26 minute read
March 11, 2020
Jacqueline Bigar, the writer of horoscopes for The Philadelphia Inquirer and many other newspapers, died March 1 st
of this year in her home in Glendale, Arizona. Her son, Geoff rey Livingston, described the death on his Facebook page as stemming from “natural causes.” I met Jackie in the late 1970s after she began her astrology column in The Daily News. I was writing for the South Street Star at that time and arranged a reading and interview with her in her house near Fifth and Lombard Streets. She suggested I bring a cassette tape so I could record the reading. The reading was conducted on the fl oor of her living room where we both sat squat style as if in a teepee. She read from a chart she had prepared. These were the calculations she made regarding my birth chart given to her one week in advance. Jackie asked me if I’d like a drink. Since she was having a Scotch, I followed suit.
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She gave a less than hopeful reading on a love interest of mine — the reason for my visit. When the reading was over, I started my interview. It
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was at that point that I had the feeling that we would become friends. I was startled, however, when she insisted that she read the interview before publication. This is something that no journalist should ever do; but I made an exception in her case because I liked her. As it happened, she liked the piece very much. Two weeks later I was hanging out in her house once again only this time she ordered a take-out pizza, some salad, and opened a bottle of wine.
Philadelphia Councilmembers call for unity as WFP announces Bernie Sanders endorsement will always stand up for working people.”
“I’m thrilled to see the Working Families Party join the “All who believe in racial and economic justice must unite around Bernie,” said WFP-backed elected offi cials after the Working Families Party announced they’ve endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination. Haywood Brewster Staff Reporter Yesterday as the Working Families Party endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders, Philadelphia City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Helen Gym call for the left in Philadelphia to unify around his campaign and to help get out the vote for him ahead of the Pennsylvania Sanders campaign,” said Helen Gym, Philadelphia City Councilmember AtLarge. “Fighting together is how we won Phila
delphia, and building a movement together is how primary on April 28th.
“In Philadelphia, and across the country, when movements come together, we win amazing things,” said Kendra Brooks, WFP City Councilmember At-Large. “As we prepare to take on Donald Trump and build an America for all of us, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. I am proud to endorse Bernie Sanders for President and stand fi rmly in the movement supporting him ready to fi ght and organize for the change we need. It’s time for us to come together to vote for a candidate who continued on page 4 Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bill requiring community approval for supervised injection site advances to full Council vote impacted communities and Council before opening a supervised injection site. The legislation originally required 90 percent approval from residents, businesses, and institutions within a onemile radius. The amended version lowers the approval threshold to 80 percent within a half mile and also includes amended language to cover “mobile” supervised injection sites
The legislation was introduced two weeks ago in response to the sudden announcement by Safehouse to operate a supervised injection site in South Philadelphia By Haywood Brewster Staff Reporter T he Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services Monday passed an amended version of Bill No. 200189 out of committee with a favorable recommendation of 4-2. Councilmembers Oh, Bass, Henon, and Thomas voted in favor while Councilmembers Gym and Brooks voted against the bill.
The bill, introduced by Councilman David Oh, without community approval or notice.
“The passage of the bill is an important step in addressing the unprecedented issue of supervised injection sites,” said Oh.
The legislation will move to the fl oor for a full vote before Council next Thursday requires the City of Phila- delphia to hold public hearings and get approval from Councilman David Oh Jacqueline Bigar
... Sebastian Barry may not be exactly a household name here in America... CHRISTENDOM X Page x Jackie amazed me with her advanced views on sexual orientation, gender, and what it meant to be married. She seemed to know everyone at The Daily News, thanks to her talent as an astrologer and the valuable connections provided her by her husband, Tom Livingston.
Jackie moved quite a bit when she lived in Philadelphia. From Lombard Street, she moved to another house, and then to another house after that. I could barely keep up with all the moves. For a time, she lived on Front Street in a beautiful home that reminded me of a house in New Orleans. When I showed up for a reading there, she left the door of the house open for me. Walking inside, I noticed a large open bottle of white wine on the kitchen counter and several snacks. Jackie was with another client in another room. I was told beforehand to make myself at home.
