Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 196 (356)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

December 8, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

SEPTA’S CLEAN GREEN MACHINE

IN SEPTA’s CONTROL CENTER, where banks of computers show how system is operating, Gen. Mgr. Joseph Casey announced getting more than $1 million in funding for a project to cut harmful air pollution. EPA grant will repower and replace a 1950s-era switcher-locomotive engine with an ultraclean engine technology and a diesel particulate filter. Project is expected to reduce air pollutants by 80%. Casey was joined by Catherine Gajewski, director, City Sustainability Office, and Shawn M. Garvin, regional administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.

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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar

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Dec. 14Jeff & Sandy Brown invite you to Re-Grand Opening of their ShopRite of Cheltenham and Einstein FastCare Clinic, 2385 Cheltenham Ave., 11 a.m. sharp.

Specialty offerings.

Dec. 15Christmas Celebration in 6300 block Germantown Ave., 6-7 p.m. Corporate and community donations welcome! For more info, to make a donation, A. Neal (215) 438-1768 or A. Alexander (215) 844-9345.

Dec. 15Join Stephanie Singer for an evening of political comedy at “This Is the Week that Is”, 1812 Productions’ yearly political satire. Tickets, $20, cover cost of theater ticket, plus a donation of any size (from $1 up to the legal individual maximum of $2,600).

For info John Barber (484) 4690633.

Dec. 17Volunteers needed to help wrap gifts for Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s Christmas Holiday Party for Homeless. Join her in City Hall Rm. 401, 9 a.m. Call to sign up (215) 686-3418.

Dec. 17Black Professionals Christmas Party at African American Museum, 7th & Arch Sts., 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $50 includes live music, entertainment. For info Earl Harvey (267) 244-3860.

Dec. 17N.W. Futures PAC Christmas Bash at 5547 Germantown Ave.,

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9 p.m.-1 a.m. $20. BYOB. For info Derek S. Green, Esq., (216) 205-4988.

Dec. 20Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell hosts City’s homeless at her annual Christmas Party at Pennsylvania Convention Ctr., 3-7 p.m.

Dec. 29Friends of Council Majority Leader-Elect Curtis Jones host “Black Out Party” at 4130 Main St., next to Manayunk Brewery, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Dress in black.

VIP Cocktail 6-8 p.m. $1,000 host, $500 sponsor, $250 VIP, $50 general admission, guest.

For info Dorian Stanley (732) 642-2163.

Dec. 30Kwanzaa Dinner & Show fundraiser to send 50 students to Africa at Imhotep Charter HS, 6201 N. 21st St.,7-11 p.m. Tickets $40; seniors and children under 12, $30. For info Maisha Sullivan (215) 385-0214.

Jan. 3-S. Phila. Tea Party meeting at Prudential Savings Bank, entrance from parking lot in rear, 1834 Oregon Ave., 7 p.m. Guest speaker. All invited.

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Social Security Actuary: Casey Payroll Tax Cut Protects Social Security The Chief Actuary of the US Social Security Administration has reviewed US Sen. Bob Casey’s proposal to prevent a huge tax hike from hitting middle-income families on Jan. 1 and reaffirmed the bill will protect Social Security.

“I am pleased to receive additional confirmation my proposal to extend the payroll tax cut will protect Social Security,” said the Senator. “Congress must act now on my legislation to give working families a vital increase in take-home pay and jump start the economy. Those who would oppose my legislation now have one less excuse to block this much-needed boost for the vast majority of Americans.”

“We estimate the projected level of the OASI and DI Trust Funds would be unaffected by enactment of this provision,” Chief Actuary Stephen C. Gross wrote in a letter released yesterday.

Casey introduced the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 last week to extend and expand the payroll tax cut for workers, and this week introduced compromise legislation (S 1944) with bipartisan ideas to try to bring Republicans on board with the proposal.

Commissioner-Elect Schmidt Backs Welch For Senate Republican US Senate candidate Steve Welch has announced he has the backing of Philadelphia City Commissioner-Elect Al Schmidt.

Schmidt, who recently won election as a Philadelphia City Commissioner, had earlier served as executive director of the Republican City Committee of Philadelphia and as senior advisor for Philadelphia for the Pennsylvania Republican Party.

Schmidt said, “Unlike our current Senator, Steve will work to create an environment that is friendly to our small businesses. The City of Philadelphia has an unemployment rate that has hovered around 11% for far too long. This city needs a Senator who will focus on creating jobs

and not be a rubber stamp for every failed policy the Obama Administration puts forth.”

