Mayor Nutter Tours ‘Forgotten’ Pt. Breeze
MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER gets guided tour of Point Breeze from State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson as Point Breeze neighbors and activists join them this week. Photo by Lee Buchanan
Vol. III No. 24 (Issue 88)
by R. George Linton Mayor Michael Nutter has been taking the heat this week for closing at public pool in Point Breeze, but it doesn’t mean the Mayor won’t face the fire in person. Nutter spent four hours in the Point Breeze neighborhood last week talking with the community about their needs. Nutter was joined by City and State leaders such as his Redevelopment Czar Terri Gillen and State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson as they walked
“Reporting South Philadelphia the way it deserves”
through Point Breeze. Point Breeze natives whose area is riddled with gangs, drugs, crime and homicides couldn’t believe it when they spotted the Mayor in their backyard. Nutter greeted business owners as community activists pointed out problem areas and sites of hopeful development. The Mayor took time to talk, sample goods from local shop owners and take photos with many in this forgot(Cont. Page 39)
Value 50¢
June 11, 2009
‘Build Somewhere Else’
Demand Packer Park Neighbors Civic Group Blocks New Trash Company
Healthy E ats !
by R. George Linton
(Cont. Page 2)
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Well Done, Phillip!
CONGRATULATIONS to South Philadelphia’s Phillip M. Criniti, who has been selected for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma after graduating with high honors and earning a BS in Accounting from Penn State University. “We are so proud of all you have achieved. We love you very much.”—Dad, Mom, Vincent, and Frank, Jr., The Criniti and Campagna Families.
Taste of Abruzzo
Ron Panepinto Jewelers
Claymont, Delaware
(302) 798-7079 Marlboro
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114 215-698-7000
Celebrity chef Mamma Maria DiMarco is cooking a special bistro of culinary delights this Sunday to help victims of the Abruzzo earthquake disaster. Maria, a native of Abruzzo, has decided to come to our neighborhood, and is turning Flag Day into United Day. (Cont. Page 2)
A community meeting in Packer Park got heated last week as residents rejected a private company’s attempt to set up a trash collection facility in their area..
TRI-STATE MALL
Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD.
FORMER STATE REP. Harold James joins George Upshur, State Sen. Anthony Williams, Tyie Thompson and State Sen. Larry Farnese at Point Breeze health day last week. Health day brought in record four thousand crowd. Photo By Donald Terry
700 Sansom St. 215-923-1980
www.PanepintoJewelers.com We Buy Gold & Diamonds
page 2
South Philadelphia Business Association Oldest Business Association in South Philadelphia – Chartered in 1897
www.phillyrecord.com
The South Philadelphia Public Record • June 11, 2009
To join as a member of the SPBA, please call: (215)-336-1108
1505 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215)-336-1108 (215)-336-1149 (fax)
Board Members
Executive Board President – Louis Lozzi, Sr. Vice President – Barbara Capozzi, Esq. Secretary – Lou Cerino Treasurer – Reggie Lozzi Executive Director – Edward J. Wright, Jr.
Darlene Cellucci Louis Galdo Marge Marziani Daniel Olivieri Mark Rago Vince De Fino Esq.
Growing SPBA Members A.J. Mechanical (John Franklin) Academy of Sacred Arts (Sr. Paula ) Allstate Insurance Agent (Michael Phillips) Allstate Insurance Agent (Frank Genzano) Alpha Realty Group (Joseph Bianco) Angelo’s Tile & Marble Outlet (Angelo Bucci) AT Hauling & Cleanouts (Scott Grayson) Cedar Shopping Centers Partnership, LP - Bruce Nobile Armando Rey Jewelers (Armando Rey) Beneficial Savings Bank (Donna Russo) Business Development (Joe Reo) Capozzi Real Estate (Barbara Capozzi) Career Link (Janice Amoroso) Carmana Designs, Ltd (Annamaria Vona) Catch (Ray Pescatore) Century 21 (Stephanie Capocci) Century 21 (Albert Perry) Cheech’s Beef & Ale (Frank Spatocco) Chickie’s Deli (Henry George) Chris Miceli (Christine Miceli) Citizen’s Bank (Darlene Cellucci) Clinical Research Services (Tracy Abraham R.N.) Commerce Bank (Rosaanna Chiappetta) Commerce Dept./OBS (Marge Marziani) Conestoga Bank (Jackie Fitzpatrick) Creative Financial Group (Tom Hayn) DeFino Law Associates (Vince DeFino) DeMarino Chiropractic Ctr. (James DeMarino) Dom’s Auto Repairs (Dominic Vitale) DP Construction Mngt. LLC (Mark DeMatteis) Engineer Bldg Supervisor (Phil Filippello) Foundation Investment LLC (Phil Sestito) Galdo’s Catering (Lou Galdo) Gangemi Funeral Home (Vince Gangemi) Goebel Insurance Agency (Chris Goebel) Gold Medal Disposal (Lou Gentile) Goldstein’s Men’s Clothing (Vince Talatta) Home Helpers (Ralph Digneo) JohnDelGaiso,Pediatric Dentist (John DelGaiso) Landmark Prof. Design (Vince Mancini) Leonetti/O’Leary Funeral Home (Katy Logan) Louis Tag Agency (Louis Cerino) Lou Lozzi’s Auto (Lou Lozzi) M & S Garage (Sonny Marino) Maggie Moos (Frank Pantano) Mamma Maria’s (Sante Chiavatti) Mason’s Local #592 (Mike Fera) Mercury Realty (Greg Ferry) Dr. Michelle Eisenhower (Internest) Micolex Pest Control (Michael Busillo) Money Mailer of Philadelphia (Thomas Cimino)
Monti-Rago Funeral Home (Mark Rago) New York Bakery (Stephen Candeloro) Olivieri Jewelers (Daniel Olivieri) Oregon Window Co Inc. (Tony Nardy) Pacifico Ford (Rocky DeGregorio) Packer Café Inc. (Ciarrocchi) Pastificio (Frank Sangiuliano) Penna Burial Company Inc. (Victor Baldi Jr.) Petal Pusher Florist (John Vacca) Phila Family Medicine (Joseph Di Renzo) Phila Performing Arts School (Joan Pescatore) Phil’s Excellent Auto Repair (Phillip Rick’s) Pietro Jewelers Inc. (Pietro Pace) Precise Realty (Ray Rizzo) Presto Printing (John Savarese) Professional Custom Tailoring (Pat Scioli) Prudential Savings Bank (Nick DiGianvittorio) Public Record (Jim Tayoun) Ralph & Rickey Inc (Rickey Sciulli) Real Estate & Land Use Atty. - Damon K Roberts Esq. New York Life Insurance (Rosetta Conigliaro) Rizzio’s General Auto Repairs (Mike Rizzio) Ron Donatucci, Reg. of wills (Ron Donatucci) Ron Patterson, Esq. (Ron Patterson) Royal Villa Café (Nella Scafidi) Scaramuzzi Construction Co. (Frank Scaramuzzi) Simonetta’s Italian Deli (Philip Simonetta) South Phila Family Practice (Bill O’Brien DO) South Phila. Orthodontic Assoc.- Steven Cohen Stolfo Funeral Home (Paul Stolfo) Sunoco Oil Refinery (John McCann) Swan Caterer’s (Carmen D’Aquilante) The Cutting Point (Jerry Masciantonio) The Temple Group Inc. (Maceo Cummings) Today’s Styles (John Palella) United Savings Bank (Denise D’Eletto) University Dynamics MRI (Linda ADuffy) Vare Ave. Auto Sales (Todd Coles) Vince Guisini, Esq. (Vince Guisini) South Philly.com (Don Burleson) Weccacoe Development Inc. (Fred Druding Sr.) William Mestichelli, DDS (William Mestichelli) Southern Auto Tags (Anthony Prisco) Southwark Civic Assn. (Karen Brown) South Philly Pretzel Factory (Sam Sklaroff) P.N.C. Bank (Joanne Baccari) P.N.C. Bank (Chad Shank) Your Optimal Health LLc (Freddie Ganno) United Check Cashing (John Shegda) William Festa Realty (Ed LeClair)
Paid for by funding through a DCED Grant, Commonwealth of PA
Not In Our Backyard (Cont. from Page 1) Packer Civic Meeting held a meeting to address a trash company, American C & D Logistics, which wants to move into the Packer Park area as an independent trash company. It took a less than 10 minutes for ACDL representative Mike Logan to feel the ire of those in the Packer Park community who don’t want his company’s services. Logan presented charts and statistics that claimed to promote recycling; and how the company would donate proceeds to the School District. The audience became restless and frustrated – so much so, independent contractor William Moore, who sided with the trash company, tried to restrain the audience and answer questions as they yelled at Logan. However, the crowd become more restless until Barbara Capozzi, president of Packer Park Civic, took the microphone. Capozzi articulated neighbors concerns on behalf of her civic groups. Capozzi talked about the increase of traffic, noise and air pollution the company would bring to the area. “We already deal with so
much invasion of our community due to the sports complex down the road; we don’t need or want this.” Mike Logan responded by saying, “Our company is always available to address issues.” However, Capozzi denied this claim. Cappozzi claims that ACDL were unresponsive after many attempts by her civic group to engage in dialogue.
PACKER PRESIDENT Barbara Capozzi has backing of attorney Anthony Foglietta at heated civic meeting she hosted last week. Capozzi is upset at a private trash company that wants to set up business in the neighborhood.
(Cont. from Page 1) Chef Mamma is putting her culinary talents on Sunday at “Taste of Abruzzo”: A Benefit for Central Italy’s Earthquake Victims at Ristorante Italiano, 1637 East Passyunk Ave. For more information, please call (215) 463-6884 or (215) 463-8410, or visit www.mammamaria.info.
ioners at St Rita’s promise all the ice cream will be kept cold at its annual “Ice Cream Social” this weekend. The ice cream will be flowing in the PEP courtyard, which are letting the church use their premises’ playground at Broad & Federal Streets next Sunday. The Parish fundraiser will take place next Sunday, Jun. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s only $3 per person, and you can pay at the gate … then it’s all-you-can-eat ice cream!
Ice Cream Social!
Aquinas Flea Market
No matter how the scorching temperatures are, parish-
Parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas want you to know
“Build somewhere else! Build somewhere else!” chanted the crowd. Don Toto, VP of Packer Park Civic, addressed issues of a proposed 24-hour-a-day operation and 1000-plus tons of trash to be collected seven days a week. Logan referred by to the company charts, which further frustrated the audience, which was now turning moblike. Packer Park Civic Attorney, Douglas Schleicher, said, “There are 136 serious accidents at 26th & Penrose, a route which these 120 trucks will travel twice a day.” He added, “This being a major artery for transportation in this area, it does not need more bad drivers.” While Ward Leader Ron Donatucci went to the back of meeting to converse with some frustrated and heated members of the crowd, Capozzi closed the meeting by shouting,”You will not get your permit because we will not allow it!” She urged everyone in attendance to sign one of two petitions: the audience: one in favor and one against. “Please, follow your heart,” concluded Capozzi. about a Flea Market they are hosting on Saturday. Spaces are very limited, but a few are still available. The event will take place Saturday, Jun. 13 from 9. a.m. to 3 p.m. Food such as roast pork and hot dogs will be for sale in the cafeteria. Spaces are $10, and Table and Space costs $25. For more information, please call Ruthie at (215) 463-9707.
