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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Vol. XIV No. 2

Issue 541

January 11, 2018

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

PhiladelphiaPublicRecord

THE FROZEN SOUTH

@phillyrecord

PhillyRecord

PhillyRecord.com

M.L.K. SPECIAL SECTION P. 3

THE LAKES in FDR Park slept under a blanket of snow and ice last weekend. South Philadelphians greeted the eventual thaw with relief. Photo by Wendell Douglas

PEPPER

BOYLE’S

POPPING

STABLE

AT POPI’S

GENIUS

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SPBA Pops Peppers at Popi’s MIKE GIORDANO kept busy selling raffle tickets.

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA Business Association staged a pepper-eating contest at Popi’s Restaurant. Vince DeFino announced the result: a draw between orthodontist Dr. Steve Cohen, L, and caterer Lou Galdo. Photos by Wendell Douglas

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ENJOYING the merriment were, L-R, Danny Olivieri, Ann Catania and Vince Giusini.

THE EVENT was an SPBA scholarship fundraiser. Buying and selling raffle tickets were, L-r, Lou Galdo, Popi’s proprietor Gina Rucci, florist Ann Catania and attorney Vince Giusini.

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BUT the contestants were required to chow down on one of the hottest pepper varieties on the market.

HOT TO TROT were, L-R, Vince Giusini, Mark Rago and Vince DeFino.

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

Dawood Starling

Yousef Maaddi

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

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

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

The Philadelphia Public Record is a publication owned by:

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

FOR THOSE with more-timid palates, ordinary food was available and welcome.

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Events Around Town Mark Dr. King’s Memory

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THE AFRICAN AMERICAN Museum has compiled a weekend-long itinerary of celebratory events over the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

State Senator

Christine M. Tartaglione Honors The Memory of

1601 Bridge St Phila., PA 19124 215-533-0440

400 W. Allegheny Ave. Phila., PA 19133 215-291-4653

Paid for with Taxpayer Funds

Congressman Robert A. Brady

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We, today, stand on the shoulders of our predecessors who have gone before us. We, as their successors, must catch the torch of freedom and liberty passed on to us by our ancestors.

We cannot lose in this battle.

Benjamin E. Mays, “I knew Carter G. Woodson,” Negro History Bulletin, March 1981 Paid for by Committee to Elect Bob Brady

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Joins our City, the Nation and the World in the Celebration of the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Arts, Shows, Learning ...

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H I L A D E L P H I A’ S Martin Luther King Day of Service is the largest such program in the nation. More than 140,000 people will participate in at least 1,800 projects across the tri-state region. Most are coordinated by the Phila-

delphia-based organization Global Citizen 365.

In addition, there will be public performances and educational programs at major institutions. Following is a guide to them.

2018 MLK Weekend Celebration at the African American

Museum in Philadelphia January 12-15 The African American Museum in Philadelphia kicks off its annual MLK Weekend Celebration on Friday, January 12, with a program entitled “Passion, Progress & Pulchritude: An Evening of Poetry & Music.”

Throughout the weekend, guests can also explore the museum’s core exhibit, “Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876,” and its current special exhibit, “Gardens of the Mind” as well as family-geared activities, performances and workshops. A reduced admission rate of $2 per person will be offered to all visitors from Saturday through Monday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary January 13-15 Eastern State Penitentiary honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day with special readings of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” three times a day (11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) from January 13 to 15. An informal question-and-answer session moderated by a civil rights scholar will follow each reading, and on Monday, January 15, children ages 7 to 12 can create artwork in response to the letter. The events are free and open to the public.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Free Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert Monday, January 15 Celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. with the Philadelphia Orchestra in its annual free performance during the MLK Day of Service at Girard College. The 90-minute concert will serve as a finale to the Day of Service. Tickets are first come, first served and are available online starting January 9.

Seating is also first come, first served, as tickets do not guarantee entry.

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FOR DECADES, the Philadelphia Orchestra has gathered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to celebrate Dr. King and unify the community through the power of music.

Photo by J. Griffin for Visit Philadelphia

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like Girard College, Awbury Arboretum and more. Historic Girard College will serve as the region’s service day hub, offering 150-plus projects to partake in alongside workshops, trainings, a job fair, a civic-engagement expo, a health and wellness fair and other events.

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Marshall’s triumph in the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. Guests can also partake in crafting activities and a scavenger hunt themed around civil rights.

MLK Day Celebration at the Please Touch Museum Monday, January 15 Complementary to the haThe museum will feature a day-long celebration with interactive events to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Visitors can sit in on a storytelling session inspired

by King’s legacy, engage in multiple crafting activities and join a musical parade promoting peace around the world. All activities are free with admission.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Monday, January 15 The Philadelphia Museum of Art is celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of community-service projects taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MANNA will collect art made by visitors to distribute with the meals the organization regularly delivers to those in need.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Festival at Woodmere Art Museum Monday, January 15 Letter-writing sessions to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and lively storytelling are just part of the thought-provoking activities scheduled for the Woodmere Art Museum’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Festival. Visit the museum from noon to 4 p.m. to join in on the multiple interactive education sessions scheduled to take place. All activities are free and open to the public.

Volunteer and Service Project Opportunities on MLK Day Monday, January 15 What better way to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. than to lend a hand in a service project? There are over 1,000 volunteer opportunities to choose from at places

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(Cont. From page 4) Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the National Constitution Center Monday, January 15 The National Constitution Center will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a day-long commemoration on Monday, January 15. Enjoy $5 admission to the museum and access to special service projects, performances, educational programs and activities, including readings of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the National Museum of American Jewish History Monday, January 15 Admission to the National Museum of Jewish History will be free all day as the museum commemorates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. A variety of special programming will unfold from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including arts and crafts activities and spotlight talks about social justice.

Philadelphia Jewish Labor Committee discusses “The Role of Race in the Criminal Justice System” Monday, January 15 This event will be held at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, 2100 Arch Street, at 5:30 p.m. It will be partnering with Jewish Social Policy Action Network, Jewish Community Relations Council and National Council of Jewish Women, Philadelphia Chapter.

Please register at this link: jewishphilly.org/get-involved/event-registrations/ mlk-day-panel-role-race-criminal-justice-system-registration/.

MLK Day at the National Liberty Museum Monday, January 15 The National Liberty Museum will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with pay-what-you-wish museum admission and a variety of themed events. At both 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., visitors can catch a screening of “Mr. Civil Rights: Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP,” showcasing civil-rights attorney Thurgood

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... And Volunteer Projects

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his supporters. The church incorporated others who felt the same way.

What Dr. King did: He was able to find a way in which he could articulate grievances while building a broader base of support

OPINION

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The issues we fought for in the 1960s are not resolved. Until we are finally able to do so, the fight must continue.

State Rep. James Roebuck represents the 188th Legislative District.

STATE REP. James Roebuck

students, teachers and administrators in early education, in middle or high schools, or at the universities in our district – as well as in other parts of Pennsylvania – I am always impressed with the dedication of the teachers and other professionals in the classroom. The facilities people seem just as dedicated as the other professionals. They seem to be carrying out Dr. King’s philosophy.

