Pr 893 p

Vol. I No. 10

Issue 893

March 9, 2017

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

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

BIG LABOR MEETUP

@phillyrecord

PhillyRecord

PhillyRecord.com

MÉLÉE IN THE 197TH SEE P. 7

LONGSHOREMEN LEADERS DAVID SAUNDERS, L, AND BOISE BUTLER, R, WERE PROUD TO STAND WITH GOV. TOM WOLF AT THE A.F.L.-C.I.O.’S “C.O.P.E.-P.A.C.” FUNDRAISER. MORE PICS P. 2. PHOTO BY WENDELL DOUGLAS

LABOR DRAWS BUCKS, STARS FOR C.O.P.E.

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MAJOR money was raised to support organized labor’s political causes at the COPE affair – but hobnobbing can be fun too! L-R, Matt Trzaska, Pat Eiding, Mayor Jim Kenney and Gov. Tom Wolf.

IATSE stagehands Matthew McIntyre, L, and Ed Klumpp enjoyed a chance to meet with Councilwoman Cherelle Parker at the COPE funder. COPE is the labor movement’s political lobbying and campaign-support arm.

HEAVY hitters at the event included, L-R, Firefighters President Andrew Thomas and Sgt. at Arms Chuck McQuilkin, Electricians Political Dir. Marita Crawford, Gov. Tom Wolf and AFL-CIO Phila. Council President Pat Eiding.

M A RC H 9, 2017

IUPAT DC 21 was pleased to participate in the COPE-PAC fundraiser at Sonesta Hotel last week. L-R, Painter Gary Forte, Phila. AFL-CIO leader Pat Eiding, Matt Trzaska, Gov. Tom Wolf, Fran McLaughlin, Joe Ashdale and Bill Kresz. Photos by Wendell Douglas

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TEAMSTERS PROTEST OPIOID DEALER

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

LOCAL Teamsters protested outside Sofitel Hotel where Amerisource, a major pharmaceutical distributor, was holding its shareholders’ meeting. They charged the company was irresponsibly peddling opioids – which have had devastating effects on many union members and their families.

STATE REP. John Taylor joined the protest with the Teamster members. L-R, Jack Quigley, Jim Fallon, Taylor and John Daigle. Photos by Wendell Douglas

BY JOE SHAHEELI HE FIRST half of every year is governmental budget season. Both City Hall and Harrisburg have to get their act together between now and June, if they want to run a government. And both local bodies are held to budget-balancing in ways that don’t reflect federal politics; they have to get it right each year. Which is not to say they do. That’s why we have citizens and voters.

Mayor Jim Kenney deliv-

T

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support for foster families and the Child Welfare unit of the Dept. of Human Services; and expanded employment and skills training for young people and those who have been involved with the criminal-justice system.

“This budget proposal reflects many of the stated concerns of City Council and the people we represent. For instance, we have urged the administration to address high overtime costs by making personnel investments. Proposed appropriations for the Fire Department to increase staffing, including for emergency medical services, should rein in overtime spending and bolster public safety.

“But when the City expands employment opportunities, it must do so equitably. Enhanced and (Cont. Page 4)

M A RC H 9, 2017

POLS on the STREET

ered his budget proposal to City Council President Darrell L. Clarke last week and Clarke was largely benignant. That in itself betokens a smooth and efficient city budget process compared to the turbulent Nutter years.

The council president issued this statement on Mayor Jim Kenney’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposal: “Mayor Kenney’s $4.4-billion spending plan appears to meet our City’s needs and does not include property-tax increases, and for that, he and his team should be commended. The City has steadily lowered wage and other business taxes over more than two decades, and the next fiscal year should continue that trend.

“I also welcome proposed new investments toward supportive housing to prevent homelessness; increased

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BUDGET-BUSTERS, BUDGET-TRUSTERS

POLS on the STREET

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(Cont. From Page 3) targeted job growth in challenged communities help address inequality and provide countless secondary benefits, particularly as relates to crime and recidivism. I will also continue to urge the administration to make meaningful investments in our neighborhood commercial corridors. In the coming weeks, City Council members and staff will examine this proposed budget through the lens of racial and economic equity, as we do every year.”

Kenney’s budget is benefiting from a modest income bloom. The recession over, its inner-city neighborhoods hot, for once the city can anticipate increased revRepresentative

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

STATE’S BUDGET CROSSROADS

In Harrisburg, budget deliberations are reaching their peak as well, racing like Philadelphia toward a July 1 deadline. Harrisburg is notoriously sloppier about meeting that deadline than Philadelphia; but this year there are signs Keystone State mahoffs want to avoid the political hysteria at the national level and actually get things done instead, for a change.

Most state budget hearings will be concluded by today. By tomorrow, we should have a pretty good blueprint for how it will unfold. Much hinges on the all-powerful Republican majority’s ability to accept at last that it can’t always (or ever) get what it wants: a balanced budget without en-

M A RC H 9, 2017

State Rep.

William Keller 184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

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

Always Hard At Work for You!

State Senator

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enue from natural growth … if it can avoid strangling the same though overreaching governmental greed.

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

215-271-9190

State Rep. Jason

hanced revenues. Chances are they’ll be in a rare mood to look for creative new ideas.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has laid out a program that calls for no broad-based general tax increases while tightening the screws on out-of-state businesses and Marcellus Shale businesses (often the same thing).

Alas, shale gas was 2009’s boom-industry fantasy. It made a difference in the commonwealth’s economy, but rather a small one, since most of its investors and extractors are based out of state.

Expanded gambling is another popular nostrum for the General Assembly’s budget shortfalls. But it can never be a self-sustaining solution. All gaming revenues crash against the pocketbooks of ordinary consumers, who will not spend more in casinos if they are not earning more at work.

Now comes Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, who recommends regulating and taxing marijuana.

He expects this industry – not just medical marijuana, which is already being implemented in PennsylvaCity 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.

nia, but recreational marijuana – to be worth $20 billion and employ more than 280,000 in the next decade.

“The regulation and taxation of the marijuana train has rumbled out of the station, and it is time to add a stop in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” DePasquale said.

“I make this recommendation because it is a more sane policy to deal with a critical issue facing the state. Other states are already taking advantage of the opportunity for massive job creation and savings from reduced arrests and criminal prosecutions.

In addition, it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year that could help tackle Pennsylvania’s budget problems.”

DePasquale said Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have all regulated and taxed marijuana in recent years. Washington, D.C., has legalized marijuana, but does not yet have retail sales. Other states are considering regulating and taxing marijuana, including Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.

(Cont. Page 9)

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

Joe Khan … standing by ‘sanctuary city.’

Center City law firm where he has been working since leaving the US Attorney’s office to run for DA (he is also a professor of trial advocacy at Penn Law School). “I’m the only one who has spent every day since graduating law school dedicated to serving Philadelphia.”

This isn’t the first time Khan has been involved in the electoral process: As an undergraduate at Swarthmore College, he worked on the campaign of former Congressman Bob Borski, and while at the University of Chicago Law School, he helped out on the state rep campaign of one of his professors, Barack Obama.

Citing instructors like the 44th president and teachers at Central High School, as well as his father, as inspiration for his career and career move, Khan said, “this sense of mission comes from the values instilled from role models like my parents” – his father was an engineer for the City of Philadelphia, his mother a nurse – “and great teachers.”

The story of his father, Zia, who immigrated to the US from Pakistan, is also a motivating factor in Khan’s outspoken stance against Trump administration initiatives like the immigration crackdown and threats to withhold fund-

the civil-asset forfeiture program in Philadelphia – if we are earmarking whatever comes in not for the DA’s office, not a for-profit model of having forfeiture in criminal cases, but if we have the ability to capture criminal proceeds, we can send them to a destination like our schools that need it.”

Other priorities for Khan include bail reform that would end the practice of keeping people who can’t raise bail in jail by using a system similar to the one used by the US Attorney’s Office. “We used a system that answered the questions: Are you too dangerous or too much of a flight risk to be let out?

