Vol. I No. 116
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
December 10, 2010
Philadelphia
Daily Record
Home For The Holidays
PHA Interim Executive Director Michael Kelly, right, presents a gift to residents Anthony Anderson and LaTanya Thompson, who moved into renovated homes in 1700 block of Diamond Avenue. Housing authority has completed a $31 million renovation project that covers 340 homes across city. Money came from stimulus funds awarded to agency. See story page 2.
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PHA Puts Stimulus Funds To Work Fixing Homes
ot too long ago, the home at 1720 Diamond Street was vacant and rundown. Thanks to funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, the Philadelphia Housing Authority was able to completely renovate the interior and transform it into homes for two families. The units are just two of 340 scattered throughout the city that PHA substantially rehabbed with stimulus funds over the past year and a half.
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“PHA has and will continue to make great strides in combating blight in Philadelphia by providing affordable housing to the people who need it most,” said newly appointed PHA Interim Executive Director Michael P. Kelly. “This type of accomplishment would not have been possible without the funding from ARRA.” A significant number of the renovated units are designated for citizens with disabilities. Seventy-one were converted into fully accessible apartments with interior or exterior chair lifts so wheelchair users can have full use of their home. The units are part of PHA’s campaign to build more affordable, accessible housing and provide opportunities for persons with disTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
abilities to live independently as part of the community. One of the residents moving in today, Anthony Anderson had been living in a shelter with his twoyear-old son. Anderson was referred to PHA through a partnership with a city program called the Blueprint to end homelessness. He says having a permanent home will allow him the stability to raise his son and seek work. The 340 renovated homes were also brought up to PHA’s high energy-efficiency standards. The properties now include improved insulation, energy efficient air and water heaters, doors, windows, and Energy Star appliances and fixtures. Other stimulus-funded projects nearing completion include the upgrade of fire suppression standpipes at nine developments, the construction of the Mantua Square development in West Philadelphia, and the rehabilitation of the 800 block of Markoe Street, which is part of the Lucien E. Blackwell Homes community.
10 DECEMBER, 2010
Casey Introduces Bill To Boost Life Science Businesses US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today introduced the Life Sciences Jobs and Investment Act of 2010 (S.4018), legislation that will promote innovation and job creation by providing targeted tax incentives for small and mid-sized businesses to invest in life sciences research and development. “This legislation will help US businesses create jobs and maintain a competitive edge in a challenging global economy,” said the Senator. “Investing in life-sciences research and development is critical to ensuring Pennsylvania and the US remain at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.” The legislation doubles the existing R&D tax credit to incentivize life sciences R&D from 20% to 40% of the first $150 million businesses and innovators spend on such research. The life sciences industry is influential in laboratories at universities and companies in Pennsylvania and across the country, including biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, medical and diagnostic laboratories and manufacturers of surgical appliances and medicines. The original R&D tax credit expired at the end of last year. Casey has voted and advocated for its extension.
10 DECEMBER, 2010
Corbett Names Coal Titan To Run DCED Special from the Pennsylvania Independent by Eric Boehm Gov.-Elect Tom Corbett tapped a major donor Thursday to lead the Dept. of Community & Economic Development in the new administration. C. Alan Walker, president and CEO of Bradford Energy Co., Inc., donated more than $85,000 to Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign since January 2009, according to Dept. of State records. Walker has previously served as chairman of the board of directors for both the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Coal Association, the coal lobby. He is also a past president of the Pennsylvania Society, which is well-known for sponsoring the annual Pennsylvania Society Dinner, a lavish New York City event which takes place each December and includes the highest-ranking political and business leaders from the Keystone State. DCED is responsible for a wide variety of business and community projects. Most importantly, it awards taxpayer-funded grants and loans for business start-up, downtown revitalization, housing imTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
provements and infrastructure and technology investments. Corbett called Walker “a successful businessman who has an outstanding record of giving back to his community and his state.” Walker also has an impressive record of giving to political campaigns. He contributed more than $117,000 during the last two years – including $88,107 to Corbett. His contributions went almost entirely to Republican candidates. Other recipients of Mr. Walker’s generosity include State Sens. Jake Corman (R-Centre), Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), as well as State Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Elk), Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) and Gary Haluska (D-Cambria).
Philly Is Tops In Holiday Spirit The City of Philadelphia was ranked by US Airways Magazine as being the best city to celebrate the holiday spirit. The City received the #1 rank out of 15 cities around the world in the magazine’s December 2010 issue. New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Francisco and London were among the cities Philadelphia was compared to in the magazine. Visitors to Macy’s Grand Court can enjoy daily Christmas Light Shows that are presented every hour along |
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with daily concert performances from the 106 year-old Wannamaker Organ that is registered as a National Historic Landmark. The Dickens Christmas Village on the third floor of the Macy’s building uses animated characters to tell the tale of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” and offers children an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap. Meryl Levitz, president of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp., said, “More than 36 million people visit Philadelphia every year and we want to extend a warm
holiday greeting to them as they explore the city and enjoy the many sites and attractions that we have to offer.”
erly retaining these records are essential to effectively maintaining the School District’s finances,” said Butkovitz.
In October, 2010 the American Planning Association named Rittenhouse Square one of the top ten great public spaces in the country. Travel & Leisure Magazine’s August 2010 edition ranked The Rittenhouse Hotel as the #10 hotel in the Continental US.
Other instances of insufficient documentation for special-education transportation costs included no support for vehicle maintenance costs for non-student vehicles, such as vehicles used to transport mail between District locations, and inadequate support for the calculation of social security and Medicare tax contributions reimbursed by the State.
