POLITICS

Bob and Claudia six months before Bob got Covid-19.

Dear Friends and

Readers,

Bob and I have been publishing the University City Review and Philadelphia Free Press for almost 34 years, since 1988.

That is a long run for a local community newspaper and we are very proud of it!

At this moment in time, though, due to an original bout with Covid-19 back in November 2020 from which Bob is still recovering, we are going to take a hiatus from the newspaper business.

We don’t know how long this will be, or if it will be permanent or temporary, but we are looking for the “right” person to assume responsibility for the newspapers’ growth – Someone who is filled with the love and energy for this kind of community endeavor.

We are grateful to all our many readers, writers and advertisers over our many years of publishing.

With our best wishes to all for a Joyous Holiday season and a Happy and Healthier 2022!

Bob and Claudia Christian Publishers University City Review and Philadelphia Free Press

The fabric of Philadelphia:

Without your patronage, businesses, restaurants, theaters and institutions do not survive. We all value the fabric of our city. It is what makes Philadelphia a great city. Please support local business.

Constitutional amendment would term-limit Pennsylvania Supreme Court judges

The Supreme Court Chamber in the Pennsylvania State Capitol building Nagel Photography | Shutterstock.com

Review UNIVERSITY CITY

By Victor Skinner The Center Square contributor

The House Judiciary Committee has advanced legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution by creating term limits for the state’s Supreme Court Justices and appellate court judges.

House Bill 1880 would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to impose a two-term limit for justices of the state Supreme Court for a total of 20 years, though those currently serving who exceed the threshold would be permitted to complete their terms.

Committee members approved an amendment during a meeting Monday to also extend the same restriction to judges on the commonwealth and superior courts.

“As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I am pleased this important legislation was voted out today and is now on its way to the full House for consideration,” said Rep. Frank Ryan, R-Lebanon, the bill’s sponsor.

The bill and amendment were approved by the committee on a nearly party line vote of 15-8, with Rep. Mike Zabel, D-Drexel, the only Democrat to vote with Republicans. Committee Minority Chairman Tim Briggs, D-King of Prussia, offered a motion to table the vote because he said the committee hadn’t previously reviewed the legislation, and he believed all constitutional amendments deserve at least one meeting.

Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, agreed and said it was “incredibly improper” to vote the bill out of the committee.

“I believe we should have a hearing,” Kinkead said. “I believe we owe it to the people of Pennsylvania to … flesh it out.”

Committee Chair Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin, countered that amending the constitution requires the General Assembly to approve identical legislation in two consecutive sessions, before it’s presented to voters on the ballot.

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court justices are elected to 10-year terms with a statewide “yes” or “no” vote for retention every decade. The seven-member high court is composed of five Democrats and two Republicans.

Justice Thomas Saylor, a Republican, handed over his chief justice roles earlier this year to Justice Max Baer as he approached the 75-years-old age limit to serve on the court and his term ends Dec. 31.

Baer, a Democrat, will be 75 in December 2022.

Democrat Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht are serving terms that run to January 2026. Democrat Justice Debra Todd’s term runs until December 2027, while Republican Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy’s term ends in January 2028.

Under current law, Mundy, Wecht, Dougherty, remain eligible for retention until 2037, while Debra Todd could serve until 2032 and Donohue until 2027, when they would reach the age of 75.

218 South 45th Street, 218 South 45th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel (215)222-2846 Tel (215) 222-2846 Fax (215)222-2378 Fax (215) 222-2378 Email Email editor@pressreview.net editor@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net newsdesk@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net Editor & Publisher Editor & Publisher Robert Christian Robert Christian Assistant Editor Associate Publisher Jack Firneno Claudia Christian Associate Publisher Controller & Bookkeeping Claudia Christian Alexandra Christian Bookkeeping Tina Davis Administrative Website & Social Media Dorian Korein Graphic Designers Graphic Designers Kasia Gadek Kelly Kusumoto Kelly Kusumoto Kasia Gadek Contributing Writers Contributing Editor Nicole Contosta Bob Behr Thom Nickels Haywood Brewster Contributing Writers Napoleon F. Kingcade Nathan Lerner Dea Mallin Marc Holmes III Bill Burrison Thom Nickels Contributing Reporters Tim Legnani Paulina Malek Christopher Doyle Nathaniel Lee Columnists Haywood Brewster Jennifer Jones Community Contributors John Lane Henry Lazarus Kam Williams Nicole Contosta Jim Brown Theater & Arts Contributor Sales Claudia Christian Richard Lord Tim Legnani Arts Contributor Social Media Paula Roberts Kelly Kusumoto Architectural Contributor David Traub Columnists John Lane Henry Lazarus Sales Claudia Christian Dorian Korein

Ryan argues “no jurist should be able to hold office indefinitely and 20 years is long enough.”