Dr. King was the role model for anyone who grew up in the 1960s. He was the leader in the fight for civil rights and against segregation in American society. The Civil Rights movement was rooted in the African American church, so every Sunday from pulpits across every community across the nation, Dr. King’s thoughts and words resonated.

In my church, we were urged to put economic pressure on establishments that either would not hire Blacks or in any way enforced patterns of discrimination. It’s a movement deeply rooted in the community.

It is also a movement deeply rooted in social change. It became a more-universal movement – when we saw white leaders join with Dr. King and

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fice. We continued to fight against patterns of racial discrimination.

I remember Dr. King for his leadership and his vision; he reminds us that we have a continuing obligation to do better.

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BY STATE REP. JAMES ROEBUCK HEN I WAS an undergraduate at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference held their national convention on our campus. Because I had been working on civil-rights issues, including getting Blacks to register to vote and desegregating movie theaters in downtown Richmond, I made it a point to attend.

Congressman Adam Clayton Powell and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., were the main speakers. The auditorium was packed. Every seat was taken. And I was fortunate enough to shake hands with Dr. King at that time – a memory I have always treasured.

Education was always a main theme of Dr. King’s philosophy. I believe that is one of the major reasons that my work in the community and in the state legislature has always focused on education and equalizing opportunity for all students, for all children.

One of my favorite quotes by Dr. King is this: “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

Whether I am visiting

that brought about a high level of success.

In 1970, I returned to Philadelphia and I saw the beginnings of a more-aggressive kind of political movement. I worked to elect Blacks to public of-

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King Drew Inspiration From Education

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EVERYDAY PEOPLE

BY DENISE CLAY AISE YOUR hands if you’re surprised that District Attorney Larry Krasner’s first official act in that office was to let go of 31 ADAs, some of whom had been there since Lynne Abraham’s tenure in that office.

I should see no hands.

If you’re at all surprised, you weren’t listening to this man as he made his way along the campaign trail.

Last week, Krasner sent 31 longtime ADAs packing in what spokesman Ben

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meaning that there would be no cash bail sought, fewer prosecutions, no requests for the death penalty in line with Gov. Tom Wolf’s moratorium on the practice, and more of an emphasis on keeping people out of jail.

The fact that more than a few people squawked at Krasner’s housecleaning tells me that no one was listening. Or is it only just Republicans that are supposed to keep their promises?

If you looked at Krasner’s campaign and whom he surrounded himself while he was on it, did you really think that folks like Andrew Notaristefano, a homicide prosecutor that was part of the group of prosecutors that unsuccessfully pursued the death penalty in a decades-old murder trial in which that sentence had already been stricken down due to racial bias in jury selection, was going to keep his job?! Really?!

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WO DOZEN Republican congressmen, many from competitive districts or Democratic-leaning states, have announced retirement. Many are the GOOD GUY Republicans, not polarizing types on the deep right. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will fight for 91 seats of that sort. They will not win all. But the midterms are coming, when the party with the White House can lose 20 or more seats.

Dems will have to defend their Senate seats – some in states where Trump won – so

CITY HALL SAM

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HE POMP and circumstance of the swearing in of Philadelphia’s own Maria McLaughlin drew a number of statewide bigwigs to the Union League. The biggest of them all is Maria’s mother, Charlotte, who has battled cancer courageously and is winning.

She got to see her daughter sworn in by members of the statewide bench, including JUSTICES DEBORAH TODD and KEVIN DOUGHERTY. The Philadelphia judges who helped

was Bessie ROVNER, deeply missed by son Robert ROVNER, Esq. Perfect peace to her!... Gov. Brendan BYRNE passed. What a grand guy. He saved a MILLION ACRES of Pinelands! The story went that the Republican he charged to develop a Pinelands Preservation Plan came up with a plan for a home on each quarter-acre! A salty-language argument followed, and Byrne told an aide to get an alternate plan from the shelf where it had gathered dust. They took the name of a stadium in the Meadowlands from BYRNE, but we still have Brendan Byrne State Park. Look out, St. Peter won’t be able to get a word in edgewise!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Michael BOYLE, Esq., Social Security expert and 5th Ward Leader. Also to Rosanne PAUCIELLO, Leader of Ward 39A. Happy born day to Chris BRENNAN, yesterday. Another (Cont. Page 29)

swear in Judge McLaughlin were JUDGE FRANK BRADY and Common Pleas PRESIDENT JUDGE SHEILA WOODS-SKIPPER. As suspected, the primary speaker turned out to be CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY. Also on hand was DARRIN KELLY, the Allegheny County-area president of the AFL-CIO. Kelly wore Pittsburgh Steelers colors but was still warmly received by the crowd. The Allegheny chair of the Democratic Party, NANCY MILLS, also showed up.

Philadelphia STATE REP. MARIA DONATUCCI attended and was joined by colleagues from the suburbs, STATE REPS. MARGO DAVIDSON and TINA DAVIS. LT. GOV. MIKE STACK hung out with CONGRESSMAN MATT CARTWRIGHT, who is from Lackawanna County.

MARK & CAROL POGGIO accompanied retired JUDGE FAYE STACK. A victory for a statewide

judicial candidate from Philadelphia is an important win for the city at large.

Much is at stake in the kinds of cases that wind up in appellate courts. When those cases involve Philadelphians, it is vital to have ears on the court that understand our local background.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show was kicked off in Harrisburg last week and Philly had some pretty good representation with the attendance of CONGRESSMAN DWIGHT EVANS and Lt. Gov. Stack. Both were there to salute some Philadelphia students who want to be farmers. Philadelphia has the Saul School of Agriculture for high-school kids. The school is located on Henry Avenue in Roxborough.

The kids from Saul always show that being from the city is no hindrance to being a good farmer. In fact, they usually win awards for their agricultural achievements.

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Waxman termed part of a “broad reorganization” of the office. He wants to take the office in a different direction and these folks, at least to him, weren’t going to be a part of it.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, about a third of the DA’s homicide prosecutors were let go, along with some supervisory staff.

I got a copy of an email sent to DA’s Office employees offering them the chance to look at their personnel files before Krasner’s transition team got a look at them before the holidays.

According to the Inquirer article, 14 new hires have been made in the DA’s Office and résumés are steadily coming in. Many of the new hires, sources say, have come from Krasner’s transition team, which also isn’t a surprise.

During the campaign, Krasner promised a District Attorney’s Office that would be more progressive,

WALKING the BEAT

DEM control of the Senate does not seem likely. A DEM super-sweep in the HOUSE could be a problem, since the HARD RIGHT guys will remain and gain power. They will want one of their own to lead GOP House members.

It means more stalemate.

I mailed an editorial-page editor. The mail came back noting that the editor was away indefinitely. WHAT GIVES (?).

