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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Vol. XIII No. 33

Issue 519

August 17, 2017

HEALTHY PROTEST A CROWD gathered at Columbus Square Park as Councilwoman Helen Gym introduced her #ResistanceSummer campaign to South Philadelphia. Story P. 2.

Photo by Eldon Graham

PT. BREEZE PARTY P. 3 STREET TARGETS GUN BILL: P. 4

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

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

@phillyrecord

PhillyRecord

PhillyRecord.com

STATE REP. Jordan Harris, C, was flanked at his street festival by visiting Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., L, and West Philadelphia Ward Leader Tony Faulk.

TASTING street life were, L-R, State Sen. Sharif Street, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. and Marty Flynn.

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STATE SEN. Anthony Williams, L, exchanged thoughts with attorney Corey Marshall Miller on Washington Avenue.

HANGING out with DJ Cool, C, were State Rep. Morgan Cephas and her sister Chelsea.

STATE REP. Donna Bullock joined DA aspirant Larry Krasner on his campaign trail.

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

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WASHINGTON Avenue in Point Breeze was filled with life last Saturday as area political leaders organized a street festival. Enjoying the action were, L-R, State Rep. Jordan Harris, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Officer Ernie Powell. Photos by Wendell Douglas

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WASHINGTON AVE. HANGOUT

STREET SCORES A HIT ON GUN BILL

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POLS on the STREET

BY JOE SHAHEELI NTERING the General Assembly as a freshman, in the minority party, is a humbling experience.

Ask any veteran lawmaker how much influence he had during the first six months of his career.

It’s obvious the freshman’s main job is to keep his nose down and his ears

E

Representative AU G US T 17, 2017

Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District

open. Rarely does he get a chance to deal a major piece of legislation even a glancing blow.

State Sen. Sharif Street (D-N. Phila.) may have pulled off just such a coup – booby-trapping the mighty National Rifle Association’s chief policy plan for Pennsylvania.

Wending a path through the State Senate this spring was SB 383, introduced by State Sen. Donald White (R-Indiana). This bill that would allow school-district employees to carry guns to school. It passed the Senate and is currently before the House Education Committee.

The bill reads, in part, “The board of school directors in a school district may establish a policy permitting school personnel access to firearms in the buildings or on the grounds of a school.”

The district would be ex-

State Representative

State Rep.

Emilio Vazquez

William Keller

511 West Courtland Street Philadelphia, PA 19140

215-457-5281

215-271-9190

Always Hard At Work for You!

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.

197th Legislative District Office

184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

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

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pected to prepare a firearms-safety plan and run it past local law enforcement.

A 2008 “right-to-know” law would categorize such information as confidential.

That was how White’s bill hit the Senate floor. It was then that senators of both parties were allowed to offer amendments.

Street pitched in two key changes to the bill. One was that school personnel would need a carry permit and proof of firearms training to pack heat at school. They would also be required to pass a psychological screening.

These amendments sailed past the deep-red Senate and are built into the legislation now before the House of Representatives.

In its first version, the bill met opposition from the Education Law Center and the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which you

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”

Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Friday 8:30 - 2 p.m.

CUTTING-EDGE STYLE

A LOCAL hair salon got a new lease on life as State Rep. Jared Solomon cut the ribbon to newly renovated Journey Hair Salon on Castor Avenue. He explained how he assisted the owner, Tomika Miles, in receiving $10,000 in grants from The Merchants Fund to help make the upgrades possible. “I am a strong believer that thriving business corridors are critical in revitalizing a neighborhood,” Solomon explained.

could roughly characterize as “progressive” in today’s odd world.

But now the National Rifle Association has yanked its support as well – solely because of Street’s amendments. The NRA is a massive financial supporter of favorable Keystone State legislators and no one doubts the core language of SB 383 was drafted by the NRA and signed off on by White.

What the NRA chiefly objects to are the Street amendments’ language.

The NRA is adamant that

State Rep. Jason

no school-gun policy is acceptable if it requires pistol-packing professors to demonstrate first that they are not crazy and secondly that they can shoot straight.

The NRA will work hard to delete the Street amendments in the House. But in doing so, they will be placing moderate suburban Republican House members in peril. These are the most-volatile seats in Harrisburg. How many of them wish to go on record advocating that teachers become marksmen in 2018?

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

Councilman Wm.

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

Represintative

Angel Cruz

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

Boyle

198th District

310 W. Chelten Ave.

172nd Dist.

7420 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19136

Phila PA 19148

P: 215-849-6426

215-331-2600 State Rep.

John

Donna

(R) 177th Dist.

4725 Richmond St. Phila., PA 19137

195th Leg. Dist.

2835 W. Girard Ave Phila, PA 19130

215-744-2600

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

A newly created position in the Mayor’s Office will (Cont. Page 5)

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

Donatucci

KENNEY APPROVES PRE-K HEAD

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

STATE REP.

Rep.Maria P.

Gun violence is a large, long-standing Philadelphia concern to which all its elected officials must respond.

Street may have planted an IED in the path of a bill that most Philadelphians don’t want, because they believe it would worsen a local problem with firearms – not in schools, but on the streets.

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

TOMLINSON SOUR ON TAX

One person who is predicting the Sweetened Drinks tax will fail to deliver the goods for pre-K is Mike Tomlinson, the Republican candidate for city controller.

He is placing that message at the core of his campaign.

In a recent statement, Tomlinson said, “I oppose the sugar tax. It punishes the people due to City mismanagement and corruption. My opponent is a flag-waving supporter of this oppressive tax that hurts the middle and working class just trying to make ends meet.”

August is early to be rallying voters But as Republicans face a stiff uphill climb to surmount their disadvantage in voter registrations, Tomlinson cannot waste

a minute. He must hope thousands of Philadelphia voters are enjoying their favorite sodas at the shore in August – and will bring their surprise and frustration after Labor Day when they confront the sticker prices for the same items back home.

