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Vol. XVII No. 51 (Issue 881)

Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD. PHILA., PA 19114

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“The good things we do must be made a part of the public record”

Rebels With a Cause!

THE PATTISON LEADER Ball was scheduled to bring together youthful talent with others as a Philly-centered alternative to the Penna. Society Weekend. R-L were founders and hosts Kellan White, with his wife Nicole Allen, Darian Murtagh, and her husband George Leader, archeologist at Penn and a grandson of Gov. George Leader after whom the ball was named. More photos P. 8.

JStevenson@ChapmanAutoGroup.com

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Value 50¢

December 15, 2016

HeartWarming!

CITY Council President Darrell Clarke couldn’t suppress his smile at the precious reaction he received helping Jenne Womack try on a winter coat for size as he joined Firefighters Local 22 representatives who gathered and donated warm new winter coats to kindergarten and 1st-grade students at John Hartranft ES Auditorium, 7th & CumberPhoto by Wendell Douglas land.

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3RD DIST. State Sen. Shirley Kitchen is thanked for her well-earned retirement, marking 20 years of dedicated service. At a Berean Institute celebration in her honor were Rev. Dr. Clarence Hester; Donna Miller; staffer Henry Hunter; Kitchen; and State Sen.-Elect Sharif Street, who succeeds her in Harrisburg. Sid Booker will host her tonight at Club La Pointe. More photos P. 10.

Photo by Joe Stivala

Page 2 The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Your Public Servants at Work Squilla Bill Would Ban Conversion Therapy 1st Dist. Councilman Mark Squilla has introduced a bill to ban the practice of so-called conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth in the City of Philadelphia.

Also referred to as “reparative” or “ex-gay” therapy, conversion therapy is any practice by a mental-health provider that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward same-sex individuals.

Such practices, especially when imposed on LGBTQ youth, have historically included methods ranging from talk therapy to shock therapy.

“This bill sends the necessary and clear message to all Philadelphians that ‘conversion therapy’ is a deceptive term for an unacceptable practice that employs psychological abuse, rejection and shame. No young person anywhere, and certainly not in Philadelphia, should be subjected to torture for who

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With the UNIONS Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), SMART United Transportation Union - Local 61 (SMART-UTU) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today signed an Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU) for the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS).

As a C3RS site, SEPTA’s railroad conductors and engineers will be able to anonymously report near misses and unsafe conditions without fear of repercussion. SEPTA joins Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, Metra (Chicago), MBTA/Keolis (Boston), Long Island Railroad, Metro North and Strasburg Railroad (Strasburg, Pa) as carriers with C3RS IMOUs.

they are or who they love,” Councilman Squilla said.

“Philadelphia stands as a city of love, acceptance and hope for all people. Our LGBTQ youth cannot and will not be subjected to the torment and torture of conversion therapy in our City,” Mayor Jim Kenney said. “I am heartened by the other cities passing similar bills and hope the message resounds nationwide: We cannot stand for violence of any kind against people for who they are or who they love.”

LGBT Affairs Dir. Nellie Fitzpatrick added, “Eliminating this barbaric practice is one step toward ending the pain and rejection too many LGBTQ youth experience behind closed doors. LGBTQ young people should never be shamed or tortured, by anyone, into thinking that who they are is wrong. Every young queer kid out there deserves to live a happy, full, loved life exactly as they are.”

Adoption and implementation of the Councilman’s ordinance will be accompanied by an education campaign to in-

form parents and youth about discredited therapy practices, with the goal of reducing family rejection, depression, substance abuse, and suicide in the LGBTQ community.

McClinton Announces $900,000 Trail Grant Following approval by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, State Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-W. Phila.) announced a $900,000 grant has been awarded to the Schuylkill River Development Corp.

McClinton said the organization will use the funding to help construct a multi-use connector trail along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

“It’s always great for the people of Southwest Philadelphia when investments like these are made to help better our community,” McClinton said. “This grant will not only assist the SRDC in moving forward with its project, it will make improvements to a recreational area utilized by many families and help boost the local economy.”

The Schuylkill River Devel-

SEPTA, Unions Sign Close Call Agreement “Building a strong safety culture is a key organizational goal for SEPTA. We are always exploring ways to expand and enhance our programs,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel. “As a C3RS site, we will be made aware of situations that we might not have been previously alerted to so that we can take action to prevent accidents and protect our employees and passengers.”

Under the C3RS system, SEPTA’s engineers and conductors will be able to submit a safety problem or close call online or through U.S. mail to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

NASA, acting as an independent third party federal agency,

gathers and analyzes all data for C3RS, removes employees’ names and contact information (these are required for the NASA portion of the investigation) and then returns the reports to a peer review team comprised of SEPTA managers, the unions and FRA for review and action.

“We are looking for conditions or close calls other than accidents or injuries that might not otherwise be reported to the FRA,” said SEPTA Assistant General Manager of System Safety Scott Sauer. “We are asking employees to report events that we might not otherwise know about, the warning signs and precursors that could lead to major safety risks and accidents.”

opment Corp. is constructing a connector trail along the west bank of the river, known as the Bartram’s Mile Trail. The project will expand recreational access and safe, offroad commuting for thousands of families in Kingsessing and Bartram’s Village. It also will spur economic development on some of the riverfront parcels of land that are being primed for reuse. The project includes the construction of the trail and the installation of lighting, benches, trash containers, bollards and bike racks.

“The SRDC is thrilled to receive this grant, which will assist in extending the Schuylkill River Trail deeper in southwest Philadelphia,” said Joseph R. Syrnick, president and CEO of the Schuylkill River Development Corp.

“The commonwealth has been a great partner in this effort.”

The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages.

O’Brien Announces South Street Grant State Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Kensington) has announced a $525,000 state grant has been awarded to the South Street Headhouse District to assist with the construction and renovation of driving lanes and sidewalks.

The South Street Headhouse District will use the grant to widen the walking paths in the area. Driving lanes also will be narrowed to calm traffic and enhance pedestrian safety.

“South Street is more than just a thoroughfare for Philadelphia. It is a recreation and cultural center for residents of the city, and a tourist attraction that draws visitors from the suburbs and beyond into our great city,” said O’Brien. “Besides investing in

our community, this grant also will increase safety for pedestrians and those traveling on our roads.”

Additionally, funds will be used to realign crosswalks and to install safety features, including speed bumps, pedestrian level lights and directional signs.

The grant comes from the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, which was established by Act 89 transportation funding set up in 2013. O’Brien voted for legislation that created the fund.

Farnese Announces Local Grant Funds More than $2 million in state grant funds were approved to support three local projects aimed at providing for safe and healthy recreational opportunities for Philadelphia residents and their families, announced State Sen. Larry Farnese (DS. Phila.).

