Pr 891 p

Vol. I No. 8

Issue 891

February 23, 2017

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

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

HERE COME THE JUDGES (NEW ONES, THAT IS)

DAN MUROFF, Democratic 9th Ward Leader, was inundated with judicial candidates at his Chestnut Hill reception. They are hoping to fill court vacancies in Supreme (1); Superior (4); Commonwealth (2); Common Pleas (10); and Municipal Court (3). More on Page 4. Photo by Joe Stivala

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PhillyRecord

PhillyRecord.com

P 2- A cybersecurity expert offers chilling scenarios for the future of worldwide

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WE ARE MOST VULNERABLE IN CYBER WAR

OPINION

BY PETER RADATTI HE NEW Washington administration is talking about cyberwar. That is a very good thing for you.

It is well past time that we do something to protect the average person from the potential effects of malicious cyberwar attacks. It won’t be easy. But if we never start, the results will be very bad.

In the past, the federal government has talked about the dangers of cy-

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PUBLIC SERVANTS at WORK STUDENT RIDESHARE REVENUE $357,000

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tate Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.) joined fellow lawmakers and officials from the School District of Philadelphia to announce the school district has received its first installment of state funding – more than $357,000 – as a result of a new state law regulating rideshare com-

berwar. It invested heavily in protecting the federal government from the results of cyberwar and invested in the ability to wage cyberwar.

The countries and organizations that are at the top in the ability to wage cyberwar are the United States, China, Russia and the Russian Mafia. There is also activity within the Middle East and North Korea, but at a much less-destructive level than the top dogs. An up-and-comer soon may be the Mexican drug cartels.

Protecting the federal government is easy compared to protecting individual citizens.

It can be done. But it will be orders of magnitude harder. In addition, the countries that are at the top in cyberwar defense are totalitarian countries such as North Korea and China. North Korea doesn’t allow much access from the outside world and is

therefore mostly immune to our probes. China has a tight fist and complete control over the internet within their country. In the event of a war, they can protect themselves.

The United States has several problems when it comes to defense.

The first problem faced by the United State is the size of the problem. We are immense. In addition, the internet now controls a great deal of our lives. Most landbased phones are tied into the internet; hospitals move data over the internet; banks do customer transactions over the internet, including full access to bank accounts.

Other things you would not expect to be online are actually connected to the internet. For example, large parts of the electrical grid and water pumps are connected to the internet for command and control. That

potentially means our electricity and water could be affected during a cyberwar.

Most credit-card transactions go over the internet.

That means stores may not be able to sell items except for cash. This will also affect bank branches, which may not be able to access their central computers to allow withdrawals along with ATM machines.

Even if the banks don’t use the internet, they will not be able to keep up with the demand for cash. When was the last time you used cash at the supermarket or any of the stores you generally purchase at?

If you didn’t say “today,” you may have a problem during a cyberwar.

Cyberwar does not include the all-too-prevalent scams that are everywhere these days. Even with these exposures, you might think just turning off the computers or installing antivirus programs

will eliminate cyber attacks.

That doesn’t work. The internet of things is now a major threat. Security cameras, laser printers, cell phones – these are all computers.

Some refrigerators and a few cars are connected to the internet. Each one of these can be turned into a time bomb that can attack.

In addition, if self-driving cars are connected to the internet in the future, they can be turned into weapons.

Think of a car being directed to drive into people or a building at top speed.

All of this means that even if we cut off our country from the rest of the world, our enemies will still have the ability to wreak havoc with our country’s infrastructure from the inside.

(Peter V. Radatti is the president of CyberSoft Operating Corp., located in Conshohocken, Pa.)

panies in the City of Philadelphia and across the commonwealth.

“This announcement is a result of a comprehensive effort to regulate rideshare companies statewide and ensure that they pay their fair share for conducting business in a major city,” said Hughes. “In just a short time, revenue has been generated that will directly benefit our schools. This funding is expected to continue to grow as rideshare companies become a more popular transportation choice for consumers, and that’s good news for our school children.”

Cephas said the task force will be designed to bring together local and state agencies, business owners and area residents that are immediately impacted by the operation of these establishments.

“With the loosening of laws regarding liquor sales, businesses have greater opportunities to expand commerce and product lines, however, we are experiencing some unintended consequences of changing the laws,” Cephas said. She will host a community meeting Feb. 25 on Fire Safety and Prevention from 10 a.m. to noon at Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, 6100 W. Columbia Ave. “West Philadelphia residents are speaking out with significant concerns and this a step in answering their call.

This task force is a way to allow all stakeholders to be part of the solution. Throughout this process, I am prepared to go block by block to leave no stone unturned and no call unanswered to ensure

our community assets stay as such,” said Cephas.

Members of the task force will be tasked with reporting and resolving complaints from residents, tracking and examining new license requests and transfers, and making longterm legislative and policy recommendations.

In addition, Cephas, a member of the House Liquor Control Committee, plans to introduce several pieces of legislation that would strengthen current liquor laws by closing the loopholes associated with nuisance establishments.

“This is an added opportunity to get ahead of the growing concerns and attack this issue head on,” Cephas said. “No single person or agency can work alone to address this issue – so much more can be accomplished by working together with a common goal to improve the quality of life for the residents and business owners of Wynnefield, Overbrook, Carroll Park and beyond.”

THOMAS HOSTS CITY JOB FAIR

CEPHAS TO STUDY NUISANCE SITES

State Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-W. Phila.) is launching a liquor-control task force to address growing concerns and issues that stem from nuisance establishments negatively impacting Philadelphia neighborhoods and commercial corridors.

Continuing his efforts to connect constituents with jobs, State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-N. Phila.) holds a Public Sector Job Fair today.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 at the former Wakisha School, 900 Jefferson Street.

More than 25 employers from city, state and federal agencies have been invited to attend, and over 10 job-training opportunities will be featured at the event. There also will be workshops on job development and on expungement.

In addition, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Techmobile will also be onsite to assist attendees without a resume in developing one while at the event.

Anyone interested in attending the workshops must register by contacting Sharon Stocker in Thomas’ office at (215) 560-3261 or at SStocker@pahouse.net.

Copyright @2017 City & State PA LLC Local 779-C

Judge Teresa Carr Deni ...All The Way

my time. I saw an opening, and decided it was my time.”

The opening she referred to – the litany of legal and ethical issues dogging incumbent DA Seth Williams – increased exponentially, along with the chances of candidates both declared and undeclared, when Williams announced on Feb. 10 that he would not be seek-

contentious legal issues in the commonwealth and the nation: civil-asset forfeiture.

It’s a process that involves the District Attorney’s Office liquidating cash, cars and houses seized in criminal investigations for departmental revenue – often before a defendant has been convicted.

“I would redesign – if not dismantle – the forfeiture unit,” she said. “I think it’s seizing people’s homes for the wrong reasons, and for the DA’s office to be reliant on 20% of its budget” through forfeiture proceeds “is wrong. It punishes the wrong people.

It destroys the foundation of the community to take people who have been in the community a long time and take their homes from them.”