“This amendment would put more power in the hands of the citizens of this Commonwealth by enabling voters to decide whether or not to limit the terms of our judges and justices,” he said in a statement.

seen it, it is just an open air oasis, a wonderland of lights. We have reindeer topiaries that are decorated in themes, we have different seating area…” [Sorry folks. My typing fingers were getting a little sore trying to keep up as she recounted all of the attractions at the park but you get the idea.]

Oh, and for those of you who are above the age of 31, they haven’t forgotten about you, either.

Let’s face it, you can get a little tired trying to keep up with the little ones, shopping ‘til you drop and trying to sample all of the different events and attractions at Dilworth Park and throughout Center City. So, if you need a break, they have that covered also.

“We have different seating areas,” said Suraci.

And should you require a little additional holiday Cheer while you sit, not to worry, there’s a little grog, available at the Chaddsford Winery kiosk located in the park which “offers warm mulled cider for purchase to guests 21 and older,” as well as lots of holiday goodies that will leave your mouth happy and belly full.

It seems they thought of just about everything.

Wait, not so fast. We’re not done yet. We can’t end this article without talking about one of the most popular holiday

win over a top ranked team, the best in school history.

Even before the game started, the Scarlet Knights had a moment of silence for a key member of the 1983 men’s basketball team. His name was Clarence “Eggy” Tillman who played high school basketball at West Philadelphia High. Tillman was one of the top contributors to the magical run that Rutgers made during the 1982-83 season. The Scarlet Knights had finished that season with a 23-8 record. They made a run to the Sweet 16. They made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Louisiana 60-53.

Tillman played three seasons for the Scarlet Knights as he averaged 11.7 points per game during his time in Piscataway, New Jersey. Before Rutgers played Purdue, the men’s basketball team held a moment of silence for the 6-foot-8 forward who played his heart out for the Rutgers men basketball program. It seems that moment of silence sparked the Rutgers men’s basketball team to pull off their upset.

Back in 1978, Tillman played in the first McDonald’s All-American Game at the Philadelphia Spectrum. The talented Speedboys’ star became the team’s AllTime leading scorer in West Philadelphia High history. He finished his high school basketball career with 1,752 points. After his graduation from West Philadelphia High, Clarence “Eggy” Tillman played college basketball at the University of Kentucky. When Tillman finished his freshman year, he transfeatures at Dilworth, can we?

“One of the biggest, most exciting aspects of winter at Dilworth is our Deck The Halls Light Show,” said Suraci.

“That is projected on the West facade of City Hall and animates the cities architecture and sculptures.”

ferred to Rutgers University where he became one of the top scorers on the team.

In his senior year, Tillman led the Scarlet Knights to the Sweet 16. In that game, the Scarlet Knights lost to St. John by a score, 66-55. Clarence Tillman was the top scorer. In the game, he played 25 minutes and led his team with 16 points.

Once his college basketball career was over, Tillman played professional basketball in Europe, South America and the Caribbean. He finished his pro basketball career as a great shooter and decent rebounder.

Today, Clarence Tillman can no longer tell his own incredible story. The legendary West Philadelphia High basketball star passed away on Sunday, December 5. Tillman was 60-yearsold. He passed away at his home after a long fight with illness. It’s unclear what exactly caused his death.

Back in 2017, many of his high school teammates gathered together to help him out. They set up a Go-Fund-Me page so he could get a handicap scooter. His team-

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SPORTS

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1st .

“So, if you’re in the park, you just look up at City Hall, you’ll see lights, you’ll hear music – it’s really beautiful if you haven’t had a chance to see it,” she said.

mates helped him raised over $10,000 to purchase one. Tillman needed a scooter to get him around to different places. Clarence Tillman was thankful for what his teammates did for him. His teammates knew he couldn’t do the things he used to do. When he received his scooter, Tillman and his teammates gathered for lunch and had a great celebration. During that time, the former West Philadelphia High basketball star was battling many physical ailments. It was hard for him to walk around and travel to different places. At his home, a stairway railing was built by two of his high school teammates. Vincent Ross and Greg McKinney built a railing that stretched from the basement to Tillman’s bedroom. They took it upon themselves to help one of their own. The railing made life easier for Tillman. The men did a good job building the railing inside his home. It was a good deed he would never forget.

From January 25, 1976 through February 19, 1978, the West Philadelphia High Basketball team claimed the

Just one question, if you haven’t had a chance to see it, what are you waiting for?

All programs are weather permitting and subject to change. Dilworth Park is located at 1 S. 15th St., on the west side of City Hall.

