Pr 913 s by The Public Record

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Vol. XIII No. 30

Issue 516

July 27, 2017

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

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GARDEN BARETEETH COLLECTIVE hosted a public art show at Bartram’s Garden of photographs taken by residents of the Bartram’s neighborhood of places that are special and meaningful to them. More pics P. 2.

THE POLITICS OF FOOD SEE P. 3

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T HE S O U T H PHIL A D EL PHI A P UB L I C R E CO R D

PHOTOS LINK P.H.A. HOUSING, FAMOUS GARDEN

THE EVENT was supported by Mural Arts Program’s Southwest Roots artist-in-residency program at Bartram’s Garden, with funds from ArtPlace America.

THE GOALS of the show were to highlight the connections THE EVENT witnessed and honored bblack joy and collecbetween Bartram’s Garden and the rest of the predomitive memories. nantly African American neighborhood.

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PERFORMING A POST MORTEM ON THE 2016 ASIAN AMERICAN VOTE BY ELDON GRAHAM he historic 2016 presidential election is nine months past, but intriguing new survey results are still coming out. The results of a 2016 exit polls survey conducted by Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund were recently discussed in at the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition location in South Philadelphia. AALDEF has conducted exit polls since 1988. Jerry Vatamala of AALDEF conducted the presentation of the exit poll. He explained its purpose: “There are two main reasons. One is we want to capture the electoral data for the Asian American community,” he said. “Why do we want to do this? Because the Asian American community has been traditionally ignored by the national media.” The results of the recent

survey, conducted in various locations in the Pennsylvania area, focused on Asian American voting patterns. A total of 575 Asian Americans were surveyed in locations such as Bensalem in Bucks County, Upper Darby, Chinatown and South Philadelphia. The scope of patterns they found within the Asian American voting community was fascinating. Within the demographic, 87% of eligible voters chose Hillary Clinton, while 12% voted for Donald Trump. That wasn’t a drastic change from the 2012 presidential election, when 9% of Pennsylvania residents voted for Mitt Romney versus the 89% who voted for Barack Obama. Another reason for AALDEF to explore the data, Vatamal said, was, “we’re hoping by capturing this data and reporting international media, elected

officials will pay attention and identify and hopefully remedy or respond to the needs in the issues of the community.” The Asian American vote counted significantly for female candidates, not only on the national level but the state level as well. In Pennsylvania, 79% of Asian Americans voted for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Katie McGinty while eventual victor Pat Toomey only scooped up 14% of the Asian American vote. Other politicians at the state level enjoyed a nice boost from the Asian American vote. Congressmen Bob Brady (D-Phila.) obtained 78% of the Asian American vote while his opponent, Deborah Williams, did not fare well, scoring only 11% of the vote. Freshman Congressman Dwight Evans (D-Phila.) amassed 70% vs. candidate James Jones’ 1%. However,

Steve Santarsiero got 80% of the Asian American vote but lost to Republican victor Brian Fitzpatrick, who received only 14% of the vote in the race of Pennsylvania’s 8th District House seat. It’s obvious that Asian Americans in Pennsylvania tend to vote Democrat, but that doesn’t fully count out the Republican Party in any race. Hosting the event was SEAMAAC, led by Development & Communications Director Andy Toy. Toy was delighted to allow SEAMAAC to host this intriguing glimpse into last year’s election. “Civic engagement is a core part of what we do. One of our efforts is to build up Asian American voices, empower through voting and educating through registering people to vote” said Toy. “There are a number of things we

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are doing, like a partnership with Asian Americans United and a few other groups to close the gap in Philadelphia. Particularly in Pennsylvania the voter registration gap and voter participation.” In the 2016 presidential election, the amount of first-time Asian American voters in Pennsylvania was 3% higher than the national average at 33%. The results of first-time voters in the Keystone State who voted for Trump peaked at 11%, compared to the 88% who voted Clinton. Although Pennsylvania went red for the first time in a presidential election since 1988, that didn’t affect the Asian American population, which turned out for Clinton. The preference here for Clinton was higher than nationally: Asian Americans voted 81% for Clinton and 17% for Trump.

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:

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A packed house filled WHYY Studios to hear discussions on feeding vulnerable populations in the city and the future of urban Moderator Esteban Kelly, L, talks with Kirtrina Baxter, farming. Chris Bolden-Newsome and Lan Dinh.

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.

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ity & State PA joined forces with WHYY for the inaugural Politics of Food. The first panel, moderated by WHYY’s Katie Colaneri, examined the challenges of feeding vulnerable populations. Panelists were South Philly Barbacoa’s Ben Miller, Philabundance’s Emma Kornetsky and PA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Smith. The second panel, on the future of urban farming, was hosted by the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives’ Esteban Kelly and featured VietLEAD’s Lan Dinh, Bartam Garden’s Chris Bolden-Newsome and the Public Interest Law Center’s Kirtrina M. Baxter. Following the panels, attendees enjoyed offerings from Misconduct Tavern, Roy Pitz Brewing, The Trestle Inn, Power Events Catering, Veda and Di Bruno Brothers.

JU LY 27, 2017

A SUBSTANTIAL EVENT 7 Things You Must Know

Chris Bolden-Newsome shares a lighthearted moment with Lan Dinh.

After the discussions, attendees enjoyed some of the best food Philadelphia restaurants have to offer.

Join The Philadelphia Public Record In Our August 29th Labor Day Salute! Call Melissa @ 215-755-2000 Ext. 5

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WHYY’s Katie Colaneri, L, moderated a panel on feeding vulnerable populations with Emma Kornetsky, Ben Miller and Michael Smith.

