City Councilman Mike Driscoll was the guest speaker at last week’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting.
Driscoll, an East Torresdale resident, was asked questions about the proposed 76ers arena on Market Street, from 10th to 11th streets. The councilman said he is leaning toward voting for the proposal and predicted that it would pass. He does not want to see the franchise relocate to Camden. In response to a question, he said he had not heard a rumor that the 76ers could move to the site of Philadelphia Mills mall.
As for local issues, he said participants playing music loudly at boom parties could face a $2,000 fine and forfeiture of their vehicle thanks to an ordinance he sponsored that was signed by then-Mayor Jim Kenney making such parties illegal.
Earlier this year, Driscoll sponsored a bill, signed by Mayor Cherelle Parker, outlawing “tag flipping,” devices allowing drivers to change or alter the license plate displayed on their vehicle.
Driscoll said he also sponsored a bill making it illegal for motorists to engage in “drifting” or “donuts,” with a $2,000 fine for violators. He said people engage in such activity because Philadelphia is known for not cracking down on similar behavior, such as looting and stealing from retail stores such as Wawa.
Since being elected in 2022, Driscoll said he has voted for three budgets that allot money for the hiring of 900 police officers. To recruit cops, he supports incentives such as bonuses, a higher starting salary and salary increases.
Driscoll is looking forward to 2026, when Philadelphia will take part in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Major events include World Cup soccer games and the Major League Baseball All-Star game, along with the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Delaware County.
A man complained that Torresdale Library was closed in the summer because there was no air conditioning and only reopened when the temperatures cooled.
There was also a complaint about Saints and Sinners, an adult entertainment club located in the former Rosewood Caterers, 8832 Frankford Ave. An employee was robbed in April of $30,000 exiting the hall in a case police believe is an inside job.
There was also concern about Mayor Cherelle Parker’s plan to put 640 beds for addicts and homeless at 7979 State Road, in the former Riverview Homes, near the prisons. Driscoll said the site is expected to open next year, adding there will be an oversight committee, with ETCA president Joe Carson as a member.
Another fear at the meeting was the recent release of more than 100 inmates from the prisons on State Road, due to a lack of staff.
On a brighter note, Driscoll said he participated in a recent groundbreaking ceremony for a new Thomas Holme Elementary School. The former building has been demolished.
In other news from the Nov. 11 meeting, ETCA heard from the owner of a house at 9230 Cambridge St. The woman is seeking to legalize a canopy that was built to prevent rainwater from going into the basement. The group had plenty of concerns, including why there are two gas and electric meters at a house that is zoned for single-family use. Members also want to find out what the neighbors next door and across the street think about the canopy. They voted unanimously to oppose the variance, but president Joe Carson decided to defer a final vote until the December meeting, when they expect more answers. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Feb. 5. ••
