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Panepinto Jewelers

Ron Panepinto Karen Panepinto-Minarcik 700 Sansom St. • Phila., PA 19106 Tel: 215-923-1980 email: info@panepintojewelers.com www.PanepintoJewelers.com

Vol. Vol. VIIVIII No.No. 3 (Issue 1 (Issue 328)378)

Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD. PHILA., PA 19114

215-698-7000 PhillyRecord.com

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TheThe OnlyOnly Union Union Newspaper Newspaper Reporting Reporting South/Southwest South/Southwest Philly Philly TheThe WayWay It Deserves It Deserves

January January1,16, 2015 2014

When The Dead Come Alive

CATRINAS of every hue, ready for Day of the Dead duty. Artists Ana Palma, Zara Hernández, Ana Viveros, Annette Ramírez with their Catrina dolls that took months to make. Giant Catrina is a puppet. Photo by Maria Merlino See Story Page 2

Dressing Up 400 Wenches LIZ MARONE, a.k.a. Liz Tailor, in her custom workroom on Broad Street, holds up one of the 400 wench suits with bloomers she’s made for an entire brigade since July.

Photo by Maria Merlino See Story Page 2.

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Page 2 The South Philadelphia Public Record • January 1, 2015

South Philadelphia Business Association Oldest Business Association in South Philadelphia – Chartered in 1897 To join as a member of the SPBA, please call: (215)-336-1108

P. O. Box 31425• Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215)-336-1108 (215)-336-1149 (fax) Executive Board- President: Daniel Olivieri Treasurer: Jackie Fitzpatrick

Board Members

Vice-President: Vince DeFino Esq. Secretary: Gaeton Tavella

John Savarese Mark Rago

Louis Galdo Dr. Jim Moylan Vince Giusini Bill Ciampitti

Hope They Buck Traffic New Year’s Day

by Maria Merlino Tomorrow! No Mummers on S. Broad Street. But loyalty and tradition remain with the Marone family.

Mummery goes back more the 100 years in Liz Marone’s family. “My grandfather was an original Mummer. The first time he marched was in 1904, the parade was only three years old then!” she exclaims. “We would go to my grandmother’s house on the 2300 block of Chadwick Street on New Year’s Day and I remember as a kid, I would have to navigate the bodies, literally walk around and over them, there

were so many Mummers in that house. I’ve been sewing for Mummers my whole life. I also lived on Front Street and dated a Mummer, so you know it’s in my veins.”

The route change in the parade has cast a shadow over her heart. “I grew up on the corner of Moyamensing & Watts Street,” she reminisces.

“The whole parade marched past our house. It was always crowded down here to St. Agnes. You know we have elderly people that are not going uptown to view the parade. It’s a hardship. Jan. 1 is a day of reunion, seeing every-

body. You go in and out of different houses, get a hot drink or a cookie or sandwich, go to the bathroom, go out again, the whole routine. It was so enjoyable. The city can provide fireworks that cost a pretty penny twice a year but can’t support the Mummers? They’re saying the parade is dying but they are making it dead. They’re stomping on it instead of strutting on it.”

Marone has been sewing since was a teenager and comes from a long line of seamstresses. She learned from her mother and honed her skills at the Girls Club. “I

don’t think any of the girls in our family ever had a store bought dress. I even made my son his prom suit. I love sewing because I love the outcome. My specialty is window treatments.”

Why? “Because they don’t ask questions and sizes don’t change!” she laughs.

She ran a sample store at Heart Strings, a children’s boutique in Devon and worked for custom shirt makers. “I loved working at Jaquelyn’s Bridal Shop on Passyunk Avenue. She’s gone now. but there was a time when many Italian and Jewish women ran

their own bridal rooms. You know, I can’t compete with David’s Bridal. The dresses are made overseas for a pittance. Right now I’m in negotiations with a major furniture store for draperies and custom window treatments.”

Business is good for Marone. She even worked with Rick Blatstein in the Piazza.

She starts her day at 5 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. She has a battalion of seamstresses to help out.”One day I would like to go to Italy. It would be the ultimate inspiration,” she said.

Liz Tailor; 2537 S. Broad Street 267-847-8182.

Day of the Dead Comes Alive At Casa Monarca

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

by Maria Merlino Halloween comes twice to Hispanics to South Philadelphia.

Children’s author Cynthia Kreilick visited Casa Monarca with her new book, ¡Catrina!, a bilingual book of photogra-

OSMARILIN Ladino shows off her sugar skull that she decorated herself.

Photo by Maria Merlino

phy that depicts the children of Casa Monarca creating the iconic symbol of the Day of the Dead, Catrina, a female skeleton dressed in finery.

The summer-to-fall workshop, taught by artist Ana Palma, was an intense art experience as the children had to make the paper maché, mold the skeleton and create the costumes. All the while, Kreilick, who owns Morning Circle Media, documented their every move.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 with even more enthusiasm than Americans show for the Halloween tradition.

Casa Monarca, located at 1448 S. 17th Street, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and preserve the Mexican culture and traditions through artistic, educational and social programs. Many events that involve the local and general community in the South Philadelphia area are also held

here. It serves 250 families with programs that include Mexican folkloric dance classes for children and adults, homework assistance in Spanish, Mexican history and civics class for children and play groups for children up to age of three and their moms. Translations and notary services are also available.

“Monarca” means Monarch butterfly and teacher/volunteer Carmen Marcet explained, “the Monarch butterfly is one of nature’s great spectacles and migrates 2,500 miles every year. It transforms from a caterpillar, to a cocoon, to a beautiful winged creature. The Mexican people who immigrate here are also going through a transformation, learning to be independent, trying to adapt to a new community and becoming successful.”

Catrina was created a century ago by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, considered the father of Mexican print-

The Philadelphia Public Record (PR-01) (ISSN 1938-856X) (USPS 1450) Published Weekly Requested Publication ($20 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

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AUTHOR Cynthia Kreilick displays her book ¡Catrina!

Photo by Maria Merlino

making. He became famous for “Calaveras” (skulls or skeletons) images that he wielded as political and social satire, poking fun at every imaginable human folly.

In 1910, the Mexican revolution occurred and Catrina became its symbol. At that time, the government’s repression, corruption, extravagance, obsession with all things European and the concentration of fantastic wealth in the hands of the privileged few brewed dis-

content in the hearts of the suffering population.

Catrina has come to symbolize the Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos) and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself. Originally Catrina was an elegant or welldressed woman, so it pointedly refers to rich people.

“Death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end. Sometimes people have to be reminded,” said Marcet.

Joe Sbaraglia Denise Clay Bonnie Squires Ruth R. Russell Veteran Affairs Ron Taylor Harry Leech Kate Clarke Leona Dixon Bill Myers Haifa Hanna Sana Muaddi-Dows John David John David Bill Myers Steve Marsico Yousef Maaddi

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. ©1999-2015 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.

Page 3

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The Public Record • January 1, 2015

PSDC •

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The Public Record • January 1, 2015

Page 4

Look For Candidate Stampede Feb. 17

by Joe Shaheeli This may be the first time in about five decades the primary ballot will find more judicial applicants competing in the primary ballot than atLarge Council candidates.

The reason is obvious, when you compare the numbers of open seats.

There are only seven atLarge City Council seats up for grabs. We understand, as other smart potential candidates do as well, the 10 district seats are presently held by incumbents who look to be

locked into their seats for a number of reasons. Among them is the fact incumbency is a powerful reelection tool. So few will face challengers.

