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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Vol. XIII No. 50

Issue 536

December 14, 2017

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

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COUNCILMAN Kenyatta Johnson unveiled the street sign for the 1700 block of Ritner Street as “Bishop Louis DeSimone Way,” in recognition of his decades of service to St. Monica Parish and the city of Philadelphia. Bishop DeSimone is a World War II veteran and the first Italian-American ever to become a bishop in Philadelphia (in 1981). The 95-year-old prelate could not attend the ceremony; L-R were State Sen. Larry Farnese, State Rep. Maria Donatucci, Father Joseph Kelly, Johnson and Councilman Mark Squilla. Photo by Leona Dixon

THE BISHOP’S WAY HOLIDAY

AIR

GIFTS

POLLUTION

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Fiedler’s Got Mustard

Political Xmas Art?

PUSHING hard on her campaign for the 184th Legislative District in South Philly is journalist Elizabeth Fiedler, holding her son at a fundraising event with supporters at Mustard Greens in Queen Village. Photo by Wendell Douglas

ON SALE at Da Vinci Art Alliance, 704 Catharine Street, for that politically obsessed special someone on your gift list: Phoebe Murer’s “Sanders vs. Trump” screen print, for $100. It was one feature at Da Vinci’s “Out of Scale” members’ exhibit on Dec. 6. Photo

by Bill Myers

Handmade Brigade Hails Holidays LISA VOLTA of Volta Organics spread out her handmade honey and

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herbs, looking to give a sweet

Touted as the “best annual holiday party in South Philadelphia”" the Brigade is a shopping event featuring affordable and original artwork and gifts by local artists. Glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, housewares, and more. The Brigade is also a great way to meet and learn about individual artists in their studios at their 1241 Carpenter Street building.

The event also raised money for Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia. Photos by Eldon Graham

smell to the holiday season.

Lions Host the Blind

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HARRY MURTHA showcased his woodcraft during the Handmade Brigade.

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

In Memoriam:James Tayoun, Sr. Editor: Greg Salisbury 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.

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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA Lions threw their annual holiday party for blind neighbors at the Waterfall Room in Whitman. Their leader, Barbara Ricci, is 7th from R. Photo by Wendell Douglas

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BUSY SHOPPERS bustled through the South Philly Handmade Brigade exhibit of local artists and craftsmen last Saturday, making their holiday shopping rounds.

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Vázquez Seeks Hurricane relief In an effort to continue helping victims ravaged by Hurricane Maria, State Rep. Emilio Vázquez (D-Kensington) is fighting to give the U.S. Virgin Islands more time to apply for assistance.

He plans on introducing a Pennsylvania House resolution urging the U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump to extend the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s application deadline to Jan. 1, for financial aid and relief.

“It’s been months since Hurricane Maria hit and there are still many with

McClinton, Boyle In ‘Plan for Pa.’ State Reps. Joanna McClinton (D-W. Phila.) and Kevin Boyle (D-Northeast) joined fellow legislators for a Capitol news conference laying out the House Democrats’ “Plan for Pennsylvania.” At the news conference, House Democrats outlined the plan’s goals to put Pennsylvanians first through investing in good jobs, quality schools and a fairer tax system.

McClinton, secretary/ treasurer of the Philadelphia County Delegation, spoke on the importance of putting everyday Pennsylvanians first through fighting for fair wage policies such as increasing the minimum wage and ensuring equal pay for equal work.

“Each day, I speak with countless neighbors in West and Southwest Philadelphia who say they are tired of living paycheck to paycheck,” McClinton said. “The Plan for Pennsylvania allows us to find solutions to the complex problems residents face whether they live in Delaware County or Centre County.”

Boyle, vice chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, spoke on the importance of growing Pennsylvania’s economy

COUNCILWOMAN Blondell Reynolds Brown convened a discussion in City Hall to highlight the impact of pollution on urban minority communities. Moms Clean Air Force and other local groups joined her in calling for full funding of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Photo by Wendell Douglas

and investing in good jobs that would not only protect Pennsylvania’s middle class, but expand it.

“The success of the Plan for Pennsylvania starts with good jobs, but not just any job that offers a paycheck, but those that provide enough income for families to put food on the table and a roof over their heads,” Boyle said. “Our young peo-

ple should want to stay in the state, raise a family and help grow our economy.”

Some of the plan’s highlights include: • Ensuring that anyone who works full-time earns a living wage; • Providing that all working people in Pennsylvania receive equal pay for equal work;

• • •

Making sure that working parents have safe, affordable care for their children; Supporting small businesses so that they succeed and create more jobs; and Giving entrepreneurs access to the low-cost loans they need to start new businesses.

(Cont. Page 16)

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TATE REP. DONNA Bullock (D-N. Phila.), vice chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, spoke at a news conference hosted

by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown (at Large), Moms Clean Air Force and Defend Our Future to discuss how toxins from the oil and gas industry disproportionately impact African American families throughout Pennsylvania.

According to a November 2017 report co-authored by the Clean Air Task Force and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, African Americans are exposed to 38% more polluted air than their white counterparts and are 75% more likely than the average American to live in a “fenceline community.” Fence-line communities are communities that neighbor a company, industrial or service facility, and are directly impacted by the facility’s operation, which includes noise, door traffic, odor and chemical emissions.

“The recent report authored by the Clean Air Task Force and the NAACP only confirms what we already know: the oil and gas industry is making profits at the expense of the health and well-being of historically marginalized communities,” Bullock said. “Many fenceline communities consist of low-income residents who have faced a history of discrimination on the bases of race, gender, class and

a limited supply of food, clean water and medical services,” Vázquez said. “Combine that with little access to electricity and cell phone service, and you make it very difficult for anyone to survive let alone apply for disaster assistance.”

FEMA already pushed the deadline back for Puerto Rico to March 20. It is currently Dec. 18 for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Donations are still being collected in Philadelphia for victims of Hurricane Maria. For more information, please contact Vázquez’s office at 215-425-5708.