“These projects speak to the core of what makes Philadelphia the vibrant and thriving city that it is,” Farnese said. “Each of them, while individual and unique, will help us provide for the needs of families living in and visiting the city. We can never invest too much or dream too big when families and their children are involved.”

“More importantly, these projects spark job growth,” Farnese said. “We have far too many Philadelphians still looking for good, quality jobs that will pay a living wage.

Each of these projects will help us further our commitment to growing jobs locally, where families need them the most.”

The grants were approved during a meeting of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority. Funds for the projects are being distributed from the Multimodal Transportation Fund.

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professional standard by requiring judges to stay abreast of changes in law, procedure, behavioral science, technological advancement and legal circumstances unique to this Commonwealth.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, jurists will be required to earn each year a minimum of three hours of continuing education in judicial ethics and nine hours in judicial practice and related areas.

The order also establishes a Board of Judges comprised of judges from courts impacted by the new policy, among others, and will reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania’s judiciary, including court size and divisional assignment. The Board, whose members will not be compensated, will make accreditation decisions, grant waivers and deferrals and hear non-compliance appeals.

Judges found to be non-

compliant will be notified and afforded the opportunity to earn the required hours. After this grace period, judges who remain non-compliant will be referred to the Judicial Conduct Board for its consideration.

The new requirements have been under consideration for the past year and were crafted after a review of other states’ judicial-education practices with input from legal scholars, judges and education specialists.

The processes and protocols associated with administering the new CJE requirements are included in a Supreme Court order. Existing continuing-education requirements for magisterial district judges are included in Title 42 of Pennsylvania Statutes and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Rules of Judicial Administration.

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The Public Record • December 15, 2016

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has adopted continuing judicial-education requirements for judges serving the Supreme, Commonwealth and Superior courts, as well as the Courts of Common Pleas, the Philadelphia Municipal Court and certified senior judges of each.

“Continuing judicial education in Pennsylvania has been ongoing and is rich in its history and tradition,” said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Thomas G. Saylor. “However, we had no formalized process to track attendance by judges covered under this order, or to ensure that we are meeting their diverse educational needs.

“A well-educated judiciary is essential to the fair and impartial administration of justice. With this order, we institutionalize our shared commitment to the highest

Page 3

PA. Supreme Court Acknowledges 7 Things You Must Know Judges Need To Continue Learning Before Putting Your

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The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Page 4

Democrats See Open Primary for District Attorney

by Joe Shaheeli Incumbent Democratic District Attorney Seth Williams will not have an uncontested ride in the May 16 primary. Many of those planning to challenge him will say it’s his own doing.

They could be right, seeing a rash of bad press he has gotten, due to his failure to report about $160,000 he has received in gifts. Also, given the fact a state attorney general has freshly bitten the dust, a sampling of voters would indicate it now doesn’t seem this city’s DA is unchallengeable.

To date, there are three announced challengers, and a couple more in the wings waiting to announce, yet all may find he still remains a formidable foe, especially if Representative

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

he remains the only African American in that race.

Based on his first two forays into the race for district attorney, it seems he may still have a lock on the preponderance of Black voters who are expected to turn out May 16.

His first attempt, against popular incumbent District Attorney Lynne Abraham, resulted in his garnering 46% of that 2005 primary vote.

A look at his historic election four years later, vying for the open seat of DA, showed he pulled in 42% of the vote in that primary race, easily winning in a field of five.

Williams went on to easily win the general election to become the city’s 24th district attorney and its first African American holder of that office in 2010.

After that, he seemed to have a lock on that seat. He coasted home unopposed for a

second term in 2013.

But in 2015, his failure to fire prosecutors under him who had been involved in sharing pornography and racially charged emails on Pennsylvania government computers began to loosen that lock. Then the Ethics Committee charged he had failed to divulge gifts on his annual financial-disclosure form – a lapse that, though not criminal, brought bad press and with it competitors.

Believing it’s time for a change is Judge Teresa Carr Deni, who resigned from her Municipal Court bench after 21 years. It was the same path that was followed by Abraham, when she resigned from the bench to seek the DA’s seat. Deni had toyed with the idea of going for DA in 2009.

Joining her is Joe Khan, who had been an assistant US attorney. Before that he served State Rep.

State Rep.

Kevin J.

William Keller 184th District 215-271-9190

(215) 879-6615

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172nd Dist.

7420 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19136

1531 S. 2nd Street

1435 N. 52nd St. Phila. PA 19131

Always Hard At Work for You! State Senator

Anthony Hardy Williams 8th Senatorial District

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Boyle

2103 Snyder Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19145 (215) 755-9185 FAX: (215) 952-3375 ---Senate Box 203008 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Room: 11 East Wing (717) 787-5970 FAX: (717) 772-0574

215-331-2600

in the DA’s office under Abraham.

Announced as an entry this week is former city Managing Dir. Rich Negrin. He sees Seth as vulnerable. For Williams, he should cheer up with the fact “more is merrier,” for all the right reasons.

Wolf Attends Philly’s Answer To Pa. Society Weekends You have to admire tradition-bucking individuals like Nicole Allen and Kellan R. White for coming up with the Pattison Leader Ball as an alternative to the Pennsylvania Society Weekend, which draws almost everyone political – lobbyists, lawyers, business tycoons, etc. – to the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

This was their fourth year of challenging the Pennsylvania Society weekend, hoping eventually to bring all those attendees, along with their credit cards back to this state.

They did well this time around, with the attendance of Gov. Tom Wolf as one of their boosters. They drew up-

and-coming millennials who seek to do the same as their more-elderly peers in New York.

The Pennsylvania Society got started when wealthy magnates of major industries decided to spend a weekend together in New York, to make hay, cut deals and show off – all with tuxedoes at formal dinners and balls. The Pattison Leader Ball is a onenight event. It is named after Govs. Robert E. Pattison and George M. Leader, the two youngest governors in Pennsylvania’s history. Hopefully, rekindling the memory of the two governors should “inspire young, civically engaged professionals to reach for the torch of leadership and ensure their voices are heard.”

Kane Keeps On Fighting Back Former State Attorney General Kathleen Kane remains out on bail and is using that time to file an appeal of her criminal conviction. She got the extra time because Kane’s lawyer, who is new – having been chosen after she was found guilty – indicated

State Rep. Jason

City Commissioner

Dawkins

Lisa M.

District Office: 4915 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (215) 744-7901

Deeley

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F.: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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State Rep

Councilman

Rep.Maria P.

Joanna E. McClinton

Mark

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191st Leg. Dist.

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6027 Ludlow St. Unit A Phila., PA 19139

1st District City Hall Room 332

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215-686-3458/59

Rep. Rosita

(R) 177th Dist.