GERRYMANDER FIX MAY HELP G.O.P.

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POLS on the STREET BY JOE SHAHEELI F GERRYMANDERING reform comes to Pennsylvania, it may do so at the hands of the same Republicans who now appear to have gained from it. That’s because what goes around comes around – and they can even tell the date: 2021. Legislation promoted by the anti-gerrymandering

Representative JU LY 27, 2017

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

lobbying group Fair Districts PA – SB 22 in the Pennsylvania Senate and HB 722 in the House – is in their respective chambers’ State Government Committees. If enacted, these bills would clear a path to changing the State Constitution to establish an impartial, nonpartisan body to handle the chore of redrawing the Congress’ and General Assembly’s district boundaries. As matters have always stood, the General Assembly draws districts after every decennial U.S. Census to suit the taste of incumbents as well as the majority party. The governor and the State Supreme Court get to weigh in as well. When government is divided, compromises are struck. But the lines were drawn after the 2010 Census when the Republicans held all four branches of state govState 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!

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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”

ernment. And it showed. Currently, Republicans enjoy lopsided elective majorities throughout the state despite being outnumbered in registrations. Modern computer technology makes it possible to design arbitrary maps to lock in victories for more than 90% of all incumbents, or to give a 50% party 70% of the seats. But come 2021, the game could change. This year, no Republican lawmaker in Harrisburg is willing to bet the house that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will be defeated by a GOP challenger next year. That’s one. None will bet that the Supreme Court, now firmly controlled by Democrats, will swing back to the red team by 2021. That’s two. And the SC has the last word: the power to design and impose its own map by decree if it finds the legislative and executive branches have made a mess of the job. So Republican legislators who want to continue on Capitol Hill for six more years may now prefer a map designed by blind Justice to

TOUGH ON SESSIONS

U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL Jeff Sessions visited Philadelphia last week to share with local law-enforcement leaders his policies on urban crime. Protestors outside the U.S. Attorney’s Office had a beef with Sessions’ controversial stands on immigration and other issues. Photo by Wendell Douglas

a map designed in part by people who may be out to get them. State Sen. Anthony Williams (D-W. Phila.) sees it this way. A Senate veteran, he is minority chair of its State Government Committee and has a cooperative relationship with Majority Chair Mike Fulmer (R-Lebanon). He is also a co-sponsor of the Senate bill. Thanks to the Democrats’ dramatic sweep of the 2016 SC races, Williams said, the anti-gerrymandering

State Rep. Jason

bill “has a good chance of proceeding.” His Republican colleagues, he said, are not much swayed by the boisterous home-district demonstrations organized by Fair Districts and its allies the League of Women Voters and Common Cause. But they are thinking about their futures, “in totally political ways,” as he put it. SB 22 has 13 co-sponsors in the Senate; 12 more are needed to pass it there (Lt. Gov. Mike Stack will walk it home in a tie). Williams 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

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.

has some sales work ahead of him. But he does have a bipartisan lineup to begin with. The picture is different in the State House. There, HB 722 is being studied by a State Government Committee headed by pugnacious State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), an ardent Tea Partier who is known to bulldoze opponents – including Philadelphia’s Brian Sims (D-S. Phila.) – with ruthless rule-making. (Cont. Page 6)

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

ACTRESS Sheryl Lee Ralph hosted a Women for Hughes reception at the Kimmel Center on behalf of her husband State Sen. Vincent Hughes. Photos by Wendell Douglas

HONORED at the event was NABJ 2017 Journalist of the Year April Ryan, whom Sen. Hughes catered to with a chicken cheesesteak – eliciting the approval of newly elected Philadelphia DA Kelley Hodge.

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WOMEN TURN OUT FOR VINCENT HUGHES

KELLEY HODGE, who had not yet been named DA when the Women for Hughes event was held, was pleased to share the limelight with Sen. Hughes.

JU LY 27, 2017

LABORERS Union leader Sam Staten, Jr. was thrilled to get a copy of April Ryan’s new book, The Presidency in Black and White.

THE URBAN Affairs Coalition’s president, Sharmain Matlock-Turner, touched bases with Dan Muroff, who is running for the 7th Congressional District seat next year.

STANDING, L-R, Karen Daroff, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Bonnie Squires; seated, Mia Maguire of SpArc Philadelphia and Wendy Williams of Philadelphia IDS.

TURNING out in support of Sen. Hughes were, L-R, Karen Albert, Barbara Allen, Hughes and Jeff Albert.

REBECCA RHYNHART, L, and State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown attentively followed State Sen. Vincent Hughes’ remarks.

STATE SEN. Vincent Hughes was flanked in this shot by Marcella Daniels and Joan Manuel.

MANY GUESTS took turns posing for a photograph with the illustrious couple. Here, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, L, and Sheryl Lee Ralph joined Sam Staten, Jr…

THEN IT was the turn of political media strategist Eleanor Dezzi…

FOLLOWED by a powerful woman in her own right, Faatimah Gamble.

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L-R, PHILANTHROPIST Faatimah Gamble, State Sen. Vincent Hughes and Democratic City Controller candidate Rebecca Rhynhart enjoyed each other’s company.

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BOYLE NOW D.C.C. LAWYER MICHAEL BOYLE, ESQ., C, is the new General Counsel of Democratic City Committee. He is seen with Judge Matthew Carrafiello, L, and Party Chairman Robert Brady. Boyle is Leader of the liberal 5th Ward, and an expert in Social Security matters. Congrats from The Philadelphia Public Record! Photo by Joe Shay Stivala

POLS on the STREET (Cont. From Page 4) Ever since State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) lost the chair of that committee, city Dems have had small say in its affairs. Most of its Philly Reps are newcomers sentenced to impotence at its meetings.

State Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-Northwest) is more experienced at three years on the committee. She is hopeful about her bill’s progress. At her back: 95 co-sponsors, including 27 Republicans. That leaves reformers just seven votes short of a walk-away victory. House Republicans may be more worried than Senate Republicans about their re-electability; or they may simply be closer to their constituents and more affected by protests against a practice that ordinary voters of either parties see no moral defense for. “I’m a champion for the cause,” DeLissio, a primary sponsor of HB 722, said. She acknowledged Metcalfe’s protocols and rules are “very different from any other committee I’ve served on.” But she has found that if you meet Metcalfe’s procedural standards, the chairman will move your business along. DeLissio said the grassroots effort led by Fair Districts PA, with Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, has stepped up its game since its maiden introduction of gerry-

mandering reform in the last General Assembly. “They’re running a pretty wicked campaign,” she said. Williams was dubious Fair Districts is swaying his Republican colleagues. “I have not heard much about political inroads with Republican leaders they have made,” he said. Both lawmakers are confident committee hearings on the gerrymandering bills will commence in the fall. But advance horse-trading is taking place right now, while everybody else is at the beach.

HODGE EASES D.A.’S RACE

The election of Interim District Attorney Kelley Hodge by Philadelphia’s judges should settle the minds of campaign strategists for the November general election. Now the discussion is framed: between a hard-core defenders’-rights advocate and a prosecutor experienced in the DA’s Office’s core procedures. The Democrats’ Larry Krasner will be up against the Republicans’ Beth Grossman. Krasner probably benefits a bit more (Cont. Page 12)

WELCOME TO WORK, KELLEY HODGE

MARK your CALENDAR Jul. 29- Matt Wolfe & Denise Furey host Refreshments & Fellowship after Shakespeare in Clark Pk. at 4256 Regent Sq., play starts 7 p.m., party 8:30 p.m. Jul. 31- Town Watch Integrated Services hosts Nat’l Night Out S. Phila. Kickoff Rally at Marconi Pk., 1300 Oregon Ave., 4-8 p.m. Aug. 1- State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald hosts National Night Out at Masjidullah, Inc., 7433 Limekiln Pk. 5:30-8 p.m. For info: (215) 549-0220. Aug. 3- State Sen. Sharif

sey Ave., N. Wildwood, N.J., 7-10 p.m. Yachts $5,000, Sailboats $2,500, Paddleboats $1,000, General Admission $250. Payable to “Squilla for Council,” P.O. Box 37332, Phila., PA 19148. RSVP: Brittany@ lperrygroup.com or (215) 893-4281. Aug. 12- State Rep. Jason Dawkins hosts Frankford Community Day at Gambrel Plg., 1900 Wakeling St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 12- State Rep. Morgan Cephas hosts “Sound the Alarm, Save a Life” at Shepard Rec Ctr., 5700 Haverford Ave., 9 a.m.-12 m. Free smoke detectors & fire-safety tips for residents of the 192nd Legislative Dist. For info: Gwen (215) 879-6625. Aug. 17- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts “Meet, Greet, Obtain Constituent Services” at Susquehanna Village, 1421 W. Susquehanna Ave., 3-4 p.m. Aug. 17- Phila. Young Democrats host Summer Happy Hour at Manayunk

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Street hosts Diverse & Minority Business Forum at Temple Univ., Ritter Ha., 13th & C.B. Moore Ave., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn to do business with the city and state. Must preregister online at www.senatorsharifstreet.com/register. For info: sstreet@pasenate.com. Aug. 5- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts “Tire Roundup”, starting at 3503 N. B St., Unit 7, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Seeking volunteers! For info: (215) 291-5643. Aug. 7- Councilwoman Helen Gym hosts Resistance Summer at Malcolm X Park, 51st & Pine Sts., 6-8 p.m. Rally for health care and education. For info: (215) 686-3420. Aug. 9- Councilwoman Helen Gym hosts Resistance Summer at Columbus Sq. Pk., 12th & Wharton Sts., 6-8 p.m. Rally for health care and education. For info: (215) 686-3420. Aug. 11- Councilman Mark Squilla hosts Summer Soirée at Keenan’s Pub,113 Olde New Jer-

Brewing Co., Jazz Rm., 6-9 p.m. RSVP: John Brady (267) 432-4254 or JohnPBrady215@gmail.com. Aug. 18- State Sen. Art Haywood hosts “SEPTA Day” at 7106 Germantown Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents 65+ can get SEPTA Photo ID. Aug. 19- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Free Community Shredding at 3503 B St., Unit 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Also assistance on CHIP, Medicaid and property tax/rent rebate. For info: (215) 291-5643. Aug. 22- State Rep. Rosita Youngblood hosts Back to School Event at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, 1939 W. Venango St., 4-7 p.m. Free backpacks for first 150 registrants. Educational, financial and health resources. Must pre-register. For info: (215) 849-6426 or Robyn Moore rmoore@ pahouse.net. Aug. 23- 32nd Ward Democrats host “Jazz Under the Stars” at Smith Mem. Plg. & Mansion, 3500 Reservoir Dr., 6-10 p.m. Jazz trios,

vocalist, “jazzoetry.” Bring chair (or not). Wine & Beer Bar, first drink free, drink tickets $1. Tickets $30. For info: Gary Williams (215) 906-9009. Aug 26- State Sen. Art Haywood hosts Back to School Celebration at Lonnie Young Rec Ctr., 1100 E. Chelten Ave., 12-4 p.m. Sep. 9- Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 hosts Members’ Picnic at Clementon Pk., Berlin, N.J. Sep. 14- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts “Meet, Greet, Obtain Constituent Services” at Susquehanna Village, 1421 W. Susquehanna Ave, 3-4 p.m. Sep. 21- Phila. Democratic Progressive Committee hosts “Back to Business: Get Involved Happy Hour” at Ladder 15, 1526 Sansom St., 6-8 p.m. Free admission & drink specials. Oct. 6- State Sen. John Sabatina hosts Senior Expo at Nat’l Guard Armory, 2700 Southampton Rd., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Refreshments. For info: (215) 695-1020.

