reasons, and I think that it might be informative to ask the Fairmount Park Commission, because I know they changed the way they're administering the cull, and I have some information that was given to me in confidence at this point, and I don't feel free that I can speak about it. But I would hope that we would recall the Director during the recall process of these hearing to discuss exactly who and what and how and what differently we're doing now that there's been legislation passed in Harrisburg that permits the Fairmount Park Commission to conduct a cull at any time basically they choose. So I would, I think, find it interesting to hear exactly how we're proceeding, and I would appreciate the Chair considering that at the appropriate time, to have the Fairmount Park Commission discuss that.

Thank you. 2147 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET And it is my understanding that Mr. Mifflin is not in the room. Apparently, there was a court case on this very issue, I am told.

No, I don't know of any court case presently on this issue. That court case is --

We were told that he was supposed to be in a courtroom.

Madam Chair, if there is a court case, then Mr. Mifflin can say that for the record and --

Well, as soon as he arrives, we'll question him.

There was a court -- last -- the first cull a year ago, there was, and if there's a new one, fine.

I'm not aware of it. I'm just informing you of what I was told.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you. But if when -- is there a representative of the Fairmount Park Commission here that would be willing to step forward to speak on it? 2148 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET

Can someone address the issue? Would you approach the witness table, please. (Witness comes forward.)

Hi.

Are you able to address this issue?

I cannot address the issue specifically. I'm here representing Fairmount Park Commission, as the Director was called away and was unable to attend. And I'm James Donaghy. I will take the information back to the Director and be sure that he gets it.

Do you know of -- may I ask the witness, is there a -- do you know of any pending court case on this issue presently?

No, I do not.

Mr. Mifflin informed someone that he had to be in court, and we were assuming it was on this issue, and that was the reason he was not here.

Okay, I was told that he 2149 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET could not make it, he had another engagement, and that's why I am here. I really can't respond to that right now.

Madam Chair, I would appreciate it if at the recall, during the recall, that we ask Mr. Mifflin to come back, and if there is a case pending, that he says what he can, and what he can't say, that's fine, but I think we all need to know exactly how we're proceeding in this effort.

In fact, I think -- will he be available this evening?

Possibly.

I beg your pardon?

Possibly. I'll get in touch with his office and I can get back to you shortly.

Fine. We would like him to be here sometime this afternoon or early evening so that he could discuss this issue.

Okay.

Thank you. 2150 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET

Thank you.

Mrs. Galone, thank you so much for coming in to testify.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you. Our next witness?

Dr. Sanford Sher. Sanford Sher? (Dr. Sher not present.)

The people for the Mural Arts Program: Ruth Birchette, David McShane, Jim Helman, Irene Russell, Ana Uribe. (Witnesses come forward.)

Good afternoon. Kindly identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Good afternoon, Council President Verna, Councilmembers, community leaders and citizens.

Mr. Helman? Excuse me. Why don't you pull a chair to the side of the table and the two of you could. . .

My name is Irene Russell, 2151 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET and I am a resident of Grays Ferry and a member of the Friends of Stinger Square Park and the Stinger Square Advisory Council. Last summer, I was afforded the opportunity to work very closely with the Mural Arts team as they worked on two murals, one in Stinger Square Park and the other directly across the street from the park called "Guardian Angels." I watch as a once-blighted area was turned into an oasis of life and enchantment. During the course of this undertaking, friendships were formed between the Mural Arts team and many residents of the community, who offered help and sought insight about the program and the project at hand. The murals creation became a centerpiece of activity and a galvanizing force in the community by sparking interest and participation from the youth to the elders in the area. I also saw the artist's perception based on bad press and other people's opinion of the Grays Ferry area transformed into admiration for a community that was active, organized, and loving in its interactions. Due to the overwhelming success and the 2152 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET comfort that the artist felt while in our community, a community day was planned in the park, and a third mural was completed, using the input of the residents of the community and the Mural Arts team. It was a culmination of a true labor of love. I am here testifying to the members of this Council for the continued funding of this vital program. This program serves so many functions within a community, aside from the actual murals that remove blight, and become a have for activity in the area. It opens up opportunities for children with talent to become skilled artists, while connecting with diverse people and cultures. Some of these children become eligible for scholarships to further their education through arts. It also brings communities together through shared participation and interaction with one another. It forges new friendships while strengthening existing bonds between people and bridge the generation gap by affording something for people of all ages to do together. As for a wise investment of funds, this 2153 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET program stands out as having a 300 percent return because of the many areas that are affected from one mural going up: The homeowner benefits from the reinforcement and ceiling of their wall if a mural is painted on it; the community benefits from the removal of blight and the opening up of places considered safe havens for people to gather; Philadelphia benefits from the wonderful art display throughout its metropolis, which has now become world-renowned for its mural art work. Just a tour throughout City and a discussion with people who have been involved in any way with the production of a mural in their neighborhood, and I know you will have to vote unanimously to continue the Mural Arts Program for years to come. Thank you.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Ana, are you going to testify next?

I'm Ana Uribe. I'm just going to talk from my heart here. 2154 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET The best thing that has happened in my life is to become a muralist. I come here to Philadelphia and paint on big walls for the people. I'm from Columbia, South America. The first wall I did was a violent wall, it was a wall for Amy Wheeler. It moved me so much because it gave me the opportunity to talk about a violent in a nonviolent way. And then after that, I became the voice of the people from the south, of all the Latin people. I have been painting their landscape, the landscape they need so much. You know, when you immigrate from a company to this country, you get a much better standard of living, you get all of your basic needs covered. But then there is that part of your feelings that you left back at your land. And I have been painting water falls, rain forest, and I feel like the voice of so many people that I call "minority," and I'm making them feel a majority, because then they feel pride, they feel very, very proud of who they are and that they have people that are talking for them. So they start to care for their neighborhood. They think we are making a palace 2155 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET out of their, you know, trashed lands. And then a lot of people come behind my mural, it came a bulldozer that cleaned the trash, it came students from Temple, it came students from the University of Pennsylvania that planted gardens, it came the Horticulture Society, it came the whole neighborhood. And everything is looking much better. When I got to North Philadelphia, and still it looks like trash land, but I think we are making a difference because we are making people proud, proud of themselves. And if you are proud, you care for yourself and then you care for where you live. One of the other projects I did, I did with the Art Museum, and we worked with a program that was called -- the Philadelphia Foundation, they gave money for middle school students to go to the museum and work. So they put the tiles around the wall. And all these kids that are the future and the people that going to be the future residents and the people that is going to take care of Philadelphia are starting to love their city. They don't feel like they are just -- no, 2156 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET they feel like they are a part of the City because then, the kids they are making the difference, you know. They are painting the walls, they are cleaning, they are painting. And that's the best part. It's not that we are just doing everything, it's that they are a part of it. And when you are a part of our program, you feel much better.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Mr. Helman?

