2018
SALUTE TO LABOR PAGES 4 - 13
Vol. XIV No. 17
Issue 952
April 26, 2018
“The good things we do must be made a part of the public record”
PhiladelphiaPublicRecord
@phillyrecord
PhillyRecord
PhillyRecord.com
Celebrating the First Annual
5-Star Salute to Labor Lifetime Achiever
Rising Star
Organizer-Activist
Management Leader
Good Deeds
John Meyerson Political Consultant UFCW 1776
Reesa Kossoff SEIU PA State Council
Ted Kirsch President of AFT Pennsylvania
Linda Fields Senior Representative District 1199C
Esteban Vera, Jr. Business Manager Laborers, Local 57
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Lt. Gov. Forum Draws Candidates, Crowd FIVE CANDIDATES for lieutenant governor, or their spokespersons, attended a 27th Ward Democratic forum last week: Nina Ahmad, Kathi Cozzone, John Fetterman, Ray Sosa and incumbent Mike Stack. All but Fetterman are from Philadelphia or its suburbs. Left: host Ward Leader Carol Jenkins listens as Chester County Commissioner Cozzone makes her case. R: Lt. Gov. Stack aids a constituent with an incarcerated family member while East Braddock Mayor Fetterman awaits his turn to speak.
City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice
Pardon Workshop Earns Handshake
The Committee on Public Property and Public Works of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, April 30, 2018, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items: 171084
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An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land located in and about the area bounded by North Broad Street, Noble Street, 13th Street, and the building known as 401 North Broad Street, all under certain terms and conditions. An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a lease agreement with Peter Roberts Enterprises, for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 2504-12 Snyder Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey, to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, certain parcels of land situate at 130 West Westmoreland Street, with any improvements thereon, for further conveyance, all under certain terms and conditions. An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey, to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, certain parcels of land situate at 3300 North Front Street, with any improvements thereon, for further conveyance, all under certain terms and conditions. An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a lease agreement with Spring Del Associates, LP, for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 520 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under certain terms and conditions. An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser interest such as an easement, by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, in parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Kensington & Tacony Trail, and authorizing an agreement between the City and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the PRA to act as the City’s condemnation agent, under certain terms and conditions. An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land located in and about the area bounded by Norwitch Drive, 67th Street, Essington Avenue and 70th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
AT A RECENT Pathways to Pardons workshop at the Community College of Philadelphia, Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who chairs the PA Board of Pardons was greeted by Thurmond Berry, whose life sentence was commuted by the Board of Pardons in 2016 after serving 39 years.
Lawrence Wins Clergy Backing
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Michael Decker Chief Clerk
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:
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Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Licenses and Inspections, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall.
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Teamsters 628
FORMER banker Michele Lawrence of Fishtown announced the endorsement by two prominent clergymen in her quest for the 2nd Congressional District Democratic nomination. L-R were Nicole Butler-Guindo, Nadira Branch, Sheila Horn, Lawrence, Rev. Dr. Stephen Avinger and Rev. George Tynes. Photo by Wendell Douglas
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2018 SALUTE TO LABOR:
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LIFETIME ACHIEVER
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HILE STILL IN high school, John became involved in struggles for social justice and against the Vietnam War, participating in demonstrations around the region, and leading a sit-in at Lower Merion High School. This commitment to the struggle for peace and human rights led him to the labor movement. His first union job was at a warehouse in North Philadelphia that was organized by the Teamsters Union. John then took a job at Strick Trailer, where he was a member of the UAW local. That plant closed in 1974. John organized other unemployed workers to fight for the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Bill. Their group evolved into the Philadelphia Unemployment Project. With his unemployment
John Meyerson compensation running out and newly married, he took a job with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board in 1976. There, he met Herman Wooden and Wendell W. Young III, leaders of the clerks’ union, who became major influences in his life. John became a Shop Steward, then served on the Executive Board. In 1984, he was hired by what became UFCW 1776 as an Organizer. During his time as an Organizer, John worked on cam-
paigns with public employees, health-care workers, retail clerks and food processers. John served as Director of Legislation and Political Action for Local 1776. Some of his proudest accomplishments are his efforts on the passage of the bill that increased the state minimum wage to $7.15 an hour and the passage of the Affordable Care Act. John continues working for candidates who support his union’s principles and he coordinates the $15 Minimum Wage campaign. John chaired the S.E. PA Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), representing over 100,000 workers. He served as a Vice President of PA AFL-CIO, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, President of the Montgomery County Central Labor Council and (Cont. Page 11)
SALUTE TO OUR OUTSTANDING LABOR
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LEADERS!
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Rep. Jim Roebuck 4712 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 724-2227
jroebuck@pahouse.net 4/25/2018 11:56:46 AM
R
Reesa Kossoff Reesa has been in the trenches for years’ worth of state budget fights, wrestling with forces that wanted to further then-Gov. Tom Corbett’s slash-and-burn campaign against education and human services. Working arm-in-arm with Gov. Tom Wolf, the Commonwealth has restored the nearly $1 billion in education cuts that had crippled Pennsylvania’s schools and has staved off the worst attacks on the Pennsylvania’s human services. She was instrumental in bringing together a campaign of labor and community part-
ners to push the long-awaited shale tax to passage in the state Senate, and within a final vote shy of passage in the state House. Prior to joining the State Council, Reesa was Deputy Director of the National Public Pension Coalition and worked on electoral and issue campaigns in Indiana, Ohio, Washington State and Washington, D.C. When offered a staff leadership role in the nation’s fastest-growing and most-dynamic Union in her home state of Pennsylvania, it was an opportunity she couldn’t resist. Today, Reesa and the State Council team are organizing to re-elect Gov. Wolf, which will put more SEIU members on the street to knock on doors and organize their communities than ever before. After Wolf’s re-election, Reesa and her leadership (Cont. Page 11)
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INDA FIELDS has worked professionally for the past 28 years as a National Organizer and Business Agent with the National Union of Hospital & Healthcare Employees, District 1199C, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. She has also served in many capacities on labor and political campaigns both locally and nationally. Among those efforts: she is a former Advisory Board Member for the Borough Council of Norristown; she has volunteered for over a quarter-century for the Democratic Party at both local and national levels; she has worked to help people register to vote for 25 years; and she is an 18-year delegate to the Philadelphia Central Labor Council. Linda has a unique ability to connect with others and build collaborative partnerships at all levels.