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PUBLIC SERVANTS at WORK

disability. These companies are able to burden vulnerable communities, many of which have low rates of health insurance, with the deadly consequences from air pollution.”

The report shows that nearly 80,000 African-Americans in Pennsylvania live within a half-mile radius of oil and gas facilities. As a result, they face a higher risk of being exposed to hazardous pollutants that can cause asthma, cancer and other devastating health impacts.

Philadelphia Energy Solution’s fossil-fuel refinery in South Philadelphia is the largest fossil-fuel refinery on the East Coast and one of the oldest in the world. The refinery is responsible for 72% of the toxic air emissions throughout Philadelphia, the activists charged. The report estimates that in Philadelphia, 2,887 childhood-asthma attacks and 2,104 lost school days among African American children are caused by natural-gas pollution.

“With the childhood-asthma rate in our city being twice the national average, it’s time for action on our part as legislators,” Bullock added.

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Air Pollution Hurts African Americans

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PPA Local Control a No-Go

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POLS on the STREET BYJOE SHAHEELI VERYBODY who is a Democrat, from Gov. Tom Wolf on down, is calling for the Philadelphia Parking Authority to revert to city government. But it won’t happen.

This odd state agency was set up in 2001 under the aegis of powerful Republican State Rep. John Perzel, who argued that it could

E

Representative

Vanessa Lowery Brown D E C E M B E R 14 , 2017

190th Legislative District

generate more revenue for the School District under State control. That remains unclear. But his public argument was disingenuous.

The real reason for the PPA to come into being was to provide a bipartisan source of patronage jobs.

Had public parking garages and street regulatory enforcement remained in the hands of the city, its patronage positions would all have fallen into the hands of Democrats, who, by 2001, were clearly dominant in Philadelphia politics and would remain so for the foreseeable future.

But the Commonwealth is inherently purple, with Republicans often in power in Harrisburg. So PPA, as a state agency, will always be able to include some Philadelphia Republicans in its governance and its hiring.

Like it or not, patronage is the lifeblood of politics.

It is impossible to govern without the ability to reward and advance supporters. Its principle is opposed by civil service, which seeks to remove most government employees from direct political interference. Nobody wants their cop or their trash hauler to be chosen because they worked for a particular candidate. But all public agencies need some political appointments; otherwise, they could not respond to the will of the voters.

Patronage does not necessarily imply incompetence, any more than civil-service tests imply competence. As former Mayor John Street once said, “If my person can do as good a job as your person, I’d rather have my person do the job.” Wellrun patronage agencies do,

Emilio Vazquez

William Keller

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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.

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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”

Street

1621 W. Jefferson Street Philadelphia, PA 19121

2733 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133

215-425-5708

215-271-9190

Always Hard At Work for You!

Sharif

197th Legislative District Office

184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

Teamwork Fights Cancer

A CITY COUNCIL citation was presented to Ellie Paparone and Danni D’Angio of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation by City Council Majority Leader Robert Henon (not shown) and Councilman Al Taubenberger, as part of the Republican-Democrat support to combat childhood cancer. L-R were State Rep. Joanna Mc Clinton, Ward Leader Brian McCann, City Commissioners Al Schmidt and Lisa Deeley, and Ward Leader Pat Parkinson. Photos by Joe Stivala

State Senator

State Representative

State Rep.

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

in fact, fire employees who were politically referred but who screw up on the job. Poorly run civil-service agencies do, in fact, retain employees that are widely regarded as incompetent.

So the elimination of patronage is a dubious reform strategy. It sounds good, but does not necessarily improve things.

Is PPA in need of reform? This may be the case.

But it must be reformed by political appointees.

So, whose appointees?

As matters stand, they will be determined by its board of directors. This body currently consists of six members: Chairman Joseph T. Ashdale and Al Schmidt, Andrew K. Stutzman, Al Taubenberger, Russell Wagner and Dr. Karen W. Wrigley.

(Cont. Page 5)

215-227-6161

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

Friday 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

State Rep. Jason

THIS IS the way Congress should function: City Democratic and Republican ward leaders joined at Paddy Whack’s on Welsh Road in the fight against childhood cancer with strong bipartisan support. 57th Ward Leader Pat Parkinson, C, is flanked at both ends by Dem Ward Leaders Brian Eddis and Shawn Dillon. With them were, L-R, Republican Ward Leaders Brian McCann, Gary Grisafi, Joe Giedemann and Chris Vogler.

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

Representative

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

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

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

Donatucci

Greenlee

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

STATE REP.

Rep.Maria P.

Councilman Wm.

Bullock T: (215) 684-3738 F: (215) 235-4629

City Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker 9th District City Hall, Room 577, Philadelphia, PA 19107

215-686-3454 or 3455

www.phlcouncil.com/CherelleParker

Facebook: CouncilwomanCherelleLParker Twitter: @CherelleParker9

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(Cont. From Page 4) Board members, in turn, are appointed politically. Two are named by the president pro tempore of the state Senate, two by the speaker of the state House and two by the governor. Their terms are long, leaving them immune to sudden changes after the results of each passing election. But they give each party a shot at PPA leaders, and thus the jobs they deliver.

The odds that Mike Turzai and Joe Scarnati, both Republican, will agree to relinquish this power are nil. So Wolf is free to claim that he wants the agency to be abolished … without any risk that he will actually lose his power over its board.

In the meantime, calls for reform ring up and down the Democratic lineup.

Wolf said, “In the nearly two decades of mandated state control, the PPA has become an over-bloated patronage pit that wastes taxpayer dollars and has failed to deliver better customer service or stronger organizational function for the people of Philadelphia.”

State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Northeast) responded to Auditor General Eugene DePasquale’s findings that the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s former executive director sexually harassed employees, manipulated leave records, ignored outdated employment policies, and caused the School District of Philadelphia to lose out on more than $77 million in revenue.

Boyle called for the state legislature to return control of the PPA to the City of Philadelphia. He is a sponsor of HB 874, which would sunset the Commonwealth’s control of the PPA on June 30, 2018.