4725 Richmond St. Phila., PA 19137

215-744-2600

City GOP Chair Lauds Fattah’s Sentence Joe DeFelice, the Chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party, welcomed the sentence of 10 years in federal (Cont. Next Page)

Councilman Wm.

Greenlee

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City Controller Alan Butkovitz will be seeking his fourth term in that position in the May 16 primary. Few believe he is beatable, based on his decent history of calling out city miscues with an eye to saving tax payers money.

But what may be the result of a grudge was the report out of the Pennsylvania Society weekend gathering in New York last weekend is the report Rebecca Rhynhart, Mayor Jim Kenney’s chief administrative officer, and Mayor Nutter’s city treasurer and budget director. It is rumored her run would be heavily supported by the former mayor.

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he had some difficulty getting Kane’s case files from her prior attorneys. He has a Jan. 6 deadline.

City Councilwoman

State Rep.

Donna Bullock 195th Leg. Dist.

2835 W. Girard Ave Phila, PA 19130 T: (215) 684-3738 F: (215) 235-4629

Cherelle L. Parker 9th District City Hall, Room 577, Philadelphia, PA 19107

215-686-3454 or 3455 www.phlcouncil.com/CherelleParker Facebook: CouncilwomanCherelleLParker Twitter: @CherelleParker9

From the huge losses down-ballot since 2010 to the handling of the presidential primary, it is generally believed the next Democratic National Committee Chair will be the most-important figure in setting and executing a new direction for the Democratic Party. He or she will be a key leader in resisting Donald Trump and taking state

Stein Fails to Change Pennsylvania Votes Jill Stein earned this column’s Don Quixote award for trying to win court challenges to Presidential tallies in this State, Michigan and Wisconsin. A US District judge nixed her efforts for an eleventhhour recount to hold up the Electoral College tally which will officially make Donald Trump the next president of the US. In a 31-page opinion, US

GOP Contenders Report Eyeing Challenge to Wolf Though Gov. Tom Wolf has two years to go, Republican contenders are lining up for what may be an open Republican primary for selecting their nominee. All seem to believe some of the polls showing Wolf with poor appreciation numbers among voters.

Mentioned to date are former Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre), House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Congressman Lou Barletta and State Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York), who has already declared.

Fattah Sentencing Was Too Severe: Massaro An email from Thomas Henry Massaro, one of a few who can claim they understand how the political system works, submits this fact which underlines his concern justice may not have been color-blind in the sentencing of Congressman Chaka Fattah.

He states, “Subject: USA

color-blind equal justice is 1660% abjectly AWOL by justice-allergic federal judges at the 6th & Market more feral, than federal, courthouse. Fumo was sentenced to 12.2 days per each of his 137 unapologetic, multi-millionaire-making federal felonies, while bluntly apologetic Chaka Fattah was sentenced to 202.6 days in prison for each

of his 18 felonies.

“A colossal 1660%, disgusting differential in equal justice. For every one fetid day Vince Fumo spent in a federal prison cell for his felonies, Chaka will spend 16.6 days; that is 1,660% unequal justice that is crassly color-conscious, in lurid lieu of being color-blind and consistent.”

It’s New Coat Time, Thanks to Firefighters

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Democratic Party Chair Election Shows Interest

District Judge Paul Diamond in Philadelphia said there was no evidence suggesting hacking had occurred. He also emphasized that the deadline to certify the state’s electoral votes is Tuesday, making it impossible to hold a recount in time. Diamond said, “Suspicion of a ‘hacked’ Pennsylvania election borders on the irrational.”

Page 5

(Cont. From Prev. Page) prison for disgraced ex-Congressman Chaka Fattah saying, “The voters of the 2nd Congressional Dist. are owed significant recompense, not just from the money siphoned away by their former congressman through decades of poor representation, but from his establishment enablers as well.”

and federal offices back from Trump’s Republican Party.

Here are the candidates who have publicly declared: New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jamie Harrison.

Howard Dean, who founded Democracy for America before serving as DNC Chair from 2005-2009, last week dropped out of the race.

KINDERGARTENERS and 1st-graders show off their new winter coats at Hartranft School. Coats were donated by Firefighters Local 22. Council President Darrell Clarke helped them get into their right sizes. With newly coated youngsters are Local 22 President Photo by Wendell Douglas Andrew Thomas, Principal Jason Lytle and Clarke.

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Page 6

Phila. AFL-CIO Hosts Gala

PHILA. AFL-CIO Council President Pat Eiding welcomes Pamela Sarne McCormick, director of legislative affairs for SEPTA, to the Council’s annual Christmas gala at the Sheraton Hotel.

STATE REP. Gene DiGirolamo, chairman of the State House’s Human Services Committee, shares a moment with AFL-CIO Phila. President and party host Pat Eiding.

ENJOYING the AFL-CIO gala atop the Sheraton Hotel City Centre were Jack Forer, Sen. Bob Casey’s State Dir. Gwen Camp, Judge Vincent Melchiorre, Bill Dolbow and Casey’s spokesperson Jack Groarke.

WISHING Judge Teresa Carr Deni well on her campaign to win the May 16 Democratic primary for district attorney are State Rep. Mike Driscoll and City Commissioner Lisa Deeley. They were among many politicos attending the labor party.

TALKING politics were Public Record PubSHARING a moment at the labor gala were lisher David Alpher, Sen. Frank Sabatina, Brian Eddis, Jessie Squadroni, Zac Shaffer Jr., Public Record Sales Dir. Melissa Barand Local 98 Political Dir. Marita Crawford. rett and Ward Leader John Sabatina, Sr. TEAMSTERS leader Dan Grace was a center of attraction as well as this photo, flanked

by Joe McGarrity, Mike McDonough, David Dunphy and Ward Leader Dan Muroff.

PHA CEO Kelvin Jeremiah and his Communications Dir. Nichole Tillman discuss achievements of the Housing Authority with Public Record publisher David Alpher.

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Outstanding Employees Appreciated

DELAWARE Valley Community Health, Inc.’s Employee Appreciation Luncheon awarded its Outstanding Employees for 2016. This award for the Outstanding Employee of the Year was presented to Sabrina Moses by DVCH’s Board Members Sylvester Willis, Patricia Deitch, Sabrina Moses and Carmen Paris with Dr. A. Scott McNeal, Chief Medical Officer of DVCH, inc.

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

SMILING for the cameraman were Omar Sabir, Sen. HOST Pat Eiding welcomes to the AFL-CIO gala Joe McHughes’ aide; Alan Butkovitz, city controller; Teamsters’ Ed Garrity, Mike McDonough and David Dunphy.

Shaw; and Bill Rubin at the AFL-CIO Holiday Party.

