Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. I No. 121

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

December 20, 2010

Philadelphia

Daily Record

AWESOME

AT 2:41 A.M. tomorrow morning, Philadelphia is expected to enjoy clear skies for a total lunar eclipse.

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Fattah’s Student Aid Tax Credits Extended 23 Years

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Congressman Chaka Fattah’s (D-

face significant financial hard-

215-468-5363

Phila.) legislation to provide up to

ship,” said Fattah, a leading advo-

$2,500 in higher education tax

cate in Congress for educational

credits for students – a benefit

opportunity. “I am pleased the

worth $18 billion – will be ex-

strides we have made toward in-

tended through 2012 under the

creasing college affordability will

President’s tax cuts and unemploy-

continue.”

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CANDIDATES • POLITICIANS

ment-insurance plan approved by the House of Representatives Fri-

Fattah was architect of the original

day.

AOTC in the American Recovery

News You Can Use! Boost Your Popularity, Win On Election Day! Tell Your Constituents To Read About All the Work You Do For Them On the

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& Reinvestment Act of 2009, The American Opportunity Tax

which is set to expire Dec. 31. He

Credit, which covers tuition, text-

introduced legislation two months

books, fees and other higher educa-

ago making the AOTC permanent.

tion expenses for working families, low and middle income students,

The AOTC has already assisted

was included in the Middle Class

some 335,000 Pennsylvania fami-

Tax Relief Act of 2010.

lies with college expenses. Those families have seen a reduction in

“The American Opportunity Tax

their taxes by an average of more

Arabic, Hebrew, English, French

Credit has helped put college edu-

than $2,000 according to a recent

For more information, call William Hanna

cation within the reach of millions

report from the Treasury Dept.

Translation/Interpretation 267-808-0287 2|

of students who would otherwise THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

20 DECEMBER, 2010

Hughes Warns Of A Hard Fight Over Budget service and community organizations gathered on the campus of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia to hear Hughes give details about the mid-year budget figures and what threatens to be a major battle next year over dwindling dollars.

While modest budget growth has replaced two years of shrinking tax revenue, mandated costs, long-ignored problems and the loss of federal stimulus funds will leave the state with a deficit of more than $4 billion.

NEW APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR State Sen. Vince Hughes hosted public information session on State Budget issues Friday at St. Joseph’s University.

State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes urged local community leaders on Friday to spread the word about the upcoming battle in the legislature as a looming deficit threatens funding for local programs.

“If you are not out there spreading the word, then you are not doing your job,” Hughes said. “That’s why I called you out here on the Friday before Christmas in the cold. You have to be involved in the front end of this process.”

More than 60 leaders of social 20 DECEMBER, 2010

“The new Governor has said he will not raise taxes, that he’s going to do it with cuts,” Hughes said. “I think it’s hard to imagine how that can happen but you should be ready for it.”

Hughes, the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he is worried that a Republican-controlled legislature and a Republican governor will try to quickly pass steep cuts in local programs before community leaders have a chance to organize a response.

“We need to get together right now.

If people don’t speak up and spread the word, it could be too late.

Don’t wait until March or April or May when the train has left the station,” he said.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Larry Porter, executive director of the Roxborough YMCA, said he appreciated the opportunity to hear about the budget challenges ahead.

“I was really pleased to get a phone call asking me to come here today,” he said. “It really does put things in perspective. It’s going to be daunting.” The YMCA, Porter said, depends on state funding to help with programs ranging from child care to summer camps.

Howard W. Tucker, of the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement, a Mt. Airy group that provides childcare services throughout the city, said the changing climate in Harrisburg threatens eight years of “relative stability” in services for children.

“I’m very concerned about this budget and the impact it will have on children,” he said. “Today is about getting information and getting organized and getting the word out. Tomorrow, if we don’t prepare our children for kindergarten we’ll be building more prisons.”

Hughes urged local leaders to get organized and get ready before the new governor presents a budget.

“People are not as vocal and engaged as they historically have been,” he said. “That has to change before it’s too late.” |

3

Seth Williams Awarded Prestigious Fellowship District Attorney Seth Williams has been selected for the prestigious Aspen Institute – Rodel Fellowship Program for Public Leadership.

The program is only open to 24 US political leaders – 12 Democratic and 12 Republican – deemed “rising stars” in their communities.

The Rodel Fellows are nominated by their peers. Former Congressman Mickey Edwards, a vice president of the Aspen Institute, explains the DA was awarded a seat in the class, after selection officials consulted with local leaders and journalists, who consider him a promising young political leader.

