Daily Record by The Public Record

Vol. I No. 144

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

January 20, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

Lights! Action! Union Training!

WITH GREAT FANFARE, International Association of Theatrical & Stage Employees Local 8 opened its new training facility in S. Phila. last evening. Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to ensure development of a talented labor pool to take advantage of Phila.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burgeoning entertainment-production industries. See story Page 4.

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or personal dealings with them. Upon completion of the investigative process, the panels submitted The Pennsylvania Bar Association confidential reports to the CommisJudicial Evaluation Commission sion. today released its ratings of potential judicial candidates seeking election Upon receipt and review of the into the State’s appellate courts in No- vestigative panel’s report, the Commission conducted the second phase vember. of the evaluation process. The ComEach candidate requesting an evalu- mission interviewed each candidate ation by the PBA JEC is eligible to in Harrisburg, discussed his or her receive a rating of “Highly Recom- qualifications and reached consenmended,” “Recommended” or “Not sus on each candidate’s rating. Recommended.” More evaluations with other potential candidates will Of Judge Panepinto, the Committee reported, “The Candidate has a be held later this month. breadth and depth of legal knowlPBA JEC’s ratings of Philadelphia edge and experience garnered from candidates completed during the his service as a judge on the Court first round of evaluations are as fol- of Common Pleas of Philadelphia lows: since 1990. He is held in high regard Superior Court of Pennsylvania. by his colleagues and lawyers. The Highly Recommended: Judge Paul Candidate has demonstrated excelP. Panepinto; Recommended: Judge lence and innovation in court administration, complex litigation Paula A. Patrick. matters and implementation of proCommonwealth Court of Pennsyl- grams to combat truancy and viovania. Highly Recommended: lence, and he has implemented Judges Johnny J. Butler and Paul P. procedures for better collection of Panepinto. child support through both enforcement and employment opportuniDuring the upcoming elections, votties. His legal writings are clear and ers will be filling one seat on the Suwell-reasoned. The Candidate’s perior Court and one seat on the service on the Court of Judicial DisCommonwealth Court. cipline inspired his interest in restorPBA JEC based its ratings for each ing public trust.”

State Bar Ass’n Rates Appellate Hopefuls

candidate on a two-part evaluation process. Investigative panels conducted the first phase of the process, which included personal interviews with the candidates and with individuals who have had professional THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Judge Patrick’s recommendation reads, “The Candidate was a solo practitioner for almost 10 years prior to her election as a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common 1 JANUARY, 2011

Pleas in November 2003. Her judicial duties have been primarily in Juvenile Court handling delinquency and dependency cases. For the past year, she served as Philadelphia’s Gun Court judge. Her high volume courtroom is well served by her high energy personality. She is a hard worker, well organized and efficient in managing her caseload. Her judicial peers and lawyers who appear before her agree that the Candidate adapted quickly to being a judge. She is viewed as being knowledgeable about the law, fair to all parties and committed to assuring equal justice to all. She is active in her community.” JEC said of Judge Butler, “The Candidate was appointed to a vacancy on the Commonwealth Court in 2008 and again in 2009. He is an accomplished leader in public administration and organizational development, and he has expertise in employment law, workforce development and human resource management. During his 40 year career, he has served as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and as acting general counsel for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. His peers think highly of him, and he has proven himself to be hard working with an impressive performance record. The Candidate is articulate and communicates effectively orally and in writing. His opinions are concise, succinct and direct. He has demonstrated notable adherence to high ethical standards. 20 JANUARY, 2011

Based on his experience, intelligence, judicial temperament and character, the commission highly recommends the Candidate for a position on the Commonwealth Court.”

New Round Of Meetings For ‘Great Schools” Is Called

As a result of these, the District determined it must take four critical actions: • Review educational and program offerings to identify inequities and disparity. Determine a strategy for future program delivery supported by academic rationale and data.

• Begin reducing the number of “empty seats” through building closures, program consolidations and The School District of Philadelphia co-location. has announced the second round of community meetings as part of the • Develop a future capital program “Imagine Great Schools” facilities that addresses deferred maintenance master plan. This initiative, which is in existing District facilities. a key component of the District’s • Develop a plan for surplus real esfive-year strategic plan, Imagine tate and opportunity for community 2014, was created to provide a engagement. roadmap for the District to review its educational program offerings The second phase of community and facilities to determine necessary meetings seeks to delve further into rightsizing adjustments and help “must haves” for all schools, initiguide where future investments need ates the process of prioritization to be made. among stakeholders, and begins to During the first phase of the plan, the District looked to a diverse group of stakeholders to participate in feedback sessions and community meetings to comment on the “must haves” for all schools in the areas of educational program, facility improvements, and safety, comfort, and cleanliness. More than 700 people attended the seven community meetings generating a great deal of feedback in each area of discussion. All resulting comments were compiled and closely analyzed by the District. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

