Letter to Department of Health in Opposition of Proposed Methadone Clinic

TEXT OF LETTER:

July 18, 2011

Dr. Eli Avila, MD

Secretary, PA Department of Health

8th Floor West

625 Forster Street

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Re: The Healing Way Inc 7900 Frankford Ave

Dear Secretary Avila:

Please accept this letter on behalf of the Mayfair Civic Association (“MCA”) which represents the neighbors of the Mayfair Community. We stand in opposition to the above referenced business and support the Holmesburg Civic Association (“HCA”) and the Mayfair Business Association (“MBA”), of which I am also a Board member, in their opposition as well. The location of the property is within one city block of three day care facilities, a Christian elementary school, hundreds of houses, a public library that attracts many young students and in addition to these properties; other schools including JH Brown Elementary are all within a very short walking distance of the location.. In all my years of being civically active, I have never seen an issue ignite the community as much as this has. I have had several hundred people reach out to me furiously in opposition and have not heard one instance where someone is in favor. Also, many businesses have stated that they would sell their property and move outside the City if this is approved.

We, the residents of Mayfair and Northeast Philadelphia alike, are engulfed with neighborhood pride; the kind one wears on their sleeves. Many of us were raised in this neighborhood and are raising our children here as well. Many other surrounding community groups such as the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, Tacony Civic Association, Holme Circle Civic Association and Morrell Park Civic Association have also joined us in opposition. We plan on fighting this business until the very end. We have organized a protest for Tuesday July 19, 2011 and a huge Community meeting for Tuesday July, 26, 2011.

Therefore, we urge you to deny the application of the above referenced business for the reasons stated above. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the number below.

Very Truly Yours,

Joseph J. DeFelice, Esq.

President

(215) 292-3926

cc: Seth Kaplan, State Representative Kevin Boyle

Michael Scotese, Mayfair Business Association

Suzann St. Marie, Mayfair CDC

Fred Moore, Holmesburg Civic Association