Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 62 (222)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

May 12, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Praise The Lord!

CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS HS choir led rousing renditions of gospel and patriotic classics at DA Seth Williams’ first “Prayer for Peace Breakfast” at 1st Dist. Plaza in University City this morning. More pictures page 5.

Toomey, Colleague Work To Block Excessive Dodd-Frank Regs US Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Mike Johanns (RNeb.) introduced legislation yesterday prohibiting federal agencies from using the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act to impose onerous new regulations on Main Street job creators.

“Subjecting manufacturing companies in Pennsylvania and across the country to these Dodd-Frank regulations will divert capital they would otherwise use to invest in their businesses and hire new employees.

This is one of the many unintended consequences we are now seeing as a result of Dodd-Frank,” Toomey said.

both sides of the aisle in both chambers made clear that margin requirements should not be imposed on those who use derivatives to hedge their legitimate business risks. However, a new rule released Apr. 12 may force manufacturers, energy producers and a broad array of other small businesses to place critical capital investment on the sidelines if they wish to continue using these risk-management tools.

The rule, if finalized, will have a negative impact on the country’s job creators, requiring companies to use funds for collateral instead of for hiring and expanding. Additional hedging costs will likely be passed on to consumers, driving up prices on everyday goods.

During consideration of Dodd-Frank, Members from

Casey Presses China Trade with Ambassador to China Nominee US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) met yesterday with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who has been nominated to be the next US Ambassador to China. The Senator released the following statement: “Ahead of his confirmation hearing, I met with Secretary Locke to discuss the many important issues concerning U.S. policy toward

China. China’s unfair trade policies were at the top of my agenda.

“I made clear to Secretary Locke my concerns about China’s currency manipulation that is putting Pennsylvania workers and companies at a disadvantage as well as the hardships faced by workers who have lost their jobs to China. I also discussed my repeated calls

for the Obama Administration to do more to crack down on China and level the playing field for Pennsylvania workers.

“I will continue to press these issues when Secretary Locke appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”

Kevin Boyle: Republicans, Put Ed $$$ Back In Budget State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Northeast) called on Gov. Tom Corbett and the House Republican leaders yesterday to use the State revenue surplus to restore proposed budget cuts.

to the Governor’s proposal,” Boyle said. “The truth of the matter is their plan upholds $890 million of the Governor’s $1 billion in cuts to education, and fails to restore funding for vital services that benefit seniors, women and children.”

“House Republicans are touting an ‘alternate’ budget 2|

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Boyle said State revenue is coming in ahead of estimate, but House Republicans want to stash that money in the Rainy Day Fund. The State Dept. of Revenue recently reported $506 million more in tax revenue than was originally projected. Excess revenue becomes part of next year’s revenue base, meaning new funds in excess of $1 billion for the 2011-12 budget.

Boyle said the House Republican budget also pro-

poses funding cuts for community colleges, State-related schools and $75 million from State-system schools.

“It’s clear that meeting the basic needs of Pennsylvanians is not a priority for my Republican counterparts,” he said. “This budget proposal will result in higher taxes for working, middle-class families and lower taxes for big corporations. It will hurt children, education, and vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”

Bishop’s Bill Would Abolish School Reform Commission State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (D-W. Phila.) has introduced legislation that would eliminate the current Philadelphia School Reform Commission and allow the District to be operated by an elected school board.

Bishop said the legislation (HB 1517) addresses serious issues in the schools’ operation.

“After 10 years of the District operating by SRC, schools remain in a distressed state such as not being in compliance with State laws, not remaining open for a full school

year and defaulting on financial obligations,” Bishop said. “My bill would allow the elected school directors to take control of the School District and resolve these major concerns.”

The school reform commission is comprised of four members appointed by the Governor and one member appointed by the Philadelphia Mayor. They serve various terms in office.

Bishop said in 2001, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education declared Philadelphia schools to be in distress. At that time under Act 88 of the State’s public-school code, control of the School District was turned over to the State and the City of Philadelphia’s School Reform commission.

“We need the School District to be operated by an elected board instead of an appointed group of handpicked people,” Bishop said.

The bill is being considered in the House Education Committee.

Bishop is Democratic chairwoman of the House Children and Youth Committee.

Constitutional Review Commission Schedules Hearing In Doylestown A public hearing to examine the structure of the State’s General Assembly will be held in Doylestown on May 16 as part of a thorough review of the State’s Constitution by a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Constitutional Review Commission.