Page 7

LABOR was very much in evidence as Joe Dougherty , Sr., and C r a i g R o s e n flank LDC chief Ryan N. Boyer.

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Rep. Brown Passes On PLBC Leadership

ments as chairwoman include the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Officer and Advisory Committee for the State House of Representatives, which will ensure all House of Representatives employees will work in a safe and equitable workplace; the formation of a partnership with the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, to raise awareness of employment discrimination for those with a criminal conviction in their past, coinciding with the PLBC’s efforts to ‘ban the box’ which requires job applicants to report previous convictions, even if the conviction is long ago and has no bearing on the applicant’s ability to do a job; and the expansion of the PLBC Scholarship program, which gave cash scholarships.”

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State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.) has handed over the chairmanship of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus to State Rep. Jordan Harris (D-S. Phila.)

The new leadership team, including Chairman Harris and State Rep. Donna Bullock (DS. Phila.), vice chairwoman; State Sen. Art Haywood, DNorthwest), secretary: and State Rep.-Elect Chris Rabb (D-Northwest), treasurer, was voted into office during a reorganizational meeting in midNovember.

“I look forward to working with this new leadership team,” Brown said. “I know I can count on them to continue the successes we made the last four years.

“We made a lot of advances during my term. Some of my proudest accomplish-

Weddings & Anniversaries Banquets & Fundraisers Birthdays Bridal & Baby Showers Graduations Reunions Retirement Parties Seminars & Classes Cocktail & Holiday Parties

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Page 8

Pattison Leader Shows Pols Can Mix in Pa.

REVOLUTION was in the air, in a nice way, GOV. TOM WOLF made a pointed visit to the Pattison as 150 upwardly mobile politically aware peoLeader Ball in Phila. to underscore his point the Penna. Sople packed the hall, among them, L-R, Penna. ciety should not leave the state for its annual gala. Hanging Democratic Party Digital Dir. Zainab Javed, out instead at Revolution Hall in Old City were, L-R, Penna. L-R, LINDY LI, who ran for Congress, with Shapiro campaign staffer Catherine McParDemocratic Party Exec. Dir. Sinceré Harris, Wolf, Jobs judicial candidate Dan Sulman & his wife land, Chavous Consulting’s Kunal Atit and Shelby. with Justice Exec. Dir. Gwen Snyder and Matt Sullivan.

PDP press pro Brandon Cwalina.

POLITICALLY active millennials like, L-R, Chris Kuncio, real-estate pro Margaret Danaj and Liz Hankridge hobnobbed at the bustling Pattison Leader Ball.

United Republican Club Honors Rep. White, Matt Wolfe at 136th Gala

STATE REP. John Taylor, RCC Exec. Dir. Joe DeFelice, 2nd from L, and Ward Leader Kevin Pasquay, R, presented the United Republican Club’s William Meehan Award to Ward Leader Matt Wolfe, 3rd from L, at the historic clubhouse in Kensington. Marking 136 years, it is the oldest Republican Club in the United States.

PHILA. Republican Party Exec. Dir. Joe DeFelice IN GOOD company! Latest Tierney awardee State Rep. Martina White was flanked by pre- FORMER DA and Supreme Court Chief Jus- posed with his rising star vious winners Fran O’Brien, L, and Camille tice Ron Castille graciously acknowledged the State Rep. Martina White.

Photos by Wendell Douglas crowd at the event.

McColgan.

McClinton, Williams Greet Seniors

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Bullock Addresses Environment

ENVIRONMENTAL health is a particular concern in innercity communities that bear the brunt of pollution, said State Rep. Donna Bullock, who staged a community-empowerment workshop at Community Futures Laboratory in the Cecil B. Photo by Wendell Douglas Moore area.

WITH STATE REP. Donna Bullock at the Community Empowerment workshop were, L-R, Bonita Cummings, director of Strawberry Mansion Community Concern; Tykee James of Brewerytown; Maurice Sampson of Niche Recycling; Bullock; Zakia Elliott; and Rasheed Elliott. Photo by Wendell Douglas

SENIOR CITIZENS were treated to a holiday party at Motivation HS in Cobbs Creek by State Rep. Joanna McClinton.

L-R, McClinton, praise dancer Cheris Wimes, Ward Leaders Ann Brown and Tony Faulk, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and State Sen. Anthony Williams. Photo by Wendell Douglas

Page 9

Our Opinion Making Progress

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

Dec. 15- City & State PA honors “40 Rising Stars under 40,” younger professionals in politics, policy and advocacy, at Chemical Heritage Fdn., 315 Chestnut St., 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Lunch. Tickets $35, packages available. For info: events@cityandstate.com Dec. 15- State Reps. John Taylor & Mike Driscoll host Energy Fair at Vogt Rec. Ctr., 4131 Unruh Ave., 4-7 p.m. How to reduce utility bills. For info: (215) 7083139.

Dec. 15- N. Broad Renaissance hosts “2016 State of N. Broad” at Penna. Convention Ctr., 12th & Arch Sts., 6-9 p.m. Master Talk with Council President Darrell Clarke.

For info: northbroad.org.

Dec. 15- South Philadelphia Business Ass’n hosts Christmas Party at Galdo’s, 20th & Penrose Ave., 6:30 p.m.

Tickets $50. Open bar.

RSVP: Gaeton Tavella (215) 868-5502.

Dec. 16Restaurateur “Shrimp King” Sid Booker, with Sheriff Jewell Williams, hosts Christmas Celebration marking retirement of State Sen. Shirley Kitchen at Club LaPointe, 4600 N. Broad St., 5:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP by email: SB4600@aol.com.

Dec. 16- Congressman Bob Brady hosts Holiday Party at Local 30 Roofers’ Hall, 6309 Torresdale Rd., 7-10 p.m.

Contributions $50, payable to “Friends of the Northeast,” 12410 Tyrone Rd. Phila., PA 19154.

Dec. 17- Democratic Women of Penna. Hosts Christmas Party at Yvonne Sawyer’s house, 833 S. 58th St., 1-3 p.m. For info: Juanita Hatton (215) 749-0161 or jhattonsr@icloud.com.

Dec. 17- State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown hosts Holiday Concert & Legislative Fair at Greater Bibleway temple, 1461 N. 52nd St., Pre-reception & Legislative Fair 1 p.m., 2-4 p.m. Vendors. For info: Yolanda Braxton (215) 879-6616 or ybraxton@pahouse.net.

Dec. 19- Dom Giordano hosts USO Holiday Feat at Sonesta Phila. Rittenhouse Sq., 1800 Market St., 6:30-10 p.m.

Benefits USO, Catholic Charities & Archbishop’s Christmas Benefits for Children.

Nat’l Person of the Year: Rick Santorum; Local Person of the Year: State Rep. Martina White. Free parking. Tickets $90, Tables of 10 $800.