JU LY 27, 2017

HE BOARD of Judges did the city a service in electing Kelley Hodge as interim district attorney. Accustomed though they are to sudden upheavals in their elected officials’ career paths, the long investigation into District Attorney Seth Williams’ financial missteps left a bad taste in Philadelphians’ mouths; his conviction and resignation couldn’t come soon enough. Let the healing begin now. No big city wants to stumble through summer with

itself. Regardless of which candidate wins in November, Democrat Larry Krasner or Republican Beth Grossman, the winner will step into office after New Year’s Day to plot an audacious new course for the DA’s Office. All Philadelphians need this to work. Only 45, Hodge has already forged a long résumé of success in important but low-profile service in several public positions. We hope her tour of duty at the helm of the DA’s Office will add to her luster. Her generation played a prominent role in her selection. Hodge has many productive decades before her; perhaps this position will help develop her as another rising leader on our political scene.

LETTER to the EDITOR PRAYER WAS ANSWERED

OE SHAY Stivala wrote (May 11), “Even the possibility of a Jeff SESSIONS moving up [to assume the presidency] would cause me to go to church and light a candle and pray.” Joe, you are a little late in going to church to light a candle and pray. You see, the Blessed Mother answered the Novena I made – and that is why Donald J. Trump is our president. Domenick Lazzaro, Jr. S. Philadelphia

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OPINION

its District Attorney’s Office befuddled by scandal, rivalry and uncertainty. As first assistant district attorney, Kathleen Martin had handled a difficult situation as gracefully as possible when she was thrust into temporary leadership. But both the office’s employees and the public will be better served by an interim director who bears no ties to the existing system and has no ax to grind. Hodge now has five months to do damage assessment and clean up the shop floor. That will enable the incoming DA who will be elected in November to set their agenda in place without having to step over bodies in the process. Setting that agenda will be an important mission in

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JU LY 27, 2017

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

ELEPHANT CORNER

JU LY 27, 2017

XELON, the owner of PECO, has been lobbying Harrisburg for subsidies for its nuclear operations. Exelon already is looking at an $8 billion subsidy approved by the New York State legislature. Exelon is not alone in looking for state governments to bail out their nuclear operations. Exelon is one of the largest and most efficient nuclear operators in the U.S. Prior to the shale-gas revolution, Exelon’s nuclear operations were printing mon-

EVERYDAY PEOPLE BY DENISE CLAY S OF MONDAY afternoon, the City of Philadelphia has a new district attorney. Last Thursday, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Board of Judges voted to appoint Kelley B. Hodge the city’s new District Attorney. She bested Assistant District Attorney John Delaney by a 43-38 vote after three rounds of voting. In third place was former U.S. Attorney Joe Khan. Khan ran for the Democratic nomination for DA in the May primary.

ey. Now, with the low price of natural gas, the market price for electric power has decreased significantly. The decline in natural-gas prices has saved the average Pennsylvania family over $1,000 per annum. The plant that Exelon contends it will need to shut down by 2019 in Pennsylvania is Three Mile Island, near Harrisburg. The claim by the company and certain (not all) environmentalists is that nuclear power is superior to gas-fired generation because it does not emit carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas). What they do not always mention is that there are also environmental concerns with nuclear. Exelon is one of the best and safest nuclear operators; however, there remain concerns about the proper disposal of spent radioactive fuel. While accidents are rare, they can happen. Just in case you are too young to re-

member why Three Mile Island has a dormant reactor – there was an accident. The damage was contained and it is believed that nothing was contaminated, but the unit is still down 30-plus years after the fact. The company is pointing out that the closure of the plant could cost up to $200 million. It also states 675 people will lose their jobs. As Exelon is one of the largest electric companies in the U.S., is there really no place in the corporation for these people? Furthermore, the utility industry has problems finding qualified workers, which is compounded by the fact that the average age of current workers is over 50. I cannot believe there is no place for all of these workers. The biggest problem I have with bailing out this industry is that Pennsylvania, according to the Council of Community & Economic (Cont. Page 11)

President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper administered the oath of office to Hodge, who becomes the first Black woman to take the post. She’ll serve in the office until January 2018 and cannot run for the office in the general election. After her swearing-in, Hodge thanked the judges for the opportunity. “Thank you for having the confidence in me to lead this office, an office that I have profound admiration and respect for,” Hodge said. “The Board of Judges have entrusted me with a responsibility that requires diligence, intelligence, patience and most of all humility, and I can assure you that I will work every day, as I have for my 20 years as an attorney and advocate, to deliver just that to the citizens of Philadelphia.” Hodge takes over an office that’s had to work with a corruption trial lurking in the background. Former DA R. Seth Williams resigned

from the post in June as part of his guilty plea to federal bribery charges. He was immediately taken into custody and is currently awaiting his Oct. 24 sentencing in the Federal prison at 7th & Arch Streets. She praised these men and women for continuing to do their jobs despite the cloud hanging over their heads. “I would also like to thank the office’s leadership team who not only kept improving the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s policies and programs, but made sure the entire organization remained focused on justice and serving the people of Philadelphia,” Hodge said. “This is our restoration period; our opportunity to look at adversity from the rear-view mirror and know you have weathered the storm.” “The citizens of this city deserve our best as members of the District Attorney’s (Cont. Page 11)