“The PPA needs serious reform. It should not (Cont. Page 7)

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POLS on the STREET

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Through the Looking Glass

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flout the law to sell beer and liquor in direct violation of their own licenses to operate.

To anyone who has a scintilla of uncertainty about the above assertions: go check out a stop-and-go yourself. Any time of day, any time of night.

Spend some time inside, outside, in your car – just watch. If you come away from the experience still not convinced that a stop-and-go’s laissez-faire approach to alcohol sales diminishes the quality of life for those forced to live and work around it, then we want to hear from you.

What the state legislature has done and, more importantly, what Councilwoman Cindy Bass has done is momentous and disheartening.

Momentous because of the years it has taken to finally turn the corner in getting these establishments to live up to their business and civic responsibilities; disheartening that it did

take years to get to this point.

We support Bass’s approach to enforcing the requirements present on the very licenses provided by the state to stop-and-gos. If you can’t meet these standards – if you can’t provide food and seating for at least 30 people – then you shouldn’t have the license. We find it hard to believe that expecting these business owners to live up to their legal obligations should be considered anything other than their duty.

We hear the complaints and fears of those business owners and their advocates claiming that the proposal to remove safety glass from an establishment would put their lives in danger. No one should have to put their survival at risk just for pursuing the American Dream.

We look forward to seeing a compromise created on this issue.

gift-giving rooted in love.

But he always led his readers to remember what Advent and Christmas are actually about.

In his novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Lewis describes the fear and sadness of an imaginary world (Narnia) ruled by an evil witch; a world where it’s “always winter and never Christmas.” And in that world, when Father Christmas finally does arrive, he’s the sign of an even greater arrival: the coming of the lion Aslan, son of the Great King over the water, and Narnia’s savior and liberator. A more vivid Christian allegory is hard to imagine.

The joy in Christmas (“Christ-Mass”) has its source in the birth of Jesus Christ, redeemer of man. Advent, the start of the new Church year, is the preface or prequel to that world-changing event. It readies our hearts to receive

the Child Jesus at Bethlehem, and also Jesus the Son of God and Lord of history at the end of time. It’s a season to reflect, repent, put aside our sins and failures, and begin again in hope as true disciples.

How do we do that?

Christian life involves a balance of contemplation (prayer, worship, and the sacraments) and action (the practical works of discipleship that flow from our faith). Thus, there’s no such thing as authentically Christian action unmoored from a personal faith in, and relationship with, Jesus Christ.

This is why putting ourselves in God’s presence through daily prayer, frequent Mass and Confession, and regular reading of Scripture are so important: These things are life-giving waters in the desert of our daily challenges and distractions. Reading and praying (Cont. Page 8)

OPINION

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T

HE DEBATE over a very real public safety hazard and frequently illegal operation has been, to a large extent, hijacked by the debate over another very real public safety hazard.

Stop-and-go establishments are, as countless elected officials, pundits and residents have loudly and repeatedly proclaimed, a cancer on our neighborhoods. There is no other way to describe enterprises that consistently

The News in Black & White

COUNCILWOMAN Cherelle Parker’s traditional Christmas-tree lighting on Wadsworth Avenue was heralded by young angels, singing holiday tunes. Photo by Wendell Douglas

An Advent of Social Conscience

BY ARCHBISHOP CHARLES CHAPUT DVENT IS A wonderful time of year.

It’s that special season when families huddle together around the TV (or alone, on their various devices) to watch hundreds of greed-inspiring ads and listen to Xmas carols with rewritten lyrics that sell lottery tickets, and cars, and smartphones.

That’s Option A. Option B is this: We can make Advent 2017 something much deeper and much better. We can live it as the season was meant to be lived.

C.S. Lewis, the great Christian scholar and storyteller of the last century, had a particular dislike for the yearly pagan blowout called “Xmas” (now “the holidays” – even Xmas was too religious for mass-marketing purposes). Lewis wasn’t a Scrooge, and he certainly knew the beauty and joy of

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MARK your CALENDAR Dec 14- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Senior Luncheon at Casa Caribe, 173 W. Allegheny Ave., 12-2 p.m. For info: (215) 291-5643.

Dec. 14- Sky Community Partners hosts “Stars in the Sky” Awards Reception at African American Museum, 701 Arch St., 5:30-8 p.m. For info: daw n @ s k yco m mu n i typartners.com.

Dec. 14- State Reps. Jordan Harris, James Roebuck & Joanna McClinton host Town Hall Mtg.

at Richard Allen Charter Sch., 5151 Warren St., 6-8 p.m. Focus on S.W. Phila. issues. For info: (215) 952-3378.

Dec. 14- S. Phila. Business Ass’n hosts Christmas party at Galdo’s Catering & Entertainment, 1933 W. Moyamensing Ave., 6:30 p.m. Happy Hour & Dinner. Bring unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. RSVP: (215) 8685502.

Dec 15- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Senior Luncheon at Somerset Villas, 200 E. Somerset St.,, 12-2 p.m. For info: (215) 291-5643.

Dec 16- S t a t e Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Gun Safety Event at 3503 N. B St., Unit 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Safe storage, gun laws and more. Free gunlocks. For info: (215) 291-5643.

Dec. 20- State Rep. Angel Cruz & State Sen. Tina Tartaglione host “Photos with Santa” at

400 W. Allegheny Ave., Su. E-11. Also info on winter-related state services.

Dec. 20- State Rep. Joanna McClinton hosts Re-Election Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser at 1518 Bar & Grill, 1518 Sansom St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Honorary host Larry Krasner. RSVP: https:// se cu r e. ac t b l ue. com / donate/Friends-of-Joanna-McClinton-5.

Dec. 21- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts Constituent Meet & Greet at Susquehanna Villa, 1421 W. Susquehanna Ave., 3 p.m.

Jan. 9- S. Phila. Business Ass’n hosts “Who’s Hot” 50/50 Scholarship Fundraiser at Popi’s Restaurant, 3120 S. 20th St., Networking 6:30 p.m., Hot Pepper Challenge (Lou Galdo vs. Dr. Steven Cohen) 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20.