Butkovitz Audit Shows Faulty Bookkeeping In School Unit City Controller Alan Butkovitz released the FY09 School District of Philadelphia’s Intermediate Unit No. 26 audit yesterday. It found insufficient documentation for special-education transportation costs, putting the School District at risk for inaccuracies with this $50 million expenditure. When the Controller’s auditors requested documentation to determine how bus attendants’ payroll costs were determined, District personnel stated this calculation was based on a study performed several years ago. However, the District could not provide a copy of this study. “Keeping timely studies that help determine accurate costs and prop-
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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
“All expenditures and reimbursements need to be properly accounted for on the required annual fiscal reporting document,” said Butkovitz. The Controller’s audit also found $1.3 million of the $2.1 million in open encumbrances tested were determined to be unnecessary and therefore invalid. Encumbrances represent valid commitments related to contracts not yet performed and orders not yet filled. “The 61% of the unnecessary encumbrances occurred because the District’s cancellation policy was neither clear nor adequately communicated to the responsible managers,” said Butkovitz. “Unnecessary open encumbrances needlessly reserve budgetary funds and distort the School District’s financial statements.”
10 DECEMBER, 2010
Cawley Honored By City Republicans
Dec. 14Portrait presentation of Hon. Sheldon C. Jelin at City Hall, Room 653, 4 p.m. Reception following in Conversation Hall. Dec. 18Caribbean Night Happy Hour fundraiser for Lawrence Clark for City Council at Banana’s RECEIVING Billy Meehan Award from United Republican Club at Society Hill Sheraton is Lt. Gov.-Elect Jim Cawley, here flanked by State Rep. John Taylor, left, and 45th Ward Leader Kevin Pasquay.
876 Lounge, 5500 Rising Sun Ave., 6-9 p.m. Donation $10 includes food.; donate blanket for homeless and it’s $8. Make
Giving The Arc A Sporting Chance
checks to Clark4Change, P.O. Box 27154, Phila., PA 19118. Jan. 27Edward J. Lowry, founder of Phila. Veterans MultiService and Education Ctr., will be honored on retirement at Waterfall Rm. in Plumbers Local 690 Union Hall, 2791 Southampton Rd., Cocktails 6-8 p.m., followed by Tribute Program. Tickets $65. Order by phone (215) 238-8050. Event Chair Ed Keenan, Board Chair Jim Mc-
LEAD SPONSORS of The Arc and Phila. Developmental Disabilities Corp. fundraiser at Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Phila. last night included Joe Pekala, of J. Pekala & Associates insurance company, left. Pekala is seen here with Comcast Sportsnet host Michal Barkann Photos by Bonnie Squires and COO of PDDC Laura Princiotta. 10 DECEMBER, 2010
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
Nesby and Exec. Dir. Marsha Four.
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ENJOYING festivities at Chickie’s & Pete’s, a benefit for The Arc of Phila. and Phila. Developmental Disabilities Corp. are, from left, Brian Laurinaitis, of Kendall Johnson, a board member of PDDC and a sponsor; Norma Carter, president of PDDC; Eagles player Branden Graham; Sharon Krimm, of Charon Planning, another sponsor; and Bruce Hulick, executive director of the Arc and PDDC.
Last Call for Consistently Funny Spelling Bee
Ephie Aardema (“Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre”), Olivia Oguma (“Marcy Park”), Marla Mindelle (“Rona Lisa Peretti”), David Volin (“Vice Principal Douglas Panch”). 6|
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
10 DECEMBER, 2010
ticularly humorous moments seem by Adam Taxin
relatively evenly distributed among
The month-long run for the
each of the nine members of the
Philadelphia Theatre Co.’s produc-
show’s ensemble cast. (And while
tion of The 25th Annual Putnam
most musical comedies tend to be
County Spelling Bee at the Suzanne
better at fulfilling the “musical”
Roberts Theatre (at Broad and
than the “comedy,” this show re-
Lombard Streets in Center City)
ally is quite funny.)
comes to an end this Sunday, Dec. 12.
It’s hard to pick out particular highlights of this consistently solid
As for the plot, few shows exist
production. However, one for this
with titles so self-explanatory.
reviewer was during and immedi-
Every scene here is set at a county-
ately after the song “I Speak Six
wide spelling bee in upstate New
Languages,” basically an Olivia
York. (No Fiddler on the Roof,
Newton-John-at-the-end-of-Grease
Chicago, My Fair Lady or The
moment of realization for Marcy
Sound of Music “but what’s it actu-
Park, a hilarious send-up of stereo-
ally about?” coyness here!).
types of “perfect “ Asian-American students (played by Olivia Oguma,
The music and lyrics for the show,
who has appeared in Broadway in
which runs about 90 minutes, are
Mamma Mia and Les Miserables).
by William Finn, who won two
David Folin’s performance is ideal
Tonys for Falsettos. The show was
as creepy-but-unthreateningly-so
conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Vice Principal Doug Panch, who, if
and the book is by Rachel
he actually worked in a school
Sheinkin.
these days, would inevitably be the brunt of TSA-security-screener
The spirit of improv comedy is
comparisons by oh-so-clever stu-
fused throughout, fitting given
dents.
writer Feldman’s founding in 2000 of “The Farm,” a collective of writ-
While Spelling Bee contains partic-
ers and performers. The show’s
ular appeal to teenagers, it cer-
performers include four spellers
tainly is a production adults can
picked from the day’s audience.
enjoy as well.
And in true improv style, the par9 DECEMBER, 2010
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