philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 185 (345)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

November 17, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

How Long?

END GAME for Dilworth Plaza Occupation may begin to play out between now and Thanksgiving as Nutter Administration and labor leaders mount pressure on Occupy Phila. spokespersons to decamp. Story page 3.

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Nov. 17“Education Over Incarceration” Youth Town Hall Meeting hosted and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus by Chairman State Rep. Ron Waters at W. Phila. HS, 49th & Chestnut Sts., 5-7 p.m. For info (717) 772-6955.

Nov. 17FOP Auxiliary presents Ladies Night, holiday-shopping demos at 1336 Spring Garden St., 6-9 p.m.

Many vendors. Snacks, beer, wine & soda. Free. For info Donna Giulian (215) 820-0865.

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

Nov. 18Bobbie Carter Foundation celebrates 10 years of service with Jazzin’ 4 Diabetes at Park Avenue Banquet Hall, 4942 Parkside Ave., 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Festivities include butler hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, dinner, saxophonist John Williams & band and a special awards ceremony. Tickets $20. For info Yanina (856) 2285040, Crystal (215) 375-6267 or Norm (215) 588-7838.

Nov. 21Phila. Tea Party Patriots invite all to meeting at Prudential Bank, 1834 W. Oregon Ave., 7 p.m. Entrance and parking in rear.

Dec. 1Reception honoring U.S. Senator Bob Casey with Special Guest, James Carville, 6:00pm at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia, 215 S. 16th Street.Friend: $250/person. Committee Person,

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Young Professional: $100/person.

Kindly R.S.V.P. to 267-601-4450 or rsvp@bobcasey.com.

Dec. 15Christmas Celelbration in 6300 Block Germantown Avenue, 6 to 7 pm. Corporate and community donations are welcome! For more information to make a donation please contact: A. Neal at 215-4381768 or A. Alexander at 215-8449345

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‘Occupy’ Crunch Time: Should Nutter Act Like A Rizzo?

The City of Philadelphia has posted an official notice advising the public the $50 million Dilworth Plaza construction project is imminent. The notice was issued following the announcement that the Center City District, the project manager, has awarded a general construction contract to Daniel J. Keating Co. for the project, which will employ about 800 construction workers and is scheduled for completion in about 27 months.

The official notice stated: “Be advised the Permit for Demonstration on City Property issued by the City of Philadelphia effective 10/6/11 expires at the start of the Dilworth Plaza construction project. This project’s commencement is imminent. Accordingly, you should take this opportunity to vacate Dilworth Plaza and remove all of your personal belongings imme-

diately.”

Keating may have to use a few bulldozers to clear the site, à la Mayor Frank Rizzo and the Move people back in the ’60s.

Today, members of the City’s homeless outreach team, with the assistance of homeless advocacy organizations, are making every effort to provide assistance to any homeless person who needs help in relocating from Dilworth Plaza.

In recent weeks, the outreach team has visited the Plaza three times a day, offering services to homeless people who are camped on the Plaza.

Managing Director Richard Negrin, who is also Deputy Mayor for Administration and Coordination, said, “The City continues to work with representatives of Occupy Philly regarding an alternative location, and we’re optimistic

that we can come to an agreement on a reasonable path forward.”

As designed by a team of local architects and engineers, the new Dilworth Plaza will create a broad open space accessible from street level without stairs or ramps.

There will be tree-shaded areas, a large lawn, an outdoor café and a programmable fountain. The reborn plaza will have an additional 20,000 square feet of usable space as compared to the current plaza.

The project is funded by a $15 million grant from the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, a $15.5 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, $5 million from the City’s capital program, $4.3 million from SEPTA and contributions from various foundation, corporate and private sources.

Dilworth Plaza Contract Is Signed The Center City District awarded a general-construction contract for the renovation of Dilworth Plaza to the Daniel J. Keating Co. of Narberth, Pa. yesterday. The firm has extensive experience working with SEPTA on major transportation projects, a key component of the Dilworth Plaza renovation, as well as familiarity with City Hall itself, because of the firm’s recent experience with the renovation of this National Historic Landmark.

