2121 Wheatsheaf Lane, where the Kintock Group will build its headquarters. It could one day become a halfway house. SAM NEWHOUSE / STAR PHOTO
[Ed. note: For more on this story, check here .]
To: Mr. David D. Fawkner, Chairman
The Kintock Group
August 5, 2013
Dear Mr. Fawkner:
It was a pleasure meeting with you, Ms. DeBarri, Ms. Osteen and Representative DiGirolamo on July 31, 2013 about your interest in opening a new Kintock facility at 2121 Wheatsheaf Lane, Philadelphia, which falls in my Legislative District.
I appreciate the work that Kintock does to help troubled male and female offenders begin their transition back into the community.
During our discussion, I made note of the following:
1. Some twenty or so years ago, when community corrections came into existence in Pennsylvania, I agreed to not oppose your facility at 301 E. Erie Avenue. I mentioned to you that I represent the Juniata community that is closest to that facility and that I have an office a few blocks away.
2. I did not oppose the Erie avenue facility under the condition that doing so would mean that my area would absorb our fair share of this type of facility that, frankly, no one wants in their neighborhood.
3. Furthermore, I mentioned to you that I was emphatic with the Department of Corrections that, due to the community’s cooperation on the Erie Avenue site, no other facilities of this type would be placed in my district other than at the Erie Avenue location.
4. Neighbors and community groups were concerned about the spot zoning that took place and that they found out about it in the newspaper.
S. The community groups near your proposed location at Wheatsheaf Lane met and were in opposition.
6. I agreed to personally look at the facility and met you and Ms. DeBarri there on July 31 along with my District Office Manager, Marc Collazzo.
7. I agreed to tour your Erie Avenue facility.
8. I discussed the fact that I will need to report these discussions and my view of the facility and the proposal with my constituents and community groups.
I hope this accurately reflects what we talked about at our meeting. We concluded our meeting with me informing you that, at this time, I certainly could not support additional bedsbeing built at the WheatsheafLane facility.
I would support the use of that building for administrative offices but you replied that it would not make sense for Kintock to pursue the proposal merely for that purpose.
Accordingly, I cannot support your proposal at this time and cannot express said approvalfrom my constituents. However, I would be happy to schedule a visit to your Erie Avenue location to review its operations and the services that it provides.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
John Taylor,
State Representative, 177th Legislative District ••