For info: Gaeton.Tavella spba1897@gmail.com.

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Pittsburgh Sweet on Philly Sugary Drinks Get State ‘Ade’ Harrisburg may ride to the aid of Philadelphia’s embattled bottlers and merchants who have been hurt by the imposition of the Sweetened Drinks Tax. A bill introduced by State Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) would preempt Philadelphia’s tax. It would bar any municipality from levying such a tax.

It is unlikely that Mustio, at the other end of the state, cares one way or another about the fate of either shopkeepers or children in Philadelphia. But the beverage industry has deep pockets.

While this bill may come up for a show vote, it will be vetoed by Gov. Wolf.

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him open to attack ads next year from the NRA, the Koch brothers and pro-gun PACs.

Kilkenny Claims Union Backing

D E C E M B E R 14 , 2017

Sen. Bob Casey was asked to explain how his traditional position on “gun control” had evolved.

At the Pennsylvania Society weekend, Casey talked about his visceral reaction to the Newtown killing of so many children, the Las Vegas massacre and shooting of hundreds of concert-goers, and the recent Texas church tragedy. He said that his wife and daughters had also urged him to vote “yes” on common-sense gun laws which were coming up in Congress.

Casey said, “Congress should take up and vote on legislation to ban military-style weapons, limit the size and capacity of magazines, which contribute to deadly mass shootings, and put in place universal background checks. If Congress continues to fail its most basic obligation to keep America safe, then these mass shootings will continue to occur.”

Casey told supporters at receptions in his honor last month in both the suburbs and Philadelphia that he realizes his votes will leave

While Republicans are still in a stew over whom to choose to retain the seat of retiring State Rep. John (Cont. Page 15)

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(Cont. From Page 5) continue to operate under the leadership of Chairman Ashdale and it would behoove him to resign immediately. As a state legislator, I will continue to push for my legislation that would return the PPA back to the City of Philadelphia.”

HB 874 currently sits in the House Urban Affairs Committee.

City Council adopted a resolution introduced by Councilman David Oh (at Large) requesting the mayor, the General Assembly and the governor to act to restore control over the PPA and its revenues to the City.

The resolution was adopted by a 15-1 vote.

The incoming controller, Rebecca Rhynhart, has vowed to audit PPA within an inch of its life.

Questions of revenue, however, are not wholly germane to this parking agency. The Police Department writes tickets, for instance; but their main purpose is not to raise revenue for the city – rather, tickets are a tool to enforce good behavior. The same is true of parking tickets.

PPA’s mission is to protect traffic and facilitate commerce by ensuring adequate parking facilities. Its garages are intended to be less costly than private competitors, placing downward pressure on rates.

While it is great that PPA can generate revenue for other public purposes, that is not its mission. Taxes are the correct tools for funding public purposes. The City has an array of taxes to address this goal.

If it wishes to raise more money by taxing parking, it can. But it is not the parking authority’s job – or authority – to do so.

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Squilla Opens Yards OPENING NIGHT of the new Yards Brewery included a fundraiser for the reelection of Councilman Mark Squilla, C. The kickoff event was held in the new Yards banquet room at Fifth and Spring Garden streets. Trevor Pritchard, L, Yards co-owner, joined the group, which included, from L, City Council President Darrell Clarke; Local 98 consultant Kenny Adams; and realtor and 25th Ward Committeeman Kris Walski. Photo by Joe Stivala

Chaput (Cont. From page 6) over the first and second chapters of Luke’s Gospel each day during Advent are a great way to experience the richness of the season.

But the seed of faith is meant to grow into a life of apostleship. That means engaging the needs of others. Mary and Joseph were strangers to Bethlehem, travelers, poor, and without shelter the first Christmas.

Recalling that is a good way to direct our thoughts away from ourselves to the hopes and worries of others this season. And plenty of people do need our help.

To take just one example: Despite the kindness of so many Philadelphians, and the great work of our Catholic Social Services and other organizations, our city ranks among the 10 most-distressed large cities in the United States on issues like unemployment, median income, poverty, housing and education.

Hunger – astonishingly, for a nation as wealthy as the United States – is also a major problem. One in five Philadelphians can’t afford enough food, according to the group Hunger Free America. This makes the work of our archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services (NDS) – especially the NDS Child Nutrition Programs and NDS Community Food Program – doubly vital.

Meanwhile, our metro area is home to thousands of young adults living in limbo this Advent due to the shutdown of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. These persons arrived as children with parents who illegally immigrated. They’ve grown up in the United States knowing no other nation or home. To put it more bluntly, America is their home but they’re not citizens. And starting in March 2018, up to 1,400 DACA recipients a day of the 800,000 countrywide will become subject to deportation.

Both of our political parties, as well as the White House, sympathize with the plight of these young people. But the devil (or God) is in the details. Good intentions in Washington often founder on partisan bickering. Among the greatest acts of kindness we can do this Christmas is to write our U.S. senators and congresspersons. We need to urge our federal representatives to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act without delay. The DREAM Act is a good solution to this significant problem, and it has my strong support and the support of America’s bishops.

In the end, we’ll be judged by the depth of our faith and how it shaped our lives – or didn’t. It’s a simple truth, but a good one to keep in mind in the remaining days of Advent.

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HONOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

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With your greetings in our DEC. 21st Issue!

Please Call Melissa Barrett (215) 755-2000 Ext. 5 12/13/2017 10:02:06 AM

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY ’M ABOUT to do the one thing with this week’s “Everyday People” that used to drive the late Jim Tayoun crazy.

I’m going to write about sports. But in the spirit of this column, I’m going to write about sports, politics, and how they’re about to intersect in relation to your Philadelphia Eagles.