Steve Welch said, “I am proud to have Al Schmidt on our team. We need leaders like Al who are willing to put the people of Philadelphia in front of political expediency. He campaigned on a message of fiscal discipline that resonated across party lines. This is the same message I will deliver to Washington.”

Welch was born in Chester Co., where he still lives. He is an entrepreneur who has founded a successful pharmaceutical company, Mitos, and a venture-capital firm, DreamIt Ventures, which has helped launch 64 new companies.

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Fattah Receives Health, Justice Honors Congressman Chaka Fattah (DPhila.) is receiving two awards this week for his leadership and advocacy on criminal justice and children’s health. The Philadelphia Congressman has received five national and local leadership awards in recent months – including two that focus on healthcare.

Fattah was honored yesterday by the Council of State Governments Justice Center for his leadership on key criminal-justice issues, including the Second Chance Act, which has provided critical support for state and local governments to help reduce recidivism and curb corrections costs.

Tomorrow, Fattah will receive the Children’s Champion Award from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This award, established by CHOP in 2007, is given to those that have engaged in sustained advocacy initiatives resulting in the creation of policies, practices or outcomes that positively affect child health.

“Throughout his career, Congressman Chaka Fattah has been a key partner in advocating for the health and well being of children,” said Steven M. Altschuler, MD, CEO of CHOP.

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Vanguard Award from the Movement is Life Summit of the 2011 National Caucus on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health Disparities for his “fierce advocacy for health issues” and support of the goals of Movement is Life.

Fattah was honored on Oct. 22 at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Philadelphia Writing Project, and on Nov. 19 by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Nutter Urges Senate To Confirm New Consumer Watchdog

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Mayor Michael A. Nutter called upon the US Senate to confirm former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in a vote scheduled for today. The Mayor also participated in a telephone call with the White House and reporters earlier yesterday.

Now serving as CFPB’s chief of enforcement, Cordray has a long history of fighting for consumers, recovering billions of dollars for Ohio consumers and middle-class families as Ohio Attorney General.

He has been endorsed by the National Association of Attorneys General.

“There are some members of the

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD Senate who oppose Mr. Cordray’s nomination simply because they want to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in its infancy. The same people would, if they had their way, shut down the SEC or FDIC,” said Nutter.

“Philadelphians, Pennsylvanians and Americans need a strong consumer watchdog that can arm consumers with the information they need to make intelligent choices whether they are considering a

mortgage or getting a credit card.”

Noting the damage caused by the recent recession, which was triggered in part by a lack of government regulation over complex financial instruments, Mayor Nutter said Philadelphia created a mortgage foreclosure diversion program that has helped more than 3,000 Philadelphians from losing their homes.

“Cities need help from Washington because cities can’t do it alone.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will help consumers at the front end, making sense of ever changing mortgage, credit card and other financial service products. It will provide the oversight to deal with predatory lenders, fraudulent credit card companies and others who take advantage of consumers,” Nutter added.

Firefighter Head Begs Council To Halt Paramedic Transfers

FIRE FIGHTER & MEDIC UNION President Bill Gault met with members and staff of Philadelphia’s City Council this morning to seek a delay in implementation of the City’s proposed mass transfer of all Emergency Medical Service personnel, the City’s medics. Proposed change is being implemented against the wishes of the vast majority of medics, before any service-impact study is undertaken. Only a few weeks ago, Controller Alan Butkovitz released a study saying Phila. EMS already fails to meet industry standards.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Hughes Berates Commonwealth Fdn. For Disparaging Remarks State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (DW. Phila.) charged the Commonwealth Foundation should be ashamed of its recent email that refers to under-performing schools as “hellholes” and that the education provided in them leads to “future jail stays and welfare” for students.

The Commonwealth Foundation is a conservative think-tank based in Harrisburg. The email, sent to foundation supporters, describes the organization’s recent campaign to deliver bouquets of white roses as a way of lobbying legislators to “free kids from Pennsylvania’s violent, failing schools.”

In a letter to Commonwealth Foundation VP & COO Charles F. Mitchell, Hughes wrote some of the comments in the email were “wildly offensive. “ The Philadelphia lawmaker asked Mitchell how he would feel “if the school you attended was referred to as a ‘hellhole’ and that the only purpose of the school was to prepare students ‘for future jail stays and welfare’?”

Hughes said that he recently hosted Junior ROTC students from the schools that Mitchell calls “hellholes” and said that the students are excellent role models.