Linda Fields Her experience as a negotiator, mediator, community activist, and a respected labor-relations professional comes from more than 35 years of advocacy, compassion and bipartisan insight. Linda is committed to serving through education, mentoring and advocacy as it parallels her personal and professional life as a community, labor and political activist. Her strategic approach to issues commands respect and provokes open dialogues and transparency.
Linda’s tireless approach to serving is, in her opinion, not an option. In her words, “Everyone Counts and Most Things Matter.” She serves as a conduit in consistently lending herself and her talents to ensure that everyone is represented, heard, and treated fairly. She has also been extensively involved in volunteer service, including as vice president for organization relations at the Philadelphia-based nonprofit International Student Athlete Academy for 13 years, as a member of the Executive Board for the Coalition of Black Trade Unions for four years, and as a member of the 2018 cohort for Emerge PA, a nonprofit that trains women to run for elected office. This has led to her most recent endeavor as the 2018 Endorsed Democratic Candidate for the Pennsylvania (Cont. Page 11)
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EESA KOSSOFF came to lead the SEIU PA State Council at age 29, and has spent her time at SEIU making longterm systemic changes in Pennsylvania’s political infrastructure, unrigging a system that favors major corporations and rightwing special interests at the expense of the Commonwealth’s working women and men. Reesa was a key player in the labor effort that drove three pro-worker Supreme Court justices to victory in 2015 – a victory that unrigged the gerrymandered maps that kept anti-worker lawmakers in control of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation since 2010. Now, a pro-worker Supreme Court will be at the helm during the next two redistricting cycles, and will rule on cases that affect the lives of working families for decades.
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STEBÁN VERA, Jr. is a proud father of three children. He was born in North Philadelphia and is a 1995 graduate of Edison High School. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was deployed to Bosnia for six months, serving as a Specialist E-4 in the 1st Calvary Division. Estebán became a Member of Laborers’ Local Union 57 as a Heavy & Highway Construction Laborer for JPC Group. His commitment to his Union and the labor movement ultimately led him to becoming an Organizer for Laborers’ Local Union 57. As an Organizer, he worked long days and late nights fighting for people’s rights, better working conditions and fair wages. From there, he became a Business
Estebán Vera, Jr. Agent and Executive Board Member. He studied at the George Meany Center for Labor Relations at the National Labor College in Silver Springs, Md. He worked to negotiate successful contracts for the Locals’ Membership and served as a Delegate for the Laborers’ District Council of the Metropolitan area of Philadelphia and Vicinity. Today, he is Business Manager of LIUNA Laborers’ Local Union 57, Pres-
ident of Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Vice-President of the Laborers’ District Council of Philadelphia & Vicinity. He also sits on the Board of Directors of The Philadelphia Council AFLCIO and The Allied Trades Assistance Program. He is a Trustee of the Laborers’ District Council Pension and Health & Welfare Benefit Funds. He is a Trustee on the Laborers’ Local Union 57 Industrial Pension Fund. Among the good works Estebán has led this year, he and his Local worked with contractors and the United Way to repair the schoolyard of Vare-Washington Elementary School – a huge success for the school, the parents and the children. Estebán and his Local have (Cont. Page 11)
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(Cont. From Page 8) also visited a homeless shelter/group home where more than 100 children live to give out school uniform vouchers. Every year, Estebán and
Linda Fields (Cont. From Page 5) State Senate in the 24th Senatorial District. Linda is dedicated and determined to bring her labor and activist experience to Harrisburg to continue her life’s work when elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate.
Reesa Kossoff (Cont. From Page 5) team aim to create transformational change for Pennsylvania’s working people, pressing State government to find more ways for Pennsylvanians to join and form unions – the only pathway to restoring our middle class. PPR_p011.indd 7
Ted Kirsch He began his career in 1960, teaching social studies at Thomas Junior High School in Philadelphia. He was the first teacher in the city to teach African-American history as a major credit course, and he has taught his Local volunteer to set up the March of Dimes event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where thousands attend to raise money for premature babies. They give to worthy organizations throughout the year, including to Make a Wish Foundation, Food for the Poor, American Cancer Society, Wounded Warriors, American Diabetes Association, and Toys for. Estebán has raised money for scholarships for the past eight years. He couldn’t be prouder of all LDC members, who do tremendous work for the community.
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Estebán Vera, Jr.
courses on labor history, collective bargaining and theory of the labor movement at Penn State University. Ted was elected as a PFT union representative in 1965 while teaching at Overbrook
is chair of the AFT defense 11 fund and serves on the union’s executive committee. He has participated in numerous AFT investigations at the request of the AFT executive council. He has received dozens of awards from community, educational and humanitarian organizations and sits on the boards of numerous civic organizations.
John Meyerson
(Cont. From Page 4) a member of the Board of Philadelphia, Jewish Labor Committee and the State Department of Agriculture Food Safety Training Advisory Board. John chairs the Board of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project and is a member of the State Department of Labor & Industry’s Minimum Wage Advisory Committee. John officially retired at the end of 2013 (although he seems to have issues understanding the concept) and lives in Mt. Airy.
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ED KIRSCH is president of American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania and formerly the longtime president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. Both of his parents were trade unionists; his father was a member of both the United Auto Workers and Meat Cutters unions, and his mother was a member of the Bookbinders Union. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from West Chester College in 1960 and earned a master’s degree in education from Temple University in 1970.