“Vote against this tax on Nov. 7 and give me your vote for city controller,” Tomlinson concluded.

LEFT: Ishaq Samai (with megaphone) and Ward Leader Pete Wilson, co-founders of Philadelphia Community Outreach Committee, held an “Anti-Drug/ Anti-Violence Rally” earlier this month on the 700 block of N. Holly Street in Mill Creek. This corner has been plagued by open-air drug vending. BELOW: State Sen. Vincent Hughes and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell joined Holly Street neighbors and civic groups in their vigil.

Photo by Morgan Miller

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of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development & Early Learning, an Early Intervention Service Coordinator and Special Projects Manager for Elwyn SEEDS, and a Site Coordinator in the Southeast Delco School District. She also taught English for six years in the Abington School District.

A graduate of Philadelphia public schools, Beamon earned her BA in English from Howard University and MEd in English education from Ohio State University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and her son, who is a public-school student.

Beamon will have her work cut out for her as she gears up for the first full year of the mayor’s initiative to expand quality pre-K education in the city. If the Sweetened Drinks Tax fails to deliver enough revenue to support the expansion, she will be tasked with managing the gap – and warding off criticisms as the next round of municipal elections approaches.

6TH WARD DRUG RALLY

BRADY SLAMS TRUMP TALK

Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) released the following statement on President Trump’s remarks at a news conference on the Charlottesville tragedy: “President Trump has once again shared his core feelings and once again we are shocked that he chose to defend racists and those who support Nazism rather than the American people.“

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(Cont. From Page 4) become a lightning rod for Mayor Jim Kenney’s signature policy.

Kenney named Julie Beamon as PHLpreK director in the Mayor’s Office of Education.

Beamon most recently served as provider engagement coordinator for PHLpreK, playing a critical role in the initial development and implementation of the city’s free, quality pre-K program over the previous year.

Beamon has spent the past several years working with early-learning programs in Pennsylvania to implement best practices and policies.

“Julie’s commitment to improving quality in the early childhood education sector, combined with her excellent track record working with pre-K providers and key stakeholders make her an excellent choice for PHLpreK director as we continue strengthening the program,” said Kenney. “She has extensive knowledge of early childhood education at the policy and ground level, and has modeled both leadership and collaboration to advance systemic change in the field.”

“Julie has been critical to the success of PHLpreK in its formative phase,” said Carol Austin, executive director at Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children and chair of the city’s pre-K advisory board. “Julie is the right person to convene stakeholders, coordinate with providers and partners, and lead the City’s effort to give all children the quality, affordable early education they deserve in order to become kindergarten-ready.”

Prior to working in the Mayor’s Office of Education, Beamon was an Early Learning Program Certification Representative for the Commonwealth

NEW PRE-K CHIEF

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APPELLATE GOES GREEN?

In a first for Pennsylvania’s Green Party, a Superior Court candidate will be carrying its banner in the fall general election.

The campaign to elect Jules Mermelstein to the Pennsylvania Superior Court has announced that thanks to the efforts of volunteers across 44 counties, he will be on the ballot for Nov. 7.

More than 4,300 Pennsylvania voters submitted their signatures for the campaign to nominate Jules for Judge. On July 28, nearly double the signatures needed to place Mermelstein on the ballot were submitted.

None were challenged over the following days.

Mermelstein has worked as an attorney, and both as a high-school and college government teacher. He spent more than two decades teaching Sunday school to teens and was elected five (Cont. Page 6)

Citizens for

JEWELL WILLIAMS Present his

60th Celebration Birthday Friday, September 8, 2017 From 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM Local 332 Union Hall

1310 Wallace St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Tickets: $100 - Fundraiser for Re-Election Mail check to: Citizens For Jewell Williams 2343 N Smedley St, Philadelphia, PA 19132

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POLS on the STREET

35TH DISTRICT HONORED

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EMERGENCY Personnel Appreciation Day at York Nursing & Rehab awarded nominees from the 35th Police District, a firefighter from Engine 63, a fire service emergency medical technician and a fire service paramedic. Presenting citations was Solomon Leach from Councilwoman Cherelle Parker’s office, out of appreciation for all they do to keep residents safe. There were refreshments, musical entertainment, health screenings, health education and more. L-R are 35th District Capt. Ernest Ransom, Officer Linda Hetherington, Lt. Denise Duccilli and Leach. Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

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TIME FOR NATURE

KICKING OFF the pioneering NaturePHL program at the Cobbs Creek Environmental Center, L-R, were Mike Weilbacher, executive director of the Schuylkill Center; Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation; Lauren Imgrund, Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources; Aaliyah Green Ross, director of education at the Schuylkill Center; Tony Ferguson, station director of the US Forest Service’s Northern Research Station; and Dr. Koi Dang, pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s South Philadelphia primary-care facility.

Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography

POLS on the STREET

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(Cont. From Page 5) terms as a township official.

In two of Mermelstein’s bids for Upper Dublin Township Commissioner,

he was endorsed by both major parties. Now, as a Green Party candidate, Mermelstein believes he will bring much-needed nonpartisan integrity to a judicial system that he sees as plagued by corruption.

“As a former criminal

defense attorney,” Mermelstein told Green Party members from around the U.S. at a recent national conference, “I am fully aware of the racism inherent in that system. I actually argued a case once to a judge that the commonwealth hadn’t proven my client guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and his response from the bench in open court was, ‘The fact that your client’s Black makes it worse.’ I took that appeal actually to the court I’m running for and got an order for a new trial before a different judge.”

Mermelstein has vowed to travel tirelessly across the state to press his candidacy.

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. 19- State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown hosts iBuyBlack Monthly Mtg. at Overbrook Beacon Ctr., 5621 Lancaster Ave., 10 a.m.-12 m. Guest speakers, light refreshments.

For info: (215) 247-1545.

Aug. 19- Salvation Army hosts Community Resource & Job Fair at 3225 Reed St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

More than 40 companies & resource agencies.

