Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. III No. 28 (398)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

February 16, 2012

Philadelphia Daily Record

Honoring Abe RIFLES flash as Civil War Regiment members herald approach of President Abraham Lincoln to Union League, marking annual commemoration of Lincoln’s birthday.

Photo: Joe Stivala

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Calendar Feb. 17Retirement Reception for Judge Thomas Dempsey at City Hall, Conversation Ha., Rm. 200, 4:30 p.m. Contribution $10. RSVP Rosemary Donnelly rosemary.donnelly@courts.phila.gov.

Feb. 20Fundraiser for State Rep candidate Malik Boyd at Dockside, 717 S. Columbus Blvd., 6-9 p.m.

Music, desserts. Donation levels $50-$500. RSVP Jane Green (215) 3001996 or janeagreen@comcast.net. Checks payable to Friends of Malik Boyd.

Feb. 20Congressman Chaka Fattah hosts free workshop at Community College Center for Business & Industry, 1751 Callowhill St., Rm. CB1 C2-28. Learn how to receive up to $2,500 in tax credits. To register (215) 848-9386.

Feb. 21State Rep. John Sabatina holds Mardi Gras Cocktail Reception at Ladder 15, 1528 Sansom St., 5:30-8:30 p.m. Event Chairs Bob Brady and John Dougherty. Contributions: $100 (ticket), $250 (friend), $500 (patron).

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For info John (215) 7428600).

Feb. 21Alliance Française de Philadelphie Mardi Gras celebration at Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut St., 6:30 p.m. Roaring ’20s theme, prize for best costume. Tickets $60. For info (215) 735-5283.

Feb. 22Penna. Commonwealth Club House Party with guest Penna. Republican State Chairman Rob Gleason at home of Mike Cibik, 334 S. Front St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. By invitation only. Contact (717) 234-4901 or RSVP @pagop.org.

Feb. 23State Rep. James Roebuck celebrates Birthday Party at Warmdaddy’s, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 5:30-8 p.m. Jazz, food.

Friend: $125. Sponsor $250. Benefactor: $500.

RSVP (215) 382-1268.

Feb. 25Mothers in Charge holds Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s, 9141 Roosevelt Blvd., 8-10 a.m.

Donation $10, $5 for kids under 11. For info (215) 228-1718.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Toomey Joins Special-Ops Caucus US Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) joined the bipartisan Senate Special Operations Forces Caucus yesterday, to work with his Senate colleagues in advancing the needs of our country’[s special-operations community.

Pennsylvania is home to an important special operations unit, the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. This unit, based in Harrisburg, flies the EC-130J Commando Solo. The unit broadcasts radio and television signals to targeted overseas populations from an airborne transmitter, jamming existing television and radio signals where necessary.

“I am extremely proud to join the bipartisan Special Operations Forces Caucus in the US Senate,” the Senator said. “The courageous men and women who serve in our special operations forces deserve our admiration and support. As a caucus member, I will work hard to ensure they have the resources they need to perform their growing role in ensuring our national security.”

Operations Wing is a one-of-akind unit and astoundingly effective in deploying psychological weapons in the global war on terror. During my time as Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, I learned that strong support in Washington is vital, and our forces need that support now more than ever,” said retired Air Force Major General Bill Lynch, a former member of the National Guard Association of the United States’ board of directors.

Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) are the cochairs of the caucus. Other members are Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Kay Hagan (DN.C.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

Sen. Toomey is also a member of the Senate National Guard Caucus.

McCord Recovers $72K For Black Groups In recognition of Black History Month, State Treasurer Rob McCord and the Pennsylvania Treasury identified and are now seeking to reunite more than $72,600 in unclaimed property that belongs to African American organizations.

“During Black History Month, we celebrate important – and often relatively unrecognized – contributions African Americans have made to our nation,” the Treasurer said. “The McCord Treasury wants “I am very pleased with Sen. to support the good work provided Toomey’s decision to join the Senby African American organizations ate Special Operations Forces Cauacross our state by returning more cus, and appreciate his enthusiastic than $72,600 in unclaimed propsupport of the Pennsylvania Air erty owed to them.”

National Guard. The 193rd Special

Treasurer McCord said his department proactively searched for unclaimed property that belongs to African American fraternities, sororities, and organizations such as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP, and the PA Black Conference on Higher Education, and he was pleased to offer profitable findings that would help important organizations in challenging times.

McCord said the $72,688 his department holds for these organizations represents just a fraction of the unclaimed property Treasury now holds and seeks to reunite with businesses, organizations, and

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD citizens. The Treasurer encouraged everyone to search Treasury’s free unclaimed property database at www.patreasury.gov or call 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.

Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – things such as abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, and contents of safe-deposit boxes. Since January 2009, the department has returned more than $308 million to rightful owners and generated about $300 million for the State’s General Fund through the McCord Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program.

OEO Says Minority Participation Is Up Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the release of the Office of Economic Opportunity’s first-quarter report for Fiscal Year 2012, which highlights that the City’s operating departments have achieved a 26.6% participation rate exceeding the 25% goal.

