Pr 906 p

Vol. XIII No. 23

Issue 906

June 8, 2017

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

BIG SHIPS, BIG JOBS GOV. TOM WOLF GREETS RODNEY PRESCOTT, MATERIAL-CONTROL SPECIALIST AT PHILLY SHIPYARD, A 16-YEAR EMPLOYEE. THE GOVERNOR WAS TOURING THE SHIPYARD TO STUDY ITS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. STORY P. 16

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

@phillyrecord

PhillyRecord

PhillyRecord.com

PUSHING CLEAN ENERGY P. 7

SOLAR SEPTA P. 2

RISING CRIME ALARMS LEADERS P. 4

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

2

SEPTA PLANS MAJOR SOLAR PROJECT

T

HE OUTLOOK for power in Philadelphia is decidedly sunnier, thanks to SEPTA. SEPTA’s board has unanimously authorized installation of solar photovoltaic systems at four bus and rail shops across the City of Philadelphia. The project is SEPTA’s biggest solar initiative and, when finished, will represent one of the largest installations in the city.

The selected vendor, SunVest Solar, Inc., will finance, own, design, install, operate and maintain the roof-mounted PV systems for 20 years. The project team includes Solar States, a Philadelphia-based solar installation and education firm. The project is a key initiative of SEPTA’s recently approved second-generation Sustainability Program Plan, “SEP-TAINABLE 2020,” which includes a goal to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from SEPTA’s operations and facilities by 20% by 2020.

“SEPTA is proud to step into a position of leader-

THIS DESIGN shows how solar panels will be configured on SEPTA’s Fern Rock yard for the Orange Line.

ship among Philadelphia businesses in the strategic deployment of renewable energy on our system,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon. “This project thoughtfully leverages an existing asset – roof space at maintenance facilities – to make SEPTA’s ongoing operations cleaner

TAX REVENUES UP

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

C

ITY GENERAL Fund tax revenues are up almost $125 million, or 5%, over last year, according to Controller Alan Butkovitz’s June economic report.

Fiscal Year 2017 collections through April totaled almost $2.67 billion, compared to $2.54 billion collected during the same period last year. Almost all major tax categories posted yearly increases including the following: Wage Tax, up 4.3%; Business Income Tax, up 5.5%; Sales Tax, up 11.8%; and Real Estate Tax, up 1.4%.

Realty Transfer Tax revenues were down by $2 million, or 1%, compared to last year. This is due to a slowing in homes sold across

the city compared to sales in 2016.

In addition, total General Fund tax revenues are $57 million, or 2%, above the City’s FY2017 initial cashflow projections in the annual budget.

Along with reviewing the latest tax revenues, the economic report indicated monthly home sales in the city totaled 1,330, an almost 3% increase compared to last April. Homes sold in neighborhoods south of Center City continued to lead the city for most sales, recording 98. Homes sold in neighborhoods stretching from Fishtown through the Lower Northeast up to Lawncrest and Fox Chase also made the top 10 with most sales.

and more efficient.”

Arrays of solar panels will be installed at four maintenance locations, each with large flat roofs that are well-suited to host a system for the 20-year period. They are 2nd & Wyoming (Bus Maintenance, Print & Sign Shop); Fern Rock (Rail Shop for Broad Street Line); Cal-

lowhill (Bus Maintenance); and Roberts (Rail Shop for Regional Railcars).

“SEPTA’s solar project will total 3.1 megawatts of installed capacity – the second-largest ever in the City of Philadelphia,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “The project will increase the total in-

stalled capacity of solar PV systems across the city by more than 30%.

“For years, SEPTA has been reducing energy consumption and emissions through initiatives such as hybrid-electric bus acquisition and LED lighting installation,” Knueppel added. “This solar project, along with other exciting new initiatives such as a new fleet of battery-electric buses to arrive this fall, demonstrates SEPTA’s enduring commitment to environmental improvement.”

“The City of Philadelphia applauds SEPTA for taking a proactive step to integrate renewables into its energy portfolio,” said Mayor James Kenney. “This project supports the City’s Greenworks visions around clean energy, reduced carbon pollution, and job creation in the local clean energy economy. Public transportation is already one of the best ways that Philadelphians can reduce their own environmental impact, and with this project, SEPTA continues to lead on sustainability.”

NOTARIES FACE CHANGES

S

ECRETARY of State Pedro A. Cortés has reminded Pennsylvania notaries public that significant changes to the notary law will go into effect in October, including an education requirement for all notaries and updated guidelines for the notary stamp.

The secretary said: “I encourage all notaries to familiarize themselves with the changes, particularly the education and examination requirements.”

The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), enacted in 2013, requires that all notaries complete a 3-hour notary education course in order to be appointed or reappointed. The course must be completed in the six months immediately preceding the

application for appointment or reappointment. The education requirement affects all notaries, including those previously “grandfathered” by court ruling.

Because RULONA changes take effect Oct. 26, 2017, the six-month window is now in effect for anyone who will be applying or reapplying on or after that date. A certificate of course completion must be included with all applications for appointment or reappointment submitted on or after Oct. 26.

All new notaries will be required to take and pass an examination before receiving their commission. Current notaries will not be subject to the examination requirement as long as their commission has not expired or lapsed.

The examination will be a computer-based test offered at Pearson VUE test centers in nearly all Pennsylvania counties. The cost is $65. Notary applicants will have six months from the time they are authorized to sit for the exam to successfully pass the test. They may take the test as many times as needed.

RULONA changes also include revisions to the list of authorized notarial powers, a redesigned notary stamp, updated requirements for the notary journal or register, and the option to keep the journal in an electronic format. Currently commissioned notaries may continue to use their current notary stamps and registers until their existing commission expires.

The Philadelphia Public Record (PR-01) (ISSN 1938-856X) (USPS 1450) Published Weekly Requested Publication ($20 per year Optional Subscription) The South Philadelphia Public Record 325 Chestnut St., Suite 1110 Phila. PA 19106 Periodical Postage Paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing office POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The Public Record 325 Chestnut St., Suite 1110 Phila. PA 19106 (215) 755-2000 Fax: (215) 525-2818 editor@phillyrecord.com EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor: Greg Salisbury Executive Editor: James Tayoun, Sr. Managing Editor: Anthony West Editorial Staff: Joe Sbaraglia Everyday People Editor: Denise Clay Contributing Editor: Bonnie Squires Correspondent: Eldon Graham Photographers: Leona Dixon

Wendell Douglas

Harry Leech

Bill Myers Office Manager: Allison Murphy Production Manager: Sana Muaddi-Dows Sales Director: Melissa Barrett Account Exec: Bill Myers Circulation: Steve Marsico

Dawood Starling

Yousef Maaddi

James Henderson The Public Record welcomes news and photographs about your accomplishments and achievements which should be shared with the rest of the community. Contact us by phone, fax, e-mail or by dropping us a note in the mail. If you mail a news item, please include your name, address and daytime telephone number so we can verify the information you provided us, if necessary.

The Public Record reserves the right to edit all news items and letters for grammar, clarity and brevity.