She is also planning to back the practice of restor-

ative justice, which seeks to repair the harm done by criminal behavior by rehabilitating the perpetrators and reconciling them with their victims, in domestic violence courts. “We have a certain amount of ‘frequent flyers’ in domestic-violence courts,” Deni explained.

“It doesn’t take long to figure out how the system works – someone can be arrested, but the victim doesn’t have to follow through. In most cases, they don’t want the person who is the father of their children to lose their job or to be convicted. There should be an offer of mutual counseling, especially if they’re back for a second time and they didn’t go through with the prosecution the first time.”

Another avenue Deni intends to address through

policy reform is what she identified as a disparity between public alcohol and marijuana consumption following the latter’s decriminalization.

“It’s a good idea to decriminalize marijuana to the point it has been,” she emphasized.

“However, I do not like people marijuana-smoking openly on the streets, just like I don’t like people walking down the streets with visible alcohol in their hands.

I think they should be treated equally, but what we have created is a situation where public marijuana smoking is punished less harshly than people walking down the street with a bottle of alcohol in their mouth. One” – referring to marijuana – “gets a $25 citation; one gets a summary citation and you (Cont. Page 11)

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ing re-election.

Deni plans to use the changed landscape to draw attention to her primary motivation for getting into the race: policy.

“We are at a crossroads with policy,” she said. “I want to see the changes get made and seen through. I think Seth was initially on the right track and he just got off the rails. There’s a unique opportunity in Philadelphia with the MacArthur grant” – a total of $3.5 million was awarded to the city last year to help reduce its prison population.

“We’re putting together new diversionary courts all the time. We have a goal of reducing mass incarceration – we need to see this stuff through.”

In addition to finding alternatives to mass incarceration, Deni’s other priorities include one of the most

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H

OW MUCH much does Teresa Carr Deni want to be Philadelphia’s next district attorney? Enough that she gave up a 21-year career as a municipal court judge that – thanks to the nature of retention elections, which provide voters not with a choice of opponents but with a simple yes-or-no vote on keeping a judge behind the bench – was the next-best thing to a lifetime appointment.

Deni, who received both her bachelor’s and law degrees from Temple, said that her candidacy, which launched in December, is no caprice, but something she has been ruminating on for some time.

“I did what I could on the bench,” she explained during an interview. “I wanted to run eight years ago, but I could see it wasn’t

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DENI ALL IN ON D.A. CANDIDACY

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WILL WRITE-INS DO HER IN?

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POLS on the STREET

Representative

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

State Rep.

William Keller 184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

1435 N. 52nd St. Phila. PA 19131 (215) 879-6615

215-271-9190

Always Hard At Work for You!

State Senator

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HERE COME THE JUDGES

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CHERI HONKALA, R, was endorsed for her 197th Dist. special-election write-in campaign by 2016 Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

BY JOE SHAHEELI OT ONLY does longtime welfare activist Cheri Honkala face an uphill battle in her writein campaign to win the special election for the 197th Dist. vacated by former State Rep. Leslie Acosta, that effort has turned into a slippery slope as well.

Though she no longer holds the title, Acosta believes she still has a loyal following in the district – enough to make a difference when she endorses, or in the case of Honkala, when she opposes. Acosta is quoted on her Facebook page as saying of Honkala, “If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck!”

Acosta tells her followers, “Honkala claims to have a strong name recognition which should be enough to claim the 197 seat. The voters, (Cont. Page 5)

Anthony Hardy Williams 8th Senatorial District

2901 ISLAND AVE. STE 100 PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153 (215) 492-2980 FAX: (215) 492-2990 ---419 CHURCH LANE YEADON, PA 19050 (610) 284-7335 FAX: (610) 284-5955 6630 LINDBERGH BLVD.

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

Dan Muroff, Democratic 9th Ward Leader, was inundated with judicial candidates at his Chestnut Hill reception. They all will be filing for various judicial court vacancies, 20 in all. Jim Crumlish, Esq., 2nd from L, is one of those. Of fond memory was the service of his father as Philly DA. Among those on hand were Michael Untermeyer, DA candidate; Crumlish; 55th Ward Leader Robert Dellavella; Rebecca Rhynhart, city controller candidate; Harold Mosely; John Macoretta and Rania Major, judicial candidates; 53rd Ward Leader Janice Sulman; Muroff; Marissa Brumbach, Christian DiCicco, Carmella Jacquinto and Betsy Wahl, judicial candidates; 35th Ward Leader Bill Dolbow with 11th Ward Leader Dwayne Lilley; and Len Deutchman, judicial candidate. Photo by Joe Stivala

BRADY CHALLENGES TRUMP ORDER

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ONGRESSMAN Bob Brady (D-Phila.) has signed an amicus brief challenging the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant and anti-refugee executive order. The brief in the Eastern District of New York case Darweesh, et al. v.

Trump charges the Muslim and refugee ban is illegal and is un-American.

Brady said, “I was at the Philadelphia airport in the midst of mass confusion

when the ban first went into effect. Hundreds of people with visas, who had endured months and sometimes years of vetting, were denied entry and some were detained. Even more were stranded en route to the U.S. It was absolute chaos.”

Brady said, “This order’s religious discrimination is counter to the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process, that as the brief outlines … incorporates principles of

State Rep. Jason

equal protection under the 14th Amendment.’”

Brady, whose Italian and Irish family were immigrants, added, “My Catholic family came to this country in search of the American dream and was welcomed here. But the Trump order discriminates against those identified as Muslims, following their faith.”

The Congressman has earned an A grade on the National Education Association’s Legislative Report Card City Commissioner

Dawkins

Lisa M.

District Office: 4915 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (215) 744-7901 M. – Th.: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

F.: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Room 132 City Hall

Deeley Philadelphia PA 19107

215-686-3460

State Rep.

Councilman

Mark

Joanna E.

Squilla

McClinton 191st Leg. Dist.

6027 Ludlow St. Unit A Phila., PA 19139

1st District City Hall Room 332

T: (215) 748-6712 F: (215) 748-1687

215-686-3458/59

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

Represintative

Angel Cruz

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

Boyle

198th District

310 W. Chelten Ave.

172nd Dist.

7420 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19136

Phila PA 19148

P: 215-849-6426

215-331-2600 State Rep.

John

Donna

(R) 177th Dist.

4725 Richmond St. Phila., PA 19137

195th Leg. Dist.

2835 W. Girard Ave Phila, PA 19130

215-744-2600

D-185th District 2901 S. 19th St. Phila PA 19145 P: 215-468-1515 F: 215-952-1164

Greenlee

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

Donatucci

Councilman Wm.

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

State Rep.

Rep.Maria P.

for the 114th Congress. The report card tracks individual members of Congress overall support for public education, students and educators.

Brady said, “In spite of the political polarization of Congress, I will continue to support students, teachers, administrators and all education professionals to ensure that America provides the very best public education for all, regardless of race or class.”

Bullock T: (215) 684-3738 F: (215) 235-4629

City Councilwoman 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

(Cont. From Page 4) however, will have their say, and so far, her fanfare is not resonating with the residents of the 197th Dist. In fact, the voters are not drinking that Kool-Aid with the write-incampaign – why? She projects the ‘I’ word a little too much. The ‘I’ word raises some red flags.”

