Recognizing and acknowledging Marion Johnson for her contributions as Zoning Specialist for Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco, and for her lifelong public service in the Ninth Councilmanic District and to the City of Philadelphia on the occasion of her retirement.

WHEREAS, for over twenty seven years, since the day Marian B. Tasco became the councilwoman from the Ninth Councilmanic District, Marion Johnson has been her Zoning Specialist as well as Legislative Aide; and

WHEREAS, in that position, Ms. Johnson served as the trusted advisor to and representative of Councilwoman Tasco, meeting with constituents, visiting sites, and attending meetings, doing her homework before letters to and appearances before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and overall providing fair, informed, and diligent input on zoning applications by engaging citizens, community organizations, neighbors, members and staff of the ZBA and the City Planning Commission, in addition to other stakeholders in a process of open conversation and consensus-building; and

WHEREAS, after decades working under the previous, antiquated Zoning Code, Ms. Johnson lent her vast land use and community experience as an appointee to the Zoning Code Commission, helping to craft a new Code, written through compromise by representatives from all parties interested in the process, and meant to accommodate modern needs and uses, thus leaving a lasting mark on the city and its zoning processes; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has contributed to her community in additional ways, including as the Executive Committeeperson for the 49th Democratic Ward, President of the Concerned Citizens of Logan, a member of Barrett Recreation Center’s Advisory Council, and block leader, responsible for organizing clean-up days and block parties in her neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson is an active and committed member of Greater Exodus Baptist Church Baptist Church, where she serves as one of the Mothers of the Church, and from which she ministers to friends and neighbors in Logan and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson is proud of the many accomplishments of her family, which includes her five daughters, eight of grandchildren, and seven of great-grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize and acknowledge Marion Johnson for her contributions as Zoning Specialist for Councilwoman Marian Tasco, and for her lifelong public service in the Ninth Councilmanic District and to the City of Philadelphia on the occasion of her retirement.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Marion Johnson, as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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