Philadelphia Daily Record by The Public Record

Vol. III No. 105 (470)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

June 27, 2012

Philadelphia Daily Record

Caseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foe

WEST NILE VIRUS has made its earliest appearance ever in Keystone State, with outbreaks in half of counties, including Phila. Sen. Bob Casey issues warning. See story inside.

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Jul. 7- Councilman Curtis Jones’ Block Captain Boot Camp at Belmont Picnic Grove, Belmont Ave. & Belmont Mansion Dr., 12-6 p.m. Workshops, picnic, games. Jul. 14-16Hispanic Fiesta at Penns Landing, 2-8 p.m. Jul. 21Fundraiser for State Rep. John Taylor in N. Wildwood at Coconut Cove, 400 W. Spruce Ave., N. Wildwood, N.J., 2-6 p.m. , $25. Cash Bar. For info (215) 545-2244. Jul. 21Olney HS Class of 1979 Bowling Party at Liberty Lanes, 6505 Market St., Upper Darby, Pa., 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Cost $20. BYOB (beer or wine only). Jul. 28Brady Bunch Beach Party at Keenan’s in Anglesea, Wildwood, N.J., 4 p.m. Tickets available at door.

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Aug. 18Barrett Rec Ctr. Advisory Board Community Day,

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8th & Duncannon Sts., 11 a.m.-3 pm. No charge. Family fun day. All invited. For info Sheila Bellamy (215) 457-4079. Aug. 1847th Ward Crab & Shrimp Fest to Baltimore leaves Progress Plaza, Broad and Oxford Sts., 1 p.m. Open bar, massive menu. $150. For info George Brooks (267) 971-5703. Aug. 19Annual Bill Meehan Clam Bake at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd., 4-8 p.m. Ferko String Band entertains. For details call Republican City Committee (215) 5610650. Aug. 22Stu Bykofsky’s Candidates Comedy Night at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Tax-deductible tickets benefiting Variety Club are $75. For info and tickets Eric Perry (215) 735-0803, ext. 11.

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In Key Swing States, Obama Holds Onto Lead Voters in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania support President Barack Obama’s new immigration policy and are divided on whether the President or Gov. Mitt Romney would be better for their personal economic future, as they give Obama leads in these three critical swing states: a razorthin 4 points in Florida, a healthy 9 points in Ohio and 6 points in Pennsylvania, according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll released today. This compares to the results of a May 3 Swing State Poll by the independent Quinnipiac University, showing Obama with an 8-point lead in Pennsylvania with Florida and Ohio too close to call. Matching Obama against Romney in each of these key states – no one has won the White House since 1960 without taking at least two of them – shows: Florida: Obama edges Romney 45-41%; Ohio: Obama over Romney 47-38%; Pennsylvania: Obama tops Romney 4539%. “President Barack Obama has decent margins over Gov. Mitt Romney in Ohio and Pennsylvania and a smaller advantage in Florida. If he can keep those leads in all

three of these key swing states through election day he would be virtually assured of re-election,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Of course the election is more than four months away, which is a lifetime in politics,” Brown added. “The President’s overall margin is built on his big lead among women, younger voters and African-Americans. In Florida, on the heels of the President’s order that will prevent the deportation of some younger illegal immigrants, he holds a big lead among Hispanic voters. “Voters in all three states voice strong support for the President’s mini ‘Dream Act’ immigration order, and they say the President would be better than Romney handling immigration,” Brown reported. “For much of the last year, more voters in these swing states have said Romney would do a better job on the economy. That advantage has largely disappeared, at least for now,” he added. (Cont. Page 5) • PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

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Daily Waffles From Joe Sbaraglia (The Waffleman) Yo! Here we go again with these things that most people do not know about. The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for Blood plasma. No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times. Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes

or shark attacks. (So, watch your ‘Ass’.) You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television. Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older. The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum. The King of Hearts is the only king with-

4 BIG SALES WEEKLY

out a moustache. An airline saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class. Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning. Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin! The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer. So did the first ' Marlboro Man'. Walt Disney was afraid of mice! Pearls dissolve in vinegar! The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order. It is possible to lead a cow upstairs - but, not downstairs. A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why. Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. (I keep my toothbrush in the living room now!) And the best for last. Turtles can breathe through their butts. (I know some people like that, don't you?) So Remember, knowledge is everything, so pass it on...... and go move your toothbrush!

