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Future of Fairmount Park
By Christopher.Palmer@Phila.gov
Thursday, 12/08/05
(1134165241148)
Friends and colleagues,
As many of you are aware, City Councilman Darrell Clarke and Councilwoman
Blondell Reynolds Brown have introduced legislation to ask the citizens of
Philadelphia (via a May 2006 ballot question) to approve an amendment to
the City charter. The charter change would abolish the Fairmount Park
Commission and create a new Parks and Recreation Department, overseen by a
15 member Commission of which the Mayor would appoint 12 members.
Next week, City Council has scheduled two VERY IMPORTANT public sessions on
the pending legislation.
On Tuesday, 13 December, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, Councilman Clarke and
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown will co-chair a public 'Town Hall Meeting' in
the East Gallery of the Free Library on Logan Square.
On Wednesday, 14 December, 3:00 pm, City Council's Committee of the Whole
(chaired by Council President Verna) will hold a public hearing in Council
chambers in City Hall.
Both of these are important opportunities for the public to 1) show support
for parks and open space in the City and 2) provide testimony.
Irregardless of your position on the legislation, it is absolutely critical
to participate in either (or preferably both) of these sessions.
There is some possibility that Council will move the legislation to a vote
either at the end of the hearing on the 14th or the next day in Council's
regular session (which is their last prior to the Holiday recess).
Therefore, the sessions on the 13th and 14th might be the last public
opportunity to have your voice heard about the ballot question.
As we learn more about these public sessions, I will send you email
updates.
Thank you for your continued support of Fairmount Park and open space in
the City of Philadelphia.
Christopher Palmer
Director of Operations and Landscape Management
Fairmount Park Commission