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Vol. XIII. No. 34 (Issue 604)

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Better Than Sid Booker’s Shrimp!

August 25, 2011

Who’s Drawing Redistricting Lines In ’Burg?

Page 3

Why Council Redistricting Is A Tough Job Now you know why famous Shrimp Restaurateur Sid Booker wanted to hold Summer's PUBLIC RECORD photojour- End pool party. More pics Page 5. Photo by Robert Mendelsohn nalist Bonnie Squires interviews Leslie Stiles, board president of Penna. Conference on Women, on her local cable television show, “Bonnie’s Beat”, on Channel 21 which airs Mondays from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Show, produced at Radnor Studio 21, is carried by Comcast in Radnor Township, and by Verizon Fios along Main Line from Bala Cynwyd out to Paoli, including Broomall and Delaware Co.

Fighting For Stomping At Touching All Bases The MSB Gas Workers

PGW worker Mark Keeley, who died in an explosion responding to a gas leak in Tacony, has t-shirt modeled by his young cousin Julia Seiss for fundraising tournament in his honor. State Sen. Mike Stack is introducing bill to extend gas workers public-safety survivor benefits. More pics page 23.

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STUDENTS from Communities In Schools of Phila. Creative Kids Aftercare Center at William Dick ES, 2498 W. Diamond Street, strutted on Plaza at Municipal Services Building. They showcased skills students have been learning in afterschool programs and summer camps.

Photo by Robert Mendelsohn

Page 23

Public School Registrations On Now Page 5

Charter Change Drive Underway Page 2

NONE TOO YOUNG to be overlooked is Democrat 10th Dist. Council candidate Bill Rubin’s motto as he welcomes to office opening Mark Evans, 1 1/2 years old, with Vincent Evans.

More Pics Page 3

Learn About City Planning Page 2

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The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Page 2

Campaign Finance

Report

by David Lynn We admire your leadership, and all the initiatives you have undertaken since assuming office on Philadelphia’s City Council in 2000.

We really do. That is why you are the subject of today’s Campaign Finance Reporting column.

The Philadelphia Public Record is concerned your 11 years on Council should have given your campaign treasurers, the latest being Gail Scarborough, plenty of time to come to grips with the mundane realities of campaign finance reporting. It appears this is not the case.

So have your treasurer read this report. It is essential other candidates do the same, since to be forewarned is to be forearmed, which is important in these days when rules are constantly changing.

We have reviewed your 2011 cycle 3 report and find it lacking. In detail, that is.

Thirty-one of your 42 expense records lack any address information. You show $58,609.18 in expenses and $36,488.09; both lack these

details. That’s approximately 62% of your cash out.

We also note your treasurer doesn’t give employer addresses for any of your individual contributors above $250. Granted, you show a few who are “Retired” and almost everyone else is marked “Self”, but even if you take out the “Retired”, that leaves nine contributions totaling $5,875. We note one of them is an oral surgeon who gave you $375 (his office is easily found on the web.) Do any of the other folks have offices, or do they all work out of their basements?

Finally, for the eight people your treasurer does list as self-employed, none state the type of employment. Two of them are recorded as in Alaska. That’s either a heck of a commute, or the default state in the campaign finance software program your treasurer is using (two of your retired contributors are also listed as being employed in Alaska.)

We suggest you urge your treasurer to file an amended report !

Dear Councilwoman Reynolds Brown...

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, we love you...

We hope you do. Because, if you haven’t noticed, the political landscape is quite polarized right now, and Commonwealth law allows any five voters (any five — they didn’t have to vote for you) until Sep. 4, 2011 to petition Common Pleas Court here in Philadelphia for an audit of your latest report.

I’ve seen the audit standards the Commonwealth uses when they contract out to CPA firms for this. They are 17 pages long, and they

don’t miss a trick (and please note — it would be a CPA firm auditing your committee, not the City Controller’s office.) They take a very dim view of missing information on Section III of the report (Expenditures.) Let me know if you’d like a copy — I’d be happy to email them to you.

If it turns out that the audit was justified, your side pays for the audit. And we don’t want that. You’ve got better things to do with your time. So, please amend as soon as possible. Thanks!

NOTE TO THE ZERO CLUB: It appears as though there are some candidates and political committees here in Philadelphia who choose to file electronically without using their proper Filer Identification Number (FIN).

This seven-digit number identifies you and your text files on the Department of Records website. And when you use a “0” or nothing at all, well, this makes reporting on you more difficult.

But don’t worry.

After we import all the files for 2011 cycle 4, we

will identify all filers who appear not to know their proper FIN and create special databases for each of them. We’ll report our findings.

AND ONE MORE THING… A note about Stephanie Singer’s missing files — it turned out that they were there all along.

A vendor error caused them to get left out of the general data on the City Board of Ethics website.

While we regret the error, we do note the Singer campaign’s propensity to misfile, double-file, and flat-out not file prompted us to check her filings. We will do our best to be a better conduit of happenings at the Board of Ethics in the future, and certainly, we will keep you posted as to the filings of the Singer campaign.

(David Lynn maintains an SQL Server database with approximately 12,000,000 campaign finance records.

He also provides free software to run political campaigns. Email him at David@DAL-Services.com.)

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Home Rule Charter Campaign Gathers Signatures Philadelphia voters -- angry over DROP, escalating property tax hikes, and failing schools -- are now circulating petitions to put a Government Study Commission ballot question on the Nov. 8, 2011 election ballot.

A Government Study Commission is the municipal equivalent of Constitutional Conventions in Pennsylvania and is the first step to enact Home Rule Charters by municipalities’ electors.

Although Philadelphia has been long famous for electoral apathy, criticized by people ranging from 19th-century muckraker Lincoln Steffens to the current Attorney General, Eric Holden, the City Council’s recent renewal of DROP has created a perfect storm of voter discontent and a call for change.

Under Pennsylvania law, this process commences when

citizens circulate petitions to establish a government study commission, since usually the municipality won’t do it.

At least 20,000 registered electors’ signatures are required to mandate City Coun-

cil to create the Commission.

The petition drive, spearheaded by the Tea Party Patriots, has been joined by anti-machine Democrats and dissident Republicans, and scores of members of the

Black Clergy. The Pentecostal Church’s Clergy Political Action Committee was the first major Black clergy group to join in this effort.

The measure’s political future is unclear. While there is

no reason to believe the Democratic City Committee or the Nutter Administration are eager for such a Commission, they may not wish to invest energy campaigning against it.

Learn About City Planning The City of Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Planning Institute, the City’s first educational program designed to engage citizens in the city planning process, has opened the application process for its Fall 2011 Course series.

It launched as a pilot last fall and graduates from the first two course series — called “Citizen Planners” — are now using their knowledge and skills to create change in their own neighborhoods. Only 30 seats are available for each class to en-

sure a lively and interactive format for learning. The CPI is the formal education and outreach arm of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and its mission is to empower active and interested citizens to be more effective advocates in neighborhood and citywide planning issues.

The Fall Course of the CPI is made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation. The Fall series includes three elective sessions — Commercial Corridor Development, Preserving a

Sense of Place in Neighborhoods, and Greening Philadelphia & Greenworks on the Ground. Completion of the core course and two electives will earn participants a “Citizen Planner Certificate of Completion.”

Those interested in applying can find an application form on the CPI website, http://citizensplanninginstitute.org. Applications must be mailed, emailed, or faxed to the CPI by 5 p.m. on Sep. 15, 2011.

“The graduates from CPI’s

first year are already making a difference in their communities,” said Donna Carney, CPI director. “With the recent kick-off of the Philadelphia 2035 comprehensive plan and the anticipated reformed zoning code, it is more important than ever to empower Philadelphia residents to join the conversation about planning.”

The Fall course series begins on Oct. 5 and runs through Nov. 16. There will be an optional Course Project Workshop on Oct. 26.

The Philadelphia Public Record (PR-01) (ISSN 1938-856X) (USPS 1450) Published Weekly Requested Publication ($30 per year Optional Subscription) The Philadelphia Public Record 1323 S. Broad Street Phila., PA 19147 Periodical Postage Paid at Philadelphia PA and additional mailing office POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Public Record 1323 S. Broad Street Phila. PA 19147 215-755-2000 Fax: 215-689-4099 Editor@phillyrecord.com

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor & Publisher: James Tayoun Sr. Managing Editor: Anthony West Associate Editor: Rory G. McGlasson Medical Editor: Paul Tayoun M.D. CitiLife Editor: Ruth R. Russell Editorial Staff: Joe Sbaraglia Out & About Editor: Denise Clay Contributing Editor: Bonnie Squires Columnist: Hon. Charles Hammock Dan Sickman: Veteran Affairs Creative Director & Editorial Cartoonist: Ron Taylor Campaign Finance Reporter : David Lynn Photographers: Donald Terry Harry Leech Steven Philips Production Manager: William J. Hanna Bookkeeping: Haifa Hanna Webmaster: Sana Muaddi-Dows Advert. Director: John David Controller: John David Account Exec: Bill Myers Circulation: Steve Marsico The Public Record welcomes news and photographs about your accomplishments and achievements which should be shared with the rest of the community. Contact us by phone, fax, e-mail or by dropping us a note in the mail. If you mail a news item, please include your name, address and daytime telephone number so we can verify the information you provided us, if necessary.

The Public Record reserves the right to edit all news items and letters for grammar, clarity and brevity. ©1999-2011 by the Philadelphia Public Record. No reproduction or use of the material herein may be made without the permission of the publisher. The Philadelphia Public Record will assume no obligation (other than the cancellation of charges for the actual space occupied) for accidental errors in advertisements, but we will be glad to furnish a signed letter to the buying public.

commissions.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester) said the Commission is aware of concerns among Monroe Co. residents about not having effective representation with the six-way split in Senate seats. He said the commission will try to draw a plan that is fair.

The Commission’s approval of the data concerning the population of some 9,000 voting precincts was key because precincts are the building block of legislative Districts.