She told me a lot of things about various Philadelphia personalities, many of whom were in broadcast news. She talked about growing up with Action News’ Jim Gardner. When it came to her professional life, she could be quite competitive. One day during a visit to her place I noticed that she had the Maury Povich “People Are Talking” show on TV. Maury’s guest was Philadelphia psychic Valerie Morrison. Morrison, dressed in a fl owing pink chiff on gown, was fi lmed walking into the studio audience carrying a candelabra. Povich, who had introduced Morrison as a psychic/astrologer, listened as Morrison gave predictions for
Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia Theatre Company is ready to get back in the ring... PHILA THEATRE continued on page 4
Crime Blotter Crime Statistics & Crime Report Updates. If you have any crimes to report, please send them to N.C. at newsdesk@pressreview.net by press time, Monday at noon. Note: this crime report does not cover the entire boundaries for each police district. Instead, it reflects statistics in or near our circulation areas.
The following crimes occurred between Thursday, Feb. 27th to Wednesday, March 4th. 3rd DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 3rd District, please call South Detective Division at 215-686-3013. Reporting 3rd District crimes from South St. to Mif flin St. and Delaware Ave. to Broad St. Assault: 300 South St; 1200 E. Passyunk Ave; 1300 S. 6th St; 600 Dickinson St; 1800 9th St. Burglary: 500 Catharine St; 400 South St. Theft: 400 South St; 100 South St; 700 Fitzwater St; 200 Monroe St; 900 S. 10th St; 1000 S. Delhi St; 1300 E. Passyunk Ave; 1400 S. 10th St; 800 Reed St; 1100 S. Front St; 600 Fernon St; 1600 S. Front St; 1600 S. Columbus Blvd. Vandalism: 700 S. 3rd St; 700 S. Darien St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): S. Broad & Christian Sts. 6th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 6th District, please call 215-686- 3060. Reporting 6th District crimes from Spring Garden St. to South St. and Front St. to Broad St. Arrest: 100 S. Columbus Blvd; 400 N. 4th St. Assault: 700 Arch St; 2nd & Market Sts; 1300 Drury St; 100 S. 13th St; 1300 Walnut St; 1300 Locust St; 200 S. 12th St; 1000 Pine St; 300 South St. Burglary: 100 N. 10th St; 100 N. 9th St; 1100 Spruce St; 900 Race St. Theft: 1000 Spring Garden St; 300 N. 13th St; 1000 Wood St; 1100 Vine St; 3rd & Market Sts; 100 Arch St; 1200 Vine St; 3rd & Market Sts; 100 Arch St; 1100 Chestnut St. (two incidents), 400 South St. Vandalism: 1300 Sansom St; 200 Lo cust St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 1200 Spring Garden St; 400 N. 7th St; 1200 Filbert St; N. 11th & Filbert Sts; 1000 Filbert St; 100 S. 11th St. 9th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 9th District, please call 215-686-3090. Reporting 9th District crimes from Fair mount Ave. to Lombard St. and Broad St. to the Schuylkill River. Arrest: 1600 JFK Blvd. Assault: 1400 JFK Blvd; 100 S. 18th St; 200 S. 15th St. Burglary: 300 S. 20th St; 1700 Pine St. Robbery: 1500 Chestnut St; 200 S. Broad St. Theft: 2300 Fairmount Ave; 2100 Fair mount Ave; 2400 Pennsylvania Ave; 2100 Winter Ave; 1600 Ben Franklin Pkwy; 1900 Market St; 1800 Walnut St; 200 W. Rittenhouse Sq; 2200 Delancey Pl; 2100 Lombard St. Vandalism: 2400 Pennsylvania Ave. (two incidents), 2300 Penn Ave; 2200 Arch St; 1400 JFK Blvd. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 1600 Walnut St. 12th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 12th District, please call 215-686-1320. Reporting 12th District crimes within Southwest Philly bounded by Baltimore & 50 th St. to Bartram Dr. & 60th St.
Arrest: 5900 Warrington Ave. Assault: 5200 Litchfield St; 5600 Malcolm St; 5400 Springfield Ave; 1300 Ruby St; S. 52nd St & Kingsessing Ave; 6000 Regent St. Burglary: 1300 S. Wilton St. Theft: 1100 S. Peach St; 5200 Litchfield St.
does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 1600 Point Breeze Ave; 1800 S. 20th St. 18th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 18th Police District, please call 215-686-3180. Reporting 18th District crimes from Market St. to Woodland Ave. and 30th St. to Cobbs Creek Pkwy. Arrest: 5100 Market St.
