The word of God wasn’t the only thing heard at St. John’s AME Church.
Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, as well as the rest of the City Council members, traveled to the church located at 2114 S. 71st St., to have the first neighborhood hearing on Mayor Nutter’s proposed 2013 budget.
Although the church was a bit out of the way, it has a deep connection to the community and was even the site of Councilman Wilson Goode Jr.’s baptism.
Last week’s meeting was the first time that City Council had met outside of City Hall in over two years.
Quinones-Sanchez represents the 7th District, which includes Hunting Park. One of the arguments presented at the hearing was that the community was not getting as much funding for immigration and social programs.
People from throughout the city traveled to the meeting. Besides a few outbursts, the crowd was kept under control. When one attendee shouted out that the council members should show Mayor Nutter “who they really are,” the response was given by Council President Darrell L. Clarke, who said he would have been happy to give an answer. But he added, “There is press present.”
The City Council will continue holding budget hearings for every city department over the next seven weeks.
Minorities, forgotten or assimilated?