Keating also has worked on other major landmarks, such as the reno-

vation of Independence Hall, the construction of the Liberty Bell Center, and has joint ventured on the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Requests for bids were publicly advertised in the first week of August 2011. Nine proposals were received by the due date of Sep. 20. Based on a competitive evaluation system developed in compliance with all federal, state and local requirements, five of the nine proposers were deemed to rank in the competitive range and were in-

terviewed in mid-October by Gilbane Building Co., CCD’s owner’s representative, and Urban Engineers, CCD’s lead designteam consultant. Keating ranked as the most responsive and competitive proposer.

Construction, which is expected to take 27 months, will commence shortly and will employ approximately 800 construction workers.

Because the project is receiving federal funding, it is subject to federal equal opportunity employment and minority and disadvan-

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD taged business requirements and will adhere to all city, state, and federal requirements for minority, female, and disabled participation.

Street subways and the trolley lines. New elevators will make the transit platforms accessible for the first time.

CCD has a 30-year lease with the City for Dilworth Plaza to construct, maintain, and manage the Plaza. CCD will assume all cleaning, site- and landscape-maintenance responsibilities for the Plaza. The $50 million renovation project is supported by a $15 million federal TIGER grant, a $15.5 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, $5 million from the City’s capital program, $4.3 million from SEPTA, and a variety of foundation, corporate and private contributions. The new Dilworth Plaza was designed by KieranTimberlake architects, OLIN landscape architects, and Urban Engineers.

During winter, a portable ice rink will cover 9,300 square feet, or 8% of the plaza’s total surface area. A café building at the north end will occupy 1,171 square feet, or 1%, of the surface area, and the revenues from this café will be used to maintain the plaza in the same way that revenues from Café Cret, at 16th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, are used to maintain that landscaped, public park.

Dilworth Plaza will be transformed from an inaccessible, multi-level, unattractive, hard-surface plaza into a sustainable, well-maintained, green public space with no stairs or barriers from the street.

By covering existing openings and removing walls, steps, and barriers that make the plaza inaccessible today, the renovated Dilworth Plaza will add 20,571 square feet of new usable area (an increase of 21%) and will result in an expanded 120,557-square-foot public space.

The new plaza will have a large lawn, tree groves, a programmable fountain, and space for 400 benches and chairs. The concourse beneath Dilworth Plaza will be dramatically improved as a new transit gateway, providing entrances to Broad Street and Market 4|

Planning and design for the Dilworth Plaza project began in 2008, and more than 50 meetings were held with various stakeholder groups who reviewed and commented on its design. Following publicly advertised open meetings of the City of Philadelphia’s Art and Historical Commissions, City Planning Commission, and City Council, the project was formally approved.

Gov. Corbett Calls For Education Reform At City Rally Gov. Tom Corbett called for action on his education-reform plan during a rally yesterday at the First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School in Frankford, attended by several hundred students, teachers and supporters.

“Ready or not, the future always arrives,’’ Corbett said. “We want you students to be ready to meet it: ready to work in its jobs, ready to join our society. We need to base

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success on talent, not ZIP codes.’’

Corbett reiterated his four-part theme for education reform, including: Opportunity scholarships, which would provide tuition assistance for eligible students to attend a public or non-public school of their choice.

Educational improvement tax credits, providing tax credits to businesses that fund for scholarships and other educational improvement organizations.

Educator evaluations, implementing a new and reliable rating system to focus on student performance as well as traditional observation of classroom practices.

Charter schools, offering students and their families a choice for education.

“You students know this: in a game or a race, when do you do your best? It’s when you have competition,” Corbett said. “Is this new system guaranteed to succeed? We won’t know for certain until we try. But we do know that after more than 30 years of trying, the old system has been a guaranteed failure. We need to begin now.”

First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School received its charter in 2002 and began operations in three Northeast synagogues with a focus on literacy. Today, the school still focuses on literacy, but it is now housed in a state-of-the art building at Tacony & Church Streets serving more than 700 children in kindergarten through 8th grade.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD “School choice marks a big change, but it takes big changes to make big progress. We owe our young people a choice … because we owe them a chance,’’ Corbett added.

