Vol. II No. 141 (301)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
September 16, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Latest In Trash
PHILA. HOUSING AUTHORITY, part of Executive Director Michael Kelly’s “Back to Basics” approach, has added two new high-tech trash trucks to its fleet. New trucks have more safety features and are more compatible with the small streets that exist in many Philadelphia neighborhoods. Shown here with one of the new trucks are, from left, Charles Nixon, Kelly, and Terry Riggs. PHA, with developments across the city, conducts trash collection seven days a week as part of its commitment to offer safe and sanitary housing to all of its residents.
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Sep. 1611th Ward Fish Fry at Lou & Choo’s, 21st & Hunting Pk. Ave., 5-9 p.m. Tickets $10. For info V. Tutie Edwards (215) 228-3134. Sep. 16Fundraiser for Bill Rubin, Democrat candidate for City Council 10th Dist., at Ashburner Tavern, 8400 Torresdale Ave., 5-8 p.m. Tickets $25. For info Ed McMullin (215) 510-0444. Sep. 17Ward Leader John Sabatina hosts Fall Picnic, in conjunction with Democrat Wards 35, 53, 55, and 63 at Burholme Pk., Central Ave., from 1:30 p.m. $35 donation. Sep. 17Autism Beef & Beer Fundraiser at EOM Club, 138 Moore St., 7-11 p.m. 50/50 raffles, silent auction. Tickets $30. Call Mina Deever (215) 427-1133 or email cjdever@aol.com. Sep. 18Northeast HS 62nd Reunion Brunch for January/June ’49 classes brunch at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Trevose, Pa., 10 a.m.-2 .m. For info Jay Silver (215) 698-1556 or Phil Klear (856) 985-5811. Sep. 18Korean Folk Festival for Children at John Russell Field, 7420 Penrose Ave., Elkins Pk., Pa. 1-5 p.m. Free. For info (215) 884-8443. Sep. 20Republican S. Jersey Coalition hosts candidates forum Sep. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at N.E. Sheraton, 9461 Roosevelt Blvd. Confirmed candidates include Karen Brown for Mayor, Al Schmidt for City Commissioner and David Oh for Council at Large. Free for members and $20 for “e-team and nonmemTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
bers”. For info (610) 667-1263. Sep. 22-24 Ch. of Epiphany of Our Lord annual Italian Festival 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. Pasta Dinner reservations needed for Thursday Night pasta dinner. Call Mina (267) 2401992. Sep. 22Fundraiser for Council candidate Al Taubenberger at SmokeEaters Pub, Frankford & Sheffield Aves., 7-10 p.m. Live music with the Scattered Marbles, dinner buffet, beer and wine. $40/person, $75/couple. For info Lou (267) 505-2182 or feinberg08@aol.com. Sep. 25Vendemmia Wine & Food Festival, Girard Park, 21st & Porter Sts., 2-7 p.m. supporting Students of Italian heritage in S. Phila. For info www.vendemmifoundation.org. Sep. 26Spirit of Life Award Reception hosted by Tri State Labor & Mgmt. Council honor AFL-CIO President Richard W. Bloomingdale and Edward J. Radetich, Jr., CPA and Kyler Award honoree Penna. AFT President Ted Kirsch at Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. & Dock St., 6-9 p.m. Sep. 27Score Philadelphia, Counselors to Small Business, host free technology seminar to help small business grow at Penna. Convention Ctr., 13th & Arch. Seating limited, complimentary lunch. 8:00 a.m.-4:15 pm. For details and to register www.scorephila.org.
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Casey: Funding Needed For Flood Forecasting (608-flood) In the wake of recent flooding, US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called for increased funding for flood-forecasting systems and weather-monitoring technologies in the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration budget. The Senate Appropriations Committee is considering the fiscal 2012 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill today that covers these programs. “It is my understanding that NOAA needs funding to avoid disruptions in its forecasting and weather predications systems,” wrote the Senator. “We have an obligation to ensure these systems and technologies are in place and operating properly. I encourage the Committee to take steps in the fiscal 2012 budget to provide sufficient funding for these initiatives.” Casey continued, “I understand cuts in this budgetary environment
are necessary, but believe we should not indiscriminately eliminate funding for worthwhile initiatives that help our communities prepare for and protect against natural disasters.” Casey has been a long-time advocate for flood forecasting. He has worked with members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to secure congressionally-directed funding for it. Earlier this year he sent a letter to Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA’s administrator, urging the agency to fund the Susquehanna River Flood Forecasting & Warning System.
