Leader of Packer Park

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Barbara Capozzi’s résumé contains more volunteer work than paid work, and that’s the way she likes it. This may be why the Packer Park resident was voted this year’s Readers’ Choice winner for civic leader.

“My business is my hobby; my civic duties are my work. It’s what I spend most of my time on and it happens to be what I am really, really good at,” Capozzi said.

As the president of the Packer Park Civic Association since 1994, Capozzi works tirelessly to preserve the area that her father began building.

“My father built Packer Park, so I was here before it was built, putting it all together and all,” Capozzi said of her father Ludwig S. Capozzi Jr. “So I’ve always loved Packer Park.”

As a resident of the 1900 block of Hartranft Street, she is protecting her own rights as well as those of her constituents.

“We have actually, for years, we asked people to help. They know the difference; I have them trained well around here,” she said with a laugh. “If I am in need of a crowd, I can easily get 300 to 400 people. When we need them, they show up.”

Capozzi worries, at times, that her board makes the work look too easy, but her win this year may convince the leader that her neighbors know just how hard she works.

“[The win] is really nice — that makes my day,” she said. “… A real leader doesn’t take a stand depending on who calls them. If I’m doing it, I’m doing it for the right reasons.”

Joseph F. Marino of East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association and Town Watch volunteered in second and Kim Massare of the Lower Moyamensing Civic Association tended to third.

Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.

2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners

Cuisine

Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Cantina Los Caballitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Birra: New restaurant

Night on the Town

South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries

Sweet Tooth

Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee

People

Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
Johnny Looch: DJ
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Rev. Joseph Kelley: Priest/minister
Dr. Gail Avicolli: Principal

Sports

Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Mike Schmidt: All-time pro athlete
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete

And the Rest …

Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list

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