Cindy Bass: Can Parks and Rec Dept. be used to benefit schools?

(Slideshow: Tour of Cindy Bass’ Council office in Philadelphia City Hall)

 

Newly elected Philadelphia Councilwoman Cindy Bass (D-8th) plans to call for Council hearings to explore ways the city’s Park and Recreation Department can help the cash-strapped School District of Philadelphia.

“Is there an organization that Parks and Rec has influence over that could make sure kids are getting a music education,” Joe Corrigan, communications director for Bass. He said this could also include looking at the city’s athletic facilities such as ball parks.Bass would lead these hearings as chair of Council’s Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. This committee has oversight on the city’s rec centers and park system.Bass will call for the hearings in one of two resolutions she plans to introduce at Thursday’s first Council meeting of the new legislative session.The second resolution calls for Council to endorse the United Nation’s designation of 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). Co-ops are owned by the customers who use their services. “We’re trying to acknowledge the virtues of co-operative style of business. It keeps local dollars local. It employs members of the local community. You can’t move a co-op to China,” said Corrigan.He pointed out that America’s first co-op, a mutual fire insurance company, was started in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin in 1752. In Bass’ own Council district, one of the nation’s most successful food co-operatives Weavers Way has thrived as a locally-owned business.NewsWorks will be covering the council meeting and have a full story Thursday afternoon.Cindy Bass was elected to the Eighth District in November 2011, replacing Donna Reed Miller who did not seek re-election.