If the answer was no, we would find a way to get you out. The goal of the bail system is to make sure people show up for court.

We need to get back to the

basics.”

Khan praised two of Williams’ initiatives – the expansion of the Conviction Integrity Unit and a focus on community-based prosecutions – but emphasized the incumbent’s tenure is one marked by a lack of creativity, discipline and integrity, a combination that has led to a dispirited staff and distrustful citizenry, himself included.

He cited the DAO’s 2016 handling of Officer Christopher Hulmes, who committed perjury.

“The response of the District Attorney’s Office was to basically do nothing,” he marveled. “It was not to immediately notify every defendant and defense attorneys with pending cases involving that officer that he had committed perjury. It was not to open an investiga-

tion into all the prior cases in which people had been convicted based on the word of that officer. It was not to open a criminal investigation into that officer. It was not to notify that officer’s supervisors that there was a problem. It was to essentially do nothing. The assistant district attorney who eventually blew the whistle, instead of being given a medal, or being encouraged, ended up leaving the office on unhappy terms. There is a cultural problem with that office if that is the kind of story that we’re hearing.

“We need to have Philadelphians every day, when they see problems, asking the question, ‘What can the DA do to address this problem?’ he continued. “I hope to be asked that question every day I am district attorney of the city.”

VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 16TH Elect

Judge Vincent N.

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I

ing from sanctuary cities.

“My dad came here from Pakistan at a time when there was no such thing as a Muslim ban,” Khan said.

“He was welcomed by this city and its people, and he got a world-class education at Penn.”

Khan would vigorously oppose any executive order directing deportation of undocumented immigrants, emphasizing that he would “make sure the DA’s office is not cooperating with federal immigration authorities’ efforts to deport immigrants. We will not participate in any way, shape or form. We are going to do the opposite.

We are going to be bolder in protecting these people when they are victims of a crime.”

He would also direct the DAO to step up its efforts to deal with a less-publicized aspect of immigration: human trafficking.

“The current DA’s office has completely failed the victims of human trafficking in this region – to my knowledge, a grand total of zero cases involving foreign-born victims brought here from overseas have been brought by the DA’s office. I’m going to make sure the DAO is not only addressing that problem but is a leader in a regional task force to stamp out human trafficking.”

Other aspects of the Trump agenda he sees the DAO pushing back against include any weakening of the EPA that results in environmental dangers to the city and its residents, and defunding any federally supported programs in the city, like for the school district.

“If there are funds the DA’s Office is getting, for example, any asset forfeiture – I’ve talked repeatedly about the need to reform

Melchiorre

JUDGE - COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

Experienced Qualified Fair & Compassionate A Judge who deeply cares about Philadelphia VOTE FOR JUDGE MELCHIORRE MAY 16TH, 2017

www.judgemelchiorre.com Paid For by The Committee to Elect Vince Melchiorre Judge, Stephen C. DeAngelo, CPA Treasurer

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BY GREG SALISBURY N AN INCREASINGLY crowded field of Democratic candidates to become Philadelphia’s next district attorney – the field grew by one with the Tuesday addition of former prosecutor Jack O’Neill – it can be a challenge to stand out from the pack. There are only so many positions to stake out and reforms to be made.

For Joe Khan, the first distinguishing characteristic of his candidacy is timing. The 41-year-old longtime prosecutor – he served stints in both the Philadelphia DAO and in the US Attorney’s Office – was the first opponent to declare against incumbent Seth Williams.

This was back in September, when running against a sitting Democratic elected official, even one suffering from numerous self-inflicted wounds like Williams, seemed a dicey prospect at best.

Khan was well aware of the risk he was taking, but speaks about his decision as if there really was no choice but to run. “When you’re faced with a difficult decision, it’s helpful to look at it a couple different ways,” he explained. “I asked myself how I would feel if I walked away from this opportunity. I knew I would never be able to look my kids in the eye and ask them to do something difficult if I didn’t do this.”

Since then, Khan seemed downright prophetic, as Williams announced last month that he wouldn’t run for re-election and six more challengers joined the race.

“I’m the only candidate who is a lifelong Philadelphian and a product of its public schools,” Khan added during an interview at the offices of Spector Gadon & Rosen, PC, the

M A RC H 9, 2017

JOE KHAN WANTS TO COME BACK – AS D.A.

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WARD LEADERS OF COLOR HOST HOPEFULS

Democratic Party Chairman Robert Brady joins the welcoming committee to the Ward Leaders of Color Reception on Parkside Avenue. With him, L-R, are 4th Ward Leader Sonny Campbell; 24th Ward Leader Bernadette Wyche and Edgar Campbell. Photos by Joe Stivala

WARD LEADER hats are in style: L-R, Sonny Campbell, Ward Leaders of Color Chairman, seated; Greg Spearman (60th), L; and Pete Wilson (6th), 2nd from R, welcome judicial candidates Rania Major and Betsy Wahl..

THE 37TH WARD Executive Committee was out in force for the Ward Leaders of Color Reception. They welcomed Teresa Carr Deni, rear 3rd from L, candidate for district attorney.

M A RC H 9, 2017

P OW E R F U L Ward Leaders Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell (46th) and Willie Jordan (44th) talk with Rania Major, L, judicial candidate.

SONNY CAMPBELL, seated, chair of the Ward Leaders of Color, and Bernadette Wyche, L, 24th Ward Leader, are surrounded by candidates eager to say hello. They are, L-R, John Macoretta, Rania Major, Michael Untermeyer, DA candidate; and George Twardy.

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RETIRED Members of City Council Donna Reed Miller and Frank DiCicco join Ward Chair Thomas Rumbaugh (1st) and Ward Leader Pete Wilson (6th) to praise judicial candidate Christian DiCicco, R.

IT’S A MESS

MARK your CALENDAR Mar. 9- Councilman Derek Green hosts Cocktail Reception at Estia, 1405 Locust St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Young Professionals $100, Supporters $250,

For info: Gaeton Tavella (215) 868 5502. Honorees Daniel Rendine, Esq., Dawn Retallick Rhodes, Dorette Rota Jackson and Vincent DeFino, Esq. Mar. 10- Councilman Bobby Henon hosts Women Veterans Round Table at City Hall Caucus Rm., 400, 3-6 p.m. For info: (267) 231-2328.

Mar. 10- Pat Parkinson hosts 57th Ward Democrats’ St. Patrick’s Day Bash at Paddy Whacks, 9241 Roosevelt Blvd., 7 p.m. Tickets $40. Food, drink, music. Candidates $100.

Mar. 11- Councilwoman

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Sponsors $500. Payable to “The Green Fund,” P.O. Box 4984, Phila., PA 19119 or www.dereksgreen.com/contribute.

RSVP: Kelly Bauer kbauer1122@gmail.com.

Mar. 9- State rep candidate Emilio Vázquez hosts Fundraiser at 3401 N. 10th St., Su. 215, 5:30-7 p.m. Sponsorship levels $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500. For info: Nick Custodio (814) 4701069.

Mar. 9- So. Phila. Business Ass’n honors 2017 Persons of the Year at Galdo’s Catering, 20th & Moyamensing Ave.

Blondell Reynolds Brown hosts Step into College Pre-College Conference at USciences, 600 S. 43rd St., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. College preparation, guidance and informational resources. To register: http://www.steppingstonescholars.org/ sitc17.

Mar. 11- Fish & Chicken Fry for Lucinda Little is hosted by Phila. Black Republican Ward Leaders Caucus at American Legion Post 832, 301 E. Godfrey Ave., 4-8 p.m.

Donation $20. For tickets: (267) 800-4123.

Mar. 11- State Rep. Joanna

TRUMP ELIMINATED P.E.P.

LETTER to the EDITOR

I

READ your opinion column in the Public Record, recommend-

ing the mayor follow the council president’s advice with regards to sanctuary cities (“Taken for Granted,” Feb. 16). I wanted to make sure you were aware that the federal ICE program that the council president recommended we join, Priority Enforcement Program, no longer exists. President Trump got rid of it in the same executive order in which he asked DHS to look for

ways to defund sanctuary cities, several weeks before the Council President’s statements.

