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Vol. XI. No. 23 (Issue 488)
“The good things we do must be made a part of the public record”
City Water Not So Pure?
How would you like to drink in the muck distilled from 10 gallons of our City’s drinking water? The milky white liquid seen in the picture with this story is what your body has to ingest, digest, and excrete whenever your total consumption of Philadelphia’s drinking water reaches the 10-gallon mark. Add to that the residue which was not scraped off from the distilling machine, and you might have another half-ounce or so. This could vary depending on what part
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of the City you live. Most of us are blessed with strong physical systems that can ward off various diseases ingested via what we eat or drink. But even God-given machinery can begin to fail if fed enough corrosion. Add to this fact it was revealed an intensive chemical analysis of our water in this city contained remnants of 58 types of medicines, then it’s time to ask Water Commissioner Bernard Brunwasser (Translated: Brown Water) if the quality control he has in place can do better. If not, what can be done? You may have missed television and radio casts emanating from an AP story that added more concern for all of us. Those reports indicated 56 pharmaceuticals or their byproducts were found in our city’s watersheds, those huge reservoirs which hold the drinking water. But before you plan to pull up stakes and relocate to other areas (Cont. Page 2)
Weighing The Fate Of The
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Dems United Behind Seth
SOLDIFYING HIS reputation for bringing Democrats together is Congressman Bob Brady, who hosted four of five Democratic candidates for District Attorney at Palm restaurant Tuesday. Brady said he brought candidates together to show unified support for Seth Williams. Brady is joined by Williams, Michael Turner, Brian Grady and Dan McEhatton. Missing was Dan McCaffery who was out of town.
We’re At War With Allegheny County Will Our Leaders Fight Back? by Joe Shaheeli Democratic City Chairman Bob Brady did his best to corral his ward leaders and keep them in line. The Democratic City Committee’s endorsed candidates won five of seven seats in the battle for Court of Common Pleas vacancies with a field of 22 entries and four out of five in the field of 10 for Municipal Court. His efforts were especially remarkable when the party leaders buried their ambitions to insure the victory of Judge Pat Dugan, whose last-place position on the ballot would have normally put him out of reach without strong Party support. But the endorsed statewide ticket didn’t do well, sabotaged again by the political leaders of both parties in Allegheny Co. Over and over, Democrats and Republicans from Allegheny (Cont. Page 2)
June 4, 2009
Straight On The Streets by Tony West One thing is clear about imprisoning ever-more criminals for everlonger sentences: it has not cut violent crime in Philadelphia. Thirty years ago, in response to a rapidly rising crime rate, Pennsylvania launched an expansion of its prison systems that has turned into a massive experiment in incarceration. City prisons added thousands of beds, even as the State system ballooned from 7,800 inmates to 50,100 today – one-third of them from Philadelphia. Yet over that same time, violent crime continued to increase – by 43% in Philadelphia from 1980 to 2005, and by 12% in the rest of the state. The reason is simple enough, shrugs Jeffrey Roth, a criminology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. “For years now, states have been truncating or abolishing parole. But in the end, they all come back. “We didn’t avoid any violent crimes by incarcerating these persons; we just postponed them.” (Cont. Page 23)
Ludlow Takes Prize The National Development Council has recognized the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Ludlow Scattered Site HOPE VI development in North Philadelphia as one of the nation’s best affordable-housing neighborhoods. Ludlow, which covers 22 square blocks, features a mix of rental and homeownership properties in a neighborhood located between Center City and Temple University. Of the 192 homes and apartments, 103 are homeownership and the other 89 are rental. (Cont. Page 2)
LUDLOW after PHA redevelopment, above, is award-winner. Ludlow before, below, was ramshackle slum
page 2 The Public Record • June 4, 2009 www.phillyrecord.com
PHA’s Ludlow Is Nobody’s Water Safe? (Cont. from Page 1) Fifty-three of the homeownership units were developed in a partnership with Asociación de Puertorrriqueños en Marcha). The National Development Council, the oldest national nonprofit community-development organization in the US, recognized Ludlow at its NDC Academy 2009 in Washington, D.C. Ludlow received the second-place award (out of about 200 entries nationwide) in the Affordable Housing Development category. Following visual and oral presentations by each contestant, Academy attendees cast their votes, selecting the top three honorees in each category. “Quality housing and strong neighborhoods are our product, so recognition from the National Development Council is gratifying and serves as validation of the work we do,” said PHA Executive Director Carl Greene. Ludlow was a manufacturing neighborhood that began to deteriorate in the late 1940s when “walk to work” jobs began to disappear in Philadelphia. The purpose of the development was to knit back the fabric of the neighborhood by building houses on vacant lots, creating homeownership and rental opportunities where none existed. The long-term goal at Ludlow is to attract other developers, something that is already occurring, mostly through rehab. Michael Johns, PHA’s chief architect, believes the Ludlow development serves as a model for the rest of the country. “I think it was a great opportunity to showcase what PHA has done in a neighborhood that was considered one of the worst in the country,” he said. “The issues in this neighborhood exist in most urban areas across the United States. The way we were able to mitigate the situation and transform a portion of the neighborhood is something that can and should be duplicated.” Johns believes “infill” developments such as Ludlow are critical to revitalizing American cities because it’s
BEFORE redevelopment, Ludlow had been called one of worst neighborhoods in US. It began to decline in the late 1940s when “walk-to-work” jobs began disappearing in Phila.
not always possible to acquire large, contiguous swaths of land. The strategy is challenging and requires the support and cooperation from government agencies outside the housing authority. PHA set an example at Ludlow for developers of affordable housing when it marked completion of 60 homes certified to the Federal Energy Star standard in February 2007. PHA was the first housing authority in Pennsylvania to build homes to that standard. “By providing quality, energy efficient and eco-friendly housing like the Ludlow development, we are helping to improve neighborhoods, decrease energy consumption, reduce costs and protect our environment. We thank NDC for recognizing this effort,” Greene said. Private studies done for PHA verify when the agency redevelops a neighborhood, property values increase, often significantly. Ludlow will have a modest improvement in neighborhood values, at the very least. It could gain even more because it sits adjacent to other neighborhoods that have undergone or are undergoing redevelopment. PHA partnered with a private investor, MMA Financial, to build the Ludlow development and significantly improve the stock in the neighborhood. Just over one-half of the funding ($34.6 million) was generated through Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Construction of Ludlow, which cost $61.7 million, began in March 2007 and was completed in August 2008.
(Cont. from Page 1) where you think the drinking water is safer, think again. Our problems are also the problems of other cities. In those cities and regions tested recently, anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety medications, a metabolized angina medicine, the mood-stabilizing carbamazepine and a sex hormone were found in detectable quantities. The Federal government doesn’t require any testing and hasn’t set safety limits for drugs in water. Several of those metropolitan areas you might think of relocating to do not test their drinking water. With regards to the distillate in the picture above, Joanne Dahme, a spokeswoman for the Water Dept., said she checked with its Bureau of Laboratory Services. “Here’s what they think you may be looking at. It is likely that the distillation equipment you are using is
precipitating hardness of calcium carbonate. “If it is calcium hardness, which is like lime and could be milky, then to some extent it’s good stuff. Distilled water is not healthy or good tasting. Our bodies get natural minerals, which calcium is one of, from natural water. Our goal in water treatment is not to remove all the natural minerals. When you distill water, you will be pulling the natural minerals out. Our specialists were wondering – did the milky water leave a deposit? Did the milkiness clear away from the bottom up, or the top down? “But the milky substance could also be from galvanized plumping pipe. We would be happy to sample the residue and provide you with its true identification. This will take all of the conjecture out of your story and ensure its accuracy.” The Public Record will offer the sample up for analy-
sis and report on it as soon as it is available. In the meantime, our water supply around the globe and in this country, in particular, is being hard hit with pollution on all levels. Looking to move into the country side with the fields and trees, cows and grass, etc? Check the area out first. Many wells are drawing water that has been contaminated by failed septic tanks. Is your bottled spring water safe? Think again. It’s enough to drive a man to drink … beer, that is. Even users of bottled water and home-filtration systems, such as the one that uncovered the sludge shown in our picture, don’t necessarily avoid exposure. Bottlers, some of which simply repackage tapwater, do not typically treat or test for pharmaceuticals. In your last resort, if you figure to take your social-security check with you over-
seas, don’t bank on safe drinking water in most of the world. Studies have detected pharmaceuticals in waters throughout Asia, Australia, Canada and Europe – even in Swiss lakes and the North Sea. Since the City Water Commissioner is the sole individual with the power to raise water rates to help him insure we have safe drinking water, think twice before pressuring him. There are ways to remove all pharmaceuticals from the water. It’s called reverse osmosis and is very expensive, and on a large scale would leave behind more gallons of polluted water for every gallon made clean and drinkable. A perfect solution hasn’t been found yet. Not enough research is going on nationally or internationally to give a full impact on how much of our water is being contaminated. Nor are there good alternatives to methods now in place.
Allegheny Rules Judges’ Roost (Cont. from Page 1) and neighboring Westmoreland Cos. ignore the endorsed candidates of their respective parties if they don’t carry the “Allegheny” or “Westmoreland” designation under their names. Yet other counties play by the rules, supporting endorsed candidates regardless of their county of origin. The designation “Philadelphia Co.” has long been a curse. It has felled Democratic and Republican candidates, some of which were endorsed. The only individual to break that jinx was Ed Rendell. Judge Anne Lazarus was the exception this time in the battle for Superior Court. Judge John Younge fell victim. In Commonwealth Court, Judge Jimmy Lynn from Philadelphia was endorsed yet lost. Surprisingly, so did Daniel Bricmont, from Allegheny Co. Winners were Linda Judson and Barbara Behrend Ernsberger, both from Allegheny Co. In November three Superior Court and two Commonwealth Court Judges will be elected. Democrats picked Al-
legheny Co. Judge Robert Colville, Allegheny Co. Assistant DA Kevin McCarthy and Philadelphia Judge Anne Lazarus. They will face off against three Republicans, Allegheny Co. Judith Olson, Tioga Co. attorney Sallie Mundy and Allegheny Co. attorney Templeton Smith. With the possible exception of Colville, whose father was a highly popular DA and later Judge in Allegheny Co., the public knows little about these candidates, although Lazarus benefits from having run statewide for Superior Court two years ago. In local judicial races, the fear factor among some of the endorsed judicial candidates created a windfall for ward leaders who learned there were more ways to skin a candidate. Some Democratic ward leaders did threaten to withhold their full support from the Party’s endorsed candidates, especially those with poor ballot positions. The minute one caved in to the threat of being cut from the ward’s “short ballot”, feathering the nest of the ward leader,
the other candidates followed like lemmings pouring over the cliff into the sea. Judicial candidates normally agree to give $35,000 to the Democratic City Committee following their endorsement to defray the costs of campaign support they receive from the party. Unfortunately, some of the endorsed candidates saw fit to buy “insurance”. Judge Joyce Eubanks, who was endorsed but lost by 1,800 votes, spent Election Day pulling illegal ballots from various divisions in one ward, to no avail. Her last-place ballot position did her in. This need not have been the case, but candidates being what they are – usually “Nervous Nellies” – it happened. That shakeout helped further build the case for those seeking to end voter election of judicial candidates in favor of merit selection. Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Baer believes in moving judicial selection to the “merit system”. That essentially takes away from the voters the only privilege they have: naming judges of their choice.
