Vol. II No. 55 (215)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
May 2, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
They Care
VOLUNTEERS from Comcast turned out Saturday to spruce up schools, playgrounds, rec centers and vacant across town, like these two hard at work at Fairhill ES in N. Phila.. Story page 8.
Casey On Bin Laden: Rejoice, But Stay Alert US Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chairman of the Near Eastern and South & Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Osama bin Laden was killed by US forces: “On Sep. 11, 2001, the United States was viciously attacked in a cowardly terrorist plot masterminded by Osama bin Laden. Today, US forces have killed bin
Laden and exacted justice for his terrible crimes which killed thousands. I thank our troops, the intelligence community and diplomats who have worked today and since Sep. 11 to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.
hundreds have been injured. The sacrifice of those families who lost loved ones on Sep. 11 and in the following years can never be made whole, but I hope that the death of bin Laden can help to bring some closure.
On Sep. 11, Pennsylvania was directly impacted by Al Qaeda when Flight 93 was downed over Shanksville. In the nearly ten years after Sep. 11, Pennsylvania has lost 68 troops in Afghanistan and
“While today’s development does not mean an end to terrorism or the need to remain relentlessly vigilant, the death of bin Laden has enormous significance in American and world history.”
Phila. Muslims Applaud President, Armed Forces In a statement issued following President Barack Obama’s announcement of bin Laden’s death, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said:
peace, love and justice. I applaud President Obama and our armed forces for bringing justice to the world.”
“We join our fellow citizens in welcoming the announcement that Osama bin Laden has been eliminated as a threat to our nation and the world through the actions of American military personnel. As we have stated repeatedly since the 9/11 terror attacks, bin Laden never represented Muslims or Islam. In fact, in addition to the killing of thousands of Americans, he and Al Qaeda caused the deaths of countless Muslims worldwide. We also reiterate President Obama’s clear statement tonight that the United States is not at war with Islam.”
CAIR-Philadelphia is available for comment by calling Khawaja at (217) 638-7873, or Rugiatu Conteh, outreach & communications director, at (267) 5755289.
“I’ll never forget the day my country was attacked so brutally,” said Moein Khawaja, CAIR-Philadelphia executive director. “I’ll also never forget that at the same time, my faith and the religion of over a billion people was tarnished in such a manner that one of the most-recognized Muslims in the world was unfortunately Osama Bin Laden. I am confident my fellow Americans know Islam isn’t and never was Bin Laden or his ideology, but like all religions, a path to 2|
US Budget Deal Axes Area Housing Counselors Among the funding cuts included in the deal between President Barack Obama and the Republican House majority to reduce the current fiscal year’s federal budget is the elimination of funding for housingcounseling programs in Philadelphia and throughout the nation. The $88 million network includes about 30 organiza-
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tions throughout the Philadelphia area, approved by the US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, that provide financial education, homeownership and mortgage assistance, foreclosure prevention and other services to over 5,000 individuals and families annually. Several of the counseling groups sent a letter this week to members of the House and Senate, urging lawmakers to restore the money. They include the National Urban League, the National Neighborworks Association, and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition among others. “Not only does this program provide financial support, it sets the organizational standards for delivering quality services,” the groups said. “Further, these cuts will have a devastating impact on the families that rely on these programs for support.” The program cuts include those for first-time homebuyer counseling and reverse-mortgage counseling for senior homeowners. Other programs include
counseling for people transitioning out of homeownership through foreclosure and into rentals and counseling for delinquent borrowers. “This is the primary funding for homebuyer counseling, post-purchase non-delinquency counseling such as refinance and home repair loans, and reverse mortgage counseling,” said Bruce Dorpalen, a spokesman for Affordable Housing Centers of America. “In fact, Congress mandated that reverse mortgage counseling is a requirement for receiving a reverse mortgage, but the funding is now cut off.” Critics aren’t so sure these services have been fruitful enough. “It’s not clear to me what we’ve gotten for our money,” said Mark Calabria, director of financial regulations studies at the CATO Institute, a public policy research organization. “Every dollar of taxpayer money should have some accountability … we have to ask whether they’ve been effective.”
