Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 181 (341)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

November 11, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Toomey Pickets Self?

VETERANS JOINED Occupy Phila. protestors yesterday, as well as Sen. Pat Toomey —- in effigy – outside his office on JFK Boulevard, to assail him for opposing Jobs Act, which they said would have created jobs for veterans. Story Page 3.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar When You Want Your Roof To Be Done Right The First Time

215-464-6425

CANDIDATES • POLITICIANS News You Can Use! Boost Your Popularity, Win On Election Day! Tell Your Constituents To Read About All the Work You Do For Them On the

Philadelphiadailyrecord.com Email them a copy of this Publication!

Translation/Interpretation Arabic, Hebrew, English, French For more information, call William Hanna

267-808-0287

Meat & Deli Prego Pizzelle Baker $29.99 $39.99 Uno Panini Grill

2024 S. 10th St Philadelphia PA 19148

215-468-5363 2|

Nov. 12Unions Fight For Life hosts Fight Night for Phila. Veterans Multi Service & Education Ctr. at Armory starting at 7 p.m. at Penna.

Armory, Southampton Rd. & Roosevelt Blvd. Tickets $20. For info Doug Baron (267) 718-2472, Rich Mancini (610) 505-0842, Eric Howarth (215) 290-1370, Tom Dooley (267) 246-5512 or Ed Shaw (267) 992-2600.

lian (215) 820-0865.

Nov. 17Community Conversation with State Rep. Rosita Youngblood at Indochinese American Council, 4934 Old York Rd., 6-8 p.m.

Nov. 17“Education Over Incarcertaion Youth Town Hall Meeting hosted

by Chairman Ron Waters and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, 5 to 7 pm at West Nov. 14Mayor Michael Nutter, State Reps. Phialdelphia High School,49th Louise Bishop & Vanessa Lowery and Chestnut. For more info call Brown host Economic Recovery 717-772-6955.

Services & Job Fair at Hilton Phila. City Ave., 4200 City Line Nov. 18Bobbie Carter Foundation celeAve., 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m. brates 10 years of service with Nov. 15Veterans Broad Street Ministry Jazzin’ 4 Diabetes at Park Avenue HomelessVeterans’ Outreach Pro- Banquet Hall, 4942 Parkside gram Fundraiser at Pub’n Grub Ave., 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Festivities Restaurant, 2001 Hamilton St., 6-8 include butler hors d’oeuvres, p.m. Donation $20. For info Joe silent auction, dinner, saxophonist John Williams & band and a speEastman (609) 290-8803. cial awards ceremony. Tickets $20. For info Yanina (856) 228Nov.16American Jewish Committee hon- 5040, Crystal (215) 375-6267 or ors Attorney Jimmy Binns at its Norm (215) 588-7838.

2011 Civic Achievement Award Dinner at Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 Nov. 21Phila. Tea Party Patriots invite all W. Rittenhouse Squrae at 6 p.m. to meeting at Prudential Bank, 1834 W. Oregon Ave., 7 p.m. EnNov. 17FOP Auxiliary presents Ladies trance and parking in rear.

Night, holiday-shopping demos at 1336 Spring Garden St., 6-9 p.m.

Many vendors. Snacks, beer, wine & soda. Free. For info Donna Giu-

PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM •

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Toomey Slammed For Not Backing Vets’ Jobs As Philadelphians prepare to recognize the men and women who have served our country on Veterans Day, a group of veterans and community members, as well as members of Occupy Philadelphia, protested outside US Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R-Phila.) office yesterday. The group called on Toomey to support “real job-creation efforts” and voiced their outrage at the Senator’s votes against the American Jobs Act that would have created up to 47,000 jobs for Pennsylvanians.

“I love this country, but the growing divide between the 1% and the

rest of us is taking us in a dangerous direction,” said Erick Alick, an unemployed Marine Corps veteran who served from 1979 to 1983. Alick has been unable to find steady work for the past few years. “While I’ve been struggling to find work, Sen. Toomey has been helping big oil companies and corporations that are making record profits without paying their fair share.”

The group called on Toomey, a leading member of the Supercommittee, to put forward proposals that will help protect middle-class families and make big corpora-

tions and millionaires pay their fair share of taxes. Instead, it charged, Toomey has proposed a number of policies that give big corporations additional tax breaks, including a territorial tax system which gives tax cuts to corporations that ship American jobs overseas and tax breaks for big oil companies.

Protestors cited an influx of donations to Toomey from the banking industry and plans for a lavish birthday fundraiser and other fundraising events as signs of the Senator’s siding with “the 1%” over middle-class families.