Unless you’ve spent every day since Sunday away from your television set, you know that during Sunday’s game with the Los Angeles Rams, which the

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In all honesty, there’s not a whole lot out there. Most of the folks that the Eagles could access are quarterbacks that, to be frank, aren’t very good. I think former Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, a dude who’s fallen so far from his first-round draft-pick status that he was cut by the Cleveland Browns, is available. Several members of the McCown quarterback family are out there.

Heck, you’ve got some Eagles fans that are calling for the team to talk with Tony Romo, the former quarterback of the hated Dallas Cowboys, and this is despite the fact that (a) he retired due to a broken neck and (b) he never met an inopportune interception he didn’t want to throw.

That you have fans willing to bring on a guy with a broken neck whom Eagles fans used to take a certain amount of joy in making (Cont. Page 19)

T

HE FBI wanted MEEK MILL to secretly record Judge Genece BRINKLEY. He did not agree to do it. That is to his credit. The very idea of the FBI inserting itself into a probation-violation case seems SNEAKY and LAZY POSTERIOR PROSECUTION to me. The FBI folks are trained to be professionals, yet this mode of a potentially EASY NAB seems the opposite (?). These folks in fine suits and costly haircuts used to be held up as model Americans. Remember Ephraim Zimbalist, Jr.,

CITY HALL SAM

S

TATE SENATE Democrats have been vocal opponents of PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S attempts to cut health care benefits to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians through the elimination of the Affordable Care Act. Philadelphia native and LT. GOV. MIKE STACK has worked with STATE SENS. VINCE HUGHES, LARRY FARNESE, ART HAYWOOD, JAY COSTA and other Senate Democrats to enroll Pennsylvanians in ACA. In fact, Hughes,

events. Council seats such 13 as that of Helen GYM could be sought. Politics needs new blood, and respect for seniority and wisdom must also be maintained.

Settlements in POLICE ABUSE cases run into MILLIONS. These are millions NOT AVAILABLE for municipal services. Look at the SORRY CONDITION of Philly streets - alongside new home construction.

COUNCILMAN Mark SQUILLA’S bill on drums in Center City has value to restaurant owners (and their investment in our city), who are annoyed by drums while their customers want to enjoy dinner. The bill merely needs refinement as to hours when you can drum.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY on Friday to Michael McALEER, Dean of City Ward Leaders. A man of peace and wisdom who is AGELESS. THE HISTORIC MOMENT when Democratic (Cont. Page 15)

Farnese, Tartaglione and many others have held ACA signup events in their Senate districts. At the municipal level, COUNCIL MEMBERS DEREK GREEN and HELEN GYM have been pitching in as well.

If Trump is successful, more than 600,000 people will lose health insurance in Pennsylvania.

In other news, GOV. TOM WOLF was praised by many, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, for tightening up the rules involving the issuance of state grants.

The DNC convention received $10 million of taxpayer-funded grants. And ED RENDELL used leftover DNC money to award bonuses to convention organizers and staff. Everyone agrees the Democratic National Convention was fantastic for the city, but the awarding of such excessive bonuses by Rendell was over the top. After all,

Wolf is the governor, not Rendell. Kudos to Wolf for closing that loophole. ’Tis the season ...

CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY’S holiday party is next week. Former STATE SEN. VINCE FUMO will host his party on Dec. 20.

It will likely make a splash like Fumo’s recent feature article in Philadelphia magazine. Former STATE SEN. BOB ROVNER hosts his holiday party on Dec. 21.

Because politics is a 24/7 profession, prognosticators who are curious about the twists and turns of the spring primary season will make an effort to cruise through some of these affairs. Who is present tells you something.

Who is absent tells you something. While there are occasional exceptions, in the long run it is hard to attain or maintain elective office if you cannot get out and about when the rest of the world is socializing.

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Eagles won, quarterback Carson Wentz and the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee parted company during a touchdown run that wound up being called back due to a penalty.

So now, despite being 112, the Super Bowl run that folks thought would be at the end of what was looking like a season for Wentz that might have also included a Most Valuable Player award looks iffy in the hands of backup Nick Foles, to say the least.

Add to this the fact that the Eagles backup is a dude named Nick Sudfeld, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins and waived for inconsistency, and you have a need for the team to go shopping at the NFL’s version of the swap meet. To do otherwise would be the equivalent of flying without a net and would put so much pressure on Foles, the offensive line, and everyone else involved.

WALKING the BEAT

in the TV series “The FBI”?

Or the early days of Melvin PURVIS’ “G-MAN”? That apex of integrity – where is it?... The fact that that Judge BRINKLEY WAS under investigation seems not relevant to a probation violation.

The FBI investigates a lot of folks that we will never learn of. It makes for a good news story, however.

That poor folks are waiting TWO YEARS to be paid the MARKET VALUE for their home taken by eminent domain by the Philadelphia HOUSING AUTHORITY is a sad moment in government performance. To the responsible folks at PHA receiving a biweekly GUARANTEED PAYCHECK: It is the Holiday period; PAY UP, SCROOGE! You just opened a $45 MILLION headquarters.

A new crop of pols seeking a City Council seat are students or graduating from law school. Their ambition is learned by talking with them at political

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.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL confirmed what many Pennsylvania Republicans and Senate colleagues of U.S. SEN. PAT TOOMEY (R-Pa.) already knew: Toomey is one of the few adults in Washington.

McConnell appointed Toomey to serve on the Tax Reform Conference Committee that will hammer out the final tax-cut legislation to be sent to the president.

Toomey was considered instrumental in the shaping

ocrat leader HARRY REID’S time. Reid, aided by byzantine Senate rules, turned that house of Congress into a black hole where bills went to die. Toomey is a true conservative who can find common ground with his Democratic colleagues to get things done.

American Action Network Middle-Class Growth Initiative commenced a $2-million media campaign targeting 60 congressional districts across America, including five in Pennsylvania - CONGRESSMEN RYAN COSTELLO (R-Chester, PATRICK MEEHAN (R-Delaware), BRIAN FITZPATRICK (R-Bucks), CHARLIE DENT (R-Lehigh), and LLOYD SMUCKER (R-Lancaster). The PAC is lauding members of Congress who are going to vote in favor of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. The ads focus on dispelling the left’s ads that the tax-reform proposals (Cont. Page 19)

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ELEPHANT CORNER

and passing of the tax bill in the Senate last week. He will be one of eight Senate Republicans taking part in the negotiations with members of the House of Representatives Conference Committee.