However, this time around, the judicial vacancies to be filled are 10 in Common Pleas Court, three in Municipal Court, one in Commonwealth Court, one in Superior Court, and three in the Supreme Court … a total of 18 slots.

Since Superior Court and Supreme Court are statewide, candidates for these two higher chambers will be listed

Music Masters Meet

GETTING together were music legend and publisher Kal Rudman, who critiqued and predicted outcome of top song hits and Kenny Gamble, who wrote many of those hits.

Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

in the city’s ballot. So look for more candidates than usual to file for these seats, which are considered the ultimate achievement for most attorneys.

Those running for municipal office will go to Room 142 City Hall Feb. 17, to pick up petitions which can be circulated by that date. Acting Supervisor of Elections Tim Dowling and his capable staff will be on hand to give out as many petitions as are requested and answer questions.

Ballots need to be returned no later than 5 p.m. Mar. 10.

Candidates will enjoy two months of campaigning to reach voters, since Election Day is May 19.

Judicial candidates will need to get their nominating petitions from Pennsylvania Dept. of State. Endorsed candidates will be supplied to them from their respective City Committee headquarters.

This will be a long ballot for voters, meaning those somewhere near the bottom in the at-Large Council races will lose a substantial number of votes.

Here’s why. Judicial candidates are listed at the top, beginning with the Supremes.

After the judges come the

local city position of Mayor, with at least four in that race, then three City Commissioners, followed by Register of Wills.

We don’t see anyone with smarts running against Register of Wills Ron Donatucci.

He’s done his job extremely well. The City Commissioners will see at least three candidates challenging incumbents on both Democrat and Republican ballots.

The City Commissioners will be pressed on how to fit in this record-size ballot of challengers on the voting machine.

Matt Wolfe Long In At-Large Council Race With two at-Large Republican incumbents – veteran Councilman David Oh and former House Speaker Denny O’Brien – the City GOP’s five spots will see a number of challengers. As an expected minority party on general-election night, the top two candidates will take their seats, along with the five Democrats who finish at the top.

Aiming for one of those two slots is attorney Matt Wolfe, who has sought a Council seat before. He’s ahead of most other challengers. His campaign team is in place, his finance committee is set up and he has con-

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

R EPRESENTATIVE

A NGEL C RUZ DISTRICT OFFICE

3503 ‘B’ St. 215-291-5643 Ready to Serve you

Rep. Rosita

Youngblood District 198th District 310 W. Chelten Ave. Phila PA 19148

P: 215-849-6426

Councilman Wm.

Greenlee

Room 506 City Hall P. 215-686-3446/7 F. 215-686-1927

STATE REP. Jim Roebuck congratulates Bonnie Grant, executive director of PHLLife, a division of Phila. Convention & Visitors Bureau, on announcement of American Heart Association’s choosing Phila. as site of its 2019 annual convention.

Photo by Bonnie Squires tinuously hosted fellow Re- cycle like most such laws.

“Because of that, it is impublican ward leaders at his home in University City. He’s portant that anyone who is inalso a maven on campaign fi- clined to contribute at this nancing and the guy to go to time do so on or before Dec. for information on how to file 31.

“The maximum an individnominating petitions and camual can contribute is $2,900 paign-finance reports.

This Tuesday, Wolfe held per year. The maximum a poa campaign-finance-law party litical action committee can to ensure supporters realize contribute is $11,500.” A there is a Dec. 31 financial- Democratic candidate, George compliance deadline.

Matysik, scheduled a He scheduled this fundraiser on the same night, fundraiser, he said, since for the same reason.

“Philadelphia’s campaign-fiRep. Acosta Opens nance law runs by calendar 197th Dist. Office year rather than by election State Rep.-Elect Leslie Acosta announced her constituent-services office is open and ready to assist residents of the 197th Legislative Dist.

Acosta’s office, located at (Cont. Next Page) State Senator

State Representative

First Senate District

RONALD G. WATERS 191st Leg. District

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

www.SenatorFarnese.com State Rep.

Mark B.

COHEN 215-342-6340 202nd Legislative District

7012 Castor Ave. Philadelphia PA 19120

6027 Ludlow Street, Unit A

215-748-6712

COMMISSIONER

AL SCHMIDT ROOM 134

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leadership and positive interactions with the community.

Thomas also praised the captains of the local police dis-

tricts servicing his district, including Brian Korn, 6th Police Dist.; Robert Glenn, 22nd Police Dist.; Michael Cram,

25th Police Dist.; Jacqueline Bailey-Pittman, 26th Police Dist.; and Joseph Fredricksdorf, 35th Police Dist.

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(Cont. From Prev. Page) 511 W. Courtland Street, Suite 197, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number is (215) 457-5281, and Spanish and Vietnamese translation services are available.

Acosta will also provide updates online at www.facebook.com/RepLeslieAcosta and www.twitter.com/repleslieacosta.

Acosta, a former social worker, is the first woman elected to the 197th Legislative Dist., which includes Feltonville, Fairhill, Hunting Park, Lower Kensington, Allegheny West, and North Central Philadelphia. Her top legislative priorities include strengthening educational opportunities, boosting economic development, providing access to affordable housing, and bolstering communities.

Her dad Ralph Acosta served in the General Assembly as a representative.

Acosta will be sworn into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Jan. 6.

graduated with honors with a degree in government and James Williams, Republi- health policy. She will receive can Ward Leader from the her law degree from Yale Law 50th Ward, has launched a School.

Rep. Thomas Backs campaign website for his 2015 Local Police candidacy for Philadelphia At a press conference City Council at Large. It is www.jameswilliamsforcity- Monday, State Rep. Curtis Thomas (D-N. Phila.) came council.com.

“The web is a great tool for out in strong support of the reaching voters,” said Philadelphia Police Dept.

Thomas said he was“here Williams. “This site was created to address the most-impor- with members of the commutant issues facing Philadelphia.” nity, including the faith-based Jenné Ayers Announces community, to stand in supof the men and women of Council Run, Hits Poverty port the Philadelphia Police Dept.

Jenné Ayers, the daughter The various tragic events of of former Police Commis- the past year have spurred sioner Lloyd Ayers, an- much discussion and debate, nounced her candidacy for and while I am eager to parCity Council at Large on Dec. ticipate in conversations about 30. needed reforms, I want to end Growing up, Jenné had a this year by clearly stating my bird’s-eye view of public serv- support for our brothers and ice in Philadelphia. Over 40 sisters in blue.” years, her father served in Thomas particularly comevery rank of the Philadelphia mended Philadelphia HomiFire Dept., culminating in his cide Capt. John Clark, Deputy tenure as Fire Commissioner. Police Commissioner Richard Jenné’s mother devoted her Ross and Deputy Commiscareer to leading institutions in sioner Kevin Bethel for their community banking programs for North and West PhiladelRep.Maria P. phia residents.

Donatucci She was president of the D-185th District Philadelphia NAACP Youth 2115 W. Oregon Ave. Council. After graduating Phila PA 19145 from Masterman HS, Jenné atP: 215-468-1515 F: 215-952-1164 tended Harvard College. She

Page 5

James Williams Launches Website

This report is courtesy of Keller Williams Main Line Realty Sales Rep Joel Brown.

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The Public Record • January 1, 2015

Page 6

Church Hosts SpArc

World Mtg. Seeks Hosts

World Meeting of Families for Philadelphia 2015 is reaching out to residents from across the Philadelphia metropolitan region to participate in the “Host a Family” program.

