Daily record

Vol. II No. 128 (288)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

August 25, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

A Port Attacker Foiled AARGH, MATEYS! A dreaded predator, the Kentish snail, staged a daring raid on Port of Phila. – but was apprehended, fortunately, before it could do any dastardly deeds. It was a Kentish snail, feared in Europe for the harm it can wreak on crops.

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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar Aug. 26State Sen. Shirley Kitchen and State Rep. Mark Cohen host Senior Day in Memorial Hall at St. William’s Ch., Robbins & Argyle, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free health screenings, breakfast and lunch. For info (215) 227-6161.

Aug. 26Golf Outing fundraiser for Democrat candidate for 10th Dist.

Council candidate Bill Rubin at Juniata Golf Course, 1392 E. Cayuga St., registration 12:30 p.m., shotgun start 1 p.m. $80 includes green fees, cart, refreshments and barbecue. For info Tom Dooley (267) 246-5512.

Aug. 27State Rep. Michelle Brownlee hosts Back to School Giveaway

Kids Day at Strawberry Sq. Mall, 2901 Dauphin St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free school supplies, health screenings, entertainment. For info (215) 684-3738.

Aug. 27Mantua Community Improvement Ctr. hosts Family Day Festival at 34th & Mantua Ave., 12-7 p.m.

Loaded with family activities.

Event is supported by Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell and others.

Aug. 27State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson’s Community Apreciation Day at 22nd & Pt. Breeze Ave., 12-8 p.m.

Entertainment by R&B artists “No Question”. Helen Divers to be honored. For details (215) 9523378.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

25 AUGUST, 2011

Hurricane Risk Prompts Canceled Events Across Philadelphia and the region, authorities are planning their response to possible severe weather if Hurricane Irene hits this region hard.

Many outdoor events scheduled for this weekend will be canceled or postponed. Persons interested in attending them should check in advance before going to them.

The Philadelphia Republican Party’s annual Billy Meehan Clambake at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein in the Northeast, for example, has already been rescheduled from this Sunday to Saturday, Sep. 10.

“During this same period, Mayor Nutter advanced one of the most comprehensive accountability agreements given to a superintendent and a governing board. The chairman of the SRC and the superintendent signed off on this agreement in spite of its flaws. Very few administrators or governing bodies would have done so. To date, there has not been a material breach or violation of the accountability agreement or a withdrawal of the SRC’s vote of confidence and contract extension for Dr. Ackerman.

According to the media and others, Dr. Ackerman has been directed to leave the School District of Philadelphia without cause and take $905,000 as a buyout. It is my understanding that the buyout of $905,000 would be much higher if she had not agreed to dedicate a portion of her buyout contract of $1.5 million.

Ackerman’s Abrupt Sacking Provokes Resistance From Thomas

“Also, it is my understanding that $405,000 of the total buyout will come from anonymous donors while $500,000 will come as a lump-sum payment from the cash strapped resources of the School District. I, the The swiftly engineered removal of School District Su- parents of Philadelphia public-school students and perintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman has triggered stiff many of the 1.5 million people of this great city, can in opposition and resentment in some quarters, Philadel- no way support this proposed agreement without: phia’s Black leadership in particular.

1. Identification of the private donors of this deal; State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-N. Phila.), for one, 2. Without proper notice or discussion with members gave angry testimony to the Philadelphia School Reof the State Legislature who vote on the school disform Commission. Thomas denounced the terms of Dr. trict’s appropriation; Ackerman’s buyout package as disreputable and called 3. Without proper notice or discussion with members for local talent to replace her. of City Council who approved a property tax inThe text of his testimony is as follows: crease to provide additional funds for the school district; “PUT CHILDREN FIRST: VOTE NO on the PROPOSED TERMINATION and BUYOUT AGREEMENT between the SRC and Dr. Arlene Ackerman

4. Without approval from the hard-working people of this city, who must find additional funds to pay the increased property taxes, in order to provide the lump “It has been less than 120 days since the Philadelphia sum amount of $500,000 in the buyout agreement,; School Reform Commission gave Dr. Arlene Ackerman and a vote of confidence on performance and rewarded her with an additional year on her contract.

5. Without making sure the agreement is in line with 25 AUGUST, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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local ordinances, state law and federal education will leave with much more money than she had when funding guidelines. she arrived, while the children of this city will continue to be educationally short-changed. Secondly, I strongly “VOTE NO on this proposed agreement for the above recommend the establishment of a Superintendent Sereferenced reasons. lection Advisory Committee consisting of parents, stu“I sincerely hope the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education dents, teachers, former superintendant Dr. Constance and the Pennsylvania Courts of competent jurisdiction Clayton and other stakeholders. will not have to do what you are unable or unwilling to do. The issue before you is about children or the 167,000 plus students who attend the Philadelphia Public School system. Your stand today will decide where our children stand with us tomorrow.

