Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. III No. 26 (396)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

February 14, 2012

Philadelphia

The Old Story

Daily Record

JUST MARRIED! Valentine bride Anjanette Johns, née Witherspoon, and groom Sean Johns – not pdiddy – of N.E. Phila. tied the knot at City Hall today – Valentines Day. Good luck to the happy couple. Photo: Rory McGlasson

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Calendar tume. Tickets $60. For info Feb. 15- State Sen. Larry Farnese (215) 735-5283. addresses Pt. Richmond CAN at Firm Hope Baptist Penna. CommonCh., 2313 E. Auburn St., 7 Feb. 22wealth Club House Party p.m. For info (267) 650with guest Penna. Republi1668. can State Chairman Rob Gleason at home of Mike Feb. 17- Retirement Reception for Cibik, 334 S. Front St., Judge Thomas Dempsey at 5:30-7:30 p.m. By invitaCity Hall, Conversation tion only. Contact (717) Ha., Rm. 200, 4:30 p.m.

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Rosemary Donnelly rosemary.donnelly@courts.phil Feb. 23State Rep. James a.gov.

Roebuck celebrates Birthday Party at Warmdaddy’s, Feb. 20- Fundraiser for State Rep 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., candidate Malik Boyd at 5:30-8 p.m. Jazz, food.

Diockside, 717 S. ColumFriend: $125. Sponsor bus Blvd., 6-9 p.m. Music, $250. Benefactor: $500. desserts. Donation levels RSVP (215) 382-1268. $50-$500. RSVP Jane Green (215) 300-1996 or Mothers in Charge janeagreen@comcast.net. Feb. 25holds Flapjack Fundraiser Checks payable to Friends at Applebee’s, 9141 Rooof Malik Boyd. sevelt Blvd., 8-10 a.m. Donation $10, $5 for kids Feb. 21State Rep. John under 11. For info (215) Sabatina holds Mardi Gras 228-1718.

Cocktail Reception at Ladder 15, 1528 Sansom St., St. Patrick’s Day 5:30-8:30 p.m. Event Feb. 26Parade in Phila. Fundraiser Chairs Bob Brady and John at Insulators’ Ha., 2014 Dougherty. Contributions: Horning Rd., 3-7 p.m. Beer, $100 (ticket), $250 (friend), wine, soda and buffet. $500 (patron). For info Music and Celtic Flame John (215) 742-8600).

Irish Dancers. $35. Contact Mary Frances Fogg Feb. 21Alliance Française (267.228.0418), Kathy de Philadelphie Mardi Gras Fanning or Joe Fox at Saint celebration at Restaurant Patrick’s Day Observance School, 4207 Walnut St., Ass’n, www.philadelphiast6:30 p.m. Roaring ’20s patsparade.com theme, prize for best cos-

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Casey Takes Witness Intimidation To Feds

US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) was joined by Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams to announce the introduction of the State Witness Protection Act, new legislation that would make witness intimidation a federal crime and strengthen penalties for those convicted of it.

High-profile cases of witness intimidation in Philadelphia, including the recent killing of a store clerk believed to be the witness of a November 2011 murder, underscore the need to give law enforcement more tools to deal with the problem.

“Despite the strong leadership of officials and law enforcement,

Philadelphia is grappling with violent crime,” said the Senator. “Witness intimidation is a major obstacle in the pursuit of justice, and the legislation I’m announcing today will help law enforcement tackle the problem and put more criminals behind bars.”

The State Witness Protection Act would make it a federal crime to:

kill, attempt to kill, or use physical force to threaten or intimidate a witness influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of an individual in a State proceeding retaliate against a witness for their

attendance at a State proceeding or providing information to a law enforcement officer.

It would set tough new maximum penalties for witness protection, including 30 years imprisonment in the case of attempted murder or the use of physical force, and up to 20 years for other cases of witness intimidation. Federal sentencing guidelines for obstruction and witness intimidation would be increased.

Casey will formally introduce the State Witness Protection Act in the Senate this week.

Mayor’s Main Problem: Street Crime, In Poll With the voters of this City looking at Mayor Michael Nutter’s performance kindlier than in the past, some observers are wondering if his stewardship will end, as did Mayor John Street’s, clouded over by the staggering rate of wanton killing and other street crimes in this city.

A Pew Charitable Trusts’ Philadelphia Research poll this week found

Mayor Michael Nutter’s job approval ratings have improved over the past year, even as Philadelphians voice concerns about violent crime and the overall direction of the city.

Sixty percent of city residents approve of the job Mayor Nutter is doing, and 30% disapprove. These numbers have improved from a year ago when 52% approved and 37% disapproved.