When PEP was an option, the mayor did convene a group of stakeholders to discuss whether or not we should join. All council members present at that meeting said we should not because the immigrant community was still very distrustful of ICE because of the

damage done by PEP’s predecessor, Secure Communities – which even the Obama administration admitted was a disaster, and we needed to allow more time for that trust to be repaired. Regrettably, President Trump not only destroyed PEP but he also replaced it with Secure Communities.

Lauren Hitt Communications Director City of Philadelphia

McClinton hosts Energy Forum at 12th Dist. Police, 6448 Woodland Ave., 6-7:30 p.m. Free.

Mar. 12- St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Mar. 12- Senatorial candidate Dale Kerns hosts Town Hall Event at Clarion Phila.

Airport Hotel, 76 Induistrial Hwy., Essington, Pa., 11 a.m.

Topic is the negative impact of criminalization on drug addicts. For info: Robert Clarke (484)252-1961.

Mar. 12- 61st Ward Democratic Committee hosts Dinner at Platinum Grille, 7719 Crittenden Str., 3-6 p.m. Music by DJ Rose. Candidates $100. Payable to “61st Ward.” For info: Big Pete Lyde (267) 701-4503.

Mar. 15- Judge Vincent Melchiorre is hosted Reception at PFCU Services, 1600 Locust St., 5-7 p.m. Benefactors $1,000, Patrons $500, Sponsors $250. Payable to “Committee to Elect Vince Melchiorre Judge,” 1600 Locust St., Phila., PA 19103.

For info: Eli Fields (610) 324-3834.

Mar. 16- Republican 57th Ward hosts St. Patrick’s Day Party at Paddy Whack’s, 9241 Roosevelt Blvd., 6-9 p.m. All you can

eat & drink. Tickets $40.

Mar. 17- Judge Jimmy Lynn hosts St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast at The Plough & The Stars Restaurant,(2nd St. above Chestnut Street), 7:30 a.m.

Music, dancing, songs, poetry, stories, traditional Irish breakfast. Tickets $25. Payable to “The Plough & The Stars,” Students $20. RSVP: Alison Krajewski (215) 783-3709 or judgejimmy@comcast.net.

Mar. 18- Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. hosts Block Captain Boot Camp at St. Joseph’s U., Mandeville Ha., 5600 City Line Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free on-site parking. RSVP: Charlita.

Davis@Phila.Gov. Mar. 18- Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell hosts “Getting Your House in Order” at Harrington ES, 5300 Baltimore Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Weatherization, utilities, home-buying, taxes, Streets and L&I. Free monthly pack of diapers.

Mar. 18- UNCF hosts Mayor’s Masked Ball Fundraiser at Penna. Convention Ctr., Broad & Race Sts., 6-8 p.m. Celebrity guests, elected officials, public- and private-sector leaders, live and silent auction, dining, dancing,

M A RC H 9, 2017

W

E’RE TORN. On the one hand, we can’t get enough of the slow-motion car crash that is the 197th Legislative Dist. special election.

Two Democrats denied ballot placement, the Green Party candidate

in the district he would have represented in Harrisburg.

Perhaps a Lucinda Little victory would be just the wake-up call the Democratic Party needs.

While one more GOP vote won’t make much of a difference to the Republican House majority, the shame of ceding a seat in a district that is 85% Democratic – and just 5% Republican – is just the latest, most glaring example of how Democrats need to reset and refocus their priorities.

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OPINION

kicked off for failing to file on time, internecine Democratic warfare – journalistically, this is the gift that keeps on giving.

On the other hand, there is no way to see this as anything but a travesty of the electoral process. The voters of North Philadelphia deserve better than more of the same failed cronyism perpetuated by allowing convicted former State Rep. Leslie Acosta pick her own replacement, Freddie Ramírez, who was removed from the ballot for failing to live

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M A RC H 9, 2017

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MARK your CALENDAR (Cont. From Page 7) Award Pre-Ball Reception and Red Carpet Photo Op. Tickets $225. For info: (215) 925-9044.

Mar. 23- Green Party of Phila. holds Membership Mtg. at Shissler Rec, 1800 Blair St., 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. For info: (215) 843-4256 or gpop@gpop.org.

Mar. 27- Judicial candidate Marissa Brumbach is hosted Fundraiser at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 1201 Filbert St., 5:30-8 p.m. Sponsorship levels Bronze $100, Silver $250, Gold $500, Platinum $1,000. For info: (267) 918-1626.

Mar. 29- Women for Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown hosts

Ruby Red Reception at Enterprise Business Ctr. 4545 Market St., 5:307:30 p.m. For info: Taylor (267) 671-7208 or blondellonline@gmail. com.

Mar. 30- Councilman Bill Greenlee celebrates Birthday at Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Pl., 5:30 p.m. Tickets $200, Friends $500, Supporters $1,000. RSVP: John Brady (267) 432 4254.

Mar. 30- State Sen. Larry Farnese hosts cocktail reception at Globar, 13th & Walnut Sts., 5:30-7 p.m. Contribution levels $1,000, $500, $250, $75. Payable to “Friends of Larry Farnese.” RSVP: Taylor Daukaus (267) 6717208 or farnese2016@ gmail.com.

Apr. 4- 23rd Ward Democratic Committee hosts Fundraiser at Harmonia Cl., 2404 Orthodox St. (Orthodox & Aramingo Ave.), 6-9 p.m. $35 per person, $100 per candidate. Checks payable to “23rd Democratic Ward.”

Apr. 9- All-Star Labor Classic is held at Phila. U., 4100 Henry Ave., 10:30

a.m. 10 young basketball stars who each scored 1,000+ points in high school. Benefits cerebral palsy.

Apr. 15- United Block Captains hosts Investiture for all block captains at Drexel U., Bossone Bldg., 32nd & Market Sts., 12-3 p.m. First 10-0 receive Key to the City!

Must bring official card.

RSVP by Apr. 7: (215) 309-5754.

Apr. 15- Ducky Birts Foundation hosts Awards at 1st Dist. Plaza, 3801 Market St., 12 m.

Apr. 26- Phila. Democratic Progressive Committee hosts K5DCN Candidates Night at Kingsessing Free Lib., 1201 S. 51st St., 6-8 p.m.

Apr. 26- Councilman Mark Squilla hosts NFL Draft Party at BOP Restaurant, 220 S.Broad St., 6-9 p.m. Special guests, signed Eagles gear. Hail Mary Pass $2,500, Touchdown $1,000, Field Goal $500, General Admission $100. Payable to “Squilla for Council,” P.O. Box 37332, Phila., PA 19148. RSVP: Brittany@ lperrygroup.com.

For info: (215) 893-4281.

Apr. 27- Committee to Re-elect Rep. John Taylor hosts annual Historical Site Cigar & Wine Tasting at Colonial Dames of Phila., 1630 Latimer St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $250. Sponsorships available.

Apr. 29- Sky Community Partners hosts 5K Pt. Breeze Walk & Run at Wharton Sq. Pk., 2300 Wharton Ave., Registration 7:30 a.m., ceremony 8:15 a.m. Join many civic leaders.

For info: info@skycommunitypartners.com.

Apr. 30- Crisis Intervention Network Reunion Committee hosts Trip to Nat’l Mus. of African American History & Culture, Washington, D.C.

DON’T TAX YOU, DON’T TAX ME…

Although Gov. Wolf and the Republican-controlled General Assembly have dealt cordially with each other so far, Senate Republicans have been kicking up resistance to some of his narrow-based revenue boosting proposals.

The governor’s idea to replace an array of tax credits for expanding businesses with one-time block grants is causing discomfort on the GOP side of the aisle.

Likewise, his plan to remove exemptions from the Insurance Premium Tax is thought to have grave implications for health-insurance premiums in particular – this at a time when the national chaos around the fate of the Affordable Care Act is rocking the health care marketplace with uncertainty.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans would be subject to new taxation; the fear is these costs would be passed on to consumers.

