Pr 896 p

Vol.XVIII No. 13

Issue 896

March 30, 2017

TRANSPORTATION SPECIAL SECTION

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

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

@phillyrecord

PhillyRecord

PhillyRecord.com

WE’RE THE HUB!

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The Public Record looks at the critical infrastructure issues facing Philadelphia and the region.

Photo courtesy of Love’s Photo Album

THIS COULD HAPPEN IF WOMEN VOTE MAY 16 FOR D.A. FIND OUT WHY ON PAGE 6

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REGULATED CABBIES HAVE NO VOICE

BY JOE SHAHEELI RANK JUSTIS is a colorful Philadelphia cab driver. He is an artist, poet, state board-certified fresh-water professional and has been driving a cab in Philadelphia for the past 18 years, much of that parttime. He also served as a consultant on the development of a water-filtration plant in an Outer Mongolia village, using his experience derived from working for the city’s Water Department.

He was responding to a request from Qiongzhao Schicktanz, a fellow artist who immigrated to Philadelphia from China. She is now the donor of two large bronze reliefs for the soon-to-open Museum of the American Revolution.

Today, Justis finds himself one of hundreds of professional cab drivers who have become victimized by an invasion of part-time and full-time drivers for the rideshare companies, and who now find themselves underdogs in an industry where rules apply to some drivers but not to others.

This has happened with rapidity.

A half-dozen of these companies, led by Uber, have won court victories exempting them from PPA rules and

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public opinion, legalizing hacking.

As a result, we now see a flood of unregulated cab drivers from suburbia and other cities. In the end, the public will pay for increased accidents and increased incidents with unregulated drivers.”

He is a vociferous campaigner for unionized and non-union cab drivers who find themselves losing their livelihoods. “I feel we can level the playing field, by getting the public to know that if we fail, rates will go up. You will see their teeth and claws come out,” he predicts.

Ron Blount, president of Taxi Workers Alliance, explains, “The legislation giving Uber and other companies like it free rein in this state is disastrous.

Unlike legislation enabling them to function in other states, our state legislators rushed to judgement. The bill they passed allows these companies to bring in drivers from outside the counties and from other states. Many of these hackers come to this knowing they can earn bucks without having to follow the rules to which taxicab drivers are bound.”

Blount says, “In the end, the fall guys are not only our cab drivers, but passengers who come to depend on

Uber-type services. Pity them when, at peak demand, they find themselves being hit with a higher price imposed by the driver on the spot.”

Taxi drivers, lamented Blount, have to pay their own parking tickets; otherwise, they risk losing their right to drive. They also have to pay $100 to pass an English-language test. The Uber drivers don’t do either. He said, “We pay taxes to the city and the commonwealth; those drivers don’t.”

“We ask the General Assembly to revisit the legislation and correct the inequities. If not,” he warns, “a public-service industry will go under, leaving riders to the demands of a Wild West bunch of unregulated drivers.”

Already feeling the economic impact are cab owners who purchased medallions on the open market for as much as half a million dollars. “Today,” noted Blount, “medallions cost around $50,000, with some going even lower. Cab companies are going under as their owners find they now owe the banks more for the money they burrowed to purchase medallions before the legislation passed, than they are now worth. Our industry is being destroyed.”

FINDS MAYOR’S FUND SPENDING PROBLEMS CITY COUNCIL BUDGET BUTKOVITZ The purse belonging to five-month period had no re- Board of Directors’ approval.

Mayor’s Fund has been ceipts or supporting documenThe 2015 Tree Lighting CerHEARINGS UNDERWAY the open too often for question- tation, including: $11,010 for emony cost $70,000, which

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have finally been given unbridled rein by legislation rushed through the General Assembly. Justis says, “No rules for one, rules for the other. We suffer the costs of abiding by regulations required of us. Rideshare drivers need not operate under rules, giving them an unfair advantage over the cab companies licensed in this state.”

Justis is a driver for All City Cab. Presently, around 10 such licensed cab companies are operating in the city, and all have to adhere to a host of safety and other rules handed down by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, the agency in charge.

“Now cab drivers are engaged in a free-for-all with unregulated drivers,” he said. “The cab industry is paying the price for rules which do not apply to these Uber-type ridesharing drivers, who now hide behind the fancy title of calling themselves ‘technology network communicators.’”

Justis bemoans the takeover of his industry by companies who “make up their own rules. They can charge surge rates and cancellation fees. We can’t. A snowflake falls, and they up their rates.”

Today, Justis says, “They have won

HILADELPHIA City Council began hearings on Mayor Jim Kenney’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Budget, FY2018 Capital Budget and Program, and FY2018-2022 Five-Year Plan this week.

City departments with operating budgets of more than $5 million are required to testify before Council.

Smaller departments may also be called to testify at Council’s request. Every city department and office is required to transmit budget testimony to Council.

“A turbulent political environment in Washington and uncertainty regarding the state budget compel us to take a longer view on our city’s fiscal health,” Council President Darrell L. Clarke said. The public is invited to testify before Council on the

following dates: • Wednesday, May 3, at 5 p.m. (all departments and programs) • Tuesday, May 9, at 5 p.m. (on revenue tax bills only) • Wednesday, May 17, between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. (School District of Philadelphia budget only) Members of the public may present written testimony at any time via e-mail to Budget.Hearings@Phila.gov. Persons not having access to email or needing further information may call (215) 686-3407.

All budget hearing materials including departmental testimony, transcripts, videos, and schedule will be available online at the City Council Budget Center: http://phlcouncil. com/budget2018.

able spending, reports City Controller Alan Butkovitz in an audit this week. Areas of review included the approval process for grant awards, credit card purchases, payments for special events and other expenditures.

According to the audit, “city employees charged purchases totaling $550,000 through two separate credit card accounts linked to the Mayor’s Fund in 2015. It was determined that hundreds of the expenditures appeared questionable, as many did not have documentation to substantiate the purchase. Some of the more significant findings involving the Mayor’s Fund spending included: $133,567, or more than half, of American Express credit card charges selected over a

charges related to restaurants and meals; $7,176 for charges related to airfare travel; $677 for charges related to Amazon Marketplace; $600 for room charges at the Doubletree Metropolitan New York for what appeared to be related to the annual, political PA Society event Other questionable credit card charges throughout 2015 included: 458 Uber rides totaling $8,738; $1,181 for payments to Comcast, Verizon Wireless and the Pacific Gas & Electric company.

Almost $100,000 was spent on hotel rooms and airfare for city employees, including some charges related to family members, in relation to the papal visit.

The former chairwoman provided $32,000 in grants without the Mayor’s Fund

was 300% more than in previous years and included lax payment approval through questionable invoices. $22,000 in grant funds were spent for a private event at the University of the Arts where those invited included select city employees and individuals who were part of the Mayor’s 2007 campaign.

The City Controller’s Office has developed several recommendations to address the above findings.

These include: requiring that all funds be reimbursed that were not properly substantiated and did not support the mission of the Mayor’s Fund; eliminating the special Marathon Reserves account; and strengthening controls for credit card usage.

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

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paths. The same ports also lobby all tiers of government for scarce dollars to come to them instead of Philadelphia.

Infrastructure is key. So the PRPA community was ecstatic when Gov. Tom Wolf committed $300 million to improving the port’s infrastructure last November. The money will go to newer and more-powerful berths, improvements to extant berths and expanded storage for shipping containers at the Packer terminal in South Philadelphia.

The port is never finished. The world marketplace is always changing, so what was good enough yesterday can become uncompetitive tomorrow. Theobald has his eye on further projects.

“More improvements can be made,” he said. “Road condition and access from I-95 are being programmed for improvement.

Technologies like OCR (optical character recognition) are being implemented, which will provide exchange of information without a truck having to stop. These are the same technologies that are used at newer EZ-Pass lanes.”