Funding for the system, which helps communities located within the Susquehanna River basin prepare for flooding threats, was eliminated when the 2011 budget bill was blocked late last year. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission reports for every dollar invested by the federal government, the System saves $20 through reduced flood damages and reduced payouts through the federal flood insurance program.
Boyle Inveighs Against Pileggi’s Electoral-College Plan State Rep. Brendan Boyle (DNortheast) released the following statement regarding Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi’s (RDelaware) plan to change how Pennsylvania allocates its electoral 25 AUGUST, 2011
votes in presidential elections: “Pileggi recently announced his plan to dramatically change how Pennsylvania allocates its electoral votes in presidential elections. The THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
current winner-take-all system has existed in Pennsylvania for more than two centuries and currently exists in almost every state in the nation. But Sen. Pileggi proposes, and Gov. Corbett endorses, a plan |
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to scrap this system and instead allocate our state’s electoral votes by congressional District. “At first, this proposed change may seem innocuous. Yet the practical result would be anything but. In short, it would end Pennsylvania’s status as one of the most-important battleground states in the nation. It would also make it possible, even probable, that the Republican presidential candidate would receive a majority of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes even if President Obama wins a majority of the state’s votes. “To understand the consequences of this proposed change, consider the 2008 presidential election. Barack Obama won Pennsylvania by more than 10 percentage points. By Pennsylvania standards,
this was a landslide. Naturally, he won all of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. But if the Pilleggi Plan were in effect in 2008, then John McCain would have won a majority of the state’s electoral votes allocated by congressional district (10 to 9) even while losing the state by a large margin. For winning the statewide vote, Barack Obama would have been awarded two additional electoral votes, thus netting him a grand total of one electoral vote from Pennsylvania, rather than the 21 he actually won.
control over the last redistricting process in 2001 and used this power to draw as many Republican seats as possible. The Republicans also have total control over this year’s redistricting process and will no doubt similarly use this power to protect their gerrymandered seats. Only a few congressional Districts in our state are genuinely competitive and could be won by either party. Thus, if the Pileggi Plan becomes law, the will of the voters would largely be rendered moot.
“Most congressional districts in Pennsylvania are uncompetitive as a result of gerrymandering. The Democratic-controlled districts are overwhelmingly Democratic, while many of the Republicancontrolled seats are reliably Republican. Republicans had total
“The fact the Pileggi Plan is bad for Democrats is self evident. But it’s also bad for democracy. Our electoral system should reflect the will of the voters. The Pileggi Plan brazenly ignores the voters and rigs the system to ensure Republican presidential candidates benefit from Pennsylvania’s plethora of Republican gerrymandered Districts.
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“The Pileggi Plan is also bad for Pennsylvania. We all benefit, Democrats and Republicans alike, from our state’s status as one of the most important battleground states in the nation. This privileged status ensures we receive attention (and money) from both parties in Washington, D.C. But if the Pileggi Plan becomes law, then our state’s winnable electoral votes would essentially be reduced to three or four, placing us alongside the smallest states in the nation, such as Alaska and North Dakota. This fact, combined with our state’s expensive media markets, means there is simply no chance any campaign would spend the large resources necessary to advertise in Pennsylvania just to 16 SEPTEMBER, 2011
win a few electoral votes. There is no doubt, under the Pileggi Plan, that Pennsylvania would become the most-irrelevant state in the nation in presidential elections.
“The rules of the game affect the outcome. Changing the rules for the allocation of our state’s electoral votes will certainly affect next year’s presidential elections,
and future elections to come. “Pennsylvania was the birthplace of American democracy. Hopefully, it won’t also be its grave.”
Council Cuts Parking Tax; Crackdown On Unlicensed Lots Is Promised Taking a step toward tax fairness, Philadelphia City Council yesterday voted to reduce the City’s parking tax from its current 20% to 17%. The reductions would be phased in, beginning Jul. 2014.
cording to the two most recent PICA reports. A continued crackdown on these rogue parking facilities will bring in enough revenue to more than offset the decrease in the parking tax.
“This is a great victory, not just for parking garages, but for the drivers who use our facilities, shoppers, theater goers, sports fans and restaurant patrons. The reduction also portends well for our 2,500 employees,” said Robert Zuritsky, president of the Philadelphia Parking Association.
“We are gratified the City used our research in going after these unlicensed lots. We are certain that using the information we continue to provide, the City will collect more in parking tax revenue with the lower rate than it did with the current 20% rate,” Zuritsky said.
