Northeast: Mayfair Saw Millions in State Funding Last Decade; Neighbors Envious

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About $10.6 million was funneled directly to the Mayfair Community Development Corp. since 2000, granted from the State Department of Community and Economic Development, according to its website. Much of it went into street cleaning and senior citizen programs.

The document states $800,000 was used toward the Devon Theater.

The same state department gave the Holmesburg Civic Association and the Friends of the Holmesburg Library $5,000 each, according to state records.

While records show Tacony groups took $460,000 in that time span, there was no evidence of any funded projects focusing on Winchester Park, Sandyford Park, Lexington Park or Holme Circle. But the website reported $60,000 was spent on the Pennypack Park festival.

Tacony historian Lou Iatarola said former Rep. John Perzel used his influence as House speaker to have these projects funded in Mayfair.

But many residents said they still benefited from this funding since Mayfair is so close to their homes.

Dan Devine of Lexington Park said he looked forward to the newsletters Perzel’s office mailed to residents years ago.

“He would keep you up to date,” Devine said. “He was always involved in groups with Abraham Lincoln High School.”

Winchester Park Civic President Mary Ann Kiker said Perzel arrived at almost all of her meetings when he was in office.

Although Kiker met a few staff members for Rep. Kevin Boyle at the last meeting, she is still waiting to see the freshman incumbent himself.

“I’m not too impressed if he can’t show up in person,” Kiker said.