“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 com10 MAY, 2011

monwealth,” said PBA President Matthew J. Crème, Jr. “It’s important 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 constitutional scholars, practicing lawyers, sitting judges and public policy experts serving on our commission want to take a broad view and consider the multitude of ideas and opinions that could im-

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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar May 12State Rep. Mike O’Brien hosts Community Mtg. on small-business development for 175th State House Dist. at Old Pine Community Ctr., 401 Lombard St., 6-8 p.m.

May 13Dem. 13th Ward Fish Fry at Lou & Choo’s, 21st & Hunting Park Ave., 5-10 p.m. Donation $10. For info Mike Pender (267) 973-0193.

May 13Committeepersons Special for judicial candidate Jim DiVergilis at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 5-8 p.m. Tickets at door $40.

May 13Sid Booker hosts Shrimp Rally for Mayor Michael Nutter outside Stinger La Pointe Restaurant, 4600 N. Broad St., 6-8:30 p.m. All invited.

May 13-15 Phila. Chapter of National Congress of Black Women kicks off Black Splendor Weekend at Friday formal at 1st Dist. Plaza, 7 p.m. honoring Onah C. Weldon.

May 14Mayfair Fallen Heroes 5K Run & Walk at Lincoln HS, Ryan & Rowland Aves., 8:30-10:30 a.m. $25 proceeds support education of police/fire survivors. For info mayfairbiz.com/run.

May 14E. Mount Airy Neighbors hosts Swing Into Spring dance party fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Music

by Doc Gibbs. Open wine/beer bar, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Tickets $90, tax deductible. Benbow Hall on Lutheran Seminary Campus, 7301 Germantown Ave., 7-11 p.m. Free Parking. For more THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

info www.eastmountairy.org.

May 14State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, with Grands As Parents and Turning Points for Children, hosts daylong workshop for kinship caregivers from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McNeil STC Building at Univ. of Sciences, 42nd & Woodland Ave., 8:30 a.m.-3 Free public event. Lunch. Registration needed.

Call Brenda Rich (215) 875-4955 or birch@turningpointsforchildren.org.

May 14Fundraiser for 8th Dist. Council candidate Robin Tasco at 7165 Germantown Ave., 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

Buffet dinner and dancing. Donations $100-$1,000. For info Ros (267) 593-1571 or www.robintasco.com.

May 14E. Mt. Airy Neighbors hosts Swing Into Spring at Lutheran Theological, Brossman Bldg., Benbow Ha., 7301 Germantown Ave., 7-11 p.m. Tickets $90, under age 35 $60. For info (215) 2424170.

May 15Democrats of Oak Lane Team present Marion Wimbush’s annual Breakfast and Meet & Greet candidates at Oak Lane Diner, 6528 N. Broad St., 9 a.m.-12 m. Broadcast over WURD 900 AM. May 15Friends of Marian Tasco present Jazz Brunch at View, 800 N. Broad St., 8th fl., 1-4 p.m. Entrance on Brown Street. Featuring Sherry Wilson Butler. $65 person. No tickets will be sold at door. Contact Jalila Brown or Nedia Ralston (215) 437-3294.

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prove our commonwealth.”

length of terms and term limits

The hearing will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bucks Co. Bar Association, 135 E. State Street, Doylestown.

The PBA Constitutional Review Commission’s Structure of the General Assembly Subcommittee is seeking citizens’ input on the following issues:

Accountability of General Assembly members and the recall process and impeachment process

The size and cost of the General Assembly Terms of General Assembly members, including the

The State budget process.

For more information, consult the webpages of the PBA Constitutional Review Commission website, www.pabarcrc.org, or contact Lindsay Still, Pennsylvania Bar Ass’n, 100 South Street, PO Box 186, Harrisburg, PA 17108, lindsay.still@pabar.org.

Prayer Breakfast Returns To 1st Dist. Plaza

DA SETH WILLIAMS greets Dr. Paul Fink, one of 400 guests at Williams’ first annual Prayer Breakfast, which continue a tradition inaugurated by former Sheriff John Green.

CAMPAIGNING for Sheriff, State Rep. Jewell Williams, right, greets old friends Ethan Thornton and R.T. Jones at gala breakfast.