At 20%, licensed parking lots and garages pay the highest tax of any industry in the city. The tax had been 15% until 2008 when the City raised it to 20%. Parking operators, like all business owners, have also seen large increases in their property tax and sewer water run-off tax over the past two years. The combination of tax increases has caused parking operators to lay off workers and all but stopped construction of new parking facilities in the city. “Thanks to the efforts of Councilmen James Kenney, Curtis Jones 16 SEPTEMBER, 2011
PHILA. PARKING ASS’N President Robert Zuritsky addresses Originally, the Parking Association had requested a return to the 2008 City Council. rate, but members agreed to a compromise amendment proposed and Frank DiCicco, parking opera- by Councilman James Kenney to tors will be able to maintain and reduce the tax to 17. The full deimprove their garages, ensuring crease will take effect by Jul. 1, that customers will have clean, 2016. The bill moves next to well maintained places to park,” Mayor Michael Nutter. maintained Zuritsky. The Parking Association has been working closely with the Nutter administration to identify unlicensed parking operations and collect a substantial amount of unpaid taxes. As a result, the parking tax was the only City tax to show increased revenues to the City acTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
“We all came out winners,” said Zuritsky. The Philadelphia Parking Association is made up of 17 licensed operators of garages and parking lots in the Philadelphia area.
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Fattah: 3 Agencies Land Health-Care Grants Congressman Chaka Fattah (DPhila.), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced yesterday Project H.O.M.E. and two other Philadelphia organizations will receive health-care planning grants totaling almost $240,000 under the Affordable Care Act.
“President Obama’s landmark health-care reform legislation is already improving the life chances of millions of Americans,” Fattah said. “These grants under the Affordable Care Act will allow Project H.O.M.E., the City and Penn to plan for more improvements in the healthcare delivery from health centers to Philadelphians.”
All three grants are from the US Dept. of Health & Human Services for Health Center Cluster Planning: $80,000 each to Project H.O.M.E., 1515 Fairmount Avenue, and the City Dept. of Public Health, plus $79,929 for the University of Pennsylvania. The three grants total $239,929.
Mayor Restarts Commission On African American Males Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed an executive order reestablishing the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males. It was first formed under then Mayor W. Wilson Goode, Sr. in 1991. The Commission will address the issues related to unemployment, incarceration, lack of education and health within the African American male community. “I am honored to reestablish a body that will comprehensively address the issues of AfricanAmerican men in Philadelphia,” said Nutter. “Twenty years ago, Mayor Goode recognized challenges unique to the African American male community which are even more entrenched today. Now is the time for African American men to get the education, job train6|
ing, employment opportunities and health services necessary so they can take part in the city’s bright future. Philadelphia cannot move forward as a city unless all of its residents are on a path to success.” Former Philadelphia Mayor Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr. added, “One of the most important issues facing this city now and over the past two decades has been the plight of the African American man. In several areas including high-school dropout rates, incarceration, HIV/AIDS rates, unemployment and underemployment, homelessness — in all of these areas, African American men fare the worst. This Commission is part of an institutional effort to address these issues and to point men in the right direction. I am pleased to THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
have a second chance to complete this mission.” The Commission will include at least 30 men spanning multiple generations. Members of the Commission will serve without compensation and will submit to the Mayor an annual report on the state of African American males in Philadelphia, with proposed action steps and recommendations. The co-chairs of the Commission are: Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., Executive Director, AMACHI Bilal Qayyum, President, Father’s Day Rally Committee, Inc. Jamar “Izzo” Izzard, Radio Host, Hot 107.9 FM.
16 SEPTEMBER, 2011
Central High Wins National Blue Ribbon The School District of Philadelphia announced Central HS has been named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School. “I’m really glad for the students, teachers and all who work so hard every day to make this happen. I’m very grateful for the parents and the alumni who work so hard to make Central a wonderful place,” says Central Dr. Sheldon Pavel. “It’s great to see everyone’s hard work being recognized.” “I am excited that another Philadelphia public school has reached this level of academic excellence,” says Acting Superintendent Dr. Leroy Nunery. “I’m especially proud of the students and praise the hard work of the principal, staff and especially the parents.”
16 SEPTEMBER, 2011
The National Blue Ribbon School Award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve at high levels or where the achievement gap is narrowing. The program honors public schools based on one of two criteria: 1) Schools whose students are high performing. These are schools ranked among each state’s highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or, in the case of private schools, that score at the highest performance level on nationally normed tests; or 2) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by the school’s performance on state assessments or nationally-normed test.
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The US Dept. of Education named 304 schools as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will honor Central HS with its National Blue Ribbon School awards at a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C. Since 1982, more than 6,500 of America’s schools have received this coveted award. This is the second time Central has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.
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