Pennsylvania’s population grew by 3.4% since 2000, meaning House lawmakers starting in 2012 will ideally represent about 2,000 more constituents than they did in the past decade and Senators will represent 9,000 additional constituents.

Mapmakers will look first at Districts with populations that are far above or below these ideal figures to determine if they have to expand or shrink in geographic size.

For example, Blake’s 22nd Councilman Bill

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LEANNA M. WASHINGTON DISTRICT OFFICE

1555-D Wadsworth Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 (215) 242-0472 Fax: (215) 753-4538 WEB SITE www.senatorwashington.com

CANDIDATE Bill Rubin answers questions from supporters Mark Evans, Charles Hope and John Donahue.

Dist. currently has about way to allow from the District 1,823 constituents above the population ideal, Pileggi said. ideal number, which is relaThat is done so the Comtively close to the mark, ac- mission can meet other imporcording to Senate Democratic tant goals to keep districts caucus documents. On the contiguous and avoid splitting other hand, the 20th Dist., municipalities among districts represented by State Sen. Lisa as much as possible.

Baker (R-Pike), which inState Rep. Sid Michaels cludes part of the Poconos, Kavulich (D-Lackawanna), has 19,000 constituents above said he hopes the plan adthe ideal number. But other dresses boundary splits infactors are at work. volving Carbondale, Moosic, The Commission will have Taylor and Clarks Summit. to determine how much leeCommon Cause Pennsyl-

State Rep. Cherelle

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FORMER Phillies ace pitcher Larry Christenson showed up to lend his support to Bill Rubin. vania has long complained states. But the redistricting of that partisan politics and a de- congressional seats is handled sire to protect incumbents also like a regular bill before the factor in the Commission’s State legislature. decisions. The Commission is For political junkies, the comprised of four legislative once-a-decade redrawing of leaders and Superior Court Pennsylvania’s legislative Senior Judge Stephen District lines means the balMcEwen in a tie-breaker role. ance of power for the next 10 Pennsylvania’s congres- years is the prize. Lawmakers sional delegation in Washing- have to create Districts with ton will decrease to 18 seats “ideal” populations of 62,573 from 19 seats because of the constituents for each House state’s low rate of population seat, up from 60,498 a decade growth compared to other (Cont. Page 4) R EPRESENTATIVE

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State Sen. Shirley M.

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215-227-6161

Open Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 5 PM

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www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

STATE SENATOR

Bill Rubin Opens 10th District Headquarters

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

A special State panel has approved the use of precinct population data, thus kicking off a months-long process to redraw the boundaries of State legislative districts so House lawmakers can ideally represent 62,500 constituents and Senators represent 254,000 constituents.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission has the job of approving a final reapportionment plan of the 203 State House Districts and 50 Senate districts before year’s end to reflect population shifts recorded in the 2010 census.

Candidates would then run in the newly redrawn Districts starting in the 2012 election.

The commission will decide such regional matters as whether to give Monroe Co. fewer than the six senatorial Districts it has now, or continue the long-standing tradition of a Senate seat anchored in Lackawanna Co. One Commission member, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), said he expects the 22nd Dist. represented by State Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna) will remain centered in Lackawanna Co. The seat was held for four decades by former State Sen. Robert Mellow (DLackawanna), who sat on several reapportionment

Page 3

House Panel Drawing Pa. Districts

Page 4

Philly YRs Regroup (Cont. From Page 3) ago, and 254,048 constituents for each Senate seat, up from 245,621 a decade ago.

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Green Party’s Rudnick Pushes Town Hall Sale

Green Party 8th Council Dist. candidate Brian Rudnick does not want to see the historic Germantown Town Hall at 5928 Germantown Avenue sold. He wants it to become a mini-City Hall, serving the Northwest. He sees its use as a District Council office and/or a small city services center.

Rudnick has experience in this area. He oversaw design and construction of a bookstore in the Reading Terminal Market, commissioned a concept design for a nursery to rehabilitate a PECO right of way at Ivy Hill & Stenton Avenues, and recently commissioned a feasibility study from Runyan & Associates for a

PHILA. YOUNG REPUBLICANS showed a vigorous growth in Party interest by reorganizing at SmokeEaters’ pub in Mayfair Tuesday evening. Turnout was strong as candidates vied for Board positions. Mayoral candidate Karen Brown, from left, congratulated new Board members Steven C. Boc (chairman), Jennifer Fail (events coordinator), Seth Bluestein (public affairs), Barry Scatton (political outreach), Phil Innamorato (vice chairman), Matt Gabor (treasurer) and Owen O’Connell (secretary). personal, potential building enue, on sale for $400,000. It project. He wants to see the offers 28,000 sq. ft. of vacant commercial space, zoned for Building kept intact.

The Philadelphia Industrial business with parking.

Santorum Seeks Development Corp. has placed Pa. $$$ Support the three-story, stone, Rick Santorum is hoping columned, Germantown Town Hall, 5928 Germantown Av- Pennsylvanians, who want to seek a favorite son in the President’s Office, will put their money up to help him in that race. The former US Senator scored 4th in the Iowa poll, Residential • Commercial • Industrial and will be visiting eight cities in the state looking for contributors.

2601 South Hutchinson St. Santorum will start Monday, Aug. 29 with events in Philadelphia, PA 19148 Philadelphia, the wealthy (P) 215-271-1282 Montgomery Co. suburbs, the (F) 215-271-6127 Gatewayelectricinc@verizon.net Lehigh Valley and the Scranwww.gatewayelectricinc.com (C) 215-778-6554 ton region. He’ll be joined at the latter event by freshman Congressman Lou Barletta, whose top adviser is a longtime Santorum confidant.

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Joe Sullivan www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

President

215.336.3333 Call For Union Discounts

Karen Brown Accomplished

The National Association of Professonal Women has informed Republican mayoral candidate Karen Brown she has been named a member of their association which highlights “the country’s most-accomplished women.”

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Al-Qa’ida Was Hacked!

by Peter V. Radatti CEO and President of CyberSoft Operating Corp. www.cybersoft.com When I report about hacker activity, it normally is against businesses or individuals who are then robbed of their money or against government agencies who are robbed of secret information. This time, I am reporting Al-Qa’ida was hacked. Yes, the infamous AlQa’ida was harmed instead of doing harm.

Its secure chat site was taken down along with two other websites, leaving it with no trusted means of communications on the internet.

In this case, no one has taken credit. But speculation is it may have been the United States or Great Britain, or a hacker named Jester who describes himself as a hacker for good. Al-Qa’ida will recover and either restore its websites or create new ones, but it must

have hurt to be hacked. In a small way, they got a taste of their own medicine.

Next is more hacker news.

Everyone knows the role of China in attacking United States internet computers. It is so common it is not even newsworthy. Recently, the Chinese newspaper Liberation Army Daily stated, “The US military is hastening to seize the commanding military heights on the internet, and aiother internet war is being pushed to a stormy peak.

Their actions remind us that to protect the nation’s internet security, we must accelerate internet defense development and accelerate steps to make a strong internet army.”

To rebut any claims that China is not hacking US systems, I quote from John Breeden II of Government Computer News magazine, who was the victim of the magazine’s test network’s being hacked.

John stated, “These attacks provided evidence that they were coming from China and were even tracked down to specific IP addresses in that country, mostly surrounding Beijing. Make no mistake: There is a coordinated and ongoing effort by groups of hackers to invade websites based in the United States.”

In the past, I spoke about the FBI’s Operation Phish Phry, which is a play on words, which went after con artists on the internet.

Con artists use a method of psychological manipulation called “phishing”, which is a play on the word “fishing”.

These crooks consider their victims to be fish they are trying to hook, but in this case they are the ones who got fried!

The IDG news service reported Kenneth Joseph Lucas II of Los Angeles was sentenced to 11 years for managing a phishing operation in conjunction with Egyptian hackers.

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Public School Registration On Now Each summer, neighborhood public schools are open to register students new to the School District of Philadelphia for the upcoming school year. Students who need to register include: those whose families are new to Philadelphia; children transferring from private, parochial and charter schools; kindergarten students who were not preregistered this past spring; and School District of Philadelphia students who moved to a new neighborhood over the summer.

Beginning now and continuing through Sep. 2, all District schools will be open for matriculation. Elementary and middle schools are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and neighborhood high schools are open for registration from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

On Sep. 6 and 7, high schools will also have regis-

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Constituent Service Office

State Rep. Rosita C.

STATE Rep. Jewell Williams, Democrat candidate for Sheriff in November election, quips with host Sid Booker and Mayor Michael Nutter.

GOP

(215) 468-2300 State Representative

RONALD G. WATERS 191st Leg. District 6027 Ludlow Street, Unit A

215-748-6712

State Senator

Larry Farnese First Senate District Tel. 215-952-3121 1802 S. Broad St.• Phila. PA 19145

www.SenatorFarnese.com

STATE REP. JOHN

SABATINA JR. 174th District 8100 Castor Ave Phila, PA 19152 T: 215-342-6204

tration hours after school from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

High-school students must accompany their parents to registration so the students may select courses.

In addition, the District is running a special registration program for new immigrant students. The program is available at two locations until Aug. 31. The locations are: the School District Education Center at 440 N. Broad Street and the District’s Wel-

come & Enrollment Center located at 2603 N. 5th Street.

The services are available on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Translation and interpretation services are available on site.

For further information the public is invited to visit the District’s Back to School 2011-2012 website located at www.philasd.org/students/ba cktoschool.

Senator Tina

Tartaglione 2nd Dist.

127 W. Susquehanna Ave. 1063 Bridge St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 Philadelphia, PA 19124

215-291-4653

215-533-0440

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

STATE REP. Dwight Evans holds up $33,700 donated for scholarships through State’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. To his left is Bob Keyes, of Enterprise, which helped raised scholarship funds working through Bridge Educational Foundation. Benefited to date have been 6,500 families, with students in over 500 schools across 52 counties.