Additionally, for the first time, the report offers a quarter-to-quarter comparison of participation activity.

This report summarizes the Minority, Women and

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD Disabled Owned Business Enterprises participation on contracts awarded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and some of the recent changes adopted by the Administration to strengthen the inclusion strategy.

Three key changes introduced in this report are the following: • A reduction in the participation credit given to non-stocking suppliers on Public Works contracts.

Non-stocking suppliers are businesses that do not carry inventory; • An adjustment to Citywide contracts for “no opportunity for participation” transactions, which refers to sectors without adequate M/W/DBE representation to reach the participation goal; and • Recognition of minority and women lead advisors in major firms.

Operating departments exceeded the City’s goal of 25% and achieved a 26.6% participation rate on $140.8 million in contract awards. M/W/DBEs were awarded $37.4 million. This achievement is noteworthy given the reduction in participation on Public Works contracts as a result of the minimization of participation recorded for non-stocking suppliers.

tract as a prime contractor. Federally-funded projects are reported separately when participation goals are driven by the federal agency.

The net portion of citywide contracts awarded, for which participation was applicable, totaled $7.1 million. M/W/DBEs were awarded $1.6 million, representing 23.1% participation on this adjusted portfolio of contracts.

These citywide contracts-which include work to provide water treatment chemicals, petroleum products and pharmaceutical supplies to the City-pose a challenge to raise participation goals as the sectors are without adequate M/W/DBE representation.

The 1st quarter report includes “INSIDE OEO”, a section describing changes that will impact the way OEO operates. New systems will increase efficiency and enable certified firms to register online.

The purpose of these changes is to highlight areas where there are opportunities for business devel- Quasi-government agencies, inopment and inclusion over the cluding the Philadelphia Induslong term. trial Development Corp., the Philadelphia Housing & DevelA total of $313 million in for opment Corp. and the Redevelprofit contracts was awarded by opment Authority, awarded the City and quasi-government contracts totaling $98.6 million agencies during the first quarter with 28.1% M/W/DBE participaof FY 2012. The funding level tion. includes federally-funded projThe City and quasi-government ects. Total contract awards, for contracts valued at $246 million the purpose of this report, have achieved 27.1% participation been adjusted to reflect $53.3 overall. million in transactions with “no opportunity for participation”; Federally-funded projects had a thus, the net awards analyzed are 47.1% participation rate, dramatvalued at $260 million. The reically up from 16.8% in FY2011, port highlights include: in large part due to a minority firm winning a significant con-

In recent years, OEO has expanded the registry by 50% to over 2,000 companies from 1,334 companies in January of 2010. Sixty-five percent of registered businesses are located in the Greater Philadelphia region.

OEO continues to rely on traditional alliance relationships with the Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program and the Pennsylvania Dept. of General Services to build the City’s data base of M/W/DBEs. In addition, OEO encourages departments and businesses who partner with certified firms that are not in the Registry to request that they register. OEO continues to set goals that are data-driven and monitors the compliance of primes and sub-contractors. Outreach remains a critical part of the OEO mission.

For a copy of this report or a calendar of events, visit www.phila.gov/oeo or call (215) 683-2057.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Cruz Meets In ’Burg To Talk Latino Issues State Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Kensington) met with Maria Montero, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, today to discuss issues facing Pennsylvania’s Latino residents.

“I would like to thank Maria Montero for taking the time to meet with me in my office to address some of the issues facing Pennsylvania’s Latino population,” Cruz said. “I look forward to working with Maria and GACLA in the future.”

Cruz said Montero is committed to working with Pennsylvania’s County commissioners, as well as the group Latino Lines, to move toward creating more Latino-populated legislative districts throughout the state.

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs is the Commonwealth’s advocate agency for its Latino community. Its mission is to ensure the Latino community continues to prosper in Pennsylvania. The commission makes recommendations to the governor on policies, procedures and legislation that would affect the Latino community in Pennsylvania and serves as the governor’s liaison to Latinos in order to ensure that state government is accessible and accountable to the Latino community.

Latino Lines is a coalition of Latino leaders formed in Philadelphia to bring public attention to the civil rights of Latinos and find a way to establish a more fair legislative redistricting process.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Sims To Josephs: Stand By Your Vote!

Brian Sims, Democratic candidate for the 182nd Dist. of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, has issued the following statement calling on State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) to explain her multiple contradictory statements regarding her support for HR 535, the so-called “Year of the Bible” resolution:

“I call on Rep. Josephs to reconcile her contradictory statements to constituents and the press regarding her vote on HR 535.

“After receiving a letter regarding her vote for HR 535, Rep. Josephs issued a response vehemently defending her support for it, as detailed in a Feb. 9 Philadelphia magazine’s blog post. Her response showed that not only had she clearly read the resolution, she understood it and supported it.

“But now Rep. Josephs has

changed her story. At a press conference in Harrisburg and in quotations in articles in both the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, Rep. Josephs is claiming to have not fully read the resolution.