“The committee must focus on talent in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania first. A national search should not be considered until all city and state candidates have been exhausted.

“Last but not least, I urge you to continue implementa“I am asking that you reject any and all efforts to entertion of “Imagine 2014.” I exhort you – do not retreat tain a nationwide search for another superintendent. or abandon this comprehensive proposal that has been The last three superintendents – Dr. Hornbeck, Dr. Valgetting positive results! PUT CHILDREN FIRST!” las and Dr. Ackerman – were selected via a national search. Just like her two predecessors, Dr. Ackerman

Boxer Takes Mayor’s Place – For A Moment

MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER Michael Nutter and Olympic Trials winner Jesse Hart, son of Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, trade places in Mayor’s Office yesterday. Mayor congratulated Hart for representing Phila. at national and international levels.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

25 AUGUST, 2011

Philly CBP Catches up to Port’s First-Ever Kentish Snail Despite snails being notoriously slow, Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists ended the nearly 4,000-mile journey of a Kentish snail Tuesday after it arrived aboard a shipping container from Germany. The US Dept. of Agriculture entomologist has confirmed this is the first time a Kentish snail was intercepted in the Port of Philadelphia.

quired the container to be thoroughly treated or re-exported.

CBP agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection. On a typical day, they inspect tens of thousands of international air passengers, and air and sea cargoes nationally being imported to the United States and seize 4,291 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including 454 insect pests.

Brownlee Hosting Back-

CBP agriculture specialists discovered the snail while inspecting a shipment of home furnishings, placed a To-School Giveaway salt ring around the container as a precaution, and subState Rep. Michelle Brownlee (D-N. Phila.) is hosting mitted the discovery to the USDA pest identifier. her first-ever back-to-school giveaway to help prepare A national USDA entomologist identified the pest as a Philadelphia school children for the upcoming school Monacha cantiana (Montagu), commonly known as a year.

Kentish snail. The Kentish snail is known to occur in The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Europe and is considered a major threat to agriculture Aug. 27 at the Strawberry Square Mall, 2901 Dauphin crops, gardens and landscapes.

Street.

The rain date is Saturday, Sep. 3.

“Protecting America’s agriculture industry is an enor“I want to help kids get excited for another school year mous responsibility, and Customs and Border Protecand get them off to a good start, and a big part of that tion agriculture specialists take their job very serious,” is making sure they are fully stocked with new school said Allan Martocci, CBP Port Director for the Area supplies to use,” Brownlee said. “The entire commuPort of Philadelphia. “Each CBP insect pest intercepnity is welcome to attend, so please bring your kids for tion emphasizes the importance of their efforts and a a fun and educational day.”

First in Port discovery is worth noting – as both a sigThe event will offer free health screenings, free school nificant milestone and as a warning to a new potential supplies, educational games, music and more. agriculture threat.”

Call Brownlee’s constituent service office at (215) 684CBP issued an Emergency Action Notification that re- 3738 for more information.

25 AUGUST, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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St. Joe’s Sends Its Students To Help At The Arc

Learning about the services offered to people with intellectual disabilities at The Arc of Phila. and Phila.

Developmental Disabilities Corp. were St. Joseph’s University students who participated in their college’s Phila. Service Immersion Program. Seen here are, standing from left, Bruce Hulick, executive director of ARC/PDDC; St. Joseph’s freshmen Madeleine Raley, Elise Holzbauer, Nicole Quirk, and Laura Princiotta, COO of PDDC; seated, from left, St. Joe’s freshmen Shaun Scholl and Helene Reed, and junior Ryan Pardo, team leader. Students met with executives and staff members, then toured the facility before having lunch with clients of ARC/PDDC. They learned about vocational training, job coaching, social activities, and cultural-arts program offered at facility. St. Joseph’s students volunteer year-round at ARC/PDDC, helping out with monthly dances, with art exhibitions, days of service, painting, and even inviting clients of PDDC to visit them on campus. PSIP is a four-day optional pre-orientation experience at St. Joseph’s of community service, intellectual discovery, and urban exploration. Its goal is to introduce 100 incoming freshmen immediately and intensely to Jesuit values of social justice, service to those at the margin, moral discernment, and intellectual inquiry. Photo by Bonnie Squires