An editorial on the new DA and controller attributed the win to disgust with Philly transactional political culture. That is a HUGE chunk of BALONEY. DREAM CANDIDATES for Governor, Senate or Mayor of the future are touted as Superior Court Judge Maria McLAUGHLIN who garnered 1.78 million STATE votes, and Judge Marissa BRUMBACH with 78k CITY votes! Both wins are a MASSIVE REBUKE to merit selection attacks that voters know nothing of judges.

A loss of a great mom

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OPENED a national business newspaper on Saturday and on page 3 there was an article that highlighted Philadelphia. Usually, when I see “Philadelphia” in a national paper, I cringe.

This time, my reaction was warranted. The article noted that murder rates fell in all populous cities in the US – except for Philadelphia and Baltimore.

This article hit my doorstep the same day I heard that new Philadelphia DISTRICT ATTORNEY LARRY KRASNER fired 34 employees, including numerous homicide

higher than Philadelphia’s, the number of homicides in that city declined in 2017 while ours rose.

There are many who believe that better policing and better community relations with the police are the reasons murders are down.

New York’s crime rate has been for the most part declining since RUDOLPH GIULIANI became mayor, owing to more-professional policing. Giuliani and his successor, MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, had constructive relationships with their police departments.

Ultra-liberal New York MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO started off badly with his police department but appears to have repaired that relationship to a point. A professional district attorney’s office and supportive relationship with the mayors in power has helped New York’s efforts to decrease crime, in my opinion.

There are experts in the (Cont. Page 30)

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ELEPHANT CORNER

unit attorneys, one of which was scheduled to prosecute a case being heard on Monday.

What message does this send to murderers?

The Wall Street Journal noted that homicides in 2017 in New York City were at 290, the lowest since 1951. Homicides in Los Angeles were 281 last year.

Both of these cities have significantly larger populations than Philadelphia, which had 317 homicides, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.

To put this in perspective, there were 20 murders in Philadelphia per 100,000 residents. In New York City, the ratio was 5 homicides per 100,000 citizens. Of the six largest cities, only Chicago had a higher homicide rate than Philadelphia, at 25 per 100,000 residents.

Unless you do not follow national news, you know that homicides in Chicago have skyrocketed over the past few years. While the murder rate in Chicago was

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Laborers District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia & Vicinity Presents a

Year in Review of Wellness Awareness Caring & Community Outreach Sharing Laborers Giving Back

For over 10 years, the Laborers District Council of Metropolitan Philadelphia area and Vicinity has been consistent with their level of charity and health awareness donations. As an organization the Laborers District Council prides itself on the importance of serving their members and communities of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia. This year they have introduced their 2017 “LaborerStrong” and “Laborers Giving Back” campaigns.

LDC Team Laborer Strong Wellness Campaign

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The “LaborerStrong” campaign consist of helping laborers and their families work towards optimal wellness by donating to organizations throughout the year in efforts to bring awareness to illnesses including Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, Prostate, Pancreas and Childhood Cancers.

Coat donations to Police Athletic League (PAL) Harrowgate Center in the Kensington Section with Officer Angel Gonzalez & Labor local #57 Business Agent Marcial Gonzalez including children of the PAL’s Free Homework Club

The “Laborers Giving Back” campaign feels compelled to help families in need and organizations during the Holiday Season. Each of the Labor Locals receive holiday toys, coats (donated to a particular organization), and monetary contributions to a charity of their choice. Both campaigns donations are made possible through the generosity of the Laborers District Council Health & Safety and LECET Funds.

Team LaborerStrong supports Alex’s Lemonade (childhood cancer) (Dragon Boat Race.jpg) Rowing for childhood cancer

Chester County J Lewis Crozer Library receives check from Labor Local 413 Business Manager Mr. James Harper Jr. for well needed books to the children of the community.

Laborers Giving Back Campaign

Laborer Strong Wellness Campaign

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In the field of business, few are regular supporters of meaningful advocacies such as the Laborers District Council. The donations made are contributed to support a greater cause. The Laborers District Council, Health & Safety and LECET funds have pledge now and in the future to continue to support health awareness illnesses and be a heartwarming blessing too others in the five county communities.

Team LaboerStrong supports those families who loved one’s struggle with Alzheimer’s (End Alzheimer’s)

Laborers District Council Health & Safety coordinators with the help of our Wellness Champions (members from locals 57,135,332 and 413) together formulate the LaborerStrong Health Awareness Team.

TEAM LABORERSTRONG CYCLING FOR A CURE

Ryan Boyer Laborers District Council Business Manager, (left) his wife Farida Saleem-Boyer, Toni Staten (LDC LECET Fund) with the help of the LDC staff, prepare for the arrival of the North Philadelphia Beckett Life Community Center’s children afterschool program.

Sam Staten Jr Business Manager Labor Local 332, Donald “Ducky” Birts (Santa Claus) & Tamika Bacon local 332 Administrator Asst./event organizer with Kids of nearby community church bursting with joy and gratitude for their awesome holiday gifts.

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L-R….Alan Parham LDC Benefit Funds Admin, Tracey Woodall Health & Safety coordinator, Harry Moore LDC Trustee, Sam Staten Jr. local 332 Business Manager, Daniel Woodall Jr. local 135 Business Manager, James Harper Jr local 413 Business Manager, Ryan Boyer LDC Business Manager & Surrietha Blunt Health & Safety coordinator pose proudly with donations check presented to various health awareness organizations.

Little girl enjoying the holiday event

Families from the North Philadelphia Beckett Life Community Center filled the Laborers District Council Lobby ready to enjoy the festivities.

Ryan Boyer enjoying the children of the Beckett Life Center as they thank him for their gifts.

Bikes displayed at local 332.

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In addition to donations received from the Laborers District Council Health & Safety and LECET fund, the Black Trade Unionists also helped make this day possible.

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THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE at Lindbergh Facility held a pep rally for the Philadelphia NFC East Champs. Participating was the Postal Employees Choir, which performed at this exciting event. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from rooting for the home team. Photo by Leona G. Dixon

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Fly, Eagles, Fly On Angelic Voices

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Boyle: Get Medical Exams for Prexy Hopefuls

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POLS on the STREET

BY JOE SHAHEELI ongressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-Phila.) wants to vote for a STABLE GENIUS – his own, not President Donald Trump’s.

Boyle introduced the Standardizing Testing & Accountability Before Large Elections Giving Electors Necessary Information for Unobstructed Selection Act

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190th Legislative District

(STABLE GENIUS Act) on Jan. 8. It would require that all presidential candidates undergo a standardized medical examination and publicly disclose its results before the election.

Specifically, Boyle’s legislation would require candidates who have won the presidential nomination of a political party to file a report with the Federal Election Commission, as such candidates must do for a host of other campaign-related requirements, certifying that he or she has undergone medical examination by the Secretary of the Navy and containing the results of the examination.

All FEC filings are publicly available online.

“The President believes he is a ‘stable genius.’ I do not,” said the congressman.

“President Trump’s reckless, erratic behavior has exposed a critical flaw in our

existing election process,” he continued. “Before voting for the highest office in the land, Americans have a right to know whether an individual has the physical and mental fitness to serve as President of the United States. I believe we must also be proactive and do all we can to ensure a situation like this does not arise again.”

