“Meet the NAS” night at Community Education Center (3500 Lancaster Ave.) was held Tuesday, Sept. 17. Special invited speaker was Raymond Jones, Director of External Relations for State Senator Vincent Hughes. Participants enjoyed a light reception and presentations from each candidate (Photo courtesy PEC). 

Residents of some West Philly neighborhoods have a chance to help determine future members of the Neighborhood Advisory Sub-Committee at PECCDC (People’s Emergency Center’s Community Development Corporation). These members help support community program activities provided by PEC and the City’s Division of Housing and Community Development. The NAS is a sub-committee of the PEC Board of Directors and its function is in an advisory role, acting as community level liaison. Elections are held every two years.

The next election will take place this upcoming Monday (Sept. 30), from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations: 

• Mill Creek Rec. Center, 4700 Brown St.

• United Bank Building, 3750 Lancaster Ave.

The NAS service area includes the following neighborhoods: Belmont, Mantua, Mill Creek, Saunders Park, West Powelton and Powelton. Any adult (18 and over) who lives, works or worships in the zip codes of 19104 or 19139 can vote. Please bring your I.D.

The organizers will be using the City’s new touch screen voting machines, and the upcoming election is also an opportunity for anyone in these neighborhoods to try out the new devices.

Here’s the NAS Candidate list:

1. Keith Bell – Mill Creek
Keith Bell has lived in the area his entire life and wants to work with the NAS to continue his work helping the community. He has served as a volunteer in various capacities for the past 20 years. Keith is a co-founder of the Men of Mill Creek organization and runs the Mill Creek Summer Basketball League, located at 48th & Brown, where he is known as “Coach Bibby.” He is particularly interested in education, youth, and sports programs.

2. Lamont Twyne – Mantua
Helping provide community input was Lamont Twyne’s main reason for running for the NAS. He has been volunteering in his community for the past 33 years, since he was 18, helping with everything from resume and cover letter writing to job training. Lamont is currently a Committeeman for the 24th Ward.

3. Pamela Wells — Saunders Park
Pamela Wells is running for the NAS to help support her community, to get proper and complete leadership training, to get information and resources to benefit her neighbors who can’t get to all the meetings that happen. She is currently a member and treasurer of the Sloan Street Community Garden.

4. Neva White – Saunders Park
Neva White wanted to join the NAS because she sees that her community is experiencing a tremendous amount of change and believes that it’s important to have individuals who live in the community to have a voice. She has previously served as a board member of the Maternity Care Coalition. Neva is a nurse practitioner whose interests include gardening and exploring the many restaurants the community has to offer.

5. Rose Bryant – Mill Creek
Rose Bryant has been president of tenant council for over 15 years. She is very passionate about her neighborhood and children that’s why she runs a nonprofit organization called Rose’s Club House. Her interest is fighting for people’s rights. And, President of the tenants council within the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

6. Hyden Terrell – Belmont
Hyden Terrell is affiliated with her Temple Carolyn B Irvin #123. One of her objectives is to do charity work. She has organized, participated or supported events such as coat drives, Easter Eggs hunts, school supply drives, senior luncheons, flea markets and more. She is the Block Captain for the 4200 block of Ogden.

7. Brenda Bailey – Mill Creek
Brenda Bailey has worked with the PECCDC (People Emergency Center Community Development Center) in
company with NAC (Neighborhood Advisory Committee). Additionally, she works with AARP and as a tutor throughout the community.

8. David Pickett – Belmont
David E Pickett is the President and co-founder of the West Belmont Civic Association. The West Belmont Civic Association was officially formed in June of 2015 but has been working in the neighborhood since the summer of 2014. David has lived in the Belmont Neighborhood of Philadelphia for the past 13 years and has been a Philadelphia resident for 26 years.

9. Pastor Evon M. DeLee – Mill Creek
Evon M. DeLee is a retired Administrator at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, author, and Senior Pastor of New Church down the Way Ministries where she leads her congregation in faith and power. The ministry is growing and making a great impact in the community. She is a teacher, preacher who believes in empowering people through education and revitalization.

10. Ellen Tiberino – West Powelton
Local artist and activist, Ellen Tiberino is highly engaged in her community and currently works with the Community Education Center. She has successfully completed many community based art projects in West Philadelphia.

11. Lisa Stewart – Mill Creek
Currently, Lisa Stewart volunteers with the NAC and helps to distribute flyers and information for the PEC NAC. She is an active member of her church and is dedicated to her community.

12. Sherry Jane E. Alindogan – Powelton
Currently, Sherry Jane E. Alindogan volunteers with the NAC and helps to distribute flyers and information for the PEC NAC. She is an advocate for the homeless and immigrant population. She also volunteers at the PEC Food Cupboard.

13. Thomas Blackwell – Powelton
Thomas Blackwell is a public school teacher that has been involved in the community for many years – who recently launched his own not for profit community based organization.

14. Deborah Smith – West Powelton
Deborah Smith is currently involved in her neighborhood harvesting program at Dornsife Community Center. She is actively engaged in her community and support adult education initiatives throughout West Philadelphia.