Vandalism: 1000 S. 55th St; 58 Wood land Ave. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): S. 56th & Baltimore Ave; 5600 Pentridge St; 5600 Windsor St; 5600 Kingsessing Ave; 5800 Woodland Ave; 6000 Wood land Ave. 16th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 16th District, please call 215-686-3160. Reporting 16th District crimes from Girard Ave. to Market St. and from the Schuylkill River to 52nd Street. Arrest: 51st & Market Sts. Assault: 900 N. 48th St; 4200 W. Gi rard Ave; 5000 Westminster Ave; 4800 Westminster Ave; 4900 Parrish St; 4100 Lancaster Ave; 52nd & Market Sts; 400 Busti St. Robbery: 4200 Lancaster Ave; 3400 Spring Garden St. Theft: 700 N. 49th St; 4000 Lancaster Ave; 400 N. Preston St; 52nd & Market Sts; 300 N. Preston St; 700 N. Shed wick St. Vandalism: N. 41st St. & Haverford Ave; 300 N. Preston St; 700 N. Shedwick St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): N. 52nd St. & Girard Ave; 5000 Ogden St; As pen & Union St; 700 Union St; 4000 Lancaster Ave. 17th DISTRICT: To report a crime to the 17th Police District, please call 215-686-3170. Reporting 17th District crimes from South St. to Mifflin St. and Broad St. to the Schuylkill River. Arrest: 3200 Reed St; 2800 Reed St; 1500 S. Corlies St; 2700 Dickinson St. Assault: 1900 Federal St; 1600 Whar ton St; 1600 S. Broad St; 1800 McClellan St. Robbery: 500 S. 15th St. Theft: 1400 S. 20th St; 2100 Mountain St; 2000 Morris St. Other Offenses (Any incident that Assault: 5500 Locust St; 5400 Chan cellor St; 100 S. 52nd St; 4800 Walnut St; 5500 Addison St; 5200 Litchfield St; 5600 Malcolm St; 1300 S. Ruby St; S. 52nd St. & Kingsessing Ave. Burglary: 1300 S. Wilton St. Robbery: 600 S. 55th St. Theft: 52nd & Market Sts; S. 52nd & Chestnut Sts; S. 49th St. & Larchwood Ave; 400 S. 48th St; 4800 Baltimore Ave; S. 47th St. & Chestnut Ave; 1100 S. Peach St; 5200 Litchwood St; 4700 Upland St. Vandalism: 1000 S. 55th St; 5800 Woodland Ave. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 5600 Pentridge St; 5600 Windsor St; 5600 Kingsessing Ave; 5800 Woodland Ave. 19th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 19th Police District, please call 215-686-3190. Reporting 19th District crimes from City Ave. to Market St. and 52nd St. to 77th St. Arrest: 5800 Lancaster Ave; 1000 N. 68th St; N. 58th St. & Lancaster Ave; 5600 Hunter St; 1500 N. 55th St; 5700 Wyalusing Ave; 200 N. 65th St. Assault: 5900 Woodbine Ave; 5300 W. Berks St; 6100 W. Columbine Ave; 5900 Jefferson St; 1600 N. Edgewood St; 600 N. 63rd St; 1300 N. 59th St; 400 N. 59th St; 5000 Westminster Ave; 4800 Westminster Ave; 900 N. 48th St; 4900 Parrish St; N. 52nd & Market Sts. Burglary: 1400 N. Edgewood St; 1200 N. 57th St. Theft: 1700 Belmont Mansion Dr; 5600 Arlington St; 1800 N. 54th St; 5700 Jef ferson St; 4200 Leidy Ave; 700 N. 49th St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunken ness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 5300 Gainor Rd; 1700 N. Peach St; 5600 Hunter St; 1500 N. 58th St; N. 52nd St. & Girard Ave; 4500 Lancaster Ave; 5200 Westminster Ave; 5000 Ogden St; 5600 Vine St; 200 N. 53rd St.
Review UNIVERSITY CITY
Political updates on the State & Local Level The UC Review and Philly Free Press compile political news that affects voters each week on the city and state level to keep readers more abreast of local politics. If there’s an issue you would like included in this column, please email it to newsdesk@pressreview.net by the Monday, noontime deadline! L ast week Mayor Kenney proposed the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget and FY21- FY25 Five Year Plan, which feature important new investments focused on the top priorities for his second term, includ- ing reducing gun violence, investing in education, and making streets safer and cleaner.