Boyle concluded, “My legislation provides a much-needed safeguard to ensure that future presidential candidates meet the basic standards of a proper, standardized medical examination, and that this information is available to the American public before voting for the office of the presidency.”

Krasner Slashes, For Good or Ill Talk of the town has been incoming DA Larry Kras-

Emilio Vazquez

William Keller

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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

State Senator

Sharif

197th Legislative District Office

184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street

Always Hard At Work for You!

State Senator

State Representative

State Rep.

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

ner’s sacking of numerous staffers in the DA’s Office within the first week of doing business. The exact number is still not clear even to DA employees, but it exceeds 30; and the human assumption is that it could be just the beginning, if it’s your job on the line.

So the remaining DAO staff is on their toes, to say the least.

Radical anti-establishmentarian Krasner is operating much like radical anti-establishmentarian Trump did a year earlier: Both promised to kick the rascals out, and both are at least kicking lots of people out.

Krasner is within his rights – especially since he is charged with revamping his office’s culture. What is less clear right now, is whether he will do so with managerial grace and pro-

215-227-6161

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

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

State Rep. Jason

ductivity. Running a shop is about more than talking about its values, although values matter.

Republicans struck fast, citing an ominous new statistic.

“Philadelphia closed out the year with 317 homicides, 14% more than the previous year. Larry Krasner opened his tenure as Philadelphia’s next district attorney by firing homicide prosecutors, one of whom was scheduled to begin a trial on Monday,” Republican City Committee Chair Michael Meehan stated.

“It is unconscionable that within three days of assuming office, and in the midst of a significant increase in murders, that Krasner would begin his tenure by firing homicide prosecutors – one of which was scheduled to go to trial on Monday. What kind of representation are this victim and their family expected to receive?

“In what we might expect from a defense attorney who made a career out of suing the police, Krasner places victims on the back City Commissioner

Dawkins

Lisa M.

District Office: 4667 Paul St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (215) 744-7901 M. – Th.: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

F.: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Room 132 City Hall

Deeley Philadelphia PA 19107

215-686-3460

State Rep.

Councilman

Mark

Joanna E.

Squilla

McClinton 191st Leg. Dist.

6027 Ludlow St. Unit A Phila., PA 19139

1st District City Hall Room 332

T: (215) 748-6712 F: (215) 748-1687

215-686-3458/59

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

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

Greenlee

Kevin J.

Youngblood

Taylor

Donatucci

Councilman Wm.

State Rep.

Rep. Rosita

STATE REP.

Rep.Maria P.

burner from day one. I know that to the victor goes the spoils, but in less than 96 hours, the fate of 5% of the office has been determined. No consideration was given to upcoming trials and the resulting effect on victims and survivors,” Meehan summed up.

Meehan’s critique won’t scare Democrats too much right now. The well-qualified Republican DA candidate in the November general election, Beth Grossman, took just 25% of the vote.

But one-fourth of her votes were from non-Republicans. More Democratic voters will desert their ticket if violent crime gets out of hand.

If Philadelphia gets back in line with the rest of the nation, where murder is going out of style, Krasner will have no worries. But if the city’s homicides keep spiking in 2018, then other Democratic city candidates may suffer from association with him.

Striking back, the DA’s Office announced the appointment of Movita (Cont. to Next Page)

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

City Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker 9th District

District Office 1538 E. Wadsworth Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19150 Phone: 215-686-3454 Fax: 215-685-9271. www.phlcouncil.com/CherelleParker

Facebook: CouncilwomanCherelleLParker Twitter: @CherelleParker9

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old cases for wrongful convictions – last year and will now reportedly head up the Philly DAO’s similarly focused conviction-review unit. She is often cited for her work on the Michael Morton case – Morton, sentenced to life for a Texas homicide in the 1980s, was

exonerated by new DNA evidence in 2011.

A prosecutor in that case was jailed and disbarred in 2013, while the revelations prompted the passage of the “Michael Morton Act,” requiring the disclosure to defense attorneys of all police reports and witness

statements beyond simply those that show guilt.

Krasner has trotted out new interim administration figures, most notably new homicide unit boss Anthony Voci Jr. – a onetime Philly ADA-turned defense attorney. Krasner also announced that Mike Lee, a

defense attorney known for operating expungement clinics, will serve as interim head of the legislative unit.

Former Schnader Harrison attorney Nancy Winkelman will act as interim supervisor of the department’s law division, which handles (Cont. Page 28)

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Johnson-Harrell, a West Philadelphia social worker with a degree from the University of Pennsylvania, has run for state representative.

“Her wealth of knowledge, depth of experience and enthusiasm will be crucial to our office’s critical mission of delivering services to witnesses of and those traumatized by crime,” Krasner said.

Translation: Johnson-Harrell was hired to dispel the perception that Krasner, in being pro-defendant, is not by definition anti-victim. A significant professional challenge, in which we wish Johnson-Harrell well.

While on the campaign trail, part of Krasner’s sales pitch for radically upending Philadelphia’s criminal justice system was the promise of attracting national talent.

“If we are to judge by what’s happened in other jurisdictions, the office will become a tremendous magnet for new talent,” Krasner told the Intercept last year.

“There are a ton of people who are either coming out of law school or who are mid-career who would love to work in a truly progressive DA’s office.”

Sources inside the DAO say Krasner will soon announce one of his first high-profile hires: former Dallas County conviction integrity unit chief Patricia Cummings.

Cummings left the Dallas CIU – which reviews

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(Cont. from Prev. Page) Johnson-Harrell, who will be joining DAO as interim supervisor of Victim Services. The Victim Services Unit is tasked with advocating on behalf of and providing services for all crime victims and witnesses in Philadelphia. Johnson-Harrell is intimately aware of the impact of crime, as she is both the mother and daughter of a homicide victim.

“I am thrilled and honored to join the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in this vital mission, and look forward to serving the people of Philadelphia in my new role,” Johnson-Harrell said.

Johnson-Harrell founded the CHARLES (Creating Healthy Alternatives Results in Less Emotional Suffering) Foundation in 2011 after losing her 18-year-old son, Charles Andre Johnson, to gun violence. She also suffered the loss of her father, cousin, and only brother to homicide.

“I know that this moment of transition in the DAO has been confusing for some victims and their families,” said Johnson-Harrell.

“I want to ensure them that our unit is open for business and that we are here to make sure that you have whatever information you need. Please, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me or my staff.”

Krasner Will Need a Lower Crime Rate

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JA N UA RY 11, 2018

POLS on the STREET

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the WAFFLE MAN

Y

your drivers’ license test.

The following “older than dirt quiz” was sent to me by a reader and it should spark some wonderful memories. Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones you were told about. Ratings at the bottom to see how old you really are.

1. Blackjack chewing gum 2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water. 3. Sugar candy cigarettes. 4. Soda-pop machines that dispensed glass bottles. 5. Coffee shops or diners with tableside jukeboxes.