The governor is also asking to eliminate several sales-tax exemptions on particular goods and services. In addition, he would pursue refunds of state grants that had been given to companies on a promise

REFORM A THEME FOR UNTERMEYER

Philadelphia’s flock of district attorney hopefuls are vying with each other this season to promote changes in prosecutorial policy. In general, the changes they are pushing would ease up on tough stances.

Michael Untermeyer has joined a chorus of criticism aimed at the asset-forfeiture program. This program permits the DA’s Office to seize a property – typically a home – where illegal drug activity has been found, even before a conviction, and even if the owner of the property is not charged in the crime.

Eleanor Young, a West Philadelphian, lost her home and her car after her son,

EVANS ZINGS A.G. SESSIONS

Like the rest of America, Philadelphia’s political class remains riveted on the commotion in Washington.

Congressman Dwight Evans (D-Phila.) released the following statement as a response to reports US Attorney General Jeff Sessions may have lied to the American people under oath about his involvement with the Russian government during the 2016 presidential election during his confirmation hearings: “The truth is the truth and it will be brought to light. If in fact Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied to the American people about his involvement with the Russian government during his confirmation hearings, the administration must make a powerful statement, do what is right, and demand his resignation,” the Congressman said. “This type of conspiracy and confusion threatens the safety of the American public and that is something I cannot and will not tolerate. The American people deserve a clear answer about Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election as well as communication with officials on President Trump’s leadership team.

“Recent reports make it incredibly evident that we need an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the influence between (Cont. Page 19)

SABATINA PARTIES RON AURIT taught State Sen. John Sabatina how to box in college and there remains plenty of affection for his teacher, evident in the senator’s smile.

Photos by Wendell Douglas

9 T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D

who was living with her, was arrested on drug charges.

“It’s simply unfair for this woman who’s 70-something years old to lose her home when she’s had no involvement with narcotics violations,” Untermeyer said. He wants a policy of “meaningful review” of all such cases.

Untermeyer is also pressing for a program that would divert minor drug offenders directly into treatment programs without any criminal prosecution.

Cozying up at State Sen. Sabatina’s Mardi Gras party at Ladder 15 in Center City were Firefighters Local 22 President Andy Thomas and judicial candidate Marissa Brumbach.

MICHAEL Untermeyer, L, put in an appearance as did former State Sen. Bob Rovner.

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(Cont. From Page 4) “In 2012, Colorado voters approved legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana.

Last year, Colorado – which has less than half the population of Pennsylvania – brought in $129 million in tax revenue on $1 billion in marijuana sales from the new industry that had already created an estimated 18,000 jobs.

“The revenue that could be generated would help address Pennsylvania’s revenue and spending issue. But there is more to this than simply tax dollars and jobs,” DePasquale said. “There is also social impact, specifically related to arrests, and the personal, emotional and financial devastation that may result from such arrests.”

After Colorado approved regulation and taxation of marijuana, the total number of marijuana arrests in the state decreased by nearly half between 2012 and 2014, from nearly 13,000 arrests to 7,000 arrests. Marijuana-possession arrests, which make up the majority of all marijuana arrests, were nearly cut in half, down 47%, and marijuana sales arrests decreased by 24%.

“All told, this decrease in arrest numbers represents thousands of people who would otherwise have blemished records that could prevent them from obtaining future employment or even housing,” DePasquale said.

“Decriminalization also generates millions in savings from fewer arrests

of increased hiring – should it subsequently turn out those new jobs never materialized.

The governor would like to ax the Keystone Opportunity Zones and City Revitalization & Improvement Zones, replacing them with other tools to stimulate the economy in distressed areas.

All these programs have beneficiaries in the private sector and all will be making their concerns known to their legislators.

Now that the governor and the legislature are both talking up streamlining state government, it becomes difficult for the GOP to seek dramatic new spending cuts. And given the spending cuts driven through by the Corbett administration after 2009, there isn’t much low-hanging fruit left in the realm of “waste, fraud and abuse” for them to go after.

The crucial play in Harrisburg this spring will be how many revenue-enhancers the Republican caucuses can stomach. The likeliest alternative – a model Republicans have followed in the past – is to borrow money to paper over the deficit.

ABUNDANTLY clear that State Sen. Sabatina is surrounded by a lot of friends and well-wishers. Photo by Wendell Douglas

JUDICIAL hopefuls on the move were, L-R, Dawn Tancredi, Betsy Wahl and Marissa Brumbach.

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and prosecutions.”

DePasquale said Pennsylvania has already benefited by some cities decriminalizing marijuana.

In Philadelphia, marijuana arrests dropped from 2,843 in 2014 to 969 in 2016. Based on a recent study, the RAND Corp. estimated the cost for each marijuana arrest and prosecution is approximately $2,200. That’s a savings of more than $4.1 million in one Pennsylvania city.

Last year, York, Dauphin, Chester, Delaware, Bucks and Montgomery counties each had more arrests for small amounts of marijuana than Philadelphia. Those counties had between 800 and 1,400 arrests in 2015.

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BELIEVE good regulation is that which is clear, consistent and necessary.

Also, I believe in commonsense restrictions on firearm ownership. However, in Pennsylvania, many municipalities have gun laws that contradict one another and commonwealth laws. Two bills are being reintroduced in the 2017 General Assembly make our gun laws more consistent.

STATE REP. MARK K. KELLER (R-Cumberland) said HB 671 is focused on statewide uniformity of fire-

the WAFFLE MAN

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O! HERE we go again with this Indian folk tale from the internet.

Once upon a time, a water-bearer in India had two large clay pots. They hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots was perfect and always had a full portion of water from the stream to the master’s house. The other pot had a flaw in it and always arrived only half-full.

Every day for two years, the water-bearer delivered

arm regulations.

Keller noted, “Where so many different ordinances are allowed to exist, citizens with no criminal intent are placed in danger of breaking restrictions where they don’t know they exist.”

STATE SEN. WAYNE LANGERHOLC (R-Cambria), the sponsor of SB 5, expressed similar sentiments when he stated it is not fair “to require residents of Pennsylvania and citizens passing through from other states to be aware of every firearm ordinance as they pass through each local jurisdiction.”

Both bills would allow “a membership organization” to sue a municipality over gun-control measures believed to supersede state regulations. HB 671 and SB 5 were referred to the judiciary and local government committees last week.

A previous law, Act 192, was introduced by STATE REP. DARYL METCALFE (R-Butler), which was pri-

marily focused on scrap metal theft. Lawmakers, however, included firearm issues similar to the two current bills. Former GOV. TOM CORBETT signed the law which took effect in 2015.

The bill was struck down in Commonwealth Court as the bill violated the state’s “single-subject rule.” However, prior to Act 192 being struck down, 20 municipalities in Bucks and Montgomery counties repealed or replaced gun regulations.

Of course, STATE SEN. DAYLIN LEACH (D-Montgomery), who was instrumental in having Act 192 struck down, is aghast. He is particularly concerned that the bills, like Act 192, would allow people “adversely affected” by local gun regulations by individual and organized groups, to sue a municipality for damages. I guess he thinks municipalities should be able to enact laws that limit (Cont. Page 16)

only one-and-a-half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor defective pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water-bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

The pot said, “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because a flaw in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of this flaw, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts.”

The water-bearer said to

the pot, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went along the way to the master’s house, the flawed pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trip, it still felt bad because it had again leaked out half its load.

The water-bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, and none on the other side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw. I took advantage of it by planting flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.

Without you being just the way you are, he would not (Cont. Page 14)

WALKING the BEAT

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AYOR KENNEY’S GREEN CONNECTION to the river is a great concept.

