🗳 MIDTERM ELECTIONS!
Just like pumpkin spice and Halloween candy, midterm election season has descended upon us. It's time to get out your favorite sweater and No. 2 pencil and mark those mail-in ballots.
If you previously signed up for a mail ballot, you should have received both the ballot and an email confirmation from [email protected]. You can either mail it off or take it to a drop box. If you didn't get a mail-in ballot, you can apply online or via mail up until November 1st. The state voter information website has more details about mail-in ballots. Remember to put your ballot in the privacy sleeve before putting it into the envelope.
Not registered yet? The last day for registration is October 24th. You can register online or mail in a paper registration. If you're new to the area and don't have a Pennsylvania state ID, it's better to use the paper registration form as soon as you can. If you'd rather vote in person, the election is November 8th. Polls are open from 7am - 8pm at various locations around the city.
Not sure who is on the ballot? The Philadelphia Citizen has a voter guide covering the state, City Council elections, and ballot questions. Billy Penn has a rundown of all the candidates, including the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representative elections. You may see Joe Hohenstein or Elizabeth Fiedler on your ballot, who we endorsed in the primaries.
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The big contested race is the City Council elections. Since several Councilmembers have left Council to run for the mayoral race, there are several vacancies to fill. 5th Square co-chair Jon Geeting wrote about more specific details in his new piece in The Philadelphia Citizen. It talks about the candidates for the two separate At-Large elections and where they fit in politically. He gets to the details for the Democrat and Republican candidates. Read more here.
🚇 ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD SUBWAY WORKSHOP
Did you miss the first Roosevelt Boulevard event, or did you have some strong feelings about the last event? There's another one scheduled for the end of the month on October 29th at 9am at Philadelphia Protestant Home (6401 Martins Mill Rd). Hosting the event is State Representative Jared Solomon, who will be joined by representatives from SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, and PennDOT. We believe this could be a change in the right direction for the city, one that seems to have support from people of all ages and backgrounds. This is a great opportunity for you to voice your opinions about the project. You are required to wear a mask for this event.
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🔒 JUST FOR MEMBERS We are holding policy platform meetings for members only, over Zoom:
Come and help us shape our policy platform as we head into the 2023 campaign season for Philly City Council and Mayor's races! Join us for an hour-long virtual session where we will lay out our current platform and elevate issues you want us to push for in the upcoming electoral cycle. Become a 5th Square member today and shape our city policies! |
0️⃣ PSA: VISION ZERO SLOW ZONE PROGRAM
The Neighborhood Slow Zone application is now available. You can email [email protected] or 215-436-9886 to check your eligibility or ask them questions. We're also happy to help! Email us and we can connect you with other folks in your community and folks that have been through the process before. You can also come to our meetups and talk through your ideas with everyone!
Once you've gathered all the supporting documentation as outlined in the application, you can apply by email, postal mail, or online.
📧 Email: Scan and attach all required materials as PDF files in an email sent to [email protected] with the subject line “Neighborhood Slow Zone Application”
📬 Mail: Mail all required materials to:
ATTN: Office of Complete Streets
c/o Vision Zero – Neighborhood Slow Zones
1401 JFK Blvd.
Suite 780
Philadelphia, PA 19102
🖥 Online: slow-zone-phl.hub.arcgis.com
EVENTS
Saturday, October 22nd at 9:30am
Pennypack Park, Ryan Ave entrance
Councilmember Mike Driscoll and State Rep. Joe Hohenstein are hosting a cleanup event. All ages are welcome. All supplies will be provided. If you are interested in volunteering please call 215.686.3444 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
DAG Spring Garden Connector Project
Thu, October 27, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EDT
Virtual
Join DAG and representatives to discuss the project history, design best practices, funding, and future actions.
SURVEYS & EMAIL ACTIONS
- Trolley Modernization Station Design Feedback - SEPTA now has examples of trolley station designs that were based on the earlier survey and would like feedback for two new designs.
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SEPTA Bicycle and Micromobility Survey - SEPTA wants to understand how riders incorporate bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. into their transit trips.
- 2022 SEPTA Key 2.0 Survey - The survey will help in developing the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next generation fare collection program, SEPTA Key 2.0. You can take the survey online, call in at (215) 580-7145 and selecting OPTION #3 (Commendations and Complaints) to take the survey over phone, or email [email protected] for a screen reader friendly PDF.
- West Mt Airy Neighbors Association wants to see an end to speeding vehicles on Lincoln Drive. If you missed the rally, you can sign their petition or pick up a yard sign.
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Vision Zero Conference 2023 survey - provide feedback from this year's conference and suggest topics for 2023.
WHAT WE'RE READING
🏙️ HOUSING & LAND USE
Axios / Secret parking minimums are driving up development costs
WHYY / City Council votes to extend Philly’s eviction diversion program
Philadelphia Inquirer / Home buyers in the Philly area face limited choices and high prices as the market slows
🌳 PUBLIC SPACE
Grid Magazine / A class action lawsuit seeks to ensure that people with disabilities can fairly use sidewalks
Slate Magazine / Ban Cars on Halloween
Philadelphia Inquirer / New Northeast Philly connector trail being built at base of Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Wednesday Night Rides is looking for volunteers to help plan routes, assist with the rides, or any other input. If you enjoyed past rides, this is a good way to get involved.
BCGP’s 2022 Bicycle Counts - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is looking for volunteers interested in helping us with this process between September 6 and October 28. Bike counts happen on weekday mornings and evening from 7:30 – 9:00 AM and from 4:30 – 6:00 PM, weather permitting. Sign up today!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
U3 Advisors / Analyst/Senior Analyst
Jarvus Innovations / Data Engineer
Bread & Roses Community Fund / Senior Director of Finance & Administration
CARIE / Advocate
AARP /
Sustainable Business Network / Board Member
SEPTA / Director, Real Estate
Philadelphia Orchard Project /
Robert Schalkenbach Foundation / Full Stack Geospatial Developer
Climate Emergency Advocates / Voter Registration Field Director, Philadelphia
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association / Executive Director
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection / Environmental Community Relations Specialist
Habitat for Humanity / Chief Financial Officer
Center City District / Retail Development Manager
Tri-State Transportation Campaign / Active Transportation Coordinator
Free Library of Philadelphia / Library Assistant 1
Office of Congressman Dwight Evans / Digital Media Manager
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association / Executive Director
Transit Forward Philadelphia / Coalition Manager
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee.
We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns.
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