No reproduction or use of the material herein may be made without the permission of the publisher. City & State will assume no obligation (other than the cancellation of charges for the actual space occupied) for accidental errors in advertisements, but we will be glad to furnish a signed letter to the buying public.

The Philadelphia Public Record is a publication owned by:

City&State PA LLC 325 Chestnut St. Philadelphia PA, 19106 215-490-9314 Copyright @2017 City & State PA LLC Local 779-C

POLICE Detective Joseph Rovnan, a counterterrorism expert, gives PPA officers a briefing on abnormal backpack behavior on city streets.

Rovnan. He has been in this field since 9/11. He stated the observations of parking enforcement officers are crucial to a coordinated terror-alert system.

Parking officers spend their days patrolling streets.

Their eyes are trained to notice vehicles; and many terrorist attacks use vehicles as part of the delivery system, if not as weapons themselves.

The officers work a regular beat, becoming familiar with its rhythms. They are in a good position to notice unusual vehicles that don’t fit in with a block’s routine.

Suppose they spot a vehicle with covered tags.

Suppose they notice a van loitering in an unusual location near a busy public space. They may see a person place a backpack on a sidewalk and start walking away from it. They may observe a fuel truck parked in an area where no fuel deliv-

“USE mother wit,” Philadelphia Parking Authority Executive Director Clarena Tolson tells her officers, to keep an eye out for potential terrorist activity while they patrol the city’s streets.

eries normally occur – the makings of a potential explosion.

And parking enforcement officers carry radios and cellphones. They are well equipped to be eyes and ears on the street.

Tolson commended her officers’ judgement and encouraged them to use it. She told them to trust

their suspicious instincts and common sense, their “mother wit.”

Philadelphia has so far been spared the street attacks that horrified the world recently in England, as well as in American cities like New York and Boston a few years back. But Rovnan pointed out that Philadelphia has been hosting bigger events

of late, the sort that draw international attention – tempting terrorists with maximum media impact if they should launch an attack. “Realistically, we’re waiting for something to happen,” he commented.

Two hundred experienced recruits from PPA are welcome additions to Rovnan’s mission.

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

JU N E 8 , 2017

learn how to combat terrorism.

During that day, all 200 PPA officers were given a briefing by Philadelphia Police Department counterterrorism Detective Joseph

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

BY TONY WEST “You are part of the bigger picture,” Philadelphia Parking Authority Executive Director Clarena Tolson told a roomful of her officers on June 1, as they prepared to

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

PARKING OFFICERS LEARN TO FIGHT TERRORISM

‘HOT SUMMER’ COULD FIRE NOV. RACE

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

4

POLS on the STREET

BY JOE SHAHEELI UST WHEN it seemed – as the Democratic municipal primary election unfolded – that “tough on crime” was no longer a winning campaign slogan, there are increasing signs that street violence may reemerge as a major political concern.

When Councilman David Oh (at Large) was stabbed in

J

Representative JU N E 8 , 2017

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

an attempted carjacking in front of his Southwest Philadelphia home, it dramatized a problem that has been welling up in other neighborhoods of late, afflicting many less-famous citizens.

There is fire behind this smoke. As of June 5, homicides in Philadelphia are up 20% over the previous period in 2016, standing at 132, the highest number since 2012. While these numbers are still far lower than the notorious ’90s, they show the same steady uptick in deaths that has been reported in other major cities. Homicides are a good proxy for overall shifts in crime rates because they are reliably reported and classified.

In Philadelphia, urban politicians are beginning to respond to this shift in the wind.

Last month, State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-N. PhiState Rep.

William Keller 184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

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

215-271-9190

Always Hard At Work for You!

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

State Senator

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

“Paid for with Pennsylvanian taxpayer dollars”

CIVIC LEADERS PRAY FOR PEACE

SHERIFF Jewell Williams, surrounded AS CONCERN spread across the city that an uptick in street violence may be a worrisome trend, by his communications team members, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, R, assembled a cohort of clergy to pray for peace on the apron of displays a gun lock – a product he recomCity Hall last week. Photos by Wendell Douglas mends to gun owners.

la.) decried “the explosion of lawlessness and violence in North Central Philadelphia within the last 30 days.” He cited eight shooting that left five dead. He was joined by representatives from the Father’s Day Committee, the Philadelphia Council of Clergy and the Southwest New Stop Program.

“No one person, no one agency can resolve this alone – this is going to require all of us becoming outraged at the devaluation of life in our community,” Thomas said.

State Rep. Jason

Thomas, a senior legislator, proposed a 12-point intervention strategy. It involves complex interaction the Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the School District, the district attorney, the Pennsylvania attorney general, the media, local nonprofit groups – and, most important of all, the general public.

Other local elected officials who represent violent hotspots, such as Councilman Kenyatta Johnson

(D-2nd) and State Rep. Donna Bullock (D-N. Phila.), have been raising red flags over this issue.

CRIME AND THE KRASNER VOTE

In Philadelphia, the normally sleepy November general election could take an odd twist if concern about street crime continues to mount.

Normally a shoo-in, with a 7-1 party majority, Democratic district attorney nominee Larry Krasner has already drawn national atCity 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

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

Represintative

Angel Cruz

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

Boyle

198th District

310 W. Chelten Ave.

172nd Dist.

7420 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19136

Phila PA 19148

P: 215-849-6426

215-331-2600 State Rep.

John

Donna

(R) 177th Dist.

4725 Richmond St. Phila., PA 19137

195th Leg. Dist.

2835 W. Girard Ave Phila, PA 19130

215-744-2600

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

Greenlee

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

Donatucci

Councilman Wm.

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

State Rep.

Rep.Maria P.

tention for the boldness of his primary victory. It was fueled in part by popular outrage in Black and progressive communities over instances of apparent police abuse; in part, also, by a massive donation from billionaire George Soros.

But if you’ve just been shot, who are you going to call – Black Lives Matter?

Crime sprees tend to boost public support for greater police intervention. So a hot summer on the streets of (Cont. Page 5)

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

PUBLIC NOTICE AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (antenna tip heights 85’) on the building at 338 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY (20170407).

Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

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

PHILADELPHIA Community Outreach Committee kicked off a longterm project to clear drug dealing out of the area of 41st & Parrish Streets in the Belmont section of W. Philadelphia. Activists include, L-R, Dave Pickens of Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee; Ishaq Shamai, founder of PCOC; and 6th Ward Leader Pete Wilson. Photos

by Wendell Douglas

SUCCESSFUL in a two-year effort to expel drug dealers from vacant lots on Pennsgrove Street, PCOC aims to repeat the process on 41st Street by coordinating a broad network of community resources. L-R, Ron Waters, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell Ward Leader Pete Wilson and Abdulshaheed Newton vowed to work together.

JU N E 8 , 2017

(Cont. From Page 4) high-crime neighborhoods may weaken the enthusiasm Democratic voters felt when it was springtime for Krasner, who has never prosecuted a case in his career, who has made a life’s work of fighting and beating unjust prosecutions, and who has bluntly criticized police job culture.

