Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 14 (174)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

March 3, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

First Steps Toward May WORKING THE VOTERS, both present and future, at W. Phila. YMCA was Mayor Michael Nutter, here posing with JuvÊ Dashiell, a Bache-Martin student, while his mother was signing Mayor’s petition to get on the ballot for May Primary.

Casey Teams With Peers To Build Knowledge Of Neurological Ailments

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US Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Mark Udall (D-Col.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Debbie Stabenow (DMich.) have introduced a bipartisan bill that would establish national registries of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, in order to better understand and treat them. The National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act’s introduction coincides with the Parkinson’s Action Network’s day on Capitol Hill, when advocates will meet with members of Congress and staff about Parkinson’s issues.

Currently, no national system exists for researchers to access accurate data about these neurological diseases, how many people are affected and in what areas of the country, what causes the onset and other information. This lack of fundamental knowledge about these diseases inhibits progress in biomedical research that could help treat and serve those affected

by them. This bill would establish a coordinated national database to collect and analyze information on neurological diseases that could then be used to develop research and technological advances, and to create programs and services that help people live independent and productive lives while fighting these diseases.

“As the chair of the Senate Multiple Sclerosis Caucus, it gives me great pleasure to co-sponsor the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act,” said Casey, a longtime supporter of the MS community. “This legislation will improve our understanding of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s, enabling researchers to work towards new treatments and providing policymakers with more accurate information about the incidence of neurological disease, so that we can craft more effective policies to help individuals suffering from neurological disease and their families.”

Josephs Calls To Protect Early Childhood Ed State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) today reaffirmed her commitment to preserve State support for essential early-childhood education and care programs, in the THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

face of substantial cuts expected across the board in the upcoming State budget.

“With an expected $4 billion struc3 MARCH, 2011

tural budget deficit and declining State revenues, Gov. Corbett has said he will not increase taxes.

That means education and earlychildhood programs may well be on the chopping block as next year’s budget is prepared,” Josephs said.

“We can spend all of our money on prisons, prosecuting crime and helping the unemployable. Or we can spend it on public education, especially on quality, early childhood learning. It’s up to the people of Pennsylvania to decide. I think we know how they would vote.”

A recent report details the economic connections between earlychildhood education and business growth and development in Pennsylvania. The report showed investment in quality early care and education will generate $1.06 in sales of local goods and services from Pennsylvania businesses for every $1 invested.

The report also indicated companies in communities with quality early learning available to their employees have less absenteeism and higher retention and productivity, reducing the $3 billion annual cost US businesses incur

because their employees have child-care arrangement problems.

“Early education can make all the difference in the world in whether a young child can grow up to live a productive life or even graduate from high school. Productive adults mean a qualified work force and offer advantages to the state’s economic well-being. It is imperative that we continue to support early education efforts,” Josephs said.

Corbett will unveil his budget proposal Tuesday.

Keller: Building Code For Sprinklers Is About Public Safety State Rep. Bill Keller (D-S. Phila. spoke out against legislation (HB 377) that would eliminate the building-code requirement all new single and two-family homes have fire-suppression sprinklers to reduce fire-related death and property loss.

The bill, introduced by Stet Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), was approved by the House Labor & Industry Committee on Monday and is under consideration by the full House. Keller, who is Democratic chairman of the committee, said the bill would weaken publicsafety standards considered necessary by building safety experts.

“The bottom line with fire should 3 MARCH, 2011

always be safety and saving lives,” Keller said. “Those who want to repeal this safety code have something to gain financially from its demise, and this legislation only works to help the bottom line of builders and their lobbyists. This is first and foremost a public safety issue.”

The sprinkler code provision went into effect in January and is found in the 2009 International Codes.

The Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999) requires the Dept. of Labor & Industry to adopt the latest version of International Codes, which are revised every three years by the International Code Council. The council is a non-governmental naTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

tional association that develops model construction codes for residential, commercial, and military buildings.

According to Keller, the Pennsylvania Builders Association mounted a huge effort in 2008 to establish a Uniform Construction Code Advisory Council to help head off the State’s adoption of building-code requirements that may be unfavorable to builders.

This council was approved by the General Assembly as Act 106 of 2008 and is made up of 19 industry professionals, appointed by the Governor, who can choose to adopt or deny all of part of triennial code revisions.

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Mar. 2Petition party for Mayor Michael Nutter at W. Phila. YMCA, 5120 Chestnut St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Mar. 3Reception for Council candidate Verna Tyner and Councilman Bill Greenlee at Ceisler Media, 1525 Locust St., 6th fl., 5:30-7:30. For info (610) 271-5365.

Mar. 4Happy Hour with State Rep. John Taylor at Head House Craft Beer Café, 122 Lombard St., 5:30-8 p.m. $75/person, $125/couple. For info (215) 5452244.