6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers. 7.

Telephone party lines. 8.

Newsreels before the movie. 9. Two-dollar P.F. Flyer sneakers. 10. Butch wax for boy’s crew-cut haircuts.

11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix (Fulton 7-6933). 12. Peashooters.

13. Howdy Doody. 14. 45 RPM records. 15. S&H Green Stamps.

16 Hi-fis. 17 Metal ice trays with cube release lever. 18. Blue mimeographed paper handouts.

19. Blue flashbulbs. 20.

Packard cars.

21. Rollerskate keys.

22. Cork popguns. 23.

Drive-in theaters 24.

Studebakers. 25. Washing machines with wringers and separate washtubs for rinsing.

If you remembered 0-5 = you’re still young. If you remembered 6-10 = you’re getting older. If you remembered 11-15 = don’t tell your age. If you remembered 16-25 = you’re older than dirt!

Have anything to share?

Contact me at the Philadelphia Public Record, email me at editor@phillyrecord. com or visit my web page for other great memories – www.Dwaffleman.com.

Kings Visit Cruz

GASPAR, Melchior and Balthasar paid a call to State Rep. Angel Cruz, above R, last Saturday in celebration of the Epiphany, known as “Día de los Reyes” in Spanish. It is customary for the Three Kings to bring gifts for children.

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JA N UA RY 11, 2018

O! HERE WE GO again with these great memories.

When my dad was cleaning out my grandmother’s house, he brought me an empty Royal Crown Cola bottle.

In the bottlecap was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it.

I knew immediately what it was, but my son had no idea. He thought they had tried to make it a saltshaker or something.

I knew from experience

it was the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to “sprinkle” clothes with because we didn’t have steam irons.

Man, I am old.

That got me thinking about some of the things that were commonplace when I was young (er).

Read them – and let your imagination take over.

How many do you remember?

Headlight dimmer switches on the floor by the driver’s left foot. Ignition switches on the dashboard. An engine starter button on the dashboard.

Heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall.

Real iceboxes that kept food cold by using only ice. Pant-leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.

Soldering irons you heat on a gas burner. Using hand signals for cars without turn signals and their use was required at

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1/10/2018 10:51:37 AM

T

HE FIRST law of thermodynamics states that energy can’t be created or destroyed. It can only change forms. This seems particularly appropriate as we prepare to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As the continued, ever-expanding efforts to adhere to and uphold Dr. King’s efforts and accomplishments on the national holiday dedicated to him demonstrate, his spirit is as alive and inspiring today as it was during the civil-rights era.

For many, Dr. King’s work on life-or-death issues like housing, schools, the economy, and criminal justice has come to define not only his life but theirs.

Five decades later, fair and affordable housing is still an unattainable dream, as evidenced by the years-long waitlist for the Philadelphia Housing Authority – if you can even get your name on the list (many waitlists are closed to new applicants).

Public schools are still starving for adequate funding and facilities. The income gap hasn’t been this wide since just before the Great Depression.

And as far as criminal justice goes, one only has to look at the machinations of U.S. Attorney

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T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D JA N UA RY 11, 2018

OPINION

General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, a man who has any number of links to the prison-industrial complex, doing his best to keep stocking private, for-profit prisons with fresh inmates.

There are many, many more examples of how far we have to go to make Dr. King’s dream a reality on so many fronts. But we can hold out hope that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner will live up to his promise to enact sweeping criminal-justice reform and do his part to change a broken system that Dr. King would likely decry as the “New Jim Crow,” as the seminal 2010 book by Michelle Alexander so chillingly defines the system today that makes it more likely an African American man will wind up incarcerated than with a college degree.

Despite a justifiably panned, ham-handed mass firing done on a late Friday news dump, Krasner is still the latest, best chance for fixing a broken system. As President Barack Obama so memorably said, “Elections have consequences.” It is Krasner’s prerogative to bring in his own team. Indeed, if he didn’t, it would be difficult to argue his status as a change agent.

There is much to do to make Dr. King proud: cash bail, civil asset forfeiture, sentencing guidelines, alternative programs. On this most bittersweet of holidays, we choose to believe that the dream can become reality with enough work and faith. We choose to heed Dr. King’s wisdom: “Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

The News in Black & White

25

LAST THURSDAY NIGHT, as a snowstorm pummeled Philadelphia, State Rep. Jared Solomon organized 50 volunteers from the World Mission Society Church of God to shovel the sidewalks for 100 elderly and disabled residents of the Northeast. Lawmakers are tasked primarily with making laws, secondarily with blocking laws; sometimes, though, they can actually clear the way.

MARK your CALENDAR Jan. 11- Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown hosts Citizens’ Hearing at City Hall, Council Chambers, Rm. 400, 5 p.m. Addressing the Trump Administration’s plan to cut the

Environmental Protection Agency’s budget. Guest speakers include four state reps. For info: Haniyyah Sharpe (215) 686-3438 or Haniyyah.Sharpe@phila. gov.

Jan. 12- Democratic State Committee Black Caucus hosts Breakfast with Congressman Keith Ellison, DNC Deputy Chair, at Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Dr., 8-10 a.m. RSVP required: Pa D em Bla c k C au cus @ gmail.com.

Jan. 13- State rep candidate Rev. Lewis Nash is hosted Seniors Bingo Game at 1510 W. Stiles St., 10 a.m. Prizes.

Free. For info: Ms. Bundy (215) 519-3967.

Jan. 15- State Rep. Morgan Cephas & Lt. Gov. Mike Stack host “Pathways to Pardons Expungement Expo” at Shepard Rec Ctr., 5700 Haverford Ave., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For info: 215) 879-6625.

Jan. 14- Phila. Black Republican Council hosts author KCarl Smith at 1st Immigrant Baptist Ch., 2438 Ridge Ave., 1 p.m.

Seminar “From Poverty to Prosperity” applies principles of Frederick Douglass to Black empowerment. For info: Calvin Tucker (215) 694-9278.

Jan. 15- Phila. Martin Luther King, Jr. Assn for Nonviolence hosts Awards & Benefit Luncheon at Sheraton City Centre Hotel, 17th

& Race Sts., 12 m. Honoring AFSCME Nat’l President Lee Saunders For info: Joye Nottage (610) 803-9197.

Jan. 20- State Rep. Pam DeLissio hosts Town Hall Mtg. at Roxborough Mem. Hosp., Wolcoff Audit., 10 a.m.

Discussing the failure of the State budget and the impact of the national administration on State policy. For info: (215) 482-8726.

Correction

In the Jan. 4, 2018 issue of the Public Record, “Party Committee Elections Can Transform Philly” stated that there are 1,684 ele3ction divisions in Philadelphia. The correct number is 1,686.

1/10/2018 12:13:54 PM

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Honoring Dr. King’s Fight for Justice

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Stack’s Pardon Program May Be National Model

LT. GOV. Mike Stack, seated 2nd from R, met with national leaders who are formulating opioid-abuse policy in Washington, D.C. Stack’s Pathways to Pardons initiative is a model for erasing criminal records, thereby reducing obstacles to employment for recovering addicts.

