[VT – Philadelphia, October 27, 2025] Mayor Cherelle L. Parker hosted a town hall at City Hall for the Asian American community, co-organized by the City of Philadelphia and the Asian American Federation of the United States (AAFUS). The event drew numerous community leaders, residents, and business owners, aiming to strengthen communication between city government and the Asian American community and to address concerns related to city governance, transportation, public safety, and business development.
In her opening remarks, Mayor Parker expressed deep respect for the long-standing contributions of the Asian American community and its leaders, specifically highlighting Jack Xiao, current President of AAFUS, for his pivotal role in supporting both the Asian community and the city of Philadelphia. Mayor Parker emphasized, “No matter the challenges we face, my goal remains to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest city with equitable economic opportunities for all.”
The town hall was facilitated by Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett Harley, Esq., who guided the meeting and moderated the Q&A session. Residents asked a wide range of questions, including business promotion opportunities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the United States’ 250th Anniversary celebrations, traffic safety, urban development projects, property taxes, and occupancy permit procedures. City department leaders provided detailed responses:
- Karen Fegely, Acting Director of the Commerce Department, outlined support for local businesses during major 2026 events and resources available through the Visit Philly platform.
- Kevin J. Bethel, Philadelphia Police Commissioner, discussed public safety measures for large events, strategies for managing youth gatherings, and approaches to address homelessness in public spaces.
- Jesse Lawrence, Director of Planning & Development, emphasized the importance of community support in project approvals and advised developers to engage with local residents and council members.
- Crystal Jacobs Shipman, Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation, addressed business compliance with waste management regulations and enforcement procedures.
- Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, Commissioner of Public Health, provided guidance on lead paint inspections and rental occupancy permit procedures.
- Kristin Del Rossi, Streets Commissioner, and Michael Carroll, P.E., Deputy Director of the Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems, discussed traffic signal optimization, speed bump installation, and roadwork improvements.
Other attending department heads included Charlie Elison, Office of Immigrant Affairs, Bridget Collins-Greenwald, L&I Quality of Life Division, Basil Merenda, L&I Inspection, Safety & Compliance Division, and Amanda David, Behavioral Health Division.
Several community representatives and business owners actively participated in discussions, including Alan Chen, Kim Su, Simon Lee (Executive Vice President of the Philadelphia Changle Association), Keith Xiao (Chairman of the Northeast Development Council), Alex Thomas, Jeff High, and George Dolick. Questions raised covered topics such as business growth, traffic congestion, street safety, and municipal planning.
City departments also hosted service tables, including:
- Commerce Department
- 311 Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation
- Clean & Green Initiatives
- Streets Department
- L&I (Licenses & Inspections)
- Public Health Department
- Police Department
- Sanitation Department
- Neighborhood & Community Access Centers
The event concluded with residents taking photos with Mayor Parker, department leaders, and AAFUS President Jack Xiao. Mayor Parker thanked attendees for their participation and encouraged ongoing dialogue between the community and city government.
Jack Xiao, AAFUS President and co-host, noted that the town hall not only demonstrated the city government’s transparency and responsiveness but also provided a direct platform for the Asian American community and other residents to engage, helping the city prepare for upcoming major events.