PFT’s Committee on Political Education, chair of the Jewish Labor Committee of Philadelphia, vice president of the Pennsylvania AFLCIO, secretary-treasurer of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and former president of the Pennsylvania Labor History Society. Ted was elected an AFT vice president in 1990. He
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2018 SALUTE TO LABOR:
High School. He joined the PFT’s executive board two years later and served as a staff representative from 1970 to 1981. In 1983, he was elected vice president and supervised all aspects of the union as PFT director of staff until his election as president in 1990. In addition to his role as an AFT vice president, Ted has been director of the
4/25/2018 12:13:39 PM
Leaders for All Americans
BY STATE SEN. CHRISTINE TARTAGLIONE HE TURN OF THE 20th century was a period of change, unrest and economic uncertainty for American labor. Historians celebrate it as the Progressive Era, but that flattering label belies the unchecked growth of industrialism that defined the appalling working conditions of the time. It was also then that a Spanish-American philosopher named George Santayana coined an oft-paraphrased expression that still articulates the spirit of the labor movement today: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” On the surface, those words mean we must learn from history’s mistakes. By extension, we must also learn from history’s successes. History shows that more than any other force,
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organized workers own credit for reforming the unregulated mines, mills and sweatshops of yesteryear; for combating the heavy-handed, sometimes murderous union-busting of robber barons; and for achieving child labor restrictions, occupational safety, minimum wages and the 40-hour workweek. Organized labor remains a dynamic and vital force, but it must offset the subversive influence of a deep-pocketed corporate elite. Unions are under attack nationwide on many fronts. To borrow another famous expression, the barbarians are at the gates. Twenty-eight U.S. states have passed “right-to-work” laws. A conservative U.S. Supreme Court is about to rule on a case that could undermine public employee unions nationwide. The current National Labor Rela-
tions Board has begun to repeal numerous Obama-era reforms. Congress hasn’t raised the federal minimum wage since 2009 and the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers in Pennsylvania has been mired at $2.83 for the last 20 years. The middle class is shrinking and the economic gap is widening between the wealthy few and the rest of us. Not coincidentally, union membership is at its lowest point since before World War II. Conversely, history tells us the American economy experienced its greatest period of prosperity in the 1950s and ’60s – when unions were at their height. Unions are good for the middle class. A strong middle class is great for the economy. Unions are the solution for making America truly great again. All Americans owe much to its tireless leaders.
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SEPTA Employees Hailed
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Each year, SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel, C, recognizes employees who provide outstanding service that “WOW’s, Inspires and Reflects” the transit authority’s mission, vision and core values at an annual luncheon. The General Manager’s Customer Service Award Luncheon was held on April 10. This year’s honorees range from one to 37 years of service. L-R, Frankford District Trackless Trolley Operator Robert Uttrodt Jr., Regional Rail Assistant Conductor Don Hope, Community & Constituent Relations Coordinator Charlene Lewis, Elmwood District Trolley Operator Mike Fuller, Comly District Bus Operator Proposed ad! ! ! Proposed ad! ! ! Proposed ad Matthew Suter, Engineering, Maintenance & Construction Building Painter Charles Randolph, Transit Police Officer Martin Zitter, Jr., Regional Rail Conductor Frances Ciesielczuk, and Director of Customer Development & Research George Spellman.
Amputee Coalition of America
~~> Webinar on
Sepsis ~ Limb Loss ~ Prevention
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Learn common Signs & Symptoms of Sepsis Steven Q. Simpson, MD, FCCP, FACP ~ Sepsis Alliance (handouts available ~ discussion will follow)
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 - Daniel 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.
South Philadelphia Library 1700 South Broad Street Friday, April 27, 2018 ~ 2:00pm to 4:00pm questions: ampnetphl@gmail.com
Evans Speaks On SNAP
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ONGRESSMAN Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) participated in the House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill 2018 Markup and forcefully urged the GOP majority to end their assault on the poor, elderly, veterans, and children and protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP. During the course of the allday markup, Evans talked about the damage that this bill would do to Philadelphia and many surrounding areas if it passes. SNAP kept 342,000 people out of poverty in Pennsylvania in 2015, Evans argued. “I represent a district with a poverty rate of close to 26%. SNAP is a vital safety-net program that residents in our neighborhoods depend on for stability and survival.” Evans is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and a member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition. 4/25/2018 10:26:10 AM
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Representative
Vanessa Lowery Brown 190th Legislative District
State AFL-CIO Picks Primary Slate The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has released the list of endorsed candidates for the 2018 primary and special elections. Prior to the State Federation’s convention, the Executive Council unanimously endorsed the reelection campaigns of Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen. State Representative
State Rep.
State Senator
Anthony Hardy Williams 8th Senatorial District
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”
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215-425-5708
StateRepresentative Representative State
47th Ward 2nd Division 192nd Legislative District
192ndLegislative LegislativeDistrict District 192nd
State Rep. Jason
State Senator
Sharif
Street
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.
1621 W. Jefferson Street Philadelphia, PA 19121
215-227-6161 Paid for with PA Tax Dollars
State Rep.
5921 Lancaster Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19151 (215) 879 6625 www.facebook.com/ RepCephas www.pahouse.com/Cephas
City Commissioner
Lisa M.
Deeley Room 132 City Hall
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-686-3460 Rep.Maria P.
Joanna E.
Donatucci
McClinton
D-185th District 2901 S. 19th St. Phila PA 19145 P: 215-468-1515 F: 215-952-1164
191st Leg. Dist. 6027 Ludlow St. Unit A Phila., PA 19139
T: (215) 748-6712 F: (215) 748-1687
Morgan, President of SEIU PA State Council. “We support Rabb because he has demonstrated that he’s willing to fight so that Philadelphia’s prosperity is seen in all neighborhoods,” said Morgan. “He supports raising the wage to $15 an hour. And he has prioritized full and fair funding of Philadelphia’s schools.”
Fiedler Scores with Progressive Groups Elizabeth Fiedler, campaigning to fill state Rep. Bill Keller’s (D-S. Phila.) seat, plucked endorsements from Neighborhood Networks, a grassroots progressive organization that has shown staying power since 2004, and 215 People’s Alliance, an organization fighting for racial and economic justice. “Neighborhood Networks was wowed by Elizabeth Fiedler with her deep understanding of a broad range of issues, with her concerted campaign to touch the lives of all of her constituents, with her energy and devotion to economic and social justice,” said Gloria Gilman, chair of Neighborhood Networks. Councilman Wm.
