Penn Treaty SSD Throws Money at Finnigan's Wake

Repeat after me: "Jobs."
You are getting sleepy.
And now repeat this: "The Casino only has the best interest of the community in mind."
You are getting very sleepy.
And repeat again: "Jobs."
You are now in your happy place and all is right with the world.

PTSSD should be stopped from any further granting , all future granting should be voted upon by the residents who live in these districts !
This is pure back scratching sad truth behind any good idea this city has is not its impact but how long before its a scandal to get money out of it...........

I'm guessing if The Spirit chooses not to cover it, the Star may?

Yea, I guess that grant is looking more shrewd.

Are the board meetings public? Are there other opportunities for public comment on the grant applications? Maybe there just needs to be a few extra eyes on the process.

Before everyone goes nuclear, why dont we try to confirm that this has actually occured?

Somers only cited 'sources'. Let's clarify, please.

I'm sure we should get a lil miffed to say the least ... PTSSD why wait until it is a done deal , You think they would put a stop payment on a check thats been cashed ?
Get on it before it happens and then we should look for a way to monitor them so it does not happen again .........

Verifying sources before flipping out? That's not how the Internet works my dear.

I am thinking I will fill out some PTSSD grant paperwork for loco pez so they can include some balconies and perhaps a jacuzzi in their outdoor seating plan.

I'm submitting a grant application to get this dagon root canal of layaway ...........

Yeah, but...free t-shirts!

t shirts and ice cream!

but don't question my motives!

this is all for your "best interests"!!!

Trust me, I have my own concerns about this, should we verify that it is true.

Hasn't someone on fishtown.us previously contacted the board with some success? Can we do this quickly?

we been jebetted ...........

I could remembering incorrectly, but I believe it was Donna Marie who was in contact with them before regarding their grant to The Spirit.

Regarding questions surrounding the post re Finnigan’s Wake. Below is from the PTSSD website, all you have to do is find out where the meeting is located, it’s not always at the same location. Sometimes the meetings are at 1080 Delaware Ave., across from the casino but I know other presentations take place at Liberty’s Bar (which is owned by one of the board members, go figure).

The e-mail of the Admin Asst there is

(Kerry Auge), she should know where the next meeting (7/18) will be held.

Grant Request Forms and all applicable attachments can be e-mailed to our Secretary, Dolores Griffith at

or dropped off at the offices of The Spirit, 1428 E. Susquehanna Ave, Phila. 19125. Packages will be collected by the Secretary of the PTSSD for review by the board. Requests will then be officially heard at the monthly meeting of the PTSSD board, in the order in which they were received, on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. . A maximum of three (3) requests will be heard by the board at each meeting. Organizations requesting support will be given 15 minutes to make their request presentation to include a brief question and answer session from the board. The PTSSD will provide a computer and video projector for those who wish to present via PowerPoint. Pictures, drawings, sketches, estimates, renderings, budgets and any other information regarding your request are highly encouraged. Consistent with our commitment to transparency, these meetings are open to the public. Once you have presented your request, the PTSSD board will determine the level of support, if any, and will contact each organization regarding the outcome or if additional information is needed . Organizations not receiving support from the PTSSD should not be discouraged from requesting funding at a later date.

I hope this will be announced on a banner.

they already have the portside's money up on the website, and they just got the grant 2 months ago. they seem like they list the recipients before paying out the money. until someone verifies it with them i find the store less than believable.

Personally, I don't care for the Somerstream blog/advertising. They never have a bad thing to say about the Piazza, or Northern Liberties in general. They remind me of the people standing on the deck of the Titanic still playing the music while the ship goes down. Don't want to affect those sales/rentals I guess.
Haven't cared for them since they published that there were no shad in the Delaware anymore.
But I have even less love for Finnegans.
If they got the money, its because of who owns it, as usual. That's why they get away with everything they get away with. Political par for Philly. More gangsters in city hall than over at 3rd & Clearfield.

At least the gangsters at 3rd an Clearfield do not portray to be any thing but just that ...
there dope is dope!

At this point, neither does City Hall.
"They're all thieves, you just have to hope your theif gets in there."