It is partnering with global travel company Homestay.com.

LAURA Princiotta, CEO of SpArc Phila., presents citation Residents within 120 miles of to Bishop Kermit Newkirk and his wife Mrs. Cindy Newkirk, Philadelphia can open their of Harold O. Davis Baptist Church for their annual hosting homes and offer lodging to visof hundreds of participants in SpArc Services. Bishop had itors from across the country congregant some years ago with young adult child who had and around the world.

More than 10,000 delegates intellectual disabilities and received services at The Arc of from 150 nations are expected Phila. and SpArc Services. Photo by Christen Rhoadarmer to attend, which will be held at Attorneys are both board certhe Pennsylvania Convention tified by the American BankCenter from Tuesday, Sep. 22 ruptcy Certification Board. to Friday, Sep. 25, 2015. The Chapters 7/13 & Stop forecloCongress will be followed by a sures, creditors harassments, visit from Pope Francis which lawsuits, garnishments, and is expected to draw upwards of sheriff sales.

2 million visitors to the city.

We are a debt-relief agency Those interested in becoming 1500 Walnut Street • Suite 900 a host family can register for Philadelphia, PA 19102 free online registration process via http://bit.ly/hostafamily. Information is available at Worldccpc@ccpclaw.com Meeting2015.org.

by Michael A. Cibik, Esq. American Bankruptcy Board Certified Question: Another way to miss out on discharging creditcard debt?

Answer: There are two basic ways to blow your chance to discharge the balance on your credit card in bankruptcy: 1. Lie on the credit application to get the credit; 2. Use the card fraudulently.

Credit-card charges may survive a bankruptcy filing if they were incurred by false representations or actual fraud.

Since no one plunks their card down with the announcement that they don’t really intend to pay the issuer, courts have had to find ways to infer what’s in your head when you make that purchase with plastic.

The legal fiction that has

grown up is that when you present your plastic to pay for a purchase, you make a representation that you intend to pay the issuer. If that weren’t so, the entire credit-card industry collapses.

Credit-card issuers, then, are looking for evidence that the bankruptcy debtor didn’t intend to pay. They look to the facts that appear on the card statement and ask courts to infer from those facts the debtor’s state of mind.

What triggers the assumption the use was fraudulent?

Dramatic run-up in account balance shortly before bankruptcy filing; purchase of nonessentials; no payments after significant purchases; going over limit; continuing use right up to bankruptcy….

This list isn’t exhaustive,

but it touches the things the creditor can see from its records and use to form a conclusion that the debt wasn’t incurred with an intention to repay. There are more factors courts consider when looking for fraud.

Part of my charge to clients when we first meet to discuss bankruptcy is to stop the use of credit cards. It is hard to argue to a judge that even though you’ve met with a bankruptcy lawyer, you really did intend to pay when you swiped your card the next week for a weekend holiday getaway.

In the meantime, if you are considering filing bankruptcy, remember your use of your credit cards, even within the card limits, is subject to scrutiny in your bankruptcy case. If proven fraudulent, those charges may be with you for the New Year and beyond.

Next Week’s Question: Business bankruptcy: when, how, and what kind?

be a bad level sensor. If there is air in the system, this too may be the cause of the light staying on.

It is normal for some of the coolant to come out when the engine is turned off, but it should only fill the reservoir tank. If it overflows, then the sensor may need to be replaced.

I would start with the cap and fill the cooling system and allow the engine to warm. If the light stays on, then you

will need to try tapping on the coolant reservoir to see if the sensor will come loose; if not, the reservoir will need to be replaced.

Our Ford-certified technicians would be happy to help further if you would like to make an appointment on our online you can head to www.pacificoford.com. Hope this helped!

Tom has been serving automotive customers in the Philadelphia area for over 20 years as a salesman and then General Manager of Pacifico Auto Group. Rocco is a top automotive consultant.

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by Tom Flynn and Rocco DeGregorio Question: I have a 2000 Ford Taurus. My coolant-level light is on but the fluid level is full. I noticed today that the cap “wheezes” after the engine is hot and you shut it off.

The coolant comes out and I’m not sure where it is coming from. Can you help?

Answer: Dear Reader, If your light is on but the fluid level is full, it may just

Area Park Trails Get Curfews Philadelphia Parks and Recreation has announced curfews are now in force until March 31 in the Wissahickon Valley, West Fairmount Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Tacony Creek Park and Pennypack Park areas of the Fairmount Park system. They will be closed daily from 8 pm to 6 am.

All trails, parking lots, and other areas

in these parks will be closed to all pedestrian, bicycle, equestrian and vehicular traffic. The expanded closing hours are being implemented to ensure public safety as deer control activities are being conducted in these parks.

This has been a program in force since 1999.

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The Public Record • January 1, 2015

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Over A Quarter Century of Experience

R

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Bridge Funds NE Schools

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The Public Record • January 1, 2015

MAKING scholarships possible were, in first row: Katie Strock, Waste Management; Jennifer Tanner, CSX Transportation; State Reps. Kevin Boyle and John Taylor; and State Rep.-Elect Mike Driscoll. Second row: Rev. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Father Judge HS; Bobby Keyes, Enterprise Holdings; Dennis Giorno, Bridge Educational Foundation; Steve Reidy, Matt Boyle and Nikki Bagby, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Students are in back rows.

STATE REP. Bill Keller presents a proclamation to SEPTA Bus Operator Eugene “Smitty” Smith. Smith, who has never missed a day of work in his 36 years at Southern Depot on Johnston Street, has now retired. Smith says after retirement, he has no plans to work for anybody; will exercise, eat healthy and remain active in his church.

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Kicking off the season of giving, the Bridge Educational Foundation partnered with some of their donor companies, Philadelphia schools and local legislators hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive at Father Judge HS. While announcing over $118,000 in Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs, the attendees also brought a new, unwrapped toy.

In attendance to support their local schools were State Reps. Kevin Boyle, John Taylor and Curtis Thomas.

The local schools that benefited from a portion of the $118,000 were: Archbishop Ryan HS; Christ the King School; CORA Services Early Years Preschool; Father Judge HS; Holmesburg Baptist Christian School; Little Flower Catholic HS for Girls; Mater-

nity BVM School; Mercy Vocational HS; Nazareth Academy Grade School; Nazareth Academy HS; Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional Catholic School; Politz Hebrew Academy; Quba Institute; Resurrection Regional Catholic School; St. Anselm School; St. Cecilia School; St. Christopher School; St. Dominic ES; St. Frances Cabrini Regional Catholic School; St. Hubert HS; St. Katherine of Siena Catholic Grade School; St. Martha Parish School; St. Martin of Tours School; and St. Raymond of Penafort School.

Rev. Joseph Campellone, OSFS, president of Father Judge HS, remarked, “Father Judge is excited and honored to host the Bridge Educational Foundation’s check presentation to the schools of the Northeast Philadelphia community.”

Census Bureau Numbers As Of New Year’s Day As our nation prepares to ring in the new year, the US.Census Bureau projected the United States population will be 320,090,857 on Jan. 1, 2015. This represents an increase of 2,334,187, or 0.73%, from New Year’s Day 2014, and 11,345,319, or 3.67%, since Census Day (April 1) 2010.

In January 2015, the US is expected to experience a birth every eight seconds and one death every 12 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migra-

tion is expected to add one person to the US population every 33 seconds. The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the US population by one person every 16 seconds.

The projected world population on Jan. 1, is 7,214,958,996, an increase of 77,381,246, or 1.08%, from New Year’s Day 2014. During January 2015, 4.3 births and 1.8 deaths are expected worldwide every second.