A state Commonwealth Court judge nixed a petition Wednesday to keep Honkala on the ballot by ruling her nomination paperwork wasn’t filed by the deadline.

But Honkala, a longtime activist and the founder of

SHERIFF Jewell Williams speaks to a room of senior citizens at his Valentine’s Day Party. It was held at The Venango House on Feb. 14.

Photo by Robert Mendelsohn

the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, is not ending her bid to replace Acosta in the district, which encompasses parts of North Philadelphia and Kensington, in the March 21 special election.

Her campaign plans to appeal Senior Judge J. Wesley Oler, Jr.’s ruling. If that fails, it’s ready to mount a write-in campaign, and in a rare move, the Green Party appears ready to back her.

She has the backing of the Green Party, according to Chris Robinson, the party’s (Cont. Page 6)

NO TO ABORTION CURB

STATE REP. Angel Cruz, 3rd from L, 7th Ward Democratic leader, held a candidates’ reception in the exciting Salsa Club.

Numerous candidates for Common Pleas judgeship were on hand. Richard Negrín, candidate for District Attorney, 4th from L, also attended.

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POLS on the STREET

ENJOYING 7TH WARD PARTY

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JEWELL’S VALENTINE

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SCOTT & KAREN Agatone, with their newborn baby, joined Gov. Tom Wolf in Phila. when the governor announced he would veto SB 3, which would prohibit all abortions after 20 weeks. Photo by Wendell Douglas

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POLS ON THE STREET (Cont. From Page 5) membership secretary. That may mean a handful of supporters, if any of them can be found in the 197th, leafletting on her behalf.

Honkala says she has more name recognition

than other candidates in her district, including those of Democrat Fred Ramírez and Republican Lucinda Little.

BRADY NOTES JUDGES EYE D.A.

With Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams out of contention in the May 16 primary for the Democratic nomination, the field contin-

ues to be filled by aspirants.

As reported in our sister publication, City & State PA, there is still another race is shaping up to replace him until his term ends should he elect to resign.

Democratic Party Chairman Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) reportedly has been receiving calls of interest from some of our judg-

es interested in filling the position on an interim basis.

That makes sense! The Congressman explained, “The Board of Judges would pick the successor to fill out the end of the term.” That happened when DA Ron Castille resigned to run for mayor. The judges picked DA Lynne Abraham, who then easily earned succes-

sive terms to that office from which she retired.

EL-SHABAZZ MAKES IT SIX

Tariq El-Shabazz, who recently resigned his assistant DA post, this week became the sixth to enter the race to fill the Democratic slot for district attorney created by the decision of DA Seth Williams not to seek re-election in the primary.

He drew a huge supportive crowd thanks to the presence of Sam Staten, Jr., business manager/co-chairman of Laborers’ District Council 332. The indication of the support of LDC makes him an extremely viable candidate, since the union has successfully sup-

ported for office dozens of Philadelphia’s and Pennsylvania’s elected officials.

HAVEN FOR EX-MAYORS

Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is now a the Senior School of Social Policy and Practice Executive Fellow at the Penn Institute for Urban Research.

Beginning this spring, he will have an active role in steering the institution’s research and investment into policies designed to alleviate poverty in Philly and other cities. Nutter also holds a position at Columbia University where he was named an urban policy professor (Cont. Page 8)

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F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

AGAINST RECIDIVISM

STATE SEN. Sharif Street, L, and Lt. Gov. Mike Stack led a discussion at Dobbins High School on combatting recidivism by enhanced options for pardons and other ways to remove roadblocks to employment for ex-offenders. Photo by Wendell Douglas

WHAT’S THE SECRET?

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MARK your CALENDAR Feb. 23- Lt. Gov. Mike Stack hosts Mardi Gras Celebration at Scarpetta Restaurant, 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $250 up. Checks payable to “Committee to Elect Mike Stack,” PO Box 292, Newtown, PA 18940. For info: (215) 893-4281.

Feb. 23- State Rep. Jim Roebuck celebrates his Birthday Bash at Warmdaddy’s, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Jazz, soul food & fun.

RSVP: Bonnie Squires (610) 329-6826.

Feb. 23- Commissioner Al Schmidt holds Fundraiser at Firefighters’ Union Ha., 415 N. 5th St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Open bar, catering from

Caroline Rd., 7-11 p.m.

Tickets $50, Candidates $125. Checks payable to “Friends of 56th Ward.”

RSVP: John Sabatina, 7720 Castor Ave., 2nd fl., Phila., PA 19152. For info: (215) 742-8600.

Feb. 25- Octavius Catto Day is honored at 6th & Lombard Sts., 10 a.m.; then at Union League for Lunch and Awards. Tickets $35.

For info: (215) 204-5452.

Feb. 25- Women’s March of Penna. rallies to Defend the ACA at 1401 JFK Blvd., 12-3 p.m.

Feb. 25- 32nd Ward Democratic Committee hosts Petition Party at Mander Plg., 33rd & Diamond Sts., 2-5 p.m. For info: Bernard Lopez (215) 317-9232 or email Blop21457@gmail. com for candidates.

Feb. 25- Councilwoman Cindy Bass hosts Chicken or Fish Fry at Lou & Choo’s, 2101 W. Hunting Pk. Ave., 2-6 p.m. Tickets $15.

Feb. 25- State Rep. Rosita Youngblood’s 13th Ward Democratic Committee hosts Candidates Petition Signing at DeLink Social Cl., 4172 Germantown Ave., 5-8 p.m. Light dinner.

Candidates $125. Com-

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Paesano’s. Contributions $100. Payable to “Friends of Al Schmidt,” P.O. Box 18538, Phila., PA 19129.

Feb. 23- Councilwoman Helen Gym hosts Community Action Mtg. at Arch St. United Methodist Ch., 55 N. Broad St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23- State Rep. John Taylor hosts Mtg. on Saving Lives with Narcan at St. Anne’s Ha., 2328 E. Lehigh Ave., 2nd fl., 6-8 p.m. Free.

Must be 16 years or older.

RSVP: (215) 708-3139.

Feb. 23- Fundraising Reception honors Judge Vince Furlong at Ristorante La Veranda, 31 N. Columbus Blvd., 6-8 p.m.

Donation Levels $250, $500, $1,000. Payable to “Judge Furlong Election Committee,” 15041 Kelvin Ave., Phila., PA 19116.

RSVP: INFO@ELECTIONJUDGEFURLONG.COM or (267) 571-53238.

Feb. 23- 60th Ward Democratic Committee hosts meet-greet-&-eat Petition Party at Urban Art Gallery, 262 S. 52nd St. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 24- Friends of 56th Ward Democratic Committee hosts Fundraiser & Petition-Signing Party at FOP Lodge 5 Ha., 11630

mittee people and friends welcome. For info: Charles Carn (267) 269 4608.

Feb. 25- State Sen. Anthony Williams celebrates 60th Birthday at Hilton City Line, 4100 City Line Ave., 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Various contribution levels.