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E N N S Y LVA N I A’ S Pathways to Pardons Program should be a model for other states battling the opioid-abuse epidemic, according to drug-policy experts who met in the nation’s capital to learn more about the program created by Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.

“The recently released report of the 2017 President’s Commission on Combating Addiction and the Opioid Epidemic explicitly recognizes that a criminal record is a barrier to employment and that employment is critical to long-term recovery,” said Gary Tennis, president of the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws.

“Lt. Gov. Stack has led the nation in removing barriers so that recovering individuals with old criminal records finally can become fully productive contributors to society. This improves outcomes in Pennsylvania, and it can be part of the solution in every state.”

Pathways to Pardons brings together Board of Pardons staff with experts in corrections, addiction recovery, and parole officials to conduct community

meetings across the state explaining the pardons process and helping potential applicants navigate the system.

“The pardons process can be confusing and difficult,” said Stack, who became chairman of the Board of Pardons when he took office in 2015. “It became clear immediately that we needed to create something that would help folks who couldn’t afford a lawyer to get their lives back on track.”

Stack has conducted 40 Pathways to Pardons seminars in all corners of the state, increasing the number of applicants and improving the quality of the applications.

Along with the Pathways to Pardons team, he met with Tennis and Richard Baum, acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington, to brief them on the program, its history, its benefits and its challenges.

Stack and his Board of Pardons team also briefed Obama administration officials in 2016. Tennis said his organization intends to create model Pathways to

Pardons legislation for all 50 states to consider.

“We started out with an ambitious idea that we thought could help ease the crisis in Pennsylvania,” said Bill Stauffer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance and one of the original Pathways to Pardons contributors. “Now we’re looking at helping people across the United States.

It’s a tremendous recognition of the hard work of a lot of people.”

Since additional funds to expand the process of seeking pardons are hard to come by, Stack has reached out to law schools to solicit student volunteer assistance in facilitating pardon requests. Other nonprofit community groups are also involved.

Statistics for 2017 are incomplete. But the two previous years show a significant increase in pardons recommended under Stack’s leadership. In 2015, the board recommended 112 pardons. In 2016, that number jumped to 287.

Pardons must ultimately be granted by the governor, not by the board.

1/10/2018 10:28:56 AM

CONGRESSMAN Robert Brady was keynote speaker at the robe ceremony for the elevation of Judge Maria McLaughlin to Superior Court. The Brady family and McLaughlin’s have been friends for generations.

JUDGE Maria McLaughlin stood ready to have her robe of office placed upon her by Administrative Judge Frank Brady. Once the oath of office is read and robe placed, she ceased to be a judge-elect.

L-R, FORMER Judge Dan Sulman and Ward Leader Bernadette Wyche congratulate Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin,

JUDGE Maria McLaughlin danced with her mother, Carmella, during the reception following her robing ceremony. Despite the powerful effects of chemotherapy, Carmella continued to campaign statewide for her daughter.

SUPREME COURT Justice Deborah Todd, 3rd from L, is on track to be the first female chief justice of the State Supreme Court. Justice Todd met well-wishers at Judge McLaughlin’s Robe Reception. They included, L-R, Edward Roman; Judge Tracy Roman; Leanna Litwin, Esq.; Joseph Russo, candidate consultant; Superior Court Judge Mary Jane Bowes; and Judge Diane Thompson.

WARD LEADERS at the Judge McLaughlin Robe Reception congratulated Judge Marissa Brumbach, C, on amassing 78,000 votes in the General Election. Judge Brumbach’s high city vote and McLaughlin’s 1.78 million statewide vote carried the day. With the judge are Ward Leaders Robert Dellavella, Carol Jenkins and Michael Boyle and Jon Saidel, husband of Judge McLaughlin; and Ward Leader Janice Sulman.

The 33rd Ward was well represented with the Ward Leader Donna Aument, 2nd from R, and her family. From left are John Brady; husband Joe Aument; daughter Marnie Aument-Loughrey; and son-in law and senatorial aide Jimmy Harrity.

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Judge Maria McLaughlin, C poses with a small part of her family. At her right is her husband, Jonathan Saidel, Esq., former City Controller of Philadelphia.

Enjoying Judge McLaughlin’s reception were, L-R, Supervising Judge Walter Olszewski; Administrative Judge Margaret Murphy, Judge Dan Anders and Tom Becker, fiscal administrator of Superior Court.

RETIRED Judge Faye Stack, 3rd from L, and relatives Mark & Carol Poggio say hello to Carmella Jacquinto, Esq. Jacquinto may appear soon as a judicial candidate.

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Jurists of the State Supreme Court, Superior Court, City Common Pleas Court and others attended the robing ceremony for Judge Maria McLaughlin to Superior Court. High Court Justice Kevin Dougherty is seen at L and Justice Deborah Todd at R.

JA N UA RY 11, 2018

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McLaughlin Trades up Her Robes at Union League

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1/10/2018 10:57:33 AM

12th Ward Candidate Rolls Out a Website (Cont. from Page 23) appeals as well as civil and federal litigation.

Voci’s hiring bumps ADA Brian Zarallo out of the top spot in the department’s homicide squad.

Sources say Zarallo, who was among those rumored to be the Friday hit list of dismissed staffers, will instead be moved to oversee a revitalized major trials unit. That unit had been phased out under former DA Seth Williams.

Rumors continued to swirl within the office that more employees will soon be asked to resign or reapply for their jobs at a lower salary. The DAO has declined to comment on ongoing personnel changes.

Brady Opponents Still Rolling out The announcement by convicted former Traffic Court Judge Willie Singletary, a West Philadelphian, that he will challenge Congressman Bob Brady (D-Phila.) in the spring primary, is the sort of opposition an incumbent dreams of facing.

Singletary was taken

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down by prosecutors for taking money to expunge traffic tickets. Perhaps that did not seem out of line in the climate of Traffic Court’s dying days, before Municipal Court took it over; and we lack the legal expertise to judge whether it was right or wrong.

But the fact Singletary promised motorcycle riders he would forgive their tickets if they voted for him was over the top.

And the 1st Congressional District probably does not have enough motorcycle riders to swing this election.

Another minister, Fishtown resident Michele Lawrence, has registered a website, MicheleForCongress.com.

A graver threat to the incumbent is former Deputy Mayor Nina Ahmad.

Brady’s district includes Asian American neighborhoods where Ahmad is well connected.

In her latest campaign report, Ahmad is claiming $564,000 in donations.

This is serious money.

Update on the 177th Free-for-All Sean Kilkenny, a Democratic candidate in the 177th Legislative District, saw a strong turnout at his first fundraiser despite wintry weather, claiming 200 supporters at the Sprinkler Fitters Local 692 hall.

A member of the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ Local 592, Kilkenny is in with the Building Trades Council and is expected soon to earn the backing of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.

The Kilkenny campaign hopes to raise $300,000, enough to open a campaign office and to get the candidate’s message on television and via multiple mailings. He’s already been knocking doors.