WALKING the BEAT

.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL Jeff Sessions spoke in a closed meeting to Philly U.S. Attorneys. He stated police want to assist federal agents in rounding up illegals in a Sanctuary City. Geez, our police have ENOUGH to do each day! If a police officer is killed, it is doubtful Sessions will show up for the viewing. Unless he is KARNAK, how does Sessions know what is in the Philly Police minds? I saw where Neil WELCH passed at age 90. He was

CITY HALL SAM

HE BIG story on Action News is that the 80 or so Common Pleas Court judges that decide certain things know what the heck they are doing! For instance, the recent proceeding to select an interim district attorney in the wake of SETH WILLIAMS’ conviction. A surprising number of candidates sought the job, including former STATE SEN. BOB ROVNER (who would have done a great job), FORMER JUDGE BEN LERNER, JUDGES D. WEBSTER KEOGH and PAUL PANEPINTO, first ASSISTANT DA

the local FBI Special-Agentin-Charge who directed the ABSCAM STING which hooked very-productive (for the people) City Councilman Harry Jannotti and Congressman Ozzie Myers. It was what it was called: A SCAM. The concept is no longer used (I hope) at the fed level. It is slimy justice. Still VERY MUCH ALIVE and ignored by the media is former Philly Police Commissioner Joe O’NEILL. Joe, 92 has lived in a historic house here for decades. APOLOGIES: I wrote last week that 14 fine SUBURBAN candidates had applied for the Acting DA position. The word should have been SUPERB. It was obvious that a group of jurists formed a vote block to select Kelley HODGE – younger jurists. It was a good selection to end the LONG NIGHT in the DA’s office. I read where 43 ADAs left their job.

When new ADAs are hired, PLEASE consider LOCAL LAWYERS of area law schools. Forget the out-oftown stuff. Choose the local perspective of many new or young attorneys of our city needing work! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Election Commissioner AL SCHMIDT. Also this weekend: lovely Rita DONATUCCI, and lawyer Bob MUENCH (He is just that). Also Maj. Tom McQUE, U.S. Army. Another Election Commissioner, Lisa Marie DEELEY, celebrates her BORN DAY on Aug. 3! Sadly, we lost Anthony STAGLIANO, retired City court officer. Mike was an Energizer Bunny for good works, and in retirement returned as an effective DEM Committeeman in the 39th Ward. In the past you took the Rte. 55 expressway and then fumed on Route 47 to get to Wildwood. Then “back (Cont. Page 13)

KATHLEEN MARTIN and former DISTRICT ATTORNEY LYNNE ABRAHAM. Abraham served for something like 20 years as district attorney. Then she ran for mayor unsuccessfully. Some thought she was a lock for this nomination. Not this time. Instead, the judges chose wisely in picking KELLEY HODGE, a former federal prosecutor who has served as counsel to the distinguished law firm Elliott Greenleaf. And the great thing about Hodge is she’s got tremendous experience and is respected by both the defense and prosecution bar. She is a perfect candidate to bring stability to the District Attorney’s Office. None of the pundits ever heard of Kelley until she emerged as the victor. Although the pick surprised many, the judges executed it perfectly. It was predictable that a state budget would still be up in the air in late July. Somehow the governor and the majority leaders of the House and Senate came

up with a plan to agree to spend $32 billion without having agreed on how they would raise the money. So that’s what the holdup is. The media has said STATE REP. MIKE TURZAI, the Speaker of the House, has walked away from a resolution because he’s running for governor. I guess that means he’s going to be running on a platform of “I can’t get a budget completed, so elect me as your governor.” Would the commercial sound like this?: “I’m Mike Turzai and if you want to see more failure in government, elect me.” It does not seem like a winning slogan nor part of some grand political plan by Turzai. So far, GOV. TOM WOLF has been lucky in what his potential opposition might be – no one of major significance or statewide résumé or accomplishments. But that’s what many pundits and politicos said about HILLARY CLINTON, when she was faced with DONALD TRUMP.

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S.W. PHILADELPHIA activist Tracey Gordon has shown she can take the heat politically; she can’t stay out of the kitchen either. She spent all day at her home serving people like Sheri Jones her famous jerk chicken and shrimp Rasta pasta to Sheri Jones. Photo by Wendell Douglas

ELEPHANT CORNER

(Cont. From Page 13) Research, is already the top state in the U.S. in “corporate welfare.” Also I should note that you and I already bailed out nuclear facilities 20 years ago. At that time, Pennsylvania changed the way it regulated electric utilities. We used to look at the total cost the utility incurred and the Public Utility Commission allowed them to charge rates that would cover all reasonable costs plus a modest profit. Then we changed the rules and only allowed them to charge these regulated rates for the transmission of the electricity – but not for the actual generation of the power. Power prices were then, and are now, what the market can bear. Many utilities, including Exelon, had generation as-

sets that were too expensive to run at market prices. So Harrisburg, similar to other states’ regulators, allowed the utilities to put a surcharge on our electric bills for years to compensate the companies for the losses and allow plants like Three Mile Island to continue to operate. Now they are asking us to do this again. This time the companies do not care if the bailout comes in the form a surcharge on our electric bills or an outright subsidy (handing the companies a taxpayer-financed check). We are currently charging natural-gas producers an impact fee, and there are people in Harrisburg who want to make that fee higher. They want to increases taxes on an industry that is already suffering from low natural-gas prices, but they want you and me to subsidize the nuclear sector. This brings to mind the expression “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