Intermodal work competes both by quality and by speed. “In Philadelphia, we are proud to say that the turnaround time –

how long it takes a trucker to get on to a terminal to pick-up or drop-off a loaded container and get back on the road – is less than one hour,” Theobald stated. “This is better than industry standards.”

But US infrastructure is a worry for all three modes. “Sadly, throughout the country, it is underinvested,” said Palaima.

“As we move forward in partnership with the trucking community, railroads, the City of Philadelphia and PennDOT, more improvements will need to be made,” Theobald asserted. “But for now, we have what it takes to make the port grow rapidly.”

One strength of Philadelphia’s port is that it is serviced by the main railroads of the Northeastern US, CSX and Norfolk Southern. It also lies on the I-95 corridor, and close to the “distribution corridor” just inland along I-81.

Long haul favors rail; short-to-medium haul favors trucking. This means Palaima, for instance, can ship steel to Chicago as easily as wood pulp to Mehoopany, Pa. in the Wyoming Valley.

Another of its assets is political. Since three states share the Delaware River, Palaima (Cont. Page 5)

Saluting

the working men and women of the transportation industry who keep our city moving

ROBERT BRADY

Congressman 1st District Paid for by Committee to Elect Bob Brady

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BY TONY WEST T’S EASY TO think of a port as nothing more than a place where ships disembark and embark, loading and unloading their goods. But that’s not the half of it.

A port is more like a symphony in which different ways of travel must move together in smooth, mutually supportive exchanges.

At an interface of land and water, it requires the coordination of “multimodal transportation.”

“A port and region needs the facilities for seamless transfer between various modes: vessel, truck and rail,” explained Jeff Theobald, executive director of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. This commonwealth body administers 14 facilities in the city where goods enter or leave the sea via the Delaware River.

The Port of Philadelphia is also a partnership between public and private business.

“The Port of Philadelphia is what is known as a landlord port,” said Theobald. “We pro-

vide the facilities where our tenants and others provide the services. We have some of the best stevedores and terminal operators in the country.”

But ports can be wholly private affairs, noted Dennis Rochford, president of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, a private nonprofit agency that unites the ports of three states that share this waterway. He cited the Penn Terminal in Chester, which is owned by Australian investors.

Robert Palaima, of Delaware River Stevedores, Inc., is a PRPA tenant. His firm operates the Tioga Terminal in Port Richmond. A terminal is the point at which the rubber meets the road – or rail. Palaima’s job is to get private shippers to sail to his facility, bearing private cargoes which DRS then dispatches to private customers using private railroads (which have private infrastructure) or private truckers (which use public infrastructure).

It’s complicated. And it’s competitive.

Palaima roams the world, “wearing down shoe leather,” as he put it, in an endless quest for new business. Rival ports send their own reps abroad, sniffing the same

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PORTS ARE A VIVID LESSON IN VARIOUS WAYS TO MOVE

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WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

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atop another was one answer; it could double the capacity of a train as less than twice the cost of operation. But rail tunnels had been cut through the Appalachian Mountains generations ago. They needed to be heightened and widened to handle more business. It wasn’t cheap and it wasn’t quick. But it was done.

That’s how transportation infrastructure builds tomorrow’s prosperity today.

Theobald is hopeful. “We have a chorus of shippers that are looking for alternatives to competing ports of Baltimore and New York/ New Jersey. Distribution centers continue to locate closer to the Port of Philadelphia. These are all positive,” he insisted. “However, we need to grow our network of rail destinations and continue to improve the economics of trucking in and out of the port.”

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piece of cargo that used to stop on the Pacific Coast.

But if these big new ships can’t fit into the Delaware, they cannot come here.

In the end, this massive project was barely completed in time for the Palaimas of the port to go seeking Panamax contracts in East Asia.

Transportation advances by becoming ever faster and ever bigger. But the planning for its infrastructure demands an expanded timeframe. It also requires a national and international mindset.

Rochford cited a major upgrade of the past as an example. In the 1990s, shippers increasingly moved to standardized containers that could be dropped into ship holds and onto rail and truck flatbeds with ease, without touching their cargoes. That called for ways to pile more containers onto trains.

Stacking one container

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(Cont. From Page 3) observed, the region enjoys the influence of six US senators and 10 congressmen.

That makes a big difference when it’s time to lobby the Feds for money and other assistance.

International ports are a federal concern in many ways.

That lobbying made all the difference in the decades-long effort to get the Army Corps of Engineers to deepening the shipping channel from 40 to 45 feet.

This mammoth undertaking is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, at a total cost of $364 million, mostly federal money.

Why 45 feet? Because in June 2016, the Panama Canal was expanded to accommodate a new generation of supersized “Panamax” freighters. Every port on the East Coast is salivating at the prospect of getting a

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PORT EXPANSION HOLDS VALUE

LADIES, WHERE YOU GONNA BE ELECTION DAY?

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POLS on the STREET

BY JOE SHAHEELI OR THE LAST six months, we have witnessed street demonstrations blocking traffic on Philadelphia streets for and against politicians or causes. Many of them were dominated by female partic-

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KRASNER RALLY

JUDGE CARR DENI CAMPAIGNING

D.A. CANDIDATE makes his pitch to a Gayborhood crowd at Tavern on Camac, ROOTING for Larry Krasner were, backed by Campaign Chair Michael Lee, L, L-R, Melanie Dante, Bronwyn Lepand the rest of his staff. Photos by Wendell Douglas ore, Krasner and Judith Applebaum.

WEST Philly Ward Leaders Anthony Faulk, 51st, and Willie Jordan, 44th, welcome District Attorney candidate Judge Teresa Carr Deni to meet and greet with committee people. Photo by Joe Stivala

ipants. Seems Hillary Clinton brought out an awareness in women of their power as demonstrators.

Now, we wonder, where will they all be this primary election?

Since many carried “women’s rights” signs on those

demonstrations, will they vote for those rights May 16?

Given that women generally lean toward female candidates, all other things being equal, do they understand this primary election places within their grasp an ability to flood the various courts of this commonwealth with female jurists?

If they come out with Representative

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

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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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the same zeal for their own gender as they did in their demonstrations, they will have a chance to elect at least three Philadelphia women jurists to Superior Court, seven for 10 open seats on the Court of Common Pleas and one or more for three Municipal Court seats.

We mention those numbers since it is a fact that many women have received endorsements from the Democratic Party on either the state or city level, in it-

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

self a coveted milestone.

Add to their chances, in the field of 48 candidates, another 10 unendorsed ladies have filed for the Court of Common Pleas, and ballot positions have enhanced the chances of some of them surviving the primary.

For Superior Court’s four vacancies, a court where appeals are heard, two Philadelphia jurists, Democratic Judges Carolyn Nichols and Maria McLaughlin, are endorsed. Judge Paula Patrick has the Republican endorsement. Philly voters can vote for all three.

If women do turn out and support women candidates, the DA race could become interesting. Judge Teresa Carr Deni is City Commissioner

Dawkins

Lisa M.

District Office: 4667 Paul St. 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

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

Rich Negrín feels he can make the city safer with his community-driven approach, as he announced the endorsement of a diverse (Cont. page 8) Councilman Wm.

Greenlee 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

Donatucci

D.A. CANDIDATES MAKING WAVES

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

Rep.Maria P.

the only woman candidate in the field of seven Democrats vying to replace Seth Williams. She gave up a secure judicial seat because she knows what needs to be done more effectively to prosecute cases and lower crime rates. She has placed her career on the line.

The only other woman candidate for that office is Republican Beth Grossman, the gal from K&A. Need we say more?

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

State Rep.