Dec. 19- Nat’l Ass’n of Minority Contractors Phila.

Chapter hears new Chapter President Edward J. Nesmith at2440 Tasker St., 5-7 p.m.

NAMC future goals and direction pertaining to capital projects and the Rebuild Initiative.

For info: John Braxton (215)

372-7330.

Dec. 29- Kwanzaa 50th Anniversary Program at W. Phila. HS, 4901 Chestnut St., 6-8 Adults $10, Seniors and Children $8. Featuring creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga. For info: (215) 3850214.

Jan. 1- Local 1199C President Henry Nicholas hosts New Year Welcome at his home at 15th & Jefferson Sts., 1 p.m.

Jan. 1- New Year Parade #2 on “2 Street,” Charles Bernard on Reviewing Stand at Happy Tappers Cl., 5 p.m.

Jan. 14- Phila. Republican Party hosts S. Phila. Trump Inauguration Gala at Toll Man Joe’s, 26 E. Oregon Ave., 7 p.m. Beef, pork, pasta sides; draft beer and wine. Auction raffles, door prizes. Tickets $35. For info: Vince Minniti vminniti16@gmail.com.

Feb. 3- Chapel of 4 Chaplains hosts Gala Awards Night at IATSE Ha., 2401 Swanson St. Tickets $100.

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Editorial Note

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

This city is blessed with much local leadership talent, especially in the political and labor realms.

Its future is guided by its past; fortunately, present leadership understands not to engage in initiatives that proved fruitless and costly in the past.

We see the city going forward full speed, thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Council President Darrell Clarke, which shows the 10-year Philadelphia Energy Campaign has leveraged at least $1 billion in investment from private and public sectors. This was detailed in a press conference held yesterday as the city’s Energy Authority released a Progress Report as to much to how much is being saved as the city modernizes its energy strategies for its municipal buildings, low- and moderateincome residential housing, public schools and small businesses. It has also become a job-maker.

We will see, in the early part of next year, a head-on confrontation between Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration and the change in federal policies by President-Elect Donald Trump which is sure to affect the city’s continuing its role as a sanctuary city. Everyone interested in that policy should not fault the mayor if he caves in under federal pressure. So we ask Kenney to stop his total resistance and instead work out some deal when they begin knocking on his door.

We appreciate the amazing feat accomplished by 3rd Dist. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who annually at Christmastime manages to get together a host of corporate, public and private sponsors to feed to a substantial dinner to 3,000 families from the city’s shelters. To that, she adds entertainment and new gifts for the children, covering all age groups. Keep going, Jannie!

Also moving in a similar fashion is the annual seasonal effort by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown to bring more attention and support to the “Warmth in Winter” drive for the estimated 1,500 children who occupy homeless shelters and transitional housing. She and her supporters distribute new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. Don’t stop, Blondell!

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Page 10

Kitchen’s Retirement Honored

TAKING OFF her spurs at a retirement party for long-serving State Sen. Shirley Kitchen at the Berean Institute in Fairmount, the senator was joined by, L-R, Rev. Clarence Hester, Photo by Wendell Douglas Kitchen, Sherman McLeod and State Sen.-Elect Sharif Street.

Pastor Alice Martin of Voice of Praise WorldDR. DONG-HYUN KIM and Yoan Kim wide Ministries, L, saluted State Sen. Shirley paid tribute to State Sen. Shirley Kitchen’s Kitchen at her retirement celebration.

Photo by Wendell Douglas years of service.

Photo by Wendell Douglas

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665 N. Broad St. HUGE turnout for Shirley Kitchen’s sendoff included, L-R, top, Rose Jennings, Ward Leader El Amor Brawne Ali and Natasha Mosley; bottom, Diane Bridges, Denise Jones and Albert Martin.

Photo by Wendell Douglas

L-R, Grands as Parents activists Jean Hack- MOSES BRIGGS of Make It Happen Now ney and Eileen Brown, along with Thomas Phase II attended with Marlene Pryor of ConHackney, bade farewell to Sen. Kitchen’s cerned Neighbors of Greater Germantown.

Photo by Wendell Douglas Photo by Wendell Douglas storied career.

Page 11

by Denise Clay Did you know that if you’re given a jail sentence through the federal Dept. of Justice, you’re required to serve 85% of it in order to be considered eligible for an appeal?

I learned that on Monday when I spoke to outgoing US Attorney Zane Memeger after Judge Henry Bartle III sentenced former Congressman Chaka Fattah to 10 years in prison.

Fattah was convicted over the summer on a 22-count corruption indictment that included racketeering, money laundering and accepting bribes. In addition to the jail sentence, he’s facing three years’ supervised release when he gets out of jail and will also have to pay $614,500 in restitution to student-loan purveyor Sallie Mae, NASA (yes, that NASA) and the Fattah for Congress campaign, the three entities that Fattah was convicted of using to finance a lifestyle that included a vacation home in the Poconos.

We’ll get back to why the 85% of your sentence thing is important in a moment.

The nearly two-hour hearing was a “This Is Your Life” of sorts for Fattah, who had served in Congress for 22 years before a combination of his conviction and an April primary defeat at the hands of new Congressman Dwight Evans forced him out. People that Fattah helped both personally and professionally took the stand on his behalf.

Among those asking for leniency was former School Reform Commission Chair Sandra Dungee Glenn. Dungee Glenn was Fattah’s Chief of Staff and said he shouldn’t be (Cont. Page 13)

City Hall Sam apologizes that this column will seem to shine a light on Republicans present at the Pennsylvania Society. But with the successful election of DONALD TRUMP and Republican majorities in both chambers of the legislature, it just seems that there are so many more of them out and about.

The crowds of politicos once again made their way to the Big Apple for the Pennsylvania Society. The annual event gathers the politically connected and those wanting to schmooze and discuss the future of Pennsylvania.

Most insiders recognize the event is indispensable for building relationships that genuinely improve the political atmosphere. Connections made at the Pennsylvania Society often create opportunities for bipartisan cooperation which is sorely absent today in Harrisburg.

Among the Philadelphia area electeds that made the trek were STATE REPS. JARED SOLOMON, MIKE O’BRIEN, ED NEILSON and DONNA BULLOCK. The only Philadelphia state senator was the STATE SEN.-ELECT SHARIF STREET. MAYOR JIM KENNEY spoke at the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association breakfast and also attended the Metropolitan Club event at the Waldorf. The number of Philly electeds present seemed to be less than usual.