build the roadmap for addressing these four critical actions. Similar to the first round, the next ten meetings will take place in various regions of Philadelphia in an effort to accommodate as many community members as possible. Dates, times and locations for the first seven meetings are as follows: Tuesday, Feb. 1 – Penrose School, 2515 S. 78th Street, 5:30 p.m. registration, 6:00 p.m. meeting. Wednesday, Feb. 2 – Kensington CAPA, 2051 E. Cumberland Street, |

5:30 p.m. registration, 6:00 p.m. tences without parole. meeting. Thursday, Feb. 3 – Germantown HS, 40 E. High Street, 5:30 p.m. registration, 6:00 p.m. meeting.

With High Hopes, Theatrical Union Opens New Training Place

Saturday, Feb. 5 – HS of the Future With fine showmanship, as befits 4021 Parkside Avenue, 9:30 a.m. their trade, The International Assoregistration, 10:00 a.m. meeting. ciation of Theatrical & Stage EmTuesday, Feb. 8 – Saul HS of Agri- ployees Local 8 opened its new $6 cultural Sciences, 7100 Henry Av- million Education & Training Cenenue, 5:30 p.m. registration, 6:00 ter on Swanson Street in the Whitman section of South Philadelphia. p.m. meeting. Wednesday, Feb. 9 – South Philadel- The ribbon-cutting and grand openphia HS, 101 S. Broad Street, 5:30 ing was presided over by Business p.m. registration, 6:00 p.m. meeting. Agent Michael Barnes, who was joined by IATSE International PresThursday, Feb. 10 – Samuel Fels ident Matthew D. Loeb, IATSE HS, 5500 Langdon Street, 5:30 p.m. General Secretary-Treasurer James registration, 6:00 p.m. meeting. B. Wood, and numerous City and Dates and locations for the last three State elected officials as the evening sessions will be announced at a later wore on. date.

The state-of-the-art facility aims to establish the union local and the City of Philadelphia as the focal Johnson To Head points of the entertainment industry in Pennsylvania and the entire MidChildren & Youth Atlantic region. The 11,000-square State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson (D-S. foot facility is unrivaled in the Phila.) has been appointed the Dem- breadth of its educational and trainocratic vice chairman of the House ing offerings. Children & Youth Committee. With Philadelphia and the region inIn addition to focusing on legislation creasingly becoming a hot destinarelating to school vouchers, blight tion for the production of movies, and abandoned property and mini- TV shows and many other entertainmum wage increases, Johnson will ment mediums, IATSE Local 8’s also aggressively reintroduce sev- new facility is a timely and imporeral bills from last session, including tant new resource for the industry. legislation to address the issue of ju- The center will offer training to venile offenders serving life sen- union stagehand workers for legiti4|

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Jan. 21State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown hosts Breakfast Mtg. with seniors at Sarah Allen Sr. Ho., 4035 Parrish St., 9 a.m.-12 m. Jan. 24Phila. 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 6th Dist. Council candidate Sandy Stewart. For info Mike Lodise (2115) 487-0118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 482-7991, or teapartynw@comcast.net. Jan. 24Rally to reelect Mayor Michael Nutter at Metropolitan Carpenters Union, 1812 Spring Garden St., 2nd fl. Jan. 24— The Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots Northwest host 7 p.m. meeting at Kendrick Recreation Center, On Ridge Avenue beetween Rector and Roxborough avenue. Jan. 25Traffic Club of Phila.’s annual dinner honors James T. McDermott’s Phila. Regional Port Authority as company of year and Jeffrey L. Sustch, Pres. SMS Rail Lines, as Person of Year at Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Penn’s Landing, 6 p.m. For info www.tcphila.org. 20 JANUARY, 2011

mate stage productions, orchestral ensembles, opera and ballet performances, rock-and-roll concerts, audio-visual Convention Center training, film and television training, and even wardrobe, hair, and makeup training.

