Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. I No. 131

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

January 4, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

Digging Business At The Navy Yard

NAVY YARD COMMERCE CENTER got off to a big start yesterday with aid of shovels wielded by area political and business leaders. Next to new Tasty Bakery, 100,000 sq. ft. of industrial flex buildings are being developed by Liberty Property Trust and Synterra, in largest expansion of industrial capacity in city for decades.

FAMILY PHARMACY 1416 S. Broad St.

215-755-2010 Most Plans Accepted

McGeehan Forgoes

Council, continue to represent the needs of my constituents and simultaneously be an effective advocate for critical transportation needs,” McGeehan said.

6th Dist.

Meat Council Race & Deli he anticipated 6th Council

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When You Want Your Roof To Be Done Right The First Time

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His swearing-in on Tuesday for a history-making 11th term in the House of Representatives, set a

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tenure record for the 173rd Leg-

Mike McGeehan (D-Northeast)

McGeehan spent some time on In-

and former School Reform Com-

auguration Day calling union lead-

missioner Marty Bednarek is off.

ership and others who had

Dist. Democrat Primary

islative Dist.

battle between State Rep.

committed dollars and other supMcGeehan this week announced he

port to him. He estimates he will

would forego his much-anticipated

be returning “over $100,000”

run to replace retiring Council-

which he had received back to his

woman Joan Krajewski (D) in the

contributors.

6th Council Dist., in which much of his 173rd Dist. lies, making him

“This decision was not taken

a formidable opponent.

lightly. I had visited with colleagues at City Hall several times

McGeehan made legislative history

CANDIDATES • POLITICIANS

and realized I could better serve

on two fronts this week, which

my constituents and the city of

News You Can Use!

helped move him away from his

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

Philadelphia from my new role as

intended Council campaign. The

Democrat Chairman of the Trans-

foremost was his becoming the

portation Committee.

Philadelphiadailyrecord.com Email them a copy of this Publication!

first Philadelphian in modern history to be named Democratic

“I’m grateful to the people of the

Chairman of the State House

173rd Dist. for allowing me to

Transportation Committee.

serve them for another two years,” said McGeehan. “I am proud of

Translation/Interpretation Arabic, Hebrew, English, French For more information, call William Hanna

267-808-0287 2|

“After meetings with House Dem-

where I grew up and the people I

ocratic leadership, talking with

represent. To be entrusted with rep-

State transportation stakeholders

resenting one’s home area is a

and following a great deal of soul-

great honor, and it is especially

searching over the holidays, I con-

humbling that the people like the

cluded I couldn’t run for City THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

4 JANUARY, 2011

job I’ve been doing and sent me back.

“I welcome the enormous challenge and responsibility this position brings. I hope to be a strong advocate for the interests of public transit, ports, airports and our heavily traveled roads and bridges,” McGeehan said. “All of these resources are vital to our economic recovery and future prosperity.”

McGeehan’s new responsibilities as Democratic Transportation Chairman will require extensive travel throughout the Commonwealth to assess transportation programs dealing with highways, railroads, airports, maritime ports and public transit.

“While I have my focus on transportation issues statewide, I will be working to ensure that the Philadelphia area gets its fair share of transportation funding,” McGeehan emphasized.

“My sincerest thanks to my family, friends, neighbors, business and union leaders, ward leaders and elected officials, and the many residents who encouraged and supported my potential Council candidacy,” added McGeehan. “I hope they will understand and accept my decision, and I pledge to continue to work closely with them in the years ahead.”

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Court Seeks Collection Attorneys For Huge Debts Owed fficials of the Philadelphia Court system (the 1st Judicial District of Pennsylvania) announced they are seeking attorneys who are specialists in collections practice to execute, and collect, on court judgments for outstanding fines, fees, costs, restitution, and bail judgments owed to the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and victims of crime.

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The Court is actively seeking payment on 400,000 accounts with outstanding balances totaling $1.5 billion (this includes $1 billion in bail judgments). Those who do not voluntarily make payments to bring their payment plans up to date by Feb. 28, 2011, will face substantial collection costs and interest on top of the balance already owed, execution and sale of their property by the Sheriff, and a warrant for their arrest for failure to comply with a court order.

To make arrangements for payment of court ordered financial obligations, email the court accounting unit at payment.inquiries@courts.phila.go THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

v, or call (215) 683-1482. Emails are preferred.