“We really search the entire country and put a lot of effort into se-

lecting the Rodel Fellows,” Edwards said. “Philadelphians should take a lot of pride that Mr. Williams stood out for his intellect, thoughtfulness, and a bipartisan approach to governing.”

“I am honored to be part of such a distinguished group of political leaders,” District Attorney Seth Williams said. “I intend to use this experience to add to my ability to fulfill my commitment to serve all of the people of Philadelphia fairly and ethically, and grow personally and professionally.”

The 24 fellows also include a State Attorney General, a Mayor, a Secretary of State, a School Board member, a City Councilman and

several State legislators.

The two-year fellowship is designed to briefly break down partisan barriers and provide officeholders with an opportunity to step back from their daily responsibilities to consider broader questions of good governance. “We do not teach anything per se,” Edwards said. “These are moderated conversations, covering everything from Aristotle to Virginia Wolfe to Martin Luther King Jr.” Conferences, seminars and policy programs seek to facilitate roundtable discussions on how to make a good society and how elected officials can do a better job to get to that point, Edwards added.

Ackerman To Get Humanitarian Award Schools Superintendent and CEO

ing towards the advancement and

honored for her tireless commit-

Dr. Arlene Ackerman has been

mentorship of women and minori-

ment to diversifying the field of ed-

named the recipient of the Ameri-

ties into positions of leadership in

ucation with high quality leaders

can Association of School Admin-

the field of education and/or who

and ensuring the best education for

istrator’s 2011 Dr. Effie H. Jones

have demonstrated a commitment

all students, especially those who

Humanitarian Award. The award

to tackling social justice issues

are poor or minority. She will re-

honors leadership in educational

among children, youth and adults

ceive the award during a ceremony

equity and excellence. A panel of

in schools.

at AASA’s National Conference on

judges from the education community selected honorees based upon their proven commitment to work4|

Dr. Ackerman, a long-time advocate for the less fortunate, is being

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Education, Feb. 19 in Denver, Colorado.

20 DECEMBER, 2010

Learning How to Give Back

PHILA. ATTENDEES at Non-Profit Boot Camp learn how to start a non-profit organization and receive important information about keeping an existing non-profit compliant with new IRS regulations.

Nearly 100 people attended the free one-day seminar presented by the office of State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and held at the University of the Sciences in Phila.

Au Revoir To French Ambassador

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE called together all French organizations in region for a special luncheon in honor of outgoing French Ambassador to US, His Excellency Pierre Vimont, on Saturday at Table 31 in Comcast Center. Preceding luncheon, which was supervised by Georges Perrier, was ceremony during which internationally known sculptor Pierre Lefebvre, president of Phila. branch of UFE, the Union des Française de l’Etranger, received from Ambassador the French Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. From left are Michael Scullin, Esq., Honorary French Consul for Philadelphia and Wilmington; Georges Perrier; Mrs. Pierre Lefebvre and the medal recipient Pierre Lefebvre; Diana Regan, president of Alliance Française; and Ambassador Vimont. Photo by Bonnie Squires 20 DECEMBER, 2010

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Dec. 17Laborers’ Local 331 hosts annual Richard Legree Toys for Tots at Union Hall, 1310 Wallace St., 3 p.m. Toys will be given to children from Prodigy Day Care Ctr., Cunningham Ctr., Woodstock Women’s Shelter and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Dec. 17Friends of Chris Vogler Winter Warmup gala at SmokeEaters Pub, 7681 Frankford Ave., 7 to 10 p.m.

Tickets $40. For info call Bob Cummings at 267-471-9607.

Dec. 18Caribbean Night Happy Hour fundraiser for Lawrence Clark for City Council at Banana’s 876 Lounge, 5500 Rising Sun Ave., 6-9 p.m. Donation $10 includes food.; donate blanket for homeless and it’s $8. Make checks to Clark4Change, P.O. Box 27154, Phila., PA 19118.

Dec. 30Friends of Councilman Curtis Jones, Jrt., host yearend fundraiser “Curt Ain’t Crying the BLues” at Le Cochon NOIR, 5070 Parkside Av., Susite, 5100E. 7 p.m. to midnight.

Jan. 27Edward J. Lowry, founder of Phila.