Good afternoon, members of City Council. My name is Jim Helman. Along with my friend Irene, I'm a resident of Grays Ferry and a founding member of the Committee of Concerned Citizens. Before I begin my testimony, I just want to take a moment to say hello to our District member of City Council and to let you know, President Verna, that our community acknowledges and appreciates your support for recreation and mural arts.

Thank you.

There is a mural in Grays 2157 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Ferry at 29th and Wharton Streets. " The mural shows the arms of 9 multiracial people coming together in a pile of 10 hands. The mural was created at a time when a 11 series of racial incidents had further divided our community. Now, it's no secret that Grays Ferry is a racially troubled community, and has been for many years. Having been tested by time, Grays Ferry residents tend to be opinionated, outspoken, and stubborn. There are those who scoff at the Peace Wall, saying that it's simplistic or idealistic. But a growing number of residents glance at the Peace Wall whenever they pass it and think of the possibilities. They think of what Grays Ferry can be, what Grays Ferry should be. The Peace Wall is a vivid visual display that the strength of our community is in the diversity of our residents, residents of every 2158 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET faith and belief, of every economic level, and of every ethnic origin. The Peace Wall is a great example of a powerful statement that can be made through mural art, even in a troubled community. Now, Grays Ferry residents are not shy, so we have no problem asking the Mural Arts Program, Hey, what have you done for us lately? Let me take a moment to answer that question. Two years ago, the Mural Arts Program brought the big picture program to Vare Recreation Center. Under the thoughtful and sensitive guidance of mural artist Wade Williams, Grays Ferry children have been exposed to the culture and drama of art in all forms. This had never previously been available to our children, and they love it. Last year, in citywide art competition, Vare Big Picture kids captured five awards. In December, the children proudly displayed their art at a show at Eleventh and Market Street and even sold some work. Today the Big Picture kids are learning mosaic art and are contributing to a large mosaic that will be displayed at different locations throughout the City. 2159 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Last year, the Vare Big Picture kids painted two murals in Grays Ferry. One is a three-panel work across the street from Vare. The other is a mural painted on the building at Stinger Square Park. ) and the Mural Arts Program participated in a community cleanup day at Stinger Square. " Guardian Angels memorializes a well-known community activist and expresses the importance of education and interaction between young people and adults. Last week, our community and the Mural Arts Program chose a theme for a large two-wall mural that will be painted this year at 34th and Wharton Streets. The mural will include a vacant lot that hopefully will be converted into a park to blend in with the mural. The theme that was chosen is Grays Ferry in colonial days. The mural proms to be dynamic and will help to give an identity and a sense of perspective to our community. The theme was inspired by recent 2160 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET excavations at Independence Mall that revealed evidence that white settlers, black settlers, and Native Americans all lived together in the area. We feel that is a very important lesson that the past can teach the present. The Mural Arts Program has done well in our community and throughout the City. In the last week or so, I have spoken to a number of Grays Ferry community leaders, and I can tell you that mural art is supported by the Committee of Concerned Citizens, the Friends of Stinger Square, the South Philadelphia Rainbow Committee, the Tasker Homes Tenant Improvement Council, the Grays Ferry West Action Committee, the Forgotten Bottom Neighborhood Association, and the Advisory Councils at Vare Recreation Center, Lanier Playground, Finnigan Playground, and Stinger Square Park. The Mural Arts Program is ready to move into the future, and they have planned an ambitious and positive future for our city. We can't believe that Council would not want to be an important part of that future.

The best way Council can do that is to provide the funding 2161 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET requested by the Department of Recreation Mural Arts Program for the next fiscal year. For myself, and on behalf of the Committee of Concerned Citizens and on behalf of many Grays Ferry residents, we urge City Council to do just that. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is David McShane a mural artist for the Mural Arts Program. I've spent ten -- roughly ten years learning my craft in terms of painting, which culminated in a master's degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1995, and since then, have gone on to do a lot of different murals for the mural program. Compared to painting murals in the private sector, I don't get paid particularly well for the mural work I do with all things considered, considering the amount of extra taxes I have to pay as a private contractor and the health insurance that I have to pay for myself, et cetera. But I didn't come here to complain about 2162 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET the fact that I'm, you know, about my financial situation. I'm basically here to kind of answer the question, why is it that I paint in this program, with all things considered? And the answer is really fairly simple, and I'll give you three examples: The first one is the Jackie Robinson mural at Broad and Sommerset Street. I painted that in the summer of 1997. This corner was, initially when I got there, trash-strewn and an overgrown lot; people were leaving all things behind, including appliances and things like that. Today, it is a fenced-in, maintained park that features the mural along with kids' programs and an African market that's organized by Marilyn Porter, the owner of the house that the Jackie Robinson mural is painted on. This mural, it appears to me, has clearly helped empower this neighborhood to change itself. The second one is a portrait of an anonymous young man, a mural about nonviolence, at Broad and Clearfield. While painting this mural, I met Joseph, a 10-year-old boy who lived a few doors down from this mural. His curiosity and 2163 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET creative energy was apparent. Through his persistence, he became my mural assistant, and although I met him two years ago, we still meet every other week on Thursdays to make art together. This mural has changed my life as well as his. The third reason is the Herman Rice mural at 34th and Spring Garden. I can think of no better role model who deserves a tribute mural. Herman's community activism and anti-drug work were inspiring to all, including me. While I was painting this mural, countless friends and family and neighbors from Mantua and throughout the City stopped and shared story after story of their experiences with Herman. This mural is helping to keep alive the momentum that Herman started with his work. I'm proud of all of the murals I have painted, and I feel fortunate to have contributed to the landscape of the City and to do what I love to do; but most particularly, I'm proud that I get a chance to help communities have their own voice. The reality is that this program needs funding to continue this vision that Jane Golden 2164 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET has. I consider myself fortunate to work for Jane, and her vision is clearly being expressed by the other three parties here today. It's a very clear and real vision that is working in this city. Artists like me love this program, but if the program is to survive, we must survive as well. Please help make this possible and increase the Mural Arts Program budget so that we can continue to do this work. Thank you.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

I just want you all to know that the Administration and I know that every member of City Council strongly supports the Mural Arts Program, and we really want to thank you for coming in to testify. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.