Light refreshments. Bring résumé. For info: creeves. rac2@gmail.com.

Aug. 19- Memorial Block Party is hosted in honor of former Ward Leader Ellen Maenner, 200 bl. Tusculum St., (beside Conrail gulley cleanup project), 12-7 p.m.

Aug. 19- State Rep. Morgan Cephas hosts Constituent District day at Tustin Rec Ctr., 5901 W.

ers $75, Friends $125.

Aug. 21- Councilwoman Cindy Bass hosts Showtime at the Apollo at Stenton Pk., 1701 W. Courtland St., 6-8 p.m. MC Derek Lee. Giveaways, prizes. Bring your own chair. For info: (215) 6869182.

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- Councilwoman Cindy Bass hosts “Oldies in the Park” at Vernon Pk., 5800 Germantown Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m. MC Gary Shepherd, DJ Darryl Taylor. For info: (215) 6869182.

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. 24- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts PopUp Constituent Service Office at Save-a-Lot, 2101 W. Lehigh Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Auto registrations & licenses, birth & death certificates, unemployment compensation & senior services. For info: (215) 457-5281.

Aug. 25- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts PopUp Constituent Service Office at Save-a-Lot, 2101 W. Lehigh Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Auto registrations & licenses, birth & death certificates, unemployment compensation & senior services. For info: (215) 457-5281.

Aug. 26- State Rep. Stephen Kinsey hosts “Save, Give, Live,” a personal-finance workshop presented by Urban Seeds, at

OPINION

W

MARK your CALENDAR Aug. 18- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts Pop-Up Constituent Service Office at Norris Sq. Pk., 2100 N. Howard St., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Auto registrations & licenses, birth & death certificates, unemployment compensation & senior services.

For info: (215) 4575281.

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

Columbia Ave, 12-4 p.m.

Basketball tournament, live music, games, raffles, giveaways, food and refreshments. For info: Thais Carrero (717) 7877895.

Aug. 19- Ward Leader George Brooks hosts Baltimore Harbor Crab & Shrimp festival, bus at Progress Plaza, Broad & Oxford Sts., lv. 1 p.m. Free lunch on bus. All you can eat, 35 liquors & beer, 6 p.m. Tickets $175. For info: George (215) 2352235 or Ron (267) 9747319.

Aug. 19- Operating Engineers Union host Summer Bash at Keenan’s Pub, 113 Olde New jersey Ave., N. Wildwood, N.J. Aug. 19- State Rep. Joanna McClinton hosts Birthday Summer Soirée at Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., cocktails 4 p.m., celebration 5-8 p.m. VIP Levels: Gold $1,000, Silver $2,500, Platinum $5,000; celebration levels Young Professionals $50, Support-

ened by dog whistles that have metastasized into clarion calls of tolerance for their abhorrent beliefs and behavior. And with demographics like these, what better place to launch an offensive than here? You can be sure that hate group leaders will take a page from successful military campaigns and realize that the injury and loss incurred by some of their members will be far outweighed by the acolytes gained. If this sounds familiar, it should: it’s textbook terrorist recruitment of the same variety practiced

by ISIS. It’s fitting that a voice that the Nazis were unable to silence should have the last word. Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel noted, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

5952 Germantown Ave., 10-11 a.m. RSVP: Naja (215) 518-6558.

Aug 26- State Sen. Art Haywood hosts Back to School Celebration at Lonnie Young Rec Ctr., 1100 E. Chelten Ave., 12-4 p.m.

Aug. 26- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Back-toSchool Bookbag Giveaway at 1240 E. Erie Ave., 12-4 p.m. Also recycling bins; fire truck & police car; info on finger-printing, redevelopment grants and public safety. For info: (215) 291-5643.

Aug. 27- Republican City Committee hosts Bill Meehan Clam Bake at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd., 4-8 p.m. Roast Pig, chicken, clams, chowder, corn, hot dogs, pretzels, water ice, open bar, live entertainment. Tickets $100. For info: (215) 561-0650.

Aug. 28- Councilwoman Cindy Bass hosts Showtime at the Apollo at Stenton Pk., 1701 W. (Cont. Page 11)

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SHARING CHARLOTTESVILLE’S PAIN – and the nation’s – was a crowd gathered at this Center City vigil Sunday night for the three people killed during the Unite the Right rally and its aftermath this past weekend. Photo by Salvatore Patrone

hen President Donald Trump’s eye-popping press conference on Tuesday equated white supremacists with counter-protestors, he did not just legitimize their actions in Charlottesville, Va.; he legitimized their future actions and beliefs across the US – including Philadelphia.

Despite the understandable desire to move on from last weekend’s horrific demonstrations and violence, we need to be vigilant. When the office of the president of

the United States, long considered one of the country’s moral compasses, can’t bring itself to condemn groups that celebrate defeated foes of liberty – those that fetishize the eras of Jim Crow and slavery, as well as the genocidal bloodlust of the Nazis – we need to take action.

This is the City of Brotherly Love, but it is so much more. It is the home of a Black population that comprises almost half of our citizenry; the sixth-largest Jewish population in the U.S.; an LGBTQ community making up 4% of the population; 187,000 Hispanics – fully 12% of the city; and 50,000 undocumented immigrants Every one of these groups was targeted in Charlottesville – and every one of them will continue to be in the bullseye, especially now that white supremacists have been embold-

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The News in Black in White

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BEING VIGILANT

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‘SHORING UP’ SUPPORT IN WILDWOOD

JOHN DOUGHERTY, SR., C, was host for the annual “Down Under” party at Keenan’s N. Wildwood. Several hundred attendees included, L-R, Commissioner Lisa Deeley; Political Director Marita Crawford; Carmella Jacquinto; Steve Lauer; Ed Guzak and consultant Kenny Adams.

WARD LEADERS Matt Myers and Dan Savage, 1st & 4th from L, greet Joe Barnes, president of Wissinoming Communit y Council; and Jim Lewis, 58th Ward party activist who plans to run for ward leader.