Supreme Court Race Wide Open

An Interesting Race For Mayor

THIS IS THE WORSE ROUTE..!

Another Opinion

Immigration-Services Fraud: A Perfect Crime

by Councilman Denny O’Brien In Philadelphia, immigrants now have a form of protection from individuals who scam them while posing as legitimate businesses providing immigration assistance services. People who utilize assistance have been vulnerable to exploitation, fraud, financial ruin and family upheaval. Those preying upon and intentionally deceiving our immigrant population are committing a fraud.

Many of our immigrants need assistance on their pathway to citizenship or help completing other legal and financial documents. Unfortunately, our nation’s immigration system is notoriously complex. Often immigrants seek consultants to navigate the process. They often go to a third party for assistance and place a tremendous amount trust in that service provider.

Immigration-service

providers have a duty and responsibility to properly and legally serve their clients. Their work can affect every facet of a client’s life. Given the size of Philadelphia’s immigrant community, immigration assistance service providers have a significant impact on the social, cultural and economic life of the city.

Unsuspecting immigrants often pay thousands of dollars for what they believe are legitimate services. Fraudsters promise to help the victim apply for benefits that do not exist, file incorrect or incomplete forms, file false claims or miss filing deadlines. As a result, an immigrant can miss opportunities to obtain legal residency, be unnecessarily deported, or subject to civil and/or criminal liability for the filing of false claims.

This fraud is committed by individuals who capitalize on vulnerability and ignorance of

the US legal system to offer substandard or nonexistent immigration services. Immigrants are often linguistically and culturally isolated, unfamiliar with the US legal system, and fearful of approaching government officials.

Individuals who run immigration scams often share the ethnic background of their victims; locate their businesses in immigrant dense neighborhoods, and target advertising at their own community. They then exploit the sense of trust that being integrated into the community engenders.

Immigrants deserve to know exactly the scope of the work to be performed by a service provider.

They need assurances of proper assistance and have some recourse should they be wronged by an assistance provider because the steep and life altering consequences.

The legislative intent of Bill 140142, which I introduced, is to give immigrants clarity about how immigration services should be handled, promote ethical, fair and honest practices, preserve public confidence and hold service providers accountable.

Jan. 12- 71st Birthday Celebration for Smokin’ Joe Frazier at H & H (Help & Hope) Banquet Ha., 2036 E. Haines St., 6-9 p.m. RSVP by Jan. 8 Pete Lyde (267) 303-3203 or petesoreal@aol.com. Free.

Jan. 16- State Rep. John Sabatina, Jr. holds Shrimp-APalooza Fundraiser at Harmonia Cl., 2404 Orthodox St., 7-11 p.m. Attendees $40, $250 Sponsors, $1,000 Hosts.

Checks payable to “Committee to Re-Elect John Sabatina, mail to 7720 Castor Ave., 2nd fl., Phila., PA 19152. RSVP (215) 821-7606.

Feb. 1- Super Bowl XLIX at United Republican Cl., 3156 Frankford Ave., 2 p.m.

Editorial Warning!!

Letters from an unidentified informant without any contact information cannot be considered for publication, no matter how valid their contents.

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Forget the need for diversity in the selection for mayor in the upcoming primary. It’s all there! Race, gender… you name it.

If the election for Mayor were to be held this coming Tuesday, the winner would easily be Lynne Abraham, still called “the DA” when her name comes up. She has the highest visibility citywide over all those who have declared to date.

That could change depending on the kind of money raised and spent by the candidates for Mayor, who now officially number five. We don’t see a Tom Knox- or a Sam Katz-type candidate with a campaign chest in the millions.

Unless Council President Darrell Clark enters the race, and barring the ability of the other candidates to raise and spend at least $2 million by May, we see “the DA” and State Sen. Anthony Williams as front-runners.

We see the first to come out and sustain an aggressive media campaign, well thought out and addressing the city’s chronic problems, as the Democratic primary winner.

The only question left is will the Republican City Committee have a primary race for Mayor or will it settle for a candidate willing to run the steep uphill race in the general election?

THIS IS THE CHANGE FOR YOU!

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

With the announcement expected shortly by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Correale Stevens, he intends to run for one of the three open seats on the Court sometime in January; the opportunity increases for voters to try to understand the primary and general-election results could mean a serious shakeup in the state’s highest court.

This court has the distinction of being the oldest appellate court in the nation.

Judges who have announced they will be seeking one of those seats, we believe, are well qualified. Stevens, for instance, is a former legislator, trial judge, appellate court judge and President Judge. This would actually be Stevens’ first attempt at an elective term on the Court. He was appointed by Gov. Tom Corbett.

What voters don’t realize is every elected judge, from Common Pleas on up, wins a 10-year term. If they elect to run for retention, odds favor them being retained for another 10 years.

What will be desperately sought by either political party is majority control. Those elected to this Court understand their loyalty to their party will be manifested in the operations of the state’s entire court system, especially when it comes to employment. Control of that court gives muscle to the party with the most representation.

Look for more judges to announce a run for one of those seats. So many vacancies present them with a rare opportunity.

Though Democrats outregister Republicans, 4-plus million to 3-plus million, there is no telling which party will do well in the coming general election. It is a shame a good majority of the voters will not know the significance of the votes they cast for the Supreme Court.

For too long, “civics” courses, which would have helped students examine the workings of that court, have remained on the back burner at most high schools in this Commonwealth – a practice that must change if we are to remain connected to the various components of our government.

WE LOOK PRETTY GOOD, BUT WHERE IS THE CROWD??

Page 9

Our Opinion

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

Page 10

Laborers Local 332 Shared Holiday Spirit

JOINING Laborers Local host Samuel Staten, Jr., business manager/co chairman, right, at union’s Yule party at Wallace Street headquarters were Sheet Metal’s Bryan Bush, PHA Exec. Dir. Kelvin Jeremiah and Judge Jimmy DeLeon.

LOCAL 19 Sheet Metal Workers Union Presiddent and Business Mgr. Gary Masino shares happy moment with host Sam Staten, Jr.

GUESTS included Judge Vincent Melchiorre, Christine Hope, Wayne Johns and Michel Tucker.

COUNCILMAN Wilson Goode Jr. and State-Sen.elect Arthur Haywood were among VIPS attending Sam Staten’s Local 332 Yule party.

PLEASED to share moment with Local 332 Business Manager/CoChairman Sam Staten, Jr., at union’s holiday party were Vince Chandler, Andy Robinson and Freddie Cosenza.

MAYORAL hopeful State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams gets hearty welcome from Local 332 Business Mgr./Co-Chairman Samuel Staten, Jr.

SHARING union shop talk with Host Samuel Staten, Jr., were Joe McGuire, Building Trades’ Bernard Griggs and John McCarty.

PHA Breaks Ground In Strawberry Mansion PHILA. Housing Authority will convert vacant piece of land in Strawberry Mansion neighborhood into a quality, affordable housing development. The agency has broken ground for Gordon Street Apartments in 3000 block of West Gordon Street. This 21unit development will be a mixture of walkup units and townhomes that will be built to Energy Star standards, reducing energy usage and air pollution.

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

LECET Administrator Juan Ramos, 2nd from left, enjoys a moment with Lisa Deeley, Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr. and Donald “Ducky” Birts.

From Their Own Lips

LEST WE FORGET: Eagle Scout D e r e k Copeland is interviewing World War II veterans for Library of Congress.

