Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 155 (315)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

October 6, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Native Heritage OLLIN YOLIZTLI-CALMECAC, a Penna. performance troupe, will bring dance of Mexican Indians to celebration of indigenous peoples in Muhammad Park, W. Phila., Saturday afternoon. Story page 7.

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Oct. 6State Sen. Anthony Williams & State Rep. Ron Waters host Town Hall on Crime at KIPP Phila. Sch., 5900 Baltimore Ave. For info Don Cave (215) 492-2980.

Oct. 6Iron Workers Local 401 hosts Mayoral Town Hall Meeting at Bridgeman’s Hall, 11600 Norcum Rd., 5 p.m. Roofers’ James Donnelly to moderate. General public invited.

Oct. 6Karen Brown For Mayor Fundraiser at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 6-9 p.m. $25. Call (215) 279-7210.

Oct. 7Mayfair Civic Ass’n hosts Autistic Endeavors Beef & Beer at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. $30.

For info Barbara (215) 360-1569.

Oct. 7S.W. Phila. District Services hosts Candidates Forum at Kingsessing Rec Ctr., 50th & Kingsessing Ave., 6-9 p.m. For info Louis Wilson (215) 275-8296.

Oct. 9Columbus Day Parade and Italian Gala at Marconi Plaza. Parade starts at Broad & Washington and heads south to Oregon Ave. & Marconi Plaza. Food court and entertainment follows on Plaza.

Oct. 9World Premier of modern opera “Adea” by Pennsylvania composer Cynthia Cozette at Lutheran Ch. of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St., 3 p.m., followed by reception. Free-will offering will be collected. For info (215) 567-3668.

Oct. 10Fundraiser for Council candidate Bill Rubin at Del Frisco’s RestauTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

rant, 1426 Chestnut St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sponsors $1,000, Supporters $500.

Oct. 11Lunch with Karen Brown For Mayor at Vesper Club, 1 p.m.

Guest of Honor Eagles’ Curtis March. $250-$500. RSVP by Oct. 7 (215) 279-7210.

Oct. 11Prevent A Child From Abuse fundraiser art at Tavern On Broad at Bellevue, Broad & Walnut Sts., 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sponsored by Joseph Pultrone. Tickets $50. For info, tickets, and other details Joe (267) 977-3776.

Oct. 15W. Poplar NASC hosts Fall Fashion Show & Luncheon at Zoar United Methodist Ch., 1204 Melon St., 2 p.m. Donation $20. For info (215) 765-0960.

Oct. 16Sheriff Barbara Deeley and Team Jewell Williams, Democrat candidate for Sheriff host Eagles vs.

Redskins Fundraiser for Sheriff candidate Jewell Williams at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 1 p.m. Beer, wine, hot and cold foods. Tickets $50. Make personal checks only out to Citizens for Jewell Williams, 2343 Smedley St., Phila. PA.19132. For info (215) 919-1120.

Oct. 16-22 Mt. Zion Baptist Ch. hosts 97th annual Church Anniversary kickoff Concert at 50th & Woodland Ave., 3 p.m. Revival will be held Oct. 19-21, 7 p.m. All events free and open to public. For info (215) 7240619.

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Corbett Approves Veteran Bill Gov. Tom Corbett yesterday signed HB 378, a bill mandating that a veteran serve on the State Civil Service Commission. Corbett said the legislation “turns a sensible idea into law” and went on to

announce the nomination of Retired Major General John E. Stevens of the 28th Infantry Division to the State Civil Service Commission.

Of the nominee, the Governor said he “knows both the purpose of civil service and the needs of our veterans.”

Senate Majority Whip Backs PLCB Privatization Calling for private businesses to operate wholesale and retail sale of wine and liquor in the Commonwealth, Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) announced his support of HB 11, sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), to privatize the sale operations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Browne and Turzai made the announcement with several other lawmakers at a press conference today.

“Given the significant movement of the Pennsylvania system of distribution of wine and spirits away from it core government mission of control, it is time for the Commonwealth to divest of its operations into the private sector. It no longer serves a legitimate public function,” Browne said. “Through dynamics of the private marketplace which maximize system efficiency, the divestment of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s wine and spirits distribution operation will serve to better realize the PLCB’s current priority of consumer choice and profit maximization to the benefit of 6 OCTOBER, 2011

consumers and the private-sector workforce.”

“It’s great to have Sen. Brown on board. He is not just joining me, but the vast majority of Pennsylvanians who want the government out of the alcohol business,” Turzai said. “We have an opportunity to move the Commonwealth out of the Prohibition era, while at the same time creating thousands of private-sector job opportunities, strengthening enforcement of liquor laws and offering better convenience for consumers.”