Yes it was me who contacted the board and recieved and answer about the Spirit. Still waiting an answer about info on the other grants. Here is the page with the contact email addresses for the board.
http://penntreatyssd.com/contact.html

I think we should all email the whole board, everyday until we get an answer. Rich Levins is Rules and Regulations Director/Fishtown and Dolores Griffith is Secretary/Fishtown. Kevin Kelly I believe is the owner of Liberties. If you know any of these people or the other board members call them up and ask them. I don't think there will be another meeting until September. I think we should also call Mike O'Brien and ask him to look into it. I'm not in his district but I'm going to call John Taylor and see if they can find out any info. Also any council people you can think of.
Would the DA be able to do anything about this?

I don't have a problem with having the special services district but this kind of stuff can't go on.

It almost seems that they are poking us in the eye on purpose .. make us grant money to your causes huh..we will just donate to people that will anger you enough to stop the whole program. ! Maybe this is there strategy ...

I think some of the members on this forum are missing from the occupy protest. All they do is whine just about everything. Heavens to Betsy.

That moron couldn't get on board his own boat ...

hey now, you do your fair share. speaking of, i've been waiting for you and zaw's insights on the obamacare thread.

When you whine about the whiners does that make it a meta-whine or just a super whine?

I think Zaw got scared away when I told him I was black.

He did seem to have quite the fear of people who aren't white.

I do not see Finnegans Wake on here. They do not meet in July & August. Kevin Kelly does not own Liberties.
http://penntreatyssd.com/pgallery.html

Has anyone called Finnigan's Wake?

We need to organize a Happy Hour there, so we can get to the bottom of this.

Line's are dead ....

Maybe someone related to Ronchito could use their press credentials to ask them for comment.

Can we just complain on the Internet instead and hope that solves the problem?

Usually works.

Just as well, I wouldn't go in there on a dare.

A certain someone was sent the story link this morning -- what happens after that is out of my hands.

Joe Rafter, Chair of PTSSD, is owner of liberties...was also a pro-casino guy.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-11/news/27021827_1_rafter-pro-casino-neighborhood

I'm looking forward to the Philebrity post making fun of this thread and the people in it who are getting in such a tizzy over hearsay.

philebrity hates finnegans.

they will be all over this since it is so sleazy.

$75k to a bar!

UNREAL!

PTSSD trys to honor all request in the hood. What gets me most of the members on the forum never wanted a casino Now they want to jump on the bandwagon. HAZ go tear some bandit signs down.Heavens to Betsy.

http://www.philebrity.com/2012/07/03/finnigans-wake-receives-grant-for-expansion-because-of-course-it-does/

Hmm. If PTSSD was formed as a non-profit and SugarHouse claims this money as a tax-exempt donation, there could be an entire world of hurt coming towards both groups if this turns out to be true.

yeah, we were opposed to the casino, and setting up a slush fund to pay off the supporters of casino and allowing other casino supporters to run the slush fund doesn't change the analysis that the casino would take money from old and poor and be another corrupt institution one bit.

$50k for "history" banners!
$75k for a nuisance bar to landscape the private street it is trying to annex!

Maybe my comprehension skills are lacking but on a pure and simple level may I ask does PTSSD funding situation not leave them open to legal action?

i doubt if anyone is going to answer today, if they are still in their offices or at their computers it won't be for long. With Tomorrow being a holiday not mich is going to get done.

Hazmat, they are extremely open to legal action and their founding documents indicate that, upon dissolution of the PTSSD, the voting board members are, as individuals responsible for the settling of all debts. Unless they pay an insurance premium to avoid that case. People seem to have this impression that non-profits are kind of "casual" entities. They are not.

Here's a link to their founding docs:
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/opm/pba/pdf/SugarhouseCBA.pdf

I'm not sure but i think that John Talyor represents at least part of the PTSSD. I have a call into his office & will let you know what i hear. Since the Dem. party is so tied into this place, we might have better luck with a Rep. And I say this as a life long Dem

Thanks for the link I'm going to be looking into this real hard. There is so much that could be done with this funding on the community level that the choices being made here almost seem criminal to me ...

as a life long dem J.T.and team are awesome

Cmom does this really affect all the private investigators we have here. Maybe you should investigate the illegal drug activity that goes on in the hood. Do u want some cheese with that wine.

