Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. I No. 152

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

February 1, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

Weather The Storm NATIVE SON Gen. George McClellan seemed to lead City Hall’s response to devastating winter weather. City is bracing for another onslaught today. See page 2.

What The City Is Fighting On The Streets

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The following graphic illustrates the hardpack or icepack situation that developed on some Philadelphia streets in the wake of the last storm. City snowplowing crews removed much of the snow that fell after the initial three inches of snow, rain and sleet, but it left a

hardpack that hardened in the lowtemperature days that followed the storm.

City government – along with most Philadelphians – will be praying that tonight’s predicted hard rain will stay above the freezing mark.

Nutter Campaign Kicks Off Fundraiser With CANDIDATES • POLITICIANS $1.6 Million In Pocket 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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Translation/Interpretation Arabic, Hebrew, English, French For more information, call William Hanna

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The Nutter for Mayor campaign has raised $1 million since June 2010 – for a total of about $1.6 million on hand by the end of January 2011.

The information is part of the campaign finance report filed with the City Board of Ethics yesterday, in accordance with the City’s campaign-finance laws.

The report covers contributions through Dec. 31, 2010, although additional campaign information THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

covers Jan. 1, 2011, through Jan. 31, 2011.

“I am grateful for the support I have received thus far,” Mayor Michael Nutter said, “and for the confidence of those who have not only believed in what my administration has accomplished thus far for Philadelphia, but believe in what we can accomplish for the future of our great city.”

Nutter’s campaign was very active in 2010. In addition to raising 1 JANUARY, 2011

more than a million dollars for Democrats across the Commonwealth, the campaign also contributed more than $337,000 directly to various candidates at the local and State level.

Nutter’s first scheduled fundraiser for Nutter’s campaign tonight, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ralph’s Café in the Comcast Center.

Derek Green Declines To Take A Shot At the 8th Derek Green, chief aide to Council Majority Leader Marian Tasco (D), has taken himself out of the race to replace Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller in the 8th Dist. in North and Northwest Philadelphia.

“The last few days have been an incredibly exciting and engaging period for me and my family,” Green said in a statement this morning. “I would like to thank the numerous voters, donors, and elected officials that have urged me to run for the 8th Dist. City Council seat. I am truly honored by your support and your faith in me and my leadership.”

“After much discussion and deliberation, I have decided not to run for public office at this time. However, I will continue to serve the voters of the Northwest and the constituents of Philadelphia in my current and ongoing pro bono, nonprofit and professional capacities.”

Maria Donatucci Easy Winner In Special Election Maria Donatucci will be sworn into office as the state representative of the 185th Legislative District as quickly as her overwhelming victory in Tuesday’s special election is certified by the City Commissioners.

would earn the title of “the ice queen”, easily skiing toward victory.

Propelling her in what obviously was a low turnout due to the inclemency of the weather, Donatucci earlier had won the absentee-ballot vote. Over 600 absentee ballots were turned in by the Democrat committeepersons of the 26th Ward, led by her brother-in-law Ward Leader Ron Donatucci, in the effort to insure she would be the successor to the seat vacated by the untimely death of her husband, State Rep. Robert Donatucci (D-S. Phila.).

She also took advantage of the obvious lack of effort by the Republican Party and its two factions.

Payton Named Vice Chairman Of Policy Committee State Rep. Tony Payton (D-Kensington) has been named vice chairman of the House Policy Committee for the 2011-12 legislative session.

The committee develops the House Democratic Caucus agenda, conducts hearings on varying topics across the state, and works to implement major policy initiatives supported by the House Democratic Caucus.

“This committee is central to every major issue that comes before the House and is an integral part of soliciting public input in the legislative process,” Payton said. “It’s an honor to have been selected for the position and I’m looking forward to advancing bills that will protect Pennsylvanians and move our state forward economically.”

Pa. Bar Ass’n Schedules Public Hearing On The General Assembly

A public hearing to examine the structure of the State’s General Assembly will be held in Norristown With voters slip-sliding, precariously swaying and on Mar. 1 as part of a thorough review of the state’s sometimes falling as they tried to navigate on early iced Constitution by a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania pavements and climb over snowbanks at most polling Bar Association Constitutional Review Commission. places, it was obvious the newly elected legislator 1 FEBRUARY, 2011

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“These hearings are valuable opportunities for citizens to provide information that will help shape the subcommittee’s recommendations to improve the structure and operation of government in the Commonwealth,” said PBA President Gretchen A. Mundorff. “If the members of the commission’s committees conclude changes are needed based on public input and members’ own findings, they will offer suggestions for enacting legislation, amending the State’s Constitution or convening a Constitutional Convention.”

“It’s important that we hear all points of view during the hearing process,” said James Gardner Colins, a former Commonwealth Court president judge and Philadelphia lawyer who is chairing the commission.

The PBA Structure of the General Assembly Subcommittee is seeking citizens’ input on the size and cost of the General Assembly, the term length of terms and term limits of its members, the accountability of General Assembly members, the recall and impeachment process, and the State budget process.

The hearing will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Montgomery Bar Association, 100 W. Airy Street in Norristown.

A written statement of testimony 4|

and an application to speak at a hearing must be submitted before Feb. 15 by the individual or group wishing to present information at the hearing. For a more complete description of the forms and procedures to follow, consult the webpages of the PBA Constitutional Review Commission website: www.pabar.org/crc.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance To Residents Hit

By Apartment Building Fire Residents and businesses affected by the apartment-building fire in West Philadelphia on Jan. 10, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the US Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills announced yesterday.