Photo by Robert Mendelsohn

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

NO PARTY -- especially Sid Booker’s Summer’s End Party at his home -would be without plate of Booker’s famous shrimps. Here Mayor Michael Nutter receives a plate from host Sid.

Page 5

Leave Party Mix To Sid!

Inside Your Computer

Page 6 The Public Record • August 25, 2011

by Michael A. Cibik, Esq. American Bankruptcy Board Certified Question: Can I discharge payday loans in bankruptcy?

Answer: Payday loans are a form of unsecured debt, although many people believe these debts are secured. In fact, since the borrower is required to turn over a post-

dated check to the payday lender, most believe they can go to jail if they do not make good on the check or if the check bounces.

To be guilty of writing a worthless check, though, the person writing the check must have written the check with the intention of defrauding the party receiving the check.

Since the payday lender knowingly accepts a post-dated check, the lender knows the check is not good at the time it received the check.

However, payday loans, while marketed as loans to be used on a one-time basis, are in reality taken out by people when they are their most vulnerable and their most desperate.

The facts are as follows: The high interest rates (usually shown as a fee for bor-

rowing the money) make it difficult for borrowers to repay these loans. I personally have seen potential clients come in with fees that equate to interest rates of 425% to 600%.

Because they are difficult to repay, many consumers end up paying additional “fees” in order to roll the loan over.

These fees can often end up being paid several times for one loan.

Because of this, many consumers end up paying more in

fees than the than the amount they originally borrowed, putting them into worse financial shape then when they started.

Therefore, payday loans

can be included in your bankruptcy.

Next week’s question: Help! My car was repossessed!

Can bankruptcy help?

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Page 7

Our Opinion ...

No More Sacred Cows!

Our Legend... Joey Vento Dies

Aug. 26- State Sen. Shirley Kitchen and State Rep. Mark Cohen host Senior Day in Memorial Hall at St. William’s Ch., Robbins & Argyle, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free health screenings, breakfast and lunch. For info (215) 227-6161.

Aug. 26- Golf Outing fundraiser for Democrat candidate for 10th Dist. Council candidate Bill Rubin at Juniata

Golf Course, 1392 E. Cayuga St., registration 12:30 pm, shotgun start 1 p.m. $80 includes green fees, cart, refreshments and barbecue. For info Tom Dooley (267) 2465512.

Aug. 27- State Rep. Michelle Brownlee hosts Back to School Giveaway Kids Day at Strawberry Sq. Mall, 2901 Dauphin St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free school supplies, health screenings, entertainment.

For info (215) 684-3738.

Aug. 27- Mantua Community Improvement Ctr. hosts Family Day Festival at 34th & Mantua Ave., 12-7 p.m.

Loaded with family activities.

Letters • Letters • Letters Why No Coverage The Aug. 11 ”No Coverage” letter to the editor asks why the recent Israeli protest received less media coverage than the protests in Arab countries have received. The answer is the protests in the Arab countries led to violence (including rape) and many, many deaths.

On the contrary, the demonstration in Israel never

became violent. There was not one single unlawful incident.

This is not surprising, as Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East and demonstrations are freely allowed and rarely make the news.

Helen Stolker (ED. NOTE – 300,000 demonstrators in one place calling for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation is newsworthy).

Event is supported by Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell and others.

Aug. 27- State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson’s Community Apreciation Day at 22nd & Pt. Breeze Ave., 12-8 p.m. Entertainment by R&B artists “No Question”. Helen Divers to be honored. For details (215) 952-3378.

Aug. 27- Ward Leader George Brooks hosts annual Crab & Shrimp Feast to Baltimore Inner Harbor. Bus leaves Progress Plaza, Broad & Oxford Sts., at 1 p.m. $150 package includes bus ride, 4hour crab and shrimp fest, plus buffet, music and dancing, and open bar. For details call George Brooks (267) 9715703 or Harvey Blanton (215) 232-1142, (215) 833-7085.

Aug. 27- Fundraiser for Joe McCloskey Memorial Fund at Quaker City Yacht Club, 7101 N. Delaware Ave., 3-7 p.m. Soda, beer, food, music, door prizes. Tickets $25. For info Michael Sullivan (856) 461-7720 or John L. Sullivan (215) 332-4873 or www.goople27thpal.com.

Aug. 27- Ironworkers 401 hosts Summer Festival at

Keenan’s in N. Wildwood, N.J., 3 p.m.

Aug. 28- Billy Meehan Clambake at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd., 4-8 p.m. $100 per person.

For info Carmella (215) 5610650.

Sep. 2- Friends of Quibila Divine hold Fish Fry at Lou & Choo’s, 21st & Hunting Pk. Ave., 5-10 p.m. Platters $10.

For tickets (215) 225-7241.

Sep. 3- State Sen. Anthony Williams’ Neighbor to Neighbor Summer of Peace 2011 Cookout at Eastwick Park, 74th & Lindbergh Blvd., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free food. Family fun. Adults’ and children’s activities. For info (215) 4922980.

Sep. 5- Tri State Labor Committee and Philadelphia AFLCIO annual Labor Day Parade & Family Fun Day, starting at Sheet Metal Workers, Columbus Blvd. & Washington Ave., 9 a.m. .Sep. 10- Jobs with Justice and DC 47 President Emeritus Gary Kapanowski hold Sustainer Soiree in Sir Francis Rm. at The Drake, 1512 Spruce St., 7 p.m.-12 a.m.

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Eulogies are pouring into print and radio and television media from every conceivable source, noting how Joey Vento, a true Philadelphia legend, affected so many. Of the thousands he helped, the Philadelphia Public Record was among them. In our early days, he signed on for a year’s worth of weekly ads and gave us the check in advance.

His love of this country made him pitch his “Speak English” sign, which led to a great deal of controversy. He would say, “If they learn English, immigrants – legals and illegals – would quickly learn to love this country, rather than just take from it.”

No one can count the numbers of charities to which he gave, be it to an individual, a family, a religious institution, to the Mummers, to the City, and especially to the police and firefighters. Mayor Michael Nutter and Republican challenger Karen Brown extolled his generosity, patriotism, and especially his love for this city. Brown noted, “Whenever I went to him with a sad situation for an individual or family, he would give me a blank check with his signature and say, ‘Call me with the figure’.”

His son Geno, whom he named after his famous steak emporium, will no doubt continue the legacy of Joey Vento.

Gone, never to be forgotten, we know Joey will be using his influence upstairs to guide this well.

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Let’s get back to basics with the Philadelphia School District.

I. No more holy or sacred Superintendents because they are unmanageable or too costly. No big payouts or bonuses to any incoming Superintendent.

II. If the new acting superintendent does a quality job, keep him. If not, unload him as soon as smoke signals begin to rise from School District Headquarters. Smoke means an increase in taxes. How much more for the School Board before taxpayers take it out on school windows and buses and the like to vent their frustration, even though they have to pay for it in the end?

III. Evaluate performance yearly, not by two, four or a decade program installed by the Superintendent.

IV. Give the teachers their due. They know what’s needed. If they become whistle-blowers, give them a reward. They deserve it.

V. Leave the School Reform Commission in the hands of the State Administration. That’s where the bulk of school money comes from.

VI. Don’t support any effort to pass legislation to elect a school board, though the intent is an honest one. The reason is elected school boards have the power to raise taxes on their own. Aren’t the present City Council and the Mayor enough? Not only will we need to find money to elect them, but to pay for their offices, cars, ad infinitum.

VII. If kids flunk, keep them in the same grade. If kids are problem-makers, send them to the alternative schools that were created for just that problem.

VIII. If kids play hooky, are failing in class and becoming problem students, bring in the parent or parents or grandparents who are responsible for them and – if their excuses don’t make good sense and can be backed up with proof – fine them and harass them until they pay.

IX. Sell off vacant and other unused school properties. Some are in good sections and should bring in decent money. The unsellables we can give away for a dollar to any individual who has a vision. There will be fewer fires set by junkies in those vacant buildings.

X. Allow the kids to pray to whatever God they are taught to worship by their parents, if they think at all. A standing minute of silence won’t hurt anyone, let alone a child.

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It is very important that patients are adequately

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

screened before surgery.

A complete cardiovascular evaluation can detect problems early and address them before surgery.

This can decrease the likelihood of complications after surgery.

Healthsteps offers complete medical evaluations with state-of-the art cardiovascular testing in anticipation of surgery.

We care for our patients from the moment they come to our office, right through their surgery, and throughout their recovery. We work with your surgeons to ensure that your experience is hassle-free and safe.

Dr. Asif Hussain, MD FACC

Our Preadmission Test Centers are ideally located on Ritner Street in South Philadelphia and Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd in Washington Township New Jersey.

We offer a complete history and physical, blood work and cardiovascular testing on site and on the same day. The assessment and plan are shared with the surgical team within 24 hours in order to optimize surgical outcomes.

Asif Hussain MD FACP FACC FCCP will personally supervise all testing, review all the data and discuss the findings with

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

your surgeons. He attended medical school at Northwestern University. His Internal Medicine training was completed at the University of Pittsburgh.

He is Fellowship trained from Thomas Jefferson University as a cardiologist. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians; the American College of Cardiology; and the American College of Chest Physicians.

He is a member of the American Medical Association; the American Heart Association; the Society of Chest Pain Centers; the Society of Vascular Medicine; and the Heart Valve Society.

In order to schedule an appointment in South Philadelphia call (267) 319-1939.

In order to schedule an appointment in South Jersey call (856) 553-6125.

Health Care In a Special Issue Of the Public Record For the Year 2011 Coming on September 22, 2011 For More Information Call John David

215-755-2000

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Get More Informtion On

Music Sch., 416 Queen St., 7 p.m. Ticket $25. For info (215) 238-9691.

Sep. 17- Ward Leader John Sabatina hosts Fall Picnic, in conjunction with Democrat Wards 35, 53, 55, and 63 at Burholme Pk., Central Ave., from 1:30 p.m. $35 donation.