12 MAY, 2011

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Green Hails Zoning Commission – In Part Yesterday, the Zoning Code Commission adopted a majority report and a minority report for presentation to City Council as part of Philadelphia’s ongoing zoning-reform process. In every City that undertakes Zoning Code revision, there is disagreement among reasonable people about combining textual changes in the Zoning Code with a remapping or, instead, passing the Code first and remapping later. The minority report suggests the first course, as has been done recently in Miami and Denver (described in the attached brief summary), whereas the majority report suggests the second course.

Councilman at Large Bill Green joined nine members of the ZCC in issuing the minority report to City Council, stressing the need to couple the Code revision with revision of the City’s zoning maps.

“If the new Code is enacted prior to redrawing the City’s zoning maps, there could be troubling consequences for neighborhoods,” Green said. “The ‘automatic conversion’ of the City’s zoning maps

that would occur under the majority report’s approach would permit the immediate liberalization of permissible uses and major dimensional changes – which would take place citywide as soon as the new Code becomes effective. This means, for example, that when the Planning Commission begins analyzing individual planning districts for remapping purposes, it may be confronted with new uses allowed by the ‘automatic conversion’ that are entirely inconsistent with how the neighborhood should be rezoned – significantly undermining the ability of the Planning Commission and residents to chart a new course for the neighborhood through remapping.

Green said, “As a member of the ZCC, I commend the staff of the Zoning Code and Planning Commissions, my fellow members, and the Mayor for their significant work on this new Code. The excellent, diligent, and collaborative work that’s been done on the proposed Zoning Code over the past three-plus years has put us in a position to enact the first major revi-

sion of the Zoning Code in almost 50 years. I look forward to moving this process to the next step – review by City Council.

“I am concerned that ‘automatic conversion’ opens transitioning neighborhoods to land use changes and development that may be wholly inconsistent with the direction the neighborhood is heading – or where residents and planning professionals would want it to head – without any public input.

We want to avoid a scenario under which speculators or other opportunists have a window of up to five years to come into a neighborhood and start up an inappropriate land use that will become a vested right.

“I intend to be Council’s strongest advocate for moving this process forward and for Council ultimately enacting a transparent, sustainable, easy-to-understand Code that encourages development and respects the character and charm of our neighborhoods.”

Keystone Progress Lists Progressive Picks Keystone Progress is pleased to announce the release of the 2011 Primary Edition of the Pennsylvania Progressive Voters Guide.

The Voters Guide is a compilation of the endorsements and recommendations of progressive organizations across the state. It includes 16 groups, who have made endorsements statewide and in 12 counties.

(Keystone Progress does not itself endorse. This Voters Guide is only a report of the endorsements of PA’s leading progressive groups.) Please also note that 6|

many organizations make endorsements in both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

STATEWIDE RACES Superior Court David Wecht (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Allegheny Co. Labor Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO, PSEA-PACE www.wecht2011.com.

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Commonwealth Court Kathryn Boockvar (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO, Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats, PA NOW PAC, PSEA-PACE http://www.boockvar.com/ Barbara Ernsberger (D) Endorsed by: Gertrude Stein Political Club, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, PA NOW PAC http://www.ernsbergerforjudge.com/ Paul Panepinto (R) Endorsed by: PSEA-PACE http://www.judgepanepinto.com/

Bill Greenlee (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Blondell Reynolds Brown (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA, Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO David Oh (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-CIO Denny O’Brien (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFLCIO

PHILADELPHIA ENDORSEMENTS

Ed Nesmith (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Philadelphia Mayor

Frank Rizzo (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Michael Nutter (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats

James Kenney (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats

Philadelphia City Commissioner

Joseph McColgan (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Anthony Clark (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO Bernard B. Talmadge (D) Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats Ivy Staten (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Joseph Duda (R) Endorsed by Philadelphia AFL-CIO Stephanie Singer (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats

Malcolm Lazin (R) Endorsed by: Equality PA Sherrie Cohen (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA, Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Angelo Foglietta, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats Barbara McDermott, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Philadelphia City Council, At Large Al Taubenberger (R) Endorsed by: Philadelphia AFLCIO Andy Toy (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats Bill Green (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO 12 MAY, 2011

Carolyn Nichols, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats Christopher Mallios, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats Daine Grey (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Diana Anhalt, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

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Drew Aldinger, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

CIO

Giovanni Campbell, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Philadelphia City Council, 1st Dist.