But I see no road access to Columbus Boulevard from Walnut or Chestnut Streets (?). They want to tear down the needed scissors ramps which get you there by auto, bus, bike or on foot – because they are a VISUAL INTRUSION. But they deliver people to the river! A family wanting to visit has to pay HUGE parking fees, with fewer dollars to spend

CITY HALL SAM

J

IM DONNELLY packed them in at the 58th Ward St. Patrick’s Day party last weekend. Among the many guests in attendance were City CONTROLLER ALAN BUTKOVITZ; his opponent REBECCA RYNHART; City COMMISSIONER LISA DEELEY; BARBARA DEELEY, the former sheriff; and retired JUDGES GENE MAIER and FELICE STACK. Many other candidates were on hand, including DA candidates MIKE UNTERMEYER and RICH NEGRÍN; and countless judicial candidates, including

on the kids. I DO NOT see any provision for visiting vessels at the pier head. And the hundreds of cars that pay a monthly parking fee to the Riverfront Corp. will HAVE TO GO somewhere — or choke the streets.

It is true that Philly lost its connection to the river long before I-95. City Councilmen HENON and SQUILLA have opened it up somewhat. But more is needed. I was startled when I saw the plan where the Coast Guard base had VAPORIZED (?). I asked and was told that it can move to the Navy Yard. I then asked the Coast Guard Commander if he knew of this. I will not place the reply here. The ultimate connection to the river is STILL Proprietor’s Park in Gloucester City, N.J. And it has been so, since the New World settlers landed there in the 1600s.

DESPICABLE is the only word to describe the New Jersey DOT action in demol-

ishing the historic Hugg’s House which sat on the hilltop (as soon as you turn from Route 76 onto I-295).

A motion was in court, and good-faith talks were happening to relocate it. The demolition teams came by dawn’s early light complete with an expensive state police escort (What for?) The home was not in the way of traffic (as some say). The damage to history was met with a TEPID slap on the wrist by Congressman NORCROSS. (He was not informed as well).

The STEALTH used does not seem an AMERICAN way for a government agency like the Dept. of Transportation to function. It was so SNEAKY that all I could think of was THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES. DOT Commissioner Richard HAMMER has an appropriate name. In his bio, he is billed as creating a “solution-oriented environment” and “smart solutions.” Maybe that was in his (Cont. Page 16)

VINCENT MELCHIORRE, VINCE GIUSINI and sitting Republican JUDGE VINCE FURLONG, who is allowed to campaign because he’s running for re-election.

BRYAN BARBIN, the well-respected state representative from Cambria County, is running for Commonwealth Court. He will need signatures from Philadelphia voters to get on the ballot.

Barbin is the only Western candidate and has a very good chance of winning.

Barbin and others got a chance to mingle with several important ward leaders, including the most important one: Democratic chair and CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY. Brady was incredibly generous with his time and spent hours at the 58th Ward party schmoozing, mingling and counseling friends of the ward as well as candidates. Among the other ward leaders were JOHN SABATINA, BOB DELLAVELLA, BILLY DOLBOW, PAT PARKINSON

and JANICE SULMAN. She is the proud older sister of JUDGE DAN SULMAN, who is running for election after being appointed to fill an unexpired judicial term.

STATE REP. ED NEILSON and STATE SEN. JOHN SABATINA were also on hand. A fundamental aspect of running for public office is the need for signed petitions. It’s impossible to get on the ballot without the nominating petitions. Most candidates overlook this at the initial phase but soon find that before any speeches are given, elbow grease must be applied to get the signatures.

At many political events and parties, therefore, those who want to wear the black robes or be known as “Honorable” are walking around with a clipboard and asking everyone for signatures.

Some might call this degrading, but in a democracy, it keeps those who seek power in touch with the people.

(Cont. Page 14)

PA an ST Iri be ch Als ter uty De &

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CITY HALL SAM (Cont. From Page 10) CONGRESSMAN PATRICK MEEHAN and LT. GOV. MIKE STACK at-

tended the Irish American Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Bellevue.

Also on hand was international trade Deputy Secretary from the Dept. of Community & Economic

Development JOE BURKE. BILL McGLAUGHLIN, the former chair of the group, and the Irish ambassador to the United States, ANNE ANDERSON, also attended the event.

ELECTION NOTICE

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A DRAWING FOR BALLOT POSITION FOR CITY ELECTIVE OFFICES FOR THE MAY 16, 2017 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017, AT 11:00 A.M. IN THE CITY COMMISSIONERS 6TH FLOOR HEARING ROOM, RIVERVIEW PLACE, DELAWARE AVE. & SPRING GARDEN ST.

AVISO DE ELECCIÓN

A QUIEN LE PUEDA INTERESAR: POR EL PRESENTE SE ANUNCIO HACE SABER QUE HABRA UNA LOTERIA PARA LA POSICION EN LA BOLETA PARA CARGOS ELECTIVOS DE LA CIUDAD, PARA LAS ELECCIÓNES PRIMARIAS MUNICIPAL Y ELECCION ESPECIAL DEL 16 DE MAYO DE 2017. LA LOTERIA SE LLEVARA A CABO EL MIERCOLES 15 DE MARZO DE 2017 A LAS 11:00 A.M. EN EL 6º PISO DE RIVERVIEW PLACE EN LA SALA DE AUDIENCIA, CALLE SPRING GARDEN Y AVENIDA DELAWARE. PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS JUNTA DE ELECCIONES DEL CONDADO DE PHILADELPHIA

Anthony Clark Chair, City Commissioners Presidente, Comisionados Municipales

Lisa M Deeley City Commissioner Comisionada Municipal

Al Schmidt Vice Chair, City Commissioners Vicepresidente, Comisionados Municipales

Kevin A Kelly Acting Supervisor of Elections Supervisor Interino de Elecciones

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www.philadelphiavotes.com

the WAFFLE MAN (Cont. From Page 10) have those beautiful flowers to grace his house.”

Realizing this – the flawed

pot was very proud and they lived happily ever after.

The moral of this story is that each of us has our own unique flaws. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father’s

table. Know that in our weakness, we find our strength.

Don’t be afraid of your flaws.

Acknowledge them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty – even if someone thinks you are a crackpot!

understanding BANKRUPTCY

BY MICHAEL A. CIBIK AMERICAN BANKRUPTCY BOARD CERTIFIED UESTION: Why “surrender” in bankruptcy doesn’t mean surrender.

Answer: In bankruptcy, some words don’t have their ordinary meanings.

“Surrender” is one of these words. Many people who file bankruptcy surrender real estate or their car. They think that once they tell the court, the trustee and the creditor that the item is being surrendered, they’re done with it. But they’re not.

When property is surrendered in bankruptcy, it doesn’t mean the creditor automatically becomes the owner. All that it means is that creditors who have liens on the property can exercise their state-law rights with respect to the property.

In non-legalese, this means they can foreclose on or repossess the property as your state’s laws allow. They do not become the owner until

Q

they complete the state-law requirements for becoming the owner.

In the case of real estate, this means they must file, notice, and complete a foreclosure auction. In the case of a car, this means they must follow state law procedures to allow it to repossess and sell the car.

Until this process is completed, you remain the owner-even if the house is vacant or the car is up on blocks or was given back to the bank. It means that if the mortgage company is taking its own sweet time in foreclosing, you’re still the owner. It means that if the car-loan company doesn’t want the car, you’re still the

owner. And remaining the owner has big implications.

In the case of a house, if there are HOA or condo fees, as the owner you are responsible for them; the bankruptcy only wipes out the fees that were due before your case was filed.

If your HOA or condo or municipality requires you to keep the law mown, and you don’t, it can do it and charge you for it. If the property deteriorates, the municipality might condemn the property and could even tear it down as a safety hazard … and charge you for it. If someone slips on an icy walkway, as the owner, you’re responsible.

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COU NC ILMAN David Oh celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with students at R haw n hu r s t Elementar y School by reading in one of the class r o o m s .

Af ter wards, he snapped a selfie with the class!

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COUNCILMAN IN THE HAT

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ELEPHANT CORNER (Cont. From Page 10) the 2nd Amendment without being held to legal scrutiny by associations of law-abiding citizens.

