-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Philadelphia Parks Alliance <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Apr 19, 2005 5:45 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: What's up in parks this week
Philadelphia Parks Alliance advocates, builds coalitions, and educates the public
in order to achieve superior systems of parks and open space for Philadelphia.
Dear Mark,
There are two major issues and two upcoming events we'd like to update you about:
First, there are four days remaining to apply for the opening on the
Below: see recent coverage of the commissioner issue in the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News.
Second, after a year long effort to get a bond referendum to continue and expand Growing Greener, it has finally happened -- there will be a statewide bond question on the May 17 ballot! This is great news! Thank you for your participation over these many months!
The ballot question will ask Pennsylvanians if they approve of the Commonwealth borrowing up to $625 million for the "maintenance and protection of the environment.
Approval of the ballot question will mean dedicated and desperately needed funding that will protect drinking water, maintain state and local parks, and fund vital environmental projects. For more information go to our website at www.philaparks.org.
Third, the 10th Annual Philadelphia Cares about Fairmount Park Day will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Philadelphia Cares about
Fourth, On Saturday, May 7th from 10 am to 1 pm, help beautify your neighborhood park by coming out and pitching in during the sixth annual Spring into Your Park. In partnership with Philadelphia Green's Parks Revitalization Project, more than 40 Department of Recreation parks throughout the city will be cleaning, planting, and celebrating. To find out what's happening at your neighborhood park the day of the event contact Kim Massare at (215) 988-1611 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED].
Thanks for your continued work on behalf of
Lauren, Chris and Mimi
Inquirer Article
Posted on Mon, Apr. 18, 2005
Park leaders chosen in secret
A new commissioner will be picked by Common Pleas judges, in a process begun in 1867.
Inquirer Staff Writer
At 9,000 acres,
But selection of its leaders is just as secretive.
Just as the College of Cardinals gathers in secrecy to select the next pope, the judges of the Court of Common Pleas will gather to select the next park commissioner.
No one knows what names the judges will consider. No one knows what criteria they will apply in making their selection. No one even knows the names of the judges who will be reviewing the candidates.
But by 4 p.m. Friday, all applications for the current vacancy must be delivered to the chambers of Judge Rosalyn K. Robinson at the
Robinson chairs the panel of judges who will review and interview applicants for a vacancy that opened on the commission when James Bloom stepped down last year. Then, after hearing from the Robinson committee, all First Judicial District Common Pleas Court judges will vote on May 19.
In June, a new
This process, essentially unchanged since 1867 - the year the law governing the park was passed - has come under increasing criticism in recent years.
Last month, the park commission itself passed a resolution calling for greater openness in the process and for the selection of candidates with some interest and experience in park-related matters.
"We have nothing to do with the selection," said Robert N.C. Nix 3d, president of the commission. "These guys elect us."
That said, he added, "I'm trying to open up everything the commission does as much as possible."
Robinson, however, declined to say who has applied for the post so far, nor would she identify the other judges on the committee reviewing applicants.
"We conduct the election," she said, "in the same manner we always have."
Robinson said she has sent out notices of the election, and has spoken with newspaper editorial writers on the subject and with people who telephone her office.
"We may have a difference of opinion on what is openness," she said.
Lauren Bornfriend, executive director of the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, a citizens advocacy group, said Robinson has provided application-deadline information and allowed the alliance to post it for downloading on its Web site, www.philaparks.org. Robinson has also made the election date public, Bornfriend noted.
The Parks Alliance has invited applicants to post their application materials on the alliance Web site. So far, two have done so: Marcia Makadon, who sits on the commission as
"I think it should be an open process," Hogan said. "That's why I allowed my resume and application to be out there."
Of the 16 park commissioners, 10 are selected by the judges for five-year terms. No one has ever been removed, nor is there a procedure for such an action.
The six other commissioners include heads of relevant city agencies, such as the water and streets departments, along with a representative appointed directly by the mayor and one appointed by the president of City Council.
The Parks Alliance has pushed for openness for several years now, with a big effort in 2002, the last time all 10 commissioners selected by the judges were up for reelection.
The alliance encouraged citizens to apply, and as a result, the judges selected some new faces. One of the new members, Michael DiBeradinis, resigned to join the Rendell administration in
About nine months later, with nary a peep from the judges in advance, the commissioners learned that the judges had selected Rendell aide Thomas Carter to join the commission.
Kate Philips, a spokeswoman for Rendell, said the governor did not call the shots for the judges.
"The governor has no role in selecting commissioners," Philips said. "He certainly will talk... about who he thinks might be a benefit, but his role is limited to nothing more than his opinion."
Philips said she did not know whether Rendell favored a more open process.
Bornfriend of the Parks Alliance certainly does.
"Things are a little better," she said. "Baby steps have been taken... and there has been some communication. That's better than not knowing anything at all. There's more transparency. Any transparency is better than none."
Contact staff writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594 or [EMAIL PROTECTED].
Daily News Editorial
Posted on Fri, Apr. 15, 2005
APPLY, PLEAS
ONE WEEK remains before the application deadline for the vacancy on the Fairmount Park Commission. Those interested must submit their completed applications by April 22 before 4 p.m. to Common Pleas Court Judge Rosalyn Robinson. The commissioner is chosen by the
What are the qualifications that the judges are looking for in choosing the commissioner?
We don't know.
Who has so far applied?
We don't know.
What powerful politicians might call to try to get their own favored candidate appointed?
We don't know.
That's because the process of picking commissioners by judges is a tradition written into the city charter, and rarely sees the light of day. Unfortunately, public input and transparency are sorely lacking.
That said, candidates shouldn't be discouraged from throwing their hat into the ring. For one thing, the more that the judges know people care about this and are paying attention, the better off we all are. Details on applying can be found on the Philadelphia Parks Alliance Web site (www.philaparks.org) or by calling Judge Robinson's office directly: 215-683-7145.