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(Cont. From Page 13) Office and I hope to inspire you all to always seek to do better today than you did the day before,” Hodge continued. Hodge was one of 13 candidates for the office and worked at the Elliott Greenleaf law firm before winning her current office. She had spent eight years as an assistant district attorney under both Williams and former DA Lynne Abraham and was the safe schools advocate under Gov. Tom Corbett. Before joining Elliot Greenleaf, Hodge was the Title IX coordinator at the University of Virginia, her alma mater. As for the voting itself, the word on the street is that the African American women on the court banded together to vote one of their own into the office. That, in a lot of ways, explains why Abraham didn’t get to come back to the office she ran for 20 years, that and the fact that the person in charge of the vote was Judge Frederica Massiah-Jackson, the person whom Abraham cost a federal judgeship by saying she was anti-police. Just because you have a law degree and are post-AARP age doesn’t mean you’re not capable of being petty. Voters will take to the polls in November to decide if Democrat Larry Krasner or Republican Beth Grossman will be the city’s next District Attorney. Until then, it’s up to Hodge to restore the public’s trust in the office. (Might I suggest talking with the family of David Jones, a man killed in an office-involved shooting under dubious circumstances, as a first step?)

GORDON GRILLING

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(Cont. From Page 6) than Grossman, though. The administrative chaos of DA Seth Williams’ final years in that office were a major selling point for the Republican candidate, who needs massive public revulsion against a Democratic incumbent’s scandal to overcome an enormous registered-voter deficit. Rest assured, Grossman will be selling this. But Hodge, widely respected across the aisle, will do her best to dampen its fires in the DA’s Office between now and November. As she should. Krasner picked up another break in snagging the Philadelphia Building

HODGE IN, AND A PAGE IS TURNED & Construction Trades Council’s endorsement. The group announced today that it has endorsed the Democratic nominee for district attorney. The influential labor body asserted: “Krasner has the vision, character, and ability to be an outstanding chief prosecutor for our city” in a statement. John J. Dougherty, business manager of the council, said of Krasner, “He understands our issues, such as the damage done by the underground economy, misclassification of workers and protecting our first amendment rights. Larry Krasner will work to ensure a level playing field

for the Building Trades in an increasingly competitive construction industry. On the pressing issue of opioid abuse, to which our members are not immune, Krasner has vowed to attack this huge public health problem from day one in office. On virtually every Building Trades issue, Larry Krasner is 100% with us. We look forward to delivering the labor movement’s significant votes for Krasner on election day.”

BEVERAGE TAX KEEPS AFIZZ

How is Philly’s internationally famous tax on sweetened drinks faring? It

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SONNY HAS A WAY

ON SATURDAY, the 400 block of S. 50th Street was renamed the Sonny Hill Way, commemorating the 81st birthday of the legendary civic activist and all the great things that he has done for the community. L-R, Faatimah Gamble, Lynne S. Carter, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Hill, Kenny Gamble, gospel recording artist Tamica Tanksley, Tamika Patton and Commissioner Mike Carroll, rear. Photo by Leona Dixon

depends on whom you talk to. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg suffered a major loss to the beverage industry when he tried to impose a tax on sweetened drinks in that city. Evidently the elephant has not forgotten. Now he has donated $1.6 million to Philadelphians for a Fair Future, a lobbying group that supports the Sweetened Drinks Tax and the public works it will pay for. Bloomberg, a very wealthy man in his own right, is following in the footsteps of George Soros, an out-of-town progressive with deep pockets who saw in Larry Krasner a chance to score a big victory for his philosophy. Prior to Bloomberg’s intervention, the advertising guns were mostly being fired on the side of the American Beverage Association, which has been campaigning against the Sweetened Drinks Tax for more than a year. Anthony Campisi, a spokesman for Ax the Philly Bev Tax Coalition, claims more than 60% of Philadelphians oppose

the tax. Is the tax working to raise funds for the schools, parks and libraries it aims to serve? The jury’s still out. Preliminary figures for fiscal year 2017 show the Philadelphia Beverage Tax came up just shy of the $39.7 million projected – with June, the final month of FY17, bringing in the second highest amount of revenue since the tax went into effect in January. City officials told The Philadelphia Business Journal Friday that preliminary PBT revenue for June was $6.9 million. That means, combined with the prior months’ revenue, PBT generated $39.3 million in its first six months, or the second half of FY17. In pitching it, the tax’s advocates predicted it would bring in $45 million during the same period. This is a significant shortfall, but not unusual in government budgets at either end of the spectrum.

DON’T PARK ON S. BROAD?

Every so often, a major player in Philadelphia affairs amazes us with its cluelessness. 5th Square, a progressive PAC that appeared on the scene in 2014, has decided that parking in the median strip on S. Broad Street is bad for our city and has filed a lawsuit to force the Philadelphia Parking Authority to ticket and remove all those cars. We’re not judges. But we suspect real judges will find this argument specious. Every enforcement agency in the state retains a practical right to set enforcement priorities for all the laws that are on its books. Police officers are directed to take care of murders first, off-leash dogs second; parking of-

ficers too have their own priorities. The claim that accidents are skyrocketing around South Philly’s traditional parking practices is fishy at best. S. Broad Street is not Roosevelt Boulevard, a highway in need of major rethinking. Progressives weaken their appeal when they adopt causes that are as manifestly unpopular in the communities they wish to “progress” as this one is.