And here's the 990:
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2009/270/368/2009-270368388-06cd1736-F.pdf
You may have to register with GuideStar to see it. They really should already have 2010 up there.

self deleted my comments to you ... JUST NOT WORTH THAT ENERGY !

the very end it said all granting shall be for non profit organizations only in the fishtown,n.liberties,and south kensington areas.. they basically are lying to not only us but the IRS as well ... it is these types of brazen acts of self indulgence that always gets them hung up and dried out !

ORCA does not have any relationship PTSSD. Tom from NKCDC said he'd look into it.

wooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo

sorry for the bad attitude i'm going sign of for a lil bit this has me steaming right now ..

No. I was just dissapointed when we couldnt have an honest disscussion about it.

Just waiting for Rush to tell me what to think about it.

Cool beans.

But guys ... it's according to THE SOMERS BLOG

get with the times bro, we can easily complain on F.U.S. from our iPhones while we sit in a drum-circle at occupy silly. It's called multitasking.

ok. I get it now. Calling someone names is a-okay ( as long as its someone you dont like) but a playful play on words about self deleting comments is censored.
Seems a bit hypocritical to me

lol I needed that thanks !

Interesting how it is the most recent post on the blog (7/3/2012), yet it is not the first post listed on their homepage. It is sandwiched between blog posts dated 7/1/2012 and 7/1/2012.

this is absolutely hysterical. if you have not seen this before please watch it. I love the part where the guy wont share his ipad:

The Daily Show with Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cOccupy Wall Street Dividedwww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogThe Daily Show on Facebook

lolz.

I find that fact that jbette'ing was used a verb in this thread to mean 'slowing down to inject reason' hilarious.

Depends how you define 'insider deal'.
That said, I give you this quote from a comment on Philebrity:

"So politically connected businesses are benefiting from politically connected foundations that funnel money extracted from taxpayers in politically connected and derived casinos?
I'm shocked, SHOCKED."

nope

what is this alleged funding being used for exactly? I cant tell from reading any of the philebrity/somersteam hysteria.

you forgot to add in between #2 and #3: Squilla meets with the NLNA and community, and publicly pledges to abide by what the neighborhood votes/recommends.

They're probably gonna claim that it has something to do with "greening" Bodine Street...and making it "bike friendly", and alot of other crap.
You can put wings on that pig, but it still ain' gonna fly.

So Bodine st is like one of those back alley type streets? ...and they want to remove the street and use it as an outdoor space as well as create a bike/green/walking path? Listen, I've no opinion either way regarding finnegans wake but (and I'm just playing devils advocate here) if they put together a proposal, presented it to the PTSSD and followed the rules, who are we to say that it isn't legit just because we dont like that particular establishment and the clientele there? Maybe it does look kinda shady but a green path sounds better to me than a back alley. I think the process is transparent so we shall see. In the meantime, why not put your energy into applying for something that you care about? If I'm not mistaken, any one of us can put together a proposal and apply for a grant.

I'm going to weigh in here, simply because I am not in favor of any for-profit entity receiving grants that are supposed to be used for the "benefit of the community".

On that note, if I am not mistaken, Finnigan's has historically been a venue that is used by the police (and, perhaps firefighters?) for events, fundraisers, etc. So, I am wondering if this "grant" is being given to them, in some sort of round about way, to "benefit" one of these - or another - organization? Even if this is the case, it doesn't speak much for transparency. Therefore, my questions would be: Why is this profit business getting the grant and WHAT do they intend to use it for?

PTSSD and granting for profits for so called community interest !
First off any business that is not an asset or of use to a community will eventually fail and the ones who do survive and keep the community in mind are the ones who deserve community support not by a grant that is supposed to be used for things that would add to the quality of life for the residents of this community !
If your making money and are driving a brand new Mercedes Living in a 900,000 home I do not think it would be in your best interest to be applying for grants that should be funneled to your community !

HAZMAT ... I agree. I can't wait to find out the details of this "arrangement".

to *a* community, yes.
to the community it is located in, not necessarily.

I SAY WE JOIN THE WAKES FACE BOOK PAGE AND LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH THIS STINKS AND PUBLICLY REFUSE TO PATRONIZE THERE ESTABLISHMENT FOR JUST THIS REASON !

https://www.facebook.com/finnigans.wake.5?sk=wall

Ha Ha ... I've already been "refusing to patronize their establishment" for a whole lot of other reasons ... but this will just justify my sense of sound reasoning and good taste.