I was just going to ask the President to state the record on this matter, and you've done that really well.

Thank you. 2165 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET

We do support -- everybody in City Council supports the program, and we understand that the Administration and the Mayor and his whole staff does. You do a remarkable thing. The last witness spoke about my home neighborhood, and everything he says is true, and it looks so much better than it had before the Mural Arts Program began. And we thank all of you. And, Grays Ferry, we just think it's wonderful that the Mural Arts Program is helping to lead the way to a real understanding of how people live together. So we thank you for all you've done. Thank you, Madam President.

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank you. Certainly I agree with all that's been said, and we're hoping to make sure that you have space. You know, we've been really interested in having a stationery and permanent place for the Mural Arts young people to work out of. So we're mindful of that as well. And I'm very happy that 2166 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET we're number one in the nation in terms of our murals. And while I have the mike, let me also thank those from Malcolm X -- that's going to be a model for the country. Thanks for your remarks on the parks. And, again, we're glad to be number one in murals.

Thank you. Thank you all for coming in. Our next witness?

Phyllis Gibson, Marie Rose Atlas, Frank Cervone. (Witnesses come forward.)

Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record.

Good afternoon. My name is Mary Rose Atlas. I'm the Program Director for the Families and Murder Victims Program of the Anti-violence Partnership of Philadelphia. This is also Frank Cervone. He is from the Support Center for Child Advocates. Frank and I both support citywide victim service programs here in Philadelphia. 2167 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET

I'm Phyllis Gibson, Director of West Southwest Victim Services. I'm here representing victim service agencies. 5 Please stand. 6 (Agency members stand.) 7

These agencies provide 8 victim service in Philadelphia. These agencies 9 are also funded through City Council and the 10 D.A.'s budget. 11 Action Alliance Elderly Victim 12 Assistance, Center City Crime Victim Services, East Division Crime Victim Services, North Central Victim Services, Northeast Philadelphia Victim Witness Services, Northwest Victim Services, Support Center for Child Advocates, Victim Services of South Philadelphia, West Southwest Victim Services, Women Organized Against Rape, Women Against Abuse.

Thank you again for having given us this opportunity to speak to you today. We hope that each of you have in front of you a statement of need, and that statement of need describes the services that are currently being provided by all of our agencies here in 2168 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Philadelphia to all types of crime victims. This statement also describes the minimum amount of money that we feel that we need in the coming year. We understand that this amount has been included in the District Attorney's budget request and in the Mayor's proposed budget, and we are hoping that you will indeed approve it. The purpose of our presentation is to give you examples of what our agencies do. And I must say what we do very well on a day-to-day basis. But also, we need to show you today what it looks like when we're struggling, you know, when we're scraping together resources, and sometimes we're doing this in crisis. And we're doing this to address the needs of crime victims and their families. Many of these services go beyond what we're usually funded to do. But the need is real, and we are expected to respond. We're asking you to look at us as a group of agencies who are being asked to extend themselves in ways that we never have before. See us as a group of professionals with the dedication and commitment and the ability to work together to stop the cycles of violence happening within 2169 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Philadelphia's families due to victimization and trauma.

The services that these agencies provide to victims and Wissahickon are: crisis intervention, follow-up counseling, information and referrals, criminal justice support, accompaniment to court, assistance in filing victim compensation forms, emergency food and shelter, advocating with other agencies, and transportation. In the year 2000, there were 101 homicides in west southwest Philadelphia. Seven of these homicides occurred on December the 28th on Lex Street. The magnitude of these murders were overwhelming. However, with the collaboration of the victim service agencies, together we were able to provide early intervention services, hold a press conferences to stop the rumors that were circulating, and to make the community aware of services that we provide. We were instrumental in relocating families who were in danger. We had individual counseling sessions with co-victims, provided assistance in stopping intimidation and harassment of the 2170 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET co-victims. We identified a funeral director who donated his services to four of the families. We provided support and counseling to the co-victims at each funeral, provided evening transportation to the co-victims to participate in a grief assistance program, and we provided outreach services to the Mill Creek community. The Keystone Crisis Team was called in to organize and plan each day's intervention. At the end of each day, they debriefed our staff. This is a professional team, with members from different counties in Pennsylvania. They were trained by the National Organization for Victim Assistance. Without the assistance from this crisis team, we would not have been able to provide these intervention services as effectively. For us to better service victims, we need additional training and crisis intervention, a citywide crisis response team, relocation services for victims and Wissahickon who are in danger of retaliation. We wish to thank City Council for their financial support. 2171 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET

Thank you very much.

Just in addition, though, one of the other things that we wanted to describe was that immediately after the seven deaths on Lex Street, West Southwest Victim Services, Anti-violence Partnership, and other victim service agencies collaborated with the Keystone Intervention Team, the Philadelphia School District, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, and other professionals throughout the City. This is one of the first times, I think, we ever really needed to really pull together. And the purpose was to provide -- for that particular incident, we needed to look at what was happening with the children involved in these communities and who were affected by this trauma. Specifically, we needed to provide crisis debriefings to students and the staff, and we provided these debriefings to six schools in the University City cluster and the West Philadelphia cluster. These clusters were identified by victim services and by school family resource 2172 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET coordinators, psychologists, and other staff as needing attention because of their close proximity to the incident, and also, because these schools house many of siblings, cousins, and friends of the victims. And here we want to say, you know, these incidents of homicide affect the whole family; just as crime and victimization on one individual in a family affects the whole family unit. From January 3rd to February 4th, victim advocates and crisis responders visited 60 classrooms, and we provided approximately 1,450 children with the ability to ask questions about this incident, to have their misperceptions about the incident clarified. They needed -- they really needed someone to allow them to vent their feelings about the deaths and about this and other incidents that happened in their lives and to be offered emotional support and follow-up by professionals. There's still a need out there that is fairly overwhelming for many of us, that we still need to address. We still have a need to follow up with the several schools on the status of those 2173 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET students that were identified in the debriefings, and many staff continue to require support and education on trauma and traumatic stress in these children. Additionally, there's a broader pressure that's on each of our agencies, and this added pressure involves all of the comprehensive victim service centers across the State. Our funders are expecting, and demanding, increased levels of professionalism from each of our agencies. No longer do we function as small, volunteer-based grassroots programs. We are now required to have written policies and procedures in place to reflect the best practices in victim services, including ensuring client confidentiality, having staff that are trained to meet the culturally diverse needs of our communities. We're required to have a plan to respond to crime victims in crisis and within 22 hours of our agency being notified of an 23 incident. We're required to develop a resource 24 network, where we can refer clients and ensure continuity in service delivery. 2174 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET As Phyllis said, we need improved levels of staff training, we need to monitor these professionals, and we need to provide ongoing support to avoid staff burnout. And in addition, we need to have safety plans and options for victims and families who say they're being threatened and that their lives are in danger. We need to have an answer for them when they look at us. We respectfully say that all of these issues require that you as City Council have as much vision and dedication towards the residents of this city and the needs of these residents as we have. And we acknowledge and deeply appreciate all of your support in the past, but we ask for your continued help, especially in working collaboratively with each of our community-based agencies in your district in order to stop the cycle of violence within and around our families.