Veterans Day Food Freebies For Those Who Served

by Sara Schwartz To honor everyone who’s served in the U.S. military, national and regional restaurant chains and quick-service establishments around the country are offering freebies, discounts, and specials for Veterans Day this Friday, Nov. 11.

According to the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, as of last September, there were 22.7 million veterans.

And whether you’re a veteran who enjoys doughnuts, hot wings, sandwiches, or hearty whole meals, you’ll probably find something to your liking in this lineup of free eats.

If you’re included in those ranks, all you need to do to get in on this year’s deals is to show proof of service, which includes a US Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), a current Leave & Earnings Statement, a photograph in uniform, wearing uniform (if your service permits), a veterans organization card (American Legion and VFW, for example), DD214, and discharge paperwork.

Free Menu Items: 7-Eleven – free small Slurpee between 11a.m. and 7p.m. (7-Eleven will also bring mobile Slurpee trailers to 11 U.S. military bases between Nov. 8 and 12 so that

troops and their families can get a free Slurpee on base.)

Hooter’s – 10 free wings

• PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

|

3

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD Little Caesars – free order of Crazy Golden Corral (free “Thank You” Bread dinner on Monday, Nov. 14, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for veterans) Krispy Kreme – free doughnut Subway Restaurants – free 6-inch sub Outback Steakhouse – free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca Cola Free Meals: Applebee’s (for veterans and active-duty military) Chili’s (a choice of seven entrées for veterans)

Other Gestures: Heinz – Every time you scan a QR code on a Heinz ketchup bottle with a smart phone (you don’t need to buy the bottle, restaurant ketchup counts), Heinz will send a personalized thank-you postcard through the USO to veterans, as well as 57 cents to the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organ-

ization that honors and empowers wounded service members.

Dunkin’ Donuts – The doughnut chain will donate $10,000 to the USO and bring back their limitedrelease Stars & Strips Donut during the week of Veterans Day. You can find a complete list of Veteran’s Day freebies at www.themilitarywallet.com.

Pa. Treasurer Holds $315,000 In Unclaimed Property Belonging to Vets, Service Members The Pennsylvania Treasury holds more than $315,000 in unclaimed property that belongs to veterans, active duty personnel, and military support organizations, and State Treasurer Rob McCord wants to help return this property to its rightful owners.

Treasurer McCord said government agencies should always strive to ensure those who served have access to all of the resources and assistance earned through that service. Too often, the Treasurer said, veterans face challenges that create real economic hardships for them and their families.

“Our brave men and women in uniform, and their families make incredible sacrifices in defense of our nation, but unfortunately once their service ends, they face real economic hardships at 4|

home,” said Treasurer McCord, who noted the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans is reported to be more than 12% – far greater than the 9% national average. “As government agencies, we should do whatever we can to help them take advantage of available resources. In the case of Treasury, we have property that actually belongs to them.

Now it is just a matter of finding these veterans and service members and reconnecting them with their property.”

Treasurer McCord said his department now holds $251,677 in unclaimed property associated with military addresses. The properties – turned over to Treasury by a variety of holders – bear military addresses, including army depots, naval bases and air stations, from across the country and abroad. Since Janu-

PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM •

ary 2009, the McCord Treasury has returned nearly $86,000 in unclaimed property to military families.

The department also holds $63,633 in unclaimed property that belongs to veterans’ organizations. Last year, the McCord Treasury returned nearly $26,000 to veterans’ organizations.

The Treasurer encouraged veterans, active military members as well as their friends and relatives to search Treasury’s free unclaimed-property database at www.patreasury.gov or by calling 1 (800) 222-2046, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A member of Treasury’s Return Team will assist them with their search and the claim process.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Casey Calls On Army To Award Medals To Pre-9/11 Veterans US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called on Secretary of the Army John McHugh to immediately award veterans from earlier eras the combat badges that they have earned but have been blocked from receiving.

“Across Pennsylvania there are veterans from earlier wars such as Vietnam and Korea who put everything on the line for our country, and they deserve to be recognized for the sacrifices they’ve made,” the Senator said. “The Army did the right thing by expanding the eligibility criteria for these medals for our post-9/11 veterans, but they didn’t go far enough – it is time to honor the sacrifice of every eligible medic veteran going back to Korea.”

In 2008, the Army expanded the eligibility for the awarding of the

Combat Medic Badge and retroactively awarded badges to qualifying medics who began serving after the 9/11 attacks. The Army’s decision has left veterans from earlier eras like Korea and Vietnam out in the cold. Today, Casey sent a letter to Secretary McHugh calling on the Army to immediately expand the awarding of this badge so that veterans who began serving in the Korean War and forward can receive them.

