Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. I No. 130

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

January 3, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

Who Was That Masked Man? CAN YOU IDENTIFY this prominent politician parading up Broad Street? For answer, see page 5

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Delaware River City Corp. Picks Branigan To Lead homas J. Branigan, PE, PLS is DRCC’s new executive director and in this role will be managing the organization as it moves into the construction phase on the North Delaware Greenway.

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“Tom has provided leadership in all walks of his life and recently completed an accomplished tenure in the Philadelphia Streets Dept. as engineering manager in the Transportation Engineering & Planning Section, Engineering Division,” said DRCC Chair Bob Borski.

“Along with his stellar credentials in the Streets Dept. as a Registered Professional Engineer and a Registered Professional Land Surveyor, Tom is a bicyclist, hiker, fly fisherman, DRCC Volunteer Day participant and life-long resident of Philadelphia.”

With a qualified engineer to guide the planning and implementation team, Borski said, DRCC is “about to take a huge leap forward in 2011 with the construction of several components of the North Delaware Greenway.”

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Port Richmond Trail will start at Allegheny Avenue and extend north on Delaware Avenue by the Tioga Marine Terminal.

Kensington & Tacony Trail will begin at the Old Frankford Creek and extend into Tacony along an abandoned Conrail freight line on the riverfront.

Lardner’s Point Park, located immediately south of the Tacony Palmyra Bridge, will feature a river overlook, a fishing pier and a riverbank forest area for picnicking.

Baxter Trail includes a bridge across the Pennypack Creek and a 2-mile trail extension to the existing Pleasant Hill Park at Linden and Delaware Avenues.

DRCC is a nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (registration does not imply endorsement). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For additional information or to view panoramic photographs of the North Delaware Riverfront, visit www.drcc-phila.org.

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Committee Of 70 Makes ‘Resolutions For A Better Philadelphia’

by Zack Stalberg ost of us begin a new year with resolutions.

The Committee of Seventy, for example, will try not to be as shrill or petty as we’ve sometimes been accused of being in the past. We’re sure you’ll let us know when we screw up.

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Here are some resolutions we urge others to consider: CITY COUNCIL: Deal with the controversial DROP retirement benefit program before the primary election so the voters will know where each of you stands.

MAYOR NUTTER AND CITY COUNCIL: Tackle the underfunded pension crisis now to ensure that the costs of promised benefits won’t further erode the essential City services your taxpaying constituents depend on.

CONGRESSMAN BRADY: As the de facto negotiator-in-chief, bring City Hall and the two municipal workers’ unions together to resolve the long-expired labor contracts so the City’s next budget can be based 3 JANUARY, 2011

on real numbers.

SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE CASTILLE: Release the findings of your in-house investigation of back-door deals surrounding a new Philadelphia Family Courthouse – and then make yourself available to answer the tough questions.

PHILADELPHIA’S HARRISBURG DELEGATION: Complete the repair of the property-tax mess by transferring assessment appeals from the widely criticized Board of Revision of Taxes to a trustworthy and professional new board, as city voters have already said they want.

MAYOR NUTTER AND CONTROLLER BUTKOVITZ: To thoroughly fix the scandal-ridden Philadelphia Housing Authority, demand rigorous ground-level oversight from your own appointees to the PHA Board – or find a way to get rid of them.

SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION AND SUPERINTENDENT ACKERMAN: Millions of governTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

ment dollars for education are in jeopardy. Focus on getting better results and shoring up public confidence in your management so Philadelphia’s public-school kids get the financial support they need.

GOVS. CORBETT AND CHRISTIE: Use your combined clout, as like-minded Governors from the same party, to force reforms that will finally clean up the troubled Delaware River Port Authority.

ALL 2011 CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE: Resist the temptation to play it safe during an election year.

Conduct vigorous campaigns on important issues that matter to the future of the city, whether you have genuine opponents or not.

PHILADELPHIA VOTERS: The candidates who win will have a tremendous impact on your everyday lives. Pay close attention to the races. Show up at the polls for the May 17 Primary, and again for the Nov. 8 General Election. Remember, your vote is the ultimate trump card. |

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IN MEMORIAM: Paul Villari, Jr., Long-Time Restaurateur of S. Jersey Landmark aul Villari, Jr., 83 of Cinnaminson, N.J., owner operator of Villari’s Milmarian Bar & Restaurant, Palmyra, N.J., died peacefully at his residence on December 28, surrounded by his family.