Thank you very much. Are you not testifying? (Person shakes head no.)

We certainly 2175 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET want to applaud you for the wonderful work that you do. And as you may be aware, the District Attorney has, in fact, asked that the budget for your agencies -- I don't know exactly how many there are in total -- be increased by $172,000. I know that when she was in here last week, that was a part of her testimony. And as I said, we truly, truly applaud the work that you do. And I think that without you, it would be a much different world, believe me, and not for the better. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank you, Madam President. Most certainly, I agree, and I would like to say a special thanks for all that happened in the, quote/unquote, Lex Street massacre. A special thanks to my friend Phyllis Gibson, who works so hard in the community to try to reduce crime and to improve the quality of life. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you all 2176 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET very much. Thank you. Our next witness?

Susan Gobreski.

I'm sorry. I can't hear you are you testifying on recycling? (Witness comes forward.)

Council President, there are other people here who want to testify on recycling. Would you like us to all come together?

With the Clean Water Action?

There are other groups on the recycling issue. They can come up or they can wait.

Are you testifying on recycling?

Yes. I'm with Clean Water Action.

Okay. How many are in the group?

There are, I believe, three others.

And do they 2177 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET have their names already on the list?

Three others, and I think they are. They can either wait or they can come up and join me, whatever, at your pleasure.

What are their names?

Camille Nicholas, Maurice Sampson, and Bob Pierson.

Bring them up, please. (Witnesses come forward.)

Susan, kindly identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Sure. And I have copies here for you, if you'd like.

Thank you.

My name is Susan Gobreski. I'm a program organizer with Clean Water Action. Good afternoon, President Verna and members of Council, and thank you for allowing me to testify today. I am a program organizer with Clean Water Action. It's a grassroots organization. We 2178 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET do environmental work that works to advocate for better policy in the City and across the State. Clean Water Action was also one of the founding members of the Recycling Alliance, which is an association of neighborhood and community groups that understand the value that recycling has to our city and to our neighborhoods and that have come together to speak on its behalf. I am also a member of the RAC. This is my fourth year of testifying here about recycling. There has been some progress but not enough. We need weekly recycling citywide and enough education and visibility to ensure participation and a confidence in the program from the citizens. We are asking for your support of an expanded and supported program that provides the same level of service to all residents in all communities, rather than a marginally-improved program to a few select areas. We all know that landfills and incinerators cause pollution often in communities of color. We know that recycling saves natural resources. We also know that it is possible to achieve at a much higher level than we have done. 2179 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Other places are doing it. They are succeeding because they are implementing fully- supported programs, including their residents in their plan, and finding ways to make their programs more cost-effective by running them well. Philadelphia continues to aspire to be a world-class city. And with my apologies for references ballparks, but if you want to play in big leagues, you can't play farm-league ball. Big-league cities implement cutting-edge programs that provide a vision of a better place, and they do it well. This is what builds pride and community and belonging. Truly, a failure in something so simple and so clear is just backwards. The problem that exists in our program, including the problems of expense, are because the program has been designed and run poorly. It is simply unacceptable to have a program that lacks a strategic plan, inadequate funding for its task, inconstant management, support, and staffing, and then damn it for its failure. We have a new commissioner and a new recycling coordinator, both of whom have held out hopes for recycling. Both 2180 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET of them have expressed a vision for a better program. Unfortunately, it falls to both of them to carry our failures to date and to make good on a promise that a well-run program offers. We have had some success. There is weekly collection in at least some neighborhoods, if too few, and we have a coordinator. Last year, as I had testified before all of you, we were asking for that. The Philadelphia Recycling Office needs to be able to do more, and they need your support. They need to hear from you and hear that the will of this body, since it passed the original recycling law more than ten years ago, is that we recycle, that we are not satisfied to send our trash off to our neighborhoods and pollute their neighborhoods or upstream to pollute our own drinking water. We must at least try hard to find alternatives to landfills and incinerators. Give our commissioner an new recycling coordinator an unmistakable signal that you expect them to put together a plan and a program that will work, that is for all of our neighborhoods, and then tell them you will support them as they try. 2181 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET We need adequate funding, we need weekly collection, and we need strong education programs. This is what will increase participation and improve the cost situation. This is how you play in the big leagues.

Next year, I hope to be able to be testifying before you about the need to support market development for our vast quantity of collected recyclables. Thank you.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Our next witness?