Helpline For Former AdultBasic Recipients Near Shutdown People who have lost health coverage as a result of the termination of the State’s adultBasic health plan can get help on other options that may be available for them by calling the adultBasic Helpline, (800) GO-BASIC. But they are facing a crucial deadline today. The adultBasic program had offered health coverage to approximately 41,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians who had modest incomes but did not qualify for Medical Assistance. Available funding expired Feb. 28. It had been funded by a combination of tobacco-settlement revenues and donations from the state’s four Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans. 2 MAY, 2011
The Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies that had previously sponsored adultBasic have agreed to waive their normal coverage restrictions on pre-existing conditions for people moving from adultBasic to the Blues’ SpecialCare plans. Former adultBasic members who enroll directly into SpecialCare by May 2 will have no condition exclusions. After that
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date, preexisting conditions may not be covered. Also, former enrollees whose incomes have decreased, who have become disabled or have had significant health conditions develop since their most recent application or renewal for adultBasic are being encouraged to look at the State’s Medical Assistance options.
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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar May 2Former Governor and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will be special guest at fundraiser for GOP Council at-Large candidate David Oh, Esq., at Union League, 140 S. Broad St., 4:30-6:30 p.m. Requested contribution $150 per person, or $250 per couple. RSVP or for additional info Eunice Lee (215) 561-2000. May 2“Taste of South Philly”, hosted by Bob & Debbie Pantano, Millay Club, and Alumni fundraiser for SS. John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic HS. $40. Pier 1, Phila. Cruise Terminal, 5100 S. Broad St. Bldg. 3, 6-10 p.m. For info Dorothy Longo (215) 4658457, ext. 229. May 3Cocktail Reception for Republican Councilmanic candidate Michael Untermeyer at home of Michael A. Cibik, Esq., 334 S. Front St. Donations $100-$2,600. For info Judy Camiel (610) 3040471 or email j.camiel@comcast.net. May 3Fundraiser for PhillySpells Writing Lab nonprofit, featuring local author Lisa Scottoline at Loews Hotel, 1200 Market St., 7:30 pm. Tickets $80 at door or $70 purchased via Pay Pal at www.phillySpells.org/store. May 3Jagiellonian Law Society of Polish-American lawyers presents 1-hr. program, “Challenges to Collective Bargaining in the European Union & United States,” at Loews Hotel, 6 p.m., followed by a dinner (optional). For info (215) 862-4390 or go to www.jagiellonianlawsociety.org. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
May 4Labor Breakfast for judicial candidate Jim DiVergilis at DC 21, 2980 Southampton Rd., 8 a.m. May 4Historical Marker Dedication for Moyamensing Prison at 1400 S. 10th St., 12 m. For info Celeste Morello (215) 334-6008. May 4Phila. Jobs With Justice honors AFL-CIO Political Dir. Liz McElroy, SEIU organizer Cathy Brady, union activist Jim Moran and ILA Local 1291 at William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., 5:30 p.m. May 4Fundraiser for Derrick Coker, candidate for MC Judge, at New Palladium, 22 W. Allegheny Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 4Fundraiser for Traffic Ct. candidate Harmonia Club, 2404 Orthodox St., 5:30-8 p.m. Co-Host $1,000, Supporter $500, $50 Friend. For info (215) 728-1484. May 4Fundraiser for State Rep. Rosita Youngblood at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 7-9:30 p.m. Dinner and open bar $75. For info (215) 745-4306. May 4Programs Employing People marks 41st year serving people with intellectual disabilities is holding 5th annual plant sale at Broad & Federal Sts., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. This sale is a fund raiser for PEP’s vital services. May 5Fundraiser for Derrick Coker For Municipal Court at New Palladium, 229 W. Allegheny Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m. For info Iliana Renoso (215) 740-5273. 2 MAY, 2011
School District Will Hold Community Meetings On Budget Beginning tomorrow, May 3, the School District will host a series of public meetings to gather community feedback on the District’s proposed Fiscal Year 201112 Unified Operating Budget. During these meetings, the District will outline the proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year, including details of how it plans to address the funding shortfall anticipated due to proposed education funding cuts at the State level, loss of federal stimulus money and increased operating expenses. The general public, parents, teachers, students and all stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Community
budget meetings will be held at the following locations: Tuesday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m., Meredith ES 725 S. 5th Street; Saturday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m., Dunbar ES, 1750 N.12th Street; Monday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m., Conwell MS, 1849 East Clearfield Street; Saturday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m., Catherine ES, 6600 Chester Avenue; Wednesday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m., Fitzpatrick ES, 11061 Knights Road; and Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m., Ellwood ES, 6701 N. 13th Street. The School Reform Commission is expected to adopt a final budget on May 31.