For info: (267) 888-4165.

Feb. 25- State Rep. Morgan Cephas hosts Community Mtg. on Fire Safety & Prevention at Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship, 6100 W. Columbia Ave., 10 a.m.-12 m.

Feb. 28- State Sen. John Sabatina hosts Mardi Gras Reception at Ladder 15, 1528 Sansom St., 5:307:30 p.m. Tickets $150, Friends $250, Hosts $500, Sponsors, $1,000.

For info: (215) 821-7606 or re.elect.johnsabatina@ gmail.com.

Feb. 28- Judge Carolyn Nichols is hosted Kickoff for Superior Ct. at Penna. 6, 114 S. 12th St., 3rd fl., 5:307:30 p.m. Contribution levels $100, $250, $500, $1,000. RSVP: Kate Martucci (412) 398-9827.

Mar. 1- Phila. Council AFLCIO PAC/COPE hosts Fundraiser at Art Bar, Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St.,

5:30-7:30 p.m. Featuring Mayor Jim Kenney. Tickets $250. For info: Danny Bauder (215) 410-1517.

Mar. 1- Judge Dan Sulman for Judge is hosted Reception at 1518 Bar & Grill, 1518 Sansom St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Complimentary drinks and light fare. Contribution Levels: $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $1,500. Checks payable to “Committee to Elect Dan Sulman,” mailed

by Feb. 24 to: Committee to Elect Dan Sulman, 1500 Walnut St., Su. 2000, Phi-

la., PA 19102 or at the door.

For info & RSVP: Karen Sugarman ksugarman1@ gmail.com or (215) 3701423(c).

Mar. 2- Phila. Chapter of the Federalist Society hosts former Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley at 5:30 pm at Dilworth Paxson LLP, 1500 Market St., Su. 3500E, 5:30 p.m.

Mar. 3- Spirit of Port Luncheon honors Eugene Mattioni at Hilton at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd., 11:30 a.m. For info: Christine (215) 940-9900, ext. 104.

(Cont. Page 14)

F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

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VER 9,000 Philadelphia parents entered a lottery hoping to score one of 96 open seats at MaST Community Charter School in Northeast Philadelphia this week. For kindergarten alone, there were over 1,300 applications for 75 available seats.

The waiting list for this charter school has quadru-

the average schools, we understand why applicants flood the better ones while slots go begging in the average ones.

A good school raises students to higher expectations, attracting families to homestead near that school when possible, and its curriculum improves the quality of life for the community around it.

The question facing the members of the School Reform Commission, the hierarchy of the School District of Philadelphia and the leadership of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers is how to replicate its models of success in schools that have not yet found it.

For Further Listing See “Calendar” Online At www.phillyrecord.com

March 3, 2017 Jim Donnelly hosts the

58th Ward Democratic 45th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Bash at Knowlton Mansion, 931 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111, from 7 PM to 11 PM. Special guest Lieutenant

Governor Mike Stack.

Tickets $50.00pp, food, drink, live music.

Candidates $100.00pp R.S.V.P. Jim Donnelly 610-360-5682 or Skip Montell 267-444-7945

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OPINION

pled since 2011. MaST is now building an addition to its Byberry campus as it continues to create innovative pathways for students pursuing knowledge focused on mathematics, science and technology. The school serves 1,341 students in grades K-12.

This phenomenon is not unique to this school alone.

It is replicated yearly in a few schools in our Public School District … those known as magnet schools, along with a few key feeder schools.

So we ask: Why not all our schools?

Because of stats such as these, which easily delineate the good schools from

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POLS ON THE STREET (Cont. From Page 6) at its School of International and Public Affairs.

Seems, according to Dean John L. Jackson, Jr. his concerns for the poor and needy earned him the role. We find, also in a similar role, Mayor John Street lecturing at one of our nonprofit, reduced-taxpaying universities.

Obviously Mayor Jim Kenney will be sought after in such a capacity after his second term.

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F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

TOOMEY NOW AT CUSTOMS HOUSE

Effective March 1, US Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R-Pa.) Philadelphia office will be moving to the federal building known as the US Customs House located at 200 Chestnut Street. His office will be in Suite 600. It once was home to Congressmen

SOMERTON MEETING

“BIG JIM” Donnelly, new 58th Ward Democratic leader, greets a bevy of candidates to his Somerton ward meeting. Jim’s welcoming committee included Commissioner Lisa Deeley; Judge Fae Stack (ret.); and Committee Persons Skip Montell and Col. Tommy “Tex” Johnson. The judicial candidates included Victoria Kristiansson; Christian DiCicco, Marissa Brumbach; Jennifer Schultz; Judge Stella Tsai; Carmella Jacquinto; and Gary Silver. Photo by Joe Stivala

Jim Byrne and Joe Smith.

SACCONE TO CHALLENGE CASEY

US Sen. Bob Casey (DPa.) has had a long honeymoon with Pennsylvania voters. That will continue through the Democratic primary next year. However, the Trump victory bequeathed by a huge turnout in the state’s more rural counties has emboldened serious thoughts in the Republican Party that he

is now worthy of a serious challenge.

First out is State Rep. Dr. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny), who will announce his candidacy against Casey in Harrisburg next week.

“Pennsylvanians have spoken when they elected a new president that represents them, but the work is not done,” said Saccone.

“Bob Casey is representative of the bloated governmental system that has decimated our country since 2009.”

g o n y h i a b b a

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EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY “First, let me share with you the worst kept secret in Philadelphia: I’m running for District Attorney…”

ND WITH that, former Deputy District Attorney Tariq El-Shabazz became the sixth Democrat to throw his hat in the Philadelphia district attorney ring.

As I mentioned last week, El-Shabazz was among the prominent African American names being bandied about now that current DA Seth Williams, bogged

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a defense attorney and a prosecutor. El-Shabazz was a partner in his own firm; he also did two stints in the District Attorney’s Office, 1988-1993 under Ron Castille and, most recently, seven months under Williams.

If he wins office, El-Shabazz promised to expand the number of diversionary programs and eliminate cash bail for nonviolent offenders, and to lead a charge by law-enforcement and elected officials to reform Pennsylvania’s probation and parole system.

Unlike his opponents for the Democratic nomination for DA in the May 16 primary, he’s got a concrete plan, El-Shabazz said.

The press conference got contentious when two things came up: the $190,172 tax lien that’s been filed against El-Shabazz and his connection to Williams. One question, whether El-Shabazz owed Philadelphians an explanation (Cont. Page 12)

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E ARE starting to read that the DEMS want to exploit TRUMP BLOOPERS to elect their candidates. In New Jersey, the Dems will also throw in Gov. Chris CHRISTIE for a double “bloop. “Protests against Trump are an American way, and show no sign yet of abating – as more fuel from the White House is released. The GOP may slowly come to FALL OUT with Trump. The protests draw their attention away. If the presidency continues to bumble along, it could im-

CITY HALL SAM

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EBECCA RHYNHART, the former chief administrative officer for JIM KENNEY, is running against ALAN BUTKOVITZ for city controller. Butkovitz has not shown signs of melting down over the competition but is generally not used to heavy resistance in his races. Although Kenney says he is neutral, will he be encouraging contributors to help the challenger?