Above, he interviews Ted Paluch, 91, one of four survivors of Malmédy Massacre during Battle of the Bulge. Though four generations apart, they first met during holiday meeting of Union League’s Benjamin Franklin American Legion Post.

Photo by Joe Stivala, Post Adjutant

FORMAL groundbreaking took place in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood for the Gordon Street Apartments. The 21-unit Energy Star development, a mixture of walkup units and townhomes, will be located in the 3000 block of W. Gordon Street. PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah, center, and City Council President Darrell Clarke, right, were joined by PHA Commissioners Asia Coney and Ethel Wise, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Kevin Upshur of Strawberry Mansion Learning Center, and Gordon Street Block Capt. Thomas Willis.

EARLY arrivals are welcomed by Santa Claus and Business Mgr. Daniel “Tiger” Woodall Jr. to Laborers’ Local 135 annual Christmas Party at its headquarters on Sandy Street in Norristown.

SHARING photo op with Rubera Family — SUPERVISING cookies, cakes and beverage Sebastian, Zuleica, Richard and Jonathan – distribution were Bill McLane, Catherine were Chief Elf Tiffany Carter and her assisScott and Vernon Woodall. tant Alajah Carter.

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

EIGHTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Catherine Scott tries out Santa Claus’ lap for comfort before letting her DeKalb Day School students get in line to make their wishes.

Local 135 employees donated hundreds of new toys and Santa distributed them by SANTA’S chief helper Elf Tiffany Carter answers questions from happily excited teachers. age and gender.

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

LABORERS’ Local 135 Business Mgr. Daniel L. Woodall Jr., Chief Elf Tiffany Carter and Santa “Vernon Woodall” Claus welcome 4-year-old Amerika Flores and her mother Dawn to union’s annual Christmas Party for needy youngsters.

Page 11

Laborers’ Local 135 Brought Santa To Norristown

Page 12 The Public Record • January 1, 2015 www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

The Year in Review– November was probably the highlight for many fellow Republicans with the notable exception of the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. However, the GOP increased its majorities in the Pennsylvania State House and Senate. Thus the new incoming GOV. TOM WOLF will have serious problems keeping his campaign promises without giving major concessions to the General Assembly.

Nationwide, the Republicans increased the number of GOP Governors to 31 from 29. Republicans took control of the Senate and increased its majority in the US House of Representatives. In many places, we won in blue and purple states because we had the better candidate, such as the gubernatorial races in Ohio, New Mexico and Michigan. We were helped in other races by the Democrats. In Louisiana, incumbent SEN. MARY LANDRIEU lost in large part because she could not distance herself from her Democratic Party.

Democrats in Philadelphia and in the rest of Pennsylvania have given us great fodder this year. For most of the year, we have been watching our City Council members actively or inactively destroy a deal to sell PGW to UIL Corp for an amount that most industry experts would describe as a premium price. The UIL deal was announced in March this year and the agreement called for the Council to vote on the deal

by Jul. 15 or UIL could walk from the transaction without paying a breakage fee.

(Cont. Page 14)

To be generous about it, the year 2014 stunk.

Really stunk. Stunk like a New Jersey landfill in the summertime. It was a year that was a red-hot mess, with extra mess sauce.

If you’re a news geek like me, you found it interesting, but if you were just a regular human being looking for peace and harmony in the world, there were days in 2014 where you just wanted to throw the blanket over your head and stay in bed all day.

I know I did. And as I said, I’m a news junkie.

I should tell you why I think 2014 is one of those years we’re going to remember for all the wrong reasons.

Probably the biggest story to me, at least as someone who was once a teacher, is the 2014 school year that started with parents concerned about whether or not their kids would be in class on time.

And because Pennsylvania is a place where people send their bad ideas … and we implement them … the School District of Philadelphia felt that increased taxes on cigarettes and liquor was the solution.

To make matters worse, the School Reform Commission, and new Dilettante-In-Chief Bill Green, decided because of a combination of the district’s finances and the refusal of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers to accept a contract that would make the lowest-paid teachers in the Commonwealth have to go on food stamps, cancelled the teachers’ contract.

The teachers took to the streets, blocking an entire section of Spring Garden Street during an SRC meeting. Everyone (Cont. Page 15)

Yo! Here we go again with these thoughts about New Year’s Eve. When I was growing up, we celebrated New Year’s Eve at home with our family and friends. It was also a celebration of having survived one year and looking forward to a better one to come. We would have tons of food to eat. Relatives and guests arrived early. They always brought something, for it is an Italian custom never to go visiting with Empty Hands.

Promptly at 11:30 p.m., the television was tuned to Guy Lombardo. It would not be New Year without hearing his soft, graceful music. And don’t even think of changing the channel.

Grandpop Achille or Dad would promptly scold you and insist on returning the station to Guy Lombardo.

Anticipation grew as the witching hour approached. When the ball finally fell and the New Year had arrived, we would kiss (or shake hands with) each of our relatives and guests. We wished them good luck. A coin was exchanged, one with the other, to insure the recipient always had money during the coming year. These coins were never to be spent, as they represented a gesture of affection. I still have most of the coins I received over the years.

After this ritual, everyone would hurry out into the street to join with the other neighbors in making as much noise as possible, with anything available. Spoons were banged on pot lids, horns were blown, and anything else used that could create a din. We would shout Happy New Year to each other through all the noise (as if no one knew that it was a new year.) This lasted 10 to 15 minutes.

We then returned to our home cold, tired and hoarse. There we continued to eat, converse with everyone and generally feel good about having survived another year. The kids were allowed to stay up. Big deal, for by about 2 a.m., most of us had fallen asleep, either on the floor, on the couch or on someone’s lap.

It wasn’t until everyone was stuffed, the perishable food put in the icebox, the dishes washed and put away, that Mom and the other women finally got to rest. It had been a long (Cont. Page 14)

To read a banner headline that FAMILY COURT was stripped of antiques was a wasted effort. On closer reading, it appears the City did not communicate that these items were not to be taken to the DRAB new courthouse – as long portrayed in the press. JUDGES and COURT WORKERS should NOT be blamed! A horrible story that could have been replaced by a recipe for Beluga.... GRINCH TIME: Two days before Christmas when we do not want to read unpleasant news, behold we learn that State Rep. Daryl METCALFE is again calling for the impeachment of State Attorney General Kathleen KANE, because HE questions the ability to “perform the duties of her office.” HE – one person? This after The Public Record made an editorial appeal last week for holiday peace from GRINCH attacks. As far as I know, HE is not a lawyer, but mentions disrespect for the law as a reason. His district on the map appears mostly rural, only two towns shown – good for hunting, maybe? NRA members there? Didn’t KANE refuse to defend a gun law that would have empowered the N.R.A.? HUMBUG, Daryl.

Judge Michael SULLIVAN was acquitted after dragging his reputation and livelihood through federal mud for over a year. Now the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board has filed charges against Sullivan since the Traffic Court “culture” at his trial undermined public confidence in the judicial system. A Deputy Counsel for the Board said confidence in the judiciary would continue to erode if Sullivan was back on the (Cont. Page 15)

The great thing about politics is there’s usually another big race coming up.

This next election cycle features the availability of three State Supreme Court seats. There was already going to be two vacancies due to the mandatory retirement JUSTICE RON CASTILLE and resignation of SANDRA SCHULTZ NEWMAN, but the unforeseen retirement of JUSTICE SEAMUS McCAFFERY has created three openings.