Books Not Guns State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson will host “Books Not Guns” Book fair Jun. 20. For more information, please call (215) 952-3378.
Page 3
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City Hall Sam Federal Magistrate PHIL RESTREPO celebrated his 50th birthday at his home. His wife CATHY was the hostess for the affair which was held outdoors. It was a lovely day, with bright sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky. Among those in attendance was his former boss at the Federal Public Defenders, MAUREEN ROWLEY. Among those joining the festivities were JUDGE EUGENE MAIER and his wife LANA. Gene is the father of Cathy Restrepo. Also present were Municipal Court
JUDGE FAY STACK and her husband MIKE and, visiting from Kansas City, Judge Stack’s brother JOE ROWLEY and his daughter MAURA. Seen having lunch at the Vesper Club were wellknown attorneys JOHN RODGERS CARROLL and JOHN FULLUM. MAYOR MIKE NUTTER is to be commended for his oft-spoken plan to have
the best people available controlling the different agencies of power in City Government. Almost all of them have been selected from locations outside Philadelphia. Most administrators of large organizations believe the best way to build strong organizations is to promote from within. If a practice is followed continuously of looking outside organizations to fill these spots, it can have the opposite effect: namely, discouraging talent from continuing to work for such agencies and pushing them to
look elsewhere outside Philadelphia. It seems strange that in Philadelphia, which has so many high-quality institutions of higher education, local people cannot be found to run City Government. ALAN BUTKOVITZ, who was renominated for another four-year term as the Democratic candidate for City Controller, was naturally happy with the outcome of the three-way race in which he had 10,000 votes-plus over his nearest opponent. He ran
very well in the Northeast, as did DAN McCAFFERY for DA. The fact there were such good candidates for DA in this election cut down the expected vote for McCaffery. McCaffery ran a credible campaign, as did DAN McELHATTON and BRIAN GRADY. Of course, applause has to be sounded for the fine job of the victor, SETH WILLIAMS. When the Reapportionment Committee meets next year, its first order of busi(Cont. Page 5)
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ESTATE NOTICE Brown, Rosco -Katie S. Brown, Administratrix, 3873 Wyalusing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 191041123; Carl E. Watts, Attorney, 715 North 41st St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Senator Tina
Tartaglione 2nd Dist. 127 W. Susquehanna Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19122
1063 Bridge St. Philadelphia, PA 19124
215-291-4653
215-533-0440
State Representative
STATE SENATOR
RONALD G. WATERS 191st Leg. District
LEANNA M. WASHINGTON
6027 Ludlow Street, Unit A
215-748-6712
WEB SITE www.senatorwashington.com
State Rep.
State Rep.
ROBERT C. DONATUCCI 185th District
William Keller 184th District
1809 Oregon Ave, Phila., PA 19145
1531 S. 2nd Street
215-468-1515
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JOHN SABATINA JR. 174th District State Representative 8100 Castor Ave Phila, PA 19152 Hours: 9am to 5pm Telephone: 215-342-6204
DISTRICT OFFICE
1555-D Wadsworth Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 (215) 242-0472 Fax: (215) 753-4538
215-271-9190
Councilman Wm.
Greenlee
Room 580 City Hall P. 215-686-3446/7 F. 215-686-1927
DISTRICT OFFICE 2749 N. 5th St. • 215-291-5643 Staffed by
Joe Evangelista Debbie Toro Ready to Serve you
State Rep.
Frank Oliver
Dennis O’Brien
195th District 2839 W. Girard Ave. Phila. PA 19130
169th District 9811 Academy Rd Phila. PA 19114
215-684-3738
215-632-5150
Shirley M. Kitchen 3rd Sen. District 1701 W. Lehigh Ave.Ste 104 • Philadelphia, PA 19132 215-227-6161 • www.senatorkitchen.com
Pennsylvanians applying for property tax and rent rebates can now check the status of their rebates online. Please visit www.papropertytaxrelief.com to check the status of a rebate. The website is hosted by the Department of Revenue and allows applicants to check their rebate status as soon as six weeks after submitting their application. Parkwood Shopping Center 12361 Academy Road, Phila., PA 19154, 215-281-2539
R EP. A NGEL C RUZ
State Rep.
State Sen.
State Senator
Larry Farnese First Senate District Tel. 215-952-3121 1802 S. Broad St.• Phila. PA 19145
www.SenatorFarnese.com
8016 Bustleton Avenue Philadelphia PA 19152 215-695-1020 Open Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 5 PM
Sen.Mike Stack SERVING THE 5TH DISTRICT
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Some political observations as we enter the dog days of summer. It’s starting to look like a reality sitcom rivaling “John & Kate plus 8” in the GOP judicial race. Let me explain. Superior Court JUDGE MAUREEN LALLY-GREEN recently announced she is moving on to greener pastures. This leaves an opening
tial replacement. This presents a dilemma for Republican State Committee which must pick the Lally-Green replacement on the ticket. What about local and City Committee favorite JUDGE PAUL PANEPINTO? Paul’s refusal to exit the Supreme Court primary contest, despite prodding from the RSC, has resulted in some ruffled feathers between City Committee and State leadership. Tension was compounded when City Committee decided to snub State Committee by
supporting Judge Paul on sample ballots last May; cutting eventual winner and State-endorsed candidate Orie-Melvin. What to do? On the one hand, Paul has statewide recognition, the ability to raise money is from the East, and he already has an election apparatus. On the other, Paul has bucked the wishes of the State Party not once, but twice. I actually admire Paul’s tenacity and guts to run. Rumor has it, however, the RCC’s disobedience in this
manner was seriously frustrating to State Committee. Can they nudge Judge Paul back into the fold while reestablishing Party discipline? Seems smart and fair to me but, then again, my pachyderm brain is the size of a golf ball. The Loyal Opposition has a full slate this week. Be sure to attend this Saturday, 11:00 at Liberties Restaurant, 705 N. 2nd Street, for “How to Win Elections Using the Other Team’s Playbook” with (Cont. Page 36)
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
(Cont. from Page 4) ness will be to redistrict the Senate with 1,200,000 more Democrats than Republicans in the state. Remarkably, 30 out of the 50 Senate Districts are occupied by Republicans. STATE SEN. MIKE STACK was complimented by Alan Butkovitz for the excellent job his ward did in bringing in enough votes to make the 58th Ward the second-best in the City. Only JOHN SABATINA’S 56th Ward had a better result.
for our Superior Court slate this fall, bringing our total team to seven candidates. All of them, JOAN ORIEMELVIN (Supreme), TEMP SMITH, JUDY OLSON and SALLIE MUNDY (Superior), PATTY McCULLOUGH and KEVIN BROBSON (Commonwealth) are from the Western part of the state. Lally-Green’s departure leaves a hole, not only in Superior Court but also in a lopsided ticket, heavily representative of the West, which must now include her poten-
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City Hall Sam Elephant Corner
Happy Mother’s Day Dont forget To file your Taxes Or any other message Constituent Service Office
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page 8 The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Boise Butler President Jack Hatty Vice President Martin Mascuilli Secretary-Treasurer Rozell Randolph Recording Secretary Albert Howlett Business Agent John Lafferty Business Agent Darryl Larke Business Agent John Mulgrew Trustee
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John Gindville Trustee Virgil James Sergeant-At-Arms Keith Browning Sergeant-At-Arms
The fact that the Delaware River runs through our area has allowed all of us who live nearby the opportunity to reap tremendous benefits. We pay lower fuel costs because refineries along the river receive oil tankers directly and refine locally. We pay lower prices on imported goods that are unloaded and delivered locally because of reduced transportation costs. The cost to local exporters who ship on a global scale are reduced and the jobs that are created from all these cargo movements are generally high paying and family sustaining. The best news in the last twenty years was that the 45"Main Channel Deepening Project was agreed to. When this project is complete, larger vessels will traverse the Delaware River, further reducing shipping costs based on more cargo tonnage on a single vessel. This agreement was long overdue and we have a great many people to thank for their insisting that this project finally begin. The Governor of Pennsylvania, the Honorable Ed Rendell must be thanked first for taking a stand and demanding; that this project move forward. Without his insistence, this project would not have happened We must thank the Governor of New Jersey, the Honorable John Corzine for recognizing how viable this project is and that his state already enjoys and will continue to enjoy the benefit of having a deeper Delaware River border its shore. We want to thank Congressman Bob Brady and US Senator Arlen Spector for funding the project when know one else would. We would like to thank PA State Rep. Bill Keller, Capt. Mike Linton and the Board Members of the Maritime Exchange for working tirelessly and continuously in support of the Deepening Project. We would like to thank all of the members of ILA Local 1291 for their continued support and for getting involved in community affairs and for allowing us to become a more recognized political voice in both PA and NJ. What the maritime community now needs to do is support the development of the Naval Business Center as a world class marine terminal fully utilizing every available acre for receiving and delivering cargo of all types, from around the world.
Chairman, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority mence this vital project. Soon, the Port will be able to welcome the new, larger cargo vessels traversing the world’s shipping lanes, which will significantly increase jobs, business revenues, and produce many other economic benefits. We’re all very excited as this complicated project finally nears fruition. Thanks to the continued support of the administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, we’re also excited about a variety of port-improvement and expansion projects on the horizon. Principally, the long-gestating Southport project will likely see major advancement in the coming months. This project aims to significantly increase our container- and
general-cargo handling capacity via the construction of a new, modern marine terminal just south of the Walt Whitman Bridge. At a time when other ports are cutting back, I’m pleased with Gov. Rendell’s support we’re able to make this major leap forward. Throughout this supplement, you’ll read about other bold plans, and about some recent successes. I hope you will particularly notice, as I have, how well our private sector works with the port and other public sector interests to keep our port productive, efficient, and forward-thinking. So many of our successes involve a proactive private business investing its resources in activities involving port operations
and port activity, resulting in exciting business opportunities and labor-intensive port activity. The network of private businesses surrounding and participating in the Port of Philadelphia’s efforts is second to none. What is my final message to all our supporters, whether they’re private citizens, political figures, business advocates, or one of our many other constituents? Appreciate your port. Not every region has a powerful economic generator like a major American seaport. And in today’s challenging economic climate, an asset like the Port of Philadelphia means more than it ever has. Enjoy this year’s port supplement and have a great summer!