The selection would be turned over to blue-panel committees, themselves a handful of voters with selective interests of their own. Whoever appoints them to the panel, in effect will control their votes. Key in defense of judicial selection by voters is the proven fact, though Pennsylvania, like most states, uses election to select its judiciary, its Unified Judicial System is ranked among the “best three state judiciaries”. Quality is not our problem, which is merit selection’s supposed rationale. Another plus for voter selection is the fact should the merit system seat a Judge who turns out to be a lemon, there is no other way to remove that individual from the bench. Voters can vote that Judge out when they come up for a yes-or-no retention vote. The election process can be improved, however. We should get rid of the county of origin under the name on the ballot. Then Allegheny Co. leadership’s refusal to support Partyendorsed candidates from other counties would end.
Richman Slams Cuts
PENNA. SECRETARY of Public Welfare Estelle Richman is congratulated by Kathy Sykes, director of Phila. mental-retardation services; Donna Bouclier, director of The Arc of Philadelphia; and Bruce Hulick, its executive director, after Richman testified at Temple University before State Rep. Mike Sturla’s House Majority Policy ComPhoto by Bonnie Squires mittee hearings on budget.
all these other states followed Massachusetts' lead in 2003 by allowing gays and lesbians to marry, some of Pennsylvania's lawmakers would stop trying these repeated, mean-spirited attempts to fix what isn't broken with the state Constitution," said Farnese. Previous attempts to move similar legislation at the State level have failed, including Republican State Sen. Mike Brubaker’s bill
last year, as well as separate House and Senate legislation introduced in the 2005-2006 legislative session by Republicans State Sen. Bob Regola and State Rep. Scott Boyd. At the Federal level, the US Congress has also voted down efforts to amend the Constitution to ban samesex marriage in 2004 and 2006. Farnese characterized this latest focus on banning
marriage between homosexual couples in Pennsylvania as a waste of time. "The Republicans should spend their time on the more- pressing issues facing Pennsylvania. Rather than passing a slash-and-burn budget and introducing discriminatory anti-gay-mar riage legislation, they should be focusing on how to help the people of this Commonwealth, not hurt them.”
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
NINE firefighters, thanks to scholarships from the Lucille & Kal Rudman Foundation, were congratulated by Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers as they graduated from Holy Family University during commencement. From left are Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, Holy Family President Sister Francesca Onley and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.
State Sen. Larry Farnese criticized a bill prohibiting same-sex marriage, which was introduced a week ago by State Sen. John Eichelberger. It’s the third legislative session in a row that a State lawmaker has introduced a measure defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. It would require amending the Pennsylvania Constitution. "This latest legislation attempting to define marriage is redundant. Pennsylvania law already defines marriage," explained Farnese. “This bill is a misguided measure that excludes an entire segment of our population, and sends a message that people who also happen to be gay do not have rights," he added. Currently, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa allow homosexual couples to marry. Later this year, they will also have that right in Maine and Vermont. New York's State Senate is considering a same-sex marriage bill, which passed in the Assembly, and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is poised to sign his state's same-sex marriage bill into law, which would take effect in January. "You would think, after
Page 3
Firefighter Grads Farnese Blasts Same-Sex Marriage Ban
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19th Ward Throws A Shindig
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The Public Record • June 4, 2009
The Phila. Public Record The South Phila Public Record
GOOD FRIENDS flocked together at Hideaway party, including, from left, Joe Waters Judge Angeles Roca, State Sen. Tina Tartaglione, City Commission Chairwoman Marge Tartaglione and Donna Woelpper.
FROM LEFT, Renee Tartaglione, Judge Angeles Roca and Joe Waters enjoy convivial evening at 19th Ward party.
THIS LITTLE piggy offered his services to splendid Hideaway buffet laid out by 19th Ward Democrats.
JUDGE Angeles Roca gives a hug to State Sen. Tina Tartaglione at lavish 19th Ward party.
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HIDEAWAY was packed with more than 120 enthusiastic 19th Ward workers pumping up their spirits before Election Day.
ATTORNEY Elvin Ross, left, and former Prison Commissioner Leon King were among politically active Philadelphians who turned out in droves for 19th Ward preelection affair at Hideaway in Kensington.
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page 6
Stack Pushes Go-Green Efforts
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In honor of the 39th annual Earth Day, State Sen. Mike Stack joined his colleagues and PennEnvironment to highlight Pennsylvania’s efforts to “go green.” “We have a lot to celebrate this Earth Day,” Stack said. “Pennsylvania is taking many green strides, including last year’s Alternative Energy Investment Act and the new federal stimulus spending on alternative energy projects.” Stack announced the Pennsylvania Insurance Dept. recently approved the first homeowner’s-insurance energy-efficient discounts. The insurer, Donegal Insurance Group, will offer a 5% solarenergy discount to a homeowner’s premium policy for homes generating electricity for home use or heating, and a separate 5% discount to a homeowner’s premium policy for installing a geothermal heat pump meeting “Energy Star” requirements.
STATE SEN. Mike Stack speaks about Pennsylvania’s ecofriendly efforts. He is joined by, from left, State Sen. Larry Farnese, State Rep. Daylin Leach and State Sen. Jay Costa. “By providing homeowners park sites across the Northwith incentives to use cleaner east,” Stack said. “Even someenergy, we can take yet another thing as simple as picking up step to improve our environ- litter makes a difference, and ment while helping homeown- I’m pleased to recognize the ers lower their utility bills,” city on this Earth Day for all said Stack, the Democratic your efforts. chairman of the Senate Banking “Pennsylvania has come a & Insurance Committee. long way to improve our enviStack also applauded ronment in large and small Philadelphia’s recent efforts to ways, but we still have more to beautify the city at the second do,” Stack said. “I will conannual Philly Spring Clean-Up. tinue to work with my col“I’m so grateful to the thou- leagues to pass meaningful sands of volunteers who legislation that makes Pennsylcleaned up the commercial cor- vania cleaner and greener for ridors, recreation centers and generations to come.”
Summer Airport Travel Tips
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Take a tip from those at the Philadelphia International Airport. Summertime means longer lines as people take to the air on their way to vacations. So here are several tips. “Air travel can sometimes be stressful and challenging, especially for those who do not travel often by plane,” acknowledged Acting Director of Aviation Mark Gale. “The best way to ensure a less stressful airport experience is to be prepared. In addition to providing travel trips, the
Airport will have additional staff assisting passengers during peak travel times. I wish safe travels and a comfortable airport experience to all of our customers.” Before coming to the airport, check the status of your flight by contacting your airline directly, or call the Airport at (800) PHL-GATE, or visit the Airport’s website (www.phl.org) and click on “Flight Information.” Please have your flight number handy.
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Giant Supermarket, the suburban grocery chain, is seeking zoning changes for its first store in Philadelphia – at Grant Ave. and Bluegrass Rd. City Council is one vote away from making this happen.
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED: Let Councilwoman Joan Krajewski know that a proposed Giant Supermarket at Grant Ave. and Bluegrass Road will add more traffic to a dangerous intersection and cost our community good permanent jobs.
Page 7
Community Action Alert
The property is in Councilwoman Joan Krajewski’s district. She can block the vote – but she is getting strong pressure from the developers of the site. She needs to hear from our side. The proposed site is 100 yards away from the busiest, most dangerous intersection in the city. A new supermarket will make this corner busier and more dangerous! We already have enough stores in this area. A new store would force existing stores that have served our neighbors for years to cut back or close down, costing our neighbors permanent, familysustaining jobs and benefits. It won’t create new jobs or new tax revenues for the City. Good jobs will be replaced with entry-level, minimum-wage jobs. Healthy businesses will become empty, derelict buildings. Members of our community always have enjoyed a good working relationship with Councilwoman Krajewski. Now, we need to remind her that this proposed Giant will make a bad situation worse!
Wendell W. Young, IV, President
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Please call Councilwoman Krajewski today at 215-686-3444 and tell her: Save our Jobs! No More Traffic at Grant & Bluegrass! No Giant in Northeast Philadelphia!
LEGENDARY Ironworkers Local 405 activist Jacob Herring celebrated his 99th birthday at Germantown Home, honored by younger delegate from Local 405 Diane Montague.
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
page 8
LDC Health And Safety Fund Union Leader Hits 99
3 GENERATIONS gather for noteworthy day. As Jacob Herring marks 99th birthday he is congratulated by niece Deborah Johnson and greatgrand-daughter Iyannah Herring.