Kilkenny is a Father Judge grad who lives in his lifelong home. He’s a 64th Ward committeeman, a St. Matthew CYO coach and a member of Ancient Order of Hibernians Local 39 and the Mayfair Civic Association.

Kilkenny describes himself as a “working-class guy” whose first job was

as a busboy at Tony’s Place, when he was in 8th grade.

Kilkenny’s platform includes opposition to right-to-work and paycheck-protection bills. He wants to help young people who have student-loan debt. He favors a higher minimum wage and additional funding to hire police officers. He would fight the opioid epidemic and care for Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.

Meanwhile, State Rep. Brian Sims (D-S. Phila.) has endorsed Maggie Borski for the Democratic nomination in the 177th.

In a Facebook post, he called on 2018 to be the “Year of the Woman.”

Borski said she looks forward to working with Sims, a fellow graduate of Bloomsburg University. “I am honored to have Rep. Sims’ endorsement,” she said. “He is absolutely right that women are underrepresented in the General Assembly.”

We’ll see how far Sims’ influence travels in the 177th District primary. Total voters may not exceed 4,000. So the winner need not be the most-popular kid in the community; he or she may just head a clique that bothered to turn out to vote.

Democracy, it’s called.

While none of Sims’ constituents live in the 177th, his financial backers, many with LGBTQ affiliations, have economic weight. Diving into a ferocious state Rep. race like this, financing could help.

Can Sims boost Borski in this way? His own reelection campaign may be under less pressure now that a prime rival, Ben Waxman, has taken the job of press secretary for Larry Krasner.

12th Ward Contest Brews in Germantown Jeff Templeton, 12th Ward committeeman, is running for Democratic ward leader. He has a mission – and he has a tool.

“I know that the 12th Ward doesn’t have a good reputation,” Templeton said. “In fact, it has a pretty negative one. I want to change that perception.”

Befitting the internet era, Templeton has created what may be a first: an entire website dedicated to a ward committee. Visit www.12thward.org to see what it looks like.

The purpose of this website is to provide transparency and a resource for committee people and their constituents.

The website will list ward executive staff along with their pictures. “I want to open up our ward meetings to the public,” Templeton said.

In addition, he averred, “People will get things they can use on it.” They will be able to print out their own absentee ballot.

They can learn how to register to vote and where to vote, how to volunteer for election-day work. Candidates can use it to arrange a meeting in the ward. It will include a calendar of important dates as well as Democratic City Committee bylaws.

Davidson Honors Nichols on MLK Day State Rep. Margo Davidson (D-Delaware) will host a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Its star: Philadelphia Judge Carolyn Nichols, who is advancing to Superior Court – a big win for Philadelphia.

It’ll be at the Archer-Epler VFW Post 979,

6736 Marshall Road in Upper Darby. The event is open to the public but people must pre-register by calling Davidson’s office to secure their seat.

There will be no tickets distributed at the door.

Look forward to a scrumptious brunch and the establishment of the first “Judge Carolyn H. Nichols Drum Major for Justice” award.

Nichols has deep family connections to Delaware County and is the highest-ranking Black female justice ever elected to the Pennsylvania bench.

As King was a champion of social justice and a fierce believer in inclusion, Davidson seeks to establish an event that honors diverse voices and activists in Delaware County.

“Our goal is to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and acknowledge the local civil rights heroes within our own community,” Davidson said. “This event serves as a perfect opportunity for us to come together as neighbors and to celebrate the rich diversity in our community. Economic and social justice today has sparked movements on a level that we have not seen since MLK’s day from #MeToo to #BLM to #DACA to the Women’s March movements, we are seeing a new level of passion around civic engagement and activism which has led to better and healthier communities in the past and could again in the future. That is what this country is all about. That is what the legacy of Dr. King is all about. I hope folks can join us in celebrating that.”

For more information, call Davidson’s office at (610) 259-7016.

1/10/2018 11:36:32 AM

EVERYDAY PEOPLE (Cont. From Page 15) Unless he wanted folks like Michael Coard and Asa Khalif to begin plotting his demise, that wasn’t happening. When your inauguration ends in a protest by one of your supporters, “Act Like You Know” is part of your marching orders.

The major downside that I see to this – and a lot of activists reading this will think I’m being a “hater” or “trying to divide,” or any of the many accusations that get thrown at people who look at something like this and wonder about the people who might not be down with it – is what happens to the people who were looking for justice and hoping that the fired prosecutors would get it for them?

Now, I know that the DA’s office has about 600 people in it, most of them prosecutors. But when you fire the lead prosecutor on a case, that means the other people you’re leaving with that work have to try and catch up.

When the lead prosecutor is fired on Friday, and you have to be in court on Monday, that could make things unintentionally interesting.

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There was one question that kept getting me sideeyed, which I kept asking candidate Krasner on the campaign trail.

That question: What do you tell the people who think that your vision for reforming the office

doesn’t include victims of crime?

Thanks to this latest move, Krasner’s going to have to come up with a better answer to that question than the one I often got.

For the sake of these victims, I hope he has one.

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regulations is that you can only earn $2,000. And no money in the bank. Like when they tried to take benefits away from a guy who earned extra to get enough to pay a security deposit to move. The monthly checks are $700 to $800 usually. WHO can LIVE on THAT!... The recent feature on how you wait TOO LONG for a hearing on a Social Security benefits application was needed! Not mentioned is the long delay for a reply on an appeal when they take your benefits away.

Folks have DIED waiting.

IS THAT what they want?

JA N UA RY 11, 2018

(Cont. From Page 15) year of balanced reporting looms ahead from him.

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers has named Charlson Braber McCabe & Denmark a "Best Law Firm" for 2018 in the field of Construction Law, Philadelphia.

Judge Mark Cohen came under media fire for submitted expenses during his 43 years as a legislator. The expenses were all approved, and no audit found illegality. The writer never wrote about it until now (?). Cohen

came under fire for coming from a political dynasty (Like the Kennedys). He was attacked for ordering books to improve his knowledge.

He was zapped for earning an MBA and law degree. He was hit for working on holy days, in a 24/7 job (?) All of the above ARE ALLOWED in the USA! The media are not authorized to set a course on a moral compass for anyone. They have no DIVINE RIGHT to tell Cohen how to serve. The voters do that; and they elected Cohen for 43 years. Make that 44: The voters just MADE COHEN A JUDGE! A BIG FLAW in SSI

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

(215) 236-6700

www.ldc-phila-vic.org 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 Building better and safer communities in Philadlephia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties

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

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WALKING the BEAT

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ELEPHANT CORNER (Cont. From Page 15) analysis of crime who believe the problems in Philadelphia and Baltimore are owing in large part to poor relations between the police force and economically challenged communities, exacerbated by highly publicized deaths of African Ameri-

LEGAL NOTICE

JA N UA RY 11, 2018

AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 107’, 108’, & 109’) on the smoke stack at 7301 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA (20171257).