The Senate and House have each passed a version of a tax-reform bill. There are differences between the two bills and I believe that, given how close the vote was in the Senate, the final bill will need to be closer to the Senate version. The legislators negotiating the final bill include Republicans and Democrats. Toomey is the only Pennsylvanian on the joint Senate and House committee.

Many Pennsylvanians wonder when the Senate will elevate Toomey to a more-senior leadership position. He has been the primary sponsor of 12 pieces of legislation that became law.

Most of these bills occurred during former Senate Dem-

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the WAFFLE MAN

Y D E C E M B E R 14 , 2017

O! HERE WE GO again with these observations sent to me by Charles L., a reader. Most of them really hit home and we consider as facts; some are just things that may or may not be true and we wonder why. Read each one; think about it and decide for yourself.

Save the whales – collect the whole set. A day without sunshine is like – night. On the other hand – you have different fingers. 42.7% of all statistics – are made up on the spot.

99% of lawyers – give the rest a bad name.

Remember, half the people you know – are below average. He who laughs last – thinks slowest. Depression is merely anger – without enthusiasm. The early bird may get the worm – but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

Support bacteria – they’re the only culture some people have. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

Do any of you believe in psychokinesis? Raise my hand. OK, so what’s the speed of dark? When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

Everyone has a photo-

graphic memory. Some just don’t have film. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges? Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.

What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name? Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, “What the hell happened?”

Just remember: If the world didn’t suck, we would all fall off. Light travels faster than sound.

That’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Life isn’t like a box of chocolates; it’s more like a jar of jalapeños. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

This should give you something to think about and ask your friends for their opinion.

LABORERS’ DISTRICT COUNCIL HEALTH & SAFETY FUND 665 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19123

(215) 236-6700

www.ldc-phila-vic.org

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Alan Parham, Adminstrator

Local 57 - Esteban Vera, Jr., Business Manager Local 135 - Deniel L. Woodall, Jr.,, Business Manager Local 332 - Samuel Staten, Jr., Business Manager Local 413 - James Harper, Jr., Business Manager Laborers’ District Council - Ryan Boyer Business Manager

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Building better and safer communities in Philadlephia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties

Do it Right, Do It Safe, Do It Union.

12/13/2017 12:24:17 PM

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Fiedler Wins Khan Backing Elizabeth Fiedler, who is running against State Rep. Bill Keller for his 184th District seat in South Philadelphia, has teamed up with Joe Khan, who ran for district attorney last spring.

Khan said, “She’ll be a strong voice for quality health care for all and great public schools in every neighborhood. She is the daughter of public school teachers who understands the importance of educating every child. And she’s a former journalist who has never been afraid to speak truth to power.

“Elizabeth, a working parent with a young family, left a career that she loved in order to mount a grassroots challenge.”

Fiedler thanked Khan for saying she is “a true champion for progressive values and working people – calling for bold and dynamic change – he is excited for me to continue a recent string of victories by women who ran for elected office, including incoming City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart.

“We have much more work to do to reduce the gender inequities in our government.”

(Cont. From Page 13) and GOP Ward Leaders got together last week in the 57th Ward raising money to combat childhood cancer was heartwarming, and an indicator of how both parties can work together – and used to work in Congress.

Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 171003610 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Finance of America Reverse, LLC, Plaintiff vs. George Baggett, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of James Baggett, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of James Baggett Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s) To: George Baggett, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of James Baggett, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of James Baggett Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 1937 Rowan Street a/k/a 1937 West Rowan Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. 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, Finance of America Reverse, LLC, 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. 171003610, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 1937 Rowan Street a/k/a 1937 West Rowan Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, 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, 215238-6333. Michael T. McKeever, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

agency, while BAA is really 15 with the City Finance Department. A third “PPA” is a nonprofit that administers parking under I-95 between the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges. The news media NEVER MENTIONS this one; WHY NOT?

Court of Common Pleas Phila County Civil Action – Law No. 170803163 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Quicken Loans Inc., Plaintiff vs. David Brennan, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Joan Brennan, Deceased, Michael Brennan, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Joan Brennan, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of Joan Brennan Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Joan Brennan, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendants To: David Brennan, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Joan Brennan, Deceased, Michael Brennan, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Joan Brennan, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of Joan Brennan Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Joan Brennan, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendants, whose last known address is 8717 Sagamore Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128. 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, Quicken Loans Inc., has filed a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint endorsed with a notice to defend against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Phila., PA, docketed to No. 170803163, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 8717 Sagamore Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128, whereupon your property will be sold by the Sheriff of Phila. County. Notice: You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after the Complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below. This office can provide you with information about hiring a lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Lawyer, this office may be able to provide you with information about agencies that may offer legal services to eligible persons at a reduced fee or no fee.

Community Legal Services, Inc., Law Center North Central, 1410 W. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19140, 215-227-2400/215981-3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215-238-6333. Michael T. McKeever, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106-1532, 215.627.1322.

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said Kilkenny. “Being a member of the building trades for 16 years, I am humbled by the abundance of labor support that I have received in such a short time. There are a lot of highlighted issues right now but the fight for working families is not highlighted enough. I will be the voice for all working families and unions. Organized labor made me into the man that I am today, stronger labor is essential for the success of the working families in my district.”

RICO, an island seemingly ADRIFT from WHITE HOUSE concern.

There is a story of the Philly Parking Authority and DROP pensions this week.

There are two “parking authorities” in the city: PPA and BAA. PPA is a quasi-STATE

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(Cont. From Page 7) Taylor (R-Northeast), Democrats are leaping into the fray.

Sean Kilkenny has announced his candidacy for State Representative of the 177th Legislative District.

