Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 25 (185)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

March 18, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Get That DNA!

DNA TESTING on arrestees must be stepped up – both to catch criminals and to protect the innocent – said State Sen. Larry Farnese at a Judiciary Committee hearing on Friday. See story page 3.

Phila. Senators, City Officials Discuss State Budget Impact The Philadelphia Senate Delegation held a discussion Friday on the impact of the Governor’s proposed 2011-12 budget plan on the Philadelphia region.

The Senators, along with representatives from the Mayor’s office, School District of Philadelphia, Temple and Cheney Universities, and the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, talked about the consequences of the proposed budget cuts during a roundtable discussion at Temple University, which is slated to receive a 52% cut in State funding under the Governor’s plan.

“We knew the Governor would make cuts, but I think we were all surprised how deep the cuts were, especially to education,” said State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.).

“Although we are still in trying times, this budget is unfairly balanced on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens and our students, from pre-kindergarten through college.

“We have gathered together to have a serious talk about the fallout from the governor’s proposal so that we as legislators can bring suggestions and alternatives back to Harrisburg,” she said. “This will have a big impact on many people, so we need to find any way to ease the pain.”

“It makes cuts to the most vulnerable and needy citizens among us,” 2|

added State Sen. Larry Farnese (DS. Phila.). “This budget does not share the pain, and we are leaving money on the table.”

State Sen. Tina Tartaglione (DKensington) said the Governor’s plan to ask union employees to make sacrifices while cutting programs and services that employ these workers is detrimental to the health of the State’s recovering economy.

“At a time when our economy is still fragile, we depend on our workforce to help move us forward. Many of them are already working under tight budgets and juggling more responsibilities,” said Tartaglione. “I don’t understand why hard-working union employees are being asked to make more sacrifices, while large corporations are spared any ounce of fiscal pain. The Governor said his budget was all about ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ but all the union workers hear are ‘cuts, cuts, cuts.’”

State Sen. LeAnna Washington (DN. Phila.) also questioned the Governor’s priorities. Corbett’s budget plan does not call for a severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas drillers.

“The Governor does not have a moral right to give away our natural resources, then turn around and cut education and healthcare,” said Washington. “The people of Pennsylvania don’t understand, and don’t agree with these misplaced THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

priorities.”

State Sen. Vince Hughes (D-W. Phila.) said Pennsylvania’s ongoing successful education track record would be halted under the Governor’s proposed cuts, including $550 million to basic education and $260 million to the Accountability Block Grant program, which funds all-day kindergarten in many school districts, including Philadelphia.

“We cannot retreat on Pennsylvania’s record of education success,” said Hughes, who is the Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“Investments during the past decade have transformed Pennsylvania into a national education leader. We are here today to learn from these leaders firsthand the full impact of the proposed cuts.”

State Sen. Mike Stack (D-Northeast) added the 10% in cuts to community colleges hurt Pennsylvania’s improving but still shaky economic climate.

“Our community colleges are offering students an opportunity to get a quality and affordable education. Many of them are working adults who are unemployed or looking to boost their job skills,” said Stack. “Cutting community college funding during such difficult economic times only hinders the state’s chance to boost our workforce. We should invest in our educational institutions, not punish 21 MARCH, 2011

them.”

Hughes also assailed the deep cuts to hospitals, which are already feeling fiscal pain as they try to heal those in physical pain.

“Hospitals are already struggling with decreased revenues and increased numbers of uninsured patients,” he said. “I don’t know how we can responsibly pass a State

budget that eliminates their supplemental funding and still expect them to provide quality services to the people they serve.”

Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing On DNA Testing At the request of State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.), the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee held a fact-finding hearing Friday about the backlog of DNA testing and the use of DNA testing in criminal investigations. The hearing focused on finding solutions to reduce the backlog of DNA test results and on a bill that would change when DNA samples would be collected.

Farnese requested the hearing when the backlog came to light after a DNA match resulted in an arrest in the case of the Kensington Strangler in Philadelphia.

“Government’s first duty is to protect its citizens,” said the Senator. “Reducing the backlog means reducing crime, solving more crimes more quickly and also exonerating the innocent. While every dollar counts, we must find a way to provide law enforcement the tools and resources they need to do this.”

DNA samples are currently taken upon conviction of a felony or in some cases, a misdemeanor. The new law would allow DNA to be taken at the time of charging when fingerprints, mug shots and other information are collected. Not only would this expedite the process, but it would provide police with critical information much sooner. The result would be crime prevention, solving cases more quickly and also establishing innocence more quickly.

DNA is taken by swabbing the cheek. Samples are not taken by drawing blood.

Capt. Robert Scott, acting director of the Pennsylvania State Bureau of Forensic Sciences, testified he supported the proposed law. He also testified it would 21 MARCH, 2011

add approximately 100,000 new cases to the lab, and that funding, equipment, personnel and a larger facility would be required to accommodate the new cases.