By fall, the Pennsylvania Republican Party will have decided how much to invest in the Philadelphia DA’s race. Already, its candidate, Beth Grossman, a seasoned former prosecutor who once ran the DA’s Office civil-assets forfeiture program, has come out swinging.

“One councilman stabbed, two adults and three kids killed,” she said. “What is at risk for our city goes beyond party politics. We need a district attorney with actual prosecutorial experience.

Philadelphia’s safety should not be put at risk though a politicized social experiment.

We need a district attorney who will hold criminals accountable for their actions.”

Krasner’s camp has been prudently silent on its views of police in the last week. Behind the scenes, Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.), the Democratic City Committee chair, has been working to build bridges between the DA nominee and the Fraternal Order of Police, whose leader, John McNesby, will always give a Democratic candidate a friendly ear.

But in the end, the gut feelings of officers on the beat will determine the FOP endorsement. It is on Krasner (Cont. Page 6)

TEAM TARGETS DRUG CORNER

5

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

POLS on the STREET

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

6

MCCLINTON IN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY Day was hosted by State Rep. Joanna McClinton at Bryant School in Cobbs Creek. L-R at the event were Bryant Principal Paulette Gaddy, McClinton, Add B. Anderson and Principal Laurena Tolson. Photo by Wendell Douglas

POLS on the STREET (Cont. From Page 5) and the DCC now to craft a message that may keep the FOP neutral at least.

CAN KRASNER HELP BARTOS?

At least one statewide candi-

date, Jeff Bartos, hopes to unseat US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) by tying Larry Krasner around his opponent’s neck.

Bartos, a health care businessman who describes himself as a “conservative outsider,” has unleashed a video that castigates Casey for allegedly “supporting” Krasner (Casey has steered clear of this municipal brawl). Bartos ticks off Krasner’s “liberal” flaws – “a radical, backed by George Soros’ millions … sued cops 75 times, but never prosecuted a criminal …supports letting criminals go free if they can’t make bail.”

Unclear how many votes Bartos expects to win from Philly Republicans. But their statewide impact is much bigger than their citywide impact in primary elections. Bartos might pick up 10,000 votes by making a special pitch to the Philadelphia market.

But that is less important than a deft early grab at a symbol precious to Pennsylvania Republican politics: Philadelphia-bashing. Whacking the urban demons of Southeastern Pennsylvania never lost a vote from the rest of the state’s Republicans.

But Bartos is, in fact, from the Southeast. A

Reading native, he is now a Montgomery County-based real-estate magnate who should be able to fund much of his own campaign.

Bartos has been building a team, lately adding Ted Christian, whom he said “has a long history of outstanding work for conservative movements, and has made waves in the political realm with his determined efforts. I am looking forward to working with Ted to continue building our grassroots movement.”

Christian most recently served as Pennsylvania state director for the Trump campaign and helped turn Pennsylvania red for the first time since 1988. Previously, Christian served in various conservative campaigns, with roles throughout the years including Pennsylvania state director for McCain-Palin 2008, executive director of the New Jersey Republican State Committee and a stint with the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Christian joins the Bartos campaign team that includes Jeff Roe of Axiom Strategies, Larry Weitzner (Cont. Page 13)

CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS

P

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

MARK your CALENDAR Jun. 8- Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown hosts Arts & Culture Fundraiser at Bridget Foy’s, 200 South St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $50. For info: Taylor (267) 671-7208.

Jun. 8- Gov. Tom Wolf is hosted Summer Rooftop BBQ at Griffin Rooftop, 1338 Chestnut St. 6:308:30 p.m. For tickets: action.wolfforpa.com.

Jun. 9- State Rep. Stephen Kinsey hosts Senior Fair at Ctr. in the Park, 5818 Germantown Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. State & local agen-

cies, health-care providers, volunteer opportunities, screenings, giveaways & prizes. For info (215) 849-6592.

Jun. 10- State Rep. John Taylor hosts Kids Health & Safety Fair at Cione Plg., Aramingo & Lehigh Aves., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. RSVP: (215) 708-3139.

Jun. 11-12- Indigenous Muslim Sisters hosts Nat’l Reunion at Int’l Ho., 3701 Chestnut St. Tickets $50.

For info and tickets: Aisha (443) 851-9212, Saeedah (215) 828-1969, Majeedah (215) 778-2748, Ayesha (979) 319-2983.

Jun. 12- CATCH hosts Golf Classic at Old York Rd. C.C., 801 Tennis Ave., Spring House, Pa., 8 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast, 10 a.m. Shotgun, 3.p. 19th Hole Anniversary Celebration & Awards. Proceeds benefit CATCH Community Scholarship Fund. For info: (215) 735-7435.

Jun. 12- Councilman Mark Squilla is hosted Reception

at Chinatown Sq., Johnnie Walker Lounge, 1016 Race St., 2nd fl., 6-8:30 p.m.

Platinum $3,000, Gold $2,500, Silver $1,500, General Admission $100.

Payable to “Squilla for Council,” P.O. Box 37332, Phila., PA 19148.

Jun. 15- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts Senior Fair at Mann Older Adult Ctr. & Rivera Rec. Ctr., 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lunch 12:30 p.m. Assistance in English and Spanish. Registration required for lunch. For info: (215) 457-5281.

Jun. 15-18- Pa. Federation of Dem. Women holds Convention at Hilton Scranton, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton, Pa. Jun. 18- Reunion Committee hosts Father’s Day Trip to Nat’l Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C., lv. Progress Plaza 8:15 a.m. Video bus, MLK Memorial, complimentary museum passes, stop at (Cont. Page 16)

JU N E 8 , 2017

BY SALEEM CHAPMAN HILADELPHIA City Council recently passed a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to enact new legislation that enables municipalities across the state to establish Property Assessed Clean Energy programs for commercial properties.

This new form of finance is opening doors for more business owners to install their own renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects. It has allowed $2.8 billion nationwide in these clean energy investments last year alone.

In addition to the city councils of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, a broad-based coalition of business, labor and environmental groups are pushing to bring those opportunities to Pennsylvania.

At no cost to taxpayers, CPACE provides low-cost financing to businesses seeking to reduce utility costs, all while creating jobs in skilled trades, stimulating Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy, and reducing harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change.

Legislation under consideration in the state Senate, SB 234, will help property owners finance their own clean-energy and water-conservation solutions. The bill would allow businesses to spread out large, upfront costs and to pay back those costs through a surcharge on their property taxes.

The bipartisan appeal of CPACE is as strong in Pennsylvania as it has been

adelphia’s 2011 landmark nature-based stormwater management plan, “Green City, Clean Waters,” has earned the city the reputation of a national leader in green stormwater infrastructure while giving rise to a best-inclass industry cluster.

This triple-bottom-line industry, focused on economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity, has driven economic development and the growth of family-sustaining jobs.