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Recently, the Food Network selected Villari’s Restaurant (villarisrestaurant.com) as its pilot for a new television series created by Mark Summers, starring the celebrity Chef Robert Irvine. The show is scheduled to air on Jan. 19, 2011. According to Villari’s son, Phil Villari, the CFO of Forman Mills in Pennsauken, N.J., his father got to see the show’s preview before he passed.

Paul grew up in Palmyra in the 1930s, where his family operated the Villari Bakery on Market Street, delivering fresh bread to the local residents. He attended Palmyra HS, where he played football, catching the game-winning TD pass against Florence High in his last high-school game. After graduation, he served as a medic in the US Army for two years in 4|

Japan.

When Paul returned home, he went to work in the family business. His father and mother, Paul, Sr. and Natalie, opened Villari’s Milmarian in 1948 (named after their three daughters, Mildred, Mary and Anna), known for its good food and family atmosphere. Many loyal customers over the years made the “Mil” their favorite meeting place.

In the early years, Paul worked along with his father, mother and six siblings to establish the business. After his father passed away in 1973, Paul became owner/operator along with his three brothers, Placido, Joseph and John. They resided over the restaurant in the heydays, establishing it as a South Jersey Landmark.

In 1998, Paul purchased his three brothers’ interest in the business, and over the past 12 years worked with his wife Helen and three sons to carry on the Villari Family restaurant tradition.

The Riverton Country Club, where he was an honorary 50-year member and had a hole-in-one on the 16th hole. He developed many lasting friendships with the members and employees of Riverton, where he enjoyed playing golf, cards and swimming. Paul was also a founding member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Cinnaminson.

Paul was the beloved husband for 50 years of Helen, devoted father of Paul III, Phillip (Laurie) and Anthony (Colette), loving Grandfather of Phillip Jr., Alexandra, Olivia, Anthony Jr., Brieana and Nicholas; dear brother to Placido, Anna Catanzariti, Mary Altopiedi and John and the late Mildred Vinci and Joseph.

The viewing was held on Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo. Mass of Christian burial was held today.

Memorial donations will be accepted in Paul’s memory to St. Charles Borromeo Church or the Samaritan Hospice in Marlton, N.J.

When Paul was not at the restaurant, he enjoyed spending time at THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

3 JANUARY, 2011

Mum’s The Word On S. Broad St.

THAT WAS Councilman Frank DiCicco (D-1st), who had marched as a clown with Murray, here giving an affectionate New Year’s greeting to Dolores Tayoun at her Parade Party afterward.

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CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY (D-Phila.) led String Bands as they proceeded up Broad Street.

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3 JANUARY, 2011

NOT YOUR USUAL Egyptian theme … Fralinger String Band came in third with its educational tribute to history of Ukraine, “At the Golden Gate of Kiev”.

A WARM, SUNNY NEW YEAR’S DAY shall not stay these wenches from their appointed rounds.

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Jan. 7Lunch with Judge Jimmy Lynn at Vesper Club, 216 S. Sydenham St., 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 14Fundraiser Reception for Council candidate Lawrence Clark at Chart House, 555 S. Columbus Blvd., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $15.

Jan. 17MLK celebration and Awards by American Legion Henry Hill Post 385 and McDonald’s at Grays Ferry, at Mtg. Zion Pentecostal Ch., 122628 Point Breeze Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Commander William Denny host.

Jan. 17Phila.Tea Party Patriots NW meeting at Kendrick Rec Ctr., 5800 block Ridge Ave. by Roxborough Mem. Hosp. at 7 p.m. Speakers are Commissioner candidate Al Schmidt and Council candidate Sandy Stewart.

For info Mike Lodise (2115) 4870118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 4827991, or teapartynw@comcast.net.

Jan. 19Reception for GOP 1st Council Dist. candidate Lou Lanni at home of 5th Ward Leader Michael A. Cibik, Esq., 334 S. Front Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 27Edward J. Lowry, founder of Phila.

Veterans MultiService & 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 McNesby and Exec. Dir. Marsha Four.

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