The court could swing to majority Democrat. And with this balance of power there is a sweepstakes mania. There are all kinds of proposed deals. Consultants and supporters are trying to come up with the perfect East-West combination.

Among those being discussed are the FAMILY COURT PRESIDENT JUDGE KEVIN DOUGHERTY, DAVID WECHT and JUDGE CHRISTINE DONAHUE combination. Donahue is an attractive Pittsburgh attorney and Dougherty is the brother of the well-known Local 98 leader JOHN DOUGHERTY. But there are plenty of others in the wings, including Philadelphia Common Pleas JUDGE ALICE BECK DUBOW. And once again, ambitious Common Pleas JUDGE ANN LAZARUS, also from Philadelphia, will assemble a campaign that will be formidable.

The state’s highest court is very important in determining many issues. Among the most significant is redistricting and reapportionment. The court can literally lay the foundation for how all power is established in Pennsylvania. Look for plenty of wheeling and dealing and potential compromises being made – and for the landscape of the political judicial system to change more dramatically over the next couple of years than it has in the last decade.

Several Senators will be sworn in at Harrisburg on Jan. 6. Among the new senators is ART HAYWOOD, who is succeeding LeANNA WASHINGTON. Hayward has already stepped in and taken positions one might perceive as anti-police. So he will have to be very careful not to stumble and make an enemy of a very-important constituency.

FOP head JOHN McNESBY continues to be active in vocal on many pro-police issues.

He continues to have political ambitions and reportedly wants to be a State Senator as either Republican or Democrat from Northeast Philadelphia. But shrewd insiders continue to advise him to become even more powerful as a labor leader and kingmaker.

(Cont. Page 15)

Local 22 President Joe Schulle. “Joyce made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of Philadelphia.

It’s our hope that people will open their hearts and checkbooks to help support her two

beloved children she’s left behind. The men and women of Local 22 greatly appreciate the incredible outpouring of support we have received from the public during this extremely difficult time.”

Philadelphia Salutes Its Own Lt. Governor

Senator Michael Stack Special Commemorative Issue THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, saluting his coming inauguration

TRAINED SKILLS

Union Labor…Building it right for a better and stronger community And promoting renaissance of North Broad St. Laborers’ District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and vicinity is comprised of four unions: Local 332, Samuel Staten, Jr., Vincent Primavera, Jr. Business Manager/Co-Chairman L.E.C.E.T. Co-Chairman Local 135, Daniel L. Woodall, Jr., Damian Lavelle Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Local 413, James Harper, Jr., Fred Chiarlanza Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Local 57, Walt Higgins Harry Hopkins Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Laborers District Council, Ryan N. Boyer, Business Manager.

This ad is presented by LECET

January 20th, 2015 at High Noon On Steps Of Capitol In Harrisburg

LiUNA!

The Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust 665 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Telephone: 215-922-6139 Fax: 215-922-6109 Web: www.ldc-phila-vic.org Juan F. Ramos Administrator

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

Laborers’ District Council promotes a safe work environment, jobs completed on time and on budget, and represents union members, who are well trained, productive, professional, and take pride in their work. Union labor…building better and safer communities in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.

To Participate, Call John David 215-755-2000

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

IBEW Local 98 Electricians volunteered many days of holiday time to distribute truckloads of toys and turkeys to needy. Mike Neill, director of training, and Bob Gormley, 4th and 2nd from right, supervised effort.

Photo by Joe Stivala

NORTH BRO N O A

TREET DS

Firefighters Raise Fund Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Union Local 22 have established a memorial fund to honor fallen firefighter Joyce Craig-Lewis, 36, who died in the line of duty in while battling a blaze in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane section.

All monies raised through this effort will go directly to supporting Craig-Lewis’ two surviving children, a 16-yearold and 16-month-old. Checks can be made payable to the “Local 22-Joyce Craig-Lewis Memorial Fund” and mailed to 901 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

“We have lost a dear friend and a great firefighter,” said

UNION LABOR

NOW BA CK

Charging Up Gift-Giving

Page 13

With the UNIONS

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

Page 14

ELEPHANT (Cont. From Page 12) COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN TASCO claimed MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER put this date in the agreement to strong-arm Council. I was not party to negotiations between the Mayor’s office and UIL, but I would bet the date was UIL’s idea. It is common in merger and acquisition deals to have dates by which certain regulatory hurdles are met.

After Council failed to schedule a vote by Jul. 15, at Tasco’s direction and with COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL CLARKE’S approval, taxpayer funds were spent on radio ads in the summer lamely explaining why they did not meet the deadline.

Clarke decided not to bring the deal to a vote at all and in October announced Council was passing on the deal. He proceeded to say they would pursue public/private-sector relationships to make Philadelphia an energy hub. What reputable private-sector company would dream of dealing with a a City Council that not only did not give another company a fair hearing, but did not give them a hearing at all?

The other gift that keeps on giving is the meltdown of ATTORNEY GENERAL KATHLEEN KANE. Her prosecutorial experience prior to this job was limited. The good thing about having a limited record is there are fewer bad things to explain. Unfortunately for her, she now has a track record.

She accused Gov. Corbett of mishandling the JERRY

SANDUSKY case when he was AG and she appointed a special investigator to prove herself right – the investigation did not prove her right.

She passed on prosecuting five Philadelphia Democratic political officeholders who were caught on tape taking illegal political contributions because she claimed the investigation were racially motivated.

Philadelphia DA SETH WILLIAMS disagrees and is now prosecuting the cases.

She is now under investigation for illegally leaking confidential information. In an unrelated case in September, she released the names of six Republicans who shared pornographic materials via email while working for Corbett when he was AG. She redacted the names of any Democrat from the materials she released, including that of

WAFFLEMAN (Cont. From Page 12) and fun-filled night (and morning), but we had to get some sleep. We had to get up early to watch the Mummers’ Parade.

Our New Year’s Eve celebration is not like this anymore.

Grandpop Achille, Dad and many of our relatives have passed away. We kids now have our own families and circle of friends with whom we celebrate the New Year. The food that we once consumed to excess, now gives us agita. Going out to nightclubs costs more than we can afford, so we still stay home on New Year’s Eve. We still invite relatives and guests to our home, but most of them are as busy with their own lives as we are with ours.

Walk In’s Welcomed Appointments Preferred

Pennsylvania SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SEAMUS McCAFFERY. The Republicans who were still working for Corbett took their lumps and resigned. McCaffery, however, responded by trying to blackmail another Supreme Court Justice into supporting him against requests for his resignation.

Perhaps the most disturbing fall from grace in Pennsylvania politics this year is the disclosures that CONGRESSMAN CHAKA FATTAH took money from nonprofits he helped establish.

These nonprofits received federal grants sourced by Fattah for the education of economically challenged children.

Sadly, Philadelphia Democrats overwhelmingly voted in November for a man who is probably one step ahead of an indictment for stealing from their children.

We still watch the ball come down on Times Square on TV, but Guy Lombardo has been replaced by a rockmusic carnival our kids insist on watching. Who are we to argue with them? We shouldn’t be old-fashioned.

Should we still exchange the kisses, greetings and coins at the stroke of midnight as we once did?

We still go outside, but there isn’t that much going on outside either. People don’t run outside to make noise and greet each other like they used to. Maybe they think it is now unsophisticated. Maybe they don’t care enough about their neighbors to wish them a Happy New Year. Maybe they don’t even know their neighbors. Whatever the reason, it just isn’t the same as it was.