THIRTY-SEVENTH Ward Committee welcomes only woman in Democratic DA primary, Judge Teresa Carr Deni. Pictured are Ward Chair Yvette Bridges and Ward Leader Elinor Brown, bottom center. Photo by Joe Stivala.

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

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HILADELPHIA has a well-deserved reputation for its commitment to the arts and humanities.

Making that clear to President Donald Trump is our Senior Congressman, Bob Brady.

He informed Trump recently, “Defunding the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities would adversely affect communities in which the

MARK your CALENDAR 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.

Mar. 30- DA candidate Beth Grossman is hosted at Fundraiser at Linda A. Kerns, LLC, 1420 Locust St., Su. 220, 5:30-7 p.m.

Honored guest Justice Sandra Schultz Newman.

Donations $100. RSVP: Shannon Oscar shan-

non@bethgrossman4da. com or (215) 885-2177.

Mar. 30- State Rep. Stephen Kinsey hosts “State of the State” town hall mtg. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Ch., 6344 N. Broad St., 6-8 p.m. Reps from state and city agencies for questions.

For info: 215) 849-6592.

Mar. 30- Mike Tomlinson announces campaign for GOP Phila. City Controller at Holmesburg Rec Ctr., 4500 Rhawn St., 6:55 p.m. Followed by Town Hall with State Rep. Martina White.

Mar. 31- State Rep. Morgan Cephas hosts Open House at new office, 5921 Lancaster Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For info: (215) 879-6625.

Mar. 31- Gov. Tom Wolf, Congressman Dwight Evans, state and city officials break ground for Strawberry Apts., 33rd & Berks Sts., 11 a.m.

Mar. 31- Mayor Jim Kenney hosts Reception for “Photo-tale of Cities: Phila. and sister city Tianjin, China at City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Rm. 202,

5-7 p.m.

Mar. 31- 60th Ward Democratic Committee hosts Beef & Beer Fundraiser at Steve’s Sports Lounge, 5300 Market St., 5:309:30 p.m. Candidates $35, Others $25.

Apr. 1- State Sen. Sharif Street Birthday Party celebration at Ms. Tootsie’s Restaurant, 1312 South St., 5:30-8 p.m. Donations $50. RSVP: (267) 292-2022 or www.streetforsenate.com.

Apr. 2- Congressman Dwight Evans hosts first Town Hall at Drexel U.’s Bossone Research Ctr., Mitchell Aud., 3140 Market St., 4-6 p.m. For info: (215) 276-0340.

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. 4- Barbershop Talk Human Family Day is hosted at City Hall, Mayor’s Reception

Rm. 202. RSVP by March 29: (215) 879-9935.

Apr. 5- Phila. Jewish Labor Committee hosts Bobbi Willig Labor Seder at Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel, 300 S. 18th St., 7 p.m.

Suggested cover $25. No one turned away for lack of funds. RSVP: Michael Hersch (215) 668-5454.

Apr. 5- Philly for Change hosts Monthly Meetup at Tattooed Mom, 530 South St. Judicial candidates invited.

Free and open. RSVP: PFCJudicialForum@gmail.com.

Apr. 5- Women for Judge Carolyn H. Nichols for Superior Court host Fundraiser at Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, 1835 Market St., Su. 1400, 15th fl., 6-8 p.m. Guests $250 on up.

For info: (412) 398-9827.

Apr. 6- Self Help Movement, Lt. Gov. Michael Stack and State Sen. John Sabatina, Jr. host “Pathways to Pardons” Event, 6:30 at Plumbers’ Local 690 Ha., 2791 Southampton Rd., 6-8 p.m.

Apr. 6- PennEnvironment hosts Meet-&-Greet host-

ed with State Sen. Sharif Street & State Rep. Donna Bullock, 2816 W. Girard Ave., 5:30 p.m. For info: (215) 732-5897.

Apr. 8- Lucretia Clemons is hosted Chicken or Fish Fry Fundraiser at Lou & Choo’s Lounge, 2101 W. Hinting Pk. Ave., 2-6 p.m. Tickets $20. Buy online: www.lucretia4judge.com/events.

For info: lucretia4judge@ comcast.net.

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. 14- Judicial candidate Deborah Canty is hosted Fish Fry Fundraiser at Circles Lounge, 4800 N. Broad St., 5-9 p.m. Donation $15. For info: Cynthia Hayward or Pam Jones (267) 2257902.

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 noon.

Apr. 15- Philly Jewish Labor hosts Seder at Temple Beth Zion, 300 S. 18th St., 7 p.m. Donations $25.

Apr. 17- Easter Monday Dyngus Day Festivities at Polish Eagles Sports Cl.,, 3157 E. Thompson St., 3-8 p.m. Tickets $10, children under 12 free.

Apr. 26- Phila.

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

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

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illiteracy in over 1,000 communities across the country.

Brady also broke down just how the defunding of these artistic and cultural initiatives would drastically affect our economy, saying, “The arts and cultural sector generated $704.2 billion, 4.23% of our nation’s GDP, and employed 4.7 million Americans who collectively made over $330 billion in 2013.”

Brady’s right. Philadelphia needs these programs.

This city derives much of its current economic oomph from the fact it is a center for cultural activities. A great many jobs, not just those of our artists and scholars, depend on these attractions. We urge our advocates in Congress to oppose these draconian, ill-advised cuts to a critical part of our economy and lives.

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OPINION

arts and humanities are not easily accessible and deprive our nation’s youth of the opportunity to learn about our artistic and cultural history.”

Among the litany of services that would be affected by the defunding of these organizations and agencies, including the NEA’s Military Healing Arts Partnership, which funds centers across the country employing creative-arts therapy such as music and writing as a means of treating brain injuries and psychological health issues for service members.

Also affected: NEH’s PRIME TIME Family Reading Time program, which provides nearly 60,000 underserved children and their families in 42 states with the opportunity to engage with literature on a weekly basis, in an attempt to combat intergenerational

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TEACHING TRUMP

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POLS on the STREET

7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Philly Home Up for Sale

Philadelphia - A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.

This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today’s market.

The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don’t get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market.

As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled “The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar”.

To order a FREE copy of this special report Call toll-free 1-800-560-2075 and enter 5000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.

This report is courtesy of Larry Levin, Coldwell Banker Preferred. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2014

(Cont. From Page 6) roster of community leaders and stakeholders from every corner of the city.

“When we launched this campaign, we shared a video that talked about applying a community-based model to the DA’s Office to ensure that it works and cares for all of us,” said Negrín. “That’s not just campaign talk for me; it’s personal. It was a strong and supportive community that helped me succeed and achieve after witnessing the murder of my father when I was just 13.”

Joe Khan was happy to pick up the endorsement of Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who stood up to Donald Trump at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. That’s a big one in Philly’s Muslim community.

Irish birds of a feather

ISABELLA ON STOP & GO’S

STATE REP. Isabella Fitzgerald, R, hosted a town-hall meeting at Simons Rec to deal with stop-and-go issues. Councilwoman Cherelle Parker stopped by to hear community concerns. Photo by Wendell Douglas

are flocking together as the Brehon Society, an organization of Irish American lawyers in the area, is making a pitch for DA candidate Jack O’Neill in its internal communications.

In the meantime, community groups are scheduling nights to hear from the candidates for that office.

The latest is the Philly Set Go group with its Millennial Town Hall meeting April 12. Look for others to be announced in our Calendar of Events.

197TH IS DONE AND OVER WITH Calls to investigate the 197th Legislative District special election won’t produce any new results. There were just too many write-in ballots recorded. Fifty or so charges of fraud can’t eliminate the fact the voters took the time to learn and cast well over write-ins. The makeup of the district made it impossible for a Republican to win, even though the (Cont. Page 11)

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY hen R. Seth Williams, Philadelphia’s district attorney, announced he wasn’t going to run for a third term as the city’s lead prosecutor, Philly’s political streets started buzzing.