In February 2016, the Sustainable Business Network published a study measuring the economic impacts of the first 5 years of “Green City, Clean Waters,” and found the comprehensive plan is spurring double-digit annual revenue growth for the local green stormwater infrastructure industry. This translates into an annual economic impact of almost $60 million for the city, generating more than 400 local jobs and nearly $1 million in local tax revenues. Over the entire 25year life of the plan, public and private investments are expected to produce a $3.1 billion impact in the Philadelphia economy alone, annually supporting 1,000 jobs and generating $2 million in tax revenues.

We hope to see a similar transformation among the region’s clean energy entrepreneurs. A statewide CPACE initiative would empower businesses to pursue clean energy and conservation projects that could produce wide-ranging benefits across the commonwealth.

It’s time to work together with our elected leaders in Harrisburg to make Commercial PACE a reality for the good of our economy, community and environment.

Saleem Chapman is Policy and Advocacy Manager for the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

OPINION

nationwide. Led by prime sponsors State Sen. John Blake, a Northeast Pennsylvania Democrat, and Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Allegheny County, half the state Senate has signed onto SB 234 – including more than a dozen senators from the Greater Philadelphia region.

Pennsylvania’s budget woes in addition to proposed funding cuts at the federal level will likely constrain growth of clean energy initiatives. If the lion’s share of new funding is expected to come from the private sector over the next several years, CPACE will be a crucial tool to encourage greater investment.

CPACE leverages the private sector to finance energy-efficiency, renewable-energy and water-conservation projects on commercial and industrial properties. By paying off project costs through property taxes, businesses can receive immediate cash flow at lower interest rates.

Even for businesses that do not own property, the opportunity for their landlords to cost-effectively install energy-efficiency improvements would likely result in lower overhead costs and a more productive workplace.

Investing in clean energy would also support the growth of the Pennsylvania businesses that provide relevant products and services.

By potentially unleashing a wave of investments in everything from solar power to high-efficiency building technology, CPACE offers the potential of stimulating growth in the local clean energy manufacturing and service industries, which already employ 70,000 Pennsylvanians.

The region has already seen how well-designed policies can spur triple-bottom-line industries. Phil-

7

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

8

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

9

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

10

RAYMOND Dothard, L, and Morgan Lawry tore off for the shotgun start at the Samuel Staten, Sr. Charity Golf Classic. Photos by Wendell Douglas

ANOTHER honoree, Estebán Vera, L, joined James RAISING major money for charity were Mike Young Harper at Spring Mill Country Club. and John Hilferty.

LABORERS ladies included, L-R, Cheryl Lee, Dione Frith, Timica Moss and Sis Jones.

JU N E 8 , 2017

L-R were activists Jesse Hugee, James Harper and Mike Daniels.

STATE SEN. Anthony Williams, L, congratulated this year’s honoree, Laborers leader James Harper.

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

SAM STATEN CHARITY TOURNEY TEES OFF

11

CONVENTION Center was all in: L-R, Jim Gentile, Michael Hill, Lorenz Hassenstein and John McNichols.

LARRY Skinner, L, and George Burrell were players in a good cause.

MATT KEARNEY, L, and Joe Barilotti began unofficial summer on the golf course.

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

GAME to play were, L-R, Mike McCluskey, Tiger Woodall and baseball great Larry Christenson

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

12

ELEPHANT CORNER

JU N E 8 , 2017

L

AST WEEK, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP announced the United States is withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement with the statement, “I was elected to represent of the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” Many on the left were heard gnashing their teeth and predicting Armageddon.

Democratic Pittsburgh MAYOR BILL PEDUTO quickly denounced Trump’s action and expressed outrage that Trump had the nerve to assert that he represents the people of Pittsburgh.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY ORRISTOWN is a quaint little town in Montgomery County.

It has its share of empty storefronts and it doesn’t look like it’s a place with a whole lot of nightlife downtown, but it’s cute.

It’s a walkable town. You can get a great burrito there.

It has a farmers’ market on Saturdays, and farmers’ markets are always cool.

And for the next two weeks, Norristown is going to be the center of a debate

N

Other Pennsylvania political figures voiced their perspectives on Trump’s decision. All the Democrats who commented toed the Democratic Party line, which I found disappointing. It used to be that votes on energy and environmental policy were where people frequently crossed party lines, with Republicans from the Northeast and California exhibiting more interest in environmental issues and Democrats from places like Appalachia supporting energy interests.

I guess US Congressmen Mike Doyle (D-Allegheny) and Matt Cartwright (D-Luzerne) either did not want or could not get dispensations to disagree with the progressive agenda. While Trump did not win in their districts, he did far better than any Republican since PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN. Keystone State Republican Congressmen were consistent with this historic geographical spit on opin-

ions within in the Republican Party on environmental issues. CONGRESSMEN LOU BARLETTA (R-Luzerne), SCOTT PERRY (R-York) and MIKE KELLY (R-Butler) unsurprisingly favored Trump’s action.

Barletta and Kelly represent areas where coal was, or still is, mined and natural gas is currently extracted.

Kelly had noted, “The Paris Agreement – which should have been considered a treaty from the very beginning – was written with Americans and their elected representatives as an afterthought.”

Southeastern Republican Congressmen, notably PAT MEEHAN (R-Delaware), were critical of Trump’s move. Meehan stated, “The Paris Agreement isn’t perfect. But by abandoning it, America is relinquishing that seat at the table.” CONGRESSMEN BRIAN FITZPATRICK (R-Bucks) and RYAN COSTELLO (R-Chester) shared Meehan’s views, (Cont. Page 14)

over sex, drugs and the Cult of Personality.

That’s because the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown is where the sexual-assault case of Bill Cosby moves from the court of public opinion into the court of law.

After months of hearings, motions and legal wrangling that included seating a jury from Allegheny County, Cosby’s sexual-assault trial began Monday.

Cosby is charged with aggressive indecent sexual assault for allegedly drugging and molesting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in his Cheltenham Township home in 2004. He had settled a civil lawsuit she had filed against him in 2005 for an undisclosed amount.

While Cosby was joined in court by Keshia Knight Pulliam, one of his television daughters from “The Cosby Show,” on Monday, his wife Camille has been

noticeably absent.

Monday started with opening remarks, from Assistant District Attorney Kristen Faden and Cosby’s defense attorney, Brian McMonagle.

Both of them tried to keep it simple. Faden focused on issues of consent.

“Inability to consent is what this trial is about,” Faden said. “The defendant used his power and his fame to manipulate and incapacitate women for sex.

If [Constand] couldn’t resist, she couldn’t consent.”

McMonagle said his client was the true victim.

“Sexual assault is a terrible crime,” McMonagle said. “But so is a false accusation of sexual assault.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s office conducted an exhaustive investigation and found that [Constand] had been untruthful time after time in her statements.”

(Cont. Page 14)

WALKING the BEAT

BY JOE SHAY STIVALA LL THAT BLOATED BLARNEY in print over MAYOR KENNEY’S FLIGHT to Iceland! What a WASTE of PRINT MEDIA column inches. You remember the many NUTTER foreign trips to bring business to Philly? Well, Kenney’s DID bring business to Philly.