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Hughes called on Mitchell to apologize for the comments, adding that “anything short of full repentance is cowardly.” He also asked

Mitchell to come to his office to retrieve the roses because “assuredly, the bloom has come off.”

Williams: Policy Committee Panel Discussion To Focus On Returning Veterans Anticipating the scores of veterans expected to return home from war and witnessing others already back but struggling to secure sustainable work, State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-W. Phila.) and the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a public legislative roundtable discussion this morning to hammer out viable economic solutions for Pennsylvania’s returning heroes. It took place at the 103rd Engineer Battalion Armory building in University City.

Prior to the panel discussion, Williams held a brief ceremony to honor Marine Corps Sgt. Barry Antos, who served two tours of duty in Iraq; Master Sgt. Alfred DeSerio of Darby, the oldest living Marine veteran who served in World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam; and Julius Jackson of Yeadon, an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II who is one of the few surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the only surviving member from the Philadelphia area.

Panelists included William E. Blackman, Family Assistance Center specialist from the Pennsylvania National Guard; Mike Graber, public-policy manager at Impact Services Corp.; Anselm Sauter, publicpolicy manager at the Greater Philadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce; Laura Reddick, associate director for Adult & Veterans Recruitment at Temple University; Kenneth Vennera, board chairman at Operation HomeFront; Raymond Bates, veterans-employment representative for PA CareerLink at the Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor & Industry; Jerry Pendergrass, veterans-service officer with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Military & Veterans Affairs; and Sgt. Barry Antos, US Marine Corps Reserves.

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Tartaglione Collecting Toys For Tots At District Offices State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Kensington) will again be hosting a “Toys for Tots” collection box in each of her two district offices.

“All through the recession years, the community has shown its generosity and good will during the holidays,” Tartaglione said. “I’m confident that this year people will continue to share the spirit and support Toys for Tots.”

The mission of the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and distribute those

toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.

Since program started more than 60 years ago, nearly 400 million toys have been collected and distributed to millions of needy children at Christmas.

“Many of those who donate were once recipients of Toys for Tots,” Tartaglione said. “Giving back has become a tradition.”

Tartaglione is asking the community to bring new, unwrapped toys to the collection boxes at her district offices at 1061 Bridge Street

and 127 W. Susquehanna Avenue.

The offices are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the needy children of the community. The toys will be collected until Dec. 16.

For more information, go to www.toysfortots.org.

Committee-Person Sues DCC For Being Ousted Tracey L. Gordon filed suit against the Philadelphia Democratic Party yesterday for barring her from taking office as Democratic Committeeperson in the 40th Ward after she was duly elected to that position by the voters in her division.

Gordon said she “has done nothing that would remotely authorize the Party to dislodge me from my position, nor does the Party have any legal standing whatsoever to even attempt any such thing.”

Tracey L Gordon was elected as a

Democratic Party committeeperson in Ward 40B at the primary held in May 2010. The Party first tried to deny Gordon her right to even run in that election, but Judge Idee Fox ordered her name put on the ballot. Gordon, a perceived adversary of her ward leader Anna Brown, was physically evicted by two Philadelphia police officers from the first Ward Committee meeting that occurred after the election.

seating any candidates who win election as Committeepersons within the City of Philadelphia under the pretext that they are unfaithful or disloyal to the Party or Ward, declare the practice illegal and to enjoin the Party from ever doing this again. The relief requested would invalidate the section of the Philadelphia Democratic Party bylaws that the City Committee relied upon to remove Gordon from office.

The lawsuit asks the Court to bar the Party, in the future, from un-

The plaintiffs are being represented by public-interest lawyers

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD Irv Ackelsberg of Langer Grogan & Diver and Mary Catherine Roper of the American Civil Liberties Foundation of Pennsylvania.

They are being supported by the

recently created Philadelphia Democratic Progressive Caucus, which, prior to recommending the initiation of this litigation, had attempted to get relief through the

Democratic Party structure without receiving any meaningful response.

Mountains Of Gratitude

PICTURED HERE at Minority Supplier Diversity Council 2011 Choice Awards is outgoing Chairman of PA-NJ-DE MSDC, Dave O’Brien, being presented a special commissioned Digital Fuzzion Art creation “O’Briens MSDC Mountain” by artist/ photographer, Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography. O’Brien is VP, supply operations, Exelon Generation, and a PA-NJ-DE MSDC Board Member.

Photo by Digital Fuzzion

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