Applicants for parks and rec commission make plea to Philadelphia City Council

Philadelphia City Council heard from members of the public who wanted to be part of the city’s Commisson on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.  

More than 80 people have signed up, hoping to be one of nine members appointed by the mayor to the commission.

Among those seeking appointment was Handley Bodek, who has been a resident of the city for almost 40 years.”While the commission is called parks and recreation it could also be called health and tourism,” Bodek said. “I say this because I recognize that the recreation system is in a position to contribute to the physical and mental health of our citizens and that Fairmount Park is a huge tourist magnet and economic generator.”

Realtor and commission member Barbara Capozzi lobbied for reappointment of the current members, and mentioned a part of the park system that’s dear to her heart.

“A brief pitch for the largest asset of South Philadelphia, which is the oasis of South Philadelphia – FDR park,” Capozzi said, “where we have just recently last week gotten rid of pond scum which has been the enemy for 40 years there and just last week we have invented ways to get rid of it.”

Council has to send between 18 and 25 names to the mayor for him to make the final decision on the commission members.