What made him come to a decision that would have been unthinkable a year ago?

Was it his messy personal life, complete with a tire-slashing girlfriend and an ex-wife with Champagne tastes? Was it the record-setting $65,000 fine that the City’s Board of Ethics slapped him with

W

mondstein, who has since requested and was denied permission to leave the case, told 6ABC the district attorney “vehemently denies that he compromised any investigation, case or law enforcement function.”

Some of the counts are familiar to those of us who have spent entirely too much time in federal courtrooms with Philadelphia politicos.

Among the 23 counts Williams has been charged with are bribery, extortion and wire fraud. He’s also charged with defrauding the nursing home caring for his mother and family friends who gave him money to help out with that.

His mother Imelda, is battling Parkinson’s disease. In fact, about $20,000 of the $54,465 that he’s accused of pocketing is alleged to have come from funds that were to go to her care.

If this particular charge is true, that’s some next-level sad. Stealing is bad when (Cont. Page 17)

BY JOE SHAY STIVALA LL OF US in the Public Record family are PRAYING for the recovery of Cecelia DOUGHERTY, beloved wife are labor leader John Dougherty.

The DA’S OFFICE has announced an investigation into the 197th District Special Election. It is based on some 50 complaints. (Even if founded, they would not be enough to overturn the outcome) But WHERE did these COMPLAINTS COME FROM? An inves-

A

CITY HALL SAM

T

HE MAGIC day of Philadelphia Democratic City Committee endorsements arrived.

Many anxious candidates have been praying and hoping against hope for the party blessing.

Of course, many were disappointed. Conventional wisdom on how one receives the endorsement is: first, good ballot position and second, a combination of political and financial backing.

In other words, candidates who are fairly likely to win are the ones that get the

ways BS’ing on the need for 9 voter education? Congrats to the winner in the 197th, State Rep.-Elect Emilio VÁZQUEZ! One candidate in the 197th once ran for Vice President. Was the run in the 197th a FALL FROM GRACE? It is TOO EARLY to say that candidates Negrín and El-Shabazz are the most popular among Democratic Party leadership. The whole emphasis has been on UNITY in endorsing judges. And voters in the 5th, 8th, 9th, 27th, 30th and parts of other wards want to know who is endorsed by the Bar Association instead. EL-SHABAZZ has some popularity as the only Black candidate. But there is a LONE WOMAN candidate: former Judge Teresa CARR DENI. Richard NEGRÍN has that suited-coiffured image that the DAILY PRESS might feel akin to – and endorse.

(Cont. Page 18) BACH were endorsed. So was incumbent Republican JUDGE GEORGE TWARDY, who has good family lineage.

RABBI SOLOMON ISAACSON had his annual fundraiser for Congregation Beth Solomon synagogue and community center. The Rabbi’s top lieutenant is his son RABBI SHLOMIE ISAACSON. The event at the City Line Hilton was a packed house with many VIPs in attendance.

Republican STATE REP. MARTINA WHITE was seated at the table of honor next to Buxco CONGRESSMAN BRIAN FITZPATRICK, former state Rep. and now judicial candidate MARK COHEN, DA candidate JOE KHAN and DA candidate MICHAEL UNTERMEYER. Former GOV. ED RENDELL helped out with the festivities, as did LT. GOV. MIKE STACK. Many members of Steamfitters’ Local 420 were in (Cont. Page 17)

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after it was discovered that Williams had gotten a lot of very nice gifts – including a $45,000 roof for his home – that he hadn’t properly disclosed?

Last Tuesday, we found out what might have caused Williams, the city’s first Black DA, to end his historic tenure as its top lawman.

It was because he had the choice of either ending it himself, or having it end with him possibly becoming that rarity in American politics: a district attorney being sent to jail.

A federal grand jury returned a 23-count indictment against Williams on last Tuesday morning after an investigation that has been in the offing for a long time. Williams was arraigned before US Magistrate Judge Richard Lloret last Wednesday, released on $50,000 bail, and forced to surrender his passport.

Upon leaving the courthouse, Williams’s defense attorney Michael Dia-

WALKING the BEAT

tigation is needed to determine if a losing candidate is behind them (?). One loser said she was approached by ordinary people who say they KNOW she lost due to something “unclean.” A supersized HMM on that.

Name these people and how many. The 197th is a largely Hispanic district. A Hispanic American won. To the DAO investigation – I say HEAL THYSELF!!

I read a fabulous story on the DA’s seeds of downfall in the daily press. A lot of revelations we did not know.

And to announce at a party, with former DA Lynne ABRAHAM, present, that he would run against her – seems a moment of moral distaste.

The use of rubber stamps for candidates that are not on the ballot is legal. When I first ran for Committeeman, I had stamps made and got a heaping 293 votes. You first educate the voter on this procedure. Is not the daily news media alendorsement.

Sam should add some caveats. Other important aspects are diversity and previous service on the bench.

However, the most important combination is any number of those previously mentioned criteria – plus a good relationship with CHAIRMAN BOB BRADY. If Brady is not for you, the whole thing is a long shot.

Here’s a list of those endorsed for Common Pleas Court by city committee: JUDGE STELLA TSAI – who has the number-one ballot position; DEBORAH CIANFRANI, SHANESE JOHNSON, JUDGE DAN SULMAN (the brother of well-liked WARD LEADER JANICE SULMAN), ZAC SCHAFFER, JUDGE VINCENT MELCHIORRE, DAVID CONROY, DANYL PATTISON, LUCRETIA CLEMONS and CRYSTAL POWELL. For MC Court, MATT WOLF and the relentless MARISSA BRUM-

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T

HE REPUBLICAN Party of Pennsylvania Chairman VAL DiGIORGIO is adding to his team.

PAGOP announced attorney JOEL FRANK is its new general counsel. Frank is a Managing Partner of Lamb McErlane PC, a West Chester-based law firm. His partner JIM McERLANE was finance committee chairman at PAGOP under former CHAIRMAN ROB GLEASON. Frank was previously the general counsel for the Chester County GOP for 15 years.

PAGOP also named three deputy general counsels,

lance to ensure that you do not resell the bottles.

The PLCB informs entrants that “the sale of alcoholic beverages without a license is strictly prohibited under Pennsylvania law.”

The wine or liquor you buy for consumption is not a problem. But many people collect these rare whiskeys.

Sometimes people like to sell their collections in part or in full. When it comes to alcohol in Pennsylvania, your ownership rights are one – you can buy it.

The lottery participants should heed the PLCB’s warnings.

Previous rare-whiskey lottery winners have been subject to enforcement actions for attempting to sell an asset they own.

Some of the winners had been caught by undercover investigators. Yes, your taxes went to fund an undercover operative to catch someone selling a bottle of booze. This is one more reason the PLCB should be privatized.

(Cont. Page 17)

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one each for the eastern, central, and western parts of the state. MARK STEWART, an attorney at Eckert Seamans, is the DGC of the central part of the state.

RONALD HICKS, JR., an attorney at Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, is the DGC for the west. JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN, a founding partner of McNelly & Goldstein, is the DGC for the east.

Goldstein is well known to many Philadelphia Republicans. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and was an active college Republican. He was involved in Philadelphia politics until he moved to Narberth, where is active in the Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth.

If you won the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s latest lottery for the right to buy rare, highly coveted whiskeys valued as high as $300 a bottle, you might find you have limited control of your valuable asset. Also, you could be subject to surveil-

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10

UNTERMEYER HOPES 2ND TIME’S THE CHARM

BY GREG SALISBURY ICHAEL Untermeyer doesn’t need this. He doesn’t need the scrutiny, the rebuilding of trust and morale, the litany of small and big stuff to be sweated … in short, he doesn’t need the job.