TEACHER HEAD GETS KEY POST

State Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino will move over to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, to be replaced by the head of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Jerry Oleksiak, a special-education teacher in Montgomery County and the president of the 180,000-member PSEA, has spent 32 years in the classroom. Oleksiak has been dedicated to improving education and training, and the support of family-sustaining jobs, Wolf said in his announcement issued late Friday afternoon. “I am confident that Jerry can lead the Department of Labor & Industry to build on our improving business climate to encourage companies to locate and expand in Pennsylvania and to provide apprenticeships and other job-training programs so workers have the skills to succeed in the 21st century economy,” the governor said. Oleksiak’s nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. Don’t look for that body to rush to confirm another Democratic appointment – at least not until the dust settles on the state budget.

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Vice President PENCE took office stating that he would “stand by followers of Christ.” Please note that does not pertain to Christian refugees. A study says longer sentencing has occurred over decades. In Michigan in 1989, 10 years for certain crimes; today, 26. The plan for BIKE LANES on SOUTH STREET is INANE. The last time South Street fans were so upset was when the Crosstown Expressway was proposed long ago. Does the Bike Lane office in City Hall have to show annual accomplishments? Hey, Managing Director – give them other tasks to perform, PLEEZE! The lawsuit AGAINST parking in the median on S. Broad Street offers NO SOLUTIONS. It cites N. Broad Street, which has no such parking. They omit that there is limited population with cars along N. Broad. They cite car accidents caused by the parking; NOPE – only three accidents, 2008-2013. Traffic on S. Broad moves at a slower rate than the N. Broad speedway.

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(Cont. From Page 13) roads” were discovered. Now they are in gridlock. There is a phone number for New Jersey TRAFFIC, but it is difficult to use. Something LOCAL is needed. (You can park your car outside of Rehoboth Beach, Del. and take a bus to town for $3. The bus runs on the highway shoulder easily past gridlock.) Maybe light rail from Richland, N.J. to Rio Grande? There is NO LONGER a relaxed drive on a weekend route to Wildwood. Give us satellite lookdown at least. OCEAN CITY hosted the “Welcome Home” veterans radio show last weekend. Top veteran supporter Mark O’CONNOR (Irish Pubs owner) was one. Alex ARCHESKI was on. He formed a Vets Network for vet jobs, and runs the Vets SHARK TANK for aspiring business leaders. Ken WONG, CEO of AIG Asia, was on. Beside much provet work, Ken is Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Eastern PA. All Philly guys sparked up WIBG radio. I read where Mike

STACK is the highest paid LT. GOVERNOR in America. YAWN. Stack is blamed for setting the pay scale? Stop the bull. The Economist noted the APPLE world headquarters in the USA is round and identical IN SIZE to the PENTAGON!... Also in answer to why weather systems seem to linger longer – global warming slows the Earth’s winds. I WONDERED when someone would get angry about the UTTERLY ODIOUS teardown by New Jersey DOT of the Historic Hugg’s House in Bellmawr, N.J. A lawsuit was filed. The dastardly act was done by dawn’s early light in stealth, while GOOD-FAITH talks between local officials and DOT were going on. Did DOT Commissioner Michael HAMMER – do just that? The online MARSHALL PROJECT is a good way to find current news on US courts and police. I see more judges are allowing lawyers to represent detainees who suffer from serious mental illness or a disability. GOOD.

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SENATE TO WORK ON REVENUE AS HOUSE BOMBS BY JASON GOTTESMAN he Pennsylvania Senate returned to session yesterday afternoon and will stay through today to work on a $2.2-billion revenue plan and other budget-related bills in an attempt to finalize the FY

2016-2017 and FY 20172018 budgets. While no firm details of the revenue plan were available Tuesday morning, it appears that whatever will be considered by senators this week will be a plan agreed upon by four of the five ne-

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 170600505 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Midfirst Bank, Plaintiff vs. Dennis Barton, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of William J. Barton a/k/a William Barton, Deceased, Thomas Barton, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of William J. Barton a/k/a William Barton, Deceased, Linda Barton-Labenz, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of William J. Barton a/k/a William Barton, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of William J. Barton a/k/a William Barton, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendants To: The Unknown Heirs of William J. Barton a/k/a William Barton, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 1679 East Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124. 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, Midfirst Bank, 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. 170600505 wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 1679 East Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124, 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.

gotiating parties – House Republicans are notably absent from the agreement on the present package. As has been described before, the bills to be considered will likely contain as much as $1.5 billion in borrowing securitized by payments from the Tobacco Settlement Fund to balance out the deficit from the most recently concluded fiscal year. It is also likely to include some gaming expansion that will include so-called “satellite casinos” – also called “Category 4 Locations” – that will be slots-only parlors acting as extensions of existing casinos available to serve currently underserved gaming markets in Pennsylvania that will be buffered by geographic collars in an attempt to protect current gaming operations. Additionally, some niche tax changes are likely. While the exact mix is not yet known, previously discussed concepts of including a gross-receipts tax on consumer natural gas or electric use and extending the sales tax to basic cable services are likely to top the list of possibilities. Using past-year lapses and the limited transfer of off-line dedicated revenue back into the General Fund could find their way into the

revenue mix as well, with the possibility of some limited liquor sales reform still on the table, especially as it relates to allowing beer distributors to sell liquor in areas where state liquor stores are losing money. Speaking to a meeting of the Pennsylvania Chamber and Industry and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Monday, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) discussed the reason why coming back to session to work on a revenue plan and move along related budget implementation code bills is important, even if the majority caucus in the House has yet to sign off on the plan. “We wouldn’t be here in late July if things were going well,” he said. “It’s important in a budget that not only do you balance this year, but you look to the future, and how we balance the next year,” he added. “We want to make sure next year we are in a good position, and onward from there.” He added that not coming to an agreement, which some see as a possibility if something doesn’t come to fruition in the next several weeks, would be an irresponsible move on behalf of legislators who voted to support the $31.99-billion spending plan. “I think that would be di-