SPRIN K L E R Fitters Union legend Craig Cummins, L, introduced Gay Campbell of Surge Inc. and electrician Bill Giordano.

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COUNCILMAN Mark Squilla, 2nd from R, held his reception at Keenan’s. Well-wishers included Melania Rowan; Pat Christian, 25th Ward Chairman; Senate aide J.R. Rowan (hubby of Melania); Tom Johnson, 25th Ward Leader; Brigit and hubby Mark; and Mary Fogg, Golden Rose.

A DIVERSE group enjoyed the Squilla reception: L-R, Jimmy Foy, Local 98 business agent; Squilla; Judge Vincent Furlong; Matty Myers, 39B Ward Leader; Vincent Fenerty, 31st Ward Leader; and Carmella Jacquinto.

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LARGE member turnout was seen during the annual Local 686 Gas Workers “Bash at the Beach” at Keenan’s.

President Keith Holmes, C rear, welcomed them, including Business Agents and board members Ed Carter, Bill Hawthorn, Mike Pavel and Joe McGarrity.

CONGRESSMAN Robert Brady, 2nd from L, joins in a toast to the Gehret family offered by Mike McAleer, Chairman of the Northeast Ward Leaders.

Receiving the toast are Gehret family members Joe Cowgill, L and Judge Tom Gehret.

MUNICIPAL COURT Judge Tom Gehret, 5th from R, rounded up much of his family for a photo commemorating 30 years in the family residence in N. Wildwood. The Gehrets are known for 30 years of public service to the City. Their accomplishments have won the profound, professional respect of peers, supervisors and subordinates.

does not require artistic talent. Students who continue for the second semester of this course can earn college credits. This class is free and meets every other Friday at the university.

Two Cabrini University courses are offered this year.

The fall semester is “Introduction to Criminal Justice.”

This is a new partnership for Hallahan. Roman students will be invited to come to Hallahan and take a college course with college credit, taught by Cabrini professors.

This course offers a broad examination of the American system of criminal justice.

The development and con-

temporary functions of the three subsystems (law enforcement, judicial system, and correctional system) are analyzed. This course provides the foundation for further criminal-justice studies.

The course will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays, The fee for this class is $300. The big incentive: If you later attend Cabrini, you will receive an annual $1,000 scholarship because you chose to take a Cabrini class before graduation.

That’s a possible $4,000 return on a $300 investment.

In the spring, “Introduction to Media Communications” will be offered.

Students are introduced to the latest developments in media communication, as well as to the significance of the 1st Amendment in preserving democratic freedoms. Students learn how the media have developed so that they can be critical consumers and producers of news, advertising, public relations and entertainment.

A survey of the changing media landscape of journalism, entertainment and persuasion, including evolving and emerging sources of news, radio, recording video, film, photography, advertising and public relations provides an overview of media career

paths. It will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hallahan students can attend a fall course at Arcadia University, “Introduction to Public Health.” This course provides a global overview of public health, with an emphasis on the US. It focuses on the population-health perspective, including the impact on the health care system and the environment, and the needs of underserved populations.

The course provides an introduction to disease incidence and prevalence, and how the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease affect how resources

are allocated to target health conditions and health disparities. Methods used to detect diseases within populations are described along with educational interventions used to facilitate behavior change and disease prevention.

Issues of health-care delivery are included with a discussion of financing, reimbursement, cost containment and utilization.

Students are introduced to the social determinants of health promotion and disease prevention so that they may gain an understanding of the health disparities that exist today and the factors that contribute to this inequity.

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H

ALLAHAN High School, the oldest Catholic girls’ high school in the country, has made a point of staying in the forefront of secondary education for more than a century.

Hallahan has stayed abreast of the latest opportunities in local college partnerships and online offerings, to make the most of its elite Center City location In the upcoming academic year, Hallahan will introduce two new classes to prepare its graduates for leadership.

This fall, the school is adding a full-year statistics class to its math offerings.

This is a great elective and one that would be most beneficial to anyone looking to start a career in nursing or other medical or scientific fields as well as education.

Offered in response to long-standing interest, the course will be open to 11th and 12th grades.

Public Speaking is an incredibly useful course, no matter what you choose for a career. At some point in your life you will be asked to present, and this class can help you understand and practice the strategies necessary for a great presentation. It too is open to 11th and 12th grades.

Hallahan will offer four college-level courses in partnership with area colleges.

At University of the Arts, Hallahan will be starting its third year in an amazing program, “Spark, Fuel, Ignite.” This program is open to 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students. Students will be working with U of A graduate students and Project HOME to design and build an interactive structure that will be on display during April 2018 throughout the city.

The only requirement for this class is that you are an “outside the box” thinker. It

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HALLAHAN TEACHES LEADERSHIP WITH NEW PROGRAMS

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ELEPHANT CORNER

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TATE SEN. DAVID ARGALL (R-Berks) is interested but not fully committed to running for lieutenant governor next year. However, he is currently reaching out to members of the Pennsylvania Republican Party Committee. He visited with members from some Southeast counties last week, including Philadelphia.

He is expected to make his final decision when it is clearer as to whom the PAGOP endorses for governor.

That decision will be made

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY ’M GOING to write about food this week.

I know that I’m supposed to write about politics, but writing about politics this week means that I’m going to have to write about the incident in Charlottesville, Va., and how it represents the fact that the scab that is racism in America has been ripped all the way off.

That gunk you see on the streets is the blood and pus of racism that this scab was holding back. While it wasn’t always effective, it did what it could.

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by State Committee, most likely at its winter meeting in February.

Argall believes that the governor and lieutenant governor candidates should be a team. Earlier this year, Argall proposed an amendment to the commonwealth’s constitution as to how the lieutenant governor is selected.

Argall’s proposal would allow the gubernatorial candidate to select his/her running mate conditioned upon the approval of State Committee.