For that, he SHOULD BE praised. And I DO NOT recall follow-up articles on what ACTUAL business the Nutter trips – to more-exotic places than REYKJAVIK –

A

CITY HALL SAM

C

OUNCILMAN DAVID OH is recovering nicely from a recent knife attack. The councilman is fortunate to be alive, but the issue demonstrates crime is still a very important issue in Philadelphia. Unless the city continues to work hard to make our streets safe, Philadelphia will not be the great city that it can be.

The likely new district attorney, LARRY KRASNER, will obviously play a role in making the city

brought to Philly? Hmm….

We use bottled water from Iceland in the house. It has a world-high PH of 8.8 and is DE-LISH as the name implies. And it is LOW-COST ($1.50) at the pharmacy. The same type of water from the northern climes of Finland is sold in specialty shops in the BIG APPLE for $150.

SHANESE JOHNSON, Esq., Who LED others as a Primary Election winner for Common Pleas Court, has evolved on Facebook posts as one of the LEADING ITALIAN COOKS in Philly!

And she CARES greatly about proper diet for kids!

It is DEPRESSING to see how non-Philly lawmakers show their dislike for the city with legislation not good for Philly. I have been lucky to travel the state, and a lot of folks out there feel that way. It is sad, since we are a VIBRANT and UNIQUE CITY. What would the state be without our town?

The problem is not new. It began with the purchases of land beyond Philly in 1682, 1719,

1736, 1758, 1768, 1783 (Erie) and 1784. The most interesting was the WALKING PURCHASE, when the Lenape Indians agreed we could have as much land as we could walk across in 24 hours. The walkers cheated and ran – disgusting the peaceful Lenape. The PENN Family should NEVER HAVE STARTED IT! Councilman David OH earned the love of our citizens the hard way. He is an unsinkable guy with tireless energy. He is strong and of good courage, with a future...

Another unsinkable guy is D. Bruce HANES, MONTCO Register of Wills, who was recently honored (again)!

GRADUATE STUDENTS at Penn petitioned to form a union. Penn says they are students, not workers. OF COURSE, Penn would say that. The cost of approving the request is minor alongside the VAST WEALTH of the university. If they resist this, how can we expect them to contribute IN LIEU OF (Cont. Page 17)

safe. He smartly made up with the Fraternal Order of Police. The FOP had been his biggest detractor on the campaign, but clearly he is a smart politician who understands all the stakeholders must feel engaged in the criminal-justice system for it to work effectively.

FRANCIS NELMS is considering another run in the Democratic primary to become the nominee to face incumbent STATE REP. MARTINA WHITE. Each election that White wins increases her strength.

Incumbency is such an important issue for elected offices. Even when constituents don’t particularly like an elected official, they become accustomed to the brand. Once a politician is a brand, it’s very difficult to defeat them.

Other potential candidates are MATT DARRAGH, who unsuccessfully challenged White last time. But he handled Nelms in the primary

with an easy victory.

Elective office is the art of repetition. Most successful politicians taste defeat at some point and come back to claim victory later. So if an individual doesn’t like the bitter taste of defeat, they probably shouldn’t enter the political arena.

Daily News columnist JOHN BAER recently took a shot at ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH SHAPIRO for accepting Penguins tickets and Sixers tickets for personal use. According to Baer, Shapiro was being highly hypocritical for taking these “gifts” when a fundament of his campaign narrative was a dramatic ban on gifts.

It appears that pension reform may actually pass the Pennsylvania Legislature this year. GOV. TOM WOLF has said he will sign any pension-reform bill.

This week, the pension-reform bill cleared the state Senate

(Cont. From Page 6) of Jamestown Associates and Chris Wilson and Brian Phillips of WPA Intelligence.

PA. DEMS HEW TO PARIS DEAL

In these times, when tweeting has become news – even the primary source of news from some elected officials – Keystone State Democrats responded with their own tweets to the news the USA had pulled out of the Paris Accord on climate change.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s city was singled out by President Donald Trump in his speech explaining his decision as preferring “Pittsburgh over Paris.” That was a soft lob into Peduto’s court, who smashed back the following tweet: “I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy and our future.”

Congressman Bob Brady told the internet, “The decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from the #ParisClimateDeal is simply irresponsible.”

Congressman Dwight Evans (D-Phila.) cut to four words: “Climate Change Is Real.”

Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe

Torsella gave President Donald Trump’s move a deeper dissection.

“This decision is a stunningly foolish choice, and sells out hard-working Pennsylvanians. Climate change is an environmental catastrophe that will ultimately cost Pennsylvania taxpayers,” Torsella advised.

“The decision is short-sighted. As American business leaders have recognized, the transition to a sustainable-energy future presents one of the best business opportunities in generations. Smart investments in high-growth fields like sustainability and renewable energy can yield positive returns and create high-paying jobs that can support middle-class families.

“At Treasury, we have already begun embracing that future through the Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Finance Program, which promotes and makes prudent investments in important projects that bring strong financial returns to taxpayers – and support jobs and fight climate change.

“State and local governments can lead where the federal government won’t. We in Pennsylvania have always been leaders. In the face of this foolish decision, we should embrace the real economic opportunities for Pennsylvania

families in reducing carbon emissions, promoting energy efficiency and encouraging renewable energy.”

In April, the treasurer joined 35 communities in southeastern Pennsylvania announcing an energy-saving LED streetlight project using an innovative intergovernmental cooperative process in concert with the PennSEF program.

JOE DEFELICE ON AT H.U.D.

The former chair of the Republican City Committee, Joe DeFelice, has been officially confirmed as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for Housing & Urban Development. The region encompasses five states and the District of Columbia.

“I look forward to advancing HUD’s mission across the Mid-Atlantic region by helping underserved neighborhoods become thriving communities, expanding homeownership opportunities for credit-worthy citizens, and helping eradicate homelessness – especially for our veterans,” DeFelice said.

DeFelice cut his teeth in community development by volunteering for community organizations in his Mayfair neighborhood. He is active in the Friends of the Free Library and teaches at LaSalle and

Widener universities.

His appointment should be good news for Philadelphia as it faces momentous changes – and potentially huge cutbacks – in President Donald Trump’s proposed HUD budget.

YOUNG’S LOSS IS MOURNED

Council President Darrell L. Clarke (D-5th) released this statement on the passing of Ahmeenah Young, former president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center: “Ahmeenah Young was a remarkable woman whose vibrant legacy and generous heart can be seen all around Philadelphia. I feel grateful to have known her and join people across the region in mourning her loss.

“Ahmeenah’s lasting impact on Philadelphia’s hospitality sector as a trailblazing leader and mentor to women and persons of color cannot be overstated. Indeed, my sadness is only matched by gratitude and awe for her many achievements and generosity of spirit to those coming up behind her.

“Ahmeenah Young quite simply epitomized black excellence. Philadelphia has lost a shining star, and my heartfelt condolences go to her children, grandchildren, and those fortunate enough to have been closest to her heart.”