Greenlee 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
Councilman
Rep. Rosita
Mark
Youngblood
Squilla
198th District
310 W. Chelten Ave. Phila PA 19148
1st District City Hall Room 332
P: 215-849-6426
215-686-3458/59 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
Morgan Morgan Cephas Cephas
map.nashsr@gmail.com
Dawkins
Taylor
Service Employees International Union Pennsylvania State Council endorsed Democratic state Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Northwest) in the 200th Legislative District and Joe Hohenstein in the in 177th District. “Joe Hohenstein came from a union family and is committed to protecting working people’s wages, retirement security, health care and protection on the job. He stands for fair funding of Philadelphia’s public schools and will fight to make sure that Harrisburg invests real money in Philadelphia’s roads, bridges and transit,” said Gabe
1533 West Stiles St. Philadelphia, PA 19121 (267) 226-5755
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
STATE REP.
SEIU Endorses Hohenstein, Rabb
State Representative Committee Person
2733 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133
215-271-9190
Always Hard At Work for You! 2901 ISLAND AVE. STE 100 PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153 (215) 492-2980 FAX: (215) 492-2990 ---419 CHURCH LANE YEADON, PA 19050 (610) 284-7335 FAX: (610) 284-5955 6630 LINDBERGH BLVD.
197th Legislative District Office
184th District 1531 S. 2nd Street
in the 181st, Jonathan Rowan in the 184th, state Rep. Jim Roebuck in the 188th, state Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Northwest) in the 198th and state Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Northwest) in the 200th.
Rev. Lewis Morgan Cephas Nash
Emilio Vazquez
William Keller 1435 N. 52nd St. Phila. PA 19131 (215) 879-6615
Bob Casey (D-Pa.). “Both Gov. Wolf and Sen. Casey have proven their stalwart support for working people and their economic rights,” said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO leader Rick Bloomingdale. “Throughout 2018, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and its 51 affiliated labor unions will work to elect candidates who boldly support working people in the fight for a fair economy and dignity at work.” In Philadelphia races, the AFL-CIO endorsed Congressman Brendan Boyle in the 2nd Congressional District, Congressman Dwight Evans in the 3rd District and Rich Lazer in the 5th. Local state House endorsees consist of State Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Kensington) in the 175th District, Sean Kilkenny in the 177th District, state Rep. Jason Dawkins (D-Kensington) in the 179th, Malcolm Kenyatta
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BY JOE SHAHEELI HILADELPHIA’S controversial Sweetened Drinks Tax is shaping up to be a leading issue in the 2019 mayoral race. Despite the addition of new pre-K seats and community schools across the city, only Center City residents approve of the measure, according to a poll paid for by the American Bever-
under review by the Commerce Committee, to preempt local taxation of sweetened beverages throughout Pennsylvania. There is always resistance, even to a popular mayor such as Jim Kenney. Look for all ambitious opponents to coalesce around the soda-tax issue. It’s not so much that this is the biggest concern facing Philadelphia; rather, it’s that there is no path to challenging him in the 2019 primary that does not necessitate opposing his signature initiative.
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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age Association. David Binder Research based its report on telephone interviews conducted April 4-8 with 600 Philadelphians selected from voter-registration rolls. Health groups, in contrast, are furiously advocating for a tax that was not sold by the Kenney administration as a health measure. Sixteen national and local health organizations have filed an amicus brief on behalf of the tax as it faces final disposition by the State Supreme Court. The ABA-backed lawsuit, which has lost so far, will be heard by the court in mid-May. The plaintiffs include Philadelphia restaurants such as City View Pizza and John’s Roast Pork, as well as several components of the beverage industry. Along with the lawsuit, the soda tax faces a challenge within the state House by State Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny), who has introduced legislation,
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Freed Meek Mill The News in Black & White
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OPINION
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A P R IL 26, 2018
FTER A high-profile campaign that included billboards, trending hashtags and celebrity visits to see him in jail, Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill was finally ordered to be released from prison on Tuesday – just in time for him to be ferried by helicopter to ring the ceremonial Liberty Bell in an all-too-poetic opening to the 76ers’ stirring first-round victory over the Miami Heat. But just as the Sixers have many more mountains to climb before they can finally reach the summit of the
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MARK your CALENDAR Apr. 26- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts House Democratic Policy Committee “Hearing on Alcohol-Poisoning Prevention & Education” at Temple U., Shusterman Ha., 1834 Liacouras Wk., 10-11:30 a.m. For info: (215) 232-1202. Apr. 26- State Rep. Jason Dawkins hosts Landlord-Tenant Clinic at 4667 Paul St., 1-4 p.m. For info: (215) 744-7901. Apr. 26- State Rep. Joanna McClinton is hosted Fundraiser at Mincey &
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NBA and wash away the incompetence of the past five years, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision that Mill was unjustly imprisoned based on controversial parole violations is just a single step on the long slog to criminal-justice reform for parolees. The Mill case has put the state’s onerous system under the harsh spotlight of national scrutiny. And it has been found wanting. Meek Mill’s plight is indicative of a much larger problem. A new study conducted by Columbia University lays out Pennsylvania’s draconian parole policies in grim detail. For example: The number of residents subject to so-called “community supervision” – including both probation and parole programs – is nearly triple the national average.
Today, Pennsylvania has 296,000 residents under combined supervision – nearly enough to fill the entire city of Pittsburgh. And its supervision rates have continued to increase – even as they have fallen in other states. What is the answer? What hope do those who find themselves in similar straits as Mill – but without his star power and high-wattage supporters – have as they stare down incarceration caused by punitively long probations and punishingly high bail? We don’t know. But the momentum created by Meek Mill’s case must be maintained. The conversation must continue. We would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on criminal-justice reform. Please email us at editor@ phillyrecord.com.