“Rep. Josephs has stated ‘I’m sorry I voted for [the resolution]. It came up very quickly. We didn’t have time really to discuss it. I would not vote for something like this again.’

should be entitled to believe they can say one thing to their constituents and another to the press.

This series of comments is indicative of the entrenched Harrisburg culture of politicians who believe they can say or do whatever they want and alter facts about their voting behavior, regardless of reality.

The Inquirer says Rep. Josephs argued that she ‘didn’t understand

“This behavior is nothing new for Rep. Josephs. In an expensive full color state-funded mailer her office recently sent out, she rails against the broken redistricting process. But in the past, when she was the majority chair of the House State Government Committee, Rep. Josephs killed any ef-

the mandate…’

fort for redistricting reform.

“We deserve better work from our elected officials. No politician

“I am running for office because we need politicians who have the courage to admit to their mistakes and stand by their positions, rather than pander. My track record of effective and honest leadership and coalition building is what the residents of the 182nd Dist. deserve in Harrisburg. Voters can be assured that I will not tell them one thing and the press another.

“Rep. Josephs told the Daily News ‘she intends to actually read future resolutions before voting on them.’

“After 27 years, it is time for a change from the entrenched politics-as-usual Rep. Josephs has fallen into in Harrisburg. I can and will do better in serving the 182nd Dist. as well as it deserves.”

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Ready For Work!

PHILA. WORKFORCE-DEVELOPMENT officials yesterday toured first Microsoft IT Academy in country to be held at a “onestop” workforce agency like PA CareerLink® in Phila. This week, more than 40 job seekers began this specialized software training in an effort to improve their job-readiness skills. Phila. Workforce Investment Board initiated partnership in which Microsoft IT Academy holds classes while PA CareerLink® North provides 25 new computers. From left are Larry Jeter, trainee from W. Phila.; Mark Edwards, president of Phila. Workforce Development Corp.; Tim Bryant, of Knowledge Solutions International, which provided free training’ and Nicki Woods of PA CareerLink North. Classes are free. Anyone interested should call PA CareerLink Philadelphia hotline at (215) 557-2625.

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LARRY JETER was laid off from his job in the restaurant industry 18 months ago and is hoping to learn new skills to obtain a better job.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

PCN Bureau Chief Celebrates Its 10th The Philadelphia Bureau of the Pennsylvania Cable Network is now 10 years old! The milestone, which was celebrated in late January, has taken PCN’s Philadelphia bureau chief, Corey Clarke, down memory lane.

Clarke, a graduate of Kutztown University, began his career with PCN in 1998 working at the network’s headquarters in Camp Hill outside of Harrisburg. Four years later, opportunity arose for the statewide network to make its presence known in the major metropolitan area of Philadelphia and Clarke was chosen to head up the network’s first bureau.

With an office located in the Philadelphia Inquirer building along N. Broad Street, Clarke has been able to cover Philadelphia-related events, while offering technical support for PCN programming originating within the City of Brotherly Love.

Throughout the decade’s worth of coverage, it is the political scene which has left the biggest impression on Clarke. It all began with his first taste of Philadelphia politics during coverage of the 2003 mayoral race between challenger Sam Katz and incumbent John Street. Coverage of events in Clarke’s congressional districts throughout the years has also allowed him to become a more-in-

formed voter.

Then in 2008, the presidential campaign trail led all eyes to the Philadelphia area with numerous visits; a time Clarke says was busy, yet enjoyable. “I guess it’s because I’m a political junkie,” says Clarke. “I think in this job, you will become one if you aren’t already, or you will get a different job.”

Clarke’s job isn’t all politics. For one-on-one interviews with prominent Philadelphians for the network’s “PCN Profiles” program, Clarke as on-air host has interviewed many including sports icons like Darryl Dawkins and Eagles announcer, Merrill Reese, along with the late Joe Frazier.

His decade of coverage in the city and the surrounding area has also allowed him to learn more about the people and businesses that help the area to grow economically.

Particularly memorable to Clarke are shoots at area manufacturers for featured “PCN Tours” episodes. From the hands-on nature of the business at the Town Crier Bakery and Taylor-Backes Glass to the mass appeal of the figurines hand-crafted at Byer’s Choice, Clarke has become more connected to the area in which he lives. He continues to expand his knowledge of the area and shares it

through video for the viewing pleasure of the network’s statewide audience.

Some may think Clarke is a oneman band, but that is something Clarke will quickly dismiss. “For most of my time at the bureau, Jon Colwell-Smith has been like my right-hand man,” Clarke says.

“He’s been a major part of keeping things running smoothly around here.”

Clarke has said he really enjoys his job. He comments it has been a fast 10 years at the bureau. And now, as this year gets into full swing, Clarke is gearing up for another busy political season, with the presidential election just months away.

PCN is a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization created and supported by cable-television companies. PCN receives no state or federal funding. Network programming is distributed on more than 150 cable systems in Pennsylvania serving more than 10 million Pennsylvanians in 3.3 million homes. A complete listing of PCN affiliates and network channel designations is available by visiting PCN’s website at www.pcntv.com.

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