Mar. 6St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraiser at Springfield C. C., 400 W. Sproul Rd., Springfield, Pa., 3-7 p.m. Adults $25, Children $10. Live music and stepdancing. For info Linda Bradley (610) 449-4320.

Mar. 7Fundraiser for Councilman Bill Greenlee at Cobre Restaurant, 812 N. Broad St., 5-7 p.m. Donation $100.

Mar. 10St. Patrick’s Day Parade Luncheon & Sashing of Grand Marshal at Doubletree Hotel, Broad & Locust Sts., 12 m.

Tickets $50. RSVP Kathy McGee ZBurns (215) 872-1305.

Mar. 10South Philadelphia Business Association annual Scholarship gala at Galdo’s catering, 20th & Moyamensing Ave., 610 p.m. Honoring DA Seth Williams, and Row Home magazine’s Dawn Rhoades and Dorette Rota Joackson.

For info (215) 336-1108.

Mar. 10State Sen. Anthony Williams hosts foreclosure-prevention workshop at 4|

Keller said the UCC Advisory Council, on two separate occasions in 2009, voted to keep the residential sprinkler requirement in the State’s code. The sprinkler code also has been upheld by Commonwealth Court.

“Study after study after study tells us sprinklers save lives,” Keller said. “Firefighters, fire survivors, victims’ organizations, building code officials, and those responsible to their communities support this code. It’s time for everyone to be on the side of safety. It’s time for the builders to stop fighting safety standards in order to pad their bottom lines.”

As the House debated the bill on Wednesday, Keller offered an amendment that would make it easier for local municipalities to enact their own ordinances requiring automatic fire-sprinkler systems on the local level if the code is not mandated on the state level.

The amendment was defeated 73125.

Keller said an ongoing study of residential sprinklers in Bucks Co., where six municipalities have had sprinkler ordinances for at least 15

years, shows sprinklers cost about $1 per square foot for homes on public water systems and $2 per square foot for homes on well water.

According to the US Census Bureau, the average single family home built in 2009 was 2,438 square feet with an average price of $270,900. Keller said the average nationwide cost of including sprinklers in a new home is about $1.60 per square foot. Based on those numbers, the cost of a sprinkler suppression system would average about $4,000, or 1.5% of the cost of the home. In comparison, interior painting can cost over $7,000; cabinets and countertops over $12,000; and landscaping more than $7,000, according to the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute.

Keller rallied with firefighters from Philadelphia and around the state in February to bring to the public’s attention to the efforts to weaken Pennsylvania’s building code. He said he will vote against the legislation when it is up for final House passage, which is expected next week.

Farnese Says No to Weakening Puppy-Mill Laws State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) today renewed his position for humane laws regarding puppy THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

mills in Pennsylvania.

“There is no need to spend tax3 MARCH, 2011

payer money to study or review the current law, which has already been voted on and enacted,” said Senator Farnese. “The current law provides for the basic standard of care for dogs and must be preserved.”

Farnese’s statement is in response to yesterday’s passage of HR 89, which directs the Joint State Government Commission to study and review the economic impact of the

2008 Dog Law and the humane regulatory standards which were adopted at that time.

the ‘reasonableness and appropriateness’ of some of the required standards.

The sponsors of yesterday’s resolution claim the standards that were voted into law have resulted in the loss of business for kennels and related businesses and also the loss of ‘potentially millions of dollars.’

“We all remember the horror of the living conditions that hundreds of helpless dogs suffered,” said the Senator. “I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure our animals are protected and that they never return to living their lives in such absolute squalor and despicable conditions.”

The resolution further questions

Goode Hope To Keep CDC Tax Credits The Community Development Corporation Tax Credit Program, created by City Councilman AtLarge W. Wilson Goode, Jr. (D), has developed 30 partnerships between major corporations and community-development organizations during the last decade. The program was created through Goode legislation that was unanimously approved and signed into law in 2001. Nine partnerships, which were created in 2002, will expire next year.

The Councilman has introduced the CDC Tax Credit Agreement Moratorium Bill to allow for revisions to the program as it enters into a second decade and before there can be any new multi-year agreements. The new legislation enacts a temporary moratorium on new contribution agreements until Council enacts legislation modifying the terms and conditions of the tax credit.

The CDC Tax Credit Program allows 30 companies to contribute $100,000 per year to 30 community-development corporations engaged in neighborhood economic development, in exchange for a full credit against their business privilege tax liability. The program requires a 10-year funding commitment to economically distressed communities, giving them more 3 MARCH, 2011

financial capacity to support small business and foster economic development. The success of this reinvestment model has spurred economic growth in multiple areas of the city.

“This tax-credit program has given us an opportunity to get money to economically vulnerable neighborhoods and to spur economic development,” Goode said. “Most importantly, it allows us to do so using private money.”