Butkovitz is the arch-nemesis of former MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER. Although

We all read that legisla- 9 tion by our GOP-controlled Legislature can be anti-Philadelphia. Dislike for Philly by upstaters is VERY REAL and they often describe a Philly that they have NEVER visited! A few years back, at an executive lunch, I asked company owners if they disliked us, and if so, have you ever given vagrants a one-way ticket to Philly. The dislike began right after the William Penn WALKING PURCHASE. An indicator of spring is when the crocus and hyacinth stick their “heads” above ground. They did – and it snowed the next day.

And we doubted Al GORE on global warming.

February is a big birthday month. I know Master Chef Ron HOOPES of Fairmount has one. The Rumor was Ron was on the short list for White House chef – until they discovered that he was TOO LIBERAL with spices!

A lot of POLS who graduated from Overbrook High (Cont. Page 13)

Nutter is rarely seen anywhere in Philadelphia, he finds Butkovitz intolerable.

So the questions are: Does Nutter actually have any real juice in the city anymore?

And will the former mayor use his contacts to derail another term for Butkovitz?

Although City Hall Sam is asking too many questions today, here’s another one: Why does Nutter find Butkovitz so distasteful? It goes back to Butkovitz attacking Nutter’s alleged misappropriation of funds from a city nonprofit.

Butkovitz has been a pretty good watchdog and taxpayers generally react positively when other government entities have their rear ends held to the fire.

The DA’s race will also be highly competitive due to the withdrawal of incumbent SETH WILLIAMS. Everybody knows about the difficulties he is having regarding recent gift disclosures, but the smart money thought he would stay in the race.

Now there are several other candidates angling for an open seat and all of them seem to have fairly decent funding. RICH NEGRÍN, JUDGE TERESA CARR DENI, MICHAEL UNTERMEYER, TARIQ KARIM EL-SHABAZZ and BETH GROSSMAN will have to reorganize their campaign themes. Instead of railing against Seth Williams, they will have to either rail against each other or construct a positive message for change.

CHS predicts the campaign will not be about toughness on crime but rather enforcing progressive ideas. It will likely feature sentencing reforms, decriminalization of marijuana, protecting LGBTQ rights and even sanctuary-city issues.

The FOP will probably have to endorse Grossman as a Republican in the fall.

Untermeyer is the best-funded candidate because he comes from money. He has already provided (Cont. Page 13)

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down by a $45,000 roof, among other things, announced last week that he wouldn’t seek re-election.

And El-Shabazz was right.

It was the worst-kept secret in town, especially if you listen to 900AM WURD. From a Friday-morning callin to “Wake Up with WURD with Solomon Jones” to callins on the weekend shows, El-Shabazz spent lots of time on Black talk radio coming just short of announcing his candidacy.

During an occasionally contentious news conference held at Chestnut Hill’s Platinum Grille, El-Shabazz, flanked by a group of supporters that included the Rev. Alyn Waller, senior pastor of Enon Baptist Church, and Sam Staten, Jr., business manager of Laborers International Union Local 332, told those gathered why he believes he’s the best person for the job.

Most of that belief stems from his experience as both

WALKING the BEAT

plode. Teddy ROOSEVELT was a similarly impulsive president, not really needing a Congress. He was not nominated for a second term by his party. He formed The Bull Moose Party, ran for re-election and lost.

The media seems mostly anti-Trump. But QUILL, the magazine of the Society of Professional Journalists, featured an article by highly awarded author Lee Siegel, arguing MEDIA OUTRAGE over Trump plays into Trump’s hands. It DOES FORTIFY his supporters.

GOP Congressman Tom McArthur (3rd-New Jersey) voted against a motion to repeal Obamacare. GOP Freeholder Ryan Peters also is against repeal.

A New Jersey ATTORNEY for a township school board actually told parents the school board ONLY conducts school business in a public setting, and parents cannot ask questions of that board.

That is PURE B.S.! Freeholders are looking into this.

F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

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ID GOV. TOM WOLF take a page out of Philadelphia City Council’s playbook?

In 2015, City Council hired a consulting firm to second-guess the findings of then-MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER’S evaluation of the sale of the Philadelphia Gas Works. Council spent over a half-million dollars for a study done by Cogentrix, which told COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL CLARKE what he did not want to hear – that the proposed sale of the Philadelphia Gas Works in 2015 to UIL Corp. was a

Skeptics might think $1.8 million was a bigger price tag than what Cogentrix obtained from City Council, so the firm was willing to tell Wolf what he wanted to hear.

I, however, have worked with people from McKinsey over the years and do not believe they can be bought – and certainly not for $1.8 million. McKinsey is one of the largest consulting firms in the world. While $1.8 million sounds like a lot of money, the figure is not high enough for that firm to jeopardize its reputation.

McKinsey’s study did suggest LCB buy at lower prices, sell at higher prices and expand its repertoire of products. LCB, as one of the largest buyers of adult beverages in the US, should be able to negotiate good deals. Perhaps there is more room there.

But McKinsey suggested charging higher prices on unspecified products – really? That would only push (Cont. Page 12)

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ELEPHANT CORNER

good deal for the city.

Wolf spent $1.8 million of taxpayer money to have McKinsey Consulting evaluate how to realize an achievable “sustainable budget.”

A progressive could not use the terms “financially sound” or “balanced budget.” No, Wolf has to use a term that sounds like he is talking about fighting climate change.

McKinsey looked at various agencies to determine if they were efficient. Its 79-page report suggested a number of cost-saving actions already being considered, essentially telling the commonwealth something it already knew. The report specifically said Pennsylvania should sell some assets, get rid or consolidate duplicative agencies, and become savvier in how it contracts with vendors.

What the study did not say is that Pennsylvania should sell the Liquor Control Board stores and other big-ticket assets.

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POLS ON THE STREET (Cont. From Page 8) Saccone commands a diverse background. He is a retired US Air Force officer.

Since earning a PhD in international affairs, he has spent over 15 years as a college professor. Saccone has taught numerous courses, including international relations and global terrorism. He has authored nine books and has worked in international business and diplomacy. He has lived and worked extensively overseas.

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COSTA’S OPIOID ADDICTION BILL

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) could help end the opiod-addiction problem. He has a bill that would give families the opportunity to seek involuntary commitments of loved ones for treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. He says, “Families are suffering. We have to put the resources in place to support them in their time of need.”

The opioid-addiction situation in Pennsylvania could prompt many to support Costa’s bill, he feels, since it would allow families to petition their county administrator to determine whether an individual suffers from addiction and is a threat to themselves or others, with a determination of such a threat triggering a hearing at a health-care facility by a mental-health review officer, who would determine an appropriate length of stay at the facility. It’s reportedly opposed by the ACLU.

WE ARE HOME TO 50K ILLEGALS

The Pew Research Center reports Philadelphia has about 50,000 unauthorized immigrants, which means approximately one out of every four foreign-born residents here is unauthorized.