On this coming New Year’s Eve, midnight will still signal a celebration we will try to celebrate as we once knew it. But as time goes by, the happiness that once was there will be gone. Gone but not forgotten.

I hope future generations will not lose this precious memory. New Year’s Eve can be one of the most-memorable times of the year and of your life. Enjoy it to the fullest.

CITY HALL (Cont. From Page 12) A recent favorable decision by the courts that allows the FOP to create a political action committee and raise money gives McNesby the financial base to challenge ED CORYELL of the Carpenters and John Dougherty of the Electricians for labor preemi-

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I· UNKNOWN ROOTS: 1978 letter from the Office of the Chairman, Republican National Committee: “Dear Mr. Argentina: I’m happy to be able to return the enclosed (Philadelphia Oboe Sound System) to you. While our prior searches were unsuccessful, your materials were found during a current closet cleaning.

You were certainly right, after all, that the (system) was here. I hope you can understand however, that while our prior searches were unsuccessful, they were thorough.

In any event, I think this is what you wanted. Sorry it took so long.” (after an eleven month wait) —Edward W. Cowling, Executive Assistant to GOP Chairman William Brock, III, August 10, 1978

“So I came back to see him a few weeks later, and by that time we were bombing in Afghanistan. I said, ‘Are we still going to war with Iraq?’ And he said, ‘Oh, it’s worse than that.’ He reached over on his desk. He picked up a piece of paper. And he said, ‘I just got this down from upstairs’meaning the Secretary of Defense’s office’ today.’ And he said, ‘This is a memo that describes how we’re going to take out seven countries in five years.’”

-General Wesley Clark, February 27, 2007 “For the songs we sing are results of such, or are the results of such from the songs we sing.”

—Nicola Argentina (c) 2014

an equal and opposite reaction” -- future columns will reveal direct connections between: (a) President Reagan, MTV CEO Drew Lewis and Ambassador Walter Annenberg’s (et al) misuse of (b) Mr. Argentina’s “Philadelphia Oboe Sound System,” (c) shattering events on September 11, 2001, and (d) continuing wars in the Middle East.

State Reps. Ron Waters and Vanessa Lowery Brown got caught up in the corruption scandal that sent former President Judge Thomasine Tynes to jail.

Chip Fattah, son of Congressman Chaka Fattah, is about to prove that a person who represents himself in court has a fool for a client. Chip’s under federal indictment for fraud, and instead of getting a lawyer (because his stepmother, NBC-10 anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, is a lawyer,

she probably knows a few) he’s going to be his own counsel.

Yeah, that’s going to go over well.

His dad is also under the federal investigatory microscope, but it appears that while the feds might want Chaka Fattah, they’re probably not going to get him.

Next week, I’ll go national. There was too much juicy bad news outside the City of Brotherly Love for me not to comment on some of it.

SEPTA Employees Gifted Well

WALKING (Cont. From Page 12) FOR THE 34TH YEAR, SEPTA employees donated hundreds of toys for deserving children across Aubench. If the Counsel is worried thority’s service area. This year two buses were filled with the toys. about EROSION, he should file charges against our former state Supreme Court judges whose war of words caused some WORRY. He might be afraid to do that, however (?). It seems an acquittal is unacceptable to some. They perhaps hold a grudge, determined to find a way For $20 a Year, Get Yourself a Weekly Digest (?). It seems some agencies need of the Activities of State and to show activity? This helps City Political Leaders and Behind the Scenes maintain an operating budget.

Chief Justice CASTILLE Reports. Subscribe to the Public Record should now be on the retired Name: __________________________________________ list, ending a long career which began as an officer of Address: __________________________________________ Marines. The last years were __________________________________________ too turbulent. What was accomplished? The Bible argues Signature:_________________________________ that “toil is meaningless.”At any rate, FRESH AIR will [ ] Check/MO enclosed [ ] Bill me soon enter the high court. [ ] Charge My Credit Card: ________________________ And I have finished the secExpiration: ______/_______ Visa: [ ] MC: [ ] AX: [ ] ond bottle of Irish Crème in celToday’s Date: _____________ ebration – with ONE TO GO....

The HAPPY news is Judge Matthew CARRAFIELLO will Cost is $20.00 yearly head the ORPHANS COURT! Circulation Department REJOICE GREATLY! That court is safe with Allstate-like 1321 S. Broad Street GOOD HANDS, with Hon. Philadelphia PA 19147 Matt Carrafiello.

Get an Insider’s Look at Politics in Philadelphia

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

II. UNKNOWN FRUITS Rep. National (“WHERE TO INVADE NEXT”): Committee “About ten days after 9/11, I went through the Pentagon and I saw Secretary Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz. I went downstairs ·just to say hello to some of the people on the Joint Staff who used to work for me, and one of the generals called me in. He said, ‘Sir, you’ve got to come in and talk Bill Brock to me a second.’ I said, ‘Well, you’re too busy.’ He Chairman said, ‘No, no.’ He says, ‘We’ve made the decision Footnote: Based on we’re going to war with Iraq.’ This was on or about the principle: “For the twentieth of September ... every action, there is

can General Assembly that will rival the new Congress with its conservatism … and total contempt for public education, the City of Philadelphia, and anything else that doesn’t involve hunting, probably.

This should make the fairschool-funding formula we were promised under Corbett pretty much dead on arrival.

Many of the members of the Pennsylvania delegation for this new assembly may be out of office sooner than they intended.

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

(Cont. From Page 12) is in court right now, and it’ll be interesting to see how this all turns out.

It’s also one of the reasons why Gov. Tom Corbett became the answer to a trivia question that might show up on the Pennsylvania version of “Trivial Pursuit” at some point. That question: Who is the only Gov-

football coach despite his head-in-the-sand approach to handling his former defensive coordinator Chester the Child Molester (Jerry Sandusky), got together to show Corbett the door in November.

In what can be considered a good news/bad news dichotomy, Democrat Tom Wolf is the new Governor … and for him that’s the good news. The bad news is, he’s going to be forced to work with a Republifor mayor of Philadelphia. The question still remains: Will COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL CLARKE run? If he does not, Williams will certainly continue to hold the frontrunner status.

The key to Williams’ success is to be the only African American candidate in the race.

STATE REP. DWIGHT EVANS is a-flirting with another mayoral run. In Philadelphia mayoral primaries, a crowded field often favors the frontrunner.

Page 15

OUT & ABOUT

ernor since Pennsylvania allowed people to serve two terms not to win a second term?

A Coalition Of The Ticked Off made up of supporters of public education, people who believe it might be time for the Marcellus Shale drillers to stop getting their natural gas for free, and Penn State alumni who were mad Gov. Corbett didn’t force the school’s administrators to keep Joe Paterno as the school’s nence. What makes McNesby’s political base so unique and important is the high regard the police generally are held in among Philadelphians. The police offer a base of support unique among labor unions.

In addition to Art Haywood, STATE SEN. ANTHONY WILLIAMS will also be sworn in, for another term. But the real oath of office he is interested in taking is

www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

Page 16

PPA Warns About Consumer Fraud Scam Philadelphia Parking Authority Exec. Dir. Vince Fenenty has issued a consumer fraud alert, warning the public about erroneous emails being sent to unsuspecting recipients asking for payment for unpaid tickets.

In issuing the consumer fraud alert, Fenerty said, “No one receiving these

emails should make any payment whatsoever. These emails are a fraudulent attempt to scam the public.

The PPA never asks for payment through emails.