Carpenters’ Strike Ends
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Laborers District Council, Business Manager Ryan. N. Boyer
The Building Industry Association of Philadelphia on Monday reached agreement with the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters on a three-year deal. The deal ends a carpenters’ strike that began May 15. Their contract had expired Apr. 30, but negotiations had been ongoing. “Everyone’s a winner with this new deal,” BIA President Sam Sherman said. “Builders get cost-certainty measures they need,
and the union gets a muchneeded increase in fringebenefit contributions for its workers, as well as the right to place shop stewards at their discretion on all future projects.” Sherman said the shopsteward issue had been one of the sticking points that led to a strike. Prior to the shop-steward roadblock, the two sides had worked their way through several key issues as they negotiated the contract. Those include a
monetary increase which would raise the wage and fringe package by $1.50 per hour in the first year, $1.75 in the second year and $2 in the third year. The carpenters will receive no wage increase this year. The carpenters union agreed to many work-rule changes that will lower the cost of building houses in the City of Philadelphia. “There was a great spirit of cooperation in reaching this agreement,” said Edward Coryell, head of the carpenter’s union. “A strong housing industry is beneficial to both the carpenters and the region as a whole.” BIA is the leading association promoting residential development and construction in the City. BIA’s goal is to create more marketrate housing in Philadelphia, including support for public and private initiatives. MRC United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America represents 17 allied locals in a wide variety of construction trades that handle work across the greater Delaware Valley area.
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I was all set to write about just one thing. But as sometimes happens, a bunch of other subjects rear their ugly heads and demand my attention. This is one of those times. So here we go with another set of Random Thoughts. Mel Gibson won’t be in the house. Neither will Tina Turner and that get-up she had on. But thanks to Congressman Joe Sestak, Sen. Arlen Specter will be entering Thunderdome for the right to hold on to his Senate seat. Sestak announced last week he’s taking Specter on in next year’s Democratic primary. He thinks Pennsylvania’s Democrats should have a choice in who they want representing them. To that, I say a heartfelt “Yay!” You see, I have a problem with someone who steps into a room and thinks they should have the best seat at the table without having earned it. Granted, Specter has been a Senator for a long time here in Pennsylvania and has done quite a bit in his career. But he did it as a Republican and let’s face it, the only reason he’s a Democrat now is because he knows he wouldn’t have made it out of their primary to keep his seat. Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party shouldn’t just hand him the nomination. I’m glad at least Sestak sees that. But I wish him luck. Gov. Ed Rendell, whose ability to twist arms obviously isn’t as good as it used to be, has already gone on MSNBC and said Sestak is going to “get his clock cleaned.” We should all take that prediction with a grain of salt. If (Cont. Page 14)
The solution to Philadelphia’s gambling crisis is at hand. OBSERVE: The principal job generating industries in Philadelphia Co. are health care (all of the fine hospitals and medical schools in Philadelphia); educational institutions (all the fine schools located in Philadelphia Co.); government (the City of Philadelphia’s enormous payroll); and tourism (the City is without rival for historical sites, museums, the Franklin Institute, the Museum of Natural History, etc.) THE SOLUTION: Introduce legislation in Harrisburg to provide the casino operation at the Philadelphia Race Track in Bucks Co. can be extended to allow slot machines to be located in the track’s off-track betting facilities in Philadelphia Co. (at Cottman Avenue, Center City, South Philadelphia and the 69th Street area of Delaware Co). All of these off-track betting parlors are handsomely furnished and so constructed that slot machines could be installed and be operable within one week. This solves in part the City’s financial problem, because the legislation would provide that the share of the gambling taxes which normally would have gone to Philadelphia’s casinos (Foxwood and Sugarhouse) instead go to Philadelphia and not to Bucks Co. This would resolve the neighborhood resistance, which has opposed the location of the two casinos in Philadelphia, and would solve the Chinatown problem, where the residents do not wish to have a casino located on their doorstep. Of course, when you give up the idea of casinos, you give up the idea of the entertainment provided by casinos, the convention capabilities, the waterfront fireworks attractions which would be a routine part of casinos located on the Delaware River, and the provision of facilities for family entertainment such as is commonplace now in Las Vegas. This would diminish, as opposed to enhance, the attraction of Philadelphia as a tourist destination. But it would spare the Mayor the necessity of appointing another committee to study the feasibility of having casinos in Philadelphia. Fact is, the casinos are already operating in Chester, the Poconos, Erie and Allegheny Cos. These places now stand as alternate spots for the tourist who is looking for something other than a steady diet of historical and museum visits. An alternative to amending the legislation for the racetrack gambling would be to lease portions of Fairmount Park to gambling (Cont. Page 17)
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Yo! Here we go again with this great memory for those over 60. If you are younger, you might recall it and if you are still younger you may think we ‘old people’ were really primitive. My three sons all have cell phones, as most of us do. We are always in contact with anyone, anywhere and at any time. I have a cell phone too and a personal computer and I love them, but my boys never had a party line on their phone. When I was young it was a privilege to have a private line. There weren’t enough lines the phone company had for the exclusive use of only one home, so they developed the party line. Party lines were telephone lines that were shared with one or more phone customers. On the farms there were four, five or even six customers hooked onto the same line. Your incoming calls were identified by the number of rings the caller ‘cranked’ from their phone. Your phone number was identified by the number of rings used. We in the city usually had only two parties on the same line. I vaguely remember the candlestick phone with an earpiece and a separate piece to talk into. But I do remember the one heavy phone with a straight, silk-covered brown cord. Our phone was black as that the only color that was available. We also had a party line. Before using the phone we had to make sure the line was clear and the other party on our line was not using the party line. If one had to call long distance they dialed the operator, gave her the number you wished to call and hung up. The operator made all the connections through the various phone company offices and when a line was established between you and your destination, the operator called you back and then connected you to your destination. It usually took less than five minutes. Most long-distance calls were for important stuff because it cost too much to call long distance and make trivial talk. The two-cent postage on a letter was good enough for trivial talk, and for short notes a penny postcard was used. ‘Snail mail’ is what the youngsters now call it, but the mail moved pretty much as fast then as it does now. It is a whole bunch more to move now, though, and the mail service used to make it move it is vastly improved. One thing we did have, if not speed of communications, was privacy – something we seem to have lost – something that was valuable back then and something we will never get back. Such is progress.
Snooper’s BIG QUESTION: May I be so bold as to ask The Mayor, City Council and whoever else is taking our monies, WHAT ARE WE PAYING FOR? The taxes in this City are an absolute JOKE, especially what you get for them – NOTHING! WE are asked to PAY for just about every Service WE are entitled to get. Yes Philadelphians, ALL OF YOU are idiots for letting them get away with all this nonsense. Hey Mr. Mayor, what do we pay for next? After all, you have us paying for just about everything else and, get this, we are already paying for them now; it’s called TAXES! When do WE, your “money cows”, get a break? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and I advise all of you to W-A-K-E U-P! Snooper’s Post-Election Comments: Someone better tell Mr. Seth Williams he is NOT THE D.A. yet, and he might not be if he keeps up with his arrogance. Tell him there’s something coming up called THE GENERAL ELECTION, and it would be really something if, by chance, YOU LOSE. No Mr. Williams, you are not going to STOP THE VIOLENCE and you know it. A MIRACLE MAN you’re NOT, but then, you know that too! Save all the political rhetoric, OK! A word of advice: Don’t take your opponent lightly, you may be surprised too! However, I really believe you would be a good DISTRICT ATTORNEY. Snooper “Update”: We have been informed by FRANK SPATACCO, President of the NORTHEAST PEANUT LEAGUE, that our figure we quoted from JOHN McNESBY, President of The F.O.P., of $23,000, was correct. He stated, “This money came from the Northeast Peanut League, its Directors, the Umpires, and all those teams who participated in (Cont. Page 14)
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
An outrage and abuse of power! That is the only way to describe the Obama Justice Dept.’s decision, under ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER, to bury civil charges against three members of the New Black Panther Party, accused of wielding a nightstick and intimidating voters last November in Philadelphia’s 14th Ward. MALIK ZULU SHABAZZ, MINISTER KING SAMIR SHABAZZ (no, I’m not kidding) and JERRY JACKSON, New Black Panthers all, failed to appear to answer accusations and were facing Justice Dept. Voting Rights charges until BARACK OBAMA political appointees stepped in and overruled career Justice lawyers, forcing them to stand down despite overwhelming evidence. The three thugs made national news last election when caught on film intimidating voters by brandishing a weapon, hurling racial slurs, wearing military-style uniforms, and blocking the entrance of a polling place in Philadelphia’s 14th Ward. If not for the recent efforts to expose widespread Philly election fraud by RSC Southeast Director JOE DeFELICE by arming volunteer poll inspectors with video cameras, this outrage would not have been uncovered. The video, taken by Army Veteran CHRIS HILL, plainly shows the Panthers blocking access, and spewing racial insults like, "You are about to be ruled by the Black man, cracker." Longtime civil-rights activist and former aide to SEN. ROBERT KENNEDY, BARTKLE BULL, said, "In all my experience in politics, in civil-rights litigation and in my efforts in the 1960s to secure the right to vote in Mississippi, I have never encountered or heard of another instance in the United States where armed and uniformed men blocked the entrance to a polling location” in a sworn (Cont. Page 17)
page 10 The Public Record • June 4, 2009
MEDICAL RECORD State Sen. Vincent Hughes and the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition will host "You're Covered! A Day of Celebration and Information about FREE Breast Cancer Treatment" on Saturday, Jun. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nezzie’s Custom Bras at the Park West Town Center, 51st Street & Columbia Avenue.
Hughes Presses For Women’s Cancer Treatment This major community outreach event will promote the Pennsylvania Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program. BCCPT was created by the State to provide under- and uninsured women access to quality, life-saving cancer treatment. “I have been working closely with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition for several years to ensure Pennsylvania women get the ade-
quate care for breast and cervical cancer,” Hughes said. “It is important we continue to fight the dire statistics and improve the lives of women living with cancer.” In Pennsylvania, 25 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer today. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 54. Approximately 9,000 women are diagnosed each year with breast cancer. Approximately
2,000 women die each year of the disease. There are approximately 103,000 women living with breast cancer. “The statistics related to the impact on women as a result of breast cancer alone are dire enough,” Hughes said. “The fact many women – and many health care providers – are not aware of this program makes the issue all the more critical. “That is why I am compelled to champion this im-
portant program in partnership with Gov. Rendell, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health and PBCC.” As more and more Pennsylvanian women lose their jobs due to the economic difficulties gripping the entire nation, Hughes added, they often lose access to quality health care. “With loss of employment comes loss of insurance,”
Hughes said. “We must actively advocate this resource to help save lives.” For more information about “You’re Covered!” contact Hughes’s office at (215) 879-7777. For more information about the free Breast & Cervical Cancer Treatment program, call the Dept. of Health’s Healthy Woman program at 1 (800) 215-7494.