When TOM CORBETT ran in 2010, he was the hands-down choice of State Committee at the time of the endorsement meeting as the two other serious candidates, CONGRESSMAN PAT MEEHAN (R-Delaware) decided to run for Congress and former CONGRESSMAN JIM GERLACH decided to go into the private sector. However, there was a race at the State Committee meeting for lieutenant governor, in part owing to Corbett’s not making any public noises about his But the fact that it got ripped completely off this past weekend means that I now have to write about politics in the context of that reality.

And I don’t want to. It brings back some bad memories.

Once upon a time, I covered groups like the folks who put together the socalled “Unite the Right” rally.

That they marched through the streets with Tiki torches (something that the Tiki torch people have disavowed) and shouted slogans that were popular with the Nazis was something that didn’t shock me much.

The whole “running over a whole bunch of people with a car, killing on and injuring a bunch more” thing was something I didn’t see coming, but hey.

In any case, I saw these folks up close and personal and saw the havoc they can wreak. While I didn’t think they’d gone away – the ideology that spawned them is

choice for a running mate.

It worked out well for him as former Bucks County COMMISSIONER JIM CAWLEY was selected. They worked very well together. It would be an understatement to say that this is not the case with the current governor and lieutenant governor.

It is rumored that former STATE REP. GORDON DENLINGER of Lancaster and Corbett’s REVENUE SECRETARY DAN MEUSER are considering runs for lieutenant governor as well. However, there is speculation Meuser will run for Congress if CONGRESSMAN LOU BARLETTA (R-Luzerne) runs for Senate.

As usual, when I see “Philadelphia” in the title of an article in a national newspaper, I am prepared to be embarrassed. This week, the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial discussing our beloved soda tax. The 1.5-cent tax per ounce of soda (any soda, including (Cont. Page 12) still with us – it’s still kind of hard to deal with.

So is trying to explain how they impact our politics.

It’s especially hard when you know that the main reason our politics are impacted by this particular incident is because of who the president of the United States is – and the fact that the folks wielding the Tiki torches in Charlottesville are the ones that helped get him elected.

Donald Trump owes a debt to the White Nationalist movement in a lot of ways because they were his first endorsers. Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon David Duke came out in support of Trump after a presidential campaign announcement that managed to offend, well, everyone.

So when he gave what can only be considered a half-hearted condemnation of the incident in Charlottesville, Trump was basically remembering who (Cont. Page 12)

WALKING the BEAT

C

HICAGO filed a lawsuit against the US Justice Department over Sanctuary Cities.

GOOD. Other cities should follow suit. And do the Feds want UNFETTERED access to our prisons? This is not a third-world POLICE STATE. Philadelphia, JOIN in that suit!

A friend advised from a log book that days when the FEDS announced a raid or investigation seemed to be on mostly FRIDAYS; that makes a perfect lead-in to a SUNDAY EDITION splash newspaper feature (?) Let’s

CITY HALL SAM

T

he CONSUL GENERAL of Ireland, BARBARA JONES, did a great job in Philadelphia. As a result, she was promoted to ambassador to Mexico.

Philadelphia will miss her.

What makes her special is an ability to deal with politicians and bring them into the loop.

Politicians love being kept in the loop.

Jones brought the Irish prime minister, ENDA KENNY, to Philadelphia for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was a real coup for the city. Many of the poli-

keep watch on this.

The US Attorney General announced he is fed up with leaks in government. Does he INCLUDE his own department?

KOREA is heating up. It all seems new, but the issue of North vs. South Korea (once the country was unified after the original four Koreas) dates back to 500 A.D. according to the Chronicles of Koryo.

Pyongyang was named the Summer Capital of Seoul, as it was in an untamed area – including bands of attacking nomads. Nothing has changed; it was always plotting and TROUBLE. American FORCES are not on DEFCON 2, but be assured that they are in a readiness state.

Congrats to Julien SCRANTON, who takes the helm of The PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY! The granddaughter of the late, great Gov. William Warren SCRANTON has fine credentials to be Executive Director. A news article called membership in the society for the politically connected. Pure

BS. The annual weekend began as a tribute to Pennsylvania by expats working in New York, but missing home. Yes, the PA Society has an ANNUAL LUNCH each year in a Pennsylvania city.

Rumors are out on Councilwoman Helen GYM. One is that she wants to run for MAYOR? Another is that she is encouraging a candidate to run against an incumbent legislator. What is known is that she held three RESISTANCE rallies in the city. Resistance TO WHAT? She has had support from teachers in the PFT. I followed three cyclists on S. 13th Street this past Sunday. They took advantage of the new signs which allowed them to use the ENTIRE LANE, At Snyder Avenue, they departed from the rules and ran a red light. At McKean Street, they rode on the sidewalk. SELECTIVE rule-following? Old time residents who are annoyed – do they matter? Does Mayor (Cont. Page 13)

ticians that she kept in the loop were represented at a going-away reception at the Philadelphia Free Library.

STATE REP. MIKE DRISCOLL presented a citation. COUNCILMAN BOB HENON was also on hand and presented the citation from the city. LT. GOV. MIKE STACK coordinated with the State Department of Community & Economic Development and presented a Liberty Bell portrait to Jones. DEPUTY SECRETARY and Cardinal Dougherty alum JOE BURKE represented DCED at the event. Burke, Stack and Jones helped convince Irish pharmaceutical company Almac to expand and create more jobs in Souderton.

Also on hand was the omnipresent CITY REP. SHEILA HESS. A representative from CONGRESSMAN PAT MEEHAN’S office was also there.

DEPUTY CONSUL GENERAL of Ireland ANNA McGILLICUDDY helped pull the event together. Ambassador Jones said McGil-

licuddy will one day be her boss. Representing The Free Library was SIOBHÁN REARDON. Villanova University was well represented because of its excellent Irish-studies program.

DEAN ADELE LINDENMEYR, SEAN LENNON and JENNIFER JOYCE were joined by REBECCA REBALSKY. ROSS WILEY and JOE HAND represented the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and BOB GESSLER represented the Irish Memorial.

