1Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the publication of the
2Northeast Times in Philadelphia.

3WHEREAS, The Northeast Times is a weekly publication that 
4includes local stories and a community calendar of events along 
5with photographs and advertisements from long-time contributing 
6businesses; and

7WHEREAS, The Northeast Times was founded in 1934 by Richard 
8Thorpe Lawson; and

9WHEREAS, Richard Thorpe Lawson oversaw the production of the 
10Northeast Times for more than 25 years until his death in 1961, 
11at which time ownership of the newspaper was transferred to his 
12wife, Eleanor; and

13WHEREAS, Eleanor served as Chairwoman of the Northeast Times 
14until her death in 1998, while her sons Bob Smylie and Tim 
15Smylie from a subsequent marriage served as Publisher and 
16Advertising Director, respectively; and

17WHEREAS, For many years, the Northeast Times' administrative 
18offices were a well-known fixture in the north Philadelphia
 

1community with offices at 8033 Frankford Avenue in Holmesburg 
2and at the Smylie Times Building at Rhawn Street and Roosevelt 
3Boulevard; and

4WHEREAS, During the 1980s, the Northeast Times expanded to 
5Somerton, Bustleton, Lawndale, Parkwood and Oxford Circle; and

6WHEREAS, Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., purchased the 
7Northeast Times in 1999 and oversaw production of the newspaper 
8for more than a decade; and

9WHEREAS, Today the Northeast Times is published by Broad 
10Street Media, LLC in Philadelphia, who under the direction of 
11Chief Executive Officer Darwin Oordt and Publisher Perry 
12Corsetti, produces the periodical every Wednesday; and

13WHEREAS, The Northeast Times has been recognized numerous 
14times for its outstanding community coverage, earning awards for 
15its work in sports media and photojournalism; and

16WHEREAS, The Northeast Times has six editions and a weekly 
17circulation of approximately 111,000, almost all of which are 
18delivered directly to the doorsteps of its readers free of 
19charge; and

20WHEREAS, The Northeast Times also publishes content online 
21and through social media outlets; and

22WHEREAS, The Northeast Times partners with the Eleanor Smylie 
23Community Fund in an annual effort to provide needy families in 
24the community with gift cards to local department stores and 
25grocery stores during the holiday season, thanks to monetary 
26donations from contributing readers; therefore be it

27RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the 
28Northeast Times on the 80th anniversary of publication.