In an effort to meet many of her constituents, State Rep. Leslie Acosta invited residents of North Philadelphia to one of a planned four meet-and-greets held throughout Philadelphia. The first one was held at Acosta's satellite office at Susquehanna Village in North Philadelphia though Acosta was not in attendance. 

Residents were still able to voice their concerns to Aissia Richardson, chief of staff for Acosta, as well as other city officials. 

“[These meetings] are important because people get a chance to work with elected officials face-to-face and also do some problem solving,” Linda Richardson, president of the Uptown entertainment development corporation, said. “You see people come to air their grievances but then they come back and find that their issues are being resolved and that’s good.”

Most of the issues discussed at the meeting centered around garbage and recycling pickup that has been neglected since Monday, according to community resident Terry Moore. 

“Our recycling was not picked up on Monday, it's Thursday so we came to talk to to the correct people and it's supposed to be picked up by tomorrow,” Moore said.  “We hope it’s picked up because in a minute it will be Monday again. I like to live in a clean block and not see trash blowing up and down the street, that's why this is important to me."

Moore added that she will be paying very close attention to those who help her and her fellow community residents, as she plans to make her voice heard again if nothing is done during election season. 

"These events allow me to update constituents on legislative news, such as recent state budget hearings I’ve participated in as a member of the House Appropriations Committee," Acosta said in a press release. "Residents can also ask questions about and obtain help with state-related programs, like the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and the commonwealth’s prescription assistance programs for seniors, PACE and PACENET.”

A second meet-and-greet will be held later today from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm at Esperanza Health Center with subsequent meetings throughout Philadelphia to follow.