To buy a copy of this book E-Mail Dwaffleman@aol.com

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD (Cont. From Page 3) Voters in all three states are mixed on which candidate “would do a better job on the economy,” and which candidate “would be better for your personal economic future.” Florida’s Hispanic voters back Obama 5632%, compared to 49-39% in a Jun. 21 poll, conducted before Obama and Romney each made major addresses on immigration policy. The President leads 85-6% among Black voters while white voters back Romney 5035%. Obama leads 47-40% among women, while men are divided with 43% for

Obama and 42% for Romney. Obama leads 81-7% among Democrats and 44-37% among independent voters, losing Republicans 86-8%. In Pennsylvania, Democratic incumbent US Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. leads Tom Smith, the Republican challenger, 49-32%. “Pennsylvania voters have no great love for President Barack Obama, but at this point they like Gov. Mitt Romney less,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Women, especially, are in the President’s corner.

Penna. Mayors Team Up To Plug Obama Effort Five Pennsylvania Mayors signed a joint letter to Mitt Romney condemning him for following a policy of outsourcing American jobs. The text is below. “Dear Gov. Romney, “As the Mayors of Pennsylvania’s five largest cities, we represent more than 2 million Pennsylvanians. Our state’s economic success is directly tied to our cities’ ability to help businesses grow and create jobs for hardworking middle-class families. “That’s why we’re deeply concerned with your record – both as Governor and as a businessman at a corporate-buyout firm – of shipping jobs overseas to cut costs and maximize your own profits. We also worry that your proposal to completely eliminate US taxes on businesses’ foreign profits would encourage more companies to send jobs overseas and severely undermine the growth and progress we’ve seen in Pennsylvania since we started adding jobs under President Obama. “On the campaign trail, you claim to know how to create American jobs, but as a corporate raider, you made your fortune shipping American jobs to countries like Mexico, India and China. Under your leadership, Bain Capital invested in and owned companies that were pioneers in sending middle-class jobs overseas so wealthy investors could profit. That’s not what Pennsylvania families are looking for in a president, especially during a time of economic recovery. Even worse, your tendency to ship American jobs overseas didn’t end when you left the private sector. • PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD As governor, you did the same thing, sending state call-center jobs to India and vetoing a bill that would have prohibited state jobs from going overseas. Gov. Romney, you suggest that your ‘business experience’ gives you special insight into the economy. But our cities can’t afford your real business experience in shipping our jobs to other countries. “Thanks to President Obama’s leadership, we are seeing jobs coming back to our cities after years of watching them get shipped away. We’ve seen more than two consecutive years of private-sector job growth, and American manufacturing is growing again for the first time in more than 10 years. This is the progress we must continue – putting the American middle class back to work. President Obama has a plan to do that. Where’s your jobs plan, Gov. Romney? “One of the only plans you detail would eliminate all taxes on companies’ foreign profits, giving companies more incentive to send American jobs to other countries. Instead of closing corporate loopholes or giving tax breaks to companies that keep jobs here at home – as President Obama has

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proposed to do – your policies would eliminate American jobs and weaken middle-class security. “In President Obama, Pennsylvanians have a leader who has repeatedly proven his commitment to protecting American jobs, investing in an economy built to last and moving America forward. Gov. Romney, it seems like you only want to take us backward and encourage companies to ship Pennsylvania jobs overseas. “No political spin can obscure your record, Gov. Romney. We urge you to reconsider your plan to help companies send American jobs overseas and instead focus on job creation here at home. Our five cities – and the rest of Pennsylvania – can’t afford your policies of the past that will only jeopardize our economic recovery. “Sincerely, “Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia “Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh “Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown “Mayor Joe Sinnott, Erie “Mayor Vaughn Spencer, Reading.”

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Casey Seeks Federal Aid To Fight W. Nile Outbreak US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) urged the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to help Pennsylvania as it battles an early surge in reports of West Nile Virus.

state and local level are doing all they can to prepare for West Nile season, but federal attention is needed to ensure this year’s early outbreak doesn’t become a serious public health issue.”