Young had a long and varied career in public and community service with the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, the Philadelphia Eagles Oversight Committee for Affirmative Action, the African American Museum, Pennsylvania Acad-

With the UNIONS STATE UNIONS BITE BULLET

S

B 1, THE trail-blazing legislation to introduce structural pension reform for commonwealth employees, will go to Gov. Tom Wolf for his expected signature. It will achieve a compromise that is fiscally urgent in order to stabilize future retirement benefits.

State employee unions are far from happy with its measures. But there is a consensus that key features of traditional pension plans for future hires have been preserved, albeit watered down. And politically, they were persuaded the cur-

emy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia International Airport Advisory Committee, Hahnemann University Hospital, Temple University School of Hospitality & Tourism, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

(Cont. on Page 15) rent lopsided Republican majority in the General Assembly offers no hope of getting a better deal for state workers in the near future.

Lawmakers are also sick of the pension issue and will likely try to avoid thinking about it for several years now. Union strategists believe that gives enough time for an election or two to change the balance of forces on Capitol Hill.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Republicans with good union connections played a crucial role in persuading key labor leaders to tolerate this measure.

JU N E 8 , 2017

POLS on the STREET

Turning out for the occasion were, L-R, State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., State Rep. Morgan Cephas, ShopRite owner Jeff Brown, Goldenberg Development’s Ellen Lissy Rosenberg, Park West’s James Burnett, and scholarship winners Jaylin Muse and Myra Brown.

LOCAL 22 ELECTS TEAM

Philadelphia Firefighters & Paramedics Union Local 22 saw its new slate of officers sworn in on June 6.

Ed Marks is newly elected as president. Mike Bresnan is 1st VP; Chuck McQuilkin is 2nd VP. Treasurer is Dan Oakes; recording secretary, Jack Eltman; trustee, Diane Pellechia; sergeant at arms, Walt Faber; and Home Association director, Mary Kohler.

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

PARK WEST Town Center celebrated its 10th anniversary as W. Philadelphia’s premier shopping nexus with a frolicsome affair. Shaniyah Simpson was delighted to have two gaily colored parrots settle on her arm at the party. Photos by Wendell Douglas

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

PARK WEST THROWS A BIRTHDAY PARTY

13

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

14

ELEPHANT CORNER (Cont. From Page 12) with Fitzpatrick adding, “I urge the administration to keep the United States in the Paris Climate Agreement. Last month, I joined members of both parties in urging the president to remain in the agreement and to keep our seat at the table.”

I usually do not praise GOV. TOM WOLF. However, his disapproval of the president’s action was voiced in a measured manner when he stated, “I urge President Trump not to abdicate the United States’ global leadership and seat at the table on climate change…”

CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY (D-Phila.) would have had my respect when he stated “He (Trump) has also ignored the views of the Pentagon who see climate change as a major national-security issue,” if he had not preceded it with “The announcement today by President Trump is short-sighted and a giant step backwards as he

has now linked arms with Syria and Nicaragua…”

Congressman, seriously – linking arms with Syria!

Remember, Syria wants to defeat ISIS as much, if not more than, we do. However, Trump did recently bomb a Syrian air force base.

I understand why President Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement.

As it is a non-binding pact, I assume the US, Canada, Australia and the Europeans will honor their carbon-reduction goals, while the rest of the world, especially China, will do what they want.

I found Congressman Kelly’s observation that the Paris Agreement was a treaty accurate. If I were in Trump’s shoes, I might have considered putting the Paris Agreement before the US Senate for approval. I believe his predecessor, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, did not put this agreement or the Iranian deal before the Senate, as he knew he did not have votes. I think Trump may have reached the same result with the Senate behind him.

I believe the best argument to stay in the agreement came from Congressmen Meehan and Fitzpatrick. By leaving the Paris Agreement, the US gives up its seat at the table.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE (Cont. From Page 12) But the first witness, a woman named Kelly Johnson, was brought in to show that maybe putting “victim” and “Bill Cosby” in the same sentence doesn’t work.

Johnson was an assistant to Tom Illius, Cosby’s manager for personal appearances at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles.

While he was a tad demanding, Johnson, who now lives in Atlanta, believed that the man who gave us iconic characters like Fat Albert and “The Cosby Show’s” Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable was at his core a good man.

“I had the utmost respect and admiration for him based on what millions of other Americans, especially other African Americans, thought,” Johnson said.

But when he allegedly sexually assaulted her in the late ’90s, that all changed.

In an incident that sounds similar to what Constand says she experienced, she was drugged and sexually molested.

This trial is expected to take two weeks, but sitting in the courtroom feels like it already has. It’s more than a little depressing to hear about the body parts of someone who is (a) a fellow Temple Owl and (b) someone who made you laugh.

Especially since you won’t be getting the bodypart mental picture out of your head.

But I’ll be here for all of it.

And it will end just in time for me to cover the trial of District Attorney R. Seth Williams.

POLS ON THE STREET (Cont. From Page 13)

FILM WORKERS LIKE CREDITS Amid rumors the Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit may be imperiled in the state budget negotiations, a host of workers rallied at the Rocky statue last Saturday to lobby for its preservation.

The $60 million tax break, which benefits national productions that do at least 60% of their work in the state, was instituted under Gov. Ed Rendell in 2004. A General Assembly

study in 2009 credited it with spurring 4,000 jobs statewide, concentrated in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Other states offer competing tax packages.

But the tax credit often draws sour glances from budget-balancing legislators – particularly from Midstate conservatives, who favor to subsidize different industries. Thus there is often a wave of concern among film and video workers in early June to make a strong showing for its continuation.

Speakers included Councilman David Oh (at Large), who chairs City Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities & the Creative/

Innovative Economy; his colleague Mark Squilla (1st); State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.); and State Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery).

City Representative Sheila Hess and Greater Philadelphia Film Office Executive Director Sharon Pinkenson also attended. Lending their weight to the effort were representatives of local producers as well as hotels (film crews are prodigious consumers of short-term living accommodations). And, of course, local actors, directors and crew members were there in number.

Labor spokespersons carried the banners of SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters Lo-

cal 817 and IATSE Local 52.

BEECH LEADER IS HONORED

Christine Brown, director of Beech Community Services, was recently honored for dedicating 25 years of civic leadership to North Philadelphia.

The recognition took place during the AlstonBeech Foundation biennial meeting and luncheon of the Consortium of Cecil B. Moore, where more than $20,000 was awarded to local nonprofits who have shown considerable efforts to revitalize the Cecil B. Moore community.

Brown’s background in

non-profit explains her passion for helping people.

Throughout her career, she has worked closely with a variety of community groups to help them obtain funding that improves the North Central Philadelphia community.

Her community-advocacy efforts have been recognized nationally and she continues to set the standard in building stronger relationships with the stakeholders to create change.

Brown’s community events, like the annual “Jazz on the Ave” Music Fest has attracted visitors from across the country and continue to bring neighbors together and instill a sense

NOW YOU SEE IT… NOW YOU DON’T ELEANOR EMLEN School dedicated a new mural made by its students, with the aid of Principal Tammy D. Thomas and the Mt. Airy Art Garage.