Also ... it's the PTSSD we should be hammering - not Finnigan's. They're the ones who put a stamp on this.

Has it been verified yet?

When you say that the money could have been used for 5000 other things, thats true, on one hand. But it not like thats the entire pile of money, that one (whether undeserving or not) received. I 'm not saying it right at all, BUT, for all the other things everyone thinks the money could be used for, just remember, you can still request money for those issues. If anything, I hope this issue makes more people aware that the money is there for the community, and they organize somehow to take advantage of it. But I'm a glass half full type of person.

so, how long are you going to let those pants burn before you put them out?

lol

Look, I know what you're saying, and I don't think (if its true) that what is happening is a good thing. I am just trying to add another thought in there. Go after them, take their money away, if possible, but at the same time, don't forget it is there to be used.

HMMMmmmmmmm.... so is that why my neighbor throws dirty diapers on the sidewalk just because I will be out every day complaining about it as i pick them up but what the heck I'm there to be used ? just because something is under utilized does in no way make misuse the right thing to do !

I was just making a joke that you were lying when you said you're a glass-half-full person.
(when you actually are one, but you often pretend you aren't0

They closing of Bodine St will be a great addition...One least place where we wont have to worry about dog poop.

daz wonerful tinking ?

I'm thinking of asking the city of giving me Penn Treaty Park to build a parking lot for Johnny Hot's food stand. How big of a grant can I get for this? (I realize this is not a fair analogy. Johnny Hot's is considered an asset, not a nuisance, by neighbors.)

Questions
* Does the PTSSD have a set of guidelines or bylaws that were created with the CBA? If so, I can't really find them on the website.
* If they do have guidelines, why aren't they public?
* If they don't have guidelines, why weren't they ever created?

To me, these questions need to be answered if a disbursement is verified. The reality is the PTSSD may be doing nothing outside of their governing rules.

Edit -- I agree with the general principle that this should be a call to action to become more involved in projects that you think could use these monies, no question there. However, without verifying that the funds *have* to be disbursed within a defined timeline, I dont see a reason to throw money around when it can be saved for future projects.

I (very briefly) looked into applying for a grant to get the leaves cleared around the cemetery in the fall. I think a major contingency is that it not be somthing that should normally be covered by city services like streets dept, snow removal, leaves, etc. I forget where I heard this but it sort of squashed any hopes I had and I didnt persure it further. Obviously they dont want to create a precedent in doing things that the city should be doing, which is understandable. I agree they need to publically display their guidlines better but I'm sure if you contact them they'll give you the info you want.

Exactly what I was thinking , I know we should stay optimistic ... but after watching this city in action thats just not a safe thing to do !

I, for one, do not have the time or energy to take on such a responsibility. However, it sounds like this might be right up your alley (pun intended)?

I have to believe that the SSD knew this particular project would be under the microscope. If any evidence of corruption or an 'insider deal' turns up, I aggree, they should rescind their approval. However if they are simply working within the CBA guidelines (whatever they may be) then we can't really do anything about it just because we don't like a particular establishment.

I'm sure being on a board that disburses CBA funding is a thankless position. You're never going to make everyone happy no matter how prudent or transparent. I certainly wouldn't want to do it.

If someone has formed a nonprofit to benefit the Bodine street redo, this entire thread is moot.

Who wants to be a board member of the Friends of Penn Treaty Parking Lot?

Yeah, I'm more interested in who is on the board, how long are they on the board, how did they qualify, how often does it change members, etc.
I know at least one incredibly worthy cause that was denied. How can you keep personalities from getting involved? What if someone on the board doesn't like me, but my request is within the requirements...who's to say I'm not denied just because. Who's overseeing them?

Maybe a board oversight comity based of community volunteers with no more vested interest other than to see prudent use of the PTSSD granting is one way to moderate what is funded ? we do have a lot of activist on here fighting for quality of life issues . just sayin !

Here's a list of board members:
http://penntreatyssd.com/contact.html

Yes, I know who they are. I want to know who do they answer to? Are they like the Supreme Court, and in there for life?