Kilkenny says he is the best candidate to represent this working-class district going forward.

A lifelong resident of Northeast Philadelphia, Kilkenny attended elementary school at St. Matthew’s and graduated from Father Judge High School. Because he wanted to give back to a school and community that gave him so much, Sean is now a basketball coach at St. Matthew’s parish and a lifetime member of the Mayfair Civic Association.

Kilkenny became an apprentice with the Plasterers’ Union Local 8 in 2001.

He was elected to the Plasterers’ Executive Board in 2004, serving for 11 years.

He was appointed to International Field Representative in 2006. Through this position, he traveled the country fighting to protect families’ livable wages and promote safe working standards. Sean is currently a member of the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ Local 592.

Kilkenny calls fight for a higher minimum wage, increased resources to address the deadly opiate epidemic, funding to hire more police officers, paycheck protection, and fairer unemployment compensation. He would fight against union-busting “right to work” efforts in Harrisburg.

Sean has endorsements from the Philadelphia Building Trades Council as well as Teamsters Local 115.

“I would like to thank the building trades for their unanimous support,”

Critics of ward leaders and committee persons HATE to hear of such good deeds, as the critics often do little for charity.

UNIDOS State Reps.

Angel CRUZ and Emilio VÁZQUEZ met with Hispanic lawmakers in the Mayor’s Reception Room to demand more congressional aide to PUERTO

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PUBLIC SERVANTS at WORK (Cont. From Page 3)

Oh Excoriates Safety-Shield Bill Councilman David Oh (at Large) pushed back hard against Councilwoman Cindy Bass’s (8th Dist.) proposed bill to outlaw plastic safety shields in food outlets that sell alcoholic beverages.

“I could not be more disappointed that the Committee on Public Health & Human Services voted unanimously for a bill which forces small businesses to remove bullet-

proof safety glass. This not only endangers employees and customers, but encourages small businesses to arm themselves against would-be robbers,” he stated.

The measure, he argued, “says the Department of Licenses & Inspections will determine protective barriers like safety glass should exist in any large restaurant establishment and enforce any regulations stemming from that decision. In case there was any doubt about the City’s position, today City officials testified in support of removing these protective barriers. In other words, the City can and almost certainly will require the removal of

safety glass as soon as the ordinance goes into effect.

“Instead of supporting business owners’ discretion to decide what is best for their own establishments, my colleagues will immediately threaten their safety and freedom if this bill is adopted by City Council.

I will not vote for Bill No. 170963 in City Council as it is currently amended, and I urge my colleagues to amend it once more to prevent the City from having the ability to require the removal of safety glass.”

Sabatina Hails Vocational Grant State Sen. John Sabatina

D E C E M B E R 14 , 2017

HONOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

With your greetings in our

(D-Northeast) praised the announcement of $435,000 in grant money, provided by the Philadelphia School Partnership, for the expansion of the Vocational Internship Program at The Finishing Trades Institute.

“It is extremely important that we develop and train a skilled workforce from today’s students, so that we may combat the predicted shortage of skilled tradespeople in the future,” Sabatina said.

“These opportunities provided via professional and technical training offer students a future career path that delivers lucrative and family-sustaining jobs.

Making important investments such as these, in high-quality vocational instruction, will benefit our students, the city and state for years to come.”

The Vocational Internship Program is a one-dayper-week career-education program that provides highschool juniors and seniors with professional and technical instruction in preparation for apprenticeships as industrial workers.

The grant money will allow FTI to expand the VIP by doubling the size of the program to serve 120 students annually and by extending enrollment to a variety of district, charter, and private schools. For high-

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understanding BANKRUPTCY

BY MICHAEL A. CIBIK AMERICAN BANKRUPTCY BOARD CERTIFIED uestion: Thinking about filing bankruptcy? Now

Q

school seniors, the VIP will also transition from once a week to an immersive, four-days-per-week experience.

cer Supermarkets; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Nu Sigma Chapter; Taxi Workers Alliance; and Girl U Can Do It, Inc.

Brown Urges Holiday Giving

Tina, Dawkins Back Boys & Girls

The holidays are a time of giving, and State Rep. Vanessa Brown (D-W. Phila.) is reminding the community to remember the less fortunate.

According to Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services, last year, about 15,000 Philadelphians experienced homelessness.

Brown teamed with up Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell (3rd Dist.), along with several area organizations, to pack and provide free food to more than a dozen senior apartment complexes and individual homes across the community.

“Times can get tough and money can get tight for families,” Brown explained.

“We are just grateful to have another year filled with hard working volunteers to assist in providing our neighbors a complimentary meal.”

This year, the meals were distributed from the Greater Bible Way Temple Church and the Lavish Restaurant.

Other organizations that participated included Peace Islands Institute; Brown’s ShopRite and Fresh Gro-

State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione and State Rep. Jason Dawkins (both D-Kensington) kicked off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the spirit of giving as they presented a $200,000 grant to the Northeast Frankford Boys & Girls Club that will enable the club to complete major renovations to its century-old building on Kinsey Street.

The two-story stone landmark was built as a school shortly after the turn of the 20th century. Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia acquired the property in 1938 and has been serving Frankford youths there ever since.

Tartaglione and Dawkins secured the $200,000 Greenways, Trails & Recreation Grant from Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority – an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development – last month.

“I was raised in this Boys & Girls Club. I do not think I would be here in this capacity today if not for this club,” Dawkins said.

might be the right time!

Answer: Filing bankruptcy is all about timing. Sometimes, waiting to file makes good sense and will save the debtor a lot of headaches and some significant debt.

Sometimes, however, the time to file is as soon as possible.

Let’s look at six reasons to file now. File now when: 1. Your house is appreciating and may exceed the homestead amount if you wait; 2. Your house is appreciating and you can strip a wholly-unsecured second deed of

trust now, but might not be able to in a few months; 3. You are expecting a significant raise or you just got a good job; 4. You are anticipating a change in your marital status and want this done beforehand; 5. You just want to get started on being debtfree; or 6. You want to avoid litigation or collection annoyances.