This year’s mild winter and wet spring is likely the cause of a dramatic increase in West Nile Virus cases early this year. The virus is transmitted through mosquitos, and the warm weather Pennsylvania experienced this spring has led to an increase in the mosquito population. West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness that can cause lasting neurological damage in a small number of people affected.

Experts believe West Nile Virus is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. About one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness, with severe symptoms that can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Approximately 80% of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with West Nile Virus will not show any symptoms at all.

“With West Nile Virus already appearing around the state, the CDC and its partners in the federal government need to do all they can to protect Pennsylvanians,” the Senator said. “Officials at the

Josephs: Voter ID Law Is Proving Costly State Rep. Babette Josephs (DS. Phila.) said the new voter-ID law is proving costly for both the Commonwealth and Republicans.

greatly inconvenience themselves and waste their time and money to get the proper identification in order to vote.

“First, the Dept. of State announces it will spend $5 million to ‘educate’ citizens on voter ID and then House Republican Leader Mike Turzai admits voter ID was enacted to help out Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney,” Josephs said.

“We warned that all of this would happen. Now it is. How much more proof is needed that voter ID is bad for Pennsylvania?” Josephs said.

“And thousands of people are being forced to

When the law was being considered by the General Assembly, Republican fiscal analyses estimated that its cost of outreach could easily be • PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD absorbed by the $3.8 million in federal Help America Vote Act funds held by the Dept. of State. However, the department recently announced that it was planning to spend $5 million on robocalls and other public- outreach tools.

have to be spent year in and year out, and it seems we were right. But this is an enormous leap into fiscal irresponsibility by the Corbett administration and the Republican majority in general,” Josephs said.

“The Democrats said that some $11 million would

Waters Hails SC Ruling Against Underage Lifers As a long-time advocate for rethinking Pennsylvania’s costly prison-incarceration strategy, State Rep. Ronald G. Waters (D-W. Phila.) said yesterday’s US Supreme Court ruling that struck down mandatory life sentences for juvenile offenders supports the argument for change. Waters said the 5-4 Supreme Court decision – which held that for those under 18, a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole constitutes cruel and unusual punishment – provides the impetus for further dialogue concerning prison reform in the Keystone State. “Pennsylvania has the largest population of teen lifers in the nation – 480 of them, including 350 from Philadelphia,” said Waters. “Of the 80 inmates serving life without parole for crimes committed before age 14, one in four is from Pennsylvania. So it is fair to say this landmark Supreme Court decision affects Pennsylvania more than any other state.”

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Waters said the ruling does not overturn anyone’s conviction; it only means that a judge may now review those sentences, and has the latitude to grant parole and early release if he or she deems it appropriate. Waters said it makes sense to factor in the age, mental maturity and likelihood of rehabilitation of a juvenile offender when deciding a sentence, even when the crime involves first- or second-degree murder. In Pennsylvania, those crimes had carried a mandatory minimum sentence of life without parole, regardless of the age of the perpetrator. Almost a third of these juveniles condemned to life sentences without parole did not pull the proverbial trigger, or they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, said Waters. “As I said last year, spending $1.9 billion a year on state prisons – more than double our spending on higher education – is a recipe for fiscal and moral disaster.”

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Short Sales Up In Town, A Bad Indicator City Controller Alan Butkovitz today released his latest economic report that indicated the total number of homes purchased in Philadelphia through a short sale in the first five months of the year have increased by 29% over the same period in 2010. From January through May 2012, there were 199 short sales that represented existing sales, compared to 165 in 2011 and 154 in 2010. While foreclosures still outpace short sales in Philadelphia by more than 2:1, there has been a 26% decrease in

foreclosures in the last two years at the same time the percentage of short sales have increased. According to the Controller’s economic report, the increase in short sales is due in part to homeowners trying to unload their homes with mortgages that are “underwater”, meaning they owe more than their home is worth. Those opting for a short sale can sometimes realize less of impact on their credit score, and lenders are starting to see short sales as a less costly alternative to foreclosure.

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