And yet, the 65-year-old is running – again – to become Philadelphia’s next district attorney. After decades spent in public service doing everything from working as an ambulance driver in his native New York City to an 11-year run as senior deputy in the state attorney general’s office, Untermeyer became a successful real-estate developer and businessman.

“I really love public service; I get a real satisfaction out of doing it,” he said by way of explanation when asked what motivated him

M

Michael Untermeyer … would bust white-collar crime.

to run again to head the office he worked in some three decades ago under then-District Attorney Ed Rendell. “I think service is more than a noble cause: Doing something for another human being gives most human beings satisfaction.”

One of his top priorities is reforming the city’s bail system.

“I think we have the worst

bail system in the country,” he said. “People with money get out the next day and they’re back in business.

People of limited means sit in jail, because they couldn’t come up with a few hundred dollars. Kareem Chappelle couldn’t come up with $600” following his 2013 arrest for failing to appear in court for possession of less than 2 grams of crack cocaine, “and he spent the holidays in jail, lost his home, his car and his job.

People with limited means get stuck. There are over a thousand people in jail where the bail is less than $1,000. People whose bail is $500 or less, half of them take three days or more to come up with the money.”

To even the scales, Untermeyer would go with a variant of Washington, D.C.’s (Cont. Page 12)

VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 16TH Elect

Judge Vincent N.

Melchiorre

JUDGE - COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

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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

POLS on the STREET

(Cont. From Page 8) Philadelphia Republican Party did well in getting the Democratic and Green candidates bumped off the ballot.

We don’t see any judicial move to block the City Commissioners from declaring Emilio Vázquez the winner next week, save for maybe bringing to trial a couple of foolish, over-enthusiastic poll workers.

The biggest loser in that race was Cheri Honkala, who boasted she knew the district well, living there and campaigning for its poor and underprivileged for three decades. By our count, she had at the polls, wearing her campaign shirts, almost as many workers as the votes she received with her write-in campaign. For an activist with many years of protest organizing to her credit, gaining national notoriety

in the process, she suffered as big a disappointment as did Hillary Clinton.

Despite the fact DA Seth Williams has a crew investigating charges of voter fraud in the 197th, some of the aspirants to his office will waste time telling voters they could do it better. No matter what goes down with the DA’s Election Fraud Task Force and federal and state investigatory efforts into this campaign, it is impossible to rule against the results.

A “believe it or not” moment comes in the fact Republicans and progressives found themselves on the same side in the effort to upset the results and seek a new election.

PARTIES SLATE ENDORSEMENTS

T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D M A RC H 3 0, 2017

n n c d s e

SHERIFF Jewell Williams introduced a new cellphone-security policy at the Criminal Justice Center, with witness intimidation and courtroom interruptions as driving forces. All entrants will have their cellphones placed in Yondr pouches which will be locked while they are in the building and unlocked when they leave. Among those joining the demonstration were, L-R, Williams, Supervising Judge Leon Tucker, President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper, Court Administrator Joseph Evers and Judge Marsha Neifeld.

11

Joe Stivala reports in his column this week on the endorsements handed down by the Democratic Party ward leaders. Normally the (Cont. Page 13)

Legal Notice

Mamadele Foundation hereby gives notice that articles of incorporation have been filed with the Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. The purpose for which the corporation is to be organized is for cultural and educational purposes.

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CELLPHONE SECURITY

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UNTERMEYER (Cont. From Page 10) successful cashless bail system, which uses risk-assessment algorithms to determine how likely defendants are to show up for their court date and the likelihood of their getting into more trouble if they are released.

Another Untermeyer priority is sui generis: attacking white-collar crime.

“I don’t think you want to take away from the emphasis on violent crime, but you want to take away from the emphasis on minor, non-violent crime,” he explained. “If somebody steals your cell phone, it’s one person who is victimized.

If Uber is overcharging for distance and time, it affects hundreds of thousands of people. I mention Uber because in San Francisco and Los Angeles, their district attorneys brought suit against Uber” for doing just that – “and they got a $25 million settlement, of which Uber will get some of the money back if they change their practices.

“We should pursue it because we want to protect consumers and the commu-

nity,” he continued. “Often, these investigations pay for themselves: The defendant reimburses the law-enforcement agency” – a detail that sets these types of cases apart from the flashpoint civil-asset forfeiture policies of current District Attorney Seth Williams.

“One of the cases I refer to is that of Elizabeth Young, who is fighting to save her house because her son was arrested and charged with selling less than $100 worth of marijuana in the house,” he cited. “The District Attorney’s Office brought legal action against her. She was really lucky to have pro bono counsel to help her, and in criminal court, she won. It wasn’t enough. The District Attorney’s Office appealed the case to the state Supreme Court, where it is now sitting.

We have to have a minimum number below which we won’t seize assets,” he asserted, adding that he thinks a $500 threshold for seizure is a good place to start.

That’s not to say Williams’s tenure hasn’t produced initiatives Untermeyer feels are worth continuing. He has particular praise for the Conviction Review Unit, which investigates cases that may have

produced wrongful convictions, although he notes it has been woefully understaffed – with just one prosecutor assigned on a part-time basis – until the last month.

Untermeyer says more must be done. “Anthony Wright was convicted of homicide and rape he didn’t commit” in 1991. “The Pennsylvania Innocence Project was able to get him cleared through DNA evidence.

The District Attorney’s Office fought Mr. Wright, and wouldn’t release him. It took another three years to get him released. That’s why we need to have a robust conviction-integrity unit.”

“The DA’s office should be a community-based office,” he elaborated. “If there are 250 assistant district attorneys, every one of them should be assigned to a community in the city.

It could be a school group, it could be a geographic group, a residents’ group – and that person is your liaison in the District Attorney’s Office.”

It’s a clearly progressive agenda, especially coming from someone who ran as a Republican both in his 2009 DA bid and a 2011 run for Philadelphia City Council. When asked about his ideological fluidity – he once said, “The difference between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party is the Democratic Party really wants government to serve people, which is why I am a Democrat. The Republican Party doesn’t want to have government, period” – Untermeyer indicated party affiliation was less important to him than the ability to put his ideas into action.

He insists that if he is successful this time around, there will be no other campaigns in his future for either party.

“This job isn’t a steppingstone for some other political office,” he emphasized.

“My commitment to this will be seven days a week. I want to serve, to do what I can do for a city I love.”

(Cont. From Page 11) endorsements are a ticket to a win. But in this case, with the voter required to vote for 10, five of its Common Pleas candidates pulled ballot positions below 20 and as low as 45. Understandably, efforts are being made to convince non-endorsed candidates below ballot position 15 to withdraw. Look for the field to whittle down by this week’s end.

The Philadelphia Republican Party wisely endorsed Vincent Furlong for Common Pleas and no others, since general-election odds, in off year elections, favor Democrats. The DCC’s endorsed Municipal Court endorsements look to be shooins since the three endorsed pulled positions 1, 2, and 5.

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POLS on the STREET

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State Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Northwest) plans to introduce a bill to reform special elections for the Pennsylvania Legislature.

“Like last Tuesday’s election in Philadelphia, these special elections are often low-turnout, and they can put someone in a state House or Senate seat for most of a twoor four-year term. We need to make sure they are conducted the right way – that Pennsylvania legislators are elected, not selected,” Rabb said. “I’m encouraged that this bill has already garnered bipartisan interest.”