Sep. 19- 11th Ward Democrats host Fish Fry at Lou & Choo’s, 21st & Hunting Pk. Ave., 5-9 p.m. Donation $10.

For info V. Tutie Edwards (215) 228-3134.

Sep. 25- Vendemmia Wine & Food Festival, Girard Park, 21st & Porter Sts., 2-7 p.m. supporting Students of Italian heritage in S. Phila. Fo info www.vendemmifoundation.org.

Oct. 2- St. Nicholas Ch. Italian Festival on 1700 block S. 9th St., 12-5 p.m., with Procession of Saints from St. Nicholas Tolentine Ch. at 12:30 p.m. Family event. Admission free. Italian food, entertainment, games.

Oct. 9- World Premier of opera “Adea” by Penna. composer Cynthia Cozette at Lutheran Ch. of Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St., 3 p.m., followed by reception. Free-will offering will be collected. For info (215) 567-3668.

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(Cont. From Page 7) Sep. 11- Phila. Fire Fighters Union Local 22 and Penn Treaty Special ServicesDist. invite all to attend unveiling of “All the Heroes of 9/11” Memorial at

Union HQ,. 5th & Willow Stst., 1 p.m.

Sep. 15- President John McNesby and FOP Lodge 5 host City Council candidates at 1336 Spring Garden St., 5:30 p.m.

By invitation.

Sep. 15- Mario Lanza Institute & Museum will be beneficiary of 3-tenor concert featuring Viktor Antipenko, Luigi Boccia and Maurice El Zein at Settlement

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Page 10 The Public Record • August 25, 2011 www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

From the number of elephants in the room at the 25th annual Candidate’s Comedy Night, one might think there are more Republicans in Philadelphia than our 12.5% of voter registration indicates. The event, which raises money for Variety, a children’s charity organized by JOHN DOUGHERTY, business manager of Local 98, was held last Thursday night at Finnigan’s Wake.

Twenty-four candidates for City offices agreed to entertain the crowd.

All Republican contenders except AL TAUBENBERGER, candidate for Council-at-Large, and JOE DUDA, candidate for City Commission, entertained us. Taubenberger had agreed to be there but had a personal conflict. This elephant understands Taubenberger was disappointed he could not come, as he enjoyed himself when he entertained us four years ago as the Republican candidate for Mayor. While Duda failed to appear at the event during the last five election cycles, one may have thought he would come this year to campaign. In previous elections, he had no real competition on the Republican side and was essentially a shoo-in for the one Commissioner’s seat reserved for the minority party. This year, he has a real race with AL SCHMIDT. Schmidt entertained us and his campaigned further supported the event by purchasing a table. Other Republican groups also had tables at the event including the election committees for KAREN BROWN, DENNY O’BRIEN, JOE McCOLGAN, DAVID OH and Taubenberger, as well as the Loyal Opposition and Republican City Committee.

Although the RCC paid for a table, no one sat there, and no one from the Meehan leadership team attended the event. The insurgent side of the party was well represented by Republican activists, Kevin Kelly, Linda Orr, Pam Warren and Adam Lang, as well as Ward Leaders MATT WOLFE (27th) and JOE DeFELICE (34th). The only other Republican ward leaders there were performers, Oh and Schmidt, and DOM CHIVAROLI (1st), who was at Brown’s table. Although FRANK RIZZO was not on the bill, staffer MARC COLLAZZO was there to support Variety. McColgan brought his family, including his fatherin-law VAL DiGIORGIO, who won the 50/50 prize. DiGiorgio’s son VAL DiGIORGIO III is the Controller of Chester Co. There were numerous Schmidt and Oh supporters at the event including JOHN KATRINAS, DENISE FUREY, OWEN O’CONNELL, STEVE BOC and DON GARECHT. Karen Brown, candidate for Mayor, offered a goodhearted roast of STU BYKOFSKY, (Cont. Page 11)

Yo! Here we go again with a little humor sent to me by Tony S. It might help to ease the pain of your next trip to the pump – if that’s possible. Try to find something funny in the absurdity of it all – for example, the price of gas versus printer’s ink.

All these examples do not imply that gasoline is cheap; they just illustrate how outrageous some prices are if you think of them in the gallon equivalent. You will be really shocked by the last one! At least, I was.

This will make one think, and it also puts things in perspective to other things we buy. Do you think a gallon of gas is expensive compared to these common items?

A 16-oz. Diet Snapple $1.29 = 10.32 per gallon. A 16-oz. Lipton Ice Tea $1.19 = $9.52 per gallon. A 20-oz. bottle of Gatorade $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon. Ocean Spray in the 16-oz. size $1.25 = $10.00 per gallon.

12 oz. of brake fluid $3.15 = $33.60 per gallon. A 6-oz. container of Vick’s Nyquil $8.35 = $178.13 per gallon. A 4-oz. bottle of Pepto Bismol $3.85 = $123.20 per gallon. The 7-oz. container of Whiteout (used to correct typing mistakes) $1.39 = $25.42 per gallon. And a 1.5-oz. bottle of Scope $0.99 = $84.48 per gallon.

And this is the real kicker. A 9-oz. bottle of Evian water $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon. What would our grandparents say about paying $21.19 for a gallon of water and we, the buyers don’t even know the source of this water?

Ever wonder why computer printers are so cheap? So they have you hooked for the ink. Someone calculated the cost of the ink at (you won’t believe it but it is true) $5,200 a gallon. That is five thousand, two hundred dollars a gallon.

So, the next time you’re at the pump be glad your car doesn’t run on water, Scope, or Whiteout, Pepto Bismol, Nyquil or God forbid, printer’s ink! And – if you don’t pass this along to at least one person, your muffler will fall off. Okay, your muffler won’t really fall off ... but you might run out of toilet paper.

And here is a nice thought from Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

Sometimes in my line of work, it’s hard to figure out what’s funnier: seeing a politician answer a question or watching them as they go through the contortions necessary to avoid answering a question.

I was trying to figure out which was making me chuckle harder as I watched Mayor Michael Nutter’s press conference on Monday.

Nutter was speaking to a gathering of reporters assembled to hear his views on the dismissal (firing, throwing from the bridge, abdication, you pick your verb), of School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman. Ackerman, who has spent much of the summer as the subject of a variety of rumors regarding her departure and the $629 million deficit at the center of it, took her leave on Monday, complete with a golden parachute of $905,000.

(This package, which breaks down to $500,000 from local sources and $405,000 from private donors, doesn’t include the one-year contract extension that the School Reform Commission granted Ackerman in October. That year of pay she put back into school district coffers, with the condition that it had to go into the Promise Academies program, one of her pet projects.)

One of the things that seemed to doom Ackerman from the beginning was a perceived inability to play nice with the various politicians she had to deal with as part of her job.

Her concern for “the babies” led her to do such things as propose disbanding magnet schools (every white, middle-class parent started looking for a moving van when she proposed that one), getting more parents involved through such things as the “Parents Academy” and trying to reopen the teacher’s contracts to remove such things as seniority transfers and the like.

But her two biggest political faux pas (and one was bigger to many than the other) were when she allowed a racial violence situation between the school’s Black and Asian communities to fester to the point where the news media was involved and, more recently, when she blindsided Mayor Nutter by finding money to reinstate a full-day kindergarten sacrificed to budget cuts without telling him as he was going to City Council to try and get more money for the schools through a sugary-drinks tax.

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Northeast Ward Leaders have showed greater unity recently, and the days of Democrats cutting deals with the Republicans have been dramatically reduced. This is the result of a winning trend that started with STATE SEN. MIKE STACK’S win over long-time Republican standard-bearer STATE SEN. HANK SALVATORE, and this trend has continued. Former SPEAKER JOHN PERZEL was defeated by KEVIN BOYLE. And his brother BRENDAN BOYLE changed a Republican seat to Democrat.

Speaking of Brendan Boyle, he heads the House Democratic Campaign Committee, trying to capture Democratic seats. It is not likely BOB BRADY and the Republicans included him in any hypothetical redistricting deal to protect a Republican seat in the Northeast.

66 B WARD LEADER SHAWN DILLON is considered a runner for this seat should O’Brien get elected to City Council. He is a Brady darling who often carries the Chairman’s water. Would he really take a dive for some patronage consideration? It is doubtful. The rumor simply does not line up with the facts. But it will likely agitate other Northeast ward leaders, such as JOHN SABATINA and BOB DELLAVELLA, who feel they do not get enough respect.

PECO head DENIS O’BRIEN hosted STATE SENS. SHIRLEY KITCHEN and LARRY FARNESE with STATE REP JIM ROEBUCK at a recent Phillies game. The rain came down and Farnese and Kitchen turned their conversation to the weakness of Democratic Senate leadership. The power has shifted to the West.

DAN FITZPATRICK, the President of Citizens Bank, joined the legislators for a few moments. Fitzpatrick resembles CONGRESSMAN MIKE FITZPATRICK, but is not related.

Plus, Dan has a much better seat at the Phils games … Seat 1, row 1 behind home plate.

That’s why when one sees him on television at the game, he is always smiling.

STEPHANIE SINGER, Democratic nominee for City Commissioner, hosted a pool fundraiser at the home of a supporter. Singer is taking nothing for granted and is vying to become majority chair of the three-member commission. She must guard against the other Democratic Commissioner, ANTHONY CLARK, who could deal with the elected Republican, either JOE DUDA or AL SCHMIDT to secure the chairmanship for himself.