Good afternoon. My name is Camille Nicholas. I'm a policy analyst at Clean Air Council here in Philadelphia. Clean Air Council was founded in 1967 as a citizen-based nonprofit to address pollution in the Delaware Valley. The Council has served on the City of Philadelphia's Recycling Advisory Committee since its founding 14 years ago. The Clean Air Council is committed to monitoring and 2182 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET advising the City on plans for environmentally and fiscally sound waste reduction in management policy. I am also here as co-organizer of the Grassroots Recycling Alliance of Philadelphia. In the past several years, we have grown to a coalition of neighborhood and environmental 9 groups and businesses who support improved 10 recycling in Philadelphia. You can see the member 11 organizations on the list that I have submitted to 12 the members of Council who represent a large group 13 of diverse organizations throughout the City. 14 The Alliance is proud to see that some 15 of the action points we have outlined have been 16 accomplished in the past year. We are pleased by 17 the initiative of Streets Commissioner Johnson and 18 the willingness he has shown to work together with 19 diverse advisory and community groups. We're glad 20 that the long-vacant post of recycling coordinator 21 filled been by someone as competent and well- 22 meaning as David Robinson, very well-qualified. 23 And the Recycling Alliance is glad to see the 24 Streets Department and the Recycling Office developing a strategic recycling plan, including a 2183 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET focus on promotion and education, which is something we've been working on for a long time. While I am pleased by the progress that has been made, recycling in Philadelphia is still a long way from where I believe the City needs to be. Of particular concern is the household recycling rate of just 6 percent, meaning that only 6 percent of household waste set out at residents' curbsides is recycled. I look forward to seeing the comprehensive, integrated solid-waste management plan that Commissioner Johnson promised in his testimony last week. I expect that the plan when it is unveiled in a year will be well thought out. But I want to emphasize that Philadelphia needs to invest in improvements in recycling today to lay the groundwork for continuing improvements in the future. In the near term, Philadelphia needs to improve both its recycling service and its public education efforts. Frequent, consistent, reliable recycling serves as a prerequisite to a successful recycling program. Streets Department data presented to the RAC demonstrated a 27 percent 2184 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET increase in the tonnage recycled for areas in Philadelphia receiving weekly collection, compared to a 1 percent decrease recycling in recycling tonnage in areas receiving less frequent recycling service. Philadelphia needs weekly recycling to make the program work. But weekly recycling is only a start. If the trucks are coming by every week and no one is putting out recycling, then obviously, the program isn't working. People need to know what, when, and why to recycle. This education needs to happen on every level, from neighborhoods to homes to schools. I'm glad to see the new recycling coordinator investing in education efforts and want to encourage this focus on education to continue and expand. In conclusion, I have heard powerful demands for increase and improved recycling everywhere, from the streets of North Philadelphia to this Council chamber. The Clean Air Council and the Recycling Alliance of Philadelphia are working hard for long-overdue recycling improvements. We need the help of City Council to succeed. 2185 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET I call on members of City Council to hold the Streets Department accountable for the City's recycling programs and for our recycling rate.

I ask City Councilmembers to lend their support to increase recycling through budgetary, political, and personal support. Please give the new leadership of the Streets Department the resources and support that they need to give our city the recycling program that we deserve. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, members of City Council.

Good afternoon.

My name is Bob Pierson, and I'm also a member of the Recycling Advisory Committee and have been on that committee since 1987 and when the program began, and I've been before the Council on many occasions since then to talk about recycling. There's two points that I'd like to bring out, and I'll be quite brief about it. The first one is staffing, that we've observed over 2186 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET the last decade that there's been an attrition in the recycling staff and loss of some key people with expertise in different areas such as public relations, outreach, and education, people who are expert on commercial recycling, people who knew about source reduction and procurement, and someone who can get the hundreds of government buildings recycling so that citizens, ordinary citizens, can see that as an example of what they should do instead of using it as an excuse for why they shouldn't recycle. And so I -- this point is to support the commissioner and the recycling coordinator in the hiring of new staff to replace those good people that have left over the past years. The second point is to pick up on something that Susan has just said about market development. That's one thing that lies a little bit outside the mission of the Streets Department, and frankly, I feel over the years, it's been neglected, that the Streets Department mission is to collect on the Sanitation Division side, is to collect trash and collect recyclables, and they really have no one in the department who is an 2187 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET entrepreneur and someone who could put deals together to work with Philadelphia's infrastructure of the scrap industry and to use the recycled materials that are collected and also to attract new industry to Philadelphia for commodities that are not processed here. And this has an effect on lowering the transportation distances for the City trucks, which, when you got two workers in that truck on a truck (indiscernible), it's going to run you 60, $70 an hour just to take stuff back and forth. And if you could deliver if very close by, you're going to save a lot of money. And it's also by increasing this industry in Philadelphia that you're going to create jobs, and of course, increase the tax base. And so my recommendation is here that the Council should support the Streets Department effort in market development, and I'd urge that the Streets Department sit down with the Commerce Department to develop a program to increase the capacity to process recycled commodities and transform them into consumer goods made right here in Philadelphia. 2188 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Thank you very much for this opportunity. (Applause.)

Good afternoon, Council President Verna, members of City Council. My statement has not been taken, so someone will want to pick up a copy of it here. My name is Maurice Sampson, and I'm the Director for Sustainable Development for an organization called Citizens for Pennsylvania Future, or Penn Future. I am also a member of Philadelphia's Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and I live in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. I want to speak to the Streets Department's budget testimony and comments from City Council, as delivered by Streets Commissioner William Johnson on the 20th of February. First, I want to acknowledge and to publicly thank Mayor John Street for his selection of Commissioner William Johnson. Commissioner Johnson is the first solid waste professional to hold the Streets Commissioner's post since the departure of Harry Perks in the late '80s. Quite frankly, given his background and experience, if 2189 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET he wasn't the Streets Commissioner, he'd be the most capable coordinator we've ever had. Since his arrival last summer, he's proven to be both accessible and responsive. In the selection of Dave Roberts, the recycling coordinator, he fully involved the Recycling Advisory Committee and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee in the selection process. He has made it clear that he wants and needs our involvement in the planning and implementation of a new solid waste plant for the City of Philadelphia. I can honestly say that for the first time in years, 14 I'm encouraged that we're truly working towards 15 the development of the most efficient recycling and waste disposal system our City deserves. Two closely-related points emerged as themes during the Streets Department budget hearing: cost effectiveness and the need for education. Questions were raised concerning the pilot and the absence of conclusions on its effects and the decision to continue it rather than to expand, change, or scrap it. Commissioner Johnson's position that recycling cost $300 a ton brought a logical and rational 2190 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET response from Councilman Rizzo, implying that we should scrap the program as too expensive. Let me address the question of cost effectiveness first. The figure mentioned for the cost of recycling by the Commissioner of $300 a ton, I believe, was offered out of context. Collection costs within the pilot never approached $300. According to the Streets Department report on the pilot, which was released on January 27th of last year, collection costs ranged from 135 to $200 a ton. These costs, when compared to corresponding waste costs within the pilot were often competitive and sometimes less than the waste collection costs. Now, what does that mean, and just what is cost-effectiveness? There are three factors that determine cost-effectiveness: the collection cost per truck, including the labor and vehicle costs, the processing cost for recycling the number of tons collected by a given recycling truck. If cost effectiveness is measured as parity with the cost of trash collection, the most important variable is the number of tons of recyclables collected. 2191 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET For example, if we were to assume that the cost of the crew and supervision, its trucks for recycling or trash -- I'm sorry. 3 tons a day would have the same cost as a rubbish truck carrying tons a 11 day. Reduced costs increase the recycling 12 program's viability. Increased costs require an 13 increase in the number of tons collected on each 14 truck to maintain cost effectiveness. The performance of the City's recycling program should be addressed on the basis of collection routes, not as the City on the whole. While it is true on the average that recycling is more expensive to collect than trash, the pilot suggests that on a route-to-route basis, recycling is very successful in some areas and understated in others.