Message from James T. McDermott, Jr. Executive Director Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Welcome to the 2009 edition of the Philadelphia Public Record’s annual supplement about the Port of Philadelphia. Even with the economic downturn facing our nation, the Port of Philadelphia remains busy, optimistic, andmost importantly- productive. Cargo vessels come and go every day at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, Tioga Marine Terminal, Pier 82, Pier 84, and Piers 78/80. The world’s goods continue to arrive on our doorstep and – more and more – our own goods go forth to the world. You will read a lot about the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s major initiatives and plans in this year’s supplement, and my Chairman, John Estey, will single out the biggest of those plans in his own message to you. Briefly, then, I want to do something else in the few words left to me here. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the port of Philadelphia’s labor force. Our labor force is truly the lifeblood of this port. We can have all the operating appropriations and capital dol(Cont. Page 12)
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
I am pleased to greet readers of the Philadelphia Public Record who are taking the time to review this year’s supplement about the Port of Philadelphia. I hope you will be as pleased as I am about everything our port staff, terminal operators, port businesses, and other participants in our waterfront endeavors have accomplished in the past year. As you will see in these pages, even in these tough economic times we’ve made many strides, and we intend to make even bigger ones in the coming months. Our ongoing plan to deepen to the Delaware River from 40 to 45 feet will most likely become a reality in the next several months when the first dredge vessels will com-
Page 9
We Remain A Busy Port
Message from John H. Estey
I am proud to have been able to help
The Port Of Philadelphia grow these past years and pledge to continue to do so at every opportunity in the future
Congressman 1st District Paid for by Committee to Elect Bob Brady
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Robert Brady
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
page 10
INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMAN’S ASSOCIATION • AFL-CIO
DISTRICT COUNCIL of PHILADELPHIA/WILMINGTON LEE W. COLE, JR. President
317 South Heald Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 40036, Philadelphia, PA 19106
JAMES LACY Vice President JAMES DUGAN Secretary/Treasurer
Office: (215) 426-9898 Fax: (215) 426-9978
www.phillyrecord.com
THE UNION THAT BUILT THE PORT LOCAL 1291 LOCAL 1242 LOCAL 1242-1 LOCAL 1566 LOCAL 2064
LOCAL 1694 LOCAL 1694-1 LOCAL 1883 LOCAL 1884
JAMES H. PAYLOR, JR., VICE PRESIDENT, I.L.A. ROBERT GLADDEN, JR. VICE PRESIDENT, A.C.D. I.L.A.
tive Officer Alberto Aleman Zubieta and PRPA Chairman of the Board John H. Estey signed the document aboard the Moshulu, the beautifully restored fourmasted sailing ship that now serves as a restaurant at Penn’s Landing. The memorandum will spur trade, increase communication and informationsharing, and promote the use of waterborne commerce from the US East
Coast via the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal expansion project consists of constructing two new sets of locks – one on the Pacific and one on the Atlantic side of the Canal. Each lock will have three chambers and each chamber will have three water reutilization basins. The program also entails the widening and deepening of existing navigational channels in Gatun Lake and the deepen-
ing of Culebra Cut. The end result will allow for increased traffic, wider ships, and double the capacity. The project is expected to bring larger ships to US East Coast ports. In anticipation of that, PRPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers are planning the deepening of the Delaware River shipping channel to 45 feet. The work is scheduled to begin in late summer.
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
The Panama Canal Authority and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, which manages the publicly-owned port facilities along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week in anticipation of an increase in trade when the expansion of the Panama Canal is completed in 2014. ACP Administrator and Chief Execu-
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Panama Canal Widening To Increase Port Business ---Estey Signs Memorandum With Zubeita---
Planners See Port Food Distribution Center Growing Rapidly Key To I-95 Traffic proposal warns. This dramatic increase in truck traffic would have a negative economic impact on Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and other areas from Maine to Florida. The DRMEC team’s proposed MH-1 would create a major hub port where cargo could be transferred quickly to smaller American-built ships, possibly built by the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, which can serve all East Coast ports. The Navy has said its “National Defense Features” program could help pay for the building and operating costs of these vessels, the proposal said, citing testimony by a senior defense official. Having a fleet of American-built cargo ships, designed for both efficient commercial transport and rapid military deployment, would meet the military’s needs more efficiently and at less expense than the aging existing fleet. Many of the ships designed for the larger Panama Canal are already being built. The proposed MH-1 concept is a far less-costly and more-efficient option than either dumping cargo onto I-95 to go north and south from Norfolk or making the costly improvements so other ports can handle the big ships. In some cases, bridges would have to be rebuilt to allow the big ships into additional ports.
UNDER AEGIS of Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, the $218.5 million new Food Distribution Center steel frame is going up rapidly. It is on schedule and is expected to open as new state-of-the-art home for Philadelphia’s produce wholesalers on Jul. 20, 2010. The MH-1 concept was developed in consultation with the military, which spends $300 million annually, by its own estimates, to keep aging and idle ships ready to meet urgent needs of the nation’s troops. The DRMEC proposal said these idle vessels are less sophisticated than what is needed today. Many are long past retirement age and the cost of keeping them docked at deepwater berths will rise as population growth creates additional demand for waterfront property, the DRMEC proposal said. The proposed “marine highway” would also strengthen the US shipbuilding industry, which employs more than 85,000 people directly and buys goods and services from thousands of companies. “The industry is also vital to national security. Without it,
the nation would be at the mercy of giant foreign shipowning companies for supporting its troops in times of hostilities,” the proposal said. The marine highway would make the US more competitive in the global economy. “The cost of shipping by truck is widely expected to keep rising, elevated by a continued truck-driver shortages, rising fuel prices and the cost of maintaining and operating cleaner engines. To remain competitive in a global economy, the nation needs strategic waterborne alternatives such as we propose to develop,” the proposal argued. The marine-highway concept benefits the military because it keeps American-built ships close to domestic military-supply depots and therefore can be available for rapid deployment weeks sooner than
ships on international routes. “With the expertise and experience on our team, the ships can be designed to meet the military’s needs for size and types of cargo, as well as secure monitoring of shipments,” the proposal said. In contrast, most existing commercial container ships cannot handle roll-on/roll-off, or RO-RO, cargo, as well as containers, the proposal said. The proposal also provides detailed descriptions of the facilities and skills available at the seaport terminals on the Delaware River which play a key role in both commercial and military shipping. These ports have superior rail and highway access and workers trained to handle wide varieties of military and civilian cargo, the report said. “Our team has demonstrated expertise in moving
both civilian and military shipments for which a high level of precise planning, coordination, and security are required. We have already developed inland corridors linking key military installations and a strategic intermodal hub in Ohio to the sea. We have worked with military commanders, logistics managers, technology experts, ship operators, and both lawenforcement and intelligence authorities. We understand how to take costs and risks out of logistics while keeping agile, how to use systems management, smart technology and human cooperation to make our nation more secure and highly competitive in a rapidly changing global economy,” the DRMEC proposal said. “We have the expertise,” the proposal said, “to create critical flexibility for these uncertain times.”
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The Delaware River Maritime Enterprise Council – in collaboration with companies that have expertise in technology innovation, shipbuilding, infrastructure integration, transportation and logistics – has submitted a comprehensive proposal to create jobs at the port and avert a massive increase in congestion on Interstate 95. The plan, called America’s First Marine Highway – MH1, was prepared in response to a request from the US Dept. of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. The DRMEC-coordinated team includes The Howland Group, Inc., SeaWitch Global Shipping and Logistics, LLC, the Boeing Co., American Shipping Co., Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and Philadelphia-based Barthco, a division of Ozburn-Hessey Logistics. The already-costly congestion on I-95 will become much worse after the Panama Canal is expanded in 2014 to allow massive cargo ships to bypass West Coast ports and sail directly to the East Coast, the MH-1 proposal warns. Only one East Coast port, Norfolk, is currently able to handle these large vessels. So cargo that is now carried to East Coast regions by rail and truck from the West Coast ports will be dumped onto Interstate 95 if no dramatic changes are made, the MH-1
page 12 The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Dependable Distribution Services Columbus Boulevard @ Porter St Philadelphia PA 19148
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Keeping Cocoa in Philadelphia Pier 84 Is On The Job
McDermott Reports On Port’s Strengths (Cont. from Page 9)
lars in the world. We can have major business commitments by the world’s busiest ocean carriers. But without the men and women who daily work at the Port of Philadelphia in so many vital capacities, our entire operation would grind to a halt. Nobody offloads containers, or handles fruit or forest products or project cargo or cocoa beans, better than our port labor force. The expertise, enthusiasm, and loyalty of these diverse individuals is truly something to behold. I want to thank each and every one of the men and women who are out there on the waterfront during the frozen days of January, the dog days of August, and every other day, keeping our port productive and moving forward. All of us in the maritime industry truly appreciate your efforts. I hope Philadelphia Public Record readers find value in this year’s supplement and continue to support the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s efforts to assure the Port of Philadelphia remains one of the busiest and most productive ports on the US East Coast.
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River to 45 feet will require the users of the Delaware River to review the capabilities of their pier structures at the deeper dredge depth," says Leslie Hudson, sales and marketing partner at Hudson. "Our staff of certified inshore hydrographic surveyors, dredging consultants, and marine engineers will be ready and available to assist the port community with these consulting engineering services." The dredging of the Delaware River will increase business in the maritime community in a number of ways: reinforcement and expansion of pier facilities for the deeper dredge depths will provide new construction jobs; deeper draft vessels will bring additional cargo to the port and provide new jobs; and the deeper channel will attract new carriers to the port, which translates into more jobs. "The bottom line is the
deepening of the channel is about jobs and economic growth for the region," Hudson said. Hudson Engineers builds on over 120 years of experience and is one of the mostrespected names in ports and harbor engineering. It provides clients from Canada to the Caribbean with designs for new construction and rehabilitation of all types of port and marine-terminal facilities, including piers, wharves, loading platforms, and mooring structures. It has extensive experience in recreational marine facilities such as ferry piers, marinas, boat ramps, boardwalks and fishing piers. It frequently handles timber, concrete, and steel structures and has been at the forefront of designing composite-materials construction systems. It also covers cathodic protection and, in some instances, historic preservation.