Mills made the loans available in response to a letter from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett on Jan. 20, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. “Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. SBA’s customer-service representatives will be on hand at the THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Feb. 2Realtors for Alan Kurtz for Sheriff fundraiser at Sampan, 124 S. 13th St., 5-7 p.m. Write checks to Friends of Alan Kurtz, 220 S. 16th St., Suite 201, Phila., PA 19102.

Feb. 23rd Dist. Appreciation Night sponsored by Friends of Jannie Blackwell at 1st Dist. Plaza, 3801 Market St., 6-9 p.m. Free for committeepersons and ward leaders of 3rd Council Dist.

Feb. 3Councilman Frank DiCicco fundraiser at Cuba Libre, 10 S. 2nd St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Contributions Host $250, Guest $50.

Feb. 3PRO-ACT hosts 3 consecutive free weekly sessions at 444 N. 3rd St., 6:30-8:30 p.m. to help individuals and families cope with addiction.

Feb. 5Phila.

Branch NAACP celebrates 100th anniversary at luncheon at HERO Ctr., 3439 N. 17th St., 12-4 p.m. Tickets $40. For info Renee (215) 4390988 or Lynne (267) 481-5857.

Feb. 8- Denny O’Brien kicks off race for City Council at Rosewood Caterers, 8888 Frankford Ave., 7 p.m.

Feb. 10Germantown Republican Club hosts Lincoln Day Dinner at Union League, 140 S. Broad St., 6 p.m. Honoree and speaker Lt. Gov. James Cawley.

Tickets $65. For info Jack Morley (215) 389-1768.

Feb. 11Fundraiser Reception for Council candidate Lawrence Clark at Rose Tattoo Café, 19th & Callowhill Sts., 6-8 p.m. For info (215) 224-0727.

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Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the process, issue and help individuals complete their applications.

The Center will be located at the Salvation Army Corps Center, Arch Street Entrance, 5501 Market Street. It opens today and runs through through Thursday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., when it will close.

“Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said David C. Dickson, SBA’s Philadelphia district director.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the Center may obtain information on loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business-loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov.

Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: US Small Business Administration, Processing & Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Mar. 28, 2011.

Jewish Labor Committee Taps Hersch As Director The Jewish Labor Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hersch as its Philadelphia Director. Founded in 1934 to raise awareness about the growing threat of Nazi Germany, the JLC today is the voice of the Jewish community in the trade-union movement and the voice of labor in the Jewish community. The JLC has maintained an office in Philadelphia for more than seven decades.

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Hersch brings to the JLC a sizable experience working with Jewish and other nonprofit organizations. He has served as the National Director of Development for ELI - The Israel Association for Child Protection; Outreach Director for The Shefa Fund; Senior Development Associate for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia; and Campaign Director for the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island.

“We are very excited to welcome Michael to our staff,” Jeff Hornstein, president of the Philadelphia JLC, stated. “He has already jumped in finalizing plans for our second annual reception for area labor leaders at the Israeli consulate taking place on Feb. 17, and in organizing Philadelphia’s commemoration of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Centennial, taking place Mar. 24 at the city’s newly opened National Museum of American Jewish History.”

Health Partners Claims No. 1 In Customer Satisfaction For the eighth straight year, Health Partners is number one in “Satisfaction with Plan” among HealthChoices plans in the Southeast PA region, according to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Public Welfare’s 2010 HealthChoices Consumer Guide. In the new report, the health plan ranked #1 in Pennsylvania or in the Southeast region in more than half of the 27 measures covering quality and access to care, including seven out of nine measures related to pediatric care.

“Maintaining a high level of member satisfaction year-after-year is what our members have grown to expect,” says William S. George, president and CEO at Health Partners. “Through initiatives like our 24Hour Nurse Advice Line, our Healthier YOU community events and our Baby Partners program, we are constantly striving to meet our members where they are and give them the tools they need to live healthy lives.”

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Health Partners ranks #1 in the region in: Satisfaction with Plan Watching Your Cholesterol Dental Sealants for Children Eye Checkups for People with Diabetes Doctor Visits for People 45 to 64 Years Old Doctor Visits for Children 7 to 11 Years Old

Regular Checkups for Children in the First 15 Months Regular Checkups for Children 3 to 6 Years Old

In six other areas involving women’s and children’s health, as well as respect from providers, Health Partners ranks #1 in Pennsylvania.

Windows Donated To Habitat For Humanity Acadia Windows & Doors, represented by Heather Kamasa, co-chair of the Philadelphia Apartment Association Helping Hands Committee, has donated windows and installation services for two Habitat for Humanity homes currently under construction: 42114215 W. Stiles Street in West Philadelphia. Construction began in fall 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by early spring 2011. These two houses add to the 40+ that Habitat has built in West Philadelphia – seven of which are Leadership and Energy in Environmental Design (LEED) certified.

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These homes are constructed by generous, involved companies who are committed to building sustainable, energy-efficient homes to lower utility costs and create less of an environmental impact.

One of the founding principles of Habitat is the idea of partnership housing; this involves hardworking families partnering with volunteers to build homes using materials and land bought or donated by caring individuals and organizations.

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