Montgomery County STATE SEN. DAYLIN LEACH and Chester County STATE SEN. ANDY DINNIMAN attended LT. GOV. MIKE STACK’S overflow-crowd party. Also there were STATE SEN. JAY COSTA and Sen.-Elect Street; DISTRICT ATTORNEY SETH WILLIAMS; former City CONTROLLER JONATHAN SAIDEL; Allegheny County Common Pleas JUDGE DWAYNE WOODRUFF, who is running for Supreme Court again; current Supreme Court JUSTICE DEBORAH TODD; and Philly Common Pleas Court JUDGE MARIA McLAUGHLIN, who is running for Superior Court. Also attending the statewide party were Allegheny County executive RICH FITZGERALD, Pittsburgh MAYOR BILL PEDUTO and Republican STATE SEN. CAMERA BARTOLOTTA. Seen at the Saturday-night First Energy party were Bucks County’s TOMMY TOMLINSON, who, as usual, danced the night away. Also at the Energy Party were former STATE (Cont. Page 13)

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Yo! Here we go again. A friend reminded me of a card game I had learned and played in my youth. This most-memorable card game we played in South Philly was called “knuckles.”

Seven cards were dealt to each of two, three or four players. Four players could play as a team. The next card was dealt face up. The first player to the left of the dealer had to play a card from his hand and follow suit or the card value; i.e., if the six of hearts was turned up, the player had to play a six or a heart. If the player didn’t have the right card, he had to draw a card from the deck. The next player on his left then had to play on the card or he had to draw from the deck. The deck was reshuffled as required to supply cards to draw. The winner won the game by having played all of the cards from his hand.

Scoring is how the game got its name. The loser got as many “knuckles” as they had cards left in their hand (partners added their total cards and shared the “knuckles” equally. So just what was a “knuckle”? It was a smack delivered to the knuckles of the closed fist of the loser or losers by the winner, using the flat side of the deck of cards to administer the smack.

If you were brave, you could ask for a “fiver.” A “fiver” was equal to five “oners” and was delivered to the knuckles with the edge of the deck. Ouch!

Now, to prevent sadistic tendencies – if the winner drew blood while administering the penalty “knuckles,” he was subject to receive 52 “knuckles” delivered by the loser. The winner could also become a loser instantly. If, for example, the winner in his excitement gave too many “knuckles” or gave a “fiver” instead of a “oner,” he would get 52 “knuckles.” Or if he dropped the cards while giving “knuckles” – 52 “knuckles.”

I used the pronoun “he” and not she, for girls were not allowed to play “knuckles” with us.

Why? One time we let a girl play and she won! She delighted in giving “knuckles” to the loser and later she constantly reminded him of his loss to her and the resultant punishment she gave to him.

I still have scars on my knuckles from this delightful game. She is still my friend and is the one who reminded me of this card game again, a few days ago.

Another card game we played is “sette mezza” – seven and one half. It is played like (Cont. Page 13)

The same OLD, TIRED, WORN-OUT stories about the PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY weekend were in the papers again. It is like there are POST-IT notes in news media offices for December to not forget the “Why” story on the PA. Society. WHY does the Society NOT meet in Pennsylvania?

ANSWER: They DO meet in Pennsylvania for the ANNUAL LUNCH – each year in a different city – with a full day of touring that city, and spending money there, meeting the mayor and dinner. THEN it is inferred the PA. Society are all OLD people. Yet no reporter provides an age breakdown of the membership (?). The Society was begun in the 1800s by Pennsylvanians working in New York City – who missed their home state. In those days, you could not hop on the Acela and high-speed it to 30th Street Station. The New York tradition was kept up. And to Ed Rendell’s comment the society will move to Philly for the December weekend – it ain’t gonna happen.

Thanks to City Commissioner Al SCHMIDT, who has provided a steady voice of reason throughout the EMPTY shouts of voter FRAUD. The Russians may have had a hand in it elsewhere, but Philly – NOPE!... Oh, as to those who say political fights can happen at the PA. Society weekend – they DO NOT happen! Candidates may announce or seek support; but all is done in a laid-back, relaxed camaraderie between the GOP and DEMS. I did hear of a possible candidate for Controller against incumbent Alan BUTKOWITZ – and that it may be a candi(Cont. Page 15)

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Monday night, CONGRESSMAN PAT MEEHAN held his annual Holiday Party at the Paxton Hollow Country Club. It was not a fundraiser, but an opportunity for Meehan to thank those who supported him with funds and their time.

He thanked the crowd for their contributions to his successful campaign this year. He won re-election with 61% of the vote in two counties, Montgomery and Delaware, where he was not helped by the top of the ticket.

Meehan had an event last Thursday night in New York during the Pennsylvania Society weekend for his higher-end donors. I have it from a few reliable sources that Meehan plans to run against US SEN. BOB CASEY in 2018.

The Pennsylvania Society is a nonprofit charitable organization. It is not affiliated with any particular political party, business or profession. Its purpose is to honor achievement and support activities that enhance the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The organization holds two events annually – a fundraising dinner in New York and a luncheon at varying locations in Pennsylvania. The 118th annual dinner was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel last Saturday. This year’s honoree was financial guru JOHN BOGLE. The dinner next year will need to be held elsewhere as the Waldorf expects to be renovating its ballroom over the next two years.

While the Saturday-night dinner is supposed to be the highlight of the weekend, there are numerous events starting Thursday night. Also, while the Society is nonpartisan, (Cont. Page 14)

Photos by Bonnie Squires

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The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Page 12

Pennsylvania Society Was a Dazzling Social Whirl

Having lunch at the Peacock Alley restaurant on Friday of the Penna. Society weekend at the Waldorf were, L-R, Congressman-Elect Dwight Evans; Hon. Marian Tasco; and consultant Chuck Finney.

ALSO LUNCHING at the Waldorf were, L-R, Hon. Mike Gerber and his old schoolmate and PepsiCo exec Gian- PENNA. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, L front, and his friends had lunch at the Waldorf.

Carlo Peressutti.

THE GENEVIEVE SOCIETY welcomed the Fitzgerald family: L-R, Judge Jim Fitzgerald; his wife Carol Fitzgerald, executive director of the Penna. Society; and their daughter Melissa Fitzgerald.

ALSO AT the Genevieve Society was Lorina Marshall-Blake, a sponsor of the event, with George Vallianos, former owner of the Elgin Diner, and his wife Sharon.

AT THE Genevieve Society, Bonnie Squires and Eleanor Dezzi welcomed Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.

D.A. SETH WILLIAMS enjoyed waffles and ice cream at Lt. Gov. Mike Stack’s Dessert Recep- AT THE Genevieve Society reception, tion. Here he is seen with Stack and his wife Judge Maria McLaughlin was happy to talk with State Rep. Jim Roebuck.

Tonya.

LARRY BEASER of Blank Rome ALSO AT the Blank Rome party were welcomed Penna. Labor Secretary AT THE BLANK ROME reception, Councilman Derek Green, R, met up with friends.