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
If there is a go-to engineering firm when it comes to dredging, New Jersey-based S. T. Hudson is that company. Hudson has been assisting clients with dredging projects over the past 40 years. Its services include pre- and postdredge hydrographic surveys, Federal and State permits, and structural evaluations of the effect deeper dredge depths have on pier structures. As well as dredging, Hudson recently worked on a rehab project at PRPA's Pier 80 at the Penn Warehousing and Distribution Center. Pier 80 South had a localized failure on the out-shore section of the pier. Hudson's engineers performed a divers' survey, completed designs, acquired State and Federal permits prepared construction documents, and conducted inspections for the rehabilitation of the pier. "Deepening the Delaware
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S.T. Hudson Engineers Ready To Aid In Dredging
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page 14
For three decades Barbara Hunter has been an artful crusader for the port. She’s always working to expand the maritime business, solve problems, explain opportunities and nurture effective working relationships. This goes on over lunch with clients at La Buca, giving a speech to the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association in Santiago, getting government regulators what they need so commerce can keep flowing,
and working to get more space and expand the port’s critically important fruit business. “Whatever she does,” says port veteran Dr. Ray Heinzelmann, “it is always with a smile.” “Our region couldn’t have a better ambassador,” added Robert W. Palaima, president of Delaware River Stevedores. “She’s always on top of her game, able to advise customers about latest regulations and interpret them in terms they can
understand. She’s very detailoriented. She always follows up. In an age where people talk a good game, she not only talks well, she performs.” By all accounts, she always reflects a spirit that helps people work together to attract and hold business, graciously and artfully doing things that earned her this year’s Seaman’s Church Institute Spirit of the Port Award. “Barbara is the one person that keeps the fruit trade com-
ing to the church,” said Father Jim Von Dreele, Chaplain at SCI. “She is such a gracious woman, she provides great leadership to the port.” She began her career in the port as a young executive with Western Fumigation, a unit of Western Industries, Inc., in Parsippany, N.J., a familyowned company she joined in 1976. She came to Philadelphia seeking to win a slice of the growing winter-fruit import business. Serving her
company’s interests as well as the port’s, she has worked on many fronts to help this critical part of the local maritime economy navigate through perils and storms, and keep growing. In doing so, she has played a key role in adding thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars to the region’s economy. Her port resume has since grown long. In 1993 Barbara was the first woman named to the board of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay which was formed in 1875. She continues her service as a member of its Executive Committee and as chair of its Membership Committee. The Chilean Exporters Association honored her in 2005 “for her valuable contribution in the development of the Fresh Produce Industry.” The Women’s International Trade Association gave her its Outstanding Achievement Award in 2002. In 2000, she became the first woman to receive the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce “Friend of Chile Award.” In 1997 the port honored her for helping build the technology and information systems needed to increase and sustain cocoa-bean imports. Barbara has also been active in other areas – for example, she’s been a long-time and honored leader of the Center for Hope Hospice. In the midst of con-
tentiousness, business and political rivalries, Hunter stays focused on work that needs to be done – deepening the shipping channel to 45 feet, improving safety and security and nurturing cooperation among veteran workers and young people starting careers on the river. She talks optimistically about how the list of port challenges continues to grow, and how the port needs to reach out to schools, to create scholarships and attract young people to the maritime industry. The port needs to attract and develop people who can build new relationships overseas and gain the knowledge it takes to remain agile enough to keep our maritime businesses healthy. The safety of seafarers who help keep commerce flowing requires constant vigilance and hard work, she said, adding, “Seafarers really put their lives at risk when they talk to authorities about the acts of pollution they have seen.” She believes what’s needed will happen here. “We do work all up and down the East Coast, from Florida to Maine,” Hunter said. “Throughout it all, I’ve never had the experience I’ve had on the Delaware River. It’s not that we don’t have problems. We do. But I mainly see a sense of community I don’t see elsewhere. People work together here.”
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Barbara Hunter: A Gracious Crusader For The Port
BARBARA HUNTER receives 2009 Spirit of Port Award from Father Jim Von Dreele, Chaplain at Seaman’s Church Institute.
ment mandatory measures and consider additional elective measures to reduce their carbon footprint. Helene Brennan, PE, LEED AP, whose Leadership Circle project concerns “Going Green,” is coordinating Urban’s participation. “Brennan’s hard work in the Leadership Circle and her dedication to making both Urban and our community a better place has resulted in Urban’s increased dedication to conserve resources,
A PROTOTYPE commuter rail car arrives at Tioga Marine Terminal. More and more, manufactured rail cars move in and out of port’s facilities.
reduce waste, recycle, and reuse materials,” Gabor said. Some of the programs Urban has already implemented include: recycling cell phones, batteries, toner cartridges, and computer hardware; joining and promoting the use of Philly Car Share and encouraging mass transit usage; purchasing "Energy Star" computers and monitors; utilizing teleconferencing and "webinars" for meetings; using "E-Copy" and pdf files to reduce paper use; and providing LEED training to staff. Urban currently has more than 20 accredited LEED AP professionals on staff, with an additional 30 people studying to take the exam in the next few months. LEED® stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a performance-based rating system for green buildings
established by the US Green Building Council. LEED is the benchmark for green buildings, and covers all aspects of a building, from materials to energy, water, and building operation. Gabor says Urban understands designing and building using green practices, including LEED certification of buildings, is the wave of the future and it is committed to using these practices. Urban’s MEP Division recently completed design work for the US Airways Ground Service Equipment Building at Philadelphia International Airport. This effort assisted the client in receiving 19-ofa-possible-19 design credits toward USGBC Silver certification. The Seaman’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey named Urban Engineers’ steady leader Michael J. Gabor, PE, chairman of its board of di-
Urban Engineers focuses on environmentally friendly projects. rectors, the organization announced recently. Vice President of Urban’s Marine Engineering Services Division, Gabor filled the vacancy left by outgoing chairman, John Maier, effective June 2006. A registered, professional engineer, Gabor joined Urban in 1992 after a distinguished career that included 25 years with the J. E. Brenneman Co. where he started as a project engineer and became president of the Foundation Division of this former engineering and maritime-contracting company.
Gabor, a 1961 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Highway Engineers, Mariners’ Advisory Committee of the Bay & River, Port of Wilmington Maritime Society, and the Society of American Military Engineers. He also serves on the Board of Directors of both the Port of Philadelphia and Camden Maritime Society and the Philadelphia Maritime Academy Charter School, Inc.
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Mike Gabor says Urban Engineers is thrilled to be a charter member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program, a new initiative to have local offices reduce the impacts of their practices on the environment. Urban, VP of Urban’s Marine Engineering Services Division, said Urban has joined 32 other Philadelphia-area businesses that have committed to imple-
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Urban Engineers: Green Focus
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page 16
Adding To The Port’s Capacity
ALL EYES look to Southport Marine Terminal to arise from these abandoned finger piers at southern tip of Port adjacent to Naval Base. PRPA has set into motion machinery to make it happen soon.
Working In Tandem For Port
CLOSELY WORKING for betterment of Port of Philadelphia are PRPA Board Chairman John H. Estey and Gov. Ed Rendell, who has shown his support in every way from successfuly pushing for dredging of Delaware and for giving Port needed State appropriations.
PHILADELPHIA Regional Port Authority publishes PortWatch magazine quarterly, designed to keep Port’s Maritime community in touch with events as well as inviting them to submit news items. Editor is Joe Menta.
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the average tanker was 650 feet long. Today they average 900 feet.” There are fewer ship movements today – 650 a year, down from 1200 – but the volume of cargo they move is huge. All of it passes along a two-lane channel before nestling against a dock, and all these trips and dockings are controlled by PABRD pilots. Containerization has swept the shipping industry during Capt. Linton’s career, revolutionizing the stevedore process … and contributing to a dramatic growth in volume of international trade. A generation ago, half the ship didn’t have radar. Today, “bridge-to-bridge” communication links all vessels on the river with shore and with each other. “Advances in navigation have led to increased safety,” Capt.
Mobile Cranes Speed Cargo
CAPT. MICHAEL LINTON … not out of sight. Linton says. “Which is succeeded.” good, because with vessels The deepening of the of ever-larger size, there can channel makes possible more be no such thing as a ‘small valuable development along accident.’” the riverfront. The planned Technological progress Southport facility, beside the transformed the nature of Navy Yard, has up to 800 river commerce in many acres of land available for ways on Capt. Linton’s the next generation of cargo watch, some of them pio- vessels. To be most effecneered, in fact, by the Pilots tive, Capt. Linton argues, Association. “It was our own we must envision today what Joe Bradley who developed maritime commerce 30 years the portable pilot unit 15 hence will look like – and years ago,” Capt. Linton re- build for it so we can claim lates. “Our association was our share of it when it arthe first in the world to be rives. carrying laptops on the job.” Philadelphia’s port should But the biggest transfor- play a growing role in a mation of the river Capt. world future limited by Linton has been involved in … is just about to begin. That is the deepening of the channel from 40 to 45 feet. “I have fought the good fight for 20 years to win this major improvement,” Capt. Linton says. “It is vital to In office for one month, the stewardship of the re- Capt. Jim Roche is nevergion’s economy as a whole, theless a familiar face on which is the inescapable mis- the Delaware River. sion of the Delaware River The new president of the ports.” Pilots Association of the Capt. Linton praises the Bay & River Delaware has disciplined, harmonious and been an active pilot since determined teamwork that 1989 and a leader in the Aswon approval for the deep- sociation. ening project, against powerHe chaired the Mariners ful political opposition by Advisory Committee from rival ports – New York in 1997 to 2001 and remains on particular – that were hoping it today. This body brings to eat Philadelphia’s lunch. together representatives of “Sen. Arlen Specter and port authorities, shippers Congressman Bob Brady and handlers to discuss have been great proponents safety issues along the river. of dredging,” he says, “and In the life of the port, Sen. Bob Casey is getting a safety comes first, Capt. good education. But without Roche says. “The stakes are Gov. Ed Rendell’s strong ad- too high for all involved,” he vocacy, we would not have insists. “Too many lives and
shrinking supplies of petroleum. Waterborne shipping is inherently the cheapest way to move goods, so major port cities are a vital environmentally sensitive solution to transportation needs in the era of global warming. In a future of high fuel prices, Capt. Linton proposes, Delaware River traffic can do more than carry goods around the globe; it can haul them up and down the I-95 corridor. “There once were active coasting cargo lines up and down the Eastern Seaboard,” notes the Captain. “Eventually their business was taken away by trucking and rail. But if society makes the right investments, this low-cost transportation can return to useful life.” “Ours is a unique fraternity,” explains Capt. Linton. Pilots are rare creatures: individual practitioners trained and linked by a guild that doles out jobs in strict equality. Their craft bestrides both public and private enterprise in a complex partnership wherein neither side can succeed unless both sides always win. Careful collaboration is the essence of the
pilot’s skill – coupled with the courage to make swift solo judgements on behalf of safety. Labor unions are another inextricable part of this team, Capt. Linton notes. “The needs of the port are vital not only to the International Longshoremen’s Association, but to the Teamsters as well,” he points out. “Organized labor is our friend and has always worked with us.” Capt. Linton speaks with pride of PABRD’s record of diversity. During his tenure as president, the Association increased the number of women and minorities on the river. For the next few months, expect to see Capt. Linton around his home near West Chester, Pa. more than usual. Retirement enables the Captain to take a break and he will, he insists. But he has no intention of retiring from the public life of the port. His knowledge, his expertise and his followthrough will stay active in the public debate over the development of Philadelphia’s maritime future for the century to come.