sastrous for us financially – we would take a huge hit in our credit rating,” he said. “Governing involves difficult decisions. You have to make them and move forward, and put Pennsylvania so that the outside world looks at us that we’re competent, we’re governing and we’re predictable.” The Senate’s return was prompted by the failure of the House this past weekend to advance a no-new-revenue plan, crafted mainly by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), that relied mainly on borrowing, lapses and off-line transfers. In remarks after sending members home Saturday – potentially until September – the Speaker cast into doubt whether those components, along with a nonVGT gaming expansion bill, could pass the House given its current stance on how a revenue plan should come together, which includes gaming expansion with VGTs and expanded liquor privatization. The Senate has no plans to take on those measure wholesale. “Securitization is not something that the caucus wants to do,” he said. “Members think the Senate rejected options that were viable and they’re not particularly fond of using securitization or borrowing to fill in a budget hole that the gover-

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION AND TERMINATION OF RIGHTS TO CHILD PURSUANT TO O.C.G.A § 19-8-12 To: The Unknown Biological Father of Emma Matos You are hereby advised that a petition seeking to terminate your rights to Emma Matos born to Nicolette Matos on October 14, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and place legal custody of the child with my client for the purpose of adoption, has been filed in the Cherokee County Superior Court in Georgia. You will lose all rights to the child and will neither receive notice nor be entitled to object to the adoption of the child unless, within 30 days of receipt of this notice, you (1) file a petition to legitimate the child pursuant to Georgia Code Section 19-7-22; (2) provide notice of the filing of the petition to legitimate with the Clerk of the Superior Court of Cherokee County, Georgia at 90 North Street, Suite G170, Canton, Georgia 30114; and (3) provide notice of the filing to Rhonda Fishbein, Esq., at One Glenlake Parkway, Suite 700, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Adoption Action No. 16AD0075-DC Judge David L. Cannon, Jr.

nor created by not creating expenditures for ’16-’17 in reserve,” he said. “They didn’t want to bail out the governor and they don’t want to bail out the Senate, particularly since the Senate hasn’t been open to some of the bills we sent them in the past.” Prior to leaving Saturday, House Democrats decried the move by Republicans to leave Harrisburg without finishing state budget business and pledged to work with the other negotiating parties to reach a deal on budget revenues. “House Democrats are ready, willing, and able to negotiate a revenue plan that pays for the budget that we overwhelmingly voted for in a bipartisan way,” said House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny). “The Speaker presented a plan that was unacceptable to his caucus, certainly unacceptable to us, and we need a plan we can work with that uses recurring revenue to solve next year’s problem.” If the Senate passes the legislation it is expected to take up, it remains unclear when the House might return to session. While by practical function, the House remains on sixhour call, Speaker Turzai spent the beginning part of the week in Atlanta attending a fundraiser for the Republican State Leadership Committee, where he serves as Chairman of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee. Additionally, sources have indicated that many members will be out of state during typically session-free month of August attending previously planned vacations. Meanwhile, organizations both within and outside of the Capitol have taken to various social media platforms in a campaign to urge House Republicans back to the negotiating table and to return to session to close out the budget.

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that office. People are leaving in droves. It’s a wreck. You need somebody with a strong sense of duty and the capacity to calm things down so we regain our sense of mission and duty and so that people feel safe in their communities.” “Safe,” to be honest, might be a relative term here. Part of the

reason the NAACP spoke out is the perception that Abraham has it in for Philadelphia’s Black community. Granted, a lot of her supporters in the past have been Black, but for many, she’s a big part of the reason why Larry Krasner is the Democratic nominee in November’s general election for DA.

The 88-member board is going to take as many votes as it requires for one of the 14 nominees to get a majority. Once that’s done, we’ll know who gets to serve the last six months of Williams’s term. If it turns out to be Abraham, it could be interesting a whole lot of ways…most of them wrong.

the WAFFLE MAN

Tame way. How do crazy people go through the forest? They take the psycho path. How do you get holy water? You boil the hell out of it. What do fish say when they hit a concrete wall? Dam! What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polar-oids. What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work? A stick. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho cheese. What do you call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate clauses. What do you call four bullfighters in quicksand? Cuatro sinko. What do you get from a pampered cow? Spoiled milk. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite. What lies at the bottom of the

ocean and twitches? A nervous wreck. What’s the difference between roast beef and pea soup? Anyone can roast beef. Where do you find a dog with no legs? Right where you left him. Why do gorillas have big nostrils? Because they have big fingers. Why don’t blind people like to skydive? Because it scares the dog. What kind of coffee was served on the Titanic? Sanka. Why did pilgrims’ pants always fall down? Because they wore their belt buckles on their hats. How are a Texas tornado and a Tennessee divorce the same? Somebody’s gonna lose a trailer. Now, admit it – and tell the truth – was Nancy right? I know at least one of these made you smile, didn’t it?

O! HERE we go again with a short article about silly definitions that were sent to me by Nancy M., a reader. She says you can’t read this and stay in a bad mood! Wanna bet? Read on. Here we go: How do you catch a unique rabbit? Unique up on it. How do you catch a tame rabbit?

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lieves that she’s the only one that can right the ship for the next DA. “I’m doing this out of a pure sense of duty and obligation to the court, the victims of crime in Philadelphia, and to try to reset the office,” Abraham said. “There’s a lot of angst in

JU LY 20, 2017

(Cont. From Page 12) wayside with her at the helm. In response, Abraham told the Philadelphia Inquirer that not only is she not taking her name out of the hopper, she be-

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