It will be displayed in City Hall in July.

Photos by Leona Dixon

of community pride and knowledge of their history.

“Christine’s tireless contribution to Beech and the community we serve has played a major role as we work to improve North Central Philadelphia,” stated Dr. Kenneth Scott, president of Beech Cos. “She believes in the people we serve and their ability to contribute positively to their community.”

T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D JU N E 8 , 2017

STATE SEN. Anthony Williams, R in upper L, visited the facility of a S.W. Philadelphia company, Carbonator Rental Services, which specializes in delivering sodas and juices, carbonation and dispensing systems to small restaurants and bars throughout the city. This family-owned firm, now headed by Andy Pincus, L in upper L, reports its customers have been hard hit by the high cost of the Sweetened Drinks Tax. Pincus displayed a 5-gallon syrup package that he said he can no longer make money off. Deliveries are down, Pincus stated. Williams talked with one of Carbonator’s employees who are at risk of being laid off as a result of the tax. Williams has extensive private-sector experience in the beverage industry. Photos by Wendell Douglas.

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

WILLIAMS TOURS PLANT HIT BY SODA TAX

15

ARAB CHRISTIANS PARTY

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

16

GUV INSPECTS SHIPYARD JOB OPPORTUNITIES

G

JU N E 8 , 2017

YOUNG Arab Americans, including recent refugees from the Middle East, danced on Ellsworth Street in S. Philadelphia outside St. Maron Church, the city’s oldest Arab Christian parish. Photos by Wendell Douglas

FATHER Vincent Farhat, the church’s pastor, interviews a young dabke dancer.

COSTA Mansour and Bechara Abboud grill traditional shishkebab for all to enjoy.

MARK your CALENDAR (Cont. From page 7) Jun. 18- Reunion Committee hosts Father’s Day Trip to Nat’l Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C., lv. Progress Plaza 8:15 a.m. Video bus, MLK Memorial, complimentary museum passes, stop at

Baltimore Harbor, gift for all fathers. Tickets $50.

Payable to “Crisis Intervention Network, Inc.,” P.O. Box 9449, Phila., PA 19139. For info: Mike Reed (215) 796-5499.

Jun. 22- Tribute to Commissioner Lisa Deeley is held at Field House, 1150 Filbert St., 5:307:30 p.m. Tickets $250 up. RSVP deeleyforphilly. com.

Jul. 9- Councilman Derek Green hosts an Evening of Jazz at the Trolley Car Café, 3269 S. Ferry Rd, 5-7 p.m. Tickets $50, Friends $100, Supporters $250. Donations online at www.dereksgreen. com/contribute or payable to “The Green Fund,” P.O. Box 4984, Phila., PA 19119. RSVP: Kelly Bauer kbauerr1122@gmail. com.

OV. TOM WOLF visited the Philly Shipyard Apprentice Training Academy and shipbuilding facility at the Navy Yard last week as part of his Jobs That Pay tour.

The Philly Shipyard has had a formal apprenticeship program since 2004 and opened its training academy in 2016.

“The history and legacy of the shipbuilding industry is alive and thriving at Philly Shipyard,” Gov. Wolf said.

“To see these apprentices at work, both as first-year trainees in the welding booths of the training academy and as second- and third-year apprentices working on ships, is magnificent, and an exciting look at jobs that pay in Pennsylvania.”

The Philly Shipyard encompasses 114 acres of the former Philadelphia Naval Yard and was completely rebuilt in 1998. Since the facility began production in 2000, the shipyard has delivered 26 ships, representing more than 50% of all ocean-going commercial ships delivered in US ship-

yards during that time.

The shipyard’s apprentice program consists of classroom training and an independent learning environment, including welding stations where apprentices learn various type of welding techniques. The program is accredited by the State of Pennsylvania and 100 percent of the cost of related instruction is paid for by the company. There are currently 75 apprentices in the program.

Applicants must be 18+ years of age, a high school graduate or have a highschool equivalency, and meet all physical requirements associated with the job.

Realizing the importance of apprenticeships as a means of creating career pathways for job seekers and skilled workers for employers, the governor has included an apprenticeship grant program in his 201718 budget. Funded with revenue recovered by the Department of Community & Economic Development from companies that fail

to live up to previous commitments made when they received state assistance, businesses can seek grant funding of up to $2,000 for each apprentice employed pursuant to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the Office of Apprenticeship in the US Department of Labor.

The grant program – both for those leaving the K-12 education system and those transitioning into a new industry sector – can receive training aligned to business workforce needs, so workers are not training just to train, but have a job, a career path established.

The Wolf administration established the Apprenticeship Training Office at the Department of Labor & Industry last year. The office, which is responsible for providing outreach, education, and technical support to current and prospective apprenticeship program sponsors and apprentices, has added 1,599 new apprentices and 58 new registered apprenticeship occupations statewide.

SHERIFF RECRUITS HULK LOU FERRIGNO, aka “The Hulk,” and currently a deputy sheriff with both San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles counties, stops in to visit with his East Coast colleague, Sheriff Jewell Williams.

WALKING the BEAT (Cont. From Page 12) TAXES to the City Treasury?

Even OLD RUSTY MONEY will be accepted from them.

The editorial, “Brady’s boat lost at sea,” seems authored by those SINKING to a NEW NADIR. It is more of a suburban view, needing local perspective and a Poli Sci 101 course (ASAP). It failed to mention that Bar Association-endorsed candidates lost. To call the Philly DEM Party a “machine” when it did not deliver all its candidates, is

CITY HALL SAM

(Cont. From Page 12) by a vote of 40 to 10. It’s now on its way to the State House, where it previously blew up.

The question is if the dysfunctional House will accomplish a fundamental goal of the majority of its members. It’s on a silver platter for them; but they’ve looked a gift horse in the

sider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise.” As president, he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Some – not all – modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on their election to a political office resulting in their personal untold wealth. Today, too many in Congress have also found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Some political of-

fices are being put up for sale to the highest bidder; what happened? Has our political system gone by the wayside for the almighty dollar? Have some of our politicians gotten so self-serving that they take the attitude of “after me – you come next”?

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed: “My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference!” We ought to have cloned him!

to use a convenient word.

The writers even ask what the party is good for. It is for what YOU DO NOT SEE: helping ordinary people.

They try (and fail) to read Brady’s mind as a point of pride. If they hoped, by that editorial, to be the leader of a new MILLENNIAL SURGE, forget it. They are TOO OLD. It is best to retire to a martini or gimlet (or even tea and crumpet) in the burbs, and write about corruption in Smallville.

Hydraulic engineering students from Venice, Italy had some great ideas for EASTWICK, which is around four

feet above sea level. A BERM along the creek is NEEDED, and LONG OVERDUE. Hey, Army Corps of Engineers, JUST DO IT. A bill in the Legislature removes blocks to use by police of hand and body cameras. People wonder why it also exempts public access to actions on police video cams under the rightto-know law (?). Easy: It is a way to appeal to both sides and get the bill through.

State Sen. Anthony WILLIAMS correctly wondered why “racial math” is often used in election analysis.