Currently only two states, Pennsylvania and Utah, have complete control over wholesale and retail operations. Turzai’s proposal privatizes the wholesale and retail operations and shifts the PLCB’s role to focus solely on regulation and education.

Specifically, HB 11 would: Eliminate the 18% Johnstown Flood tax and the 30% markup by the PLCB.

Enhance enforcement of liquor laws by providing concurrent jurisdiction for state and local police; require retail managers and employees to attend Responsible Alcohol Management Program training; mandate the use of ID scanners with age verification software; require retail operations to be maintained in a separate area dedicated to the sale of liquor and all retail store employees to be at least 21 years old; and subject retail licensees to “age-compliance checks” to ensure against selling to minors. Licensees who fail to adhere to these standards will face heavy penalties and possible suspension or revocation of their licenses.

Offer current PLCB employees the following opportunities: hiring preference in other State jobs; tax credits for employers to hire them full-time; and education grants to help retrain employees to perform other jobs.

For more information or to review the legislation, visit RepTurzai.com.

Implement a fairer gallonage tax.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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McCord Unveils Energy-Saving Program State Treasurer Rob McCord visited Drexel University yesterday to unveil an innovative financing opportunity that will help Pennsylvania colleges and universities cut utility costs through job-creating energy efficiency improvements that will also contribute to a cleaner environment.

He stated the Campus Energy Efficiency Fund is a first-of-its-kind investment that can generate as much as $45 million in improvements at as many as 12 schools through projects creating more than 700 new jobs.

Over the 20-year useful life of

these projects, schools are expected to save $150 million in utility costs and reduce their carbon-dioxide footprint by 1.4 million tons – or the equivalent annual emissions of 250,000 cars.

Question now is will they pass savings on to student tuition?

Fattah Endorses Latest Positive Steps For City Schools Congressman Chaka Fattah (DPhila.) issued the following statement on yesterday’s appointments and other recent developments in Philadelphia education:

of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission is the latest in a series of positive steps that bode well for Philadelphia’s school children and our city’s education community.

“Gov. Corbett’s designation today of Pedro Ramos as the next chair

“I applaud the Governor’s appointment of Mr. Ramos, as well his se-

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lection of the newest SRC member Wendell E. Pritchett as interim chair pending State Senate confirmation of Mr. Ramos.

“The School District’s day to day operations are in good hands with Acting CEO and Superintendent Leroy D. Nunery II, who has already taken important steps to build public confidence in the school system. In addition, the Corbett Administration and Mayor Nutter have partnered with the appointment of Edward Williams and Dr. Lori Shorr as executive overseers, and forged a new memorandum of understanding.

“I applaud these stabilizing steps and the cooperative spirit that underlies them. This new leadership team should enjoy the confidence of all Philadelphians. The School District has chalked up nine consecutive years of progress in academic achievement, graduation and college going rates. It is the new team’s responsibility to maintain and accelerate this significant progress. I am confident they can make that happen.”

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

6 OCTOBER, 2011

NBC 10 Says Not Guilty In Mayoral Coverage Hit with an FCC complaint filed by attorney Matt Wolfe on behalf of Republican mayoral candidate Karen Brown, NBC 10 spokeswoman Kathleen Burke emailed this response: “Frankly, we’re sur-

prised by this action as we’ve spoken with Karen Brown’s campaign about various options for air time that has comparable viewership.

Details are still being worked out, and we’re confident that we’ll be

able to reach a satisfactory resolution.”

Brown has complained her candidacy is not being given equal time with coverage of the incumbent Mayor Michael Nutter’s events.

Obama, Economy, Disappoint Americans; Mail, Social Security Keep Fans American voters disapprove 5541% of the job President Barack Obama is doing, an all-time low, and say 77- 20% the economy is in a recession, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Voters say 44-11% the economy is getting worse, not better, while only 29% say the economy will improve if the President is reelected.

Voters also disapprove 48-34% of the way Obama is handling the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. The President should be a strong supporter of Israel, voters say 63-20%, but they split 39-40% on whether Obama is a strong supporter.

The Israelis and the Palestinians are equally to blame for the failure to achieve Middle East peace, 64% of American voters say, while 22% blame the Palestinians and 6% blame the Israelis.

“The trend isn’t good for President Barack Obama. His disapproval has gone up 9 points since the summer, from 46% in July to 52% in September to 55% today,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

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to 45-30% in June.

“Especially troubling for the President is that voters say 49-39% Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney would do a better job on the economy. GOP contender Rick Perry would do only slightly better, voters say, and Republicans in Congress would not be much better.

“The President is stuck at a politically unhealthy level for someone who wants to be re-elected. His standing with the American people is obviously closely related to their views of the economy.”

Men disapprove 60-36% and women disapprove 51-46%. Black voters approve 81-15%, but disapproval is 62-34% among white voters and 50-45% among Hispanic voters.