Word On Lupus
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WORLD LUPUS DAY Rally at Shops at Liberty Place brought out Annette Myarick, CEO, Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter, and recording artist Kathy Sledge, Lupus volunteer. Rally spread word about signs, symptoms, diagnosis and tips to live better with disease.
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Our Opinion ... Throwing Out The Baby With The Bath Water
ments, will ever match. He learned his trade on the job and has done it so well, he was requested not to leave despite suffering through a period of ill health. So the BRT could be pressured by power breakers. Most prominently mentioned in its series was former State Sen. Vincent Fumo. It reported he had pressured the Board into keeping the assessment on his Greene Street home well below where it should have been assessed. Didn’t PECO surrender millions of dollars to Fumo? How come Inquirer reports about that transaction never resulted in editorials demanding the firing of PECO executives for caving in? One can quibble and find fault with the way BRT staff has assessed properties. But even the best experts in the business have stated “the assessments are based on creditable efforts”. It the end the final call has to be judgmental. So what is wrong if BRT staffers on the School Board payroll remain at their jobs? Their only “fault” is they exercised their freedom to be politically active. Everyone with common sense knows to limit the political activity of City employees is to deprive them of their right to express their voice in government. All of us know that wouldn’t stop us if we had a mind to campaign for something or someone. How many of this City’s civil-service employees violated the Hatch Act to get President Obama elected? Enough to almost empty City Hall and the Municipal Services Building and half the other bureaus located in rental properties around Center City. Enough is enough. Let the BRT correct its own “obvious” problems without a need to restructure this institution and place it in the hands of others. The Inkie could send some of its patronage editors to sit in and listen to
Jun. 4- N.W. Greens meet at Weavers Way Meeting Rm., 555 Carpenter Lane (near Greene St.), 7 p.m. Jun. 5- Women Forward Luncheon benefitting Greater Phila. N.E. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Educational Scholarship Fund at Knowlton Mansion, Rhawn St. & Verree Rd., 11:30 a.m. Pre-luncheon workshop starts 9:30 a.m. Luncheon tickets $35. Call Collette McBratney (215) 624-7134. Jun. 6- State Sen. LeAnna M. Washington to address Just Friends Fellowship at Empowerment Conference for Older Adults at Brand New Life Christian Center, 6301 Germantown Ave., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $15 per person includes lunch. Register by calling (215) 549-3570. Jun. 8- TWU Local 234 Golf Outing “Take Care of Our Own”. For info (215) 9724140. Jun. 10- Shomrim of Phila. & Delaware Valley annual Banquet at Har Zion Synagogue, 1500 Hagys Ford Rd., Glad-
wyne, Pa., 6:30 p.m. Honorees will be Phila. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, “Person of the Year”, and Chief Inspector James Tiano, “Humanitarian of the Year”. Tickets $65. Open bar, entertainment and appetizers. Call Mitchell Spritzler (267) 235-1287. Jun. 11- Philadelphia Public School Notebook’s “Turning The Page For Change” at Univ. Of The Arts, Dorrance Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad St., 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $60; discounts for students, parents, teacher groups and people under 25. For info (215) 951-0330 x2160. Jun. 13- W. Park Cultural Ctr. and School Of The Future will present 2nd annual W. Park Arts Fest at School of Future, 4021 Parkside Ave, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Jun. 15- CORA for KIDS Golf Classic at JC Melrose C.C., 7600 Tookany Ck. Pkwy. buffet lunch and qualifying for $10,000 Putting Contest 11:30 a.m. Cost $185 individual golfer or $700 for a foursome. Dinner only costs $65. To register call Patty Poach (215) 701-2560 or email caring@coraservices.org.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer is to be commended for its series on the Board Of Revision Of Taxes, the agency that sets the tax rate on all properties, commercial and residential, in the City. But in its anxiety to follow up with a “kill”, it is belaboring hardworking employees because they, for the most part, were recommended to their jobs by the leaders of this city’s Democratic and Republican Parties. These are considered “patronage” employees and the Inquirer has turned that word into a dirty word. Yet its editors have to look in the mirror. Each and every one of them had a patron: someone who got them past the receptionist and file clerk in the Human Resources division and for a direct hiring interview by an editor. They don’t understand that made them “patronage” employees as well. Generations of patronage employees in government have written a long history of dedication and commitment. The main reason has been the fact each employee knows his superior has an easy recourse to dismissal. That is by tipping off the patron his recommendation is not doing the job as expected. Following that shot across the bow, if no changes are forthcoming from that employee for the better, he can be fired. Simple as that. When most patronage employees began their employment in BRT, basic pay was $23k a year (one-fifth of an Inquirer driver’s). They deal with taxpayer complaints, are computer-literate and real-estate trained, and handle all forms of administrative work, including processing of tax abatements. A unit of these clerks goes into the field and reports demolitions and rehabs, checks on permit completions or progress. These School District and City civil-service personnel who log several thousand miles a year on inspections do not get a City car. They must use their own gas and car. The School District Budget of approximately $3.2 billion will get $244 million from the Obama stimulus plan – plus $300 million from Harrisburg, once approved. That means the BRT School budget of $4.28 million is 1/10th of 1% of the total school budget. The BRT sent $603 million dollars to the schools last year. A good return on a small investment. A note about Civil Service employees who make the grade, get the job, and then bum off after their probation period ends: They cannot easily be dismissed. Complaints must be filed in their records. Requests for dismissal have to be made, and finally hearings. In the meantime, months go by, with their poor performance being paid for by taxpayers. The Inkie particularly singled out the BRT’s Executive Director Enrico Foglia, because he only has a high-school diploma and makes almost $100,000 a year. What Foglia knows, no individual, no matter how many degrees he or she may be carrying in the world of real-estate assess-
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
Charges Against Board Of Revision Of Taxes ‘Patronage’ Employees Are Way Off Base
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
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Drumming Up Trade by Michael A. Cibik, Esq. American Bankruptcy Board Certified Question: Will a voluntary auto repossession still show on your credit reports after Chapter 7 is discharged? Answer: It will show you no longer owe the debt. If the debt for the vehicle was discharged in bankruptcy, it cannot be reported. There can be
no negative reporting on a discharged debt – not even for a voluntary repossession. If the vehicle was surrendered as part of the bankruptcy, the loan should show as a ZERO balance, no past dues, and “included in bankruptcy” on your credit report. Next week’s question: Are outstanding attorney fees dischargeable?
ST. KITTS-NEVIS international trade delegation will visit here starting Jun. 9, led by Prime Minister Denzil L. Douglas, MD. Planners are Agnes Ogletree; Dr. Izben Williams, St. Kitts-Nevis ambassador to USA; Carol Brooks, manager, international trade, City of Phila. Standing are Abdullah Skerritt, St. Kitts Tourism Authority; Brian Kelly, City trade associate; and Worrel Nero, St. Kitts-Nevis consul. Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography
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Should the majority always prevail? That was the question posed by Professor Isaiah M. Gafni of Hebrew University at the 27th annual Jewish Law Day last night at the Jewish Community Services Building, 2100 Arch Street. The event was sponsored by the Committee of Judges and Lawyers, VAAD: The Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia and the Louis D. Brandeis Law Society of Philadelphia. Jewish Law Day honored Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Jane Cutler Greenspan and Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Sayde Joy Ladov. The free program was approved for one-hour substantive Pennsylvania CLE credit. It was followed by a reception at which dietary laws will be observed. Jewish Law Day, which is funded by voluntary contributions, is open to the entire legal community but participants must register in advance at www.brandeislawsociety.org.
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Mid-Atlantic LECET, Perry N. Blackman, CPA, Philadelphia LECET and ROC Consulting Group. “I am currently in my first year as business manager of LDC and none of my duties will give me as much pleasure as honoring my mentor, Samuel Staten, Sr., at our premier charitable event,” said Ryan Boyer. "As we celebrate the event's 10th anniversary, we also celebrate a true milestone: raising over $1 million. Notable attendees included Seth Williams, Democratic candidate for Philadelphia District Attorney and State Sen. Williams. LDC Charity Fund’s goal is to raise funds to assist charitable organizations that provide services to the needy in the five-county area of Philadelphia. LDC has been helping members and their families and the community enjoy a better standard of living by providing jobs and benefits since their charter in 1937. LDC believes in the principles unionism was founded on: a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, and workers' rights. LDC also believes next-generation unionism must vigorously pursue workers' rights' based on management and union cooperation and the advancement of member education.
JUDITH JAMISON, artistic director of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, received newly renamed Anne d’Harnoncourt Award for artistic excellence at Greater Phila. Arts & Business ceremony. Presenting award is Karen David while Steve Aichele and Joan Myers Brown look on. Photo by Nicola Argentina
Roca On Top
STATE REP. Angel Cruz joins with his volunteers who supported Judge Angeles Roca at victory party held at Photo by LuzSelenia Salas Quba last week.
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
The LDC Charity Fund, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, raised over $150,000 at its 10th annual Charity Golf Classic, bringing its total raised for charity to over $1 million by this event over the past 10 years. Long-time labor leader Samuel Staten, Sr. was presented an award amidst a standing ovation, acknowledging his long standing commitment and dedication to the Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund. Columbia Partners, LLC was recognized for its 10-year commitment as a corporate sponsor of this event. “I am honored to be a part of the 10th anniversary of this great event,” said Staten, assistant business manager of LDC and Laborers’ Local 332. “The longevity of the event and the funds we have raised for various charities prove organized labor can truly make a difference in the community. Proceeds from this event will benefit, among others, the Fox Chase Mesothelioma Fund, the Jenkintown Day Nursery, and the Q’aid Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund. This year's corporate sponsors include Associated Specialty Contracting, Inc., Columbia Partners, Inc., Delaware Valley Real Estate Investment Trust, IBEW Local Union 98, LDC of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia & Vicinity,
Dancer Honored
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Laborers' Classic Passes $1 Million
Sheriff Green’s Important Steps to Saving Your Home Step 1: Assemble your current financial information, and call your lender.