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
by Tony West One of the steadiest hands on the Delaware has set aside the most important tiller on its waters. Capt. Michael Linton, for 14 years president of the Pilots Association for the Bay & River Delaware, retired this spring from that position after a distinguished maritime career stretching back into the 1960s. Known for his level head, even temper and encyclopedic grasp of port business, Capt. Linton led the band of 76 professionals who alone make it possible to run an industry worth up to $1 billion that docks from Port Richmond to Wilmington. Capt. Linton piloted the Pilots Association through an era of momentous changes. “When I began on the River, we were still handling ships from World War II,” he recalls. “Back then,
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With the Pilots: Stepping Down, Capt. Linton Retires
It’s Safety First With Capt. Jim Roche
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One of two mobile harbor cranes that now regularly service cargoes at Pier 82 and Tioga Marine Terminal. PRPA purchased these cranes to bolster its already-efficient complement of container cranes.
CAPT. JIM ROCHE …eye on safety. too much money are involved agent for its member pilots, for us not to take the utmost collecting fees and handling care in our operations. And their benefit packages. that care is achieved by conA native of Long Island, Capt. Roche is a graduate stant collaboration.” Safety will continue to be of the SUNY Maritime Colhis driving concern as pres- lege at Fort Schuyler, N.Y. ident of PABRD. The Asso- He makes his home in ciation also acts as business Chester Co. today.
page 20 The Public Record • June 11, 2009 www.phillyrecord.com
Now It Begins: Hows And Whys Of Dredging; by Tony West If all goes as planned, the first Delaware River dredging contract will be solicited by the end of this month. It will be awarded in September and the work will be underway before winter begins. This beginning will mark the end of a process that began in 1983, when the US Congress ordered a study of whether it would be advisable to deepen the Bay & River shipping channel to 45 feet.
The answer turned out to be yes. What ensued was a generation of engineering work, environmental investigation, business analysis, financial maneuvering, governmental negotiation – and often-fierce political contention. That’s over now. It’s time to dig. Ed Voigt of the US Army Corps of Engineers explains, “A Pre-Solicitation Notice is out on the web right now. We
don’t do this for most projects. But for deep-channel dredging, the supply-anddemand imbalance is large. So we want contractors to begin advance planning on their bids right now.” The first phase of the project will cost up to $25 million. ACE has $5 million in hand, Voigt says, while Philadelphia Regional Port Authority is prepared to spend perhaps another $20 million. The exact amount is unclear
at this time. “It will depend on the available mix of public dollars,” says Dan Fee, spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell’s Office that oversees the State commitment of this costshare project. Overall, the channel-deepening is to be paid for 75% with Federal money and 25% with State money. But as the Federal portion isn’t fully geared up yet, Rendell is moving aggressively to launch the project by freeing up as much
Commonwealth financing as possible. During six years as Governor and eight previous years as Mayor, Rendell has never wavered from his commitment to the channel-deepening. His support has been unflaggingly bullish – even bull-headed when necessary, as on occasion it was. “This project will have an incredible economic impact,” Fee states.”It will provide a minimum of 15,000 new jobs,
by the economic expansion of the Port itself as well as for all the vendors involved in construction. “Shipping continues to be an incredibly important economic driver,” Fee continues. “Our Port not only needs to be competitive, it needs to grow. “Without a doubt, this project would not be happening without the active support of the Governor.” (Cont. Next Page)
will be overseen by Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. This firm is one of the nation’s leading port designers. It provides comprehensive engineering oversight of the entire channeldeepening project, serving as technical consultant to Gov. Rendell and PRPA. Since port expansions happen only once in a long while in the life of any port, it makes no sense for port authorities to employ staff expertise in such issues. That’s where Gahagan & Bryant comes in. It maintains offices in eight major port cities on two coasts, including one in Philadelphia and one in Wilmington, Del. The Delaware channel project has a five-year plan authorized by ACE, explains Bob Callegari, chief of Gahagan & Bryant’s Philadelphia office. The initial phase of dredging will take place in Reach C, which is south of Wilmington. It will require removal of 2.6 million cubic yards of material, an important chunk of the total of 16 million cubic yards that will eventually come out. “However, this part is simpler and easier,” Callegari says. “Other aspects will be trickier. Just upriver, around Marcus Hook, is 75,000 cubic yards of rock. That’ll have to be blasted.”
The first dredged material will go to upriver. Silt will
go to the Delaware portion of Killcahook Disposal Area.
This is 1300 acres of marshy (Cont. Page 22)
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deepening would cause no environmental harm that could not be mitigated. In April 2009 an update confirmed that opinion, saying, “Based on the information presented in this Environmental Assessment … any changes to the project or changes to the physical conditions where the project will be constructed would have no significant, adverse effects on the human environment, over and above the potential environmental effects already addressed in the earlier EIS, SEIS, and ROD. No significant adverse environmental effects are expected to occur as a result of the issues addressed in this EA. “The Corps is committed to work closely with Federal and State resource agencies, prior to and during project construction to continue monitoring and collection of additional environmental data, provide relevant supplemental information as needed, and to apply adaptive management and best management practices as appropriate.” That assessment listed 14 Federal and State environmental tests that the project had passed; four more are still in process, with various New Jersey and Delaware agencies. We still have to complete coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service,” Voigt notes. “That has to do with short-nosed sturgeons especially and might affect certain methods of rock blasting. We have to complete some clean-air compliance. As far as I know, the environmental issues are either stuff we’ve already done or intend to do.” Dredging is not inherently environmentally risky work, Voigt continues. “Dredged material is not contaminated. It is perfectly safe when placed where it’s going to be placed. There have been spots where some metals are above residential levels; all that means is, don’t reside on it.” And dredging for channeldeepening isn’t strikingly different from dredging for channel maintenance. “We actually do this every year,” Brennan points out. Once the dredging begins, it
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
(Cont. from Prev. Page) No one man, no matter how powerful, could deliver such a complex deal, though. Solid lobbying by allied transportation industries and labor unions was effective in securing a united bipartisan front of elected officials in Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Jersey. In March 2009 the PENJERDEL Council, a leading business advocacy group for the tri-state region, came out strongly in support of the channel-deepening project, citing its impact on job creation and overall economic development for the region. “Members believe if the tristate region is to remain competitive with other East Coast ports it is imperative that our facilities and waterways accommodate and attract today’s modern large cargo vessels,” PENJERDEL Council Executive Director Andrew L. Warren wrote in a letter sent to area members of Congress and other elected officials. “On behalf of the hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women who are employed in tri-state port-related industries, the PENJERDEL Council encourages your support of the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project.” For the past 50 years, PENJERDEL has been at the forefront of support for a number of important projects in the tristate region with significant impacts on infrastructure, transportation, recreation and conservation. “The PENJERDEL Council represents major business interests through the tri-state region, so this endorsement means so much to the PRPA and our allies,” said PRPA Chairman John H. Estey. “While the project has been repeatedly vetted and found to be economically sound and environmentally responsible, there’s nothing like independently-minded business people coming forward and saying that channel deepening needs to get done.” Still to be settled are some residual environmental issues. After exhaustive study, ACE concluded the dredging and
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What To Do With The Material When Dredged
page 22 The Public Record • June 11, 2009
“King of Cocoa” Harvey Weiner Grooms An ‘Air’ To His Throne
“KING OF COCOA” Harvey Weiner and his “Prince” Ari Weiner, seen here at the DDS Pier 84 Offices, talk about adding services to their cocoa distribution center.
by Rory G. McGlasson Harvey Weiner, president of Dependable Distribution Services, is best known in the maritime community as the Delaware Valley’s “King Cocoa”. That’s because DDS brings in the cocoa beans that are shipped to the likes of Hershey Foods, Bloomer Chocolate, Wilbur Chocolate, Mars and Food Process International. If the port was worried about what would happen if the Cocoa King ever left the
building, please don’t, because there is a Prince at DDS. Ari Weiner, 28, is Harvey’s eldest son, and he is in charge of accounting and human Resources at DDS. Under Harvey’s tutelage, Ari is learning the ropes. Ari is helping his father put together a strategic vision that will give added value to DDS in the shape of containerized coffee. But until then, the Weiners will continue to rule over the water with the trade they made their name in: distributing cocoa.
Weiner has aided the port in garnering its reputation as the number-one destination in the USA for imported cocoa. It helps that over half of the USA's cocoa-grinding capacity lie within three hours of Pier 84. Weiner said DDS has handled more ships at the Pier 84, but less tonnage in the last couple of years; ships with a capacity of 10,000 tons may come in with only 3,000 tons. One of the largest vessels to ever dock at Pier 84 dropped in April, bringing with her 18,000 tons of soft and long cocoa beans. Weiner is a strong supporter of the World Cocoa Foundation which aids cocoa farmers and their families worldwide. WCF programs raise farmer incomes, encourage responsible, sustainable cocoa farming and strengthen communities. “It helps us all grow in the global economy in which we now live,” Weiner said. Weiner notes the cocoa industry is changing. It has consolidated, and the middleman
has been taken out of the picture at trading houses in places like New York, so DDS now brings product directly from its origin. That means more trips overseas for Weiner. He says he learns new things on each trip; he then passes on his knowledge! Weiner is a board member of the Maritime Academy. He brings in local students to the cocoa-bean warehouse at Pier 84 where he discusses issues important to ocean transportation of cocoa beans and the cocoa trade in general. DDS sees a bright future in cocoa-bean industry but Harvey, along with his son Ari, is going nuts for coffee at the moment! Without divulging too much information, he said, “There are six to eight roasters in Philadelphia,” Harvey Weiner says. “And once the region gets it Board of Trade certification, we can start looking into adding value services like containerized coffee.”
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Dredged Material Useful (Cont. from Page 21) land on the New Jersey side of the river – but 500 acres of it are, by an odd twist in the river’s meandering history, legally a part of Delaware. Unless your second car is a dredge, you will find it very hard to visit Killcahook. At different places in the river, dredges will be removing rock, silt, clay, sand and gravel. I-95 in Delaware was built with sand and gravel from the Delaware River, for instance. In other areas, dredged material has been used for wetlands restoration, wildlife preserves and beach-erosion repair. Brenna observes, “Not only is there not negative impact from dredging, it can have a significant positive impact.” The channel must be designed for safety, Callegari says. “Different bottom conditions require different safety margins,” he details. “If you’re working with rock, you want a 3-foot draft for vessels over that rock. Silt is softer and less dangerous to a ship’s hull, so you can get away with 1 foot of draft.”