Republican WARD LEADER BILL IVERS represented the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association and served as MC. JUDGE JIMMY LYNN represented the Brehon Law Society. Also representing the Brehons was JIM QUINLAN. JOHN O’MALLEY, who is also a member of the Brehon Society, represented the Irish Immigration Center.

CONSUL GENERAL ALICIA GERBER of Mexico (Cont. Page 13)

contact in advance to get listing! Free light buffet, cash bar; can bring own food. Payable to “People for Parker,” P.O. Box 27647, Phila., PA 19118. For info: (215) 500-1679 or people4parker@gmail.com.

Sep. 8- Sheriff Jewell Williams is hosted 60th Birthday celebration at Local 332 Union Ha., 1310 Wallace St., 8:30 p.m.12:30 a.m. Tickets $100.

Payable to “Citizens for

Jewell Williams,” 2343 N. Smedley St., Phila., PA 19132.

Sep. 9- State Rep. Jason Dawkins hosts Women’s Health Fair at N.E. Frankford Boys & Girls Cl., 1709 Kinsey St., 11 a.m.2 p.m. Cancer care, health insurance, opioid addiction, medical equipment, behavioral health, sexual violence, counseling. For info: (215) 744-7901.

Sep. 9- Sheet Metal Work-

ers 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. 16- Chapel of 4 Chaplains hosts Appreciation Event at 1201 Constitution Ave., Navy Yard Bldg. 649, 11 a.m. Legion of Honor (Cont. Page 12)

In The Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 170502600 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc., Plaintiff vs. The Unknown Heirs of Cornelia Holsey, Deceased & Reginald Holsey, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Cornelia Holsey, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: The Unknown Heirs of Cornelia Holsey, Deceased & Reginald Holsey, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Cornelia Holsey, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 6630 North Uber Street, Philadelphia, PA 19138. This firm is a debt collector and we are attempting to collect a debt owed to our client. Any information obtained from you will be used for the purpose of collecting the debt. You are hereby notified that Plaintiff, Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc., 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. 170502600, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 6630 North Uber Street, Philadelphia, PA 19138, whereupon your property will be sold by the Sheriff of Phila. County. Notice: You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after the Complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you.

You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below. This office can provide you with information about hiring a lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Lawyer, this office may be able to provide you with information about agencies that may offer legal services to eligible persons at a reduced fee or no fee. Community Legal Services, Inc., Law Center North Central, 1410 W. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19140, 215-227-2400/215-981-3700. Phila.

Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-2386333. 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.

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

Columbus Blvd.

Sep. 8- Councilwoman Cherelle Parker hosts “Calling All Virgos – Birthday Celebration” at Temptations, 218 W. Chelten Ave., 8-11 p.m. Inter-generational old-school party featuring Patty Jackson and DJ Gary O. BOP, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s dance contests; $200 1st-place prize in each category. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at door. Virgos buying tables

AU G US T 17, 2017

(Cont. From Page 7) Courtland St., 6-8 p.m. MC Derek Lee. Giveaways, prizes. Bring your own chair.

For info: (215) 686-9182.

Aug. 31- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts Pop-Up Constituent Service Office at Wyoming Br. Lib., 231 E. Wyoming Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Auto registrations & licenses, birth &

death certificates, unemployment compensation & senior services. For info: (215) 457-5281.

Sep. 1- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts Pop-Up Constituent Service Office at Satellite Office, 1421 W. Susquehanna Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For info: (215) 457-5281.

Sep. 4- AFL-CIO hosts Labor Day Parade, starts at Sheet Metal Workers’ Ha., Washington Ave. &

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ELEPHANT CORNER

(Cont. From Page 10) diet) has not produced the expected revenues; not to mention that the funds, which initially were proposed to go to finance universal pre-K education, have been siphoned off to pay for employee benefits and other programs. To date, only 49% of the tax proceeds have gone to pre-K, according to the Tax Foundation.

The tax reduced soda sales in the city, negatively impacting low-income jobholders. Teamsters Local 830 estimates that soda deliveries are down 45% and resulted in 165 of its members being out of work. Pepsi plans on eliminating 20% of its local workforce, citing the tax as the cause. Grocery stores have also reported reducing employee hours.

The only people who benefited from this tax might be the limousine liberals in Center City and Chestnut

Hill who disdain soda as unhealthy. However, their perceived gain may be less than reported; although sales in the city may be down, consumption may not be diminished. I know a lot of people, including myself, who make a point of purchasing soda outside the city. I have not purchased soda except in restaurants in Philadelphia since last year, but there are two new cases of Coke Zero in my pantry.

I wonder if these welloff liberals who see sugary beverages as warranting a vice tax, are looking to see if there are other vices to tax. Are they and our politicos in City Hall aware the state’s special tax on beer is $0.80 per gallon and the city’s soda tax adds up to $1.92 per gallon? I probably should not give the mayor or City Council ideas about another tax.

However, taxing beer might get a little pushback from their better-heeled do-

nors, who would not like to see their craft beers become more expensive.

A final note: People who would like to make donations to BETH GROSSMAN for district attorney should mail them to “Funds for Beth Grossman,” 7066 Germantown Avenue, Suite 301, Philadelphia, PA 19119.

MARK your CALENDAR

(Cont. From Page 11) awards, unveiling of World War II Submarine Vets Memorial, Lost at Sea memorial. Free-will offering. For info: (215) 218-1943.

Sep. 19- Councilman Derek Green hosts Cocktail Reception at Time, 1315 Sansom St., 5-7 p.m. Tickets $250, Supporters $500, friends $750, Hosts $1,000.

Payable to “The Green Fund,” P.O. Box 4984, Philadelphia, PA 19119.

RSVP: Kelly Bauer kbauer1122@gmail.com.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

(Cont. From Page 10) brought him to the dance and was trying to make sure he had a ride home. Even the statement he gave trying to clean up after that other statement showed that.