Step 2:
Step 3: If you feel uncomfortable handling mortgage negotiations, consult a professional housing Counselor
Step 4: Take time to carefully investigate the offers you receive to avoid becoming a fraud victim Sheriff John D. Green Philadelphia
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Visit www.phillysheriff.com to learn more about borrowers’ rights, loss mitigation and abusive servicing practices. Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 215-686-3525 for more information
page 14 The Public Record • June 4, 2009 www.phillyrecord.com
Out & About
various time in my life, and having a friend who tracks them for the Dept. of Homeland Security, I know this to be true. But Republicans felt that Napolitano was targeting their base and demanded, and got, an apology. On Sunday, something happened that should warrant an apology from Congressional Republicans to all of us, especially those of us who like me are pro-choice. Dr. George Tiller, one of the few physicians in the
country who performed lateterm abortions for women who found them necessary, was handing out programs as an usher in his Wichita, Kans. church when he was shot to death. The gunman, Scott Roeder, was a frequent antiabortion protestor at Tiller’s clinic. He’s been charged with first-degree murder. Now we can talk about how pro-life it isn’t to shoot someone in a church. We can talk about how pro-life it isn’t to shoot someone, period.
Snooper
Editor RORY G. McGLASSON for the tremendous coverage he gave to a Special Presentation last week. KAL RUDMAN presented the School with a huge CHECK, so as to adequately stock up their library with all the necessary books they need. Ms. Lee stated, “He is truly one who cares, and he puts his monies where his mouth is, and our school really appreciates all he does for us, and other schools. We read your newspaper FAITHFULLY.” Snooper Question: Should our Judges be elected as usual, or should they be appointed by a SPECIAL MERIT-SELECTION PANEL? The recent election has proven once again, the electorate knows next to nothing about those whom they have elected to be JUDGES. It seems their CRITERIA are simple: Get a good ballot position and we’ll elect you. Now I ask about a SPECIAL MERIT SELECTION PANEL: Who chooses them? If they’re going to select members from each of our PARTIES (Democrats and Republicans) wouldn’t we, in essence, have the very same thing we’re complaining about regarding THE JUD GES? The Governor, he too should not be allowed to appoint JUDGES; after all, you know he will pick those from his Party, whether he is a DEMOCRAT or REPUBLICAN. We must do something, though; electing OUR JUDGES today is really a FARCE! Snooper Scooper: Yes, it’s SUMMERTIME and it means trouble. Today I
have learned, and it’ll happen to every section of this City, of an onslaught of GANG VIOLENCE, and you had better beware. Just the other day, Juniata was experiencing a tremendous amount of VANDALISM and GRAFITI. Now it’s spreading into Kensington and it’s getting worse. Neighborhoods are becoming very concerned; after all, it’s not getting any better. Recently we have already seen this rearing its UGLY HEAD and we must do something NOW to stop it. There’s a gang of scumbags who are getting ‘their kicks’ out of destroying properties, and they don’t give a darn whose they might be. The people of these neighborhoods MUST BAND TOGETHER. If not, then suffer the consequence. This is happening and it’s REAL! Snooper’s Special Memo: To all our dedicated and loyal readers. This newspaper is for ALL OF YOU. We do need your input, especially as to what’s going on in your specific COMMUNITY and NEIGHBORHOOD. You can call us at (215) 755-2000, or you may even EMAIL us at editor@phillyrecord.com – or, as many of you have already done, you can EMAIL me at snooper2@live.com. Please let us hear from you TODAY. Naturally, we reserve ‘the right’ to EDIT and VERIFY any stories you may call us about, or send to us. PHOTOS ARE WELCOMED too! Publisher Hon. Jimmy Tayoun and Editor Tony West THANK YOU!
(Cont. from Page 9) you remember correctly, Rendell also told us that Hillary Clinton would be President. How’d that go?.... A few weeks back, Dept. of Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano got into some trouble with Congressional Republicans when she released a report that rightwing extremists were an issue here in America. Having dealt with them at
(Cont. from Page 9) our MARATHON. Personally, I thank all of you for a great success.” Snooper’s Update Files (PSPCA): I have learned PETSMART has ended its contracts with The PSPCA. I’m told it will no longer accept animals from them for their ADOPTION PROGRAMS, effective immediately. A new group, known as N.O.A. (Non-lethal Options for Animals), will now be supplying the chain with new animals (cats and dogs) for all its stores for ADOPTIONS. It is located at 1515 LOCUST STREET and you may be called at 1866-626-4625. SNOOPER WARNING: Please listen and heed my warning. I’m begging all you PARENTS, please get your youngsters all the required SHOTS they need. Let me tell you, right now we have THE SWINE FLU, WHOOPING COUGH, THE MEASLES, and God know what will happen next. Please, check with your local DOCTORS to make sure your “Little Ones” get all their SHOTS, and also don’t forget to make sure they get FLU SHOTS too. It seems there’s no end to what’s going around, and if your youngsters don’t get their SHOTS you have no one to blame but yourselves. Yes, we do have people dying and we must stop it now! Snooper’s EMAIL File: I received an EMAIL from ALICE LEE of AUDENREID HIGH SCHOOL in South Philly. She wanted to thank The Public Record
But let’s talk about how deep in the sand your head has to be to demand an apology for some facts you don’t like that later come back to bite you in the butt. I understand the so-called pro-life movement is a big part of the Republican base. But it’s not like this is the first doctor that’s been murdered. When you hear the rhetoric of folks like Randall Terry of Operation Rescue who said Dr. Tiller “reaped what he sowed” when asked about the murder, you know he won’t be the last. It may not be a fact you like, but there it is. Unless you get your base in check, you’re going to have a lot of explaining to do. And by the way Congressional Republicans, you now owe Secretary Napolitano an apology … and a pledge to give her what she needs to keep people safe…. Back in the day, the phrase “neighborhood watch” took on a whole different meaning than it has today. When I was a kid growing up in New Jersey, I got away with nothing. That was be-
cause all of the parents on the block thought that all kids were their kids. If you did something you weren’t supposed to do, your parents knew it by the time you walked in the door. These parents also made sure anyone who tried to do anything to you found out what the Wrath of God felt like. Try to do anything bad to a kid in my neighborhood back in the day and you may not make it out alive. I thought about this when I picked up my morning paper on Wednesday and saw a story about a mob beating in Kensington. An 11-year-old girl had been raped on her way to school on Monday and it turns out this mob was pounding the stuffing out of a dude Police had identified as a “person of interest” in the crime, meaning he either did it himself or he knows who did. I generally don’t condone vigilante justice. It often gets the wrong person and leads to a whole bunch of otherwise law-abiding people getting charged with a crime. But when you rape an 11-
year-old girl, I have to quote my man Chris Rock and say, “I don’t condone it, but I understand.” Heck, I may have grabbed one of my baseball bats and pretended I was Ryan Howard a few times myself. That’s because there’s things that you shouldn’t do to anyone. You shouldn’t steal. You shouldn’t murder. And you definitely shouldn’t go around molesting children. Jose Carrasquillo, the person on the receiving end of the beat-down, is in critical condition at Temple University Hospital. He hasn’t been charged in this crime. No one has yet. But I remember seeing the father of the 11-year-old victim on television Monday night and he said the police had better find who did this to his daughter before he does. If I were the person who committed this crime, I’d turn myself in. Or at the very least, I’d stay the heck out of Kensington because if these neighbors catch up with you, they’ll be nothing left for the Police to find.
MIDDLE EASTERN EVENING “HAFLI”
Sat., June 20th, 7:30PM, St. Maron’s Hall 10th & Ellsworth. Call for tickets 215-4622525. Adults $35, Children $15 Middle Eastern Buffet, Chinese Auction & Dancing. Music by: “Middle East Ensemble” June 14th: Ice Cream Social Sunday 3:00 PM to 6:00, $3 per person. All Inclusive! Pay at the gate! P. E. P., Broad & Federal Sts. Join us for Ice Cream, fun, Prizes! St. Maron Flea Market, Saturday June 27th. Sponsored by the St. Maron’s Youth Group. St. Maron’s Church Hall. 1013 Ellsworth St. 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Table $15, 2 for $25, Call 215-681-0572, air Conditioned
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The Public Record • June 4, 2009
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page 16 The Public Record • June 4, 2009
WP Alliance Aids Libraries Airport Summer Tips W. PHILA. Alliance for Children raised nearly $20,000 to support its initiative Open Books, Open Minds, a community-volunteer outreach program to reopen nine public elementary-school libraries in W. Phila. Seen at fundraiser are WePAC Chair Dr. Anita AllenCastellitto, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and WePAC volunteer Louisa Mygatt.
National Minority Supplier Council ATTENDEES at National Minority Supplier Development Council salute in New York were Chenita Brooks, VP, QPSI; Tamara Tunie ("Law and Order: SVU"); and Dr. Joi C. Spraggins, President, Legacy, Pathways & Footprints.