Council Candidate Henon Pulls In FOP Endorsement Bobby Henon, Democratic candidate for the 6th Councilmanic seat in Northeast Philadelphia being vacated by retiring Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, was unanimously endorsed by the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, which represents 14,600 active and retired officers of the Philadelphia Police and Sheriff’s Department, many of whom live in the 6th Dist.

“Bobby Henon has always stood up for our officers and now we are standing up for him,” said John McNesby, President of FOP Lodge 5. “Our vote to sup-

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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port Bobby’s Council candidacy was unanimous and extremely enthusiastic. We need committed public servants like Bobby on City Council, people who understand that public safety is our most important quality of life component. He understands that the men and women of the Philadelphia Police and Sheriff’s Departments lay their lives on the line every day and are deserving of people’s respect and gratitude. The FOP will do everything in our collective power to ensure Bobby Henon is the next Council representative for Philadelphia’s 6th Dist.”

Henon, who anticipates receiving widespread support from many business, labor and community organizations, was honored to have the FOP endorse him so early in his campaign.

“I have the greatest respect for our police officers, firefighters and first responders,” said Henon. “Their courage and dedication to the safety of all Philadelphians is inspiring. I accept the FOP’s incredibly important endorsement with gratitude and pledge to our police and sheriff’s officers that I will always value and honor their service to the people of Philadelphia.”

Alliance Française Welcomes Paris With Flowers…

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE PHILADELPHIE is sponsoring an information kiosk on main floor of Phila. International Flower Show, Mar. 6-13. Theme of show this year is “Springtime in Paris.” Seen here at orientation, with giant Eiffel Tower display behind them, are, from left, Martine Chauvet, executive director of Alliance; Board Member Delphine Lawrence; and Board Member Dr. Lynn Miller, coauthor of French Philadelphia, the Alliance guidebook, which will be on sale at PHS Shop in center of the exhibit floor. Photo by Bonnie Squires 6|

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

3 MARCH, 2011

…As More French Fun Is Promised For Arts Festival

GIVING A PREVIEW of Phila. International Festival of the Arts, a three-week French festival involving all of the arts and culture and cuisine of region, organized by Kimmel Center, are, from left, Meryl Levitz, GPTMC; Ed Cambron, executive director of PIFA; Anne Ewers, Kimmel Center CEO; and consultant Roz McPherson, all of whom helped organize an evening of fashion and French food at Wolfgang Puck’s rooftop garden at Kimmel Center. Photo by Bonnie Squires

New Lighting Makes JFK Underpass Safer Recently, PECO generously provided the Center City District with $40,000 in funding that helped the CCD purchase and install blue light-emitting diode fixtures along both sides of the 80-foot-long John F. Kennedy Boulevard underpass at 23rd Street, in a similar fashion to the lighting that CCD installed under the 22nd Street JFK bridge. Forty, four-feetlong fixtures dramatically improve the pedestrian experience for PECO employees parking north of JFK and for residents of the adjacent Logan Square neighborhood.

3 MARCH, 2011

The PECO grant also helped pay for improved metal halide lighting on each side of the 90-foot-long SEPTA underpass along 23rd Street.

Gordon Group Electric, the contractor, began installation on Feb. 15, and the lights were turned on Tuesday night.

“These lighting projects transform sites that previously were unpleasant thoroughfares,” said Paul R.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Levy, president and CEO of the Center City District.

“The CCD would like to thank PECO for its generos-

ity in helping make Center City safer and more attractive.”

Former Workers’ Compensation Judge Joins Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano representing clients in regard to workers’-compensation matters at the highest level of service and professionalism.

A workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability law firm, Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano, is honored and pleased to announce Peter E. Perry, Jr. the former managing judge of the Workers’-compensation system for Southeastern Pennsylvania, has joined our firm as Of Counsel. With the addition of Perry, the firm looks forward to

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Perry’s experience as a Workers’ Compensation Judge and his nononsense approach to law make him a perfect addition to this firm.

He has the unique perspective of someone who sat on the bench for close to 30 years in workers’ compensation cases, and also has experience in the area of Social Security Disability.

Among his many responsibilities as Judge Manager, Perry supervised the Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication, Southeastern District, supervising 26 Judges, and the support staff as well as supervised the caseload-management system of approximately 15,000

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

cases in litigation.

He has published and lectured on the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws and Administrative Law to legal, business, and labor organizations.

Perry served as a member of several task forces established by Govs. Ridge, Casey and Thornburgh respectively, to study and suggest improvements to the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation System. He has also served as the elected chairman of the Professional Association of Workers’ Compensation Judges. During the term as chairman he directed, prepared and participated in the agenda for the Annual Workers’ Compensation Judges Seminars.

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