Take Back Your Neighborhood welcomed 2nd Police District community relations officer Mark Mroz and City Councilwoman Rue Landau to its recent meeting.
Landau introduced herself as a former Community Legal Services attorney and onetime director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the city Fair Housing Commission. She is in her first year as an at-large councilwoman and, despite her background, was appointed chairwoman of the Council Technology and Information Services Committee.
At the meeting, Landau talked of sponsoring two bills that became law.
One was a consumer protection measure to empower the law department to crack down on scammers. She hopes to establish an Office of Consumer Protection.
The other measure requires tax preparers to be up front about their fees.
Landau is also working to expand outdoor dining.
She told TBYN she’d gladly return to hold a consumer education day.
In other news from the Oct. 21 meeting:
• TBYN discussed the recent meeting about the proposed changes to Castor Avenue, from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue. Residents support the proposed beautification efforts on the avenue, but most oppose cutting the driving lanes from four to three, with left-hand turn lanes.
Robert Rudnitsky, president of TBYN, said the group would prefer the money be spent on more police officers, quality-of-life officers and action on absentee landlords.
Members worry that cutting down the number of lanes will, among other things, hurt businesses on what they consider to be the neighborhood “Main Street.”
During the discussion, Landau texted Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada to tell her how strongly opposed most people at the meeting were to the proposal.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will host a veterans appreciation breakfast and resource fair on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Knights of Columbus Holmesburg Council, 3300 Knorr St. Representatives from government agencies and public and private vendors will be on hand to discuss services available for veterans. Solomon is chairman of the House Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. RSVP by calling 215-342-6340 or emailing repsolomon@pahouse.net ••