To underscore this, with my testimony, I attached a map that shows recycling collections by district across the City. If you look at that, 2192 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET you'll see that collection rates vary greatly. In the northwest and Northeast Philadelphia, volumes are produced as high as 60 tons a day, while some routes in North Philadelphia produce less than 5 tons a day. To put it in a Councilmatic perspective, I also included with the map a chart that shows the tons collected per day in each Council district, or if you're a member at large, in your neighborhood. Be assured of this: Every neighborhood in the City enough recyclable materials to support a cost-effective program, provided the materials are collected. Here is the bottom line: What we learned in the pilot is that if education is provided, and that means clearly explained, the program is convenient, which means reliable weekly and the same day as trash, people will participate. An unprecedented effort was made during the pilot to deliver the recycling message. It resulted in a 39 percent increase in recycling volumes and a decrease in per-ton collection costs. The rational conclusion to these 2193 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET results and an underlying message in the questions asked by Councilmembers is that we should expand the pilot citywide. So why isn't this the plan we can expect. In order to expand the current program citywide, it will be necessary to double the collection fleet, a costly investment that will take two to five years to implement, based on past experience. The most advanced programs in the country are using one vehicle to collect both recyclables and solid waste. This is called "co-collection," an approach which has proven in other jurisdictions to increase efficiency for waste and recycling collection, while reducing the overall cost. As applied do Philadelphia co-collection has tremendous implications which could dramatically change how waste is managed. The pilot the Commissioner is planning is essential to determining co-collections feasibility in Philadelphia. Should we decide this is the best way to go, we need to invest in a very different fleet than we currently use and a plan to transform the current collection system. The Commissioner has promised both a 2194 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET pilot and a new integrated solid-waste plan. Under the circumstances, it may make sense to delay fully expanding the pilot. Is it worth the wait? My research suggests that it would be. Coupled with other modifications, co-collection has reduced costs in other jurisdictions by as much as percent, while 9 greatly increasing recycling rates. I'm going to 10 say that again, okay? Co-collection has reduced 11 costs in jurisdictions by as much as 20 percent, 12 while greatly increasing recycling rates. 13 Co-collection will allow for a crew of 14 three to collect trash and recyclables, a task now 15 requiring two trucks and six workers. 16 Co-collection will make it cost-effective to 17 collect plastics and old corrugated containers, 18 increasing the items we can recycle and something 19 we've all been wanting. It will also support 20 separate collection of yard waste, of electronics and other reusable bulky wastes. These are improvements that we can't expect from the current collection system. Now, I don't believe we need to wait when it comes to expanding on education and 2195 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET promotion. Even if we accept that citywide expansion the same day as trash should be delayed, there is no reason to wait in improving the education and promotions program. Increased participation will result in more materials and decreased collection costs, regardless of how the material is collected.

Independent studies collected in Philadelphia of set-out rates show that even in the areas with the highest rates of recycling, we're only placing about percent of 12 the potential recyclables that we could be putting 13 out for collection. This is why we need 14 education. Some of the lessons learned in the 15 pilot need to be exported citywide now, and City 16 Council should insist on it. 17 In conclusion, I want to point out that 18 Commissioner Johnson projected that his integrated 19 solid-waste plan would be complete in eight to 20 twelve months. This would mean the plan would be ready for review by either October of 2001 or March of 2002. I encourage the City Council to hold the Streets Department to this schedule and announce now your intention to stage a public hearing to review the plan for those months. 2196 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you very much. Are we ready for questions? Councilman Cohen.

I wanted to thank all of the members of the panel for their testimony, and particularly Maurice Sampson's very fine analysis. Is it your understanding, Mr. Sampson, that the Commissioner supports the concept of co-collection?

In fact, he introduced it to us.

Because it's the first time I've heard of it. It sounds awfully good to me. I think all folks interested in the environment, in the air, in the earth, in the water have to understand that we're in the process of having to renew not only educational efforts but basic understanding. In the last ten to fifteen years, I have found that instead of education being increased on the subject and understanding developing, the exact reverse has 2197 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET occurred. And recycling, where ten years ago everybody knew it was the right thing to do, even the communities that were slow in adopting actual tactics to achieve it, today there are questions raised about whether or not it's interfering with economic development. Even the successful efforts to stop the trash-to-steam plant, which has saved the City, incidently, over the 30 years of the life of that plant, the City will be saving not only many lives from a health point of view but a billion and a half dollars in City tax dollars as a result of the employees not having trash-to-steam plant, let alone all of the health problems. Despite all of that, today, currently most people don't treasure the earth, the sky. They don't think the sky belongs to the people, they don't think that concerns about clean water and earth are important. So I just suggest to the community and the whole environmental community that we've got to understand that education is paramount, and we've got to convince people that that's the right thing to do. And you've got to have the right 2198 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET facts. I'm very heartened by the information you gave us about the new commissioner. And I agree with you that over the last 150 years in the Streets Department, recycling has been a stepchild and has never been welcomed. Apparently, the new commissioner has a more modern take on the picture and is going to be much more cooperative. And we're hoping to help, that City Council (inaudible) will be in developing hearings on the co-collection idea as soon as possible. We would like to work with both the City Department of Streets and the recycling and environmental community in general to make those hearings happen to show how important it is to work to preserve the earth, the sky, and everything about natural living, and we will look to you for support. And I think you will find in Council a cooperative voice. But I have to tell you, you've got a lot of hard work to do because the movement just going forward with regard to environmental matters deteriorated in the last years or, so we've got a lot of work to make up for. But thanks again for your extraordinary 2199 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET analysis of the situation, and we'll have to see what the hearings produce in the way of evidence to determine whether or not the co-collection policy is the soundest policy for Philadelphia. It certainly sounds enormously promising. Thank you, Madam Chair.

You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.

Thank you, Madam President. Councilman Cohen has mentioned the one fundamental key I think will help us in conquering this problem, and that is education. You mention in your testimony that there are currently 18 neighborhoods and environmental groups. In those 19 neighborhoods that are participating, does there 20 exist any linkages with area schools? Because if 21 we're going to conquer this as well, we have to 22 start in the schools now. 23

Well, we did provide 24 last year, at your request, with the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, that 2200 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET curriculum, which I thank you for your interest in.