“Under current law, a (Cont. Page 14)

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NOW A REFORM BILL FOR SPECIAL ELECTIONS

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NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE - WHEREAS, on February 13, 1999, a certain mortgage was executed

by Vivian L. Motley, as mortgagor in favor of Fidelity Bond and Mortgage Co. d/b/a Phoenix as mortgagee and was recorded in Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County in Mortgage Book JTD 1851 Page 238 (“Mortgage”); and WHEREAS, the Mortgage encumbers property located at 1141 East Upsal Street Philadelphia, PA 19150, parcel number 502312000 / 152N13-107 (“Property”); and WHEREAS, the Property was owned by Vivian L. Motley by virtue of deed dated August 27, 1970 and recorded August 31, 1970 in Book PLMCS 69 Page 179; and WHEREAS, Vivian L. Motley died on April 1, 2014 and Letters of Administration were granted to Andrea Petrocelli-Fields on November 6, 2014 by the Register of Wills of Philadelphia County; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“Secretary”), pursuant to an assignment recorded on December 8, 2009 in Philadelphia Document Number 52154176, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage (paragraph 9 (a)(i)), as Vivian L. Motley died on April 1, 2014, and that upon the death the entire principal balance becomes due and owing, and that no payment was made, and remains wholly unpaid as of the date of this Notice; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of November 30, 2016 is $95,133.76 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, l2 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR Part 29, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on September 29, 2011 in Misc. Instrument Number 52395684, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, notice is hereby given that on April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected. SITUATE in the 50th Ward of the City of Philadelphia, described according to a Survey and Plan thereof made by Joseph P. Delany, Esquire, Surveyor and Regulator of the 5th District dated December 20, 1948 as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point on the Northwesterly side of Upsal Street (80 feet wide) at the distance of 605 feet 8-5/8 inches measured Northeastwardly from the Northeasterly side of Lowber Avenue (70 feet wide, THENCE extending North 50 degrees 40 minutes 23 seconds West 104 feet 8-7/8 inches to a point in the center line of a certain 15 feet wide driveway extending from Woolston Avenue Southwestwardly and communicating with another certain 15 feet wide driveway extending Southwestwardly into the said Lowber Avenue, THENCE extending North 39 degrees 19 minutes, 37 seconds East along the center line of the first above mentioned 15 feet wide driveway 30 feet 5-1/2 inches to a point, THENCE extending South 50 degrees 40 minutes 23 seconds East partly through the center of the party wall 105 feet 1-1/2 inches to a point on the Northwesterly side of Upsal Street aforesaid; THENCE extending South 40 degrees 3 minutes 11 seconds West along the said side of Upsal Street 30 feet 5-1/2 inches to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. BEING known as No. 1141 E. Upsal Street. TOGETHER with the free and common use, right, liberty and privilege of the aforesaid driveways as and for driveways, passageways and watercourses at all times hereafter forever in common with the owners, tenants and occupiers of the other lots of ground bounding thereon and entitled to the use thereof.

BEING known as Parcel: 502312000/152N13-107. The sale will be held on April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $95,133.76 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date. Ten percent (10%) of the highest bid is the deposit required at the sale. The amount that must be paid to HUD by the mortgagors or someone acting on their behalf so that the sale may be stayed is the total delinquent amount of $95,133.76 as of November 30, 2016, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bid, all bidders, except the Secretary, must submit a deposit totaling ten percent 10% of the Secretary’s bid as set forth above in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. Each oral bid need not be accompanied by a deposit. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of ten (10%) percent must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within thirty (30) days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the high bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveyance fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them.

The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder of the payment. All extensions will be for fifteen (15) days, and a fee will be charged in the amount of $150.00 for each fifteen (15) day extension requested. The extension fee shall be paid in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due. If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extensions of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder’s deposit will be forfeited, and the Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD Field Office Representative, offer the Property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder. There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein.

POLS on the STREET

(Cont. From Page 13) candidate for a special election is nominated by a process in accordance with their respective political party rules. Unfortunately, such processes often discourage broad candidate recruitment, vetting and

input or review from committee people and the voters they were elected to serve,” Rabb said. “To remedy this issue, my proposal would establish transparency and public integrity in the special election process for senators and representatives in the General Assembly.”

Under Rabb’s bill, people (Cont. Page 15)

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 160703137 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Nationstar HECM Acquisition Trust 2016-2, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not Individually but Solely as Trustee, Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Dolores J. Olewnik, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Dolores J. Olewnik, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 3599 Nottingham Lane a/k/a 3599 Nottingham Lane, Unit F, Philadelphia, PA 19114. 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 HECM Acquisition Trust 2016-2, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not Individually but Solely as Trustee, has filed a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Phila. County, PA, docketed to No. 160703137, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 3599 Nottingham Lane a/k/a 3599 Nottingham Lane, Unit F, Philadelphia, PA 19114, 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.

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 170100306 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company, Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Barbara Epperson, Deceased & Darcell Johnson, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Barbara Epperson, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Barbara Epperson, Deceased & Darcell Johnson, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Barbara Epperson, Deceased, Mortgagors and Real Owners, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 2742 West Glenwood Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121. 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 Phila. County, PA, docketed to No. 170100306, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 2742 West Glenwood Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121, 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, 215-2386333. 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.

$100,000 fine.

“I believe special elections have left most voters out of the process, yet responsible for the cost. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we address the injustice and inefficiencies in this process,” Rabb said.

BRADY LAUDS A.C.A. VICTORY Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) commented this week, “I am pleased the Republicans failed in their efforts to snatch back a health care system that is working

for millions of Americans. I 15 am sorry Republicans have not had the opportunity to talk to my constituents who, before Obamacare, did not have health care insurance.

Sure, there are tweaks that can be made to Obamacare (Cont. Page 16)

NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE - WHEREAS, on May 10, 2004, a certain mortgage was executed

by Elizabeth Watkins, as mortgagor in favor of Seattle Mortgage Company as mortgagee and was recorded in Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County in Mortgage Document Number 50933521 (“Mortgage”); and WHEREAS, the Mortgage encumbers property located at 553 East Locust Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144, parcel number (“Property”); and WHEREAS, the Property was owned by Elizabeth Watkins by virtue of deed dated February 21, 1989 and recorded April 11, 1989 in Book FHS 1327; Page 312; and WHEREAS, Elizabeth Watkins died on January 13, 2012 intestate and is survived by her heirs-at-law, Crystal Henderson and Melvin Williams; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“Secretary”), pursuant to an assignment recorded on 1/22/2010 in Document Number 52169436, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage (paragraph 9 (a)(i)), as Elizabeth Watkins died on January 13, 2012, and that upon the death the entire principal balance becomes due and owing, and that no payment was made, and remains wholly unpaid as of the date of this Notice; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of November 1, 2016 is $149,288.81 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, l2 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR Part 29, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on September 29, 2011 in Misc. Document Number: 52395684, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, notice is hereby given that on April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground with the messauage or tenement thereon erected. SITUATE On the Northwest side of Locust Avenue at the distance of fifty-five feet three and seven-eighths inches Southwestward from the Southwest side of Musgrave Street in the 12th (formerly part of the 22nd) Ward of the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania. CONTAINING in front of or breadth on the said Locust Avenue 27 feet six inches and extending of that width in length or depth Northwestwardly between parallel lines at right angles to said Locust Avenue on the Northeasterly line thereof one hundred thirteen feet ten and one-half of an inch and on the Southwesterly line thereof one hundred thirteen feet ten and one-fourth inches. Being No. 553 Locust Avenue. Being parcel No. 122071500, 53N15-32. The sale will be held on April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $149,288.81 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date. Ten percent (10%) of the highest bid is the deposit required at the sale. The amount that must be paid to HUD by the mortgagors or someone acting on their behalf so that the sale may be stayed is the total delinquent amount of $149,288.81 as of November 1, 2016, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bid, all bidders, except the Secretary, must submit a deposit totaling ten percent 10% of the Secretary’s bid as set forth above in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. Each oral bid need not be accompanied by a deposit. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of ten (10%) percent must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within thirty (30) days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the high bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveyance fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them. The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder of the payment. All extensions will be for fifteen (15) days, and a fee will be charged in the amount of $150.00 for each fifteen (15) day extension requested. The extension fee shall be paid in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due. If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extensions of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder’s deposit will be forfeited, and the Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD Field Office Representative, offer the Property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder.