Some Democrats are outraged that bills would allow national groups like the National Rifle Association to sue. Keller said writing a law that would protect local

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(Cont. From Page 10) past (?). It is time for NORCROSS and others to call for HAMMER’s resignation!

PA. Attorney General Josh SHAPIRO noted legal costs for the Kathleen KANE episode were $3.6m. After reading the article, I felt as though Kane was blamed for the cost. But it was those who verbally assaulted her, some media writers, and good ole boys who placed a RAIMENT OF FIRE upon us taxpayers – since we ultimately wound up paying the bill! We elected Kane and all other office-holders to make DECISIONS for us. One of Kane’s decisions was to quash the sting of four Black state reps. That should have been the END of it, without ambition or

gun groups while exclude national ones would border on unconstitutional. The NRA is one of the left’s favor boogeymen.

There is no Democrat on the ballot for the special election on March 21 for the 197th State House district.

Only Republican nominee Lucinda Little is on the ballot.

Chairman of Democratic City Committee CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY

(D-Pa.) expressed his frustration with his own party when he said, “They just don’t get along together (in the 197th). There’s too much animosity. The Latinos, it’s a shame they just can’t get their act together.”

What Brady failed to emphasize is why there is a special election in the first place. The 197th seat is open because former STATE REP. LESLIE ACOSTA pled guilty

in 2016 to embezzlement.

She and everyone knew this was hanging over her head, but she ran again anyway and was re-elected. She waited until just before the January legislative session to resign when her colleagues would have removed her from office.

Acosta followed another convicted felon, former STATE REP. JOSE MIRANDA, in that seat. See a pat-

tern here?

With encouragement from Miranda, the district’s ward leaders selected FREDERICK RAMÍREZ, president of Pan American Mental Health Clinics, to run. There was a little problem with Ramírez – he does not live in the house he owns in the district. In large part owing to the legal work of Republican attorney LINDA KERNS, he was re-

moved from the ballot.

Subsequently Commonwealth Court JUDGE ANNE COVEY rejected a Democratic request to put Philadelphia Parking Authority employee EMILIO VÁZQUEZ on the ballot.

Are the Democrats organized enough to run an effective write-in campaign?

Or are we going to have another Republican in the State House?

emotion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS are in order to judical candidate Rania MAJOR, Esq.; Sue HARRIS, Vehicle Code expert; Danny BAUDER, AFL-CIO legislative liaison; Jimmy HARRITY, aide to State Sen. Street; Marissa BRUMBACH, Esq.; Judge Michael ERDOS; Aunt Dianne CARUSO; and consultants Joe RUSSO and Paul STEINKE! I was surprised the TRAFFIC COURT OVERSEER is still in office. It makes NO SENSE for a CP jurist to be in Municipal Court. The Municipal Court can take CARE OF ITSELF. I thought this unsavory episode was to end in December 2016? 1st Judicial Dist.

– END IT! CITY COUNCIL: Councilman David OH had a great idea to transfer some Parking Authority functions to the City. He took a few hits over it. I would like

to have been a fly on the wall at the Parking Authority when PPA leaders heard about it!

Council Aide Kathy WERSINGER has retired after long service with Councilwomen Marian TASCO and Cherelle PARKER. Her grip on assisting taxpayers was like a dog on a bone.

She will be missed by top Redevelopment Authority aide Mary FOGG. Their school rivalry between LITTLE FLOWER and CARDINAL DOUGHERTY goes on, however.

Space in last week’s paper did not permit photos of GOP Giants that I met at a party for dynamic City Commissioner Al SCHMIDT. I was happy to meet Tim CIFELLI, COO of DDC Works; Calvin TUCKER, Pa. GOP Black Caucus chairman; and Barbara COXE, Wardrobe Stylist!

Space prevented us from a photo of the folks in the

City Marriage License Bureau for the difficult work of assembling 50 marriages in Courtroom 653 on Valentine’s Day. The great team included Guy SABELLA, Supervisor; Juan MATOS; Lindsey KEENAN; Erila DeJESUS; and Brylan VAN ARTSDALEN. And lovely Alba COLLAZO in Ron DONATUCCI’S office.

Thanks!

END OF AN ERA with the retirement of Judge Paul PANEPINTO, who is now a Commissioner of the Board of City Trusts. All he touched have profound, professional RESPECT for him!

The lawsuit against City Controller Alan BUTKOVITZ was wisely dismissed, in my view. He is doing the job we elected him to carry out. Judge MASSIAH-JACKSON acted with wisdom and the people in mind.

IN THE PRESS: I read where the 197th Dist. Special Election was described as one where Democrats were scrambling to find a candidate. HUH? And that the DEMS do not deserve

a chance to do that. Get this straight: You do not determine who does not DESERVE that opportunity in America. I also read where the city DEM Party was fractious and embarrassing, and that divisions can shake the party apart.

WRONG. The DEM Party is a diverse FAMILY, and argues like one – THEN COMES TOGETHER. That’s what families do – and they are only brought together more quickly and stronger by uninformed outside criticism.

I read of efforts to get US Sen. TOOMEY to call a town meeting. I DOUBT he will do it. He did not get many votes in Philly and won by 1% statewide. A GOP senator elsewhere threatened to call police on constituents.

A moving piece in the dailies was “Saying farewell to a beloved pet.” If you have done this, you will know why it was moving.

A tough piece to read, but something that needs to be seen both by those who have loved and lost their best non-human friends, and by those who will be be-

reft of that company in the future.

The ECONOMIST reported that China has a history of funny export brand names (like Front Gate men’s underwear).

Will DEMS can buy Chinese TRUMP-brand toilets? I kid you not. Shenzen TRUMP Industries was started in 2002. The product name in Chinese: Chuang Pu means “to innovate.” Trump is pronounced “Chuan Pu” in Mandarin. If the toilet were a registered Democrat, it would conserve water use.

IRELAND, that emerald isle, has 32 counties. Havertown, Pa. is called the 33rd; and Gloucester City, N.J. is the 34th. Its recent St. Patrick’s PARADE was superb.

The town is mostly Irish and suspended in time, as the Walt Whitman Bridge PASSES OVER it, touching down inland.

Lovely Social Worker Judy Gill McCARTHY was PARADE MARSHAL in the Mt. Holly, N.J. St. Patrick’s Parade – and a niece of my lovely reader-critic PAT BONNER.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT on February 15, 2017, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State for New Birth Praise and Worship Christian Church, Inc, a nonprofit corporation organized under the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988, exclusively for charitable purposes.

Gary M. Perkiss, P.C., Solicitor 801 Old York Rd., Ste. 313 Jenkintown, PA 19046 PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SEND AFFIDAVIT & BILL TO:

WILLIAM J. MANSFIELD, INC. 998 OLD EAGLE SCHOOL ROAD SUITE 1209 WAYNE, PA 19087

City of Philadelphia ADVERTISEMENT The City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, is requesting PROPOSALS for “REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL & CONSULTING SERVICES.” All proposals are to be submitted to www.phila.gov/contracts/ by 5 pm MARCH 30, 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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L-R WERE developer Charlie Hannah and his daughter Renata KNOWLTON MANSION was the scene of Philly’s biggest political celebrity show last weekend: the 58th APPOINTED Judges Stella Tsai and Hunter, City Commissioner Lisa Deeley, Ward Leader Jim DonnelWard Democratic petition party. A host of players showed up for this lavish affair. That’s host Ward Leader Lucretia Clemons are running for ly, former Sheriff Barbara Deeley, Ward Leader Janice Sulman and judicial hopeful Chris McCabe.

Jim Donnelly, C rear. Photos by Wendell Douglas election this year.

L-R, State Sen. John Sabatina was joined by a lineup of aspirants to the bench: Sharon Piper, Vikki Kristiansson, Len Goodman, Judge Vincent Melchiorre and Carmella Jacquinto.

L-R, HOSTESS Teesa Donnelly, Judge Vincent Melchiorre, Judge Faye Stack and Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.

THE 58TH is the home ward of Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, L, who passed on its leadership to Jim Donnelly.