Yes.

Thank you for your interest, and I understand that you helped to implement in some neighborhood schools.

Has that been expanded?

We are trying to get that information to all of our members.

Right. We've also done some presentations to some of the member groups. I mean, right now, this is still -- I mean, since it's been taking sort of the nonprofit community to keep propping this up, it's constant. You mentioned hard work. It's the only kind we do. (Laughter.)

The -- we have -- actually, we just got a call and I think you guys got a call recently from a school for some of the senior -- the high school projects, and so I think we'd like to do more outreach to them, we want to work with them. It's something we're definitely interested in. You know, right now, the big fight 2201 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET has been getting the support to get the program in place. You can't go out and tell a bunch of kids to recycle and then have them walk into their homes and see nothing.

Right.

You know? I mean, if they can't put the stuff out, it's a meaningless message to them. And so, you know, I think it's definitely something we want to see move forward, and we've been working with the City in pushing that and beating that drum over and over at the RAC meetings. So we're with you.

Okay. And just as you are growing neighborhood by neighborhood one at a time, business by business one at a time, it may require that same approach with both of our -- all of our schools in the City, not just the public schools.

My neighbors, the principal at Andrew Jackson School, I think it's on Federal Street in South Philly, she brought me a memo just this last week announcing the plans for the recycling that are going to go on in the school. She also told me that they have on at 2202 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET least two occasions put programs together that work, and they fell down because no one came to collect the materials. My understanding is that that part of the program is being addressed. You know, I don't care where you are, whether it's a school or you're a resident, if it doesn't go away as recyclables, you'll make it go away as trash.

Mm-hmm.

So I sense that there are issues. The memo was a very interesting one and encouraging, because it really looks as though there's a lot of energy going on there. I think our getting more connected perhaps with some of the principals in the schools so we can understand what some of their issues are would be a big help. But, you know, with a number of things that are going on that the School Board has put together in terms of the commitment to service projects --

Yes.

And then the new standards for environmental ecology that the Department of Education has put forward. And 2203 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET there's something -- I believe it's called Act 48, where teachers have to get continuing credits. All of those things play really powerful as incentives for the schools to get thoroughly involved in education. I would also tell you that you can look at a direct correlation in the improvement of the recycling on the community level based on how strong the programs are in the schools.

In the schools, absolutely.

So it's just absolutely critical and a center point of making these things happen.

Well, in closing, let me again echo Councilman Cohen's comments. The work you're doing is exceedingly important, and if we are to conquer it, I'm of the -- my editorial comment is that we have to start with kids.

Yes.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. 2204 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Are there any other comments from members of the committee? (No further questions.)

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next witness?

Dr. Dominic Debias. (Witness comes forward.)

Please identify yourself for the record, please.

I'm Dominic Debias. I'm retired. And before my retirement, I spent 42 years teaching medical students in the City of Philadelphia. After that time, at my alma mater, Jefferson Medical College, and the other half at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I'm appearing here today as President of the Fairmount Park Commission Advisory Council, which is an organization I've been a member of since its inception, about 15 years now. And, of course, I'm here to support the budget of the Fairmount Park Commission and specifically any 2205 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET increases that you can see fit to make in the Capital Budget or in the annual Operating Budget in your wisdom of your deliberations. I'm going to support my appearance here today by three items, and they may be unrelated or they may seem unrelated to the park, so if you're thinking, what does this have to do with the park? just bear we with me, and I'll tie them all up for you. The first one is an article that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, which really prompted me to be here, and this article 14 appeared on January 17th of this year, and only one statistic I'm going to read. It talks about City employees between 1995 and 2000, and the first one lists the DA's Office, with a 747 percent increase in the workforce. And when I read that, I thought, Oh, my God is crime up 747 percent in the City of Philadelphia that we need that many more prosecutors? Now, I have no 22 aversion against the District Attorney, so don't get that idea from the first place -- a lot of my friends are district attorneys. But anyway, that was kind of alarming to me, and I thought, Well, 2206 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET what's going on here? And then I thought maybe we're not directing our youth in the right direction, we're not giving them the time and effort and monies that they deserve. The second article appeared on January 24th, and this article is an article about a project done by John Hopkins University Research Center for -- what's the term they use. . Well, they used the term for -- I think it was "at-risk students" or something like that. And this is important to bring up here, I think, because in that study, two schools of Philadelphia are included, Strawberry Mansion and Edison, and I think that's important, because in that study, they talk about using a method where students are given a lot more personal supervision in English, mathematics, and science -- and keep the word "science" in mind here. And the program went on for one year last year. And, again, I'm going to read two statistics without going into too many statistics about the program and one statistic is arrests for Strawberry Mansion in one year, okay, in 1999 to 2000, down 74 percent. Edison arrests down 2207 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET 83 percent. Now, I know if the statistician is going to hear me now, he's going to jump all over me, but wouldn't that be nice if we could cut the District Attorney's Office by 84 if we had this all over the City and had these students doing better and not going in the direction of feeding the District Attorney's Office. And that's just a statistic. Academics. 7 percentage points. So the program is a success, and it's a success because these students are directed towards something that's making a productive life for them. The third thing that I want to bring in here is, you all know now that the President is talking about using faith-based social services to protect our youth from going in the wrong direction, and I think that's a good idea, because getting down to these people at the roots is where we have to direct our attention, because after 2208 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET they've committed their crime, they've gotten into the drugs, and that's where I think it gets to be a more difficult problem. So we have to get them early on, and I think that's the place to get them. Now, what does this have to do with parks?

I think that what we have to do in the City of Philadelphia is use every available resource -- parks, recreation facilities, museums, zoo, anything that can contribute to directing these students to their purpose in life and their purpose in the City of Philadelphia. Why are we here? Nobody ever thinks about that. We talk about ecology systems. Do these students know that they're a part of the ecology system. We talk about the parks, the trees and the plants; we're part of those parks we're a part of that system. And so I think that what needs to be done are initiatives have to be brought up or thought of that will entwine our school systems with our museums, with our parks, with our zoos, so that the students get a sense of who they are and what they are. And I think it behooves City 2209 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET Council to do anything in their power, even monetarily especially, that will maintain those initiatives. So I, as President of the Advisory Council, will ask my group to come up with initiatives where we can expand all of these things into the parks. I think park is the place for those kids to learn their science. I mentioned science before. Reading about it in the book is one thing, but being out there is something else, and I think that that's where these kids belong, in the park, learning about their ecosystems, learning about themselves. I wonder how many people in the City of Philadelphia really appreciate the importance of trees in our life. We can't live without trees in our life, they're very important to our ecosystem. Again, the parks come into play. So what I'm saying is, do everything you can to give the parks the money that they need so that we could expand these into the systems, into the institutions that are going to bring these students to, you know, what do we guarantee them by the constitution: life, liberty, and the 2210 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET pursuit of happiness. And this is the way we're going to do it. Thank you.