Carville To Headline Casey Funder Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) is calling in a celebrated national commentator to star at a fundraiser for the Senator’s 2012 reelection campaign, which is shifting into gear now.

This event, to be held at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at 6:00 p.m., will feature the shrewd, ubiquitous Democratic strategist James Carville, well known to cablenews viewers.

Contributors at the Friend level are asked to donate$250/person. Committeepersons and Young Professionals will donate $100/person.

Kindly RSVP at your earliest convenience to (267) 601-4450 or rsvp@bobcasey.com.

Cruz says Bill To Punish Employers Would Hurt Pennsylvanians State Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Kensington) said he is disappointed the State House this week passed legislation that would terminate the professional license of any employer who knowingly hires illegal immigrants. “It’s a sad day in Pennsylvania when the Republicans fast-track legislation that has

the potential to hurt thousands of Pennsylvanians,” Cruz said. “This bill could lead to instances of racial profiling, lead to many employers going out of businesses and, in turn, put numerous residents out of a job.”

Cruz said the bill (HB 439) could also open up the potential for civil and federal lawsuits if enacted.

“The Republicans fail to see the devastating damage that could be done by enacting legislation like this, and once again pushed a bill through the legislative process to enhance their own agenda,” Cruz said.

The bill, known as the Professional Licensees Illegal Employment Act, would revoke the license of any licensed professional, such as a nursing-home administrator or a landscape architect, who knowingly employed or permitted the employment of an unauthorized alien.

HB 439 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Bishop, McGeehan Join In Battle Against Child Sex Abuse At an emotionally charged news conference Tuesday, State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (D-W. Phila.) and Mike McGeehan (DNortheast) addressed a press conference hosted by the Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse.

Speakers urged the House Judiciary Committee to take action on legislation introduced by Bishop and McGeehan that would open

the door for adults to initiate legal action against persons they claim sexually abused them when they were minors.

Bishop and McGeehan are the sponsors of legislation at the center of the call for House Judiciary Committee action. The recent grand-jury report and subsequent charges involving a former Penn State assistant football coach have resulted in an uproar over how individuals and institutions are able to suppress reports and legal action involving child sexual abuse.

The measure (HB 832) introduced

by Bishop, Democratic Chairman of the House Children & Youth Committee would repeal the statute of limitations in civil suits relating to child sexual abuse cases moving forward.

McGeehan’s bill (HB 878) would provide a one-time, two-year window in which victims could bring a civil action against the alleged abuser and the institution if the facility had responsibility or control over the minor at the time.

Bishop advocated for adult men and women who are currently living with the scars of child abuse.

She explained how many times abuse comes from those that are authority figures. Bishop said when such a breakdown occurs for the victim, it is difficult to speak out at the time of the abuse. “Child abuse is destructive and deliberate.

It isolates children and terrorizes their souls,” Bishop said. “The legislation currently waiting for action in the Judiciary committee gives victims the ability to come to terms with the injustices against

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD them.”

Following Bishop, McGeehan insisted, “You just heard what truth is.” McGeehan expressed frustration over statements that adults seeking legal action over sexual; abuse they experienced as a child are just looking for a “payday” through the process. “They’re looking for justice, not a payday,” said McGeehan, who credited the current controversy at Penn State with providing an opportunity to

remove the protective silence that shrouds sexual abusers of children.

“The events of the last week have exploded the myth that has been perpetuated within the newspapers, within the hallways and within the lobbyist community that somehow, this is a problem particular to the Catholic Church or to priests other professions or other institutions. Abuse happens every day in every social class, in every occupation. I hope once and for all

the Penn State travesty has opened people’s eyes.”

An array of speakers in support of the legislative initiative urged members of the public to contact the House Judiciary Committee Republican Chairman Ronald Marsico to allow public hearings into child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and allow committee votes on the Bishop and McGeehan bills that would battle that abuse.