The only valid request for payment for outstanding parking tickets is conducted through the US mail."

Fenerty said the only on-

line payment sites for Philadelphia parking tickets are Phila.gov or Philapark.org. Anyone receiving an email payment notice should disregard the notice.

Any questions regarding the authenticity of Philadelphia Parking Authority notices should be directed to PPA Customer Service Dept. at 1 (888) 591-3636.

Gift Bike Brings Smile

Masons Honor Four Chaplains Memorial FOUR CHAPLAINS Memorial Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion Honoree was presented to Penna.

Freemasons R.W. Grand Master Robert J. Bateman, center, with, from left, Capt.

Louis Cavaliere, USN Ret., Chairman of Four Chaplains Memorial; Mrs. Joanne Bateman; G. Kent Hackney, PDDGM; Christine M. Beady, executive director, Four Chaplains Memorial.

STATE REP. Jordan Harris, of 186th Legislative Dist., helped Santa Claus by giving out 140 bicycles to elementary- and middle -chool students and 60 tablets to high-school students on Christmas Eve, bringing many smiles to young faces.

VA Updates Vets Claims IVANHOE Masonic Lodge 384 at Legion of Honor Award presentation program at Penna.

Freemason Grand Temple. From left, Larry Haney, PM, Capt. Louis Cavaliere, USN Ret., Chairman and Christine M. Beady, Exc. Dir. Four Chaplains Memorial, John J. Kline, PM, Worshipful Master and Anthony J. Garvey, PM. Photos by John J. Kline

Stockings With Mom’s Stuff

CITIZENS BANK volunteers delivered 100 “Stockings of Love” to People’s Emergency Center in W. Phila. Due to greater need for items for mothers, red mesh stockings were filled with personal care and beauty products. From left are Jason Guy and John Fitzgerald, Citizens Bank volunteers; Dan Fitzpatrick, President of Citizens Bank for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware; Kathy Desmond, Interim President and CEO of People’s Emergency Center; and Kareem Thomas, VP of Business Banking for Citizens Bank and PEC board member.

The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has introduced an uniformed disability claims form to better serve veterans, families and survivors. Standardizing the process by which veterans file claims and initiate appeals will make it easier for veterans and their survivors to clearly state what benefits they are seeking from VA and provide information that is necessary to process their claims and appeals.

The new forms eliminate applicant guesswork, which often leads to delays in decisions and ultimately delays in receiving benefits. The new regulations go into effect in late March 2015.

“We must do everything that we can to make it as fast and easy as possible for veterans and their survivors to file for and receive an accurate decision on their claim,” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. “Our veterans and survivors will know, at the outset of the claims process, what is needed, which removes subjective interpretation from the process. We want to eliminate any barriers that make it diffi-

cult for our Veterans or survivors to receive benefits to which they are entitled.”

In the past, a veteran or survivor did not have to use a certain form to seek compensation or other benefits from VA. Claims or appeals (Notice of Disagreement) could be submitted on any piece of paper which caused delays due to missing information.

By using standard forms for all disability claims, VA can more quickly and accurately identify what the veteran is claiming or appealing. This will allow VA to immediately move on to next steps in the evidence-gathering and decision-making process, which saves administrative processing time and speeds the delivery of earned benefits. The existing process is also inconsistent with most, if not all, other government and nongovernment application processes, such as applying for social security, applying for a driver’s license, applying for a job or filing for an income tax refund.

“These days, government agencies and private busi-

nesses rely on standard forms to deliver faster and more accurate customer service,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “VA’s ability to deliver better customer service requires the use of standard forms as well. That is why we worked extensively with our partners in the veterans community to streamline the way we process claims while preserving the effective date rules concerning informal claims through the creation of a new intent to file a claim process.”

The updated process also includes standardizing the traditional informal claims process by employing a new “Intent to File a Claim” process which affords the veteran or survivor one year to compile the necessary documentation or evidence to support the claim while preserving an effective date of claim.

More information about VA Forms 21-526EZ, 21-527EZ, 21-534EZ or VA Form 21-0958, Notice of Disagreement, may be found at www.ebenefits.va.gov or www.va.gov/vaforms/.

MICHAEL PIPER, left, was honored in City Council as new City Chief Assessor of Office of Property Assessment (OPA). Piper came out of the 51st Ward in West Philadelphia, and began in the office as a clerk, moving through the ranks. Many feel that Mike was a good choice with his long-time local perspective. He is congratulated

by Sandy McKenna, Karen O'Brien, Evaluator; Phyllis Stevenson, Mike's lovely mom, and Deputy Administrator Joseph Solomon.

Photo by Joe Stivala

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Haywood said he hoped the bill would create a dialogue in the Capitol and across the Commonwealth that would include the views of thousands of protesters that have taken to the streets in Pennsylvania cities, as well as those in law enforcement and their families. He is currently seeking co-sponsors and supporters for his legislation and has reached out to

civic groups and the law enforcement community to gather input and direction.

“This bill is not intended as an indictment of Pennsylvania’s law enforcement community and I am not suggesting that there have been specific instances in Pennsylvania that give rise to accusations of bias,” Haywood said. “My intention is to prevent prosecutors and grand juries in our state from ever having their work tainted by these accusations.”

Haywood said he would introduce his legislation as quickly as possible after his swearing in.

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appointment of a special prosecutor in all incidents of deadly force in which a police officer is involved.

“We don’t need to wait for a Ferguson to happen in Pennsylvania before we act. Our state can lead the nation by passing a law that gives focus to the energy and emotion demonstrated by so many across our country in the aftermath of recent events,” Haywood said. “Trust is a crucial ingredient for community and restoring faith in our justice system needs to be a priority.”

Under Senate rules, Haywood started his constituent service and legislative work on Dec. 1, and will be officially sworn into office Jan. 6.

He said he is currently seeking co-sponsors for his legislation and has reached out to civic groups and the law enforcement community to gather input and direction.

Under his proposal, the state attorney general would be required to appoint an independent special prosecutor whenever there is a deadly force incident and a police of-

The Public Record • January 1, 2015

New Office Of Property Assessment Chief

at Montgomery County Behavioral Health, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown; and Jan. 23 during a statewide webinar/conference call (1866-210-1669, participant code 3478987#).

Grassroots Grants of as much as $10,000 are designed to support short-term projects of up to 18 months.

Applicants should be prepared to provide a brief statement explaining: who they are, the problem they are trying to address, how they are trying to address the problem, and how their proposal relates to the council’s mission.

The deadline for applications is 3 p.m., Feb. 11.

“The upcoming conversations are necessary and important,” Tartaglione said.

“Anyone with a stake in providing a better future for Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities should participate and apply for funding.”

For more information, visit the council’s website at www.paddc.org or contact David Golin at (717) 772-4127 or dgolin@pa.gov.

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Grassroots Grants Program.

“This is a great opportunity for groups and businesses that work with Pennsylvanians who have developmental disabilities to provide input and get funding for their ideas,” Tartaglione said.

“Philadelphians with developmental disabilities will be helped if we work together to make a difference.”

January’s four meetings – called “conversations” – will be held Jan. 12 in Pittsburgh; Jan. 21 in Camp Hill; Jan. 22

Heard on the Hill And City Hall

Tartaglione Lauds Disabilities Program A Pennsylvania group that works to improve life for people with developmental disabilities will hold four meetings next month, including one in Norristown, to gauge how it can best target funding under a new grant program, State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (DKensington) announced.

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is also seeking proposals for its

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The Public Record • January 1, 2015

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