President Judge Pamela Dembe declared, “Time is up for those who owe restitution to their victims and court costs to the City. We have encouraged folks to step up and take responsibility for their debts. Lawabiding citizens are not willing to let these debts slide. We take seriously our role in helping the City survive these very difficult financial times. We also believe victims are entitled to be made financially whole.”

Foreign Adoption Rules Are Eased

By New Orphans’ Court Rules he Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has approved a new rule aimed at streamlining the foreign-adoption process, by establishing guidelines to be used when the child’s adoption was not “full and final” in the foreign country.

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“Adopting a child from a foreign jurisdiction can be daunting and complicated. By these rule changes prospective parents in Pennsylvania can complete the adoption process in a less burdensome manner assuring the legality of a new child and his or her new parents,” Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille stated. |

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Newly enacted Orphans’ Court Procedural Rule 15.9 provides a relatively easy and inexpensive procedure for finalizing an adoption when, for immigration purposes, the child’s adoption in the foreign country was deemed not to be “full and final.” This situation can arise, for example, when both parents were not present in the foreign country at the time of the adoption hearing.

The action complements a related rule (Rule 15.8) adopted previously by the Supreme Court in response to Act 96 of 2006, whose aim was to simplify, expedite and standardize on a statewide basis the registration of foreign adoption decrees.

New Rule 15.9, along with the registration procedure in Rule 15.8, will allow the foreign-born child to obtain a Pennsylvania birth certificate. New Rule 15.9 requires less information than what might otherwise be required in completing a domestic adoption because the courts may rely on information the parents have already provided to the Dept. of Public Welfare to ensure that Pennsylvania’s pre-adoption requirements have been met, and information already obtained by the US Citizenship & Immigration Services to ensure the child is orphaned.

Adopting parents may proceed in any county in the Commonwealth by filing the form petition and several required documents with the 4|

Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, except in Philadelphia Co., where the form petition and documents are filed in the Family Court Division.

Adopting parents and the foreignborn child must be present at the hearing.

The Supreme Court also has amended Rule 15.8 to permit name changes during the registration process for children who are younger than twelve years of age.

Also, for a foreign adoption decree that cannot be registered, Rule 15.8 now refers the petitioning adoptive parents to newly enacted Rule 15.9.

Forms for Rule 15.9, including the uniform statewide petition, proposed decrees, intermediary’s report, and translator’s verification will be available for downloading on the Pennsylvania Judiciary’s Web site, www.pacourts.us.

Zoning Variances Only For Up-To-Date Tax Payers esidents who wish to apply for a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustments must now submit a taxclearance form along with their application to prove they are in tax

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compliance. The intent of this law, sponsored by Councilman at Large Frank Rizzo and ultimately implemented by the ZBA, is now in effect.

“If residents are looking for a variance from the ZBA, they need to pay their taxes” said Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections and Ex-Officio member of the ZBA Fran Burns. “During this economic crisis, the City needs the tax revenue due to it more than ever.”

“I have long been a staunch supporter of promoting fiscal responsibility. Bill #090852 is an important tool that can now be used to capture much needed revenues owed to the City,” said Councilman Rizzo. “I sincerely appreciate and thank those members of the Nutter Administration and of the Departments of Licenses and Inspections, Revenue, City Planning Commission as well as the Law Department whose cooperation and hard work all played an integral part in bringing this legislation to fruition.”

Residents can access the form by visiting the websites of the Revenue Dept. and the Dept. of Licenses & Inspections. Applicants that experience difficulty obtaining a tax suitability form should contact the Revenue Dept. at (215) 686-6600.

Individuals or groups who fall into one of the following three categories are excluded from the taxclearance requirements: 4 JANUARY, 2011

If the applicant is a tenant in the property and not the owner, the applicant must only provide certification that his property taxes are current or he is in a payment plan.

If the applicant is a nonprofit entity that acquired the property from the City or another public agency but the property has prior outstanding taxes, the applicant must only certify taxes on the property are current from the time of the sale forward and all of the applicant’s other taxes are current or in payment agreement as well.

If the applicant is a homeowner who acquired the property from the City, another public agency, or a nonprofit who previously acquired the property from the City or another public agency but the property has prior outstanding taxes, the applicant must only certify taxes on the property are current from the time of the sale forward and all of the applicant’s other taxes are current or in payment agreement as well.

City Offers Free Nicotine Patches s part of its Get Healthy Philly initiative, the Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health is offering 5,000 smokers a free one-month supply of nicotine patches through the Pennsylvania Free Quitline at 1 (800) QUIT-NOW.