Voters continue, however, to blame former President George W. Bush more than Obama for the economy, 51-32%.

American sympathies on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict remain strongly with the Jewish state, at 51-15%.

Voters support the creation of a Palestinian state 44-35%, compared THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

“Americans remain in Israel’s corner in the dispute with the Palestinians, but they think both sides have contributed to the problem,” said Brown.

To help solve the Postal Service’s financial problems, voters support 79-20% ending Saturday mail deliveries. Attitudes on other possible steps are: 53-45% in favor of closing local branches, including their own local branch; 57-38% opposed to providing additional federal funding; 60-38% support raising stamp prices.

Voters say 60-32% that it is unfair to call Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” and by 50-32% they have a favorable opinion of the retirement system.

Social Security should continue to be run by the federal government, not the states, voters say 63-26%.

Voters support 56-35% raising the income cap for Social Security taxes from its current $106,800 level. |

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Josephs Asks Guv For Proof Of Voter Fraud State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) has written Gov. Tom Corbett asking if he has any knowledge of voter fraud occurring in Pennsylvania, and if so, to provide the evidence.

Josephs sent the letter in response to Secretary of the Commonwealth Carole Aichele’s recent public support on behalf of the Corbett administration for requiring voters to provide photo identification. In late August, Aichele suggested requiring voters to show photo ID will make it harder to commit voter-impersonation fraud in Pennsylvania.

“I am squarely against fraud, but the County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania is in clear opposition to the bill,” Josephs said. “They testified that, ‘were the question of fraudulent voting an issue, we would be calling for legislation. But we find no evidence –

substantiated by a search of case records and anecdotal information from the Counties – that it is an issue.’ The association said it believed the proposed legislation ‘is a solution to a problem that does not exist.’

“If the Counties do not believe there is a problem, it does not make sense to support a measure that could cost Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $10 million to implement, unless there is evidence of voter fraud,” she said.

“My letter asks the Governor for proof.”

Earlier this year, Josephs wrote to the State Attorney General and Allegheny Co. District Attorney, asking for proof of the widespread voter fraud that was alleged in a March State Government Committee public hearing on the photo voter-ID legislation. The Allegheny Co. DA’s Office said it

found no proof of that fraud.

Josephs has yet to hear from the Attorney General’s Office on her request.

“How many cases of voter-impersonation fraud that could have been prevented by requiring photo identifications at all elections came before you in your years as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General?

Specifically, I would like to know the number of complaints, investigations, prosecutions and convictions of voter impersonation fraud during your service in that office,” Josephs wrote.

“Certainly, if you know of fraud, it is important that lawmakers know about it. Members of the House State Government Committee have been given scant evidence of any such fraud. Your input would be enormously helpful as HB 934 moves forward.”

W. Philly’s Hybrid Car Makes It In Popular Mechanics On Monday, Oct. 10, students from the West Philly Hybrid X Team will be awarded with the Next Generation Award by Popular Mechanics for their part in creating a hybrid electric car that gets 100 mpg on the highway.

As part of the Breakthrough Awards, the honorees will be celebrated in the company of other innovators who have advanced the 6|

fields of technology, medicine, space exploration, automotive design, and environmental engineering over the past year at the Hearst Tower in New York City.

School’s Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering for the last 10 years, and has won recognition and admiration across the country.

The West Philly Hybrid X Team is composed of students and teachers united by their collective mission to build alternative-fuel vehicles.

The team has been headquartered at West Philadelphia High

Full descriptions of the winners will be published in the November issue of Popular Mechanics, available at newsstands on Oct. 11.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

6 OCTOBER, 2011

Brown Hosts Indigenous Peoples Day In Park State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.) will host a celebration of the Indigenous Peoples on Saturday in Muhammad Park, 47th & Lancaster Avenue, in West Philadelphia.

There will be a number of American Indian speakers and performers present. The planned schedule is below: 1 p.m. Welcome and Community Prayer

6 OCTOBER, 2011

1:15 p.m. Inter-tribal Dance 1:30 p.m. Guest Speakers – scheduled to attend are Chief Buffy Red Feather, Southeastern Cherokee Federation; Rep. Brown; Yo’Nas Da Lonewolf McCall-Muhammad, National Director of Indigenous Nations Alliance of the Millions More Movement; Native Nations Dance Theater; and City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. 2 p.m. Performances – enjoy David Sings with Songs of Power Records, Eagle Medicine dancers,

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

the Aztec dance group Ollin Yoliztli-Calmecac and Cynthia One Eagle.

3 p.m. Closing “I am thrilled to be hosting this event and to acknowledge the history and traditions of the more than 4,000 indigenous people who live in the City of Philadelphia,” Brown said.

For more information, contact Brown’s office at (215) 879-6615.

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