Deborah Harley Tierney, Chief of the District Attorney’s Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, testified about several cases in which an available DNA sample would have prevented several convicted serial rapists from committing crimes. In these cases, convictions were secured through DNA matches, but many victims would have been spared had a DNA match been available before multiple crimes were committed. The case of Troy Graves, who raped six women and murdered one, was among those she cited. Graves was eventually arrested in Fort Collins, Colorado and is serving multiple life sentences.

Also testifying in support of the new law were Assistant DA Sarah Hart; Joseph Szarka, manager, Forensic Sciences Bureau; Christopher H. Asplen, a former Bucks Co. Assistant DA and Assistant US Attorney; Deborah Calhoun, director, Scientific Services Division, Pennsylvania State Police; Peggy Moody-Kosman, quality specialist and assistant CODIS administrator at the State Police DNA lab; and Jeffrey Zachetti, supervisor of the DNA Database Section, Pennsylvania State Police. David H. Kaye, distinguished professor of Law & Weiss Family Faculty Scholar at Penn State Dickinson School of Law provided written testimony.

“We must give law enforcement every possible tool to protect the public,” said Farnese. “We owe it to the victims of crime and their families as well as to the public at large.”

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Casey Announces $250,000 Grant For Mantua Neighborhood Transformation 2011 Mar. 24Fundraiser for Marnie Aument Loughrey at Law Offices of Daniel McCaffery, 2 Penn Center, Suite 1030, 5:30-7:30 p.m. For info (215) 427-1645.

Mar. 24Reception honoring Marty Bednarek, Democrat candidate for City Council, 6th Dist., at Historic Glen Foerd on Delaware, 5001 Grant Ave. 7-9 p.m.

RSVP by Mar. 20. For info (215) 6241700.

Mar. 24State Sen. Anthony Williams promotes School Choice forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Bright Hope Baptist Ch.’s Sr. Pastor Kevin Johnson, at Bright Hope Youth Center, 12th and Cecil B. Moore Ave., 7-9 p.m.

Mar. 25State Rep. Michelle Brownlee hosts Open House for constituent feedback at office, 2839 W. Girard St., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; free breakfast 9-10:30 a.m. For info (215) 684-3738.

Mar. 25Spring Fundraiser for Victim/Witness Services of S. Phila. at Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catherine St., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $50. Light fare, wine, beer and music.

Mar. 25Gov. Tom Corbett addresses 82nd Airborne Phila. Chapter All American Dinner & Awards Ceremony at Iron Workers Union Hall, 11600 Norcom Rd., 7-11 p.m. Tickets $35. For tickets Eunice Lee at elee@zarwin/com or (215) 569-2800, ext. 1179, or David Oh, chairman, ext. 1157.

Mar. 25Springtime Cabaret fundraiser for State Rep. Rosita Youngblood and 13th Ward Democrats at 5551 Germantown Ave., 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

BYOB. Tickets $20. For info Shiela (267) 581-0025 or Dayne (267) 5939156.

Mar. 25Rep. Michelle Brownlee hosts open hosue at her cxonstiuent service officd at 2839 W. Girard Av., from 9 to 5 p.m. with Continental Breakfast at 9 a.m. to 10:3 a.m.

US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today announced Mt. Vernon Manor, Inc. will receive a $250,000 grant from the US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development to facilitate the creation of a transformation plan for the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia.

“I applaud Mt. Vernon Manor Inc. for leading the effort to make the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia safer and more prosperous,” said Casey. “This grant will help the neighborhood chart a course away from crime and poverty to the benefit of the entire Philadelphia community.”

Mt. Vernon Manor, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that owns Mt. Vernon Apartments, a public housing development located in Man-

DeMarco Drops Out Of 2nd Dist. race Richard DeMarco, a candidate for the 2nd Dist. Council seat, has abandoned the race. He had drawn second ballot position in a six-person race.

“After careful deliberation, reflection and thought,” said DeMarco, “I am announcing I will withdraw my candidacy for the 2nd Council Dist. My family has been challenged with a grave and serious illness.”

“I have decided to put my support behind Vincent DeFino. My family and the DeFino family have known each other for decades, and I believe Vince has what it takes to

tua. Mt. Vernon Manor will partner with Diamond & Associates and Kitchen & Associates to assess the existing physical, socio-economic and educational assets of the neighborhood. They will then collaborate with residents of the neighborhood and local community groups to identify areas where improvements can be made.

Drexel University and the local Head Start and Keystone Stars programs will also support the planning process.

This grant was awarded through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants program, which supports organizations working to transform neighborhoods through a comprehensive approach of revitalization and investment. represent this District, bring positive change to City Hall, and carry my message of reform and accountability.”