IN THE RUNNING are, L-R, Len Deutchman, City Controller Alan Butkovitz, Judge Carolyn Nichols, Len Goodman and Carmella Jacquinto.

THESE 5 appointees need to win election to Common Pleas: L-R, Judges Vincent Melchiorre, Lucretia Clemons, Vincent Furlong, Stella Tsai and Dan Sulman.

L-R, JUDICIAL aspirant enjoyed the company of Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, his mother Judge Faye Stack and Democratic Party Leader Bob Brady.

THESE FOUR are dueling to be the next DA: L-R, Richard Negrín, Beth Grossman, Michael Untermeyer and Joe Khan.

A FIFTH DA candidate, Larry Krasner, also appeared to present himself before the crowd.

THREE GOOD friends shared a moment during the evening: L-R, Kathy Kaits, Tonya Stack and Joanne Miraglia.

FLANKING Lt. Gov. Mike Stack were judicial candidates Sherman Toppin and Shanese Johnson.

ALAN BUTKOVITZ took temporary center stage in this grouping of candidates and activists.

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FLANKING the lovely 2nd Lady of Penna. Tonya Stack were Ward Leader Charlie Enggasser & his wife Kathleen.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

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Blondell Reynolds Brown, 2nd from L, kicked off Women’s History Month at the Pen & Pencil Club, surrounded by a bevy of successful, strong women including, L-R, Bobbie Booker, Denise James, Danielle Jeter, Semeeta Martin, Haniyyah Sharpe Brown and State Rep. Joanna McClinton. Photo by Wendell Douglas

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 161203364 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Ditech Financial LLC f/k/a Green Tree Servicing LLC, Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Ronald Green, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Ronald Green, Deceased, mortgagor and real owner, defendant whose last known address is 6528 Smedley Street a/k/a 6528 North Smedley Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126. 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, Ditech Financial LLC f/k/a Green Tree Servicing LLC, 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. 161203364, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 6528 Smedley Street a/k/a 6528 North Smedley Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126, 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, 215-227-2400/215981-3700. 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.

YOUNG GLOBETROTTER BRIA YOUNG received citation from city for outstanding achievements in becoming a Harlem Globetrotter. Presenting her with the citation was Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell at Christie Rec Center in Cobbs Creek. Photo by Wendell Douglas

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 161103315 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure U.S. Bank National Association (Trustee for The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency), Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Geneva Jones, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Geneva Jones, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 2004 Laveer Street a/k/a 2004 West Laveer Street, 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, U.S. Bank National Association (Trustee for The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency), 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. 161103315, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 2004 Laveer Street a/k/a 2004 West Laveer Street, 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.

IRISH LABOR

HUDDLING together at Irish immigration event in City Hall were, L-R, Ethelind Baylor, Henry Nicholas, Pat Eiding (rear), SEIU Penna. Dir. Gabe Morgan, Sharif Street (rear), Joe O’Flynn, Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, Rich Fitzgerald, State Rep. Ed Neilson and Scott Courtney. Photo

by Wendell Douglas

EVERYONE is a little bit Irish, especially this time of year. That includes, L-R, Congressmen Brendan Boyle and Bob Brady, Estela Rios, Michael Hersch and Rev. Gregory Holston. Photo by Wendell Douglas

EVEN THE MAYOR did not want to miss out on the festivities at City Hall. Posing together were Rich Fitzgerald; Joe O’Flynn, leader of Ireland’s largest trade union; and Mayor Jim Kenney. Photo by Wendell Douglas

GO HOOSIERS!

EVEN IN PHILA. they love their Indiana basketball! Hoosier expats were hosted by candidate for judge Vikki Kristiansson at Tavern on Broad during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers. Photo by Wendell Douglas

TOOMEY LAUDED AS BIPARTISAN

US Sen. Pat Toomey (RPa.) was awarded the inaugural Legislative Action

197TH BALLOT: DEMOCRAT-FREE

Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey pounded a nail into the coffin of endorsed Democratic candidate for the 197th Legislative seat in Kensington Emilio Vázquez by upholding a Common Pleas Court decision that his name had been submitted too late to get on the ballot.

Barring an unlikely reversal by the State Supreme Court, this means the only name that will appear on the ballot in the March 21 special election to fill that vacant seat will be Republican Lucinda Little. Although this district typically votes only 5% Republican, 5% of somebody can beat 95% of nobody.

The Democratic Party machinery has sworn to back up Vázquez, its 43rd Ward leader, with a write-in campaign.

But it faces several obstacles.

The district has notoriously poor turnout, even for regularly scheduled elections. Its different wards are often embroiled in fractious factional disputes, making them hard to coordinate in an organized effort.

In addition, the Green Party is mounting a write-in campaign of its own behind locally famous anti-poverty activist Cheri Honkala.

Dueling partisan write-in campaigns are unprecedented in city political history. In the resulting three-way race, Little may eke out a victory.

Little reacted to the news by saying, “In an area of Philadelphia so often neglected by our leaders, and

RANIA MAJOR, candidate for judge, was a speaker at the Candidates Forum of the 11th Ward in N. Phila. Over 40 judicial and all District Attorney Candidates attended. Ward Leader Dwayne Lilley listens intently. Photo by Joe Shay Stivala

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PITCHING THE 11TH WARD

33RD WARD GREETING A WIDE range of political activists showed up for the 33rd Ward petition party at Mander Rec Center in N. Phila., among them, L-R, Michael Youngblood, judicial candidate Shanese Johnson, Ward Leader Gary Williams, Bernard Lopez, Tommy Blocker, State Rep. Donna Bullock with her sons Malcolm and Xavier, and judicial candidate Sherman Toppin. Photo by Wendell Douglas

38TH WEIGHS RACE MARK GREEN, Democratic 38th Ward leader, C, joins candidates and citizens of East Falls at his Candidates Meet & Greet at Wissahickon Brewing Co. To far L is judicial candidate Leanne Litwin, who poses with two voters. Judicial candidates John Macoretta, Jim Crumlish and Judge Vincent Melchiorre line up on Green’s right. Photo by Joe Shay Stivala

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(Cont. From Page 9) the Russian government and the Trump administration.

Evans also weighed in on the announcement by his Republican colleagues that they are ready with a plan to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act. “House Republicans released a bill that would take health care away from millions of Americans, putting the poorest Americans, our seniors, people with pre-existing conditions and working-class families at even greater risk of getting sick,” Evans said. “House Republicans and the Trump Administration say they want a health care plan that drastically cuts costs and covers more Americans than the current health-care law, yet last night after weeks and months of secrecy they release a plan that does no such thing. The new plan is an insult to Americans who have fought hard to try and get ahead.”

According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, approximately 220,000 Philadelphians would lose their health insurance if the Affordable Care Act is repealed without an adequate replacement. PDHP reports that this would be about 22% of Philadelphia residents between the ages of 18 and 64.

from both parties.

“While none of us will agree all the time, the country needs lawmakers to resist the call of obstructionism and work together, where they can, to tackle the great fiscal, economic, and security challenges of our time. That’s why I will continue to seek consensus and pursue headway on these matters on behalf of all Pennsylvanians.”

55TH WARD HOSTS 55TH WARD Democrats at their petition party: L-R, Ward Leaders William Dolbow and Janice Sulman; judicial candidate Rania Major; Judge Maria McLaughlin, candidate for Superior Court; Host Ward Leader Robert Dellavella; judicial candidates Vikki Kristiansson and Anthony Kyriakakis; Teresa Carr Deni, candidate for DA; 55th Ward Chairman Ed Harkins, who is also Local 13 political director; Judge Dan Sulman; Michael Untermeyer, DA candidate; and Alan Butkovitz, city controller. Photo by Harry Leech

in a seat that has seen three Democratic State Reps in a row forced out due to corruption, the system actually has served the people of the 197th for once. My team put in the hard work to get on the ballot fairly, and since then we’ve been focused

on engaging the voters of my district, where I actually live, on issues that are important to them: corruption, schools and, of course, the beverage tax which hits Philadelphians in their pocketbooks.