PHA Employees, Residents Work Together To Beautify Neighborhoods Employees of the Philadelphia Housing Authority dressed in “business casual” Friday as they joined with residents to clean and brighten 14 public-housing sites across the city. The agency held “Families Working for Families Day” as part of PHA’s commitment to get back to the basics of service and focus on its core business of property management and maintenance. Residents joined in the effort to beautify the agency’s older housing sites. Location assignments were handed out to employees prior to today’s event.
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PHA’s Administrative Receiver Michael Kelly put out the call for this spring cleaning event involving all employees two weeks ago. He created the event as a great way to demonstrate service to the community, while letting employees get better acquainted with each other outside the office or reconnect with other employees. “Based on some listening sessions with residents, it’s clear to us that they appreciate clean, bright, attractive sites,” Kelly said. “For our part, we’ve made it clear during
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our talks with them it’s important to maintain what we have, because we cannot build new housing at every location.” Kelly also said good property management demands regular painting, cleaning, planting and greening. PHA has long held the belief that when its developments sparkle, the surrounding neighborhoods benefit, too, through improved property values.
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TWO P.H.A. employees paint fence at Harrison Plaza on N. 10th St. as part of PHA’s “Families Working for Families Day.
P.H.A. ADMINISTRATIVE RECEIVER Michael Kelly, center, urges agency employees working on lawn at Fairhill Apartments, located just north of Temple University campus, to maintain homes well. 6|
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2 MAY, 2011
P.H.A. WORKERS touch up seating outside Bartram Village in S.W. Phila. Event was based on recent listening sessions with residents who said they appreciate clean, bright, attractive sites.
Creek Gets A Spring Cleanup Too
OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS worked throughout Saturday morning pulling trash and debris out of Wissahickon Creek during Annual Creek Clean Up, organized by the Friends of the Wissahickon and Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association. Among volunteers were employees from Prudential Fox & Roach Trident Group, students from Germantown Friends School’s Environmental Action Club, and employees from REI Conshohocken, a sponsor of cleanup in Wissahickon Valley Park. They cleaned creek, surrounding trails and many tributaries. Unusual items were collected, including a couch, playhouse, deep-fat fryer, I-Phone, bike frame and countless golf balls. “The most interesting thing found in Wissahickon Valley Park was a huge carpet,” says David Bower, volunteer coordinator for Fairmount Park. 2 MAY, 2011
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Comcast, Other Groups Work To Clean Up City PHILA. Deputy Managing Dir. John L. Farrell; Coach Sonny Moore of Overbrook Monarchs Youth Athletic Association; Sheila Washington of Friends of Haddington Library; Monarchs’ mascot; Mayor Michael Nutter; Catie Wolfgang; and Comcast Regional Senior VP Amy Smith at the Granahan Recreation Center in W. Phila. On Saturday, 250 volunteers from Comcast, PhillyRising and SERVE Philadelphia turned out to revitalize rec centers, vacant lots and other public sites across Philadelphia. PhillyRising, a pilot program created by Mayor Nutter and dedicated to improving public safety and the quality of life in Philadelphia’s distressed neighborhoods, designated these locations for the Comcast Cares Day project. SERVE Philadelphia, an initiative designed to increase service and volunteerism in Philadelphia, will help to organize volunteers on site. SERVE Philadelphia is an initiative launched by Mayor Nutter to dramatically increase service and volunteerism in Philadelphia. Its goals are to create or elevate volunteer opportunities that impact educational outcomes and contribute to community vitality, make it easier for citizens of every age to volunteer 8|
and to support both public- and private-sector efforts to engage more volunteers in ways that have the greatest impact. The PhillyRising Collaborative is a new program that targets neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia that are plagued by chronic crime and quality-of-life problems that require a coordinated, multi-agency and community response. The primary objectives of PhillyRising are to help those living and working in neighborhoods to realize their vision for their community, and build sustainable, responsive solutions to the concerns of people living and working in each neighborhood. This year, approximately 62,000 volunteers participated in an expected 620 projects nationwide on Comcast Cares Day, making it one of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the country.
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2 MAY, 2011
Tasco Tours The Town
FEASTING AFTER her motorcade through 8th Council Dist. in N. and N.W. Phila., candidate Robin Tasco treated her supporters to a barbecue in Germantown.
Broad St. Ran
10,000 PHILADEWLPHIANS took a 10K run, walk or stroll along Broad Street on Saturday as part of a timehonored Philadelphia tradition. 2 MAY, 2011
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