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4 JANUARY, 2011

The patches will be available as supplies last to smokers who live in Philadelphia zip codes who are ready to make a quit attempt. Nicotine patches help people quit smoking by reducing their cravings for nicotine.

“We know quitting isn’t easy, but people are twice as likely to be successful if they quit with some form of help, like nicotine-replacement therapy, prescription medications, or counseling,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Donald F.

Schwarz. “We’re doing our part to remove the cost barriers faced by smokers who want to quit.”

Those interested in receiving the free nicotine patches must call the Pennsylvania Free Quitline and agree to participate in free phonebased counseling services. Eligibility for the program will be assessed

by Quitline staff based on residence, age, and certain health factors. Patches will not be available to those under 18 years of age or to women who are pregnant. Patches will be delivered by mail to those who enroll.

Al Pacino’s Merchant of Venice Deserves Its Acclaim

by Adam Taxin he Merchant of Venice, a production of William Shakespeare’s tragic comedy starring Al Pacino, can be safely referred to as currently the hottest ticket on Broadway.

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Pacino, now 70 years old, brings all the acting talent for which he has received decades of praise into his embodiment of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in late 16th-century Venice. The primary driver of the plot is Shylock’s loan to the title character, the merchant Antonio (played by Byron Jennings), which is secured with “a pound of flesh” from Antonio. (The loan actually is for the benefit of a third character, Bassanio, a profligate aristocrat attempting to woo the beautiful heiress Portia.)

The production of the Public Theater, directed by Daniel Sullivan, plays at Manhattan’s Broadhurst Theater on 44th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue. The show migrated there after playing to sell-out crowds this past summer in Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre.

Consistent with all the main characters of the play, Shylock and AntoTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Al Paccino, one of the most illustrious actors of our time, adds Shakespearian credit to his resume in a stunning production of Merchant of Venice.

nio are, at least in this production, played in a light that is neither wholly positive nor wholly negative.

Pacino’s Shylock combines a perverse charisma of desperation, as with his portrayal of Sonny Wortzik in Dog Day Afternoon, with the cold-blooded vengefulness of his Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II. Jennings’ Antonio is on the whole benevolent and generous, yet his actions are at least very subtly guided by the prevailing anti-Semitism of his place and era.

ing in terms of two ever-current topics: interference with the integrity of contracts, as well as the awkward, even tense, relations between different ethnicities and religions.

Last-minute tickets from TKTS booths are unlikely to be available at any point, but it should be noted the theater holds a lottery one hour before each performance in which 17 tickets are made available for $31.50 each, maximum two per lottery winner. (For the record, it took three different attempts, but eventually I was able to go for $31.50 as a consequence of bringing an apparentlymore-fortuitous friend there with me.)

The Merchant of Venice is scheduled to close on Sunday, Feb. 20. Potential audience members should realize it is a bit of a challenge to obtain affordable tickets. Premium tickets are over $250 apiece (over $300 for Saturday nights). Telecharge.com earlier today, for example, listed the cheapest mezzanine/side solo ticket Adam Taxin, a Center City attorney, In addition to being top-notch in available on the play’s final Tuesday can best be contacted via Facebook terms of acting, production and evening performance (Feb. 15) as or at adamtaxin@gmail.com. every other conceivable way, the $66.50. play is particularly thought-provok6|

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4 JANUARY, 2011

Jan. 7Lunch with Judge Jimmy Lynn at Vesper Club, 216 S. Sydenham St., 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 14Fundraiser Reception for Council candidate Lawrence Clark at Chart House, 555 S. Columbus Blvd., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $15.

Jan. 17MLK celebration and Awards by American Legion Henry Hill Post 385 and McDonald’s at Grays Ferry, at Mtg. Zion Pentecostal Ch., 122628 Point Breeze Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Commander William Denny host.

Jan. 17Phila.Tea Party Patriots NW meeting at Kendrick Rec Ctr., 5800 block Ridge Ave. by Roxborough Mem. Hosp. at 7 p.m. Speakers are Commissioner candidate Al Schmidt and Council candidate Sandy Stewart.

For info Mike Lodise (2115) 4870118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 4827991, or teapartynw@comcast.net.

Jan. 19Reception for GOP 1st Council Dist. candidate Lou Lanni at home of 5th Ward Leader Michael A. Cibik, Esq., 334 S. Front Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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.

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