Daily Record

Vol. II No. 85 (245)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

June 17, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Park Is Back

DANCING FOR JOY, a child celebrates return of her favorite oasis, Clark Park in W. Phila., on grand opening of a $450,000 reconstruction project yesterday afternoon.

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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar Jun. 17Annual Health Tech graduation at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, 3601 A St., 10 a.m.

Funded by Kal & Lucille Rudman Foundation. RSVP Barbara A. Liccio (215) 427-5398.

Jun. 18Judge Tom Gehret’s Municipal Court Party a the Shore, 3 to 7 p.m. 401 W. Pine Av. North Wildwood, NJ. RSVP 215-873-1`55 or email JudgeTGehret@aol.com Jun. 25Senator Anthony Williams will host a Family Fun and Food day at free cookout at Stinger Square, 32nd and Reed St., from 11am to 4pm. For information call 215492-2980.

Jun. 29PRO-ACT 2-hr. workshop on “How to Talk to Your Legislators

& Get Them to Hear You, ” at 6 p.m. at PRO-ACT Recovery Training Ctr., 444 N. 3rd St., Suite 307. Again on Sat., Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. at the same location. Free.

Call William Webb (215) 9231661.

Jun. 29Montgomery, McCracken, et al, invite all to portrait presentation of Honorable Judge Gene D. Cohen at 4 p.m. in Room 653 City Hall. Reception follows in Conversation Hall, 2nd Floor, City Hall. RSVP Stephanie Redding 215-772-7260.

Jul. 10Benefit for Women Veterans hosted by Cathy Santos at Mom’s Kitchen Table Garden Courtyard, 2317 Ridge Ave., 4-9 p. m. For info Cathy Santos (215) 8344228.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

13 JUNE, 2011

Casey Hails Drop in Pa.’s Unemployment Rate

and up to four days per year for a small business. The bill could affect up to 200,000 workers in Philadelphia who do not have access to paid sick days.

US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement in That’s a big “if,” though, as the Mayor has indicated he response to new employment figures for May 2011 may not support it. from Pennsylvania’s Dept. of Labor & Industry, which Earned, paid, sick days are supported by a majority of showed a drop in the unemployment rate: Philadelphia citizens (71%). Paid sick days are also “The drop in the unemployment rate for Pennsylvania, supported by the Coalition for Healthy Families and from 7.5%in April 2011 to 7.4% in May 2011, is a pos- Workplaces, that boasts over 100 organizations repreitive sign that the Pennsylvania economy continues on senting tens of thousands of Philadelphians. The Coalithe path to recovery. In just one year, our unemploy- tion has been pressing for passage of the bill for two ment rate has fallen 1.3 percentage points. Yet it is clear years. that more must be done.

“The pace at which Washington has worked to create jobs has been frustrating. Commonsense measures that will help small businesses increase revenue and create jobs have languished. Programs to retrain our workers who have lost jobs through unfair trade practices have fallen prey to politics. Additional steps to rebuild our manufacturing base still need to be taken.

“A lasting economic recovery will rely on these measures. As Chairman of the JEC, I’m holding a hearing next week on the need for a national manufacturing strategy. I look forward to hearing from business leaders and other experts who can help identify policies and practices that will strengthen the manufacturing sector, boost job creation, and support Pennsylvania’s economic recovery.”

Hughes Votes For Extra $50 Million To Aid College Students State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-W. Phila.), who serves on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s Board of Directors, voted yesterday to authorize an additional $50 million to help young people attend and complete their college education.

“In a budget season that threatens to dramatically cut education funding, the steps we took today at PHEAA are investments we need to make in the hopes and dreams of our young people by aiding their education instead of depleting it,” said Hughes. “I applaud my fellow Board of Director members and all of PHEAA as we work to ensure students get every chance at a great education.”

The approval of the $50 million public service contribution by PHEAA to the Commonwealth will be used Philadelphia City Council passed, by a narrow vote of to supplement the Pennsylvania State Grant Program.

9-8, the earned sick day bill – sponsored by Council- This is funded entirely from PHEAA’s business earnings and is in addition to the $15 million that it receives men Darrell Clarke and Bill Greenlee (both D). annually to administer the Grant Program and provide Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (Bill public service outreach, at no cost to taxpayers.

080474) will, if Mayor Michael Nutter signs it, allow Philadelphia workers the opportunity to earn up to seven days of sick time per year for a large business

Sick-Day Bill Passed By Council

13 JUNE, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Johnson Intros Bill To Disclose Frack-Water Chemicals State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson (D-S. Phila.) has introduced legislation (HB 1680) in the State House that would require drillers in Pennsylvania to disclose the chemicals that are used in the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, process.

Fracking is a means of natural-gas extraction employed in deep natural-gas well-drilling. Once a well is drilled, millions of gallons of water, sand and proprietary chemicals are injected, under high pressure, into a well. The pressure fractures the shale and props open fissures that enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well.

Hundreds of chemicals are used during this process, many of which can be harmful to people if they are absorbed into the ground and eventually into our water supply,” Johnson said.

initiatives are being conducted by our local students,” DeLissio said. “Following a tradition in the 194th Dist., I invited schools to nominate students for two awards.”