Thank you very much for coming in to testify. We really appreciate it, Doctor. (Applause.)

Our next witness?

Fred Maurer. (Witness comes forward.)

I have a copy for the clerk.

I beg your pardon, sir?

I do have a copy for the clerk.

Oh, thank you.

My name is Fred Maurer, and I am an officer in the Friends of Tacony Creek Park. Our Friends group was organized 11 years ago from a Town Watch in the park. It was 2211 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET started in response to the dangerous crimes and vandalisms in our park. We were becoming very desperate. We citizens had to do something because our City officials were neglecting community welfare. Our park was suffering after years of budget cuts as a financial abuse to Fairmount Park Commission. The parks should never have been allowed to disintegrate to the stage where volunteers had to supplement professional workers needed in any City park. Our 11 years of hard volunteer years has recaptured some dignity of a usable park, but we are not a substitute for a paid staff. Unpaid volunteers are not a substitute. It is double taxation on us. Fairmount Park had a quality reputation before unjustified budget cuts reduced the staff to under one half. We do not have the quality you might expect. Instead, we had the deformed quality that you reluctantly fund. Our leaders praise and gloat over Fairmount Park for vanity's sake, but they neglect to fund us with cash deeds necessary to sustain us. Fairmount Park Commission is a 2212 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET trillion-dollar investment of the City for the health and welfare of its citizens. It is an asset, not the burden you see when budget time occurs. Fairmount Park Commission returns many more direct financial and social benefits to the City that are not measured in the budget process. I ask, how much funding do we need to support a trillion-dollar asset? I think it needs more than the starvation budgets of the past few years. Fairmount Park's true measured worth is equal to over 100 stadiums. You recently accepted a (indiscernible) deficit with $54 million with a casual comment that it would be easy to fix that. That makeup would be the whole capital budget of Fairmount Park for ten years. It could double the Operating Budget of Fairmount Park for four years. And in fact, the annual debt service would be equal to the Fairmount Park Commission budget. The capital and operation expenses of a new stadium are a transfer of public funds that could be used better in the General Fund. If stadiums are such cash cows to players, then it should also generate considerable wealth to the 2213 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET City. Indeed, it should pay for all park and recreation budgets because they are deliberately commingled by the City to support professional sports. I think you need a real audit of stadiums' paybacks. In 1983, the needs of the Fairmount Park Commission was documented and a professional master plan to guide City Council. The report was never taken off the shelf. None of the master plans has been funded to bring up capital or operations or staff needs up to a reasonable status. All expectations of City Council to fund Fairmount Park were ignored. Instead, it suffered more budget cuts. It now has less staff under a load of more obligation. Operations and maintenance of a park system is a reasonable cost of City infrastructure. The costs are embedded in commitments to the City to (indiscernible) as other charter agencies such as a law department or a City Council funding. Fairmount Park is not discretionary funding for the satisfaction of a school clientele; it is an institution that affects everyone. Where would we be without it, I 2214 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET ask. The current staff is under 250 and is insufficient to do its task. The staff compares to the Hegele Museum and to Winter Tour Gardens in staff numbers, but those places maintain only a tenth of our landscape, and they do it with less crime. Fairmount Park is a system of 70 parks, places and buildings that has a problem of public safety and park security that has become decades old. 5 million of guard security from Fairmount Park and replaced it with 911 but forgot to install phones.

Fairmount Park security losses include burned historical houses, vandalism, and more crimes. Hunting Park vandalism is an example of the typical harm from budget cuts. The Hunting Park Mansion was burned after the police vacated the building, the maintenance building is now closed, and the swimming pool and the regulation staff was cut out. The destruction of Hunting Park swimming pool was preventable -- by simple security. If only police or maintenance workers were available, Hunting Park would be more secure. Instead, it became a criminal haven by City neglect for 2215 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET funding. Our citizens feel unsafe in parks, and even taxicab drivers warn visitors to stay away. The unsafe feeling in a park is justified. Last year, I was assaulted with a gun while doing volunteer work. Volunteers of staff are now told not work alone in the park and don't enter without a buddy as more safety security. We did not have that fear when Tacony park had a regular mounted patrol. Now our mounted patrol does parade work in Washington, DC, but not in our parks. The security of Fairmount Park assets and park users are not being funded. The only police presence we see is incidental traffic duty. We deserve a special district of professionals. The City requires private police at Temple University and at Penn campuses and at SEPTA and for the Housing Authority. But there is no security system in Fairmount Park, not even a sergeant-of-arms. Fairmount Park Commission proposed a chief alternative security system in the Fairmount Park master plan. They had a safety plan that 2216 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET needed 75 rangers. But it was never funded. After ten years of waiting, a charitable five-year grant initiated the park rangers to hire 40 rangers. That was at half staff. That paid for the startup expenses and it was hoped to sustain it until the City funding. The last troop of rangers at the beginning of this year was 9 preserved by an emergency transfer gift. 10 We need full funding of our Ranger 11 Corps. We need to train and prepare our Ranger 12 Corps before the next summer season. They deserve 13 to be regarded as professional employees in City 14 service and should be regarded as professional employees. They should be regarded not as a nonprofit charity appendage begging for donations. I'm not proud to be a volunteer in these circumstances. I should not take the work of someone needing and willing to do a park job and sustain their family in Philadelphia and pay the high taxes of honest work. A viable Fairmount Park is a crucial element of city urban life. It helps to mitigate citizens from urban flight. Suburbs are now using park values that we had but we are losing. 2217 2/27/01 - FY '02 OPERATING BUDGET The next time the President of the United States wants to come to Philadelphia, to Memorial Hall and Fairmount Park as a place to wander the City nationally, or in the case of a dignitary lying in state in Memorial Hall, then Council needs to answer to us, where would we be without were Fairmount Park. Please tell us in your budget, what has Council done for the betterment of Fairmount Park in this budget year.

Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)