“The key investments in this Plan and the Capital Program will advance these specific goals, and ultimately help lift at least 100,000 Philadelphians out of poverty—a priority I know we all share,” the Mayor said in his address to City Council. “These investments continue programs we know are working well for our residents such as PHLpreK, Community Schools and Rebuild. They also fund the commitments we’ve made to Mayor Kenney proposes new investments that address Second Term priorities Op-Ed: Councilman Kenyatta Jones and the U.S. Attorney: Evidence of ings Unseen prioritize key issues over the next four years.”
In his fifth budget ad- dress to City Council, the Mayor elaborated on investments that fall un- der his five second term priorities: • A safer and more just city • Quality education for all • Cleaner and safer streets • Inclusive and resilient neighborhoods • A more diverse, ef- ficient, and effective government The Mayor vowed to work hand-in-hand with Councilmembers over the next few months as the lawmakers review the spending plan. “As we work through these priorities, I am confi- dent that none of us will lose sight of the greater goal we all share—to 218 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel (215)222-2846 Fax (215)222-2378 Email editor@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net Editor & Publisher Robert Christian Assistant Editor Jack Firneno Associate Publisher Claudia Christian Bookkeeping Tina Davis Social Media Kelly Kusumoto Graphic Designers Kasia Gadek Kelly Kusumoto Contributing Writers Columnists Sales Claudia Christian Tim Legnani Nicole Contosta Bob Behr Haywood Brewster Napoleon F. Kingcade Nathan Lerner Dea Mallin Thom Nickels Tim Legnani Paulina Malek Jennifer Jones John Lane Henry Lazarus Kam Williams Email editor@pressreview.net newsdesk@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net Editor & Publisher Robert Christian Associate Publisher Claudia Christian Bookkeeping Alexandra Christian Graphic Designers Kelly Kusumoto Kasia Gadek Contributing Writers Bob Behr Haywood Brewster Marc Holmes III Richard Lord Dea Mallin om Nickels David Traub Columnists John Lane Henry Lazarus Tim Legnani Contributing Editor om Nickels Correspondent Nicole Contosta Nathaniel Lee Sales Claudia Christian Social Media Kelly Kusumoto 218 South 45th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel (215) 222-2846 Fax (215) 222-2378 continued on page 8
By Maurice Henderson P hiladelphia has always been a hot bed of political debate and discussion since the Constitutional Convention --the foundation landmark of constitutional heritage and the lark of for liberty, justice and freedom.
Most recently the U.S. Attorney indictment of Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson has once again put the City back under the microscope of constitutional examination. The Trump Administration has always been eager to pay- back perceived political enemies. Under Attorney General Barr, the Justice Department has zealously carried the mantle for the Trump Administration’s McCarthyism search and pursuit for enemies of the state. Hence, the targeting of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson for performing constituent services. Everyone should review the underlying facts associated with the government’s case and its implications for constituent services.
Mr. Johnson, is considered a conscientious pub- lic official with a history of arranging meetings for constituents, contacting other governmental agencies on their behalf, and including them in events all the time. The basic compact underly- ing representative government assumes that public officials will hear
from their constituents and act appropriately on their concerns.
A lot of things should be contested and warrants a thorough investigation by voters and onlookers of the 2nd District for which the Councilman has proudly and tiredly served for many years since his potentiality ascending as a effectively elected State Representative. Case law reference should reflect upon former Philadel- phia native Robert Mc Donnell overcoming a likeness of obstacles posturing that was previously presented and reprimanded as a legal reminder to the caveat emptor (buyer beware) tracking of juris
Philadelphia eatre Company and community leaders aim for a knock-out with Play Brawl
Local Leaders live out their acting dreams to raise money for PTC
Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia Theatre Company is ready to get back in the ring with its third edition of an inventive fundraiser that puts the region’s leaders front and center on stage. In the vein of Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, PTC’s Play Brawl returns on Friday, March 13 with local celebrities and leaders living out their acting dreams alongside professional actors. Instead of standard speeches and silent auctions, the competitors will act their hearts out while audience members vote for the winning performance through tax-free donations on a mobile bidding app. This year’s line-up includes a who’s who from the local business and non-profit community - including Mindy Dougherty Baida (Executive Director of Music Theatre Philly), Jonathan Lovitz (Advocate, Politician, and Former Theatre and Television Star), Sulaiman W. Rahman (President/ CEO, DiverseForce, LLC), Garrett Snider (Founder, Childhood Resilience Foundation), Michael G. Turner (Head of School, The Shipley School),
Rob Wonderling (President & CEO, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia acting out his acting dreams at fundraiser for Philadelphia Theatre Company. Photo: submitted by PTC
and Rob Wonderling (President & CEO, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia). Play Brawl kicks-off at 6:00pm at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street) with a cocktail party, followed by the competition on stage. Tickets and sponsorships for the event start at $150 and are available online at www.philatheatreco. org or by calling 215-985- 1400, ext. 117.