There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein.

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

er each person who seeks nomination as a candidate in a special election.

To help pay for special elections, Rabb’s bill also would require a state senator or representative who is guilty of a felony and resigns from office to pay a

M A RC H 3 0, 2017

(Cont. From Page 14) interested in running in a special election would be required to: File their candidacy with the political party in each county of the legislative district; pay a filing fee; and

prepare, or publicly opt out of preparing, a short video announcing their candidacy which would be posted on the Department of State’s website and made available to the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

Rabb’s bill would also require political parties to advertise and hold a public meeting that would consid-

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(Cont. From Page 15) and we can do that on hopefully a bipartisan effort on behalf of the American people.

And it is interesting

that President Trump and Speaker Ryan tried their best to repeal the bill on the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. It

seems as though they have a vendetta against President Obama and they are willing endanger the health of Americans in that effort.”

NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE - WHEREAS, on June 17, 2010, a certain mortgage was executed by Gladys G. Green, as mortgagor in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. as nominee for Generation Mortgage Company as mortgagee and was recorded in Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County in Mortgage Document Number 52232825 (“Mortgage”); and WHEREAS, the Mortgage encumbers property located at 3013 North Sydenham Street Philadelphia, PA 19132, parcel number 111178200 / 38N1-284(“Property”); and WHEREAS, the Property is owned

by Gladys G. Green and Coolidge Green by virtue of deed dated May 17, 1955 and recorded May 24, 1955 in Book: CAB 22; Page: 44; and WHEREAS, Coolidge Green died on August 19, 1998. By operation of law title vested solely in Gladys G. Green; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“Secretary”), pursuant to an assignment recorded on March 9, 2016 in Document Number 53032294, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage (paragraph 9 (b)(i)), as the Property ceases to be the principal residence of the Mortgagor; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of October 24, 2016 is $65,079.60 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, l2 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR Part 29, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on September 29, 2011 in Misc. Document Number: 52395684, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, notice is hereby given that on April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, SITUATE on the Easterly side of Sydenham Street at the distance of one hundred feet Northwardly from the Northerly side of Indiana Avenue, in the 11th (formerly part of the Thirty-eighth) Ward of the City of Philadelphia. CONTAINING in front or breadth on the said Sydenham Street fifteen feet and extending between lines parallel with the said Indiana Avenue Eastward seventy-eight feet two inches to a certain five feet wide alley leading Northwardly into Clearfield Street and communicating at its Southernmost and with a certain other four feet wide alley leading Eastwardly into Fifteenth Street and Westwardly into Sydenham Street.

Being known as and numbered 3013 North Sydenham Street. TOGETHER with the free and common use, right, liberty and privilege of the above mentioned alleys as and for passageways and watercourses at all times hereafter, forever. Being known as parcel: 111178200 / 38N1-284. Being known as property: 3013 North Sydenham Street Philadelphia, PA 19132. The sale will be held on April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $65,079.60 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date. Ten percent (10%) of the highest bid is the deposit required at the sale. The amount that must be paid to HUD by the mortgagors or someone acting on their behalf so that the sale may be stayed is the total delinquent amount of $65,079.60 as of October 24, 2016, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bid, all bidders, except the Secretary, must submit a deposit totaling ten percent 10% of the Secretary’s bid as set forth above in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. Each oral bid need not be accompanied by a deposit. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of ten (10%) percent must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within thirty (30) days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the high bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveyance fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them. The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder of the payment. All extensions will be for fifteen (15) days, and a fee will be charged in the amount of $150.00 for each fifteen (15) day extension requested. The extension fee shall be paid in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due. If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extensions of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder’s deposit will be forfeited, and the Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD Field Office Representative, offer the Property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder.

There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein.

DO-GOODER GROUPS DON’T UNDERSTAND Calling themselves “watchdog” or “better elections” bodies, the Committee of 70 and the Philadelphia 3.0 political action committee have yet to justify their efforts at throwing monkey wrenches into the city’s political machinery.

We see the Committee of 70 of today as a shadow of what it once truly was: a group fielding an army of volunteers, many of them young

lawyers responding to conflict calls at polling places much like the Lone Ranger of yesteryear. The 3.0 gang is a creature of “dark money,” supposedly committed to transparency in government, but which we see as a Trojan horse.

They are now united in their efforts to curtail even further the powers of the City Commissioners. The more they demand, the more obvious it is they have never knocked at doors to get citizens involved in the voting process.

HUGHES HONORED

PHILANTHROPIST Cathy Hughes was honored by the African American History Museum. L-R were Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown; Hughes; and Councilmen Kenyatta Johnson, Mark Squilla and Derek Green. Photos by Wendell Douglas

PRESENT at the affair were, L-R, Jeannel Graham Tillman, Joseph Claiborne, Donald Dumpson, Valerie Gay, judicial candidate Lucretia Clemons and Valerie Harrison.

City of Philadelphia ADVERTISEMENT The City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, is requesting PROPOSALS for “PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES.” All proposals are to be submitted to www.phila.gov/contracts/ by 5:00 pm APRIL 24, 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”).

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

their chief law-enforcement officer.”

Most of the gifts detailed in the indictment, like the $45,000 roof, the $3,212 custom-made couch (which we found out was chocolate brown in color) and the trips to the luxury resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, have already been the subject news reports due to the Board of Ethics fine.

But some of the other gifts detailed in the indictment? Wow. Just, wow.

For example, Weiss gave Williams a 1997 Jaguar XJS and paid $380 to insure it for him. Also, in addition to the aforementioned couch and trips to the Dominican Republic, Williams got a $205 Louis Vuitton tie and $9,000 in cash from Ali, according to the indictment.

Because Williams and company allegedly conducted many of these transactions via text message, investigators had an extensive trail to follow, Fitzpatrick said. There are sections of the indictment giving details of those text messages.

But let’s get back to Mom. According to the indictment, Seth and Imelda Williams had a joint account that her pension and Social Security money went into. Friends of the family had given Seth a check for $10,000 that was also supposed to go into that account.

Instead, that check and an additional $10,000 found its way into Williams’ personal account, where it went to things like utility bills, private school tuition payments, and probably the alimony and child support that Williams was paying

since he and his wife, Sonita, decided to divorce.

I reached out to the District Attorney’s Office to ask for comment the day the indictments were announced.

It declined to comment.

They have a point. When you’re working in the District Attorney’s Office, and your boss is under indictment, you probably don’t have a lot to say. The word I’m hearing on the street is that morale in the DA’s office, which was pretty low before the indictment, has hit the Earth’s core.

But that doesn’t mean no one is talking. On Monday morning, a group of activists took to the street outside of the District Attorney’s Office to demand that Williams resign, something I don’t see him doing for two reasons.

One, he doesn’t have to.

Since Williams hasn’t been convicted of the things he’s been charged with, he doesn’t have to leave unless he wants to. It’s the whole “innocent until proven guilty” thing.

And two, he’s broke. Really broke. The kind of broke that might lead to someone grabbing a hat, standing on a street corner and begging for coins.

Let’s keep it real. While $175,000 sounds like a lot, it doesn’t really stretch that far when you add legal fees to alimony, child support, and keeping a roof over your own head. This dude needs a job and it’s highly unlikely that anyone in his chosen profession, the law, is going to touch him with a 40-foot pole right now.

No date has been set for Williams’s trial.

(Cont. From Page 9) attendance to support their BUSINESS MGR. ANTHONY GALLAGHER. Gallagher was given an award on behalf of all his support of CBS. Also on hand were STATE

(Cont. From Page 9) you do it to anyone. When you do it to the person who gave you the love, care and support that helped you become the person you are, that’s the kind of thing that makes people want to meet you in an alley with a bat.