Besides, when one of your father’s claims to fame is that he got busted at a Klan rally, and you made your political bones demanding the birth certificate and collegiate transcripts of the nation’s first Black president, we kind of know how you’re living.

So I’d rather talk about food.

I’d rather talk about the chargrilled oysters I had at Drago’s and the beignets dusted with powdered sugar that I had at the iconic Café Du Monde in New Orleans while I was attending the National Association of Black Journalists convention last week.

I’d rather talk about the grits and griots I had as part of the jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters restaurant in the French Quarter. I’ve never had grits that good in my life. And the veal ragout that covered

them was to die for!

I’d rather talk about the ride I had on the Creole Queen riverboat and the great duck quesadillas they served us there.

Heck, I’d rather talk about the fact that you can buy Jim Beam, Crown Royal, Jack Daniels and any other alcoholic beverage you might want at the Walgreen’s on Canal Street.

In fact, I’d rather talk about anything other than Charlottesville. And about a man with actual white supremacists in his cabinet who is president of the United States.

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.

Sep. 27- A s i a n American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phila. hosts Award Ban-

quet at Sheraton Univ. City Hotel, 3549 Chestnut St., 5-9 p.m. Banquet catered

by Michael Chow’s Sang Kee Restaurant. Tickets $75/person, $135/couple, $650/table. For info: (215) 642-2333.

Oct. 1- Vendemmia festival of wine & food is held at Girard Pk., 21st & Porter Sts., 2-6 p.m. Tickets

$500 table of 10, $50 advance purchase, $55 at gate. To enter your homemade wine, return the registration form with your entries on Sep. 30, 10 a.m-2 p.m. at Prudential Savings bank Community Rm., off parking lot. 1-3 bottles per person. If possible, bring 2 bottles of each entry. For info: (215) 551-3859.

CITY HALL SAM

targeting the Republican congressional seats of PAT MEEHAN in Delaware County and MIKE FITZGERALD of Bucks County. This is based on the DONALD TRUMP implosion. But City Hall Sam is not convinced 2018 will be a big Democratic year. These members always veer to the middle, which enables them to win moderate Democrats and re-election.

Some late-summer punditry by columnist CHRISTINE FLOWERS has been enjoyable vacation fantasy reading; it ranks right up there with the stories from

the new season of “Game of Thrones.” Flowers believes that Republican candidate for district attorney BETH GROSSMAN has a very good chance of beating Democratic nominee LARRY KRASNER. She needs her head examined. Democrats outnumber Republicans something like 10 to 1 and an FOP endorsement will do nothing to help Grossman eat into that margin. On the other hand, if Grossman has three adult dragons, the Unsullied, the Dothraki, and House Stark supporting her, she might have a chance...

(Cont. From Page 10) KENNEY still need that longtime resident vote? No. He has millennials, LGBT and Black wards.

A delightful article in the daily press depicted a dawn of Jewish farming in Salem County. But did you know that ROOSEVELT, N.J. was created during the Great Depression to bring unemployed Jewish garment workers from the New York to farming? The squat

(Cont. From Page 10) was on hand to salute her fellow diplomatic-corps member. Consul General Gerber works on immigration with Ambassador Jones.

It is interesting to note that the Irish have a problem with illegal immigration as well as the Mexicans.

But no one seems to direct their anti-immigrant talk at the Irish. One wonders if the immigration issue relates to bigotry.

Democrats appear to be

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on March 6, 2017, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Pennsylvania Dept of State for Friends of 2125 Chestnut Street, a nonprofit corporation organized under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988, for the purpose of: To raise the funding necessary to protect and improve the properties and grounds of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia congregation, including those located at 2125 Chestnut Street, which includes but is not limited to the restoration, renovation, preservation, upkeep and upgrade of the properties and grounds.

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

ago. The NEW BRT is not an assessing body, but an Appeals Board. The daily press railed against the BRT members taking a six-week vacation. This board is under the Board of Judges; it gets NO VACATION PAY. Their pay is less than some writers. They finish the job in the time NEEDED. The recent forum by our “future leaders seemed mostly about Congressman Bob Brady. A Republican said that Brady’s “time had passed.”

How did he make that determination? Reading the stars?

AU G US T 17, 2017

one-story homes that FDR planned are there, as is a huge bust of FDR! A great line from an unhappy POL: “And that tells us something about how qualifications are enforced.” Correction: It tells us NOTHING. PENCE denies a 2020 run for President. Hmm....

An editorial zapped upgrade contracts for City computer programs. It zinged spending for IT upgrades at the old Board of Revision of Taxes – but left it OUT during the attack series on the BRT a few years

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KEEPING COOL BY SID BOOKER’S POOL

RESTAURATEUR Sid Booker is famous for disrupting the August dog days with his lavish backyard pool party in suburban Laverock, Pa. L-R, Booker, Jim Coley, Ward Leader Sharon Vaughn, Sheriff Jewell Williams, Rochelle Gordon and Councilman Derek Green.

DR. YOUSEF & Sharyn Kabbani were among the hundreds of summer fun-lovers who trooped to Sid Booker’s home. Photos by Wendell Douglas

FASHIONABLE in white were, L-R, Sheriff Jewell Williams, Ward Leader Marian Tasco, Councilwoman Cindy Bass and host Sid Booker.

JOINING Sid Booker, L-R, were former State Reps. Mark Cohen, who is running for judge, and Ron Waters, as well as Sheriff Jewell Williams.

THE AQUAMARINE depths of Booker’s famous pool invited many party-goers.

L-R HERE were Sheriff Jewell Williams; Sid Booker; veteran public servant Marian Tasco, who received an award from Booker; and WDAS radio star Patty Jackson.

BATHING beauties on parade are a traditional attraction of Booker’s annual Shrimp BarB-Q Pool Party, cohosted this year by Sheriff Jewell Williams.

SID BOOKER goes by the name “Shrimp King” and people lined up for his signature feast.