My questions surrounding this situation have nothing to do with the establishment, actually. They are more strictly towards keeping grants away from for-profit corporations or entities that have not historically demonstrated any community enrichment activities. I am aware of the slippery slope here.

I've been trying to find a copy of the CBA online. No luck so far.
I did find this:
"The District is controlled by seven voting members on its board of directors, all of whom serve without compensation. Voting members may not hold other public offices. These board members are elected by residents of the covered neighborhoods, save for the inaugural board. (The inaugural board members are to be appointed by two of the community groups that were involved in negotiations.) However, there’s also a nonvoting advisory board, made up of local officials. "
http://communitybenefits.blogspot.com/2009/10/sugarhouse-cba.html

I think FPDA found it here:

Thanks to dmandy and others, here's the incorporation papers for the PTSSD (p.1), the bylaws for the PTSSD (p.6), and the CBA (p.26):
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/opm/pba/pdf/SugarhouseCBA.pdf

Thanks.

Spoke to people in O'brien and Squilla's offices. Neither one knew anything about this grant, which really suprised me.

I hope this comes this back and bites all you haters.. The problem most of the people on this forum were against the casino. But since we now have the PSSTD . they want to dissolve it. STOP trying to destroy a good thing. PSSTD has been generous to many causes and will continue to do so.

If they're not operating by their own bylaws, then they LEGALLY have to STOP.

This is all hearsay.. does anyone have any proof ?

I'm pretty sure that's what people are trying to look into right now. It doesn't help that (to my knowledge) none of the PTSSD folks have replied to inquiries, thus far -- perhaps they could clear everything up quickly if everything was done in accordance with the law.

Do you read full threads or just imply ignorance randomly?

One of the things that troubles me is how hazy the language around board voting and membership is structured. It says to become a “member” of PTSSD you must be a resident of one of the neighborhoods for 2 years. But in Article IV it says that there are no members except as set forth in the document. Which then goes on to only refer to the board when using the term “member”. Essentially, how can we vote on/for the board? Are only “members” of the board allowed to vote on who is on the board, or what? It’s pretty confusing here, but I’m no lawyer…

Doesn't it say that a petition with 75 adult neighborhood folks can revoke the board...or something similar?

Interesting update - good news.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/city/161528385.html

Grant to be rescinded ?

There is a statement on the PTSSD website stating that no money has been or will be granted for this project

"issued" not "granted". Not to put too fine a point on it, but there's a big difference. The statement that the reason it won't because "The applicant withdrew its funding request" is very troubling. Combined, it looks like they were fully prepared to write the check until it was noticed by the Somers blog and followed up on by the people on this board. Just one more thing to keep our eyes on, I suppose.

[

Did you really expect anything less from one of Johnny Doc's buddies?

http://www.philebrity.com/2012/07/11/and-now-finnigans-wake-isnt-getting-that-74k-grant/#comments

I love it when a plan comes together.

For those who are so concerned with how PTSSD allocates their grants, I hope this incident incites more people to attend the PTSSD Board Meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.

Since you can't read tone of voice on a message board, please understand I am not saying this to start an argument. I just think attendance at these meetings is a great opportunity for the community to be in the know about every project submitted.

Good idea, Jeffro. Do you know where the meetings are held and at what time?

I only found the time on their site: "The PTSSD Board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30-9:00pm EST from September-June. There are no meetings held in July or August."

But I bet if you e-mailed any of the board members, they could tell you: http://penntreatyssd.com/contact.html

You can message her on FB or publically on SSFF.

“These aren’t public dollars,” said Kelly, of the PTSSD’s funding. “The SSD doesn’t receive public dollars. These are private dollars and we can fund whatever we want. We choose not to fund private companies.” (from Hayden's article)

Except when they do?

Speaking of Hayden, he reported:

So now folks know where meetings are held so they can listen and weigh in.

Cool -- thanks. Missed that in the article.

ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SNOKE IN THERE ?
" CAN NOT STAND DRINKING AND MAKING WISE DECISIONS WITHOUT A CIGARETTE OR 2 "

It was at the end of another one he wrote.

I'm assuming Haden was not writing for the Spirit?

By the way, anyone know if the Spirit is planning to run something about this?

I don't think anyone would object to Snoking? BTW, what is a snoke?

Maybe snorting a cigarette?

Hayden writes for the Star.