“We are optimistic that

we can take this seat and show voters in the 197th what it really means to be democratically represented by somebody who cares.”

The Republican City Committee is mounting an all-out effort to fund Little’s campaign.

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POLS on the STREET

Award from the Bipartisan Policy Center for his numerous bipartisan efforts, including protecting children in the classroom, helping small businesses succeed, fighting the scourge of opioids, and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists and the dangerously mentally ill.

Early in his first term, Toomey worked with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and President Barack Obama to author a series of bills that became law and cut regulatory burdens on small and medium-sized businesses, making it easier for them to raise much-needed capital and create new jobs.

He teamed with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) to champion legislation to expand background checks for commercial gun sales to help keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals and the dangerously mentally ill.

Toomey and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) have worked to confirm 16 federal judges serving Pennsylvania – a number greater over the same time period than any other state except California and New York.

“As we celebrate our recent achievements, we are mindful that many of our nation’s key institutions are under great strain. Despite real divisions, there are some in Congress with the unique capacity to overcome differences and govern a diverse nation,” said Bipartisan Policy Center founder and President Jason Grumet. “Sen. Toomey is a leader with strong convictions who knows how to bring people together and get things done. The Bipartisan Policy Center is pleased to honor Sen. Toomey’s legislative skill and express our deep gratitude for his distinguished service.”

“The people of Pennsylvania want policy makers in Washington to get things done,” said Toomey. “In the Senate, that usually means 60 votes and obtaining support

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EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY IKE MANY places in this country, there’s a pretty big premium, whether intentional or not,

L

placed on where you went to school among the residents of Philadelphia’s City Hall – especially among the elected officials.

For those born locally, you hear a lot of Central, Masterman and Philadelphia High School for Girls, or, as it’s better known, Girls’ High, when it comes to the public schools. When it comes to private institutions, it’s usually Roman Catholic, Little Flower, Neumann-Goretti or Hallahan High School for Girls.

When it comes to colleges, the place is filled with

University of Pennsylvania grads, with some representation from Temple, LaSalle or Penn State thrown in.

Cheyney and Lincoln Universities are represented, too.

Sure, I’ve listed a lot of schools here, but I’m sure regular readers of the Public Record have noticed that one of the city’s better schools, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, has been left off the list. There’s a reason for that.

For the last eight-plus years, the Big Office on the 2nd Floor, or, as it’s more

City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice The Committee on Rules of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items:

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170091

An Ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by amending Subcode “A” (“The Philadelphia Administrative Code”) and Subcode “B” (“The Philadelphia Building Code”) to add and revise certain provisions relating to the demolition of buildings and structures, all under certain terms and conditions.

170164 An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code (entitled “Commercial Activities on Streets”), by revising certain provisions relating to licenses and fees; all under certain terms and conditions.

170165 An Ordinance amending various provisions of The Philadelphia Code, including Chapter 6-300 (entitled “Food”), Title 9 (entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions”), Chapter 10-700 (entitled “Refuse and Littering”), Chapter 11-500 (entitled “Paving”), and Chapter 19-600 (entitled “Amusement Tax”), to revise various provisions relating to fees; including for licenses and permits for food establishments, newspaper boxes, public parking lots, conducting amusements, handbill distribution and sidewalk paving; and to authorize revisions of various fees by regulation; all under certain terms and conditions.

170166 An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-500 of The Philadelphia Code (entitled “Boilers, Fuel, Heat and Refrigeration”) to revise certain provisions relating to licenses and fees and delete provisions relating to warm air heating apparatus; all under certain terms and conditions.

170167 An Ordinance amending Subcode “A” (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction and Occupancy Code), by adding and revising various provisions related to fees for permits, licenses, certificates, appeals and services; and making technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions.

Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Licenses and Inspections, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items.

Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall.

Michael Decker Chief Clerk

commonly known, the Mayor’s Office, has been occupied by a graduate of St. Joe’s Prep.

Michael Nutter, who also graduated from Penn, and spent about 15 years in City Council, representing the 4th Dist., became the Mayor of Philadelphia in 2008 and spent eight years as Mayor, churning out budgets, running the city, and making the Welcome! America concert worth the time and effort to go and see.

Two years ago, another Prep grad, Jim Kenney, resigned from City Council after 23 years as an at-large councilman and mounted a successful run for the Mayor’s Office.

The mission of the allboys Jesuit school in North Philadelphia is to teach its students, among other things, that they are responsible to take what they’ve learned there and apply it to the service of others.

When you take into consideration that Kenney’s most-notable accomplishments right now have been ticking off soft-drink manufacturers by having them bear some of the cost of the city’s new pre-K program through the Sweetened Beverage Tax and ticking off the Republicans in Harrisburg (and in Washington, D.C.) by telling Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents that because Philadelphia is a sanctuary city, we’re not just going to hand over undocumented workers – it would appear that the mayor paid close attention to the Jesuits.

Kenney’s $4.4 billion budget would indicate the same thing. It is a budget that is focused on the least of these, in a city that’s become nationally known for its poverty.

“Currently, of the top 10 major US cities, Philadelphia ranks first in poverty and last in job creation,” Kenney said.

“We will only reverse these rankings when we provide all our residents with the basic

tools they need to be employable and when we create family-sustaining jobs to employ them.”

Kenney has proposed $1.9 million in funds to fight a burgeoning opioid crisis that led to 900 overdose deaths in the city last year, more than $1 million to combat homelessness in the form of rapid re-housing and supportive housing funds, and $900,000 to combat lead poisoning. These financial outlays are important because you can’t take advantage of any new opportunity unless you deal with some of the things holding people back, he said.

Many of these opportunities could come in the form of the Rebuild Philadelphia program, which Kenney kicked off by introducing an ordinance that would allow his administration to buy the bonds needed to finance the $500 million rehab of the city’s parks, recreation centers and libraries.

He also proposed $90 million over the next six years to put a cap over I-95 that would connect Penn’s Landing to Center City and turn the city’s waterfront into an economic hub.

But while council members, many of whom had been working on some of these problems separately, were glad to hear the mayor was on the same page with them, the uncertainty connected with the Sweetened Beverage Tax and the sanctuary-city backlash lingered in the air.

The pre-K/neighborhood schools program, funded by the Sweetened Beverage Tax, has led to 2,000 free, quality pre-K seats, and nine community schools that are serving 4,500 students. It’s also enabled 88 pre-K providers, most of them from traditionally marginalized communities, to create 250 new jobs.

But that hasn’t stopped the calls for repealing it, nor the protests from beverage manufacturers. At last Thursday’s Council meeting, protestors from

Pepsi were outside of City Hall calling on Council to repeal the tax, which has been in place for a little over a month, Pepsi had announced the day before the meeting that it would be laying off 100 Philadelphia-area workers due to the tax.

While Council President Darrell Clarke sympathized with the workers’ plight, repealing the tax isn’t on Council’s agenda right now, he said.

“I see no interest in that whatsoever,” he said. “The members have faced union pressure for the past year, but [the tax] passed. We’re moving forward.”

Clarke was also asked about whether council had a plan in place in case the Trump administration and the Republicans in Harrisburg made good on their threats to withhold money from cities that refuse to assist ICE agents in apprehending the undocumented.

While he admitted it was a concern, Clarke didn’t elaborate on council’s plans.

“I won’t necessarily say that there’s not a Plan B,” Clarke said. “Contingencies are being discussed and we will be working diligently if these things occur from both a legal and a political perspective. We’re hoping that Washington and Harrisburg realize continuing to dump on municipalities is not the way to go, because we are the economic engines of our country.”

“Some elected officials think it’s a good idea to cut off money to our city,” said Republican Councilman at Large David Oh. “I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to cut off money to your constituents.”

But when you’re dealing with two entities that don’t have a lot of respect for your citizens or the money they produce, such things are totally possible.

Council hasn’t scheduled the budget hearings yet, it’s due to start later this month.

For more information, go to phlcouncil.gov.

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