ANOTHER award-winner was Deputy Sheriff Paris Washington, who enjoyed the picnic with a bevy of lovely ladies.

LYNN CARTER was flanked by former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, L, and his successor, Commissioner Richard Ross.

L-R WERE David Myers, Donald “ D u c k y ” Birts, attorney Carmella Jacquinto and Arthur Morton.

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GYM HOSTS RESISTANCE SUMMER

THE COMMUNITY gathered at Columbus Square Park as Councilwoman Helen Gym introduced her #ResistanceSummer campaign to South Philadelphia. Photo by Eldon Graham

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T

HE SUMMER of Resistance in the City of Brotherly Love came to South Philadelphia last Wednesday evening. The series of events created and hosted

by Councilwoman Helen Gym to draw attention to health care and education issues in the city stopped at Columbus Square Park.

The event drew a crowd, which was encouraged to resist all forms of government oppression like unfair treatment and misgoverning from elected officials.

Councilwoman Gym did not hide her feelings toward elected officials who are not doing their jobs. One example of this was her denunciation of President Donald

Trump and his war of words with North Korea. She also laid into James Mattis, United States Department of Defense Secretary for not working harder to de-escalate the increasingly worrisome situation.

The theme of the evening was “edutainment” focusing on access to health care and education for all. A guitarist played as a crowd of 100 people listened to the speakers and explored various booths that offered connections to political action groups focusing on education and health care.

Councilwoman Gym’s objective for this most recent gathering related to her Resistance Summer initiative was to inform the South Phil-

adelphia community how to learn about access to health care and what to expect on obtaining a proper education budget from Harrisburg.

Councilwoman Gym has been in office since January 2016. Hosting the event in Columbus Square Park recalled her own political awakening in such place during her youth, she explained. “My path into politics didn’t start in city councils or committees or anything like that; it started in school yards and parks like Columbus Square,” she said. “It started out with people who came together, parents who cared about their public schools, nurses and doctors, health-care professionals, who cared COUNCILWOMAN Helen Gym’s long-standing activism for public education propelled her into City Council. She continues to lobby for its cause in public.

Photo by Wendell Douglas

about people they were looking after. It started with teachers who cared about the children they were raising, social workers who are changing their cities, housing advocates, anti-poverty advocates. These are the people that defined my path to understanding what politics should be about.” These ideals are what Gym wants to see in today’s politics, the better to get back to those values and to keep pressing forward as a society.

She encouraged the crowd to send a message to their elected officials in Harrisburg by signing a letter at one of the booths set up in the park, with special emphasis on giving notice to Senator Pat Toomey.

“We need to send him a letter” she exhorted. “A notice to let him know we’re watching.

We have a long way to go before the next election – there is a lot of work for us to do.

We have to weigh in on health care. The fact that he was one of 13 men who hatched and botched a horrible bill that was effectively a massive tax break to the largest corporations – that he himself stood by – and made sure that was one of his primary initiatives for the last six months.”

Gym added that it was the power of the people who

voted that that bill down and encouraged those in attendance to continue that trend going into the future on legislation that does more harm than good.

Accompanying Gym was her colleague, Councilman Mark Squilla (D-1st), in whose district Columbus Square Park lies. He was excited to show up for his district and colleague. “It’s great to be involved in this political process, whether it’s education or health care – any of the main initiatives,” he said.

“It’s important that you let your council people know what you believe is the right thing in the city to do – we are here to work with you in this process.”

Gym and her staff were also able to hand out new recycling bins to block captains and community members who don’t want to see litter foul up the streets and sidewalks. Gym was most impressed by the number of young people that made it to the second installment of Resistance Summer since, to her, they are the key to future politics.

This gathering was the second in a series that the councilwoman has organized to take place in parks and public spaces this summer.

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bankruptcy is that bankruptcy won’t get you out of paying taxes. That’s not entirely true.

While there are some taxes that are never wiped out in bankruptcy, most people don’t owe those types of taxes. Most people owe income taxes, which can sometimes be discharged in bankruptcy. In addition to the discharge of some taxes, bankruptcy can also offer options to getting taxes paid.

I’m not going to focus on when taxes are or are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. It is a topic more appropriate for a law-review article. Rather, I’m going to focus on when you should explore the opportunity bankruptcy may offer you to resolve some or all of your tax debts.

If you have owed income taxes for a while, the timing issues are very specific and it’s a finicky issue to figure out, but it’s worth looking into. There are all kinds of ways that a bankruptcy can help if

some or all of the taxes are dischargeable. The taxes might be completely discharged in a Chapter 7 case, if you otherwise qualify for Chapter 7, or you might be able to discharge part of the taxes and reduce your balance to something you can handle. Or it might be possible to reduce your liability and pay the balance in a Chapter 13 payment plan.

If you have a tax lien that you need to resolve, a Chapter 13 payment plan may give you an affordable way to pay that off. A Chapter 7 generally won’t resolve a tax lien, but in a Chapter 13 case you may be able to value the property (or the equity in property) that the tax lien attaches to, and pay that over the life of a Chapter 13 plan.

Bankruptcy can also help if you are carrying so much other debt (like credit cards or finance companies) that you can’t afford to pay your taxes.

The solution to your tax problem may be as simple

as discharging other debt so that you can afford to pay your taxes, especially if you have been balancing your budget by reducing your tax withholding, or not paying your estimated taxes.

It is important to note that bankruptcy is not always the best answer. You may have legitimate defenses to the tax liability itself, or you may be better off reducing your tax liability by presenting an offer in compromise. Every situation is different, and the intersection of tax and bankruptcy law is one of those places where you really need an expert. Even better, two experts. If you owe a significant tax debt, it would be worth seeking the expert opinion of both a bankruptcy lawyer and a tax lawyer. Ask you bankruptcy lawyer for referral to a tax lawyer who also understands bankruptcy.

Next Week’s Question: What goes on with court objections to plan confirmation?

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