Veterans First For Housing Vouchers
Mayor Michael Nutter and Congressman Bob Brady joined PHA Executive Director Carl Greene on Veterans Day to award Housing Choice Vouchers to six homeless veterans. The veterans are holding their vouchers, which enable them to rent apartments on the private market. From left, Clarence Thomas, James Davis, Nutter, Brady, Kevin Carroll, VA social worker Steve Bennett and Greene.
Vol. II No. 46 (Issue 58)
by George Linton Kevin Carroll has waited 30 years to call a home his own. During that time the former navy medic, who served his country in the Vietnam War, has overcome drug addiction and alcoholism. He’s two years clean. On Tuesday, Carroll joined five other veterans, including two combat veter-
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ans of the Iraqi War, at the Philadelphia Public Housing Authority headquarters in Grays Ferry. These are the first of 105 vouchers funded through a Housing & Urban Development program designed to help homeless vets find permanent housing. PHA and the Veterans Administration are coordinating efforts (Cont. Page 20)
November 13, 2008
Residents Fuming Over Library Closure
Controller Touts Health Honoring Our Vets! Center Sale Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz wants the City to sell its Health Center on Lombard Street. Butkovitz wants Mayor Michael Nutter to reexamine the possibility of selling Health Center #1, which sits on about an acre at Broad & Lombard Streets. The health center, which treats patients with sexually transmitted diseases, has maintenance problems that require about $2 million in repairs, according to Butkovitz. The Controller believes the City could save about $6 million and put it toward buying or building a new health center at another location. "I certainly don't think there is cause to dismiss any idea that involves several million dollars in savings," said Butkovitz, who estimates the (Cont. Page 2)
Keeping alive spirit of Iwo Jima are Marines Ed Peterson, Mel Meszaros, Larry Markiewicz, “AJ”, Cpl. “Tony D.” and Doc Dimitriou. (More pics Page 22) Photo by Maria Merlino
Charter School Finds A Home On Lombard St
After a yearlong renovation project, the Independence Charter School celebrated its grand opening and new location this week. Several State and City elected officials attended to usher in a new phase of educational opportunity for the school's students, including 1st Dist. Senator-Elect Larry Farnese and State Rep. Babette Josephs. The K-8 charter school, which was formerly located at 7th & Sansom Streets, purchased the former Thomas Durham Public School at 16th & Lombard, which had been closed since 2003. ICS is a community-oriented school which focuses on a world curriculum. Students learn about the arts, languages, ideas, and histories of several cultures around the world. Every student studies Spanish. By the time each ICS student graduates, s/he is bilingual and bi-literate. The renovated building now boasts more classrooms and administrative offices, plus two art rooms, two music rooms, a dance / multipurpose room, and a computer lab.
Fumo Branch To Close In January by Rory G. McGlasson State Sen. Vince Fumo’s ongoing corruption trial will fill pages upon pages of newspaper archives for years to come, but don’t expect any to be found at the library that bears his family name. The Fumo Library branch at Broad & Porter Streets will closed come January. Mayor Nutter announced the library would close last week as part of his cost-cutting budget announcement. His decision to close the branch has upset many residents. Many are shocked, especially seniors, who fear they might find it hard to reach another library branch. “The closure of the Fumo Branch puts other libraries outside of walking distance for many residents in our area and raises safety concerns for residents on foot, especially the elderly and schoolchildren,” said Carter Liotta, who is president of the Lower Moyamensing Civic Association. Liotta is urging people to contact Siobhan Reardon, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, as well as their local politicians. Reardon said the computers and technology will be moved to other branches and the building on (Cont. Page 2)
STATE SEN.-ELECT Larry Farnese talks to children about importance of new ICS.
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