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Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography
(Cont. from Page 6) parture, and most airlines have check-in kiosks at the Airport. Check with your airline prior to arriving at the Airport. When packing, keep in mind that liquids, gels and aerosols in 3-ounce or smaller containers may be carried onto the aircraft in only one re-sealable, one-quart, clear plastic bag. Liquids, gels and aerosols in containers larger than 3 ounces must be placed in your checked baggage. Exceptions are made for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, baby formula, and breast milk. For additional information on permitted and prohibited items, consult the Transportation Security Administration website www.tsa.gov, email TSA at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov; or call the TSA Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1 (866) 289-9673. Check the TSA website often, since regulations can change at any time. Airline ticket counter personnel handle wheelchair and electric-cart service requests. If you require these services, advise your airline when making your reservation and confirm the request prior to the day of departure. Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece of luggage and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. The personal item must fit under your seat and the luggage must fit into the overhead bin on the aircraft or it will not be permitted on board. Check with your airline for specific carry-on baggage allowances. Passengers must obtain boarding passes before entering the security checkpoint. At the checkpoint, have boarding passes and photo ID ready for inspection by TSA personnel and keep these documents handy until you exit the checkpoint. To expedite your passage through the checkpoint, place personal items like cell phones, pagers, PDAs, keys, loose change and other metallic items into your carry-on bag or use one of the free resealable bags available at the Information Counters. At the checkpoint, the TSA provides bins in which to place these personal
items along with shoes, coats, jackets and belts, which must be passed through the X-ray machine. Liquids, gels and aerosols in 3-ounce or smaller containers that are in carry-on bags must be in one re-sealable, one-quart, clear plastic bag. The bag must be removed from your carry-on and placed in the plastic bin at the X-ray machine. Drinks may not be taken through the checkpoint. Consider picking up a carry-on meal and beverage for your flight once you have passed through the checkpoint. Most airlines now charge for inflight meals; some offer no food at all. Remove laptops and video cameras with cassettes from their cases and place them in a bin to be X-rayed. Video games with consoles must also be removed from bags and placed in a separate bin for screening. Equipment used to screen checked baggage will damage undeveloped film. Pack undeveloped film in your carry-on bag. Remove undeveloped high-speed and specialty film from canisters and place in a clear plastic bag. Screening equipment will not affect digital cameras or electronic image storage cards. All checked baggage is subject to hand inspection. The TSA recommends using locks that screeners can open and relock. Some recommended locks are listed on its website. Long-term parking is available in the Garages and in the Economy Lot; parking in the Short-Term lot is recommended for visits of less than one hour. It is anticipated, however, that an additional 1,122 spaces will become available in the Economy Parking Lot. For more information on Airport parking, contact PPA at (215) 683-9840 or consult their website, www.philapark.org. A free “Cell Phone/Park & Ride Lot” is available for motorists to wait, with their vehicles, until their party is ready to be picked up. The lot is located on Bartram Avenue adjacent to the Southbound I-95
exit ramp for Cargo City. Directions are available at www.phl.org. Philly International offers a variety of conveniences to make travelers’ stay more relaxing and pleasant. Everyone can log on free of charge to wireless internet on weekends, and college students can obtain free WiFi every day. To obtain an authorization code, college students present a school ID at any Airport Information Counter. During the week, non-students can obtain 24-hour wireless access for $7.95. In addition, Internet access is available for a reasonable fee at Laptop Lane on the A/B Connector, and more than 100 semi-private work units with electrical outlets, pay phones and work surfaces are located in boarding gates areas. Children’s Play Areas are located in Terminal A-East near Gate A-1 and in Concourse D near Gate D-8, the Children’s Play Area offers aviation-themed, interactive activities for young travelers. The Hospitality Program, activated during weather and other emergencies, provides disposable blankets and pillows as well as refreshments to stranded travelers. The Aero Clinic on the Terminal A/B walkway offers a variety of acute-care services including treatment for respiratory, digestive and urinary illnesses, skin conditions and minor injuries, vaccinations and health screenings. The Clinic is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some medical insurance is accepted. Active duty service men and women are welcome at the USO in Terminal A-East near Gate A-11. Pet Relief Areas are located on the Departures Road between Terminals A-West and A-East; between Terminal B/C Ticketing and the Airport Communications Center; adjacent to Terminal E and Terminal F; on the Arrivals Road adjacent to Terminal A-East bag claim; on the Commercial Vehicle Road (south side of bag claim nearest SEPTA train platform) at Terminal B and Terminal E bag claim.
will host a Flag Retirement Ceremony, at which time the community can properly dispose of old, tattered American flags. For the first time the Philadelphia Veterans MultiService & Education Center, Inc. will host a Veterans Information Booth, with trained staff available to assist any area veteran. The booth will be manned from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Elephant
valid poll watchers certificate! The question: Why did Barack Obama and Eric Holder force Justice lawyers to drop the case despite videotaped evidence? One thing is for sure, DeFelice and Hill won’t ever be intimidated by hooligans like these. Looks like WALLY ZIMOLONG and MATT TAUBENBERGER have agreed to run as a team and breathe new life into the
Young Republicans. Both seasoned candidates, they bring a nice cross-section of potential members to the group, Wally being from Center City and Matt residing in the Great Northeast. Hey, both have some fantastic ideas for a toptier organization. Go get ‘em, gents! 57th Ward primary voters were handed a RCC sample ballot slightly different from the others around town. It
(Cont. from Page 9) affidavit. He called it an “outrageous affront to American democracy” and a "racially motivated effort to limit both poll watchers aiding voters, as well as voters with whom the men did not agree." Shockingly, Black Panther Jackson is an elected member of the 14th Ward Democratic Committee and was issued a
City Hall (Cont. from Page 9) developers. That would solve the problem of locating casinos in areas where the residents affected are located. Perhaps a good site would be in the area of Boat House Row, at the foot of the plateau on which the Philadelphia Art Museum is located. This would give the people who reside in the Fairmount area and any visitors to the museum an additional way to spend their Sunday afternoons.
seems former Speaker of the House DENNIS O’BRIEN cut JUDGE PAUL PANEPINTO from the ballot in exchange for eventual winner JUDGE JOAN ORIE MELVIN. Time will tell if this was the result of longtime bad blood between the Speaker and City Committee or if he was just trying to garner favor with State Committee. Fact remains, Judge Melvin has many friends in
AMONG “40 under 40” honored last week were , from left, Scott Miller, 1st VP, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.; State Rep. Cherelle Parker; and Christopher Streahle, director of marketing for Forman Mills. Fox School of Business and Wachovia Premium Seating cosponsored the event. Photo by Bonnie Squires
this city and intends to make more as she visits community leaders in Chinatown this June along with her sister, STATE SEN. JANE ORIE. The visit is part of an effort spearheaded by former Naval
Officer JOE EASTMAN to create a strong relationship between Republican officials and Asian community leadership. Elephants are on the rampage once again, my friends!
PROUDLY MANAGING PENNSYLVANIAʼS INTERNATIONAL SEAPORT SINCE 1990
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority A Promising Future By Championing the Channel-Deepening Project And Substantial Port Expansion
Once Again, We Thank Gov. Ed Rendell For Giving Our Port A Great Opportunity And
John H. Estey, Esq. Chairman
James T. McDermott, Jr. Executive Director
Robert C. Blackburn
Senior Deputy Executive Director
John F. Dempsey
Deputy Executive Director Administrative Offices: 3460 N. Delaware Ave. 2nd Fl., Phila., PA 19134 (215) 426-2600 • Fax (215) 426-6800 www.philaport.com
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Advertise in the Port Special Supplement. Call John David 215-7552000
Box of Wachovia Bank; and Reginald Dunston of Creative World Learning Center. Jazz artists The Urban Gorilla Orchestra will perform during the event. “The funds raised from this event afford us the ability to continuously improve the delivery of services and educational resources for the children in our area”, says Howard Tucker, Executive Director of WPCCN. For more information contact Donn Scott, Jr. at (215) 837-2616.
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
Fishtown will celebrate its 6th annual “Fishtown Supports Our Troops” Rally on Saturday, Jun. 13 at Penn Treaty Park. Starting at 12:00 noon, the rally will feature guest speakers and a special Flag Presentation Ceremony with the daughter of an Army Ranger who was killed during the D-Day invasion. Immediately following the Troop Rally, Elm Tree Post 88 of the American Legion
The West Philadelphia Childcare Network is hosting a Networking & Jazz Café at the Centennial Café located in Fairmount Park, Belmont & Montgomery Avenues, this evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the event is to provide much-needed support for the programs and new initiatives of WPCCN. Honorees include City Councilwoman, Blondell Reynolds Brown; State Sen. Vincent Hughes; Dr. Nathan Blum of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Michelle
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Fishtown Will Hold W. Phila. Early-Ed Benefit 40 Under 40 Honored Support Troops Rally
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The Public Record • June 4, 2009
page 18
New Sansom Street eatery a Noble destination by Len Lear When we noticed David Katz having dinner with friends at a nearby table last Wednesday night on what surely was a rare night off, I would have bet the first mortgage that Noble, the “American cookery” restaurant that opened in early May at 2025 Sansom Street, would be living up to its name. (The owners said they chose the name Noble because hospitality has long been regarded as “a noble pursuit” and that Noble “defies the false conventions of stiff manners.”) After all, Katz, 31, chef/owner of Mémé at 2201 Spruce Street and, before that, executive chef at “M” Restaurant on 8th Street near Locust, has been earning unanimous raves himself in recent years from restaurant
reviewers and customers alike. Any other restaurant in the city would be delighted to have Katz sample their wares; it’s as if Itzhak Pearlman bought a ticket and sat in the audience to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra perform. “The owners are great guys and real pros,” said Katz when I walked over to his table, “so you just know this is going to be a first-class operation.” The owners of Noble — Bruno Pouget, Todd Rodgers and chef Steven Cameron — formerly owned Blue, which recently ended a successful 11-year run on Long Beach Island, N.J. Blue was often named to “Best of the Shore” lists in New Jersey Monthly and Philadelphia magazines. Last year Cameron was a semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s award
for “Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic States,” and Blue also received a rave in the New York Times in August, 2007, for “succeeding effortlessly at both design and dinner” and for the 33-year-old Cameron’s cuisine that was “far-reaching, inspired and ambitious.” However, Blue was only open seasonally, for five months out of the year, so the three owners started to look for a year-round operation in an area where sophisticated dining is appreciated. Eventually they purchased the building on Sansom Street which last housed Gioia Mia, an Italian restaurant, and before that, Cibucan, a Cuban restaurant. (The chef/owner of Cibucan was Owen Lee, a lifelong Philadelphia resident who was once selected by the Rolling Stones to be their personal chef while they were touring the country. “They are much less wild and more laid back than their
public image would lead you to believe,” Lee once told me.) Pouget is an interior designer who also owned and operated Caribou Cafe, first at 24th & Lombard Streets and then at 1126 Walnut Street, from 1989 to 2003, when he sold it. Pouget said he and his partners are determined to revive the area around 20th & Sansom Streets, which in the 1970s was known as Rittenhouse Village. “Back then,” he said, “this was a very popular destination area for restaurants, but that changed quite a bit. Now, though, with neighbors like Tinto, Melograno, Tria and Capogiro, we would like to be a part of bringing that reputation back to this area as a dining destination.” Noble, which can seat 30 on the first floor and 70 on the second floor, certainly has a distinctive look. For one thing, I don’t recall ever before seeing sidewalk dining
Len Lear with seating facing into the restaurant over a granite counter and open window space. Almost everything contributes to a rustic vibe, such as the 400-year-old naturally fallen bubinga tree made into a bar, a staircase featuring reclaimed oak barn timbers, exposed ceiling rafters with open skylights on the second floor (lit from the outside), white brick walls, mahogany tabletops, hickory hardwood floors and a rooftop garden. Prices are not cheap, with appetizers from $10 to $15,
entrees $23 to $35 and desserts $8. The masterful, gimmick-free food preparation is pretty sensational, however. Our faves were seafood entrees — a glorious rye-dusted Alaskan black sable, very sweet and mild and suffused with flavor; and a poached Long Island golden tilefish that exploded with a Chilean sea bass-like sweetness. With the tilefish came a sublime purple potato salad, which might be the best potato salad we have ever eaten. I had a “Ti Jean” cocktail ($9) that should come with a warning label. It was like drinking straight rye whiskey, which is great if your stomach is steel-reinforced. I much preferred a wonderfully complex glass of Ravines Keuka Village (Finger Lakes) white wine, which had lots of fruit and mineral notes ($10). For more information, call (215) 568-7000 or visit www.noblecookery.com.