Both Duda the Party loyalist and Schmidt the independent are expected to appear at the (Cont. Page 11)

Elephant Corner

The Public Record: The Newspaper Leaders Read LEGAL NOTICE Freedom Treats USA, Inc. 1400 E. Luzerne St. Phila., PA.19124 Ph. 267-712-9872 notice is here by given that Freedom Treats USA, Inc. has been organized under the business corporation law of 1988, as amended, and has filed articles of incorporation with the Dept.of State on 7-26-2011

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Termination of Parental Rights in the Court of Common Pleas of PHILADELPHIA County, Pennsylvania Family Court Case No. CP-51-AP-142-2011 To: “Goon” or any unknown birth fathers of Baby Girl Chao A petition has been filed asking the Court to put an end to all rights you have to your child Baby Girl Chao, who was born on December 5, 2010 in Phila., PA.The Court has set a hearing to consider ending your rights to your child. That hearing will be held in Courtroom No. “O” before Hon. Walter Olszewski at Phila. Family Court 1801 Vine St., Phila. PA, on Sep. 20, 2011 at 11:00 am. You are warned that even if you fail to appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing will go on without you and your rights to your child may be ended by the Court without your being present. You have a right to be represented at the hearing by a lawyer at once. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below to find out where you can get legal help. You are also warned that if you fail to file either an acknowledgment of paternity or claim of paternity pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S.A. Sec. 5103, and fail to either appear at the hearing to object to the termination to your rights or file written objection to such termination with the Court prior to the hearing your rights may also be terminated under Pa. C.S.A. Sec. 2511 (a)(6) of the Adoption Act. Contact immediately the Law Offices of Jay H. Ginsburg, at 527 Swede St., Norristown, PA 19401 (610-2771999), or: Phila. Co. 1101 Market St., 11th Fl. Phila., PA 19107 Telephone: 215-238-6333

Shiloh Brings Community

thusiastic newcomer to Republican politics and the herd hopes he remains active.

Although the weeks leading up to Labor Day are expected to be quiet, there are few Republican fundraisers.

Karen Brown will be having an event this evening at the United Republican Club.

On Aug. 30, Bateman will have a fundraiser at the Union League and Oh will be having an event at the Ocean City Restaurant. The WORKING in concert with State Sen. Shirley Kitchen, annual Billy Meehan clamShiloh Baptist Temple in North Central harbored daylong bake will be at Cannstatter community-information street fair. on Aug. 28.

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(Cont. From Page 11) Variety’s master of ceremonies. Candidates for Council at Large O’Brien, McColgan, Oh and MIKE UNTERMEYER kept with the theme of the event and told jokes..

Oh noted this was the third time he performed at Comedy Night and that he was not funny at the previous events either. This elephant does not agree. The manner in which Oh delivered this self-depreciating line was quite amusing.

JOSH WEST, candidate for Sheriff, sang for the crowd

and LINDA BATEMAN, candidate for Register of Wills, told a funny tale.

While politicians have no problems talking, entertaining a crowd is another matter. The one Republican in the room who could have given professional comedian JOE CONKLIN some competition was STEVE ODABA SHIAN. Odabashian had run for Council at Large in the primary but did not make the cut, so unfortunately he was not asked to entertain us.

Obadashian is well known for his humorous imitation of Eagles Head Coach ANDY REID. He is an en-

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“Scientific research, especially in the health sciences, is a key component of Philadelphia’s economy, and grants of this nature will keep us moving forward,” said Fattah, senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce Justice Science and related agencies, with jurisdiction for National Science

Foundation funding. “Children’s Hospital is known worldwide for its quality, advanced care and cutting-edge research.”

CHOP has been awarded $998,828 by the National Science Foundation for a research project entitled “AIR: Engineering the Evaluation of Online Health and Wellness

Promotion Applications,” under the direction of Flaura Winston.

Monell, at 3500 Market Street, the nationally recognized research institute on taste, smell and chemosensory irritation, will receive $249,242 from NSF for “Collaborative Research: Reconstructing Airflow in the Nasal Cavity of Mammals,” di-

rected by Charles Wysocki.

Fattah announced three additional grants to CHOP for more than $2.9 million from the Dept. of Health & Human Services and its National Institutes for Health: • $1,951,418 from the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute for Gene Therapy for Hemo-

philia; •$764,391 from the Health Resources & Services Administration for training in leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related Disorders;• $209,375 from the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases for allergy, immunology and transplantation research.

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Congressman Chaka Fattah announced the award of four grants for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, plus a grant to Monell Chemical Senses Center. In all, the research grants will direct more than $4.1 million to these institutions in the University City Science District.

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Fattah Brings Medical Grants To Institutions Here

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Page 20 The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Qa’id Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund Awards $16,000 A top example of organized labor making a difference in our community is the Qa’id Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund, which this week announced it has awarded eight area students $2,000 scholarships in the Fall 2011 cycle.

The Qa’id Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund, a division of the Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust (formerly the Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is specifically designated to as-

sist qualified students in their educational endeavors by providing educational scholarships to students in need.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring 2012 cycle and are available at www.statencharitabletrust.org.

The Qa’id Staten Memorial Charity Fund was established after a generous $10,000 donation was made in memory of Qa’id Staten.

Qa’id’s father, Samuel Staten, Sr., chose to use the generous contribution to establish the Qa’id Staten Memorial Charity Fund, a charity fund within the Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust with the mission of en-

abling disadvantaged, deserving students to seek higher education and perpetuate Qa’id’s legacy.

Qa’id Staten, the youngest son of Samuel Staten, Sr., Business Manager Laborers’ Local 332, was murdered just months before he was to attend Howard University.

In his memory, The Qa’id Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund’s mission is to work to help defray the costs of tuition, books and housing of the sons and daughters of the members of the Laborers’ District Council of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area & Vicinity as well as the general public who would not be able to attend these in-

stitutions without some form of monetary assistance.

The Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust has raised over $1.3 million since its inception.

Scholarships, in amounts up to $2,000, are awarded to high school or college students at the discretion of The Qa’id Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee. Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed twice a year.

Applications for the Spring Cycle are due by Nov. 1, and awardees will be announced by Dec. 1, so that funds can be used for the spring semester. Late-arriving applications cannot be

considered for evaluation until the following cycle.

Families of officers and agents of the Laborers’ District Council and its locals are not given any special consideration.

Scholarships are also available for programs such as field trips, learning abroad, and other special educational opportunities.

These applications will be considered by the board throughout the year. Above deadlines do not apply.

The Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust was known as The Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund until 2011. The name of the charity was changed to honor

Samuel Staten, Sr., the man who founded the LDC Charity Fund through a purely unselfish act of charity during his time as business manager of Laborers’ Local 332 and secretary treasurer of LDC. Now retired, Staten continues to work with the charity’s Board of Directors to raise funds to assist a wide range of charitable organizations.

The Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust recently launched its website, www.StatenCharitableTrust.org. Students can apply for a scholarship from the Qa’id Staten Memorial Scholarship Fund by filling out the online application.

Brady, Dougherty Host Squilla Fundraiser

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RIP Robert ‘Bobby’ Grasso 1946 - 2011 The Philly boxing community is mourning the loss of 20year-plus boxing judge Bobby Grasso, who recently passed after a short bout with cancer at the age of 65. The South Philadelphian, who was also a captain in the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Dept., boxed professionally as a welterweight in the 1970’s. In 1998, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame.

But it was as a boxing judge that Bobby found his niche. A ringside fixture in Philly and Atlantic City, he judged some of the biggest bouts on the east coast. “Bobby was a very nice man and a good judge,” said Joey “Eye” Intrieri, of Joey Eye Boxing Promotions, who issued a press release notifying the boxing media of Bobby’s passing.

Bobby’s viewing was held at Baldi Funeral Home, where members of the Veteran Boxers Association bestowed the customary final 10-count and his funeral was held at St. Monica’s.

SHADOWBOXER knew Bobby for years and can truly say he was one of the good guys in boxing and he will be sadly missed at ringside. RIP, my friend.

CANDIDATE Mark Squilla listens as ENJOYING fundraiser hosted by host John J. Dougherty, Jr. thanks Congressman and Party Chairman crowd of supporters at LaVeranda Bob Brady IBEW chief and Ward fundraiser.

Leader John Dougherty for 1st Democrat District Council candidate Mark Squilla are State Rep. Bill Keller, Squilla, Steve Lauer, FOP’s Gene Blagmond and Brian Stevenson.

COUNCIL candidate Mark Squilla gets an earful of how to listen from AMONG ATTENDEES were 2nd medical nose-and-throat specialist Warders Kevin Price and Doug NeDr. Gerard Vernose. smith.

Trading Jibes With Bykofsky

COUNCILMAN Bill Green’s team was there as well. From left are Sophie Bryan, Marita Crawford Green and Chris Rupe. Photo by Bonnie Squires

FELLOW 39th Warders Matt Myers, Councilman Jim Kenney and Kevin Carroll were among Squilla supporters.

FORMER City Councilman Rick Mariano showed up in a prison jumpsuit, in handcuffs, accompanied by a “guard,” in order to do his special routine. It was all in good fun, to raise MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER money for Variety – was taking things in good humor The Children’s Charat Stu Bykofsky’s annual Variety ity. fundraiser at Finnigan’s Wake. Photo by Bonnie Squires REPUBLICAN candidate for City Commissioner Al Schmidt greets host Stu Bykofsky as he readies himself to draw the number for his appearance on standup-comedy stage.

STEPHANIE SINGER, candidate for City Commissioner, sang a union song and played the banjo, with emcee Stu Bykofsky holding microPhoto by Bonnie Squires phone for her.

REPUBLICANS turned out in great force this year, among them, from left, 27th Ward Leader Matt Wolfe, operative Dave Kralle and State Rep. Denny O’Brien.

John Egan Hosts GOP In Fort Washington

HOST John Egan welcomes overflow crowd to his home.

DAVE MOSESSO, candidate for supervisor, Towamencin Township; Brian Haughton, former congressional candidate; and Karen Czisek, Republican activist.

Did Mayor Snub Black Leaders?

State Rep. Ron Waters (DW. Phila.) expressed disappointment this week Mayor Michael Nutter failed to respond to queries made by the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus prior to the resignation of Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman.

“I am disappointed something couldn’t be worked out,” said Waters, “because Dr. Ackerman has achieved so much in terms of student achievement.