Burbage Vows To Keep After 3rd Dist.

Seat – But Not As A Dem Alicia Burbage, whose ballot petitions were successfully challenged and dismissed, has said she will not leave the race to unseat Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell (D-W. Phila.).

However, since Burbage is now off the May 17 ballot, she will do so as an Independent in the fall, she said.

Henon Racks Up Labor Backers In 6th Dist.

Democrat Bobby Henon, candidate for the open 6th Councilmanic Dist. seat in Northeast Philadelphia, continues to rack up major endorsements, including the city’s two most important public-safety endorsements, the police and firefighters.

In addition to the endorsements of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and Philadelphia Fire Fighters Local 22, other endorsements of Henon include the AFLCIO, Teamsters District Council, Philadelphia Building Trades Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 98, Roofers & Waterproofers Local 30, PA Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1, Plumbers Local 690, Plasterers Local 8, Cement Masons Local 592, Ironworkers Local 401, Sprinklerfitters Local 692, Steamfitters Local 420, Boilermakers Local 13, Philadelphia Painters & Allied Trades District Council 21, SEPTA Police

Union, and Concerned Irish Americans. More key endorsements will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I am truly humbled by the incredible level of support our campaign has received already,” said Henon.

“It’s gratifying that those organizations that have endorsed me thus far represent the guardians of public safety and the working-class people of Philadelphia. Our campaign’s message of safer neighborhoods and more jobs is resonating with voters and we are deeply gratified by their positive response.

The campaign will continue to work hard, win over the electorate one vote at a time, and earn victory for the people of Northeast Philadelphia on May 17th.”

Henon, 42, is the longtime political director of IBEW Local 98.

This is his first run for political office.

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Bednarek Assembles A Winning Team Northeast City Council candidate Marty Bednarek pictured doing what he usually does every Saturday morning, coaching girl’s basketball in Northeast Philadelphia.

Bednarek has been coaching for the past 35 years and is affectionately called “Mr. B” by the thousands of kids he’s coached over the years. Here he is pictured with the winners of Saturday’s Northeast Interclub Girls Basketball League – Coach Remolde and some of his Fox Rok championship players.

Philly VIP Leaders

David Unkovic on VIP Board of Directors/Partner at Cozen O’Connor; Sara Woods, VIP Executive Director; and Matthew Lee, VP of VIP Board, partner at Blank Rome were seen at recent meeting. Philly VIP is a hub of pro bono legal services in this city. Photo by Adam Taxin 6|

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

21 MARCH, 2011

Treatman Calls For Open Campaign In 8th Dist.

Just over a week after officially announcing his candidacy for City Council’s 8th Dist., Howard Treatman has taken his place among the frontrunners. The campaign had its most active week thus far, as Treatman spoke with voters at events in Germantown, North Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy and Center City.

Treatman is running an idea-based campaign emphasizing economic development, government reform, public safety and improving education.

On Mar. 13, Treatman for Council drew dozens of guests to its office opening event on Germantown Avenue. The following Tuesday, the campaign released Treatman’s plan for government reform, which called for making government more open and accountable and making elections fairer and more inclusive. The deadline to contest candidates’ petitions passed with no challenges to Treatman’s candidacy.

“I believe everyone who filed to run in the 8th Dist. has a right to make their case to the voters and deserves to be on the ballot,” Treatman said. “I didn’t seriously consider challenging any of my opponents, because the decision belongs to the voters, not to the courts. I look forward to a robust debate on the issues important to this District, and I don’t think any of the candidates should be left out of that debate.”

On Wednesday, Treatman hired field director Jermaine Veasy, an alum of Dan Onorato’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, which surpassed all expectations for voter turnout in Philadelphia.

Treatman is a Philadelphia native who has lived and raised a family in Germantown for the past 17 years.

He is the immediate past president of Germantown Jewish Centre and serves on the board and the realestate committee of Mt. Airy USA.

Savage Presses Canvassing In 7th Dist.

As part of his campaign to take back the 7th Councilmanic seat, Danny Savage spent this Saturday canvassing multiple neighborhoods in the Rhawnhurst and Hunting Park sections of the District.

With groups of local supporters around him, Savage went door to door talking to Democrats about the accomplishments he accumu-

21 MARCH, 2011

lated during his short time in City Council. Asking potential voters if they are happy with the efforts of their current Council Member, Savage will discuss his own record of combating crime, investing in community organizations and improving neighborhood quality of life.

Born and raised in Frankford, Savage represented Philadelphia’s 7th

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Councilmanic Dist. in 2007 following a special election. The owner of several successful small businesses, Danny revitalized Frankford’s business corridors and reinstated a key Special Services District to encourage the area’s economic revival. Danny also revitalized the District’s playgrounds and recreation centers, which has earned him local and national awards.

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