surance premiums grew 6.4 times faster than wages from 2000 to 2007. Premium increases are continuing. Recently, HCAN PA criticized Independence Blue Cross for raising its premiums in the non-group market up to 52%. Highmark is also calling for double-digit premium increases in this market. There is only on area in Pennsylvania where there is significant competition: In Central Pennsylvania where Highmark competes with Capitol Blue Cross. According to David Balto, of the Center for American Progress, "Highmark's expansion resulted in greater competition, lower premiums and improved service and CBC and Highmark battled head-to-head for subscribers, employers, and providers." "When just a couple of companies hold a near-monopoly, they not only set the prices, but they also make the rules and call the shots," said Marc Stier, Pennsylvania state director of HCAN. An-
toinette Kraus of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project added, "Private health insurance companies have proven year after year they'll do whatever they want when left to their own devices." Richard McVay of Penn Action concluded, " It's time for real comprehensive reform that includes regulation and the choice of a public health-insurance plan so we are no longer at the mercy of the private health insurers in Pennsylvania." The American Medical Association reports the health-insurance marketplace is dangerously concentrated, with 94% of local markets in the United States currently considered highly concentrated. And contrary to what the health-insurance industry claims, these mergers have undermined market efficiency. Premiums nationwide have gone up an average of more than 87% over the past six years. "There is no real choice or competition in the private health-insurance market, and
only giving everyone the option of a public health-insurance plan will guarantee we get quality, affordable health care we all can count on this year," said Ian Phillips of ACORN, an HCAN coalition partner. Marc Stier added, "A public health-insurance option will force private health-insurance companies to control cost, guarantee quality, stop hiding what they will and won't cover, and put people's health before corporate profit." Some facts about the insurance industry in Pennsylvania: • Highmark and Independence Blue Cross together control 72% of Pennsylvania's market for commercial health insurance. As measured by the standard used by the US Justice Dept., the Herfindahl-Hirsman concentration index (HHI), Pennsylvania's score was 2799 l. A market is considered "highly concentrated" when the HHI score is above 1800. • In Southeastern Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross controls 72% of the market alone. The HHI in this region is 5440. • In Western Pennsylvania, Highmark controls 74% of the market, leading to an HHI of 5634.
• In Northeast Pennsylvania, NE Blue, which is controlled by Highmark, has 63% of the market with an HHI of 452. • Health-insurance premiums for Pennsylvania working families have skyrocketed, increasing 86% from 2000 to 2007. • For family health coverage in Pennsylvania during that time, the average annual combined premium for employers and employees rose from $6,721 to $12,513. • For family health coverage in Pennsylvania, the average employer's portion of annual premiums rose 76%, while the average worker's share grew by 128%. • From 2000 to 2007, the median earnings of Pennsylva-
nia workers increased 13%, from $24,834 to $28,155. During that time health-insurance premiums for Pennsylvania working families rose 6.4 times faster than median earnings. Health Care for America Now – the nation's largest health care campaign – is made up of more than 1000 organizations representing more than 30 million people nationwide. President Obama and more than 190 Members of Congress support HCAN's principles for health care reform. All across the country, HCAN supporters are organized and mobilized to stress the urgent need for health care reform in 2009 – reform that finally puts our healthcare needs before insurancecompany profits.
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
The Pennsylvania chapter of Health Care for America Now has released a report showing consolidation in the private health-insurance industry is creating skyrocketing premiums for both patients and employers. Pennsylvania's two largest health insurers, Highmark and Independence Blue Cross, control 72% of the market statewide. When looked at a local level, however, the situation is even worse, with three out of four local market ratings being dominated by a single company. From the point of view of the regional insurance markets, Pennsylvania has levels of concentration exceeded by only 12 states. This kind of consolidation means that an insurer can, without fear of consequences, raise premiums and/or reduce the variety of plans or quality of services offered to customers. This is what we have seen: from 2000 to 2007, premiums in Pennsylvania had risen 86% compared to a meager 13% increase in wages. This means health-in-
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Health Insurance Monopolies Impose Killing Costs
GIVE THE GIFT OF NOSTALGIA Give the 5 Waffleman Books Memories they’ll always Cherish. They will remember you everytime they read them!
Call: Joe “Bag-A Donuts”
215-463-2632
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA Public Hearing Notice The Committee on Rules of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items: An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning,” by amending Chapter 14-300, entitled “Commercial Districts,” by adopting a new Section, entitled “Transit-Oriented Development District,” to promote mixed use higher density development in certain areas in order to encourage the use of public transit and less reliance on automobiles, all under certain terms and conditions.
090411
An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by adding certain requirements pursuant to the changing of zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Arch Street, 18th Street, Cuthbert Street, and 19th Street, pursuant to Section 14-305 of the Zoning Code entitled “C-4” Commercial and “C-5” Commercial District, under certain terms and conditions.
Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Rules, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Patricia Rafferty Chief Clerk
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080130
page 20 The Public Record • June 4, 2009
Mayfair Community Sponsors Run To Honor Fallen Heroes
JOE DeFELICE emceed Mayfair Business & Civic Association’s Fallen Heroes Run honoring Officer Gary Skerski. Over 150 runners participated.
STATE REP. Michael McGeehan was in race; we’re not sure if he was leading or following.
JUDGE Mike Lowry was in the race as well, but didn’t quite make winner’s column.
Free Water Ice At Settlement Settlement Music School, which will hold its annual Open House at each of its six branches in the region on Saturday, Jun. 6, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., will give free Rita’s Water Ice at its Open House celebrations around the city. The events will feature student and faculty performances, singing with the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir, Music Workshop demonstrations (for ages 38); a chance to meet teachers, try out an instrument; learn about programs for preschoolers and students
with disabilities and special needs; and preregister for summer camp and fall season. The locations 416 Queen Street, South Philadelphia; 6128 Germantown Avenue; 3745 Clarendon Avenue (at Knights Road); 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown (in Alverthorpe Manor); Wynnefield Avenue (near Mann Music Center); and 531-35 Market Street, Camden (across from City Hall). For details go to www.smsmusic.org or call (215) 320-2600. Settlement Music School
is the largest communitybased school of the arts in the United States. It offers high-quality music and dance instruction and related activities to 15,000 students of all abilities, ages, financial means and ethnic backgrounds each year on-site and through its outreach programs. Settlement is a vital force in the communities it serves, bringing together an enormous diversity of students and providing many opportunities otherwise unavailable to them. Settlement awards close to $2 million annually in aid.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
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Sealed proposals will be received by the School Reform Commission at the School Administration Building located at 440 North Broad St., 3rd Floor, Office of Capital Programs, Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015, until 2:00 P.M., on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009. A non-refundable fee for each set of bid documents is as scheduled. The School District will only accept bids from companies that have been placed on its current Pre Qualified Contractors List as shown at psit.org. All School District Project require MBE/WBE participation as shown in the specifications. BUDGET B- 033 C of 2008/09* Electrical Contract Franklin S. Edmonds Elementary School$ 270,000.00 Emergency Generator 8025 Thouron Avenue Emergency Lighting * A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held at the project location on June 12th, 2009 at 12:00 NOON
FEE $100.00
Specifications and/or plans and contract documents may be examined and copies thereof obtained from the School Reform Commission, 440 North Broad Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Information as to contract documents, etc., may be obtained at the above address, or telephone 215-400-5225. Make checks payable to the School District of Philadelphia. The School Reform Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and make the awards to the best interests of the School District of Philadelphia.
JAMIE BYRNE took first place in the women’s run category, showing great form.
SEAN Thompson, relaxing, took first place in men’s category.
PREGNANCIES did not stop Rosemarie DeFelice and Vicki Cummings from finishing race.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA Sealed proposals will be received by the School Reform Commission at the School Administration Building located at 440 North Broad St., 3rd Floor, Office of Capital Programs, Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015, until 2:00 P.M., on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009. A non-refundable fee for each set of bid documents is as scheduled. The School District will only accept bids from companies that have been placed on its current Pre Qualified Contractors List as shown at psit.org. All School District Project require MBE/WBE participation as shown in the specifications. BUDGET B- 035 C of 2008/09* Electrical Contract Francis Hopkins Elementary School $ 275,000.00 Emergency Generator 4001 L Street Emergency Lighting * A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held on June 5th, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the site location
FEE $100.00
B- 038 C of 2008/09* Electrical Contract Richmond Elementary School $ 275,000.00 Emergency Generator 2944 Belgrade Street Emergency Lighting * A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held on June 5th, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the site location
$100.00
B- 056 CT of 2008/09* General Contract Various Locations throughout $ 300,000.00 $200.00 New IT Core Site Room the School District * A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held on June 3rd, 2009 at Mastbaum H.S. at 9:00 AM and on June 3rd at 11:00 AM at Rush H.S. B- 057 CT of 2008/09* Mechanical Contract Various Locations throughout $ 850,000.00 $200.00 New IT Core Site Room the School District * A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held on June 3rd, 2009 at Mastbaum H.S. at 9:00 AM and on June 3rd at 11:00 AM at Rush H.S. B- 058 CT of 2008/09* Electrical Contract Various Locations throughout $ 2,000,000.00 $200.00 New IT Core Site Room the School District * A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held on June 3rd, 2009 at Mastbaum H.S. at 9:00 AM and on June 3rd at 11:00 AM at Rush H.S.