Fitzpatrick, 1500 JFK Blvd., 5-7 p.m. Contribution levels $1,000, $500, $250, Young Professionals $50. Payable to “Friends of Joanna McClinton,” P.O. Box 16668, Phila., PA 19139 RSVP: Dom Info@J-SStrategies.com. Apr. 26- Public Record hosts “5-Star Salute to Labor” at Penns Landing Caterers, 1301 S. Columbus Blvd., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Honoring Estebán Vera, Linda Fields, Ted Kirsch, Reesa Kossoff & John Meyerson. For tickets: https://impactflow.com/ event/philadelphia-public-record-salute -to -labor-6960. For info: Allison (215) 755-2000, ext. 7. Apr. 26- State Rep. Emilio Vázquez hosts Energy Access Forum at Lillian Marrero Lib., 601 W. Lehigh Ave., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Addressing lack of affordable energy for residents & businesses. Solar energy access. Free. For info: (215) 425-5708. Apr. 26- Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown
hosts “Building Philadelphia Green Fundraiser” at Bridge on Race Apts., 205 Race St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Honorary Guest: Councilman Mark Squilla. Earth Day Champions $2,500, Earth Day Activists $1,000, Earth Day Enthusiasts $500, Earth Day Supporters $250, Earth Day Friends $100. Payable to “Friends of Blondell Reynolds Brown,” P.O. Box 22556, Phila., PA 19110. For info: Taylor (267) 671-7208 or blondellonline@gmail.com. Apr. 26- State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown hosts Public Safety Mtg. at W. Mill Ck. Plg., 5100 Parrish St 6-8 p.m. For info: (215) 879-6615. Apr. 26- Councilman Mark Squilla hosts NFL Draft Party at Blue Duck on Broad, 220 S. Broad St., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Special guests & Eagles gear. Hail Mary Pass $2,500, Touchdown $1,000, Field Goal $500, General Admission $100. Payable to “Squilla for Council,” P.O. Box 37332, Phila., PA 19148. RSVP:
COUNCILMAN Bobby Henon, L, joined Jack Braunstein and Andrea McCollough to celebrate Earth Day at the Philadelphia Insectarium & Butterfly Pavilion in Torresdale. Let’s hope the councilman’s magic succeeded in putting some leaves on the streets this spring! Photo by Bill Myers
Events@lperrygroup.com. Apr. 28- South Police Div. Memorial Bike Ride begins at 1900 Washington Ave., 9 a.m. Hosted by 1st, 3rd & 17th Dists. Registration $20. To participate: www. eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-south-division-mem o r ia l - b ike - r id e - t i c ketsd-44687651970. Apr. 28- State Rep. Ed Neilson hosts Free Community Shredding at St. Jerome’s Parish, 3031 Stamford St., 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For info: (215) 330-3714. Apr. 28- State Rep. Angel Cruz hosts Unused Prescription Drug Turn-in at 3503 B St., Unit 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For info: (215) 291-5643 Apr. 28- Congressman Dwight Evans hosts Birthday Party at Hilton City Ave. Hotel, 4200 City Line Ave., 7-10 p.m. Chair $2,500, Hosts $1,000, Supporters $250, Friends $100, Patrons $70. Payable to “Dwight Evans for Congress,” P.O. Box 6578, Phila., Pa. 19138 or https://secure.actblue.com/
donate/birthday64. RSVP: Mary Kate (215) 242-3213 or terri@dwightevans.com. Apr. 29- City Commission Chair Lisa Deeley is hosted Reception at Fluke’s Irish Pub, 7401 State Rd., 3-6 p.m. Live music, buffet, domestic drafts & wine. Tickets $40. Contribute online https://secure.actblue. com/donate /04.29_flukes or payable to “Deeley 15,” P.O. Box 42288, Phila., PA 19101, “4.29 Fluke’s” in memo. RSVP: Events@LPerryGroup.com. Apr. 30- Democratic City Committee hosts Jefferson-Jackson Celebration at Sheet Metal Workers Ha., 1301 S. Columbus Blvd., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $150. For info: (215) 2417800. May 1- Pan Asian Ass’n of Greater Phila. hosts Pan Asian Award Banquet at
Ocean Harbor Restaurant, 1023 Race St., 5-9 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Daphne Kwok. Tickets: Individuals $40, Table of 10 $350; pay panasianphila.ticketleap.com/ pan-asian-annual-awardbanquet. For info: info@panasianphila.org. May 2- State rep candidate Nick DiDonato hosts Fundraiser at Moonshine Philly, 1825 E. Moyamensing Ave., 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Eat & drink! Percentage of day’s sales support campaign. For info: www.picknick184th.com. May 5- 37th & 55th Ward Democratic Committees host Shrimp Night at Harmonia Cl., 2404 Orthodox St., 6-10 p.m. Full buffet, open bar. Hosts $1,000, Sponsors $500, Friends $250, Individuals $50. For info: Bill Dolbow (267) 235-5273 or Bob Dellavella (215) 808-4240.