Next Week’s Question: Thinking about filing bankruptcy? Now might not be the right time!

12/13/2017 11:01:24 AM

BACKERS of State Sen. John Sabatina, Jr. packed the Blue Duck in Center City. Photos

by Wendell Douglas

KATREL HOLMES installed a solar panel on a rowhouse in Fishtown as a rollout for the Philadelphia Energy Campaign. Photos by Wendell Douglas

L-R WERE Ward Leader John Sabatina, Sr., James Scott, Elliott Teitelbaum and State Sen. John Sabatina, Jr.

LONGSHOREMAN leader Boise Butler, L, and Tioga Terminal operator Bob Palaima work together with Sen. Sabatina.

ROWHOUSE owner Kate Zmich posed with Holmes after his successful installation on her property.

GOP Issues Awards Local 19 Welcomes Xmas THE PHILLY Phanatic made an appearance at Sheet Metal Workers Local 19’s lively holiday party on Columbus Boulevard.

Photos by Wendell Douglas

UNITED Republican Club issued its annual awards in Kensington.

Kate Tierney-Bailey, L, presented an award to School Reform Commissioner Farah Jiménez. Photos by Wendell Douglas

D E C E M B E R 14 , 2017

PHILADELPHIA Energy Authority Chair Chris Lewis saluted the launch of home solar installation as Councilman Derek Green, L, and Council President Darrell Clarke listen.

WARD LEADER Joe Giedemann, L, shared a moment with City Commissioner Al Schmidt.

AVE MARIA paints Payton Simoncini’s face for the holiday affair.

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ENJOYING the Christmas spirit were, L-R, Bill Durwood, Business manager Gary Masino, Sr., Assistant Business Manager Bryan Bush, Louis Coppolino, Tony Iannucci and Fred Baker.

PARTY Chair Mike Meehan, L, presented an award to Ward Leader Kevin Pasquay.

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Home Solar Installed Partying for Sabatina

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EVERYDAY PEOPLE (Cont. From Page 13) fun of due to the whole “inopportune interception” thing is directly connected to politics and will probably keep the team from grabbing the one free-agent quarterback that would not only be a good insurance policy for Foles, but could probably beat him for the job and give them a better shot at the Super Bowl.

Especially since, unlike most of the NFL’s quarterback scrap heap, he’s been to the big dance. In fact, if his coach wasn’t such a knucklehead, he’d probably have a championship ring.

In case you haven’t figured it out, the quarterback that it would make sense for the Eagles to bring in to back up Nick Foles is former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.

Last year, Kaepernick threw 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions on a really bad team coached by former Eagles Coach Chip Kelly. He’s big, mobile, and has post-season experience.

But politics, specifically the politics of criminal-justice reform, are probably going to keep him from putting on an Eagles jersey.

Kaepernick has been a man without a team since leaving the 49ers due to the fact that he took a knee during the National Anthem all last season.

He was protesting the fact that, with the exception of Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who was sentenced to 19 years in jail for shooting Walter Scott in the back, police have largely gotten

PUBLIC RECORD CLASSIFIEDS

away with shooting people 19 of color indiscriminately.

But because Eagles fans, or at least those who have gone back to watching games now that safety Malcolm Jenkins has ended his protest, are a “my country, right or wrong” kind of group, they’ll probably take to the streets in protest if they bring Kaepernick in.

Which would be stupid.

And it would also serve as proof of the collusion to keep him out of the league due to his protests that Kaepernick has alleged in a lawsuit he’s filed against NFL owners.

If I were an Eagles fan, which I’m not, I’d take a group of my friends, go to owner Jeffrey Lurie’s office, and tell him it’s time that he stop running the Eagles like the New England Patriots fan he is, and do the right thing.

Otherwise, y’all are going to be sitting at home with only your hollow victories to comfort you as two other teams play in the Super Bowl.

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

(Cont. From Page 13) will harm the middle class and advantage the wealthy.

Many believe this ad campaign is the first of many for these legislators, which is welcome in light of a union-sponsored $35-million media initiative attacking Meehan, Fitzpatrick and Costello.

Pennsylvania looks to be targeted by the Democrats next year. We currently have 13 of its 18 congressional seats. Southeastern Pennsylvania is expected to be especially targeted.

Meehan won re-election in 2016 with 61% of the vote in a district that HILLARY CLINTON won. Costello

Pennsylvania Republican Party GENERAL COUNSEL LAWRENCE TABAS, the Great American Pennsylvania Fund, the Philadelphia Federation of Young Republications, the Philadelphia Black Republican Ward Leaders Caucus Republican Legion and the Republican Women of Philadelphia.

Last Wednesday, the United Republican Club held its annual fundraiser and awards event. The URC is the oldest continuously running Republican Club in the United States.

This year, the URC honored two great Republicans. The URC has traditionally given the William Meehan award to a deserving Republican male and the Mary Tierney award to an outstanding female Republican. This year’s recipients were long-serving WARD LEADER KEVIN PASQUAY, and Republican School Reform Commission member FARAH JIMÉNEZ. The event was packed with URC loyalists.

D E C E M B E R 14 , 2017

ELEPHANT CORNER

and Fitzpatrick’s margins were tighter and, in my opinion, more vulnerable.

Last week, the Philadelphia Republican Party held a Holiday Party at Paddy Whack’s on South Street. Republican City Committee VICE CHAIRMAN MIKE CIBIK was the master of ceremonies. The event was packed. Invited attendees (any GOP committee person and known activists) were charged five dollars for entry. All were welcome, but those not previously invited were charged $35. Given that the event had a three-hour open bar and food, even the $35 charge was not a bad deal.

RCC could afford the $5 fee because of sponsorship of the event by prominent Republicans and GOP organizations, including, but not limited, to gubernatorial candidate STATE SEN. SCOTT WAGNER (R-York), CITY COMMISSIONER AL SCHMIDT, STATE REP. JOHN TAYLOR, COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER, former

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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

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