Kathy Manderino.

Sherry Savett and Rhonda Cohen.

THE PENN BREAKFAST had Gov. Ed Rendell and Secretary of Banking & Securities Robin Wiessman as guests, along with a friend.

US SEN. Bob Casey welcomed Josh Shapiro, Attorney General-Elect, and Dr. Valerie SEN. CASEY was happy to see Tom Leonard NORA DOWD EISENHOWER and her husArkoosh, now chair of the Montco commission- at the Casey event at St. Andrew’s Bar & band Jim Eisenhower chatted with Sen. Casey ers, to his New York event. at his event.

Restaurant in Manhattan.

ALSO AT the President’s Reception were, L-R, Rhonda & David Cohen and Carol Fitzgerald, executive director of the Penna. Society.

CITY HALL

WAFFLEMAN (Cont. From Page 11) blackjack, only the winning (or losing) value is 7½ instead of 21. The object of the game was to get closer to 7½ than the dealer without going over, the players betting against the dealer.

To play this game, a standard deck of playing cards is prepared by removing all the 8s, 9s and 10s. The dealer shuffles the remainder of the

Cawley is known more as a conservative good guy who attempts to help people get along. Also being discussed on the Republican side is Republican MAJORITY LEADER JAKE CORMAN. But Sam has heard through the grapevine that Wagner instructed Corman that his job is to remain majority leader.

And if he wants to run for governor, he can no longer serve as majority leader. Since Wagner has been a formidable campaign chair, utilizing his own funds to elect new Republicans, one might believe that is a reality and not a threat.

Also maybe running are CONGRESSMEN CHARLIE DENT and MIKE KELLEY. Dent served in the State Senate and is from the Lehigh Valley. He is also perceived as moderate.

GOV. TOM WOLF made

the decision to take a pass once again on attending the Pennsylvania Society. He appeared on Saturday at the Pattison Leader Ball.

CAROL FITZGERALD, the lovely executive director of the society, has now formally retired from the challenging post. The Waldorf Astoria is being renovated to convert to condos, so the society will have to find a new location for next year.

Former GOV. ED RENDELL never passes up a chance to tell others when they are wrong. He spoke to the press and criticized Wolf for not attending. But Wolf has said consistently that he is a different kind of governor.

The media continues to report that Rendell gets mobbed every time he walks through the lobby of a hotel, but it appears that only the media is mobbing him. He represents a

group that is not open to anyone new in politics. Because Rendell gives an entertaining interview, reporters would prefer to talk to him rather than people who are actually in the current loop. He has always had that gift and always will. And the main Harrisburg media types never know what’s going on and never will.

deck and deals two cards, one at a time, to each player face down. His two cards were dealt one up and one down.

The value of the cards is determined by adding their individual value, i.e., 6+8 = 14.

The lefthand number is then ignored, giving a hand value of 4. Face cards were valued at ½ a point, so a hand of a 6+K = 6½.

As in blackjack, the player and dealer could draw as many cards as they desired, trying to get as close to 7½

but not over. The card drawn is added to the hand in the same manner, i.e., 6+K+2 = 18 and that is a hand value of 8½, which is more than 7½ and is a losing hand. Here is another example: 6+6+5+K = 17½ or 7½, which is a winner. In this case, the worst-case scenario is that the dealer also had 7½, which was then considered a draw.

I lost quite a few nickels playing this game, but it was much less painful than playing “knuckles” with a girl.

Let me help you out.

One, the Feds wanted 17-21 years. Fattah got convicted of racketeering and conspiracy.

He was going to go to jail.

Two, President Obama isn’t going to touch this steaming hot mess with a 40-foot-pole, much less a pardon pen. Native American activist Leonard Peltier would probably get an appeal before Fattah, and I’m not hearing that, either.

And three, 85% of 10 years in jail is 8½ years, not 5 years. And you don’t go to Club Fed when you get convicted of racketeering. You just don’t.

Look, I get it. There’s an emotional investment among

many in Philadelphia’s Black community when it comes to Chaka Fattah. He comes from a long line of activists. His mother, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah and his wife, former NBC-10 anchor Renee Chenault Fattah are sympathetic figures.

But the sentence Chaka Fattah was handed on Monday was the Dept. of Justice’s way of saying “If we convict you of stealing education funds, we may not throw the entire book at you, but we’re going to throw enough pages at you for it to hurt.”

Fattah is scheduled to turn himself in on Jan. 25, 2017 to begin his sentence.

Salute Martin Luther King Jan. 12th 2017 Call Melissa Barrett

(215) 755 2000

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(Cont. From Page 11) SEN. BOB ROVNER and the lovely HANNA MONBLATT, Bucks County STATE SEN. CHUCK McILLHINNEY, political guru CHARLIE GEROW and former LT. GOV. JIM CAWLEY. There is speculation Cawley might run for governor in the Republican field.

Presently, right-wing rich guy STATE SEN. SCOTT WAGNER is the only declared candidate. In just two years, Wagner has made a huge impact in the Republican Senate and made waves statewide. Wagner is very much a disciple of the Donald Trump form of politics. He often remarks that he carries a baseball bat to help people vote the right way.

There are plans to appeal both the conviction and the sentencing, and a hearing to continue Fattah’s bail pending appeal should be held soon.

But for now, let’s get back to the 85% of your sentence thing.

When the sentence was announced, my social-media timelines filled up with three things: • His sentence wasn’t fair!

White politicians have done worse and have gotten less time. He shouldn’t have to go to jail!

• President Barack Obama should pardon him.

• He’s gonna get five years in Club Fed.

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

(Cont. From Page 11) judged on his worst moment.

“He believed in making things different,” she said.

“He tried to provide real help for real people. For him to be judged by just what he’s been convicted of would be a disservice.”

That seemed to be a common theme. The 204 letters sent to Judge Bartle said it.

Lynne Honickman, founder and president of the Honickman Foundation said it.

Even Fattah’s brother-inlaw Mark Chenault said it.

Before his sentence was pronounced, Fattah did something

“You were supposed to do good works,” Bartle said.

“But you abused the trust of your constituents in the 2nd Dist. time and time again.

What you did produces the kind of cynicism that saps the strength of our democracy…”

“Life is full of choices,” Judge Bartle continued. “And those choices have consequences.”

While the 10-year-sentence was a hard pill for Fattah’s supporters, his father, David Fattah, was philosophical about it.

“It’s tough, but it could have been worse,” he said.

“I’m grateful we live in a country where you have the opportunity to speak to the judge.”

Page 13

Everyday

he didn’t do during his trial.

He spoke on his own behalf. Calling his trial and conviction “the most disappointing point of my life,” Fattah apologized to those impacted by some of his choices.