For Further Listing See “Calendar” Online At www.phillyrecord.com 4/25/2018 12:06:38 PM
EVERYDAY PEOPLE BY DENISE CLAY F YOU REALLY want to make me mad at you, say the following sentence in my presence: “Philadelphia’s kids can’t do anything.” Over the years, I’ve heard people, mostly in the suburbs and in New Jersey, say that about the kids in the School District of Philadelphia and because I’ve talked to them, written about them and, heck, taught ’em, I know that’s some male bovine excrement. Every day, I see Philadelphia’s students
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things than just your traditional sports and other kind of activities. They’re so gifted that we want to be able to put them on a platform.” The students who earned gold medals in Saturday’s competition will move on to participate in the national ACT-SO competition, which will be held in conjunction with the annual NAACP convention in San Antonio, Tex. in July. Many of Philadelphia’s ACT-SO contestants have gone on to national renown. Anthony Burrell, one of the many people who have helped Beyoncé wow the crowds as a choreographer, was one of Philadelphia’s national ACT-SO winners. Michael Woodard, currently in the Top-10 on “American Idol,” represented Philadelphia at nationals in 2016. I got the chance to read some awesome writing as I judged the short story/ playwriting/original essay (Cont. Page 23)
BY JOE SHAY STIVALA
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CITY CONTROLLER’S STUDY has concluded that 59% of all real estate tax abatements are in 10 neighborhoods. The missed point here is that abatements are in ALL NEIGHBORHOODS! I found, in a recent driving tour of even the most blighted neighborhoods, that new construction and rehab work was clearly evident. New and young home-buyers will move into any block – unlike previous years when
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HE MANIA surrounding the socalled “RICHIE LAZER congressional district” continues. Former Philadelphia WARD LEADER DAN MUROFF was the only remaining Philadelphian in the race, which consists of about 12 candidates from Delaware County. Muroff has the number-two ballot position and stumbled along to good fortune when Muroff, who held the number-one ballot position, dropped out. If Muroff had just stayed where he was, he
trials? What of the cost to 17 Green in DEFENDING himself a second time? The rule ought to be that if you re-try – the FEDS pay defendant’s LEGAL FEES. IN THE 5TH District Congressional race, LINDY LI has picked up the endorsements of John DUKES, Mayor of East Lansdowne; Kathleen KENNEDY Townsend, Sen. Robert Kennedy’s daughter (and a former Lt. Governor); and Congressman Ted LIEU, of the congressional campaign committee! Candidate Rich LAZER can tap the big numbers of union voter strength in Delaware County, as well as labor endorsements and contributions. Both Lazer and Li have ballot positions at the bottom…. Happy Birthday to Dan MUROFF, who, sadly, terminated his race for that seat. A newsman wrote that Joe BIDEN should be President for one term, while (Cont. Page 20)
was sitting pretty. But inexplicably, he decided to drop out. Politics is a strange business. Sometimes it is the business of just standing still to be successful. The race to succeed retiring Republican STATE REP. JOHN TAYLOR continues to excite. SEAN KILKENNY is the favorite of the majority of labor unions. He is battling MAGGIE BORSKI and immigration attorney JOE HOHENSTEIN, who has some ward leader support. The Kilkenny camp is concerned that there’s double dealing with other candidates. But this is par for the course in the tough blue-collar neighborhood fights of Philly politics. GOP candidate PATTY-PAT KOZLOWSKI is very well known in the community and may be able to divide and conquer in the fall. MIKE STACK continues to pick up important endorsements from the key Democratic organizations.
But he’s always respectful of grassroots progressive groups and has attended all the forums. The competition has been renowned for not understanding the job they are running for. Many of them did not know that the lieutenant governor breaks ties in legislative votes. One candidate was aware of this but stated that the lieutenant governor had not broken one tie in 17 years. In fact, Stack broke a tie on a criminal-justice reform amendment just last week. A bill that would have created more of the nonsensical tough-on-crime legislation of the past was killed by that tie-breaker. It is amazing that MAYOR JIM KENNEY has been so far in the progressive camp as to be above reproach last week around the incident at Starbucks. The racial profiling by a Starbucks employee set up (Cont. Page 23)
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do some awesome stuff. I got another chance to do that this weekend as a judge in the Philadelphia NAACP’s ACT-SO Competition. ACT-SO, which stands for Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics, turns 40 this year and will probably churn out some stellar winners this year. Founded in 1978 by journalist and activist Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO has been a showcase for students around the country to show off their acumen in the sciences, the humanities, business, and the performing, visual and culinary arts. ACT-SO lets kids showcase all sides of her personality, said Sean Parker, ACTSO chair. “ACT-SO is so important because it gives the students that participate an experience to share their gifts, their talents,” he said. “Also, what we want to do is showcase that they’re involved in more
WALKING the BEAT
families wanted to move to a “good” area. I was happy to recommend, to a New Jersey town with potential, an extension of their fiveyear abatement to 10 years! Sections of a city rise or fall at DIFFERENT TIME INTERVALS. Ten neighborhoods in Controller RHYNHART’s report are growing just now (some are nearing an end of a growth cycle – others just starting). Jane JACOBS, author of Death and Life of Great American Cities, might differ from the Controller’s recommendations, were she still alive. THE FEDS will re-try former Sheriff GREEN. They talked with jurors and supposedly learned that just one juror was a holdout. It happens that way with juries. Do the FEDS apply SCORECARD JUSTICE? Are they willing to GAMBLE on a retrial? Can they NOT ABIDE LOSING? Is this anger or mean-spirited prosecution? And the UNRELEASED COST to taxpayers of such
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AST WEEK, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 2138, requiring healthy work-age Medicaid recipients to find part-time work or engage in job training to continue receiving benefits. This bill, sponsored by State Rep. Matt Dowling (R-Somerset), also requests that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services submit a waiver to the federal government to allow the implementation of Pennsylvania Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults. Thus far, the federal
icapped and minors. However, for able-bodied adults, these should be short-term safety nets that support them as they find work, hone new skills or weather other personal tragedies. According to a poll done by McLaughlin & Associates, two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters believe in work requirements for healthy adults on Medicaid. Polling indicates roughly 80% of voters nationwide believe in work requirements for healthy people on food stamps, according to the Commonwealth Foundation. These numbers indicate it is not just the Republicans in Harrisburg who believe the rules of entitlement programs need to be tightened. STATE REP. MIKE TOBASH (R-Schuylkill) in a similar vein sponsored a bill that was approved by the full House that will strengthen work requirements in Pennsylvania’s (Cont. Page 23)
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government has approved similar waivers for Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. Seven other state submissions are pending. According to the Commonwealth Foundation, roughly half of healthy adults In Pennsylvania on Medicaid are unemployed. I am sure some liberals will bemoan any limits of entitlement programs, such as work rules, as unfair and onerous on people who are unable to work. However, many supporters of this bill believe that current Medicaid, food stamp and welfare programs, while necessary for many recipients, create long-term problems for taxpayers and other recipients. Not only do these programs take taxpayer funds away from other valuable programs, but encourage people not to work, thus fostering a permanent underclass. These programs are necessary and may be long-term and perhaps permanent solutions for the ill, the hand-
4/25/2018 11:27:56 AM
Y the WAFFLE MAN
O! HERE WE go again with these observations on how the fight started. One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift. The next year, I didn’t buy her a gift. When she asked me why, I replied, “Well, you still haven’t used the gift I bought you last year!” I took my wife to a restau-
rant. The waiter, for some reason, took my order first. “I’ll have the rump steak, rare, please.” He said, “Aren’t you worried about the mad cow?” “Nah, she can order for herself.” When our lawnmower broke and wouldn’t run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care
of first: the shed, the boat, the car. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a minute, and when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush.
