City Council Thursday, May 30, 2024
This week’s Council Meeting issued some new legislation that will positively impact the lives of Philadelphians.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas Introduced a Resolution declaring June 1 Philadelphia Freeway Day in the City of Philadelphia.
The City of Philadelphia is celebrating the outstanding contributions of Philadelphia Freeway and his organization, The Freedom Thinkers Academy.
“You can’t just write these resolutions without doing your homework. You’ve got to know the hip-hop culture. Last night I was listening to Freeway’s song titled ‘I Cry’ on his album titled ‘You Free At Last’ and in the midst of that song, one of the things Freeway does is make himself extremely vulnerable as it relates to the social-emotional things that we go through that often put us in a position experience some type of trauma but don’t necessarily want to get help…in the Black communities there are stigmas such as we’re not supposed to cry, seek help, seek therapy,” said Councilmember Thomas.
“This is a huge honor to be recognized in my city by this legislative body. I remember going to Lancaster Avenue with my grandmother, and Lancaster Avenue was the whole world to me, but now I get to experience the world through a gift I received from God, and it’s a blessing. I was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure on September 15, 2015. I was on dialysis from that time to February 5, 2019, when I received my gift of life…I received my new kidney. Instead of hiding what I was going through, it was decided to share it with everyone,” said Leslie Edward Pridgen, aka “Freeway.”
“I’m now a donor dad. In 2020, following the death of my son, someone from Gift of Life approached my family and me, explaining to us how he could save lives. As I’m an organ recipient myself, as a family, we agreed there was no choice but to say yes, and Alhamdulillah, through the grace of God, my son saved four lives…two people got his kidneys, one person got his liver, and another got his lungs. That’s some amazing work. We have a call to action. We want to get 5000 people to register to be organ donors. That’s one person for every person in our area on a transplant waiting list,” said Pridgen aka “Freeway.”
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson’s legislation to establish the Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson passes City Council.
An individual appointed to investigate complaints against the institution, seek resolutions to complaints, identify new opportunities, and ensure the integrity of the office. Establishing this office requires a change to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter and is expected to be placed on the ballot for the election of Spring 2025.
“Throughout my years-long investigation into the financial mismanagement of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), I have heard from countless unhoused Philadelphians on their experiences interfacing with (OHS) and navigating our city’s homeless services system,” said Gilmore-Richardson.
“From overcoming hurdles to being placed in an emergency shelter to facing retaliation when speaking up for better conditions, the stories I’ve heard have been absolutely horrifying. This is why I was inspired to create an Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson. We need someone who will serve as a champion on behalf of unhoused residents, ensuring that they receive timely and quality services.”
Resolutions 240535, 240536, 240537, 240538, and 240541 confirming the appointment of Michael Johns, Tya Winn, Tonetta Graham, James Snell, and Cheryl Gaston, respectively to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Resolutions 240539 and 240540 confirming the reappointment of William Bergman and Ismail Shahid, respectively to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
City Council convenes every Thursday–promptly at 10 am in Council Chambers in City Hall. All are invited and encouraged to attend. More information can be found at www.phlcouncil.com.
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