Philly councilwoman says project delay due to her stance on PGW

A Philadelphia City Councilwoman says the Nutter Administration delayed a project in her district because of her opposition to a plan the mayor favors. It’s a claim Mayor Michael Nutter’s office dismisses.

Councilwoman Marian Tasco says expansion of the Sturgis Playground in East Oak Lane has been in the planning stage for two years. When the project stalled, she said she tried to find out why.

“I called and said, ‘What’s happening with my rec center?’ and so finally they said you have to talk to the mayor’s office,” Tasco said. “It leads me to believe it was held up because of my position with the PGW issue.”

Tasco is among those who oppose selling the city-owned utility, but says that position should not affect what is good for the district she represents.

“Those families have been looking for a long time to have that facility enlarged, because we have a lot of new families moving into East Oak Lane,” she said. “For them to hold that up for my position on the sale of PGW, I think, is irresponsible.

A spokesman for Nutter says the project was delayed because the administration was focusing on other pressing issues, but is now back on track.