I said, “When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway.” The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp. Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked the boat up to the van, and proceeded to back out into a torrential
downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad all day. I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed. I cuddled up to my wife’s back, and whispered, “The weather out there is terrible.” My loving wife of five years replied, “And can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?” My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary. She said, “I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 200 in about 3 seconds.” I bought her a bathroom scale. My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror. She was not happy with what she saw and said to me, “I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.” I replied, “Your eyesight’s damn near perfect.” My wife sat down next to me as I was flipping channels. She asked, “What’s on the TV?” I said, “Dust.” And then the fight started.
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BY MICHAEL A. CIBIK AMERICAN BANKRUPTCY BOARD CERTIFIED uestion: High-income bankruptcy debtor? Be prepared for a five-year Chapter 13 plan! On Aug. 29, 2013, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals court issued a decision in a bankruptcy case dealing with above-average-income debtors. The case name is In Re Flores (Ana Flores v. Rod Danielson). The Flores 2013 case states that an above-median-income debtor MUST be in a 60-month
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For Advertising Call Melissa
@ 215-755-2000 Ext. 5
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eight years, there have been many court cases which tried to interpret what this new formula means for everyday folks. And watching these court cases has been like watching a table-tennis match between players as the ball bounces back and forth. The 2013 Flores decision finds that the debtors must be in a 60-month plan. Thus, even though a debtor’s payments to unsecured creditors will, at least initially, amount to $0 if the debtor has no projected disposable income, the statute requires the debtor to commit to the plan for the duration of the applicable commitment period. Next Week’s Question: Filing bankruptcy: Do I have to keep my condo, or can I surrender it?
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understanding BANKRUPTCY
Chapter 13 repayment plan. What does that mean? Well, in 2005, a new form was created and every debtor with above-median income (above average, as determined by the IRS and the United States Trustee’s Office and re-evaluated every six months) must use this new 7-page form, a Form 22, which applied this new formula taking deductions from the monthly average until the end of the form. At the end of the form will be a number – either a positive number or a negative number. That number determines whether folks should not have to pay their unsecured creditors (a negative number) or should have to pay their unsecured creditors a certain amount (that positive number times 60 months). Over the past
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(Cont. From Page 17) training his Vice President to take over. WHAT! Would Congress pay attention to Biden’s legislative goals as a one-termer? Register the reporter for Poli Sci 101 class. How about the OP-ED that stated that Philadelphia is growing but not fast enough. Does the writer DECIDE FOR US how fast Philly is to grow? President Trump called
the James COMEY book “Third-rate.” I AGREE. It is curious that Trump never tweeted on the daily barrage of jokes on his presidency by the late-night talk shows. Many lines are funny – but it is too much. It raises the thought: can they survive without hammering Trump? I am a Democrat, but Trump is still President. And Rudy GIULIANI joining the Trump legal team “For the good of the country” … give me a BREAK!! Maybe a GI-
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 46’) on the building at 1 Dock St, Philadelphia, PA (20180528). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.
AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 144’ & 168’) on the building at 2201 Pennsylvania Ave, Philadelphia, PA (20180620). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 86’) on the building at 1432 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA (20180621). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-8091202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.
AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 90’) on the building at 6110 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA (20180785). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.
ULIANI-RENDELL law firm should organize for media appearances. Councilman Bill GREENLEE was a surprise recipient of a well-deserved School District award for his efforts to combat autism! Bravo to him! City Council is looking at the assessment process and has hired an appraiser. The GMA Process used for assessments is a DINOSAUR that must go! If a HOT MARKET generates increases, then will assessments be LOWERED next year – since the market is COOLING? CORRECTION from last week: Street paving is good news, but POTHOLES in streets not to be paved need the SAME ATTENTION. Two historic structures are threatened: Frankford Chocolate on Washington Avenue, and Christ Memorial Church at 47th & Chestnut. Paul STEINKE should be allowed to view them to determine if they are really in too poor a state as developers say. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS to Gwen COLLINS, immediate past president of the Pennsylvania Federation of DEM Women. Gwen made history as their first Black President, and ran the group well. Bravo, Aunt Gwen! DEAFENING SILENCE on Traffic Court Revenues!! The Hearing Officer concept there was rumored to have been born with one man’s idea of combining Parking Authority and Traffic Court hearings. Declare the CONCEPT DEAD! Bring back jurists and police to try cases; move the ADAs where they are needed. Don’t forget the candidates who WON the primary election for judge there, and had the rug pulled out from under them with nary a WE ARE SORRY, or compensation. Dear Administrative Judge ALLEN, send FRESH AIR into Traffic Court!! 4/25/2018 10:28:14 AM
CEDARBROOK came out in force for the 50th Ward Reunion to unite behind Melissa Scott’s candidacy for the 200th Legislative District Democratic nomination. L-R were singer Suzanne Christine, Councilwom- BACKING Scott’s campaign were, L-R, City Controller an Blondell Reynolds Brown, Scott, political pioneer Rebecca Rhynhart, Councilwoman Cherelle Parker John White, Jr. and Councilman Derek Green. and controller’s aide Kellan White.
ON SCOTT’S team were, L-R, Beverly Marlin, City Commission Chair Lisa Deeley, and progressive activ- PULLING for Scott were, L-R, Gloria Clark, Barbara ists Hal & Sue Rosenthal. Turner and Marjorie Bolton.
WARD LEADER Marian Tasco still rules the “Mighty 50th.” Her former colleague, Council President Darrell Clarke, C, and former Controller Alan Butkovitz, stood beside her in her choice for state rep.
IN THE MIGHTY 50TH were Leslie Young, Melissa Scott, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, singer Suzanne Christine and Marjorie Bolton. Photo by Brandon C. Ballard.