The dropout rate is down, graduation numbers are up, school violence is down, and more schools made Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by No Child Left Behind. AYP numbers are up and are very impressive, and Dr. Ackerman gets it in terms of the failing school system serving as a pipeline to the prison industry.

“After PLCB, the Black clergy, labor leaders and community activists met with Dr. Ackerman last week, we all agreed we had to meet with Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter to discuss Dr. Ackerman’s position as superintendent. Despite our request to meet the Mayor and discuss the decisions that were going to be made, we received no response from his office. We as members of PLCBC think we deserve at least a response from the Mayor’s office, and it did not happen. We’ve learned , allong with everyone else, Dr. Ackerman has been ushered to the

BILL MYERS, whose work is among 25 others now on exhibit on the 1st and 2nd floors of City Hall, gets to meet his honor, Mayor STATE REP. Marcy Toepel Michael Nutter, at the openLONG political history was shares moment with former congressional candidate Dr. shared by State Rep. John Tay- ing celebration in City Hall.

Damian Dachowski.

lor and host John Egan.

Photo by Tu Huynh.

exit door of the School District of Philadelphia.”

State Sen. Anthony Williams (D-W. Phila.) stated, “Dr. Ackerman’s departure, particularly the circumstances surrounding it, will set us back once again, and at a crucial time in the school year. That hurts not just our reputation as a city, but above all, the same children we profess we want to see achieve.

We need to prove that to them, by installing and fully supporting stable, credible leadership.

Those children, our neighbors, deserve nothing less.”

State Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-Northeast) expressed concern the structure of Ackerman’s compensation package raises legal, ethical and moral questions that must be addressed.

McGeehan said he will request the Pennsylvania Attorney General to determine the propriety of using essentially anonymous private dollars to buy out a public official.

Ackerman accepted a roughly $900,000 package of public and private funds to buy out the remainder of her contract.

“This departure incentive for a public official is troubling in an era when the public demands that officials and governing bodies be more transparent and open,” said McGeehan. “I serve with both elected and appointed state officials who have to follow rigorous reporting standards so the public knows

Stack: Enroll Now in 529 Families who are looking to save for their child’s higher education have a unique opportunity to start paying for college credits at the current credit rates through a state-run college savings plan, State Sen. Mike Stack (D-Northeast) said.

Families who enroll in the Pennsylvania 529 College Guaranteed Savings Program

by Aug. 31 can lock in this year’s credit rates. As of Sep. 1, credit prices will rise due to increases in tuition rates for this coming academic year. “It’s never too early to start thinking about saving for college, and the 529 College Savings Program is a smart, safe way for families to invest in their child’s higher education,” Stack said.

“I encourage families to take advantage of this window and enroll for free online and start buying college credits now under the current tuition credit prices.” In addition, free enrollment in the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan is available through September.

Visit www.senatorstack.com, click on the “College Saving Program” link and use the coupon code SAVE NOW to have the $50 enrollment fee waived upon enrolling

KEVIN EUBANKS, guitarist, comedic foil on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Lena, and leader of the band for 15 of his 18 years with the show, received Ann d’Harnoncourt Award for Artistic Excellence at Greater Phila. Arts & Business luncheon. Philip Horn, executive director, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Council on the Arts, congratulates honoree.

Photo by Nicola Argentina

KELVIN Jeremiah is now Phila. Housing Authority’s internal watchdog. Like Executive Director Michael Kelly, he comes from New York’s Housing Authority.

State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (D-W. Phila.) reports the State’s children’s trust fund board has awarded $1.5 million in grants over three years to 13 nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania.

The grants awarded are pending approval from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Welfare.

Bishop was reappointed by House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) to serve on the board for the 2011-12 legislative session.

“The grants have been awarded to nonprofit agencies throughout Pennsylvania to help improve the lives of children by instituting wellness programs and services,” Bishop said.

The board works with DPW and provides grants to public and private children and youth organizations across the state.

Bishop said the board was established by Act 151 of 1988 to create a funding source for community-based children’s programs and services for child abuse and neglect prevention.

Sen. Farnese Wine Bill Under Study State Sen. Larry Farnese’s (D-S. Phila.) legislation to expand consumer choice by allowing the direct shipment of wine was the subject of a hearing of the Senate’s Law & Justice Committee.

“The direct shipment of wine would expand consumer choice and provide more options,” Farnese said. “This legislation is important because it helps modernize how wine is distributed, increases marketing options and provides an additional avenue for revenue.”

Farnese said he is pleased the Law & Justice Committee is examining his legislation (SB 886) and the direct-shipment issue in depth.

The Philadelphia lawmaker said the direct shipment of wine would not hamper or impair the operations of state stores or hurt their sales, but would actually provide another means for raising revenues.

“Direct wine sales would not hinder the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s ability to make money or regulate sales,” Farnese said. “It would help spur new sales, expand choice and increase the distribution network.”

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

his business acumen and financial expertise.

Elected officials in attendance included State Reps.

Tom Murt and Marcy Toepel (both R-Montgomery), John Taylor (R-Phila.), Montgomery Co. Recorder of Deeds Nancy Becker and Montgomery Co. Sheriff Eileen Behr.

Montco row-officer candidates in attendance included Pat Mosesso, Bill Donnelly, Chuck Wilson, Stuart Greenleaf, Jr., Dr. Gordon Clement, and judicial candidates Dan Clifford and Maureen Coggins. Towamencin Township Supervisor candidate Dave Mosesso was also in attendance.

Local candidates for Colonial School Board included Kelly Jowett, Sue Moore, Mel Brodsky, Elisa Redican, Christina Frangiosa; David Brooke, Richard Cutler, and Michael Zeock were there for the Whitemarsh Township Supervisors. Plymouth Township Council candidates Sheldon Simpson and Lenore Bruno, and Conshohocken Council candidates Chris Savage, Kindra Helderly and Bob O’Neill ball also made an appearance.

In addition to the GOP members, there was something not usually found at Republican events ... some Democrats.

Children’s Board Awards Grants

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

by Beth Hegedus The Colonial Republican Committee held its second annual summer fundraiser at the home of Area Leader John Egan in Fort Washington.

People came from all over Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, to attend, schmooze, and hear what is going on not just in the Montgomery Co. Republican Committee, but also how the local, County, State and federal elected are doing.

Egan, former chairman of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, former Philadelphia mayoral candidate, and now Area Leader of the Colonial Republican Committee, drew a record turnout. As was evidenced from the SRO crowd, the Republican spirit is alive and well in Montgomery Co. Not only did this event raise money for the Colonial Republican Committee, it also honored former State Sen. Joe Rocks, who served constituents of the 4th Dist. — which includes parts of Montgomery Co. and Philadelphia — from 1981 to 1990. He now continues his commitment and dedication towards improving mental health services as chairman & CEO of Northwestern Human Services, now the largest nonprofit mental-health provider in the country and a tribute to

in the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan.

Page 21

Suburban Buzz

who is contributing to whom and how public money is being spent.

“This news of private contributions to accelerate Dr. Ackerman’s departure sets a dangerous precedent and should serve as a red flag on an issue that must be acted on promptly.

We may be going down what could become a very slippery slope.”

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Page 22

McCrossen’s blooms in newest incarnation

by Len Lear At the most popular gastropub in the Philadelphia Art Museum area, McCrossen’s Tavern at 529 N. 20th Street, customers are taking a bite out of history. The original structure that houses McCrossen’s was built about 160 years ago. Through the years it housed a German bakery, a floral shop and a real estate office. Neil McCrossen opened the tavern in 1937, in the middle of the Great Depression, while the McCrossens lived with their 10 children upstairs.

For decades, most of their customers were members of local trade unions who built many of the skyscrapers that dot the Center City skyline today. In 1961 Neil McCrossen, Jr., took over the tavern from his father and ran it for 32 years. In 1993 Neil’s nephew, Jay Brennan, purchased the property along with his wife Joyce and her brother Michael Rodolico, who have run it ever since with another relative, Bob Huber.

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In recent decades the Fairmount neighborhood that surrounds McCrossen’s has undergone a sea change, like so many other Philadelphia neighborhoods that have been gentrified from working-class enclaves into villages for upscale young professionals — Northern Liberties, Manayunk, Queen Village and Fishtown, for example.

Changing along with the neighborhood, McCrossen’s is now no more like a shotand-beer joint than a wolf is like a chihuahua.

When I found out that the chef at McCrossen’s was Townsend Wentz, I knew they would have some serious food. We ate several times at the now-defunct Twenty21 at 2021 Market Street when Wentz was executive chef, and the food was always impressive and innovative.

Wentz, 43, who has been at McCrossen’s for one year, also cooked in the kitchens at the Fountain at the Four Seasons and Lacroix at the Rittenhouse as well as upscale restaurants in New York City and Connecticut. (Interestingly, Wentz also has degrees

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Another significant addition to McCrossen’s is Lauren Harris, 29, the general manager and sommelier (I never before heard of a pub that had a sommelier) who previously ran the Tria Fermentation School and Tria wine bars and also managed a 400-bottle wine list at a restaurant in Sydney, Australia. At McCrossen’s, Harris hosts a monthly wine-and-cheese event with DiBruno Brothers cheesemonger Rocco Rainone. Along with the addition of Wentz and Harris have come an upgrade in décor, an advanced wine and beer program and new china and glassware.

We all know that the econ(Cont. Page 26)

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gerrymandering. One can spit across some Council Districts in a few places. This not only creates ugly maps, it creates disconnects between residents and their political representatives, dilutes neighborhood political cohesiveness and diffuses community ties.

For the past few weeks, I have tried to make wonderfully elegant and compact Districts with equal populations while respecting geographically meaningful boundaries and generally accepted neighborhood borders. I have started from the city limits and worked in and I have started from the center and worked out. I have started from existing district boundaries and I have started from scratch.

I have learned how to make the computer software very happy — I have made maps of ten districts that are all darn close to 152,601 residents (Cont. Page 25)

STATE SEN. Mike Stack announces he’ll intro bill to give gas workers who die in line of duty same survivor benefits public-safety workers get. He is backed by, from left, State Reps. Brendan Boyle, John Sabatina, Jr. and Kevin Boyle.