preparation services, constituents sons or organizations whose deeds are urged to contact Sen. Washing- exemplify the principles of nonviolence fostered by Dr. King throughton’s office at (215) 242-0472. out his life. Three events are scheduled: Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Ref- Rashid was honored for his work at ormation Lutheran Church, 1215 E. AmeriHealth Mercy where, for Vernon Road; Saturday, Feb, 19, 10 more than a decade, he’s helped a.m.-2 p.m. at Upper Room Church, people gain access to quality health 7236 Ogontz Avenue; and Saturday, Sen. Washington Offers Mar. 5 at 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mt. Airy care. The award also recognized Rashid’s involvement in community Free Tax Planning Church of God and Christ, 6401 and civic affairs, including his servState Sen. LeAnna Washington (D- Ogontz Avenue. ice on the boards of Medicaid Northwest) will be teaming with the As an ongoing courtesy to seniors Health Plans of America, the Financial Freedom Network to presand low-income constituents, Wash- Greater Philadelphia Chamber of ent a series of free Tax Planning ington’s District Offices will have an Commerce, the Philadelphia IndusSeminars and Tax Preparation ServIRS-trained tax preparer available trial Development Corporation, the ices. weekly beginning Monday, Jan. 31, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, the Philadelphia Zoo and the Vi“Tax preparation can be quite a to help prepare and file taxes for sion of Hope. daunting task,” Washington said. free. To qualify for free services, “That is why I am pleased to offer constituents must be 65 years or “It is a great honor to be recognized these information seminars and tax older and from low-income houseas this year’s Drum Major for Corpreparation services to help those in holds (no stock transactions, profit porate Social Responsibility by the or loss statements, rental income or need of guidance.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Association business income). for Nonviolence,” said Rashid. “In A Certified Public Accountant will 1966, Dr. King said, ‘of all the forms be on hand to teach: Strategies to of inequality, injustice in health care Reduce Your Tax Burden, What It Rashid Receives MLK is the most shocking and inhumane.’ Means to Be “Audited by the IRS”, Drum The most basic right is access to What Deductions You Qualify For, Association’s health care and extending that right and How Filing for Bankruptcy Af- Major Award has been my life’s work. It is a life’s fects your Taxes & More. Michael A. Rashid, the first African work that began during my boyhood For those who have already filed American president and CEO of in Birmingham, Ala., where I their 2010 taxes, there will be infor- AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Cos., marched and went to jail with Dr. mation on how to save money in the received the Drum Major Award for Martin Luther King, Jr., to a corpofuture. For constituents from low-in- Corporate Social Responsibility rate suite in Philadelphia.” come households, there will be an from the Philadelphia Martin Luther IRS-trained tax preparer on hand to King, Jr. Association for Nonvio- Past winners of the association’s help file their taxes for free. There is lence, Inc., at its recent Awards & Drum Major Awards include: Ossie limited seating for these events. To Benefit Luncheon at the Sheraton Davis, actor; Congressman Chaka make a reservation for the Tax Plan- Philadelphia City Center Hotel. The Fattah; former Mayor of Philadelning Seminar and/or schedule tax- Drum Major Award recognizes per20 JANUARY, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

phia John F. Street; and comedian Philadelphia family-law community, Dick Gregory. Fenerty has also has been awarded the Nicholas J. Cipriani Family Law American Inn of Court’s highest Fenerty Picked For Bar ranking, “Master of the Bar.”

Ass’n’s Wing

Family-Law

An experienced family-law and domestic-relations lawyer, Fenerty counsels and represents clients in family-law matters including divorce and equitable distribution, child custody and support, spousal support and alimony, protection from abuse and adoption. He also assists clients with their wills, trusts and estates needs, including estate planning and probate matters. Fenerty practices out of Willig, Williams & Davidson’s Philadelphia office.

Michael P. Fenerty, an attorney with the Philadelphia law firm of Willig, Williams & Davidson, has been elected to the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section. As a member of the Executive Board, Fenerty will help guide the Family Law Section in shaping the substantive domestic relations law and procedure in Pennsylvania, affecting family law issues such as adoption, custody, child support, divorce, alimony, civil unions In addition to maintaining his busy and same-sex marriage, paternity practice, Fenerty has been recogand domestic violence. nized for his extensive pro bono efst A well-known practitioner in the forts, being named to the 1 Judicial

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Dist.’s Pro Bono Honor Roll in 2008, 2009 and 2010. A Philadelphia native, he serves as pro bono corporate counsel to several local nonprofit organizations, including the Olde Richmond Civic Association, The Ladies of Port Richmond breast-cancer awareness and prevention charity and The Friends of Pops Playground in Philadelphia. He also accepts pro bono court appointments as a guardian ad litem or child advocate in complex custody cases involving families in crisis. Fenerty is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law, where he was honored for excellence in trial advocacy. He is admitted to practice throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Willig, Williams & Davidson is one of the largest and most respected union-side labor-law firms in the United States.

20 JANUARY, 2011