L-R WERE Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, Volunteer Coordinator Cheryl Harper, Melissa Scott, Marian Tasco and 50th Ward Committeewoman Parri Frazier. Photo by Brandon C. Ballard
THE 50TH WARD’S affair was held in the Throw House – Northwest Philly’s ax-throwing venue, and the only African American-owned facility in the USA for this fast-growing sport. Councilwoman Parker introduced its owners, L-R, Alex Nicholson, Aaron Hughes and Travis Washington. Photo by Brandon C. Ballard
DESPITE dismal weather on Sunday, April 15, Laborers’ Local Union 57 were at the Navy Yard at 5:00 a.m. to set up and help make the March of Dimes March for Babies Event a success. More than 6,500 people participated in the Philadelphia 5K & 10K Runs, 5K Walk and SuperHero Sprint in support of moms at every stage from preconception to post-delivery with research, programs and education, with the goal to raise $750,000.
Setting the stage for such a massive rally called for another rally – of skilled volunteer equipment handlers – and Local 57 was proud to pitch in.
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Ducky Birts Foundation Awards Leaders
THE DUCKY BIRTS Foundation issued its annual Medallion Awards at 1st District Plaza in University City last Saturday. Flanking Birts on stage were North Philadelphia business leader Sid Booker and Sheriff Jewell Williams. Photos by Wendell Douglas
SURROUNDING the venerable Donald “Ducky” Birts at the award luncheon were, L-R, Attorney Rania Major, Sheriff Jewell Williams, former State Rep. Ron Waters, restaurateur Sid Booker and attorney Carmella Jacquinto.
EMBRACING State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown was Marcia Artist.
HONOREE Rev. Marshall Mitchell gave his proud mother, Carolyn Mitchell, a hug.
L-R WERE Maritza Padua, Meg Grant, honoree State Rep. Jason Dawkins, Valerie Faustine and Scott Bluebond.
RETIRING State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, Jr., L, shared a table with Blair Talmadge.
BUMI FERNANDEZ, L, the leader of the Odunde festival, was greeted by Sherri Horsey.
IBN MUHAMMAD embraced Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, L, and Phyllis Gibson.
HONOREE State Rep. Jim Roebuck shared a congratulatory moment with Donna Allie.
LINDA BIRTS, L, enjoyed a moment with her friend Wanda Barnett.
PEAK MOMENT of this year’s affair was when Ducky Birts blew out the candles on his 81st birthday cake.
YOUNG John Patrick Oates made a good impression on all with his father Patrick Oates.
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(Cont. From Page 17) food-stamps program. The law would prohibit PADHS from requesting additional county specific waivers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s current-work requirements. Other states have been successful in mandating work requirements for healthy adults without dependents to work part-time or volunteer part-time, to continue in the food stamp program. When Kansas implemented food-stamp work requirements, rough-
North Carolina. Last weekend, former FIRST LADY BARBARA BUSH was laid to rest. She was the wife of one PRESIDENT, GEORGE H.W. BUSH, and the mother of another, GEORGE W BUSH. She married the first man she kissed and stayed married to him for 79 years – the longest US presidential marriage. She had six children and is considered the matriarch of what is called – in both admiration and disparagingly – the “Bush Dynasty.” She was born into a privileged world. She attended the best preparatory schools and Smith Col-
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lege. She was wealthy; but wore $29 shoes to 14 inaugural balls, because she knew she would be wearing them only once. When she was First Lady, she requested a smaller car, rather than the traditional big black limousine. She thought the limo was an unnecessary waste of money. She also requested to travel by air commercially, but was told by the Secret Service detail that she “really could not … since the number of threats against the first lady is higher than that for the vice president.” Irrespective of what you think of her politics, she was a great lady.
EVERYDAY PEOPLE (Cont. From Page 17) competition. Much of it was creative and interesting. I really enjoyed myself,” remarked Woodard later. The winners of the competition will go to San Antonio to compete in the national ACT-SO competition. I wish them all luck.
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(Cont. From Page 17) additional protest for the end to Philadelphia’s stopand-frisk policy. The mayor has not yet canceled this form of racial profiling, but the pressure will likely continue. Police COMMISSIONER RICHARD ROSS was forced to apologize for the conduct of the police. At the end of the day, the cops were simply responding to a 911 call. It was essentially not their fault, but they should learn to use their own common sense and discretion.
ly three-quarters of those on food stamps left the program. But what was perhaps more important, 50% of those exiting the program saw over a 100% increase in their respective incomes. Similarly, after Maine implemented work rules, people leaving the program saw their incomes more than double. Since Kansas and Maine made working at some level by healthy adults a requirement to received food stamps in 2014 and 2013 respectively, other states have followed suit. These states include, but are not limited to, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri and
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Court of Common Pleas Phila. County Civil Action – Law No. 180104956 Notice of Action in Mortgage Foreclosure Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, Plaintiff vs. Tawasa Davis-Anderson, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Mary E. Davis Deceased, Gail Davis-Laws, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Mary E. Davis, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of Mary E. Davis, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendants To: Tawasa Davis-Anderson, Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Mary E. Davis, Deceased & The Unknown Heirs of Mary E. Davis, Deceased, Mortgagor and Real Owner, Defendant(s), whose last known address is 6727 North Gratz Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126. 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, Lakeview Loan Servicing, 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. 180104956, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 6727 North Gratz Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126, whereupon your property will be sold by the Sheriff of Phila. County. Notice: You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after the Complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. You should take this paper to your lawyer at once. If you do not have a lawyer or cannot afford one, go to or telephone the office set forth below. This office can provide you with information about hiring a lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a Lawyer, this office may be able to provide you with information about agencies that may offer legal services to eligible persons at a reduced fee or no fee. Community Legal Services, Inc., Law Center North Central, 1410 W. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19140, 215.227.2400/215.981.3700. Phila. Bar Assn., One Reading Center, Phila., PA 19104, 215.238.6333. Michael T. McKeever, Atty. for Plaintiff, KML Law Group, P.C., Ste. 5000, Mellon Independence Center, 701 Market St., Phila., PA 19106, 215.627.1322.
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