Specifications and/or plans and contract documents may be examined and copies thereof obtained from the School Reform Commission, 440 North Broad Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Information as to contract documents, etc., may be obtained at the above address, or telephone 215-400-5225. Make checks payable to the School District of Philadelphia. The School Reform Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and make the awards to the best interests of the School District of Philadelphia.
has stepped in to headline the show. The 22-year-old Super Bantamweight will face a tough challenge in Reading’s Lucian Gonzalez. Trained by brothers Wade and Randy Hinnant, Kennedy was a two-time Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Champion and the 2004 National Flyweight Golden Gloves Champion. He turned professional in 2007, with his debut win over Marsay Buggs at the New Alhambra.
Since then, Kennedy has defeated his first 12 professional opponents, five by KO. And although he’s only boxed a total of 52 rounds as a professional, he’s already risen to the number-four ranking by the USBA. SHADOWBOXER and a number of boxing experts believe Kennedy could be the best Bantamweight prospect out of Philadelphia since Jeff Chandler. Two other bouts of interest on the card include Philadelphia Middleweight Latif Mundy as he takes on Somers Point’s Patrick Majewski in an eight-rounder, and popular
SOMERTON earned laurels for one of bigger Memorial Day parades. Seen here in lead were City Controller Alan Buktovitz, State Sen. Michael Stack, Judge Pat Dugan and Photo by Rosemary Rubino State Rep. Brendan Boyle.
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
As SHADOWBOXER reported last week, North Philly’s Mike Jones was set to take on Los Angeles Larry Mosley this Saturday at Bally’s in Atlantic City. Due to an 11th-hour training injury, Jones had to withdraw from what would have been the biggest test of his young career. Fortunately for Philly fight fans, the new main event will still have a local flavor, as fellow North Philadelphian Teon “The Technician” Kennedy
‘The Technician’ Parading In Somerton Steps Into Fray
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Ringside With The Shadowboxer
Kennedy The Technician Upper Darby Heavyweight “Big” John Poore who will do battle with Rochester New York’s Jermell Barnes over six rounds.
Coming Next Week: A Special Issue about the Port of Philadelphia
2400 E. Somerset Street Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: 215-423-2223 Fax: 215-423-5937
SHARING moment at Somerton parade were Mayor Michael Nutter, State Sen. Mike Stack and Controller Alan Photo by Rosemary Rubino Butkovitz.
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6717 Essington Ave. Commercial vehicles by estimate. Body work, rust repair, and stripping of old paint extra. Not valid with any other offer. MAACO® Auto Painting & Bodyworks centers are independent franchises of MAACO® Enterprises, Inc. Prices, hours and services may vary.
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MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF ESTIMATE. HURRY...OFFER EXPIRES June 30, 2009
page 22 The Public Record • June 4, 2009
Public Record Classifieds: AUCTIONS: GRAND OPENING AUCTION: Waterfront Developed Lots, 6 Sell Absolute, Lake View Lots, Interior Lots; Edgewater Development, Lancaster, SC; 6-1309. Iron Horse Auction, SCAL3936, 800-997-2248, www.ironhorseauction.com OCEANFRONT REAL ESTATE AUCTION, Oceanfront Island on the Atlantic at Shallotte Inlet, Oceanfront Homesites, Waterway Homesites; Brunswick County,NC; 6-20-09. Iron Horse Auction, NCAL3936, 800-997-2248, www.ironhorseauction.com AUTOS WANTED: DONATE VEHICLE, Receive $1000 Grocery Coupon. Noah’s Arc Support No Kill Shelters. Research to Advance Veterinary Treatments. Free Towing, Tax Deductible, NonRunners accepted 1-866-912GIVE BUSINESS OPPORT: ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027 FINANCIAL OR MISC: Settle IRS Back Taxes for less than you owe! If you quailify we can: Stop wage garnishments.
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Last In A Series On Parole Woes
Legislative Blck Caucus, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson recently introduced a bill to establish a review of the Commonwealth’s entire criminal-justice system. Its goal is to “re-focus incarceration policies to reduce the overall incarceration rate [and] establish meaningful reentry programs for ex-offenders.” Taking care of manageable offenders on the streets is vital if we are to make the room to keep deeply dangerous people under lock and key, argues Stack. Separating the sheep from the goats is part of legislation he will introduce next week that would prevent violent offenders from being released to halfway houses. Stack’s measure would also eliminate parole for people convicted of three or more crimes. State Rep. Brendan Boyle has introduced get-tough legislation that would increase prison terms and eliminate early release for repeat violent offenders. It’s a bill that enjoys strong support from police and others. But without a simultaneous, equal effort to remove lessdangerous inmates from cells, it is guaranteed to be another budget-buster. The ultimate goal of prisoner-reentry is to lead to a productive, happy citizen whose criminal life is behind him. However, a criminal record can dog you literally forever. That doesn’t make it easy to get good jobs and get ahead in life. State Sen. Shirley Kitchen is preparing legislation that would allow individuals to purge their records of summary offenses after five crime-free years – in effect, a new beginning. This would be an incentive for newly released offenders. Under current law, nonviolent convictions can be expunged from records only when an ex-offender reaches age 70, which isn’t much help in the job market. “I believe other changes can be made,” Kitchen vows. “While it is crucial that thugs not get out, we should not use prisons to make a broad sweep of youthful mistakes. “If we can release people who can be nonviolent with appropriate drug and mental-health services, we can prevent the incredible waste of money that is involved in locking them up.”
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Philadelphia will need approval of the Pennsylvania Unified Court System before it implements experiments like these. The City may, however, find a sympathetic ear in Harrisburg, attached to the head of Justice Seamus McCaffery, who sparked his career on Common Please Court with an imaginative community court in Veterans Stadium. Lowering Philadelphia Co.’s prison population is an urgent legal requirement the Criminal Justice Advisory Board is working on. CJAB is a policy-making group uniting Police, Prisons, Courts, DA, Public Defender and Health Dept. It is really the only point where coordination between the separate fiefdoms of criminal justice takes place. Prison Commissioner Lou Giorla says 1200 of his 9,000 inmates can be handled elsewhere, with proper management. While 200 can be transferred to State prisons, the bulk of them are fit for probation or parole, he says – under proper supervision. All these individuals need mandatory followup treatment for substance abuse or mental illness to succeed on the street. Housing and employment arrangements are equal keys to maintaining them crime-free. In or out of prison, Giorla states, “Rehabilitation at this point is a necessity.” Incarceration must lead to efforts to change lives, he says. And prison-based rehabilitation needs to be continued by effective parole programs, Giorla says. “APPD has not in the past been funded to the degree that was necessary for all the work that needs to be done.” Some reentry reforms must take place at the State level. A new infusion of State funds would help. As it happens, the State has been under court order to almost double its contributions to county court systems for many years. However, the General Assembly, which must appropriate such funds, hasn’t taken kindly to the idea of being told what to do by the Supreme Court. So far has just ignored that order. Backed by the Pennsylvania
The Public Record • June 4, 2009
(Cont. from Page 1) Most offenders don’t get life sentences. They will be back on the streets some day. And even if it was fair to sentence all to life imprisonment, society couldn’t afford to. We already lock up more people than any other country in the world. Tougher sentences have created a staggering multi-billion-dollar prison bill that drags like a ball and chain on taxpayers. It can’t keep doubling indefinitely. Following the horrific murder of a Philadelphia Police Officer by a paroled violent offender, Gov. Ed Rendell halted paroles and ordered a comprehensive review of the State parole system by a team of researchers led by John Goldkamp, the head of Temple University’s Dept. of Criminal Justice. Released in December 2008, the Goldkamp Report called for parole, even of violent offenders, to be resumed – but in a smarter way, and with more funds. “The development and implementation of the special management of violent offenders may require additional resources for staffing, training, monitoring and programming,” the report stated. When prisoners exit on parole, Goldkamp pointed out, they receive at least some transitional supervision on reentry to society. If they serve out their full sentence instead, they receive none. Which is wiser? The Goldkamp Report affirmed “structured transitions, with carefully planned supervision, accountability and service at all stages, from prison to community residential placements to parole supervision for the greatest number of offenders” is the way to promote public safety. This is crucial in the first six months after discharge, when ex-cons may be homeless, jobless, broke, addicted, deranged, or all the above. Will parole get the resources it needs, though? That’s an open question. “The Governor added a $10 million line item to improve parole programs,” says State Sen. Mike Stack, who sits on the
Law & Justice Committee. “But Republicans in the Senate stripped it out.” Yet $10 million is a drop in the bucket of $1.8 billion the State spends on Corrections. And State Parole is actually the best-funded system in Pennsylvania. Needed: Strong Parole In county systems as well, probation and parole departments have long been the orphans of criminal justice. Although it costs much less to supervise an offender on parole than in prison (less than 10%), Pennsylvania courts have been reluctant to invest a few extra pennies in beefed-up parole departments – despite the fact Parole Officers are saddled with managing the vast majority of offenders. Louise Carpino, who leads AFSCME Local 810 that represents County Parole Officers, has testified before the Law & Justice Committee they are grossly underpaid and overloaded. Carpino has called for Parole Officers to return to the streets, in communities where offenders are living. That’s the best way to monitor offenders who are at risk of backsliding and recidivism, she argues. Carpino is joined by several elected and appointed public officials who are showing increased interest in putting new juice into community courts. They would establish permanent courts in high-crime neighborhoods to intervene with petty offenders before they graduate to major felonies, providing them with enhanced supervision and guidance into educational, employment and treatment tracks that provide them with an alternative to a life of crime. Community courts have support at the highest level of City administration. After studying a model community court in New York, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison said he “went away very impressed.” The model Philadelphia is studying, Gillison says, “looks at people problems across the board and empowers the Judge to handle them across the board.” Because all courts are directly administered by the State,
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Saving Offenders - On Safe Streets
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The Public Record • June 4, 2009
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