Accompanied by investigators from the FBI; the IRS; Homeland Security; and William E. Fitzpatrick, acting US Attorney for the State of New Jersey, the extensive pattern what the government alleges is a pattern of quid pro quo in which Williams took a variety of luxury items from two businessmen – Michael Weiss, co-owner of the Gayborhood watering hole Woody’s, and Mohammad N. Ali, a Bucks County businessman who sells prepaid phone cards – in exchange for official access.

Imagine a combination of influence trading and “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” and you’ll be close to the setup the DA and his enablers worked out for themselves, according to Fitzpatrick.

“The indictment alleges that as district attorney, Mr. Williams compromised himself and his elected office by standing ready to help those who were willing to pay him with money, trips and cars,” he said. “Mr. Williams’ alleged willingness to compromise his position of public trust in exchange for private financial gain is all the more unfortunate given that he was elected to protect the interests of the people of Philadelphia as

D.A. RACE AN ACADEMIC DEBATE?

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

friends with politicians and his annual event is often well represented in political circles both Democrat and Republican. He also has friends in organized labor and business. His motto is, “If you want something done, you have to ask people for their help.”

ALL EIGHT D.A. candidates appeared last weekend at a debate at Springside Academy in Chestnut Hill.

Here’s the lineup, L-R: Teresa Carr Deni, Richard Negrín, Michael Untermeyer, Joe Khan, Tariq El-Shabazz, Larry Krasner, Beth Grossman and Jack O’Neill. Photo by Wendell Douglas

ELEPHANT CORNER (Cont. From Page 9) The PLCB defends the sale of the rare whiskeys through a lottery because it is “acting as the seller of the products in question, it is not acting as a market regulator, but rather as a market participant” — and thus “can choose to deal with whomever it wants.”

This is not news. The PLCB not only is a market participant in a monopoly system, but also regulates itself. We have laws and regulations in this country that protect predatory practices by private sector marketers. Who protects us from a government enterprise that regulates itself and its market-

understanding BANKRUPTCY

BY MICHAEL A. CIBIK AMERICAN BANKRUPTCY BOARD CERTIFIED UESTION: What can you do if you are upside down in

Q

place counterparties?

Congratulations to South Philly’s own VINCENT MINNITI, who was unanimously elected leader of Ward 39B. Anti-Trump groups threatened to disrupt last Saturday’s Make America Great Again March in Philadelphia, which was part of a nationwide event. They were somewhat successful as they delayed and curtailed the march.

Pro-Trump and anti-Trump groups exchanged verbal unpleasantries but had limited contact owing to police barricades. The police tried stop the planned proTrump march from Independence Hall to Eakins Oval, owing to safety concerns for the marchers and bystanders.

But the pro-Trump marchers

said they had paid for permits and were acting legally while anti-Trump protesters were not.

Eventually the MAGA group was allowed to march, but was stopped at City Hall and was encouraged by the police to parade around there and not to continue to Eakins Oval. The MAGA group returned to Independence Hall while the anti-Trump group stayed at City Hall.

I wonder why a large group of anti-Trump people, who, unlike the MAGA group did not have permits for its large presence, were not dispersed by police. Republicans got the required permits and listened to the police in their exercise of the 1st Amendment rights. The other side clearly did not.

your car loan?

ANSWER: If you find yourself owing substantially more to your car lender than your vehicle is worth, you do have options. First, you need to look at this problem in financial terms.

For example, if you owe $30,000 on a vehicle worth only $15,000 today, you effectively have $15,000 unsecured debt, just as if you had a $15,000 unsecured credit-card debt.

If you add up all of your unsecured liabilities and you owe $20,000 or $30,000, it would not be unwise to look at bankruptcy options to get yourself back on track. Chapter 7, if

you qualify, would allow you to just walk away from your upside down car loan and start over.

Chapter 13 can allow you to restructure your out of control car loan, along with all of your other debts. If your car loan is more than 910 days old (2½ years), you have even more options in that you can “cram down” your outstanding debt to equal the fair market value of your vehicle. That is, pay only back $15,000 to the car lender instead of the $30,000 outstanding balance.

Next Week’s Question: Should I pay for someone to help me with credit repair after bankruptcy?

M A RC H 3 0, 2017

SENS. JOHN SABATINA and LARRY FARNESE. Rabbi Isaacson started off with a synagogue in the basement of his rowhome and over the years has grown the congregation, facility and synagogue to monumental heights. He is no stranger to making

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18

WALKING the BEAT (Cont. From Page 9) I am almost ready to BET MONEY on that. His mention that he knows violence, after watching his father gunned down, seemed to have an effect in one ward, but not in another – where they (and I) would like to know MAJOR CASES he has tried. Certainly DENI has had major cases as a judge, and as a defense attorney for 10 years!

BACK IN GEAR: State Sen. Larry Farnese is being honored in an upcoming social event. He is push-

ing his ANTI-SLAPP Bill to block frivolous lawsuits intended to distract one side of an issue, and drive opponents into insolvency defending against the action.

You can stand on the SHOULDERS OF THE GIANTS who were endorsed by the Democratic Policy Committee to run for judge. They include, for Municipal Court: Matt WOLF, Marissa BRUMBACH and George TWARDY; and in Common Pleas Court: Judge Stella TSAI, Deborah CIANFRANI, Shanese JOHNSON, Judge Dan SULMAN, Zac SHAFFER, Dave CONROY, Lucretia Clemons, Judge Vincent MELCHIORRE, Danyl PATTISON and Crystal POWELL. A gain for Heaven was the loss on Earth of Maud “Mimi” Pearce LITTLEWOOD, a grande dame of humanity. At 93, she left us to join her hubby Wallace.

Wally, his family before him, and now his sons, loy-

ally kept their company in Philly for 150 years. Mimi had that “je ne sais quoi” about her. Wally served as a Marine on the USS Bunker Hill when it was hit by six kamikazes.

BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Sharif Street celebrates his born day Saturday at Tootsie’s, while Councilman (and lover of the arts and music) Bill GREENLEE has his event tonight at The Plays & Players. BEST TO BOTH! ODD thing; as President TRUMP droned on during his speech before Congress, I began to notice the steady image of the Vice President and Speaker of the House behind him. And after MANY minutes, I concluded both had the same size and EAR shape (?). And Speaker Ryan’s HYPER remark that he promised the American people to repeal Obamacare made me wonder when we asked him to do this for us (?).

the WAFFLE MAN

Y

O! HERE we go again with some things the internet says will disappear in our lifetime.

Get ready to imagine a world without the post office.

They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive.

Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dol-

lars a year to process checks.

Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check.

The younger generation simply does not read the newspaper. They certainly do not subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell-phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

You say you will never give up the physical book you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages? I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard-copy CD. However, I quickly changed my mind when I discovered I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get

the latest music. The same thing will happen with books.

You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy.

In addition, the price is less than half that of a real book.

And think of the convenience!

Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find you are lost in the story, cannot wait to see what happens next; and you forget you are holding a gadget instead of a book.

Unless you have a large family and make many local calls, you do not need a landline telephone anymore. Most people keep it simply because they have always had it. However, you are paying double charges for that extra service.

All the cell-phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story.

The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading.

(Cont. Page 19)

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(Cont. From Page 18) It is the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is “catalog items,” meaning traditional music the public is familiar with – older established artists.

This is also true on the live-concert circuit.

Already some schools no longer teach “cursive writing,” because now nearly everything is done on computers or keyboards of some type (pun not intended).

If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That is gone. It has been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. You can be sure that 24/7; “They” know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. “They” will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again and again.

All we will have left is that which cannot be changed ... are our memories. Share them.

M A RC H 3 0, 2017

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