The Delaware Channel, when built in the 1940s, contained 16 turns. Today’s ships, both deeper and longer, require new channel engineering, chiefly in the turns. Twelve of them will have to be brought up to size by widening them. But those are the only places where width is going to matter, Callegari says. “Those engineers of the ‘40s had tremendous foresight,” he notes with admiration. “They built a roomy two-lane channel that goes from 450 feet in width upriver to 1000 feet in the Bay.” Scheduling is a crucial part of project planning. “You never want to stop a dredge once you start it, until the job is done,” states Callegari. “But most common environmental impacts have to do with seasonal migrations of birds and fishes. So we work very closely with environmental experts to make sure a given dredging contract begins and ends in a window that will not adversely affect wildlife.” So the five-year plan begins.
ing related projects. With over 80 engineers and support personnel located in offices in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Del., Baltimore, Md., Wilmington, N.C., Tampa, Fla., Houston, Tex., Vancouver, Wash., Los Angeles and San Francisco, GBA is strategically located to provide diverse theoretical and practical knowledge along with technical expertise to meet each client’s needs. Dredged material is a resource that is being used in a variety of constructive ways. Beneficial uses of dredged material include both commercial applications and environmental restoration. GBA has been at the forefront of developing beneficial uses for this significant resource. It has designed several beach restoration projects, while playing an integral role with the Beneficial Uses Group in Houston. This collaboration of the Port of Houston Authority and the Corps of Engineers, as well as
environmental and public-interest groups, is dedicated to using the dredged material from the maintenance of the Houston Ship Channel for beneficial purposes. This project has utilized dredged material for a bird island reserve, a recreational boaters’ island, and in the creation of a new marsh habitat. GBA is dedicated to discovering new and innovative ways to use this valuable resource in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. When designing a dredging project, GBA includes the analysis and evaluation of all material to be dredged in order to determine the best dredging and placement methods to meet the project requirements. For example, at the Pier 400 Dredging and Landfill project in Los Angeles, GBA determined the equipment and methods most suitable for the selective dredging and placement of 10 classifications of materials to meet the project objectives.
GBA is thoroughly familiar with the environmental issues and requirements often associated with dredging and marine construction projects. In many of our projects, we routinely address environmental concerns, permit requirements, or regulations involving dredging operations or dredged material manage-
ment. Its personnel understand the intricate detail of a dredging project, what is needed to obtain a permit, and what it takes to work in today’s ever-changing environment. GBA specializes in the design and management of placement areas and the development of long-term man-
agement plans for existing placement sites. These include: Open Water Sites Shoreline Sites Beach Nourishment Projects Upland and Island Containment Sites Design and management are crucial in determining (Cont. Page 29)
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. is a unique engineering firm that specializes in providing consulting and engineering services for variety of projects, including port development, dredged material management, hydrographic surveying, coastal engineering and construction management. The firm was founded in 1975 by William Gahagan and J. Franklin Bryant, two engineers each of whom had compiled 25 years of hands-on field experience with major dredging firms operating throughout the United States, South America and the Middle-East. Its associates and staff have gained their skill and experience through years of service with major dredging, marine engineering, water resource development and construction firms as well as through direct participation in the scientific community. GBA has over 30 years of hands-on experience in all types of dredging and dredg-
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Gahagan & Bryant: Top Of The Dredging Game
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
DRS TOP management team gathers in Northern Liberties HQ: from left, Tioga Terminal Mgr. Patrick Kryszczak, President Robert Palaima, VP Dennis Latina and VP Roger Youngren. RO-RO (roll on, roll off) big business all the time in the and containerized goods are Port of Philadelphia, now one specialty. Fruit handling dredging is almost ready to – Philadelphia has an East- go. After the dredging will Coast lock on winter-produce come the big ships – and with imports – is one industry that them, a place to berth them. is unlikely to see any down- For the most part that will be turn in demand. DRS is in the yet-to-be-built Southdeeply experienced in break- port, on hundreds of acres bulk cargoes like cocoa beans near the Navy Yard. and plywood. It has special DRS is one of two finalists facilities for outsized and for development of this mamheavy cargoes. moth facility, the other being An interesting new line of a bidder associated with Holt. trade may soon open up in The details and size of military goods. “DRS just got Southport are still in hazy preits ‘CAGE’ code from the liminary-planning stage. Dept. of Defense,” says VP Palaima is hoping the planRoger Youngren. “The Tioga ners think big. “In order to be Terminal is an option for ex- viable for generations, this port cargo, mostly vehicles.” project needs to have the That’s one line of motor-vehi- largest footprint possible,” he cle production that is holding asserts. up firmly at the present time. One of the major chalFor many years DRS had lenges met by DRS over the been stevedoring the Philadel- last 12 months is the stepping phia Cruise Ship Terminal at up of port security. Federal the Navy Yard. In 2008 the TWIC rules went into effect a company took over complete few months ago requiring management of that facility, every person entering a port giving it a dramatically differ- to hold a special ID card. It ent service line. Last year 11 was a staggering change for cruise ships departed from the busy docks that needed to Philadelphia, mostly sailing process thousands of truckers the Bermuda run. This year, from all over in order to move with luxury vacations off a the goods. bit, eight are planned. “We’re still wrestling with A cruise ship is a steve- TWIC on a day-to-day basis,” dore’s championship event. A says VP Dennis Latino. “But ship typically comes in at 7 it’s gotten much easier now. a.m., 1000 passengers will We’re up to 95% complidebark by 8 a.m., with all ance.” their baggage. A new It wasn’t so easy at first. shipload of people may be To sharpen the edge a little, showing up by 2 p.m. for an the TWIC regs went in at the evening departure. peak of the fruit season. As Planning for the future is fast as they could be trained,
special escorts were dispatched to usher unaccredited truckers into the terminals. Meanwhile, PRPA and DRS officials worked feverishly to educate customers about the new Federal regulations. “US Coast Guard Commander David Scott made it clear he was there to make the program work, though,” relates Kryszczak. Today TWIC implementation is an ever-fainter background hum at the port, which is now guarded by an added layer of safety as a result. DRS works with three dozen major steamship lines and hundreds of truckers at its facilities. Some of its biggest shippers are DelMonte Fresh, CSAB, Rickmers Linie, Clipper, Hyundai Merchandise, STX Panocean, SAFMarine, Swire and Hoegh – an honor roll of maritime commerce. Palaima expects port activity to dip further this summer but, he predicts, “After that we will return to stronger conditions.” DRS is braced for significant expansion in the years to come. “The world is still interdependent and there will be an increasing need to move goods in great quantity,” Palaima states. “Maritime shipping is the greenest possible method for doing so.”
DRS Mission Statement --It Does What It Says-Our mission is to receive the enthusiastic response of DRS customers every time we load, discharge, receive or deliver their cargo. promise to be respectful and timely in our communication as well as thoughtful in our decisions. We will conduct our business with integrity, bringing to all tasks the wealth of our experience, knowledge, and sense of responsibility. Customers are at the core of everything we do. Our services and processes will continually evolve to add value for our customers and to meet all of their particular cargo handling needs. Beyond being the stevedore or marine terminal operator of choice, we are champions of their interests, promising to see issues through their eyes. The loyalty of customers is our finest reward. We measure and treasure those relationships not by the vessel or the season, but by the decade, and for as long as we are in business. We believe in the inherent worth of all the people at DRS, both management and labor. We strive for waterfront workplaces where safety, opportunity, diversity, teamwork, accountability and sense of purpose combine to provide rewarding employment experiences that promote fairness, dignity, wellbeing and respect for all who earn their living with us. We are one company, one team in multiple locations along the Delaware River. The communities of Camden, Philadelphia and Wilmington are our neighbors; their acceptance of us is vital to our ability to operate. As a critical measure of trust, we will protect the health, safety and environment of our communities in all we do. Our business opportunities arise from every corner of the globe. We will honor our relationships with those who let us be part of the world by promoting international trade in ways which fulfill human needs and enhance human potential. We promise to be respectful and timely in our communication as well as thoughtful in our decisions. We will conduct our business with integrity, bringing to all tasks the wealth of our experience, knowledge, and sense of responsibility.
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by Tony West Business is cyclical, as the port’s leading stevedoring and marine-terminal operator knows from more than 100 years of experience. Steering their industry through a downturn in global trade is a challenge Delaware River Stevedores, Inc. has faced before; now it’s facing it again. But the Port of Philadelphia has a better story than ever to tell. With channeldeepening to start this fall, and the development of vast new state-of-the-art facilities at Southport for the next generation of cargo vessels, the Delaware River is well situated to change some major shippers’ long-term trading patterns. So a recession is a good time to go selling, says Robert Palaima, president of DRS. “I just returned from a shipping conference in Europe,” Palaima says cheerfully. “Kissing a bunch of frogs, hoping one of them will turn into a prince.” Business has actually held up well on the Delaware this year. Despite all the scary headlines, Palaima says, traffic is off only about 6% here, compared to 20% at other ports. In some areas, business has improved nicely. “We just finished up the Chilean fruit season at the Tioga Marine Terminal,” says Terminal Mgr. Patrick Kryszczak. “We were up 15% from the year before, to 10 million cases.” And shipping from neighboring Argentina is becoming a second profit center. Its Southern-Hemisphere apple and pear shipments, which come in from Mar. 1 to Jun. 1, have soared by 50% to 1.1 million cases. Diversity, one of the Port of Philadelphia’s traditional strengths, makes for a safe harbor in a recession. And DRS is designed around diversity. Its five facilities – in Port Richmond, the Navy Yard, Camden and Wilmington – can handle a wide range of cargoes.
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DRS
Designed For Diverse Cargoes
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
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Seaman’s Church Institute
Union Labor...
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Building it right for a better and stronger community!
