Mark Squilla « CBS Philly

(The Old City Civic Association web site.)

Whacked By Lawsuit Costs, Old City Civic Association Disbands

Councilman Mark Squilla says the association was hobbled by the cost of being sued twice in 13 months. Even though the cases didn’t go to court, he says, the OCCA faced $10,000 in legal bills.

2013/05/16

(A horse-drawn carriage at 7th and Market Streets in center city Philadelphia. Credit: Ed Fischer)

Philadelphia Councilman Wants To Expand Afternoon Hours For Horse Carriages

City councilman Mark Squilla thinks horse-drawn carriages should be allowed to operate during the afternoon rush hour, when they are currently prohibited.

2013/05/09

(Philadelphia fire commissioner Lloyd Ayers testifies before City Council. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Nutter Administration Stands Firm On Firehouse Brownouts

The Nutter administration says the controversial fire department policy of station “brownouts” will continue even if City Council appropriates extra money to eliminate them.

2013/04/24

(Councilman Mark Squilla. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Councilman Wants No Hikes For Property Owners Awaiting Tax Appeal Decisions

Under current regulations, homeowners would have to pay the new — and possibly higher — bill and then get reimbursed if they win the appeal.

2013/04/18

(City Council president Darrell Clarke, at rear, tries in vain to restore order before recessing the Council session in the midst of Mayor Nutter's address. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Mayor Nutter’s Budget Address Disrupted By Angry Protesters

The chambers of Philadelphia City Council were packed to the rafters with angry union members as mayor Michael Nutter prepared to unveil his new budget.

2013/03/14

(Flanked by other city officials, Mayor Nutter speaks to reporters about the Actual Value Initiative, AVI. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Mayor Nutter Defends City’s New Property Tax Assessments

In recent days both city controller Alan Butkovitz and councilman Mark Squilla have claimed that inaccuracies in the AVI assessments exceed the industry-accepted margin of error. But Mayor Nutter begs to differ.

2013/03/06

(Students form a "human chain" across the entrance of Carroll High School. Credit: Mike DeNardo)

Phila. Students Form Human Chain To Protest Planned Closure Of Their School

Students at Carroll High School, in the city’s Port Richmond neighborhood, formed a human chain today across the front of their building, to protest the district’s plan to permanently close their school and 28 others.

2013/02/28

file photo of Mark Squilla (credit: Mike Dunn)

Councilman Mark Squilla Proposes An AVI Phase-In

A Philadelphia city councilman wants to put the brakes on the city’s controversial property tax overhaul.

2013/02/28

City Council Members Feel The Heat Over Property Assessments

Philadelphia City Council members say they’re getting inundated with calls and emails from residents upset about the new property assessments that the Nutter Administration issued last Friday.

2013/02/20

(Philadelphia city councilman Mark Squilla. File image from City of Phila. TV)

After Veto, Councilman Drops Plan For Huge Billboard Near Vine St. Expressway

Councilman Mark Squilla says he lacks clarification on whether a wall wrap on the old Electric Factory building would, as opponents claimed, jeopardize federal highway funding.

2013/01/31

(Rick Dickson of the Philadelphia Parking Authority testifies before the Streets Committee of City Council. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia Council Committee OKs Changes To Resident Parking Petition Rules

The changes are aimed at easing neighbor-versus-neighbor squabbles.

2012/12/05

(Philadelphia councilman Jim Kenney and fire commissioner Lloyd Ayers during an exchange in City Council over a PFD plan to transfer about 20 percent of its firefighters. Photos from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Defends Plan to Transfer Senior Firefighters

Firefighters opposed to the plan packed Council chambers today as councilmembers Jim Kenney, Bobby Henon, and Mark Squilla questioned Commissioner Ayers firsthand about the transfer policy.

2012/11/27

Councilman To Hold Hearing On Controversial Plan To Move Senior Firefighters

“A lot of our constituents have been used to the firefighters in their area, and they feel comfortable that they know where they’re going. And they’re fearful if they implement this policy, it may cause danger to the community,” Councilman Mark Squilla said.

2012/11/15

Philadelphia City Council Committee Debates Road Sharing Bill

Councilman Mark Squilla, author of the plan, calls it “Complete Streets” — an extensive series of changes to the Philadelphia traffic code — prompted particularly by the growing number of people on bikes.

2012/11/15

(Mayor Michael Nutter. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Nutter Pleased with Harrisburg Vote, Ready To Move Ahead With AVI

Despite misgivings voiced by some state lawmakers, the state House has approved the Actual Value Initiative legislation and Governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign it.

2012/10/18