BILL was inspired by tragic death of STATE REP. Brendan Boyle Brian Keeley in gas-main explosion in Torstates he will introduce Stack’s resdale. Keeley’s father Tom Keeley is measure for gas-worker benefits flanked here by Councilman Jim Kenney, left, and State Sen. Mike Stack. in House of Representatives.

P G W H E A D C r a i g White expresses solidarity with his employees in t h e i r quest for GAS WORKERS UNION President Keith p r o t e c Holmes emphasizes first responders in natural- tion for gas crises risk their lives for public safety every t h e i r families. day.

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

by Brett Mandel “No matter how you slice it, redistricting — drawing new political boundaries — is about dividing, not uniting. It is an exercise in disrespect.

City Council is currently working to redraw political maps to set Council districts that will determine Philadelphia’s political representation for the next 10 years. One has to draw the lines somewhere, so, inevitably, one must choose to split some neighborhood, fragment some population, or carve up some community.

By law, City Council must redraw and reestablish districts after the US Census completes its work counting the nation every 10 years. In Philadelphia, Council actually has a reason to do its work by its legal deadline, which is fast approaching in September. If they do not, they don’t get paid. Thus, the final, redrawn Districts are not only products of everything bad about backroom political dealing, but are also compounded by a rushed effort to avoid missing paychecks.

Currently, Council Districts are messy, with some of the nation’s worst examples of

Page 23

Redistricting Just Northeast Leaders Rally For Gas Workers Doesn’t Add Up!

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Waters Hosts Annual Village Family Reunion Festival

STATE REP. Ron Waters welcomes State Sen. Anthony Williams to his annual 191st Legislative Dist. “Village Family Reunion and Festival” at Frances Myers Rec Center. Close to PARENTS and youngsters crowded into this picture to 1,000 were treated to various State and City MONICA KITT, left, was mistress of cer- be with State Rep. Ron Waters, Council candidate STATE REP. Ron Waters introduces services, live entertainment and food.

Ward Leader Anne Brown, of City emonies at event. She is also Ron Waters’ Kenyatta Johnson, and Dr. Arlene Ackerman.

Photo by Donald Terry Council. Photo by Donald Terry Photo by Donald Terry daughter. Photo by Donald Terry

MEET Ron’s powerhouse, his staff, who made YEADON Council President Asher Kemp, PLEASURES of being a host include State Rep. sure everything ticked like a fine clock. From Jr. congratulates State Rep. Ron Waters Ron Waters taking pictures with a bevy of lady STEPHANIE DIXON gives State Rep. Ron left, April James, Helen Walker, Penny Mcon his service to Borough of Yeadon. performers known as “Imprint”, who wowed Waters a lesson in hot to handle the grill. Donald and Representative.

Photo by Donald Terry crowd. Photo by Donald Terry Photo by Donald Terry Photo by Donald Terry

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Out & About (Cont. From Page 11) Guess which one folks thought was bigger?

To be fair, she did have some political allies, the biggest being State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams. In an editorial in Tuesday’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Sen. Williams praised the gains made by Philadelphia’s students during Ackerman’s tenure, but had harsh words for her critics.

“Ackerman's effectiveness and, finally, her tenure were undercut by petty politics and cowardice on the part of people who put their egos and popularity ahead of the needs of the city's schoolchildren,” he said. “The public demurring and innuendo that preceded the Superintendent's ouster may have scored political points and curried favor with certain constituencies, but they constituted poor, shortsighted leadership on the

part of those charged with the oversight of our schools.”

Don’t hold back, Senator.

Tell us how you really feel.

But the one politician that everyone wanted to hear from was Mayor Nutter. So in spite of being part of a joint press release issued by the School District, the Dept. of Education, the School Reform Commission and Ackerman herself, he had reporters gather at the Mayor’s Reception Room on Monday.

Folks wanted to know the answers to the following: What part did you play in the SRC’s decision to oust Ackerman? Did you tell them to let her go? How many of the private donors expected to pony up that $400,000 did you go after? And what exactly led to all this?

I got the answers to some of these questions later that day from an administration official.

One, the SRC told the Mayor’s office that they

wanted to part company with Ackerman in July. Two, they decided now was the time because Ackerman had become a lightning rod and relations between her and all of the district’s stakeholders were so strained that it would be ludicrous to continue.

Three, the Mayor’s Office was on board with the decision from the beginning and four, the Mayor did make a fundraising call or two.

But when Mayor Nutter was asked these same questions during the news conference, the answers came out as follows: When asked why Ackerman was let go: “Ask the SRC. They are her employer.

The SRC had a series of conversations with Ackerman about her performance. I wasn’t a party to them.”

Did you have anything to do with it? “I supported their

decision.”

In fact, that particular phrase was what was used to answer most of the questions regarding the Ackerman dismissal.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

I understand why Mayor Nutter might want to back as far away as he can from anything to do with this.

It’s an election year. The folks he’s asking to vote him in aren’t real happy with him

either way on this, meaning that the white folks are questioning why he supports $500,000 being given to a woman that one described as a “bad affirmative-action hire” and the Black folks think that he helped stab one of his own in the back.

But it’s a decision that he’s going to have to live with.

What form that will take will be decided real soon, I think.

City Hall Sam

Duda in power while answering charges.

CHAIRMAN BOB BRADY has scheduled a Ward Leader Meeting for today to have a candidate placed on the November ballot for a Common Pleas Court vacancy. Speculation is former JUDGE TOM NOCELLA will be recommended and nominated. Tom has served the Party and has been a loyal Democrat for many years and deserves the nomination. It’s good to see a candidate with more experience and, frankly,

a little older.

WARD LEADER JOHN DOUGHERTY hosted his annual Local 98 Family Day at Clementon Park. Over 2,500 members and friends attended despite occasional rain and thunderstorms. A great time was had by all.

STU BYKOFSKY’S charitable comedy night at Finnigan’s Wake was a huge success. Many jokes were over the top and some were not so funny, but JOE CONKLIN knocked one out of the park and everyone had a

good time.

Besides the frontrunners MARIAN TASCO and DARRELL CLARKE for Council President, possible compromise candidates include JANNIE BLACKWELL and JIM KENNEY. As it currently stands, the election for President of City Council is too close to call.

Trivia Question: Who was the last Council Member at Large to be City Council President? Check in with this column next week for the answer.

(Cont. From Page 11) Meehan annual clambake.

The de facto head of the Republican Party MICHAEL MEEHAN continues to push pins into an Al Schmidt voodoo doll. Schmidt’s Tea Party minions have challenged the petitions of several of Meehan’s City Committee candidates. Some of the signatures were found to be of residents buried in cemeteries.

Criminal litigation is ongoing.

Ultimately, Meehan needs

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compact Districts, I might have to ignore the borders of ward Philadelphia, or disregard historical power centers.

I might create a single District that contains the homes of several sitting Council Members.

The constraints of the process are, well, constraining. Dividing a city of so many neighborhoods into only ten Districts means that a lot of neighborhoods have to fit into each District. But some

must be split in order to equally divide the city by population. Building Districts with blocks of wards and divisions is a challenge because some do funny things like straddle highways or railroad tracks, which confound efforts to draw neat, straight lines.

Now, make no mistake, I would submit that any of the plans that I have drafted make more sense for Philadelphia than the current set of mal-

Prisons Appoint New Wardens New Wardens Karen Bryant and Juanita Goodman have taken uo their posts at Alternative & Special Detention and Detention Center, respectively; and Warden Joyce Adams will be reassigned to

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the Riverside Correctional Facility. Bryant and Goodman were promoted to Warden and have spent the past two months in transitional training – “shadowing – in all facilities, before taking on their new positions.

Karen Bryant is a 20-year veteran, formerly deputy warden at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center. She takes over Warden’s duties at ASD following the retirement of Arthur Blackmon. The Alternative & Special Detention program manages six scattered-site facilities for sentenced inmates in minimum custody and community custody programs, including the Roots to Reentry Program, the Work Release Program.

formed and perverted districts — bastard children of a flawed marriage between the worst of the political process and petty personal squabbling.

I could almost certainly superimpose my five-year-old’s scribbles over a map of Philadelphia and do a better job than the current Districts.

You can, too.

I encourage you to visit www.fixphillydistricts.com to try your hand. Then, armed with an appreciation for the difficulty of dividing the city sensibly, let’s collectively demand that City Council approaches its work at least as diligently — and with as much integrity and transparency as we have.

As I have learned, in the end, even in an effort to unite us all, drawing dividing lines is an exercise in disrespect. If we do not get involved, draw our own maps, and call on Council to have an inclusive process to draw sensible Districts, it is clear that what will be disrespected will be our input.

Good Credit • Bad Credit No Credit • Don’t Sweat it!

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

(Cont. From Page 23) each and I have made compact shapes that keep the Districts neat and orderly. But no matter how hard I try, I finish each map with a measure of dissatisfaction.

I find that if I “play by the rules” and maintain a total of ten contiguous and relatively equally populous Districts, my map drawing begins with the best of intentions, but ends with me having to disrespect something.

To make 10 districts with equal populations, I might have to have one District hop over a river, jump to the other side of the tracks, or bridge a major highway. I might have to run a dividing line through an established community or divide historically linked neighborhoods. To make 10

Page 25

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Invention of the United States Part 38/45

Contest between sounds Triumph for “the beat” Melodies withered Rock moved dancing feet.

Middle fifties Significant tipping point Pop music imploded Out of joint.

The Blues birthed a baby Named Rock n’ Roll Melody and harmony Slid down the totem pole.

Loud, primitive sounds Nationally emerged Rhythm challenged melody Cultures conversed.

21st Century, now United States is lost Trillions in debt Noise is boss.

“American Bandstand” Values changed day to night Races mixed quietly Black and White.