Want to learn more? Visit DilworthPark.org.

Pennsylvania record by winning 68 games in a row. The winning streak didn’t stop until archrival Overbrook High beat the Speedboys, 6261, on February 21, 1978, at Overbrook High. In defeat, Tillman had finished the game with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

At West Philadelphia High, Tillman had played on a great team with Gene Banks, Darryl “City Lights” Warrick, Mike Nichols, Mike Powell, James “Pee Wee” Thomas, Vincent Ross, Timmy Smith, Joe Garrett, Lou Crawley, Gregory McKinney, Randy Barr, Donald Watkins, Ron Williams, Terry Scott and Tyrell Biggs.The Speedboys were loaded with great talent. The Speedboys had won 104 of 106 games over a four-year span. In 1977, the West Philadelphia Speedboys went 30-0 for the season and were named the best high school basketball team in the nation.They were ranked the number one team in the nation after the Speedboys won the national title. Together, they won three City Championships and three Public League

Clarence Tillman standing between Mike Powell and Gene Banks while he holds his # 25 jersey at a big ceremony that was held inside the new gym at West Philadelphia High School.

By Victor Skinner The Center Square contributor

Philadelphia city officials will require restaurants and entertainment venues that sell food to demand all who enter show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, though there are exemptions for religious or medical reasons.

“Starting Monday January 3, Philadelphia establishments that sell food or drink for consumption onsite will require that everyone who enters has completed their COVID vaccinations,” according to the city website. “Completing vaccinations means that they have received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

The decree applies to patrons, employees and children over age of five years, three months. Employees and kids will be required to have at least one dose by Jan. 3 and to finish the vaccine series by Feb. 3.

The city is phasing in the mandate by allowing negative COVID-19 tests within the past 24 hours until Jan. 17, after which “everyone will need to be fully vaccinated.”

The new rules apply to many, but not all, places where groups gather to eat indoors in public, including restaurants, cafes, bars, sports venues, movie theaters, bowling alleys, convention and catering halls, casinos and food courts. It does not apply to K-12 lunchrooms, early child care facilities, hospitals, soup kitchens, congregate care facilities or residential or health care facilities.

It also does not apply to places that typically sell food or drinks for offsite consumption, such as grocery stores, convenience stores or stores in the Philadelphia International Airport.

“People with proof of valid religious or medical exemptions and children under five years and three months are exempt from the mandate,” according to the city website. Those with exemptions, however, still would need a negative COVID-19 test within the past 24 hours to enter establishments that seat more than 1,000.

City Health Commissioner Dr. Sheryl Bettigole blamed the mandate on rising COVID-19 case rates, a new omicron variant of the coronavirus and the alleged risk of transmission from visiting indoors unmasked when she announced the decision Monday during a virtual news conference.

“I don’t want to close our restaurants or the other types of businesses that sell food,” Bettigole said. “I want them to stay open and operate safely.

“Since we can’t make people wear masks when they’re eating, we need to increase the vaccinaof Philadelphians who are eligible for vaccines but did not get fully vaccinated, we need this additional safety measure to make us safer and avoid some of the worst outcomes we’ve seen in other states,” she said.

Shown are COVID-19 vaccination record cards in Glenside, Pa., on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. Matt Rourke / AP

tion rate of people in those situations.”

“This announcement will help reduce the spread of COVID when people are enjoying the city’s restaurants and other establishments that sell food,” she said.

Bettigole encouraged folks to report establishments that do not comply.

“If you see an establishment not following the rules, you can call 311 and we’ll send out inspectors to educate them on the new mandate and to enforce, if necessary,” she said.

Bettigole pointed to the city’s unvaccinated residents as the reason behind the move, and she encouraged those who have resisted to reconsider.

“As the mayor said earlier, Philadelphia is doing a great job staying masked and getting vaccinated, but with hundreds of thousands

“If you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, there’s still time to get fully vaccinated before this mandate goes into effect, and you can keep going out to eat and to enjoy yourself at covered entertainment venues safely.”

Celebrate Christmas at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral CHRISTMAS EVE

Feast of the Nativity Friday, December 24, 2021 5:00 PM Festival Eucharist & Blessing of the Crèche

The Very Reverend Judith A. Sullivan, Presider & Preacher Dr. Thomas Lloyd, Canon for Music and the Arts Mr. Wesley Parrott, Cathedral Organist The Cathedral Singers

Organ Prelude: Prelude No. 54 (Une Jeune Pucelle) - Robert G. Farrell Variations sur un Noël Bourguignon - André Fleury

Choral Anthems: People Look East! - Besançon carol - arr. by Thomas Lloyd Behold the Star! - William L. Dawson O come, O come Emmanuel - arr. by Thomas Lloyd O Leave Your Sheep - French carol Quittez pasteurs - arr. by Kenneth Leighton Tomorrow shall be my dancing day - English carol - arr. Bob Chilcott When the song of the angels is stilled - Elizabeth Alexander In the bleak midwinter - Harold Darke

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Organ Prelude: The Rocking Carol (Prelude #55) - Robert G. Farrell

Balulalow - Peter Warlock Ms. Brenda Bonhomme, Soloist Organ Postlude: In dulci jubilo - J. S. Bach

titles.