The Peer-to-Peer Award is in recognition of a student who helps another student, through established groups or on their own, by offering support through friendship to a fellow student who may be in need of a friend or other assistance such as tutoring or mentoring, whether formal or informal. Students receiving this award have conducted themselves in this way because it is the right thing to do and not because they were motivated by recognition or reward. The 2011 awards were presented to Max Wallace, Academy in Manayunk; Brett RapkinCitrenbaum, Bala Cynwyd MS; Katherine Walker, Cook Wissahickon School; Heaven Bowman, Dobson School; Megan Anger, Holy Child School; Jaelyn Mallard, Levering School; James Paul, Shawmont School; Anthony Casselli, Shawmont School; and Michael Mower, Roxborough HS.

The Unsung Hero Award is in recognition of students whose good deeds or actions have made a difference in their schools or community environment. They are meeting a need through direct action that they are taking or by raising awareness and encouraging others to act. Again, students receiving this award have conducted themselves in this way because it is the right thing to do and not because they were motivated by recognition or reward. The 2011 awards were presented DeLissio Recognizes Students For to Jordan Askey, Bala Cynwyd MS; Jianna Decker, Achievement Cook Wissahickon School; Charles Manley, Holy State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio (D-Northwest) recently Child School; Robbie Farrell, Levering School; Leah recognized a number of students at local elementary, Pulkin, Lower Merion HS; Lindsay Jones, Lower middle and high schools for service to their peers or to Merion HS; and Alyson Clark, Roxborough HS. the community.

Johnson said his bill would amend the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act to require any company conducting hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania to disclose with the State Dept. of Environmental Protection all of the chemicals they use during the process. This information would then be available to the public on the DEP website

DeLissio awarded certificates to students who were SEPTA Riders’ War On Hunger Is nominated, on a voluntary basis, by their respective Extended schools. “After six months as a State Representative, I have been very impressed with the many grassroots ini- SEPTA passengers have more time to help fight hunger tiatives being conducted by organizations and individ- in the Delaware Valley. The Authority’s third annual “Stop uals throughout the legislative District. Many of these Hunger at Your Station” food drive to benefit Philabun4|

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

17 JUNE, 2011

dance has been extended through Friday, Jun. 24, 2011.

essay written by the students who live in the counties served by KMHP. More than 800 scholarships totaling Donations of canned and boxed goods are being col$1.6 million have been awarded over the past 24 years lected in marked barrels at more than 50 designated stato students from Pennsylvania since the program began. tions throughout the transit system.

One of the scholarship recipients is Georgia Karmee, a In 2010, SEPTA’s passengers and employees congraduate of Motivation HS in Philadelphia, who is tributed the equivalent of 19.6 tons of food, doubling from Africa and studies chemical engineering at Penn the 2009 donations. To meet the Authority’s goal of 20 State. Her essay told of growing up a refugee in West tons of food for 2011, the community can help by conAfrica and struggling to find drinking water every day. tributing the following items: She hopes her education will eventually lead her to develop better water delivery systems for people living • Canned or shelf stabilized tuna in Africa. “In these tough times, receiving this scholar• Canned pasta ship will really serve as a vital contribution for me to • Canned beef ravioli • Creamy peanut butter (plastic containers only, continue my education,” she said. please) • Jelly (plastic containers only, please) The public can also make a donation to Philabundance online to help feed neighbors in need. Any monetary contribution will count toward the total collected through the SEPTA 2011 campaign.

Another scholarship recipient, Margaret Monteiro, a graduate of Frankford HS, came here from the Philippines with English as her second language. She plans to use her studies in speech therapy to help others gain a voice. “I felt mute once in my life and I know how pleasant it feels once you can communicate better with For more information about the food drive, visit others,” she said. www.septa.org. For more information about PhilabunMaria Pajil Battle, KMHP’s senior VP, public affairs dance, visit www.philabundance.org. and marketing, said the scholarship winners are an important part of KMHP’s mission to build healthy communities. “I’m inspired by the deep understanding our Keystone Mercy Health Plan Em- scholarship winners have of how important their eduployees Sponsor 49 Scholarships cation is and how it can help them build their families and communities,” she said. “I know that it thrills our Employees from Keystone Mercy Health Plan will presemployees who have made donations to make the scholent scholarships tonight to 49 deserving members from arships possible to see our members pursue education the Southeastern Pennsylvania area during its 24th anwith such determination and with such worthy goals.” nual Member Scholarship awards program. James “Bruiser” Flint, head men’s basketball coach of Drexel “This group of scholarship winners is not only comUniversity, will be the guest speaker when the scholar- prised of people with a burning desire to achieve and be ships are awarded tonight at St. Joseph’s University. successful, these winners are also very committed to The scholarships awarded by the KMHP Mission Partnership program are funded each year with contributions made by employees of the health plan. The $98,000 in scholarships this year were awarded based on financial need, a letter of recommendation and an 17 JUNE, 2011

completing their education so they can give back to their communities,” said Sister Renee Yann, senior VP and chief mission integration officer of the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Cos., which includes Keystone Mercy Health Plan.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Hofman Gives Tour Of Coroner’s World

WALTER I. HOFMAN, M.D., Montgomery Co. Coroner, explains how x-rays are used to identify someone who is unknown at the time of his death. Several hundred county employees attended the Open House on Thursday, Jun. 11, which Dr. Hofman held to show people the results of the renovations he had supervised, after the flood from devastating water-main break in February. Photos by Bonnie Squires

DR. HOFMAN is congratulated by Eric Goldstein on the renovations and upgrades made in the Coroner’s suite after water main had burst and destroyed the offices and morgue a few months ago.

HEAD OF Montgomery Co.’s Health Dept., Dr. Joseph DiMino, congratulated Dr. Hofman on renovations and upgrades made to the offices and morgue.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

17 JUNE, 2011