The Korean War was the first war in which the Army used medics inserted onto the battlefield by helicopter to remove wounded personnel, making them the first group of veterans eligible for the Combat Medic Badge. During the Vietnam War, helicopter-borne medics were heavily relied upon to extract wounded service members from the battlefield and speed them to higher levels of care.

The Combat Medic Badge is an Army award for medics who are personally present and under enemy fire in active ground combat that satisfactorily perform medical duties. The award was created in 1945 and initially could only be awarded to medics serving in Infantry units. The award has remained in existence since its inception, but the eligibility criteria for the award have gone through several expansions. The 2008 expansion of eligibility was done primarily to recognize MEDEVAC crewmembers that came under hostile fire during performance of their duties. MEDEVAC crews are essential to the modern battlefield and are part of the reason for the low death rates of service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Casey, Toomey Rescind Medal Support For Paterno US Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) are rescinding their support for the nomination of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. They issued the following statement:

“In light of the recent events in State College, we are rescinding our support for the nomination of Joe Paterno for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. We hope the proper authorities will move forward with their investigation without delay. Penn State is an

important institution in our Commonwealth. We should turn our attention to the victims of these atrocious crimes and ensure they get the help they need. Our hearts and prayers go out to them and their families.”

• PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

|

5

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Toomey Comes Out Against Net Neutrality US Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) voted yes on yesterday’s motion to proceed to S.J Res. 6, the Internet & Broadband Resolution of Disapproval. Toomey is a co-sponsor of the resolution, authored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.).

The resolution disapproves of recent Federal Communications Commission regulations imposing net neutrality regulations on internet service providers.

“The telecom industry is a positive economic force in Pennsylvania, employing thousands of hardworking people and spending millions of dollars on new broadband infrastructure, the Senator said. “When the government tries to impose unnecessary mandates and regulations such as net neutrality, it inhibits industry’s ability to innovate, invest in new technology, and hire new workers. It also discour-

ages the deployment of broadband service across the state, including in underserved rural areas.

“Pennsylvanians have the tools, skills and talent to be leaders and innovators in the telecom industry, creating new job opportunities in the process. I will fight to make sure the government doesn’t stand in their way.”

Brown To Sponsor West Philly Job Fair State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.) will cosponsor an economic recovery and job fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the Hilton Philadelphia, 4200 City Avenue.

There will be various seminars and workshops for jobseekers. Among the topics that will be discussed are: •

• • • •

finding where the jobs are; interviewing skills; online job applications; how to apply online if you don’t have Internet access at home.

Pennsylvania CareerLink Philadelphia will be on hand to explain the state’s jobs services.

writing resumes;

“I believe raising employment levels and earnings potential is the quickest way to improve a neighborhood,” Brown said.

Brown’s staff will be available to help apply for State aid such as LIHEAP, the low-income heating program, and answer other questions regarding State services.

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

Green Vision Award Bestowed On Airport In recognition of its many Green initiatives and strong commitment to preserving its natural and physical surroundings, Philadelphia International Airport was named recipient of The Green Vision Award presented by the PENJERDEL Council at the Council’s 56th annual Awards Luncheon yesterday.

PENJERDEL cited the Airport’s 6|

Environmental Policy Statement, adopted in 2006, that has led to numerous Green initiatives and its steadfast commitment to meeting the goals and objectives outlined in the City’s Greenworks Philadelphia Plan.

“I want to thank the PENJERDEL Council for recognizing us with this prestigious award and acknowledging our dedication, hard

PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM •

work and commitment in the area of environmental stewardship,” said Airport CEO Mark Gale.

“We understand the importance of minimizing our environmental footprint and we continue to work to seek out new and innovative ways to reduce waste and emissions and be caretakers of our natural and physical surroundings.”

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD Among the Airport’s many environmental initiatives are purchasing renewable energy through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership; partnering with US Airways and United Airlines to purchase and install electric ground-support equipment and recharging units to reduce emissions and save on fuel and maintenance costs; working with airlines and other tenants to

integrate waste streams into a centralized recycling program; using energy efficient hybrid vehicles; and installing bioswales and using pervious pavement materials to reduce stormwater runoff.

In addition, the Airport is volunteering to serve as one of only 5 “test case” airports for the Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program

Project to explore alternative fuels as a means to reduce PM2.5 emissions at airports. The new Terminal F Baggage Claim Building, which will soon be under construction, anticipates achieving the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification under the LEED for New Construction version 2.2 rating system.