By 1978, Gene Banks was gone along with a number of West Philly players. However, Kevin McCray, Vincent Ross, James Thomas, Mark Davis along with Clarence Tillman kept the Speedboys’ winning tradition going. The Speedboys remained a winning team until the mid 1980s.

On June 6, 2014, the 1977 West Philadelphia Speedboys were recognized for their big accomplishment inside the new West Philadelphia High School, located at 49th and Chestnut Street. Clarence Tillman and several of his teammates were honored on that day by former principal Mary Dean and her staff.

The West Philadelphia High gym was packed with Speedboys fans who came out to give honor to the team. Inside the gym, they raised the national championship banner. Clarence Tillman

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along with Gene Banks, Darryl Warrick, Mike Powell and Joe Garrett smiled in front of the cameras.

In 1978, Tillman was named and placed on the McDonald’s AllAmerican team. He was one of two players from Philadelphia who was selected. The other was Reggie Jackson who played for Roman Catholic High. Tillman was also named to the Parade All-American team and the Scholastic Coach All-American team. In 2017, Clarence Tillman was inducted into the Philadelphia Black Hall of Fame.

Today, funeral arrangements have been set for the legendary basketball star. Funeral services will be held for Clarence “Eggy” Tillman on Friday, December 17, at Pinn Memorial Baptist Church, located at 2251 North 54th Street. A public viewing will run from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tillman leaves behind his wife Carol, family and many friends. HARRISBURG,

PA – 90 days have passed since a major federal disaster was declared for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after the Remnants of Hurricane Ida left many Pennsylvanians with losses and damage. On September 10, 2021 President Biden signed the declaration that allowed FEMA to assist. The declaration provided Individual Assistance (IA) for eight (8) counties: Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York. Since then, between FEMA, the National Flood Insurance Program, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than $192.3 million in federal assistance has been approved for Pennsylvanians. FEMA and its federal partners continue working daily to support the commonwealth and its residents as they rebuild their lives and communities.

In the 90 days since the declaration, a total of 70,941 people in the eight designated counties have applied for federal assistance.

The registration period ends on Jan. 10, 2022.

You can still register by going online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

More than $82.7 million in federal disaster funds have been approved, including: • More than $61.4 million in Individual

Assistance grants for housing assistance. • More than $21.2 million in grants for

Other Needs Assistance to homeowners and renters to repair or replace certain household items, pay for disaster-related medical and dental expenses, and certain other disaster-related expenses. • A total of 66,323

FEMA housing inspections have been completed. • The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $42.5 million in low-interest disaster loans to repair and replace damaged property and contents. • All the above numbers continue to grow as FEMA and the SBA continue to process

incoming registrations. • The National Flood

Insurance Program (NFIP) has paid policyholders more than $67.1 million for 1,819 claims filed to repair and rebuild flooddamaged property and contents. • The Disaster Recovery Centers closed on

November 20. During their mission, 1,712 survivors visited the centers. • During their mission, which ended Oct. 5, Disaster Survivor Assistance teams canvassed neighborhoods in all eight designated counties

There were 5,330 homes visited with 2,172 survivor interactions

Disaster response involves the whole community, including local, state, and federal agencies, the private sector, nonprofit, voluntary, and faith-based organizations. Volunteers have been working tirelessly to help Pennsylvanians who were impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida get back to a more normal life.

The following agencies have engaged in assisting survivors of the disaster: Pennsylvania VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster); Southeastern PA VOAD (SEPA VOAD); York County VOAD; Northeastern PA VOAD (NEPA VOAD); American Red Cross; Salvation Army; United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); United Church Christ Disaster Ministries; Southern Baptist Convention; Pennsylvania SPCA; ACLAMO (Accíon Comunal Latino Americano de Montgomery County / Latin American Action Committee of Montgomery County); Team Rubicon; United Way 211; Lutheran Disaster Services; Lutheran Disaster Response; Presbyterian Disaster Response; Adventist Community Services; Chester County Food Bank; The Elevated Studio; Nationalities Service Center; and Philabundance.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (PA) is