Jamie Gauthier

We're still fighting for Blakenburg, Parkway West, and Robeson — the last public high school in University City — which the School District and School Board want to close at the end of the academic year. I'm proud to be in this fight alongside fellow elected officials, students, teachers, principals, organized labor, and many others. But someone is missing. Mayor Parker, you were a teacher. You know how much our schools matter. So why are you silent while our young people cry out for help? We need you in this fight with us. Help us save our schools. Contact the School Board and the Mayor's Office of Education and ask them to speak up, listen to our communities, and protect our schools! Thank you, Chairman Thomas, for always advocating for our students.

I can’t attend today’s hearing, but I stand with my Council colleagues and everyone fighting to save the Academy of Natural Sciences. The Academy is an invaluable asset, and it’s outrageous that Drexel University closed it so suddenly. As the Councilmember for Drexel’s main campus, I’m holding the university accountable and demanding that it live up to its responsibility to find a long-term solution that keeps the Academy open.

Just came from celebrating Wayne Miller and his retirement after years of dedicated service to Sprinkler Fitters Local 692. Congratulations, Wayne, and thank you for your decades of leadership on behalf of the workers who power our city!

Yesterday a fire killed one of our neighbors, displaced two other families, and ruined the Ethiopian Community Philly's headquarters. The Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia is a vital resource. If you're able, please help them raise funds to rebuild their community center and building. We're also uplifting one of the displaced tenant Reese Anderson who lost his home and belongings after heorically saving his father and neighbors. This is a good moment to make sure you're fire safe at home. Install and check smoke detectors. Have a fire escape plan. Call 9-1-1 at the first sign of an emergency.

Always a pleasure to join my friends at AIA Philadelphia to talk about creating more affordable housing. We’re making progress, but housing is still too expensive for too many Philadelphians. Solving this crisis means using every tool we have, including letting homeowners turn extra space into a separate unit. Bonus units can build generational wealth, help seniors age in place, and add housing without changing the character of our neighborhoods. It shouldn't be this hard to add one. As City Council's Housing Chair, I’ll keep working until every Philadelphian has safe, stable, affordable housing.

I’m devastated that one of our neighbors perished in a fire early this morning. I’m keeping his loved ones in my thoughts during this tragic time, as well as everyone who was displaced or otherwise affected. I’m relieved that the firefighter who was injured is expected to make a full recovery. Thank you to the first responders who ran into danger to put out this fire and keep us safe. This fire hits particularly hard because we spent years helping the Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia raise funds to restore this building. This may be a setback, but we aren’t giving up. I’m committed to helping them rebuild better than before. Fires are serious. Install smoke detectors and check them regularly. If you see a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Have a home escape plan that you and your family can follow.

If you’re able, please consider donating to Reese Anderson (Mauricedabarber) as he mourns the loss of his neighbor and faces the overwhelming task of rebuilding after losing his home and belongings in an apartment fire. gofundme.com/f/mauricedabarb…

Please join me in praying that the two police officers who were critically injured last night while protecting our community make a full and speedy recovery. Even after two of their own were shot, officers were able to take the suspect into custody without anyone else getting hurt. I’m grateful for their courage and dedication, and for the first responders and medical teams who cared for the wounded officers. While most of us are asleep, our police officers run toward danger to keep us safe. They deserve to go home to their families every night. My heart aches for everyone affected: the wounded officers and their families, our 19th Police District, and the West Philly neighbors who witnessed this traumatic scene. I spoke with PPD this morning, and I will be here to help our 19th District family and our neighbors process and recover from this horrific act of violence. Our city will not accept this as normal.