Councilman Jones to open district office in Roxborough this week

Following through on a campaign promise made last year, Fourth District Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. announced this week the opening of a new district office in Roxborough.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated to occur on Friday, Aug. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the office’s location on Ridge Avenue at Hermit Lane. Afterwards, a reception will be held where residents can tour the new facility and receive assistance from Councilman Jones’ staff.

Following the grand-opening, the office will be open Tuesday through Saturday and will be staffed primarily by Roxborough resident Josh Cohen, special assistant to Councilman Jones.

“It will be a one stop shop,” said Cohen, who explained that the primary function of the office will be constituent services, which typically involves the resolution of resident’s concerns related to various city services. On occasion, representatives from these agencies will be on hand at the office to offer direct assistance.

This is the second district office for Jones – the first, which opened in 2010, is located in Wynnefield. According to a press release distributed at the time, Jones already had his sights set on opening a second office.

Jones is now well ahead of his Northwest Philadelphia City Council colleagues in district offices. Recently-elected Eighth District Councilwoman Cindy Bass does not have a district office; Ninth District Councilwoman Marian Tasco’s staff shares space once a week at State Representative Mark Cohen’s district office.

While the new office will likely cater to constituents in the Northwest, Jones’ staff was clear that its services will be open to all Fourth District residents.

“With each term we have been able to convey better, local, and accessible services to the community,” said Jones in a statement.

“Public service is the price we pay for the space we occupy,” he said.