KOREAN SEAMEN FEEL AT HOME WHEN DOCKING IN Port Of Philadelphia due to efforts of Seaman’s Church Institute staffers. by R. George Linton If you’ve never visited the Seaman’s Church Institute just off of 5th & Spring Garden Streets, then put it on top of the ‘must-visit’ places to see in Philadelphia. This 167-year-old institution is a national treasure. However, SCI doesn’t seek high praise or high accolades in public for the work it does; it just goes about making sure each and every dockside visitor is taken care of, no matter what ship they docked in from. Under the leadership of Father Jim Von Dreele, SCI takes care of the human needs of seafarers visiting our port and makes it possible for them to get some muchneeded relief from shipboard life. “We have a strong leadership with all 18 terminal operators at the Port,” said Father Von Dreele. “SCI deals with all three Port authorities and they all support what we do here at the Institute.” Father Von Dreele says the Institute provides a broader service to the community than just its chapel and places of worship. Stevedores and unions use the building for meetings; all three local port authorities use the facility for dredging meetings, for example. Father Von Dreele has been with the Institute for over 12 years; before that he was parish priest, serving 20 years in Pittsburgh and five years in North Jersey. SCI has 13 fulltime staff
members and five chaplains from various denominations. SCI fulfills a number of different roles that are vital to the regional economy, our country’s security, and sustainability of the marine environment. Since 1843 SCI has been meeting the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of seafarers. A Seaman’s Church chaplain or Ship Visitor greets each of the more than 1,800 ships docking each year in our region, offering hospitality and support services to 65,000 mariners annually. While seafarers’ lives have changed during the last century, their needs and problems have not. Most young seafarers today are from poor, developing countries who join a crew to lift their families out of poverty, see the world and acquire valuable work skills. Yet they face 9-10 months per year of isolation, long, hard days in difficult conditions, and a lack of contact with loved ones. SCI staff and volunteers greet the seamen, determine and then work to meet their needs. Services to help the seafarers take many forms, including: Providing visiting seafarers transportation to area retailers who understand and meet their unique customerservice issues Offering seamen a way to contact home using phone cards or the internet Supplying them warm clothes from its Clothing Bank
Offering seamen recreation and a warm gathering place Providing counseling Conducting worship services and Bible study Helping resolve shipboard problems and conflicts through mediation and advocacy The maritime business community and cargo flowing through our port on the Delaware River is a vital economic engine for our region’s economy providing tens of thousands of well-paying jobs in the Delaware Valley. SCI serves the port community in a number of important ways. By caring for the needs of visiting seafarers, SCI stands in as their de facto Human Resources Dept. on the Delaware, handling morale issues no other entity can address and keeping commerce on the river running efficiently and safely. The SCI center provides a (Cont. Page 27)
SCI Senior Ship Visitor Mesfin Ghebrewoldi with TWIC Card. He had help from the Institute.
available to foreign seafarers. This additional security measure has exponentially increased the demand for SCI’s transportation services and the cost to SCI to meet that demand. Access to shore leave is more than a convenience for seafarers. It is necessary for the maintenance of good mental health, morale and alertness of seamen on board ship. More than half of the vessels on the Delaware are oil tankers. Consider for a moment the human and environmental impact of a tanker accident on the river due to an overly stressed crew. The US Coast Guard agrees: Access to shore leave is now mandatory as a safety issue on the river. For the last four years SCI has supported 10 crews that have been detained in the Philadelphia area as material witnesses in shippollution investigations.
These 8-10 month detentions are extremely hard on these courageous seafarers and strain SCI’s resources in providing for their welfare during their stay. Seamen are most often the prime witnesses who reveal pollution violations like dumping oily sludge at sea. They face tremendous risks such as blacklisting and threats to their personal safety when reporting these violations to the U.S. Coast Guard. Their decisions are routinely based on a moral decision – to preserve the environment. SCI works diligently with partners such as NAMEPA, the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association, the American Club (A Marine Insurance Group) and others on implementing various programs and initiatives to educate seafarers and the maritime industry on environmental issues.
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
(Cont. from Page 26) gathering and meeting place for the maritime community, fostering the cooperation essential to run and grow port business and in turn create more jobs for the region. Rev. Von Dreele serves as chaplain to the port, offering assistance and pastoral support when and where needed to the entire maritime community States. Working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, Father Von Dreele, lead the effort to write new shore leave protocols that provide for both security against terrorism, as well as shore-leave access for foreign seamen. To go ashore, seafarers must now be escorted through the terminal by a TWIC cardholder. A TWIC card is a security credential issued by Homeland Security to Americans. SCI’s Ship Visitors are most often the only TWIC escort
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...A Real Blessing For Port
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
page 28
plans for the Port of Baltimore, Maryland and the Port of Houston Authority. These kinds of studies take into consideration technical, economic, environmental, regulatory, and public-interest issues, while also exploring the options on how best to serve the needs of the client. GBA’s work to develop a new Dredged Material Containment Facility for the Port of Baltimore at Masonville, which will subsequently become available for port expansion, is a good example of this process. GBA has a broad range of experience and background in hydrographic surveying throughout the major port areas in the United States, with primary emphasis on port and offshore navigational channels, dredging projects, harbor and river surveys and beach surveys. GBA maintains a fleet of 10 fully equipped survey vessels. It has experience in all methods of surveying from leadline/tagline to the latest
automated electronic DGPS. As innovators, GBA introduced multi-beam survey technology to the dredging industry. GBA’s Survey Divi-
sion Manager has, for the last 15 years, been the instructor for the Corps’ Hydrographic Surveying Course, training and certifying the students as
Inshore Hydrographers. Its specialized experience and technical competence record is documented by the longterm relationships and the is-
suance of repeat contracts for the performance of surveys of Federal projects at several US Naval Facilities and for nu(Cont. Page 30)
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
(Cont. from Page 23) the success of a dredged-material placement area. GBA personnel have gained firsthand practical experience on a daily basis through the design and management of sites such as Hart Miller Island and Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Pelican Island in the Galveston Bay in Texas. These sites are representative of GBA’s work and success in this field. The capacity of a placement site is dependent upon how effectively it is designed and managed. GBA brings together expertise on material placement, proper de-watering techniques, material-compaction factors, and appropriate site maintenance. This experience can maximize the capacity of a site. GBA has been responsible for contributing to a Long Term Management Study for the US Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District’s dredging activities. In addition, GBA also created the dredged-material management
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GBA’s 80 Engineers Know Delaware River’s Obstacles
James J. Anderson Construction Company, Inc.
Salutes
The Ports of Philadelphia Its Employees & Jamie McDermott 6958 Torresdale Ave., Phila., PA 19135
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For their contribution to the region
The Public Record • June 11, 2009
page 30
GBA Has History In Reclaiming Shorelines
PRPA Executive Director James T. McDermott, Jr. talks about importance of maintaining clean port operations during a recent “Greenports” news conference, which included representatives of Philadelphia and southern New Jersey port interests.
(Cont. from Page 29) merous Districts of the USACE. GBA has extensive experience in beach nourishment, shore protection, structural design and land reclamation projects throughout the nation. GBA’s personnel, through their broad experience in the marine industry, bring unique skills in various aspects of coastal engineering. This includes coastal reclamation, wave modeling, coastal-structure design, sediment-transport estimates, and project modeling. Its coastal engineering projects are often performed in support of major coastal and waterfront-development projects, including the planning and design of ports, harbors and marine terminals. Its firm understands the requirements for waterfront projects, and is innovative in formulating and implementing successful solu-
tions in this environment. GBA is thoroughly familiar with the design of navigation channels, turning basins and berthing areas and have been actively involved in designing ship channels for the US Navy at various locations throughout the country. These include the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Naval Weapons Station Earle at Sandy Hook, N.J.; and Naval Air Station North Island at San Diego, Cal. GBA has also designed ship channels for various port authorities including the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Maryland Port Administration, Delaware River Port Authority, Port of Houston Authority, Port of Oakland and Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. GBA has performed supervision and inspection services on a large number of the proj-
ects, which the firm has designed. In addition, GBA has provided third party inspection services for several ports, state agencies, and US Army Corps of Engineers Districts. GBA personnel have experience both with engineering design and operating equipment so that we are able to provide thorough knowledge of all aspects of construction, inspection, and management. GBA’s background as contractors and as engineers in all types of dredging operations provides personal and valuable insight into the actual costs of dredging. Most of our projects require cost estimates of one form or another. GBA has prepared and presented reports detailing feasibility-level studies, Drivers & Driver Trainers Wanted! Consistent Freight, Top Pay & More! Werner Enterprises 1-888-567-3106
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environmental documentation, project-justification reports, design-level technical reports, and post-construction monitoring reports as part of our everyday business for the majority of projects GBA has engineered. GBA has designed and prepared plans and specifications for dredging projects ranging from marinas to major navigational channels, to land reclamation, and coastal-restoration projects. Gahagan & Bryant’s Philadelphia office is located at 3460 N. Delaware Avenue, Suite 304, Philadelphia, PA 19134. Its office number is: (215) 425.6283. For more information, visit www.gbainc.com.
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
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page 32 The Public Record • June 11, 2009 www.phillyrecord.com
SCI Has New Chapel Opening The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) will dedicate its newly constructed Chapel of the Redeemer located inside the SCI Center next Thursday. The dedication will be held on Thursday, at the Seamen’s Church Institute 475 N. 5th Street. The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. with reception to follow. Now available to visiting seafarers, the maritime industry, All Souls’ Church of the Deaf, and the local community, the Chapel of the Redeemer provides a tranquil sacred place to renew oneself. Since 1843, SCI has been caring for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the seafarers whose labor improves the quality of our lives. “This has been a sixyear planning process; and it finally came to fruition,” said Father James Von Dreele. “Studies have shown seafarers really want a place of prayer when they dock at ports; they want to be spiritually reconnected. “They are either working or sleeping on the ship. If we can bring a moment of grace to their lives with a chapel, then that’s one other thing we can do for them at the Institute.” The $900,000 chapel includes office space for its 13-member staff and meeting place for the community. For more information, please call Ronnie Barlow (215) 940-9900 x106 or email barlow@sciphiladelphia.org with names of attending guests and contact information.
SEAMEN’S Church Institute will dedicate this new Chapel of the Redeemer which will provide solace to hundreds of s e a m e n around the year.
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
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page 34 The Public Record • June 11, 2009
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
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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
darn shame, especially as it snuffed out the life of a young man PETER LYDE, JR. I am deeply saddened for “Big” PETE LYDE, and of course, his wonderful wife HON. JACQUELYN FRAZIERLYDE, Judge of Municipal Court. I also want to extend my condolences to his “Grandpop” SMOKING JOE FRAZIER. This young man PETER LYDE, JR. was not even the intended victim in this horrendous shooting that took place in a local bar. He was, in fact, just hired as a SECURITY GUARD for their Grand Opening. Yes, he’s another INNOCENT VICTIM! Snooper’s HELP WAN-
COLLIE. Back in the day, when firewagons were drawn by horses, someone brought along his dog, and he rode in the firewagon on the way to a big fire. The dog was A DALMATIAN. Here is a fact not too many people know. THE DALMATIAN DOG was
once used to herd livestock. It also was used to herd these horses to a safe place, until the fire was under control. Now you know why, JOE, they are revered “ICONS” of every firehouse today. All right, “JOE-BAG OF DONUTS”, can you top this?