Easy: It sells papers.

A NEW JERSEY GET WELL to a military trio of Gen. Jim DiBELLA of Brigantine, Warrant Officer Larry VOLZ of Seaside Heights and 1st Sgt. Franklin HEIM of Mullica Hill. Class Guys.

I was honored to serve with two in uniform, and all three now in the 1st Regiment Corp.

Kathleen CROWLEY died at 87 last week in little-known

Green Bank, N.J. She was the draw-bridge keeper there on the lovely Mullica River. No one realized that WOMAN RAISING THE BRIDGE was the former Miss New Jersey of 1949 who went on to star in “Batman,” “Maverick,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Hawaiian Eye” and “Surfside 6” TV greats.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to former legislator, now soon

to be a judge, Mark COHEN! Mark campaigned reminding voters that his #23 ballot position could be remembered as it was the same as the #23 jersey of Lebron JAMES. We encouraged him to wear the jersey while campaigning, but his wife nixed it. Cohen, who uses his body to carry his brain around, will serve us well.

mouth before.

The most frustrated Republican right now is STATE SEN. SCOTT WAGNER. Wagner has already declared his candidacy for governor.

He was the lone Republican to vote against the pension bill in the Senate. The reason: He doesn’t want Wolf to have this victory. That’s hardly a good reason for voting against a bill.

A better reason would be

the pension bill does little to reform anything. It saves no money. In fact, it will cost more to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

The real solution is to reduce the unfunded pension liability by finding additional revenue sources, and that hasn’t been done yet. It’s too painful, it doesn’t make a great soundbite. That’s why politicians drag their feet on doing responsible stuff.

Please join us June 22nd 2017

for our Special Supplement saluting the Port of Philadelphia It will focus on the exciting advancements underway at the port of Philadelphia.

Please send your ad to mbarrett@phillyrecord.com Melissa Barrett 215-755-2000 Ext. 5

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

Eisenhower was inaugurated, he and Bess drove home to Missouri – by themselves.

There was no Secret Service following them. When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, “You don’t want me.

You want the office of the President, and that doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it’s not for sale.”

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, “I don’t con-

JU N E 8 , 2017

Y

O! HERE we go again with these almost forgotten facts about Harry & Bess Truman. I ask this question: what hap-

the house he lived in, which was in Independence, Mo. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and, other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there. When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a US Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an “allowance” and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Dwight

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

the WAFFLE MAN

pened? Most people will not believe these verifiable facts and scoff at the very idea that Harry Truman was a different kind of president.

He was the president that we needed then and he would probably do as great a job as president now. He probably made as many or more important decisions regarding our nation’s history as any of the other 32 presidents preceding him.

However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House. The only asset he had when he died was

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

18

Adoption or Personals: Considering Adoption? I’m a loving, stable woman who dreams of adopting a baby.

I’d love to talk with you. Call Diane 855-790-9311, Text 917-728-8813, www.dianeadopts.com ____________________ Education or Training: AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING – Get FAA certification to fix planes. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 877207-0345 ____________________ For Sale: KILL BED BUGS! Buy Harris Bed Bug Killers/KIT Complete Treatment System. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com. Try Harris Guaranteed Roach Killers Too! ____________________ For Sale: KILL ROACHES GUARANTEED! Buy Harris Roach Tablets. Odorless, Effective, Long Lasting. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot. com ____________________ Help Wanted Drivers: OTR Flatbed, $1200 average weekly income! 46-50 CPM based on experience.

Full benefits. Pets allowed.

CDL-A, 1-year OTR experience, flatbed experience preferred. 888.626.8247, www.drivechief.com ____________________ Miscellaneous: SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.

NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N ____________________ Vacation Rentals: OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-6382102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ____________________ Events or Antiques: ANTIQUE LOVERS TAKE NOTE: BRIMFIELD’S Famous Outdoor Antique/ Collectibles Show 5,000 Dealers Starts Tuesday,

Please join us June 22nd 2017

BY MICHAEL A. CIBIK AMERICAN BANKRUPTCY BOARD CERTIFIED

for our Special Supplement saluting the Port of Philadelphia

Q

It will focus on the exciting advancements underway at the port of Philadelphia.

UESTION: Sears, Payless and the future of retail.

Please send your ad to mbarrett@phillyrecord.com Melissa Barrett 215-755-2000 Ext. 5

Auto Auction Center 7000 State Road Philadelphia, PA 19135 www.aspiteauction.com

(215) 335-4884 Fax (215) 333-7793 In accordance with Chapter 73 of the Vehicle Code and authorization of the Department of Transportation, there will be a LIVE public auction of the below listed vehicles, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 @ 12:00 PM The location 7000 State Road, Philadelphia, PA. All sales final. Cash only.

Register & bid online @ www.aspiteauction.com STOCK # US-7625 AA-0015

YEAR 1997 2006

MAKE GMC HONDA

understanding BANKRUPTCY

V.I.N. CONTROL 1GDFG15R5V1069928 994664 5J6YH286X6L001223 989557

••• MANY MORE VEHICLES TO BE ADDED •••

2003 LEXUS RX300 V6, auto., sunroof, leather, power everything, navigation . $6,500 215-704-1512

Answer: Payless Shoes recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Stalwart Sears, founded in 1893 and once the country’s largest retailer, stated in its March 2017 SEC filing that, following a $2-billion loss in 2016 and the sale of its iconic Craftsman brand, there was “substantial doubt” it would be able to keep its stores open.

Malls all over the country are dying. Yes, there are some exceptions, but as anchor tenants such as JC Penney and Sears close stores, there is less need for shoppers to visit. Amazon carries just about everything, and

what they don’t have, another online retailer does. Most retailers have a robust online presence.

Thousands of purchaser reviews and comparisons let you know which models to get for the lowest price. And once the clothing retailers can agree on a way to ensure that what you buy online will fit, there will be little need to venture out of your home to get what you want.

What will this mean for retail? We are already seeing the results. Circuit City, Linens n Things, Radio Shack, Borders, Sports Authority, Sbarro and Brookstone filed for bankruptcy, all examples of long-established, successful businesses who couldn’t adapt to the changing nature of how we buy things.

There are a few exceptions. One area of differentiation is service.

Nordstrom, L.L. Bean

and Whole Foods top lists for customer service, and are surviving. Zappos, the online shoe retailer, excels in shipping. Leveraging the “buy local” movement, some small local sellers can bring in customers who want to support local businesses owned by people they know. Sellers of specialty goods with experts to advise purchasers can thrive.

None of these mesh well with the mall model: lots of stores under one roof with anchor tenants to bring people in who patronize the other stores. There are few “destination” stores any more, when you can get everything from paper clips to a diamond ring online.

Next Week’s Question: How to recognize when and where you are exposed financially – mistake No. 1.

JU N E 8 , 2017

SMALL ADS BIG DEALS

P H IL LY R E CO R D.C O M - 215 -755 -20 0 0

PUBLIC RECORD CLASSIFIEDS

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

19

JU N E 8 , 2017

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

20