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

can men at the hands of police. While this may be part of the reason, I believe a contributing factor to the uptick in crime in Baltimore is owing to concerns that the state’s attorney for Baltimore was more interested in being a politician than an advocate for victims.

Yes, the FREDDIE GREY case was disturbing, but none of the cases against the six police officers allegedly involved in his death stuck. Is that because the prosecutors were on the side of the police (from everything I saw in the media, they clearly were not), or was it because they were more interested in political notoriety?

The argument can be made that the ineffective attempt to go after the police officers involved in the Grey case caused other officers to step

back from enforcement for fear that the prosecutors would not have their backs when they were in the right.

Are we going to see this here under Krasner?

By the way, this Tuesday was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. I wonder if the new DA thanked any police officer for his or her service.

The Pennsylvania, and in particular the Philadelphia, Young Republicans have had a stellar year.

The Pennsylvania YRs tripled membership in 2017. Also, the Pennsylvania YR chapter will be hosting the national convention of YRs in March 2018 in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia YRs started the year with a happy hour last week at the James restaurant at 18th & Arch. The event drew roughly 50 attendees.

TO: Unknown Birth Father of Baby Girl Shannon

A Petition has been filed asking the court to put an end to all rights you have to your child Baby Shannon who was born on 8/8/17 at Einstein Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, as well as any rights M.S. has to Baby Girl Shannon. The court has set a hearing to consider ending your rights to your child. That hearing will be held on February 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., One Montgomery Plaza, Swede Street, Courtroom #14, Orphan’s Court Division, Norristown, PA 19404 before Judge Murphy. You are warned that even if you fail to appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing will go on without you and your rights to your child as well as the rights of M.S. to that child may be ended by the court without your being present. You have a right to be represented at the hearing by a lawyer. 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 to find out where you can get legal help.

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An important option may be available to you under Act 101 of PA Law that allows for an enforceable voluntary agreement for continuing contact following an adoption between an adoptive parent, a child, a birth parent and/or a birth relative of the child, if all parties agree and the voluntary agreement is approved by the court. The agreement must be signed and approved by the court to be legally binding.

You are also warned that if you fail to file either an acknowledgment of paternity pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 2503 (d) relating to acknowledgement and claim of paternity, and fail to either appear at a hearing to object to the termination of your rights or file a written objection to such termination with the court prior to the hearing, your rights may be terminated under Pa.C.S.A. 2503(d) or 2504(c) of the adoption act.

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LAWYER REFERRAL AND INFORMATION SERVICE 100 West Airy Street, P.O. Box 268 Norristown, PA 19404 (800) 560-LAW1

Philly for Change Draws Progressive Candidates CANDIDATES for office began to make their pitches before the action community Philly for Change at Tattooed Mom’s on South Street. Organizers Sam Durso, L, and Dave Scholnick have a reputation for combining progressive policy passions with political tactical work.

FORMER Deputy Mayor Nina Ahmad hit the campaign trail at Philly for Change in her bid for the Democratic 1st Congressional District primary, along with her Campaign Manager Mike Szustak.

CITY COMMISSION Chair Lisa Deeley, who regularly attends Philly for Change, enjoyed a têteà-tête with state rep candidate Malcolm Kenyatta.

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Intent to Remediate to an Environmental Standard and Final Report Submittal Pursuant to the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, the act of May 19, 1995, P.L. 4, No. 1995-2., notice is hereby given that Frankford Owner LLC has submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection a Notice of Intent to Remediate for the site located at 1405-21 Frankford Ave., 1406-1412 Marlborough Ave. in Philadelphia. This NIR states that lead and arsenic impacted historic fill soils are located 2’ to 3’ below the building slab and that all buildings are planned for complete demolition and re-development of the site is for commercial and residential mixed use. Remediation measures included excavation and disposal of the impacted soils. The proposed future use of the property will be commercial/residential mixed-use.

Notice is also hereby given that Frankford Owner LLC of Philadelphia has submitted a final report to the PADEP to demonstrate attainment of the Statewide Health Standard for the site. Remediation measures taken have attained compliance with the SHS established under Act 2.

1/10/2018 11:06:26 AM

R

from that body. He has also served as block captain and majority inspector.

In 2015, Nash founded the Philadelphia Interfaith Coalition, which was an early endorser of then-Councilman Jim Kenney in his race for mayor. He also intended to run for City Council at Large, delivering 1,500 petition signatures, he said – but was 10 minutes late because he had been making funeral arrangements for his father, he said.

In 2012, Nash had contemplated a run to replace then-State Rep. Jewell Williams when Williams became sheriff. But Williams’ 197th District was redistricted that year, pushing Nash’s residence out of the 197th

REV. LEWIS NASH has a track record in development in Lower North Philadelphia; and, as a Laborers’ Union member, he knows something about real-estate development.

and into the 181st.

Nash points to a busy life in other community organizations. He founded Mankind Against Poverty Holistic CDC in 2000. It is now a Registered Community Organization. Between the

CDC and his ministry, Nash claimed to “feed 300 people a year on the third Saturday of each month, give out 200 toys at Christmas and 85 senior boxes a month.” He was active as a neighborhood drug warrior.

Nash’s CDC played a role in negotiations to build a new headquarters for the Philadelphia Housing Authority in Sharswood.

It cannot hurt Nash’s clout that he is a 30-year veteran of Laborers’ Local 332, whose own headquarters is nearby.

If elected, Nash said he would “bridge the gap between [Temple] University and the community, between developers and the community.”

He wants to promote “clean-

and-safe” business corridors throughout the district.

He advocates equal funding for all schools and day-care centers across the state. He would like to see universal bilingual education beginning at the preschool level and continuing through all 12 years of education in the School District of Philadelphia.

Gun regulations are a particular concern for Nash.

He would like to see some sort of merger between gun licenses, drivers’ licenses and auto license, so that police could easily determine if a driver had a legal right to carry arms. He would like to see the residences of persons with mental disorders on a database so that

first responders would have advance indication if they were at risk when responding to that address.

Nash, 50, is married and the father of infant twins.

The 181st District includes the neighborhoods of North Central, Poplar, South Kensington and Francisville. It is made up of three social components: working-class Black and Latino rowhome dwellers, most of Temple campus’ surroundings, and gentrifying blocks above Spring Garden Street.

Malcolm Kenyatta, an activist with chops in Liberty City Democratic Club and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, who is related to Thomas, is also in this race.

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

Nash Launches Crusade for the 181st

BY TONY WEST EV. LEWIS Nash, Sr., pastor of Faith & Deliverance Outreach Ministry in North Central Philadelphia, formally announced his candidacy for the 181st Legislative District seat in the Democratic spring primary.

That seat’s current occupant, State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, Jr., has made no public announcement of his intentions. But several sources have told the Public Record that Thomas is considering wrapping up his 30-year career in the State House. In that case, he may see how petition drives go in that district.

As a committeeman in the 47th Ward, Nash will presumably start his campaign with strong backing

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JA N UA RY 11, 2018

PUBLIC RECORD CLASSIFIEDS

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