U.S. exports rap clatter 9/11 mystery resolved “The Raucous Neighbor” Noise timeline evolved. 7.25.11

—Nicola Argentina (c) 2011 “You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania” Note: In his Second Inaugural Address, President Reagan described the “Sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra,” which caused this aristocrat of orchestras to open China’s global trade doors to the world. He said: “It is the American Sound. It is hopeful, bighearted, idealistic -- daring, decent and fair. That’s our heritage, that’s our song.”

—January 21, 1985

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The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Page 26

A tasty bite of history in Art Museum area

(Cont. From Page 22) omy is now so bad that bedbugs cannot even afford to stay in hotels, but when we visited McCrossen’s on a weeknight in early August, every seat in the dining room was occupied by 8 p.m. The bar was also packed. (They can seat 20 at the bar, 42 for indoor dining and 22 at outdoor tables.) The bar area and dining room were both extremely noisy, but I guess that blaming a pub for being loud is like blaming a pitcher for throwing curve balls.

I checked out what bloggers have been writing about McCrossen’s, and almost all of the comments have been positive. One comment I got a kick out of was by John F. of Baltimore, who wrote on Jul. 18 of this year on yelp.com: “Just had brunch here the

other day. Really enjoyed it. All the servers are very beautiful.

Not to seem too shallow, but that was a plus. Had the steak and egg, which was really a hamburger and egg, but was delicious. Nice beer selection, etc. Will definitely return next time I’m in Philly.”

During our own dinner we absolutely loved the fish tacos appetizer — two tortillas wrapped around tilapia, kimchee, red onions and mayo ($9). The heat was absolutely incendiary, thanks to some Sri Racha (Thai hot chili sauce), but the flavors were ambrosial. Another home run was an appetizer with six small flatbreads. The hero of the dish was smoked pastrami, but supporting roles were acted well by the roasted peppers, red onions, Gruyère cheese and salsa verde ($7).

In answer to the question, “Where’s the beef,” a 12-

ounce dry-aged Black Angus ribeye was meltingly tender ($24) with every bit as much flavor as the fare at some Center City steak emporiums that charge almost twice as much.

In 2004, the owners of McCrossen’s opened another restaurant, McCrossen’s Dockside Bar & Grill, in Delran, N.J., alongside the docks within Riverside Marina, which houses 3,000 boats and yachts. That property, which specializes in fresh seafood dishes, is open annually from May to October. For more information about McCrossen’s in Fairmount, call (215) 8540923 or visit www.mccrossens.com.

City Prepares For Marathon Plans are underway for the 18thannual Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend, Nov. 18-20.

An expected 25,000 runners and more than 60,000 spectators will attend the action-packed three days.

The marathon weekend features the Philadelphia Marathon, Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Insti-

tute8K, Health & Fitness Expo, Kids Fun Run and more

than 20 spectator Cheer Zones to catch all of the competition.

August Claims 2 Port Deaths When it rains, it pours. That was the condition as the month of August claimed two accidental deaths at Port Terminals here.

The most recent occurred this week at Tioga Marine Terminal when Vernon Knight, 54, fell

from an upper deck while unloading a ship. The other death occurred Aug. 12 when Carmen DiRago was fatally struck by yard equipment at Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.

The Port had been free of fatalities for more than 11 years.

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA Special Public Hearing Notice The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Special Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, in the Einstein Medical Center (Gouley Auditorium) located at 5501 Old York Road (near Broad & Olney transit center), to hear testimony concerning Councilmanic redistricting – the redrawing of Council District boundaries to incorporate the results of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk

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CITY OF PHILADELPHIA Special Public Hearing Notice The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Special Public Hearing on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at 5:00 PM, in the Esperanza Academy Charter High School located at 301 West Hunting Park Avenue (3rd & Hunting Park), to hear testimony concerning Councilmanic redistricting – the redrawing of Council District boundaries to incorporate the results of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

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, September 20, 2011. 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.

FEE BUDGET B-057 C of 2010/11 General Contract Mastbaum AVTS $400,000 $100 Fire Protection Upgrade 3116 Frankford Ave. *A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held at the project location, on August 30, 2011 at 09:00 a.m.

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.

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Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102 Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com HELP WANTED DRIVER: DRIVERS: Regional.

Owner/Operators, Tractor/Trailer. Earn $2500 to $3000 per week! Fuel Card, EZ-Pass, Qualcomm, 95% Drop/Hook, Home Weekends.

Weekly Settlements. 215-6381130 x177 or x148 www.AtkinsonFreight.com $2000 Sign-On Driver, 43.7 per mile. $7500 Sign-On Teams, 51.3 per mile. CDL-A HazMat. 1-877-628-3748 www.DriveNCTrans.com HELP WANTED: NOW HIRING: Companies

desperately need employees to assemble products at home.

Electronics, CD Stands, Hair Barrettes, & Many More. No selling, any hours. Info:1-985646-1700 DEPT.PA-1017 MISCEL FOR SALE: HOMEOWNERS WANTED !!!

Kayak Pools is looking for demo homesites to display our maintenance-free Kayak pools.

Save thousands of $$$ with our Year-End Clearance! CALL NOW! 800-315-2925 kayakpoolsmidwest.com Discount Code: 952L16 AUTOS WANTED: DONATE VEHICLE. RECEIVE $1000 GROCERY COUPONS. NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE FOUNDATION. SUPPORT NO KILL SHELTERS. HELP HOMELESS PETS. FREE TOWING. TAX DEDUCTIBLE. NON-RUNNERS ACCEPTED 1-866-912-GIVE

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

Earn an extra income become an Avon Representative.

Guaranteed 40% to start.

Free training and support. Call for a personal appointment! Kim Smith 215-738-9520 or smithk4@comcast.net

866-952-5346 x 82 HELP WANTED "Can You Dig It?" Heavy Equipment School. 3 wk training program. Backhoes, Bulldozers, Trackhoes. Local job placement asst. Start digging dirt Now! 866-362-6497 HELP WANTED DRIVER Top Pay On Excellent Runs!

Marten Just Raised Pay/Rates!

Regional Runs, Steady Miles, Frequent Hometime, New Equipment. CDL-A, 6mo. Experience required. EEOE/AAP 8 6 6 - 3 2 2 - 4 0 3 9 www.Drive4Marten.com Owner Operators & Small Fleets: Earn over $2.00/mi! Up to $1000 Sign on Bonus! Average Fuel Network savings of $.43/gal.

877-277-8756 www.JoinMalone.com Attn: TANKER Independent Contractors! Great Equipment No Money Down- No Credit Check. Guaranteed to Earn $115K/100,000 miles (HHG).

Fuel Surcharge & Great Benefits!

1-800-277-0212 www.primeinc.com Looking for Miles? We've Got 'Em! Great Runs With Great Equipment. Competitive Pay & Benefits. Van & Flatbed Divi-

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Public Record Classifieds: small ADS BIG Deals ADOPTION OR PERSONALS UNIQUE ADOPTIONS. Let us help! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial assistance, housing relocation and more.

Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us first! 1888-637-8200 24-hours hotline.

AUTOMOTIVE AAAA** Donation. Donate Your Car, Boat, or Real Estate. IRS Tax Deductible. Free PickUp/Tow. Any Model/Condition.

Help Under Privileged Children Outreach Center. 1-800-5978311 CONDOS FOR SALE WATERFRONT CONDO LIQUIDATION! SW Florida Coast!

Brand new, upscale 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,675sf condo.

Only $179,900! (Similar unit sold for $399,900) Prime downtown location on the water! Call now 877-888-7571, x30 CONDOS FOR SALE FORECLOSED!!!

NEW FLORIDA CONDO! Only $179,900! Similar unit sold for $477K Luxurious, new 1,700 sf 2BR, 2BA condo w/ study in St. Augustine. Walk to clubhouse, 18- hole golf course, swim & fitness center, lighted tennis courts, 10- acre athletic park, underground parking garage, more. Must see! Call now 1-

Where the Real Bargains Are!

2001 oldsmobile alero SE4 special edition-113k miles 4 cyl., gas saver,auto.,ac, full power,tilt, cc, cd, alloys, recovered theft, excellent condition. $2,795.

215-969-3681

1999 dodge stratus ES4 CYL., auto.,ac, over 100k miles, full power, tilt, cc, cass. alloys, excellent condition. $1,695.

215-969-3681

1987 chevy celebrity2 door, 4cyl., auto., ac, ps, pb, am/fm, 55k miles, pa. inspected till may 2012, runs great, matched radial tires, great dependable transportation, $1,195.

215-742-2365

2005 chevrolet 2500 express cargo van- V8, auto., ac, ps, pb, am/fm, 98k miles, easy load ladder rack, security cage, shelves & bins, no windows in cargo area, fleet maintained,extra clean. $7,850.215-742-2365

Clean • Bathroom 1320 S. Juniper St

$

900 per month

Call 215-868-0532 or 215-755-6298

BARRY FISHER

LICENSED ELECTRICIAN Over 42yrs experience low prices, fast service 100-amp Circuit breakers $65+ ceiling fans $25+ • Outlets $6+ AC/WD Lines $10+ lic/ins* FHA/VA Cert

215-927-0234

Drivers: Regional & OTR. Start up to $.40/mi + Excellent Benefits.

401K + Bonuses. Miles & Guaranteed Hometime!

CDL-A 6mos. exp.

(888) 219-8041

Free Software To Run your Campaign Email David@DAL-Services.com

Or Call

484-383-0099

1998 ford explorer sport 2 door- 4x4, auto., all powers, leather, cold air, brush bar, cass./cd, sunroof, chrome wheels, keyless entry, roof rack, 60k miles, excellent condition. $3,950.

267-716-4349

Say You Saw It In The PUBLIC RECORD

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Free • Free

1997 nissan altima GXE- 4 cyl.,auto.,ac, full powers, tilt, cc, cd, 38k miles, serviced & pa. inspected, garaged, carfax available. $4,850.

215-742-2365

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

The Public Record • August 25, 2011

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