Veterans MultiService & Education Ctr., will be honored on retirement at Waterfall Rm. in Plumbers Local 690 Union Hall, 2791 Southampton Rd., Cocktails 6-8 p.m., followed by Tribute Program. Tickets $65. Order by phone (215) 238-8050. Event Chair Ed Keenan, Board Chair Jim McNesby and Exec. Dir. Marsha Four. |

5

National Black Caucus Ratifies Waters’ Stands Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman, State Rep. Ronald G. Waters (D-W. Phila.) introduced two resolutions at the annual conference of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in Atlanta. NBCSL, whose membership includes African American State legislators throughout the United States, ratified the resolutions condemning the Arizona immigration law, and supporting cultural competency training for health care professionals.

State Rep. Waters’ health-care resolution stresses cultural awareness and cultural competency are essential skills for providing quality health care to a diverse patient population, yet only a small percentage of medical schools and teaching institutions currently provide formal training.

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The resolution also urges State medical boards to consider problems of race and gender-based disparities in health care treatment decisions; approve continuing education courses addressing cultural competency in health care treatment, and consult professionally relevant and nationally recognized organizations when adopting new rules.

According to the Urban Institute, health disparities among African Americans and Latinos relative to whites cost the health-care system $23.9 billion in 2009, including $700 million in Pennsylvania.

Medicare alone will spend an extra $15.6 billion, and private health insurers an additional $5.1 billion due to elevated rates of chronic illness among these groups. From 2009 through 2018, it is estimated the total cost of these disparities THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

will be $337 billion, including $220 billion for Medicare.

In his second resolution passed by the NBCSL, Waters condemned Arizona Senate Bill 1070, also known as the Arizona Immigration Law. Signed into law this year, the law makes it a misdemeanor for an alien to be in Arizona without carrying the required documents, and authorizes police to ask suspected undocumented immigrants about their status. A federal court is reviewing the constitutionality of key provisions of the law.

The NBCSL resolution criticizes the Arizona law for violating the 14th Amendment by interfering with federal immigration power and authority, and urges state governments and public officials to refrain from doing business with the State of Arizona.

20 DECEMBER, 2010

Vogler Targets GOP Ticket For Commissioner CITY COMMISSIONER candidate Chris Vogler is flanked

by GOP bigwigs Vito Canuso, Carl Ciglar and Jim Hoch during Christmas party funder on Friday night at SmokeEaters Restaurant in Mayfair. Campaign kickoff presages an intense struggle within GOP during spring Primary.

Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion To Open Tomorrow At Liacouras Ctr.

by Adam Taxin Dralion, an arena show from Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil, opens tomorrow night at Temple’s Liacouras Center and runs for a limited engagement through Sunday, Jan. 2.

Dralion first premiered in 1999. The show, according to James Santos, its artistic assistant director, is inspired by “a 3,000-year tradition of Chinese acrobatic art. But it also comes with the avant-garde approach from Cirque du Soleil.”

The Chinese presence is particularly significant within Dralion’s international cast. 25 of the 52 world-class acrobats, gymnasts, musicians, singers and comedic characters are from China.

20 DECEMBER, 2010

According to Santos, the diversity of the cast provides some (predictable) challenges: “Basically, we’re dealing with people from so many different countries. There are 15 nationalities and 25 languages within the company itself. When you’re dealing with communication with people, you have to take into consideration where we’re from, where they grew up and also whether they came from a gymnastics background, a dance background or extreme-sports background.”

The name “Dralion” reflects the show’s sense of integration, “the dragon symbolizing the East, and the lion symbolizing the West.”

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

BALANCING act dazzles like a Christmas-tree ornament in Dralion. |

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The show’s music reflects this fusing, as well as African and Indian musical elements. “It’s a blending of eastern and western sounds, a lot of lyrical motifs and electric and acoustic music,” said Santos.

“I always say ‘world music’ because it’s not just one genre of music. You really get to experience a world sound.”

in Dralion. “They just bring another aspect of the show together,” said Santos. “They’re kind of a family aspect to the show. The whole show is family-driven, but they bring kind of a punch.”

different countries. An estimated 100 million spectators in 300 cities on five continents have seen Cirque du Soleil, which has in 2010 presented 21 shows simultaneously throughout the world.

As for Cirque du Soleil itself, the Montreal-based company has grown from its 1984 start with 20 street performers to a major enterprise Clowns, as with other Cirque du with 5,000 employees and more Soleil productions, play a major role than 1,200 artists from close to 50

Asked for a quick summary of what he would tell someone currently on the fence about purchasing tickets to Dralion, Santos responded, “It defies the laws of nature … people will be incredibly amazed.”

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

20 DECEMBER, 2010