“I’d like to apologize to those who were more broadly impacted by this moment,” he said. “My co-defendants have lived good lives and have done good deeds. I’d like to advocate for leniency for them….”

But while a lot of people called for the ultimate in leniency, Judge Bartle wasn’t in the mood to give Fattah credit for stuff he was supposed to do.

The Public Record • December 15, 2016

Page 14

ELEPHANT (Cont. From Page 11) many of the surrounding events are decidedly partisan.

The first event of the weekend was CHRISTINE TORETTI’S annual reception at Club Macanudo. Toretti is a Republican fundraiser and one of Pennsylvania’s three representatives to the Republican National Committee. Pretty much all attendees were Republican and from Pennsylvania.

Philadelphians in attendance included School Reform COMMISSIONER FARAH JIMÉNEZ, political advisor AARON COHEN, opera singer (and former GOP ward leader) PRISCILLA COBLENTZ COHEN and State Committee member

DENISE FUREY. Many of those attending Toretti’s event moved on to Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus Committee’s event at Connolly’s Pub. A few more Philadelphians were sighted here, including Republican City Committee CHAIRMAN JOE DeFELICE. The premier Republican event of the weekend is usually considered to be the Commonwealth Club’s annual luncheon. This year, the event was held at the Intercontinental Hotel. Previous keynote speakers included PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP, former Hewlett Packard CEO CARLY FIORINA, political commentator KARL ROVE and GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE. This

City of Philadelphia ADVERTISEMENT

year’s speaker was pundit ANN COULTER. Initially, she applauded the president-elect and was critical of the Republican establishment for not initially embracing him. Those observations were true. However, Coulter spent an inordinate amount of time and effort trashing RNC CHAIRMAN REINCE PRIEBUS. Many of her observations, in my opinion, were not supported by fact.

The RNC, under Priebus, financed and organized the ground game in many states including Pennsylvania and was instrumental to Trump’s win.

Her vitriol was not limited to the RNC, but also targeted the rest of the establishment. Luckily, PAGOP CHAIRMAN ROB GLEASON and his guest New York State GOP CHAIRMAN ED COX left before the worst of her rant to attend a meeting at Trump Towers.

When Coulter ended her

speech, RNC representative BOB ASHER told her there was no time for Q&A. It appeared Coulter got the message and stomped out of the room.

The rest of afternoon was full of events for potential GOP contenders for the 2018 gubernatorial race, including State Senate MAJORITY LEADER JAKE CORMAN, STATE SEN. SCOTT WAGNER and CONGRESSMAN MIKE KELLY. Another nonpartisan event on Saturday was held at Skylark by the 1789 Society, a New York and Philadelphia African American group. Cohosts included Philadelphia Republican activist MAURICE GOODMAN and City COUNCILMAN DEREK GREEN. Philadelphians in attendance included COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM, SRC member SYLVIA SIMMS, Republi-

The City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, is requesting PROPOSALS for “AIRPORT CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES – Specific Projects/ Federal.”

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All proposals are to be submitted to www.phila.gov/contracts/ by 5 pm JANUARY 10, 2017 and also as directed in the REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Interested firms are invited to download the rfp directly from http://www.phila.gov/contracts/ (click under “eContract Philly”).

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OF THE HOUSE MIKE TURZAI was the most prominent Republican or Democrat in the room.

by Michael A. Cibik, Esq. American Bankruptcy Board Certified Question: Why did a bankruptcy-petition preparer get hard time?

Answer: Recently a petition preparer was convicted of violating several orders from the United States Bankruptcy Court prohibiting him from filing petitions for people.

Bankruptcy-petition preparers can do some tasks to prepare paperwork but such work is limited. Bankruptcy is a complex legal proceeding and petition preparers are not authorized nor trained to provide the services to fully guide a debtor through the bankruptcy process.

The bankruptcy court issued several orders and then, finally, after the preparer flouted the court’s order one time too many, referred the matter over for criminal prosecution.

Bankruptcy-petition preparers may seem like an inexpensive way to obtain bankruptcy relief. Unfortunately, it will

often turn out to be much more expensive. Often, a case prepared by a bankruptcy-petition preparer will be incorrect and will create problems for the debtor. The debtor will then often be in the position of having to hire an attorney to fix the mess created. Fixing the mess is generally substantially more expensive than what the initial bankruptcy would have cost in the first place.

I also have had dealings with cases involving bankruptcy-petition preparers. One case that I recently took over had been filed in the wrong district. The client did not file his schedules on time and his case was ultimately dismissed.

Now, in order to save his house, he will have to incur another filing fee and fees for having counsel to file a motion to extend the automatic stay – none of which would have been necessary had the debtor retained experienced counsel.

Next Week’s Question: Bankruptcy: Don’t get home-towned!

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WALKING (Cont. From Page 11) date encouraged by former Mayor Michael NUTTER, who was angry at BUTKOVITZ over the $380,000 audit. But a candidate put forward OUT OF ANGER cannot be in the best interests of the people (?). Anyway, PA Society stories make me wonder if the line “slow day in the newsroom” is true.

HOLIDAY BIRTHDAYS: Mary ROSEN, now in Florida; Cliford HAZEL, now in Baltimore; Carmen NASUTI, Esq., top lawyer; Tiye THOMPSON, 36th Ward Webmaster; Charles MIRARCHI, Esq.; Mike “Turnpike” KATES; and belated best wishes to Jihan, Jalai and mom Flo PAULING of the 34th Ward.... HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to a Democrat couple, and a GOP couple: Mr. & Mrs. Pat PARKINSON, Leader of Ward 57, and Mr. & Mrs. Joe McCOLGAN, an investment expert who should be Secretary of the Treasury.

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WHAT ABOUT the recent disclosure by an for the people. And she is still doing it on a FBI agent on the SLEAZY STING of four state grand scale. A VALUABLE lawmaker indeed. legislators! Former AG Kathleen KANE made A recent retirement party for State Sen. Shirley the right decision to QUASH that investigation. KITCHEN was composed of her constituents.

Yet you read nothing of this in the media. After They recounted many challenges in her district that LONG DAILY DISQUISITION on KANE which they successively met TOGETHER. of seemingly never-ending articles, with a shot KITCHEN reminded them she did not accomplish at a Pulitzer. And now the media hush is like it alone; they “SERVED TOGETHER” with her. reading up on Edgar Lee Masters’ “The Si- Thanks also to her incredible assistant Henry lence” for an answer.... THANK YOU, State HUNTER, a HERO of Vietnam! Shirley ended Rep. Vanessa BROWN, for an extremely PRO- her talk by telling the crowd, “Don’t forget that I DUCTIVE four years as President of the Black am still a ward leader.”

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The Public Record • December 15, 2016

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Public Record Classifieds:

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