Curry: Thanksgiving Treats May Spread Breast Cancer State Rep. Lawrence Curry (DNortheast) said a new report from the Breast Cancer Fund determined that Bisphenol-A has been found in a number of canned goods commonly served during traditional Thanksgiving dinners.

BPA is an artificial hormone which is related to estrogen. Recent studies have linked the possible effects of BPA exposure to increases in prostate and breast cancer, early onset of puberty in girls, and insulin resistant type II diabetes.

The new study examined seven common canned food items, from Campbell’s, Carnation, Del Monte, Green Giant, Libby’s and Ocean Spray. BPA levels ranged from undetectable in Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce to a maximum of 221 parts per billion in a sample of Del Monte’s cream-style fresh-cut sweet corn.

As a part of the study from the Breast Cancer Fund, five families agreed to eat only fresh foods, which had not been packaged in 6|

plastic or cans, for a three-day period. During that time, the levels of BPA in their blood dropped an average of 66%.

The AMA supported a ban on BPA in June, and Canada, China and the European Union have already banned BPA in baby bottles.

Curry has introduced H.B 192, which would limit BPA to 0.1 parts per billion in any food or beverage container made or sold in Pennsylvania and designed for children 3 and younger. This would include plates, baby bottles, sippy cups and more. The bill has been held in the House Health Committee since April.

“Reports like this, which continue to come out, prove we all need to continue to be aware of our own exposure and limit it as much as possible,” he said.

“While my legislation is aimed at children, the evidence continues to mount we are all exposed to BPA from a number of sources,” Curry said.

“Most investigators believe younger children do not metabolize BPA as well as adults, so it stays in their bodies longer, potentially doing more damage. That’s why my bill focuses on children, but BPA can affect us all,” Curry said.

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Statement Of Sheriff Barbara A. Deeley Responding To City Controller’s Forensic Audit Of Sheriff’s Office “The Controller’s forensic audit of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office is both disheartening and illuminating.

“When I took office in January, I took the first steps to restore the public’s confidence in the Sheriff’s Office by terminating or transferring the management of the realestate division (Crystal Stewart, Darrell Stewart, Tyrone Bynum and Edward Chew, Esq.) and severing all business relationships

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD with Reach Communication Specialties/RCS and related enterprises.

“Today’s forensic audit makes clear that the swiftness and severity in which I moved was imperative. In addition, the audit makes clear the need for some of the systemic initiatives we are currently putting in place under the Memoranda of Understanding with the City and First Judicial District.

“I have instructed Chief Deputy Sheriff for Accountability and Finance Joseph C. Vignola, Esq. to go through the audit line by line and make specific recommendations for release in my December 2011 year-end report. My office will continue to cooperate fully with all federal, state, and local investigations as they move forward.

“I pledge to use the remaining days I have as Sheriff to continue to implement systems and procedures to insure the ongoing integrity and transparency of my

office.”

The 1st Judicial Dist., which comprises the entire Philadelphia Courts system, has announced the introduction of an eJuror System that gives prospective jurors in Philadelphia the option of responding to their jury questionnaire or summons online.

Prospective jurors who choose to complete these forms electronically won’t have to mail them. The eJuror System also allows users to update personal information, and, if selected for jury service, check on the time they need to report, submit a request for an excuse or deferral, and select an alternative time to serve.

The launch of the eJuror System in Philadelphia marks another concerted effort to streamline and modernize the courts’ operations.

technological option to prospective jurors in Philadelphia’s courts system,” said David Wasson, FJD court administrator. “The eJuror System also is a cost-saver for the courts and the general public.”

With eJuror, there are fewer forms for the courts to process manually and fewer data to reenter into the system, which will increase data reliability and save time. Such functions as excuse requests, deferrals, and certificates of attendance will be automated and available on-line for the public, reducing staff time even further. It’s faster to communicate with jurors by e-mail, and the courts save on postage costs. Other benefits of the eJuror System include the ability to easily check the status of your jury duty on-line and obtain a letter of service for your employer after your jury service is complete.

“The eJuror System has been effective in other jurisdictions around the country and we are pleased to offer this time-saving

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