Independence Visitor Center Celebrates 10th Anniversary Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter joined Independence Visitor Center Corp. President James J. Cuorato, elected officials, hospitality and tourism officials and hundreds of guests at a gala celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Independence Visitor Center. Since its opening in 2001, IVC has become the premier visitor welcome and information facility in the nation, having served more than 20 million visitors.

“It has been an amazing decade of growth and accomplishment for the Independence Visitor Center,” said IVCC President and CEO James J. Cuorato. “The number of visitors that have walked through our doors is double what we anticipated back in 2001, and the success of the Visitor Center has surpassed all expectations.”

“We congratulate the Independence Visitor Center on its 10th anniversary,” said National Park

Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis Reidenbach. “The IVCC has played an essential role in elevating the Greater Philadelphia region as a top destination by serving as the primary gateway for visitors to Independence National Historical Park and to Philadelphia from across the state, the nation and the world.” The IVCC operates the NPS-owned Visitor Center in partnership with the NPS.

Mayor Touts Perfect Attendance By 9thGraders Mayor Michael A. Nutter honored the participants in the Mayor’s 9th Grade Freshman Perfect Attendance Challenge, which is part of the Mayor’s Very Impressive Performer Program — a student incentive and teacher appreciation program implemented through the Mayor’s Office of Education. Currently, 90 schools have participated in the challenge, and nearly

6,500 9th-grade students were identified as having perfect attendance during the first quarter of the 2011 school year. Of those students, 215 were randomly selected to receive two tickets each to the Mayor’s boxes for various sporting events. Participating schools include public, private, charter and parochial schools.

“These tickets provide just one more incentive for students to attend school, receive good grades and graduate,” said the Mayor. “I would like to thank the Mayor’s Office of Education for spearheading this excellent program, which offers a well-deserved reward to our city’s students.”

Since the beginning of his term, Nutter has distributed more than 3,200 tickets to students who have perfect attendance, straight As, and have achieved academic achievement and growth. Nutter has identified education as crucial for developing the City’s econ-

• PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

|

7

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD omy, reducing poverty, and making the City safer.

The Mayor has two education goals: to double the high-school graduation rate to 80% by 2015 and to double the number of residents with a 4-year bachelor’s degree to 36% by 2018. Efforts such as the Mayor’s VIPs program help reward individuals who are bringing the city one step closer to achieving these goals.

Next For Recycling: Styrofoam!

The City of Philadelphia and Streets Department will celebrate America Recycles Day this coming Tuesday by launching its foam #6 recycling pilot program. The event will take place at the Northeast Drop-Off Center.

Displays and visuals will feature examples of recyclable foam, commonly known as Styrofoam. Styrofoam is used in a wide range of consumer products, such as, cups, plates, egg cartons. Unlike other recyclables that are set out for collection curbside, the pilot program will require Philadelphia residents to drop off their recyclable Styrofoam at the city’s Northeast DropOff Center.

David Christian Announces Veteran Jobs Plan This Veterans Day, David Christian, candidate for the US Senate 8|

in Pennsylvania and decorated combat veteran, is kicking off a program to advance the employment status of veterans in our state.

fied applicants to quality work.

Other candidates talk about the need for more jobs; I in turn will connect skilled vets with employers and create real jobs”

Christian has spent a lifetime as an activist fighting for veterans’ rights. “If we can train people to drive sophisticated tanks, planes, helicopters and ships and send them to the front lines for war, then we can retrain these same individuals to go to the front of the line for civilian jobs,” Christian states. “We must tap one of Pennsylvania’s great natural resources: veterans. Let’s remember the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes by rewarding them with meaningful employment.”

“This is a bipartisan issue. Enemies of America do not care if they kill or maim a Democrat or a Republican and no American warrior ever thought of politics when he was fighting for the rights of brother and sister Americans,” Christian concluded.

Christian has already met with a number of employers across Pennsylvania to participate and received positive responses. The goal of the program is to recruit hiring pledges from employers statewide and then identify and place out-of-work veterans in those jobs. Statistics throughout Pennsylvania and the United States establish that veterans rank highest among the unemployed.

Veterans have held a uniquely difficult position during both war and peace as the most-challenging group to gain meaningful employment.

“As Americans celebrate this Veteran’s Day 2011 we cannot feel good in our hearts to know that any veteran is unemployed or underemployed,” Christian said on the eve of Veterans Day. “As I speak with employers around Pennsylvania, I will share with them how we will connect quali-

PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM •

Any employer interested is encouraged to contact the David Christian campaign by emailing Skip Salvesen at: skip@christian2012.org.

Farewell, Smokin’ Joe Frazier Joe Frazier’s Body will lie in state at the Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street, today until 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It will be a closed casket.