Its research has found the city’s total foreign-born resident population increased

WED AT CITY HALL

WILLIE JORDAN LED THE BAND

DANNY’S PLACE in W. Phila. was swinging with jazz as well as political action when the 44th Ward Democrats held their petition party. L-R were Mike Tucker, judicial candidate Vikki Kristiansson, host Ward Leader Willie Jordan and Committeeman Bryant Dickerson. Photo by Wendell Douglas THIS enthusiastic couple came to City Hall on Valentine’s Day to show their love for one another and get hitched, surrounded by their loved ones, with 49 other couples in the name of love. A number of judges performed ceremonies that day. Photo by Joe Shay Stivala

LOVE COMES in all shapes, sizes and ages, as you can see with this lovely couple, who just got married by the enthusiastic judge behind them at City Hall on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Joe Shay Stivala

TURNOUT FOR 5TH WARD L-R were Superior Court candidate Judge Carolyn Nichols, W. Philly Committee People Lamar Tymes and Tina Covington, and Common Pleas judicial aspirant Danyl Patterson. Photo by Wendell Douglas

THE 5TH WARD is always hotly sought after by Democratic candidates. At its petition party at Me & Mo’s were, L-R, judicial hopeful Zac Shaffer, host Ward Leader Mike Boyle, Ward Leader Dwayne Lilley, consultant Joe Russo, judicial candidate Christian DiCicco and Gary Silver. Photo by Wendell Douglas

ALL IN THE running for judgeships are, L-R, Marissa Brumbach, Rania Major, Christian DiCicco and Judge Vincent Melchiorre. Photo

by Wendell Douglas

ARRAYED at Me & Mo’s were, L-R, judicial candidates Rania Major and Anthony Kyriakakis, judicial candidate Leanne Litwin from the 5th Ward, host Ward Leader Mike Boyle, judicial candidate Betsy Wahl and Ward Leader Bill Dolbow. Photo by Wendell Douglas MICHAEL BOYLE, Democratic 5th Ward leader, toasts the multitude of candidates that descended upon his ward dinner. With him are, L-R, Wendi Barish, candidate for Common Pleas judge (and 5th Ward resident); and Teresa Carr Deni, candidate for District Attorney.

Photo by Joe Stivala COUNCILMAN Derek Green, L, and son Jaden visited State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald’s health fair at Simons Rec Center, where they were joined by Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, R. Photo by Wendell Douglas

in the last decade, reaching about 200,000 and accounting for about 13% of Philadelphia’s overall population. The city ranks second of the four largest Northeastern cities — Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington.

In 2014, the last year for which data were available, approximately 25% of foreign-born Philadelphians were unauthorized immigrants. A decade earlier, in 2005, unau-

thorized immigrants had accounted for about 27% of the city’s 170,000 foreign-born residents, Pew estimates.

Among this group, we ponder, how many voted in the last presidential election? Few if any, thanks to our vigilant City Commissioners and their dedicated staffs. Without their checks and balances, and their educational efforts, it might have been more.

A KEYSTONE MERCY health professional prepares to read blood pressure for a constituent at the health fair. Photo by Wendell Douglas

WILLIE JORDAN’S affair may have been the most popular in town last week. Here, L-R, were Ward Leaders Tony Faulk and Rosanne Pauciello, Omar Sabir, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, Judge Vincent Melchiorre, Tina Covington and Lamar Tymes. Photo by Wendell Douglas

WORKING the crowd were, L-R, Ward Leader Rosanne Pauciello, Superior Court candidate Judge Maria McLaughlin, Bernard Lopez, and judicial candidates George Twardy and Dawn Tancredi. Photo by Wendell Douglas MEET the candidates!

Tina Covington, L, lined up here with three DA hopefuls: Rich Negrín, Teresa Carr Deni and Joe Khan. Photo by Wendell Douglas MIXING and mingling were, L-R, judicial candidate Carmella Jacquinto, DA candidate Michael Untermeyer, Shanese Johnson, host Willie Jordan and Bryant Dickerson. Photo by Wendell Douglas

likes to point out was just one of over “100,000” she heard during her career.

“This one exploded because I made the mistake of trying to explain how I came to that decision,” she elucidated. “There’s a reason why there is a rule that we aren’t supposed to discuss our thought processes.

I could write a book about that case. Just opening up the discussion went against me, and I don’t intend to entertain that again.”

Deni knows that if she wins, she will become the leader of hundreds of DAO employees, many of whom have become demoralized not just by the ongoing issues swirling around Williams, but by what she says is a steady exodus of talent-

ed attorneys from the department.

“Good people with good experience are leaving the office in droves,” she noted.

“I don’t know what’s going on over there, but I know it’s not functioning properly.” Cognizant of the need to stem the tide of attrition, she is eager to make staffing issues a centerpiece of her potential administration.

“In some cases, I would try to get some of these people back,” she said. “I would also try to hire attorneys who are multilingual. We have a multilingual culture in this city, and it is ridiculous that we don’t have more multilingual attorneys. We need to become a more inclusive office, where people won’t be afraid to reach out to us.”

In the Feb. 16 issue, we incorrectly reported on P. 14 in the print edition that Judge Maria McLaughlin “hadn’t” been endorsed for Superior Court by Democratic State Committee. In fact, she was endorsed, as we reported on P. 18. We apologize for this error.

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(Cont. From Page 3) have to go to court. The court costs are up to $200, and you can get a $300 fine from it. So, it’s almost incentivizing public smoking.”

While Deni has been critical of Williams’ tenure as DA, namely the ethical issues that ultimately caused him to drop out of his re-election bid, she is no stranger to public outcry and reams of bad press.

It doesn’t take long for someone looking to learn more about Deni to come across her most notorious case, a 2007 trial where she downgraded a prostitute’s charge of rape – the plaintiff had agreed to have sex with two men, but was forced at gunpoint to have sex with four men – to theft of services. The resultant uproar catalyzed movements against her retention in 2007 and 2013, and resulted in the Philadelphia Bar Association calling her ruling “an unforgivable miscarriage of justice.”

While noting that her ruling wasn’t the end of the plaintiff’s legal saga, Deni refuses to discuss the controversial ruling, which she

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DENI TOTALLY COMMITTED

GREETING 42ND WARD

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F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

DEMOCRATIC 42nd Ward Leader Elaine Tomlin, C, staged a well-attended community meeting at Aspira Olney High School to introduce a bevy of candidates. Photo by Leona Dixon

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 161203362 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company, Plaintiff vs. Michael A. Dunn, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of William Dunn & The Unknown Heirs of William Dunn, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner Defendant(s) To: Michael A. Dunn, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of William Dunn & The Unknown Heirs of William Dunn, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 6432 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138. This firm is a debt collector and we are attempting to collect a debt owed to our client. Any information obtained from you will be used for the purpose of collecting the debt.