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The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Snooper WARNING and ALERT: Last week, I told you about these “roaming gangs” and they have struck again. I’m telling ALL OF YOU these scumbags are DANGEROUS and VIOLENT, and they seem to be ‘striking’ anywhere and anytime. The POLICE really need your help to try and nip this issue in the bud. Yes, it seems they are hellbent on DESTRUCTION and also TROUBLE, until they’re stopped. Please, we need your help. Let THE POLICE know as soon as you see them getting together. These “roaming gangs” are all over this City, and guess what? I wouldn’t be surprised if your neighborhood is next on their agenda of DESTRUCTION and VIOLENCE. Look out for them! THE INTERNET has done it, and GOD knows where is next. Snooper TRAGEDY Bureau: Yes, this is one that really ‘hits home’ and it’s a
WAFFLEMAN, here’s one for you. Did you ever wonder why THE DALMATIAN DOGS were known as “THE ICON” for all the FIREHOUSES? Yo JOE, check this out. When one thinks of herding sheep, you automatically think of THE BORDER
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Snooper
TED: Our friend JOHN McNESBY, President of the F.O.P. Lodge 5, really needs help from us, ALL OF US. The Philadelphia Police Survivors Fund is in serious jeopardy and, I might add, is running very low. This fund is responsible for the paying of all Police Funerals, and also aiding the families of those Police Officers who were killed “IN THE LINE OF DUTY”. If any of you might be so inclined to help, PLEASE send your generous donations to The Police & Fire Credit Union. You may call them at (215) 267-2284426; ask for JIM. Let me tell you, this fund also sees to that their youngsters have and enjoy a CHRISTMAS PARTY; this happens every year. Show them WE CARE! Snooper’s F.Y.I. Files: Hey
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page 36 The Public Record • June 11, 2009
Out & About Every year, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists has its annual awards banquet. This is the time we take to honor the organization’s founders, the city’s journalistic trailblazers, and the print and broadcast journalists of the year. This year’s honorees include late WCAU and KYW-TV anchor Jack Jones, CN8’s Arthur Fennell, Philadelphia Daily News columnist Jenice Armstrong, 6ABC’s Lisa Thomas-Laury, and Clear Channel’s Lorraine BallardMorrill. This year’s banquet will be held on Saturday, Jun. 13 at the CBS-3 Building on Spring Garden Street. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased through any PABJ member or via Pay Pal. If you’re looking for something to do on Sunday
morning, you can head to the Odunde Festival, which takes place at 23th & South. Or at least it’s scheduled to. As of yesterday, Odunde organizers found themselves over a barrel: If they didn’t come up with a $27,500 deposit, the City services they need to put the festival on aren’t going to be there. Apparently, it costs the City $85,000 for that. This has been a bad year for citywide traditions. The Mummers Parade was almost scuttled due to costs for City services. If an angel investor hadn’t stepped in for last weekend’s TD Bank Bike Race, college boys in Manayunk would have had to find another reason for a marathon drinking session. Even Welcome America! is looking kinda weak. And Unity Day, an annual festival
Sheriff Green’s Important Steps to Saving Your Home Step 1: Assemble your current financial information, and call your lender.
Step 2:
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
Step 3:
If you feel uncomfortable handling mortgage negotiations, consult a professional housing Counselor
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Take time to carefully investigate the offers you receive to avoid becoming a fraud victim Sheriff John D. Green Philadelphia
that turned the Benjamin Franklin Parkway into a carnival where you could get good music, good food and good information, has already been cancelled. So it makes sense Odunde would be hit by the fact the City is broke. It’s a familyrun enterprise that is more a cultural celebration than anything else – a hard sell in this economy. But my hope is like the Mummers, and the TD Bank Bike Race, Odunde can find an angel to save it from extinction. I say this because there aren’t a whole lot of things that go on where African culture is celebrated without a whole lot of silliness. While Unity Day was something that we all went to, it was becoming more a marketing tool for Clear Channel radio than a cultural celebration. Odunde, for the most part, is still pure. I’m hoping Public Record readers (especially the elected officials that read this column and that I always bump into there) will make sure it goes on by going to Odunde’s headquarters at 2308 Grays Ferry Avenue to drop them off a few bucks. Let’s face it folks; nothing in life is free, especially good cultural learning experiences. If we can pay to watch men parade in dresses while playing banjos, we can pay for a 34-year-old cultural experience that brings the city international recognition.
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.
Waffleman Yo! Here we go again with this easy question – do you remember listening to the radio? Now I don’t mean listing to it as you drive to and from wherever in your auto. I don’t mean listening to music on your favorite FM station or following the news on the news station. I mean listening to those wonderful shows that were on AM radio. A while ago AM radio was an 'everybody' thing – it had something for all. Let me bring back some memories to explain. Most stations were not on the air all day. They usually shut down around midnight – turned off their transmitters – turned off the lights – locked the doors and went home. Somewhere around 6 a.m. the stations signed on again with a morning prayer broadcast or with a snappy radio personality who brought their listeners the news, weather reports, along with some ‘important’ stuff one might need for the day. The morning shows were mostly soap operas – with a noon news show. During most of the early afternoon hours, there were more soap operas for the ladies and also the “Arthur Godfrey Show”. His show featured his stories, interviews with invited guests and Arthur’s homespun commentary. Around 4:30 the kids got their shows. There were 15-
Elephant (Cont. from Page 5) BRENDAN STEINHAUSER of Freedom Works. Also, join radio talk show star DOM GIORDANO at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia, 215 S. 16th Street, next Tuesday, Jun. 16 where he will discuss “The Power of Talk Radio”, $20 at the door with hors d’oeuvres and plenty of fellow Elephants to chew the fat. A hearty “well done” to MARC COLLAZZO’S team at the LO. Revitalizing the party one day at a time!
minute serials that always ended with one wanting to hear how that cliff-hanger turned out – but could only find out if one tuned in tomorrow. The Lone Ranger and Tonto were very popular. At 6 p.m. it was time for Dad to listen to H.V. Kaltenborn, Edward R. Murrow as he reported the war news from London, and Walter Winchell who verbally jabbed the politicians and crooks with his unique brand of patter. “Information Please” and “Dr. I.Q.” got the grey cells moving.
Then there was Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. After dinner there was “Inner Sanctum”, “The Shadow”, Red Skelton, Baby Snooks or “Fibber Magee & Molly”. Years ago I bought a copy of the “War of the Worlds” which was recorded from the Oct. 30, 1938 presentation of “The Mercury Theater”. I told my boys – then 5 and 6 years old – that we were going to listen to the record – in the dark. We did and my sons were truly amazed. They wondered how that record was able to create so many images in their minds.
Walk In’s Welcomed A.J. Sbaraglia & Toni
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time in the Mural Arts program, where he’s a silver member.” I notice the imaginative mural on the side of the building depicts the Mummers and members of the neighborhood. Greeter Connie Gonski fills me in on some of their fundraisers. “We wanted to bring awareness to the issue of hunger. We sold a lot of chances for a gas grill that Coca-Cola donated, and we washed cars, too. All the employees participate.” I was at Snyder Plaza last Saturday because I had to buy a new pair of walking shoes. There I was attracted to a crowd of people munching on hotdogs and cupcakes, mingling with costumed characters, getting faces painted and dancing to the music provided by mobile disc jockey Sneaker Pete Thompson. Sneaker Pete, who also has a caring attitude and spirit, told me the Colligas family is right up there when it comes to community involvement.
Operations Mgr. Dennis Siwak, Chef Bob Chermak, Greeter Connie Gonski, DJ Sneaker Pete Thompson, employee Saroya Ware, Cracker Jack, Anthony Foster “I’m providing the music at Keebler Elf, Chipper, the least twice a year for these Herr’s mascot, Sally Utz, and events. In July, they’re hav- ShopRite’s own Scrungee ing another party for Alex’s Bear. I ask Siwak who is Lemonade Stand. They’re manning these costumes? very good citizens.” “Our vendors lend us the outChef Bob Chermak brings fits and then our store emme a grilled sausage with tri- ployees who fit into them, get colored peppers on a long roll to wear them.” and bottle of water. It’s deliShopRite Supermarkets are cious and really hits the spot. the heart of Philly. I mean, “ShopRite donates all the who doesn’t love their canfood and also the vendors do- can sales? And their organic nate. All the money goes to section is very nice. “We conthe charity.” Walking around sider ourselves to be the the carnival-like atmosphere neighborhood store,” coare oversized familiar icons owner Jennifer Bond enlightsuch as Cracker Jack, the ens me.
The South Philadelphia Public Record • June 11, 2009
by Maria Merlino Some people get their picture in the paper after doing something wonderful for members of their community. The employees of ShopRite at Snyder Plaza did it one better, though. They got their picture on a box of Cheerios. I’m talking to Operations Mgr. Dennis Siwak about their fundraising efforts in support of National Hunger Action Month last September. “It’s part of the program that ShopRite has called Partners In Caring. Our store was in the top 10,” he tells me, beaming with pride. I’m informed the Colligas family, Jim & Susan Colligas and their daughter Jennifer Bond, own this ShopRite and have a philanthropic philosophy. Siwak advises me they are most generous. “The biggest thing here is to give back to the community. We support schools, PAL, the Please Touch Museum, soup kitchens and many other organizations. Jim is also big
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Doing It Right
Touring Point Breeze (Cont. from Page 1) ten community. The residences were thrilled to feel their little piece of the world was important enough to warrant a visit from their Mayor. Conversations along the walk touched on changing the outlook of this area, enhancing their business corridor, and developing abandoned properties and empty lots. The Mayor sat down after
his walk to share a lunch with community activists and neighborhood residents to further discuss ways to improve their community and change the outcome of their future. “It’s nice to see our Mayor is truly a civil servant who cares and shows compassion for a struggling area of the city he serves,” said John Carew, a longtime Point Breeze native.
Civic Group Celebrates B-Day by Sadie Agnes Southwark Civic Association celebrated its one-year anniversary this week with a neighborhood picnic at an empty lot it wants to make into a community center. The empty lot, at 9th & Sigel, is vacant. Now Southwark Civic plans to turn it into a recreational hangout. “We have four schools in our neighborhood, but no parks,” said Karen Brown, president of Southwark. “We need a place for our seniors, mothers with babies; just somewhere to hang out and play.” Southwark Civic has in its first year accomplished such
feats as closing crack houses and bars, adopting a school, opening a free gym, delivering baskets for the holidays and donating a sign for the front of a grade school. Many people were involved in its developmental year such as Councilmen William Greenlee and Bill Green, State Rep. Bill Keller, State Sen. Larry Farnese, DA hopeful Seth Williams, Judge Gary DiVito, Principal Jill Silverstein, and judicial hopefuls Adam Beloff and Angelo Foglietta. “It’s been fun!” says Brown. “But we have so much work together, and we’re just getting started.”
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LOCAL POINT BREEZE shop owners greet Mayor Michael Nutter and State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson as Mayor is given tour of neighborhood last week.
SOUTHWARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION celebrated its first birthday with block party for neighbors at 8th & Sigel Streets. Among guests were DA candidate Seth Williams and judicial candidate Angelo Foglietta.
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