“Play Brawl is our single biggest fundraising source to support what we do at Philadelphia Theatre Company,” said PTC Producing Artistic Director Paige Price. “I can’t stress enough how important it is for us to succeed. We try really hard to make this a special and different fundraiser, and I think it’s much more fun than a traditional gala. It’s a ton of work, but really worth it - kind of like producing theatre. I love that we show off the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, and that we’re highlighting the kind of work we do on stage by sharing it with the community’s participants. It’s a testament to the dedication to the arts organizations in town that we’re able to get such a varied and talented group of actors and business leaders to play with us.”
Play Brawl is PTC’s largest fundraiser and features local celebrities and business leaders facing off on the stage of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. This friendly competition will raise tens of thousands of dollars to benefit Philadelphia Theatre Company’s 46th Anniversary, 2020-2021 season of plays. The event will be hosted by Price and 2019 Contender and Fox29 Anchor Shaina Humphries. Last year, Humphries
continued on page 9
DAO secures guilty plea for 2019 in fatal
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“I want to thank Assistant District Attorney Danielle Burkavage for securing justice in this matter today. It is never acceptable to inflict violence, much less violence against a neighbor in a neighborly setting,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “May the loved ones of the deceased continue to find healing and support from loving neighbors, and may this in a confrontation that ended in the death of a 38-year-old man.
The incident occurred on January 5, 2019, when the victim, Drew Justice, and Oropeza encountered each other in Gold T he District Attorney’s Office (DAO) on Mon- day secured a guilty plea to Involuntary Manslaughter by Mat- thew Oropeza (DOB: 10/19/1994) for his role
the various Sun Signs. Jackie flew into a rage and called the TV station, saying that she was the astrologer while Morrison had always called herself a psychic.
Semantics, perhaps, but it was a clumsy moment for me because I knew and liked both women very much.
At one point I applied for a job at The Daily News as an ad copywriter. Jackie helped me get the job interview where I was expected to bring in an ad that I had designed and written, so I brought a pen and ink advertisement I wrote for Jackie’s astrology column. To be honest, I look back on this with some embarrassment. The advertising copy was dense and esoteric and my ‘product’ choice, Jackie, gave the whole thing a sycophantic feel. The Ad Dept head, I think, was being kind when he nodded his head and said as little as possible.
Jackie was always discovering some new guru to follow and her coffee table was always filled with the new guru’s books. The Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (1931–1990), also known as Osho, was a major guru for her. He was a guru who fit Jackie’s bohemian lifestyle.
At one point she invited me to attend a Shree Rajneesh conference but on the appointed day Jackie was not at home. Jackie called me later that night and told me that she had been in an automobile accident.
She was an extremely generous woman. Her favorite restaurant was Montserrat at Sixth and South Street, an Ameri- can Bistro. She often invited me to tag along with her (and she usually paid the bill). She never seemed to mind that I could rarely pay. Over time I introduced her to a number of my friends. At one of her parties, she introduced me to Miguel Rivera, one of several alleged killers of an 18-year-old man in one of the pools of the Museum of Art whose girlfriend was raped in June of 1973. Riveria, who was awarded a new trial in 1987 after spending nine years in jail, was acquitted of the murder. Rivera needed a place to stay and because Jackie was friends with his attorney, he was Jackie’s guest for a couple of weeks. Jackie’s pizza and wine party for Rivera included lots of wild dancing.
After the party, she said she didn’t mind if I wrote about it in my Different Strokes column in the Welcomat. Jackie’s cats were always beautiful and luxurious looking creatures. She always had a pet. When she told me something I didn’t like in a reading — “Jackie, how could you say that you make it sound like one day I’ll retire to a monastery!” — she said in no uncertain terms, “Well, what’s wrong with that?” Her mind was as broad as her tastes.
When her astrology column went over to The Inquirer I didn’t see much of her for a while.
That other Philadelphia psychic, Valerie Morrison, had contacted me about writing her biography, so I felt I couldn’t be friends with both women at the same time.