You are hereby notified that Plaintiff, Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company, has filed a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, docketed to No. 161203362, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 6432 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138, whereupon your property will be sold by the Sheriff of Phila. County. Notice: You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after the Complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below. This office can provide you with information about hiring a lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Lawyer, this office may be able to provide you with information about agencies that may offer legal services to eligible persons at a reduced fee or no fee. Community Legal Services, Inc., Law Center North Central, 1410 W. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19140, 215-227-2400/215-981-3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333. Michael T. McKeever, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

53RD WARD RALLIES

NO SURPRISES here: Meeting at Nick’s Roast Beef, the 53rd Ward Democrats are behind Judge Dan Sulman’s election campaign. L-R, Ward Leader Controller Alan Butkovitz, hostess and Ward Leader Janice Sulman, mother Gloria Sulman, Dan Sulman, Superior Court candidate Judge Maria McLaughlin, and Ward Leaders Bill Dolbow and Bob Dellavella. Photo by Wendell Douglas

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 170102348 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure U.S. Bank, N.A. as Trustee for Conseco Finance Home Equity Loan Trust 2001-C by Ditech Financial LLC, as Servicer With Delegated Authority Under The Transaction Document, Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Georgianne Mack Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Georgianne Mack, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 2331 North Van Pelt Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132. This firm is a debt collector and we are attempting to collect a debt owed to our client. Any information obtained from you will be used for the purpose of collecting the debt. You are hereby notified that Plaintiff, U.S. Bank, N.A. as Trustee for Conseco Finance Home Equity Loan Trust 2001-C by Ditech Financial LLC, as Servicer With Delegated Authority Under The Transaction Document, has filed a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, docketed to No. 170102348, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 2331 North Van Pelt Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132, whereupon your property will be sold by the Sheriff of Phila. County. Notice: You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after the Complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below. This office can provide you with information about hiring a lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Lawyer, this office may be able to provide you with information about agencies that may offer legal services to eligible persons at a reduced fee or no fee. Community Legal Services, Inc., Law Center North Central, 1410 W. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19140, 215-227-2400/215-981-3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333. Michael T. McKeever, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

ELEPHANT CORNER

HARWARD, declined the offer.

McMaster grew up in Roxborough and graduated in 1980 from Valley Forge Military Academy and earned his undergraduate degree at West Point in 1984.

He earned a doctorate from the University of North Carolina. His dissertation was turned into a well-received book, Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam.

McMaster served in the 1991 Gulf War and was awarded the Silver Star. He served as deputy to GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS in Afghanistan. His last position in the military was director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center.

In 2014, Time magazine listed him on its list of “The 100 Most Influential People.”

EVERYDAY

chance because Philadelphia is fairly progressive.

But where he may have a problem is with the Black community itself. After the announcement was made, Christopher “Flood the Drummer” Norris put a story on his Techbook Online website that talked about the divide within the Black community, as some expressed support for Rich Negrín, one of Mayor Michael Nutter’s deputy mayors, and others for Lawrence Krasner, the lawyer who successfully defended Black Lives Matter protestors and has defended many victims of police brutality.

What El-Shabazz must do is prove to those activists and others that he’s down with their cause despite not taking to the streets with them, and that his experience means what he says it means.

In other words, the fact he recognizes that being Black alone may not be good enough to propel him to the DA’s office will serve him well.

(Cont. From Page 9) the readers of this column to buy even more in New Jersey.

While the study outlined where to reduce costs, it did not go into detail as to how to reach these efficiencies.

I ask: What is the function of the auditor general?

Is it not his job to find inefficiencies? Is this a repeat of KATHLEEN KANE’S hiring of BRUCE CASTOR to do her job at a six-figure salary while she was being paid at the same time?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP just named a Philadelphian, Army LT. GEN. H.R. MCMASTER, to lead the National Security Council. McMaster was selected after Trump’s first national security adviser, MICHAEL FLYNN, was fired last week and another candidate, retired VICE ADM. ROBERT

(Cont. From Page 9) regarding his debt, combined both.

While he didn’t throw Williams under the bus, El-Shabazz did say he shouldn’t be judged by the company he keeps.

“Let me answer it this way,” he said. “Please do not try to put spillage on Tariq Karim El-Shabazz by the failures of Seth Williams. I think the voters deserve to know that I have debt, that I have in fact entered into agreements to handle that debt, and that I will handle that debt. I’m not running from this issue.”

I talked to some of El-Shabazz’s supporters before the announcement about the challenge he might face as a Muslim running for office in Philadelphia. Sure, City Councilman Curtis Jones is a Muslim, but running for office in a councilmanic district is different than running citywide.

They felt he had a good

the WAFFLE MAN

BLACK WOMEN’S Leadership Council met at Gloria Jacobs Manor in W. Poplar. Co-Founder Dr. Emma Chappell, former CEO of United Bank of Phila., was pleasantly surprised with a birthday cake.

Photos by Asmahan Luke

ize the files, and City Council to ensure that FUNDS are available for the City’s IT unit to computerize the system. Even then, many vets in an unmarked grave take years to be located. A very SMALL group of volunteers does the research in SOME cemeteries. I attend a service each year where three VET unmarked graves are identified, and a tombstone is placed. As for the crying that the City Vets office does not help vets enough to get VA Benefits: Often It is a LONG, tortuous path to get the VA to move. The city office has enough to do, and

CITY HALL SAM

Being able to raise the cash necessary to project the message is always important. Nutter won the 2007 mayoral race after spending most of the time as everyone’s fifth choice and lagged behind the frontrunners in funding.

But he was able to put together a campaign with an

(Cont. From Page 9) self-funding of approximately $1 million. But some of the other candidates are no slouches, either. died fruit. 10, Apples, sugar and spice; but no butter.

11. A cactus. 12. The seed of a palm tree and it is not a nut. 13. A dried fruit. 14.

Not a bone, it is the ulnar nerve cluster. 15. Not even a little, because the items are cleaned in a liquid solution.

16. White oak and live oak sheathed in copper. 17. A beetle, and they are not all ladies. 18. Lightning bug or firefly is actually a beetle.

19. A caterpillar. 20. It is actually a puncture, not a bite.

So how did you do? All this goes to prove that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but a little learning is just as bad. Thanks, Ginger.

EL-SHABAZZ IN RACE

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THAT MAKES SIX: DA’s Office veteran Tariq El-Shabazz entered the DA’s race at the Platinum Grill in Chestnut Hill,. L-R, Zakariyya Abdur-Rahman, El-Shabazz, Sam Staten, Jr. and Saadiq Jabbar Garner.

Photo by Wendell Douglas

the SERVICE OFFICERS of the American Legion, VFW, Disabled Vets, etc. who DO THIS TASK from far-

away Wissahickon Avenue, should place staff in City Hall!! Attention, Hon. DARRELL CLARKE!

appealing commercial. That triggered funding and his poll numbers went through the roof.

As most mayors know, voter turnout in modern times for mayor’s races is dismally low; the DA and Controller races will absolutely be worse. So only a small number of voters will

determine the winner. And the majority will complain that it’s a disgrace and question the authority of whoever gets elected in Philadelphia.

These are the same people who complain about PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: the ones who don’t vote.