James DiVergilis, (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO Joe O’Neil (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Jonathan Irvine (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats Leon King, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats Maria McLaughlin (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO

Jeff Hornstein (D) Endorsed by: SEIU PA State Council Joe Grace (D) Endorsed by: Equality PA, Liberty City Democrats Mark Squilla (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000 Philadelphia City Council, 2nd Dist.

Kenyatta Johnson (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFLCIO Philadelphia City Council, 3rd Dist.

Sayde Ladov (D) Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Jannie Blackwell (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO

Sean Kennedy (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO

Philadelphia City Council, 4th Dist.

Philadelphia Municipal Court Kenneth Powell, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats

Curtis Jones (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Philadelphia City Council, 5th Dist.

Michael Fanning (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000

Darrell Clarke (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO

Philadelphia Traffic Court

Philadelphia City Council, 6th Dist.

Fred Mari (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Bobby Henon (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Robert Tuerk, Endorsed by: Liberty City Democrats Register of Wills Ron Donatucci (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFLCIO Sheriff Jewell Williams (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL8|

Philadelphia City Council, 7th Dist.

Dan Savage (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000 Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D) Endorsed by: Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, Liberty City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council Philadelphia City Council, 8th Dist.

Cindy Bass (D) Endorsed by: Communication Work-

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ers of America Local 13000, Liberty City Democrats, SEIU PA State Council, Philadelphia AFL-CIO Philadelphia City Council, 9th Dist.

Marian Tasco (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-

CIO Philadelphia City Council, 10th Dist.

Bill Rubin (D) Endorsed by: Communication Workers of America Local 13000, Philadelphia AFL-CIO

Kensington CAPA Honored with LEED Platinum The School District of Philadelphia has committed to building green schools that reduce consumption of water, energy, and natural resources, while providing a superior learning environment for students and staff. Indication of the District’s dedication to such efforts was seen yesterday at Kensington HS for the Creative & Performing Arts, as the school was honored for achieving Platinum level certification under the LEED for Schools Rating System version 2.0.

On its path towards platinum certification, Kensington CAPA transformed from a brown field, previously contaminated from the

12 MAY, 2011

mid-1800s, when the site was utilized as the Frankford Railroad depot, to a state-of-the-art sustainable school that incorporates large areas of vegetated open space, is 21% more energy-efficient, and boasts 33% less in utility costs.

Most importantly, the sustainable features of Kensington CAPA have created an optimal teaching and learning environment in which classrooms and core learning spaces have improved acoustics, and 96% of classroom and core learning spaces achieve a 2% daylight factor. Recent studies have shown increased day lighting in classrooms creates a more-productive learning environment for chil-

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dren.

Kensington CAPA sets a fantastic example for other area schools as the 1st LEED Platinum High School in the United States, the 1st LEED Platinum High School in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the 21st LEED Platinum school in the United States, as well as the 3rd LEED School in the School District of Philadelphia.

Mayor Michael Nutter, who attended the event, spoke about Kensington’s honor, saying, “I’m extremely proud to have the first LEED Platinum High School in the United States in our city.”

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Farrow Receives Marian Anderson Award MEETING press prior to the awards ceremony are (l to r) Judith Jamison, Philadelphia native and artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, who served as M.C. of the Marian Anderson Award program; Quincy Farrow, Mia’s daughter; Mia Farrow, award-winner; Angela Brown, operatic star; and Pamela Browner White, chair of Marian Anderson Award board. Photos by Bonnie Squires

BESTOWING Marian Anderson Award on Mia Farrow are, from left, Pamela Browner White, board chair, and Lisa Nutter, First Lady of Philadelphia. Farrow was honored for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of beleaguered and displaced people of Darfur. She showed clips from her ongoing work, The Darfur Archives, preserving culture of people who have lost 90 % of their villages and artifacts.

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12 MAY, 2011

COUNCILWOMAN Marian Tasco, surrounded by supporters, attended Marian Anderson gala. Jerry Mondesire, to her left, and E. Steven Collins, to her right, were among patrons of dinner.

GUESTS INCLUDED, from left, Melissa Fitzgerald, who narrated videos on Mia Farrow’s life and accomplishments, as well as video on Marian Anderson’s remarkable life; Carol Fitzgerald; Judge Marjorie O. Rendell; and Leslie Stiles, vice chair of Marian Anderson Award board.

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