Jackie was now a syn- dicated columnist and traveling in different social circles. We lost touch, and my book “deal” with Morrison failed to materialize.
Jackie introduced me to a Philadelphia psychic she said she consulted for private readings. Her name was Arlene Ostapowic. Arlene and Jackie were also roommates for a time. Ostapowic, who died last year, told me that she was one of Jackie’s astrology teachers. Jackie’s syndicated success was nothing less than startling. I did touch base with her a year or two before she left Philadelphia. The reading was pleasant but the excitement of the past had vanished.
Not long after the reading, Jackie would move to Arizona.
WFP continued from page 1
we will win this country for Sanders. I am proud to stand alongside the visionary leaders of WFP and our allies as we unite for everyday working people everywhere.
“Now is not the time for moderation or nostalgia around the ways things used to be. It’s time for a bold agenda to win,” said Nicolas O’Rourke, PA Working Families Party Organizing Director. “Bernie Sanders is a lifelong champion of working people who wants to make healthcare, housing, childcare, and educa- tion basic rights, reform our criminal justice system, protect and expand Social Security, and take bold action on climate. With Warren’s exit from the field, our choice is clear. In Philadelphia, we pledge to work alongside his supporters to build an America that works for the many, not the few.” The Working Families Party is a grassroots progressive political party that recruits, trains, and elects the next generation of progressive leaders to office. The WFP endorsed Helen Gym back in 2015 and again in 2019. They also helped elect WFP member Kendra
defendant find rehabilitation and repair while serving his sentence.” Oropeza will be sentenced by Judge Glenn Bronson on May 28, 2020, following the reading of victim impact statements from a number of Justice’s loved ones and neighbors. Brooks to Philadelphia City Council, making her Philadelphia’s first-ever third-party city council member.
Nationally, the WFP drove a progressive wave in local elections across America in 2019. WFP helped to elect longtime tenants organizer and progressive champion Jumaane Williams as Public Advocate in New York City, swelled the ranks of Chicago City Council progressive caucus, put public education champions on the school board in Milwaukee, helped make Stephen Mason the first Black mayor of Cedar Hill, Texas, helped insurgent Latinx LGBTQ activist Candi CdeBaca oust a longtime incumbent on the Denver City Council, and elected other council members from Morgantown, W.Va., to Phoenix, Ariz.
MARCH 11, 2020 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 5 EDUCATION SPECIAL SECTION
Pennsylvania Representative Chris Rabb Gives a Lesson in Civics to Drexel University Students and Community Neighbors
By Haywood Brewster Staff Reporter
Pennsylvania Representative Chris Rabb visited a Side-by-Side class at Drexel’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships to explain how laws are made at the state level. Rabb represents the 200th legislative district, which includes Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, and part of West Oak Lane. Drexel students and neighbors in a public speaking course learned that effective lawmaking begins with effective communication.
Drexel’s Side-by-Side courses bring college students and community residents together to create a mutually respectful learning environment where everyone can learn from each other. The winter course in public speaking is taught by Lawrence Souder, a teaching professor in the Department of Commu- nication in Drexel’s College of Arts and Sciences. Souder said: “Whenever I can, I try to bring guests into my courses to show the rough-and-tumble of real-world communication.”
Souder thinks that Rabb was ideally suited as a guest speaker in his course. Rabb’s election in 2016 is a testament to his effective communication skills. In a predominately Democratic district, he defeated the incumbent, who had the support of the Democratic establishment. Rabb attributes his successful election to a combination of what he called, “High-tech and high-touch.” He used social media strategi- cally but also walked the streets and knocked on doors.
Rabb described how complex state politics can be with so many stakeholders and special inter- ests. He explained how listening is the route to knowing both your con- stituents and your opponents. Rabb said: “If I
Chris Rabb answers questions from students at Drexel’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships. Photo: Lawrence Souder
don’t know what my audience cares about, I will never be able to communicate with them.”
Drexel student Julian Jordan, a senior in the Close School of Entrepreneurship, who arranged for Mr. Rabb to speak to Souder’s students at the Dornsife Center, asked the last question during Q&A: “How do you get your colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle to listen to you?”
Rabb responded: “It’s important to understand and value the issues of other community mem- bers that you may not personally face yourself. By standing together and connecting with local of
ficials, community members can have a tangible impact on the matters concerning them in Harrisburg.”
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