WOMEN LEADERS MEET

L-R, attorney Rhona Hill Wilson, Dr. Emma Chappell and lobbyist Joann Bell. Statewide the group claims 250 members. Committees addressed politics and communication; health care; economic development & housing; criminal justice/legal; and education.

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O! HERE we go again.

My good friend, Ginger B., sent me these interesting facts with the question, “What’s in a name?”

I have heard that expression and I know that you have, too. But did you ever wonder just what was in a name? Here is a little test I have composed to try out your ability to determine what is in a name. I hope you enjoy it! Ready? Here we go.

In what country did the following items originate: 1.

Black Caucus!!! And former Police Deputy Commissioner Kevin BETHEL is a leader in creating diversionary programs for youth under the aegis of the STONELEIGH FOUNDATION. Thank you, Kevin. 1ST JUDICIAL District, take note!

The big BROUHAHA over a VET who could not locate a friend’s grave with files in the City Vets’ Office is overblown. The zap at current leaders in the Vet Commission is unwarranted. The files did not just become a jumble overnight. What is needed to REMEDY it are college interns to alphabet-

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(Cont. From Page 9) School have their Born Day in February – such as the grads who tendered Ward Leader Willie JORDAN with a birthday cake. The grads include Bernard LOPEZ, 32nd Ward Chairman; Controller Alan BUTKOVITZ; State Rep. Rosita YOUNGBLOOD; and Omar SABIR. Other birthdays (from memory) include Ward Leaders Bob DELLAVELLA, Bill DOLBOW, Shawn DILLON et al. Best wishes!

We have been reading about the HEROIN EPI-

DEMIC in Philly. The FEDS give me no sign that it is TAKEN SERIOUSLY (?).

Years back, I attended a feds seminar on local drug sales.

A gas station was shown near on/off expressway ramps, where a drug purchaser left the off ramp, made a buy, and went back down the on ramp.

I asked why they did not shut it down. They answered they wanted to get MR. BIG. There are FEW HEADLINES arresting small-time drug salespersons.

HATS OFF to Marnie Aument-LOUGHERY, who was elected TREASURER of the Pennsylvania Legislative Jerusalem artichokes. 2. Swiss steak. 3. Chinese gooseberries.

4. The English horn. 5. Turkish baths. 6. Arabic numerals.

How are you doing so far?

Try these. What is the primary ingredient in these foods? 7. Plum Pudding.

8. Sweetbreads. 9. Sweetmeats. 10. Apple butter.

And just what are these?

11. A prickly pear. 12. A coconut. 13. Caraway seeds. 14.

What is the “funny bone”? 15.

How dry is “dry cleaning”?

16. The ship, Old Ironsides, was made of what materials? 17. What is a ladybug? 18. What is a firefly?

19. What is a silkworm? 20.

What is a mosquito bite?

The answers: 1. South America. 2. England. 3. New Zealand. 4.

France. 5. Ancient Rome. 6.

India. 7. Raisins, currants, and other fruits, but never any plums. 8. It is not sweet nor is it bread, but is the pancreas or thymus gland of a calf. 9. Can-

F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

WALKING

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CALENDAR (Cont. From Page 7) Mar. 3- Jim Donnelly hosts the 58th Ward Democratic Committee’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash at Knowlton Mansion, 931 Rhawn St., 7-11 p.m. Special guest Lt. Gov. Mike Stack. Food, drink, live music. Tickets $50/ person, Candidates $100.

RSVP: Jim Donnelly (610)

360-5682 or Skip Montell (267) 444-7945.

Mar. 4- United Democratic Ward Leaders of Color hosts Fundraiser at Park Ave., 4952 Parkside Ave., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $100. For info: Bernadette Wyche (267) 6700522 or Sonny Campbell (267) 978-4842.

Mar. 4- 38th Ward Democratic Committee hosts

Evening of Jazz & Petition Party at Wissahickon Brewing Co., 3705 School House La., 5-8 p.m. Tickets $25, Candidates $150.

Mar. 8- Judicial candidate Rania Major is hosted Happy Hour Fundraiser at D’Angelo’s Ristorante, 256 S. 20th St., 5-7:30 p.m. Candidates $100, Friends $50, Supporters $100, Sponsors $500, Benefactors $1,000.

STRIKING BALANCE

ALICE HERRICK performed as “Blind Justice” at a General Strike rally in Clark Park. The circus-arts community urged, “We support the rule of law” and “We need balance.” This was Herrick’s first blindfolded tightrope walk. She recently crossed the Susquehanna River on a tightrope.

F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

A.F.S.C.M.E. NIGHT

AFSCME District Council 47 hosted a successful candidates night at the Field House in Center City.

All were allowed to address the group. Candidates surround the union leadership above: Chris McCabe; Ethelind Baylor, DC 47 VP; John Marshall; Vikki Kristiansson; Fred Wright, union president; Rania Major; and Silvio Candido, DC 47 organizer. Photo by Joe Stivala

ELECTION WORKSHOP OMAR SABIR was among those addressing a vigorous turnout for Phila. Democratic Progressive Committee’s W. Phila. workshop on how to run for elective office.

Photo by Wendell Douglas

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CANDIDATES LEARN

Phila. Democratic Progressive Committee held a workshop on running for office at Dobbins High School in N. Phila. Photo by Wendell Douglas

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understanding BANKRUPTCY

BY MICHAEL A. CIBIK AMERICAN BANKRUPTCY BOARD CERTIFIED UESTION: Bankruptcy basics: What is an adversary proceeding?

Q

Answer: An adversary proceeding is just like what it sounds like – someone is fighting with someone else in the bankruptcy court.

There are three parties in the bankruptcy court case who can file an adversary proceeding. Those parties are the creditor, the trustee and the debtor. Each of the kinds of adversarial proceedings means the judge will make a decision about the issues presented.

When a creditor files an adversary proceeding, it is usually because the creditor is arguing that the debt owed to the creditor should not be discharged in the bankruptcy.

Why? The creditor may argue that the debt falls within one of the exceptions to dis-

charge, such as a debt created through fraud, willful or malicious injury, or a personal injury caused by drunk driving. Or the creditor may argue that the filing of the bankruptcy case was done in bad faith.

A second kind of adversary proceeding is filed by the chapter trustee or the United States Trustee. A trustee may argue that the schedules were not filled out accurately and were intentionally fraudulent. A trustee may also file an adversary proceeding to try to collect money back from a creditor who received funds or property from a debtor. A trustee may also file an adversary proceeding to undo a transfer of real property. The US Trustee may

also file an adversary proceeding to dismiss the case if the US Trustee believes the filing of any bankruptcy petition was done to abuse the bankruptcy system.

Lastly, a debtor may file an adversary proceeding against a creditor. The debtor may recover damages for a creditor’s actions taken in violation of the US Bankruptcy Code, in violation of the automatic stay or the discharge injunction (once the debtor has received a discharge, the former creditors are no longer allowed to try to collect the discharged debts).

Next Week’s Question: The debt and the lien: Two completely different problems?

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Miscellaneous:

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PUBLIC RECORD CLASSIFIEDS

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F E B RUA RY 2 3, 2017

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