However, Philadelphians are unhappy with much that is going on in the city. Crime is a “serious” or “very serious” problem in the city’s neighborhoods, according to 74% of residents, up from 64% a year ago. By an 11-to-1 margin, Philadelphians support the teen curfew, enacted by City Council last fall in an attempt to reduce youth violence.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD Broader worries about the direction of the city surface in attitudes toward how the city has changed over the past five years. Thirtyfive percent of respondents say the city has gotten worse and 23% say it is better. A year ago, Philadelphians were evenly divided on the subject, and “better” outpolled “worse” 33% to 27% in 2009.

Mayor Nutter’s job-approval marks are the best he has received since the Pew polling began ask-

ing the job-approval question in 2009, his second year in office.

and “attracting new investment and creating jobs” (78%).

When asked to rate how the Nutter administration has done in five specific policy areas, the public’s lowest grade was for “reducing violent crime,” with only 14% seeing “major improvement” and another 35% “some improvement.” And 85% of Philadelphians say reducing violent crime should be a high priority for the next four years, followed closely by “improving education levels” (79%)

The Nutter administration receives its highest first-term ratings for “making a greener city that is more environmentally friendly and energy efficient,” with more than seven in 10 (74%) seeing at least some improvement. Nearly six in 10 (57%) say the administration is “making government less corrupt and more open.”

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Councilwoman Bass Hails City’s Coops Honoring 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), Philadelphia City Councilwoman Cindy Bass on February 8 formally presented a resolution that recognized cooperatives’ contributions to economic and social development. The resolution was introduced to Philadelphia City Council by Bass on January 26, 2012, her first session as a member, and was passed unanimously.

Bass presented the resolution to the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance (PACA) at that organization’s IYC kick-off event.

The resolution highlights the accomplishments of cooperatives – businesses that are owned and democratically controlled by their members. Worldwide, cooperatives have more than 1 billion members and employ 100 million people. More than 29,000 cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy in the United States; Americans hold over 350 million co-op memberships. U.S. cooperatives generate 2 million jobs and make a substantial contribution to the U.S. economy with annual sales of $652 billion and possessing assets of $3 trillion. Philadelphia area cooperatives have thousands of members in a variety of sectors such as grocery and consumer goods, credit unions,

housing, childcare, healthcare and utilities.

“Cooperatives are increasingly important in creating sustainable communities in Philadelphia,” said Bass. “This way of doing business keeps local dollars local. They employ members of the community, and those jobs cannot be outsourced… Philadelphia was home to the first cooperative in America and so it is imperative that we keep that rich partnership of commerce and community alive.”

Bob Noble accepted the resolution on behalf of PACA, an organization that was formed by local coops to support and promote cooperatives in the Philadelphia area. “Cooperatives exist in many neighborhoods in Philadelphia and help to build healthy communities,” added Noble, PACA project development facilitator. “Consumer-owned cooperatives like Weavers Way in Northwest Philadelphia and Mariposa in West Philadelphia have undergone significant expansion. Three more food co-ops are being

AT INAUGURAL MEETING of Phila. Area Cooperative Alliance, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, right, presented a Council Resolution recognizing importance of cooperatives to economic and social development, which was accepted by PACA project development facilitator Bob Noble, left, on behalf of PACA. Photo: Peter Frank

planned in Kensington, South Philadelphia, and Francisville, and just outside the city, construction is starting on CreekSide Co-op, which will revitalize Elkins Park.

Beyond food co-ops, Philadel• PHILADELPHIADAILYRECORD.COM

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD phia’s cooperative economy is diverse, with established housing cooperatives, numerous credit unions, employee- owned cooperatives of various kinds and an established consumer-owned energy provider.”

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). In its announcement of the International Year of Cooperatives, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated, “Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is

possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”

celebration and a Weavers Way board member.

Jamming PACA’s IYC kick off event were more than 70 members of cooperatives representing a wide diversity of sectors including consumer and worker co-ops, credit unions, housing, food, childcare and energy. “This was a great opportunity for co-ops across sectors to meet each other. There was great energy in the room. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a new wave in cooperative development in Philadelphia”, said Margaret Lenzi, an organizer of the

PACA is also planning a conference for June 13 at Drexel University entitled “Exploring Cooperatives: Economic Democracy and Community Development in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.”

For more information on Cooperatives and the International Year of Cooperatives, go to Philadelphia Area Cooperatives Alliance website, www.philadelphia.coop/.

Katz Spreads Word On Documentary

PATRICK WALSH, program director for Bala Cynwyd-Narberth Rotary, welcomes Sam Katz to weekly luncheon at Al Dar Bistro. Katz spoke about his film project, The Great Experiment, a series on history of Phila., as well as his role at USA 250, planning committee for 2026 celebration of 1776. Photo: Rick Trivane 6|

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