daily record

Vol. III No. 58 (426)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

March 29, 2012

Philadelphia Daily Record

No Jokes Barred IN GOOD HUMOR at Bar Association luncheon were, from left, Gov. Ed Rendell; Mike Barnicle, Boston Globe columnist and commentator on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”; Rudy Garcia, immediate past chancellor of Phila. Bar Association; and John Savoth, chancellor of Phila. Bar, at Bellevue Stratford quarterly luncheon. Garcia was honored for his service last year as chancellor. Rendell introduced his colleague on MSNBC, and Barnicle regaled audience with Boston political stories. Another picture page 3. Photos: Bonnie Squires

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Mar. 27-29 AFL-CIO State Convention hosted by Phila.

Council AFL-CIO President Pat Eiding at Sheraton Downtown Hotel, 17th & Race Sts. Mar. 28: COPE Dinner.

Mar. 29Ed Neilson, Democrat candidate for 169th legislative district opens campaign headquarters at 3356 Grant Avenue, from 4 to 6:30 pm.

Meat & Deli Prego Pizzelle Baker Uno Panini Grill

Mar. 29City Council will honor Vietnam Veterans Day today at 9:30am in City Hall with 82nd Airborne Honor Guard, recognizing 25th anniversary of Phildelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Seasons Wash & Lube, 6722 Ridge Ave., 5:30-7:30 p.m. For info (215) 808-9167. Sponsor: $150, Friend: $75. Bring checks or send to DeLissio State House Campaign, POB 46-606, Phila., PA 19127.

Mar. 30Fish Fry fundraiser for State Rep candidate James “Scoot” Clay at Wilson Amer. Legion Post, 2006 Orthodox St., 6-9 p.m. Food, wine and beer. Tickets $20.

Mar. 30Retirement Party for Jimmy Lewis, School District, at Philadelphia Ballrm., 2041 Hornig Rd., 7 p.m. Open bar, Dinner, Music. $45. Make checks payable to J. Lewis Retirement. For info Bob DeVincent (215) 651-8009 or Fran Kelly (215) 964-4775.

Mar. 2966A Ward Leader Shawn Dillon hosts fundraiser for Ed Neilson, Democrat State Rep 38th Ward Family candidate, at Bridgeman’s Ha., Mar. 3111600 Norcom Rd., 7-9 p.m. Tick- Style Cookin’ Party at 3521 Bowets $30. Beef and beer. For info man St., 1-5 p.m. $20.

Shawn Dillon (215) 637-6360.

Apr. 1Fundraiser for Mar. 29State Rep. Rosita Denise Furey, GOP candidate for Youngblood hosts fundraiser at 2nd Dist. Alternate Delegate to Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Republican National Committee Garden Sts., 7-9:30 p.m. Dinner, at 4256 Regent Sq., on 43rd St. open bar, dancing. Tickets $75. between Woodland and Chester For info (215) 745-4306.

Aves., 4 p.m. Entertainment by Mar. 29Fundraiser for Magician Randy Shine. Tickets State Rep. Pam DeLissio at All $40. For info (215) 387-7300.

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Bar Awards Liacouras Group For Diversity

ANN & PETER J. LIACOURAS, with (standing) their children Greg and Lisa Liacouras.

Members of Bar Association’s Liacouras Committee, represented by Prof. Bob Reinstein, were honored with Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award for their 1970 report on racism in admission to Bar. Reinstein reported after Board of Examiners who admitted lawyers to Bar finally accepted that report, “the number of African Americans who were admitted skyrocketed.”

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SRC Mtg. Tonight Touches Closures, Budget Acting Superintendent Tom Knudsen and other District leadership will appear before the School Reform Commission at tonight’s meeting. The SRC will vote on the nine proposed closures recommended in the Facilities Master Plan.

In addition, in accordance with the City’s Home Rule Charter, Section 12-3003(b) of the City of Philadelphia, SRC is scheduled to adopt a lump-sum statement of anticipated revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2013, for the new fiscal year that begins on Jul. 1, 2012.

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The meeting is to be held in the School Dis- Comcast Channel 52, Verizon Fios Channel 20, trict Auditorium, 440 N. Broad Street, at 5:30 or streaming online at http://www.philasd.org/ p.m. Viewers can watch the meeting on PSTV stream/.

Farnese Cheers Direct Wine Shipment Victory In what State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) called a victory for consumer choice, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that would permit direct shipment of wine to Pennsylvania residents.

“Our state stores have a great selection of fine wines, but they cannot possibly offer wines from every winery across the country on their limited shelf space,” said Farnese.

“By opening up direct shipment as an option, we will give wine lovers from all corners of the state unlimited choice and convenience when selecting a bottle of wine.”

Under SB 790, which is now in the House, Pennsylvania residents would be able to receive up to 18 liters of wine (equivalent to 24 750 milliliter bottles) through direct shipment per month. Consumers would be

allowed to purchase the wine from Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board-licensed shippers online, through the mail or by telephone.

Direct shippers of wine would be required to verify the age of the purchaser, pay a onetime $100 licensing fee and pay all applicable taxes. Farnese, who cosponsored the bill, introduced a similar measure last March.

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City Senators Rail At GOP Block Of ACA Philadelphia’s Democratic delegation had harsh words for their Republican colleagues’ promotion of a bill that would prevent implementation of parts of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in Pennsylvania.

State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.), Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following comments on SB 10: “This legislation has nothing to do with national health-care reform. The Senate’s consideration of this legislation is political theater. This measure would have to be passed in the next session of the General Assembly then be approved by voters before it would become part of the state Constitution.

which was approved 29-19, was “completely unproductive and unnecessary, considering the federal law will ultimately override it.” The measure would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to prohibit the government from requiring individuals to purchase health insurance coverage. It would also prohibit imposing fines or penalties on an individual who declines to do so. It attempts to supersede the federal Affordable Care Act that was signed into law Mar. 23, 2010.

each family to cover health cost for people who are uninsured, according to a 2008 health insurance survey by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Insurance.

State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-W. Phila.) also blasted the vote. “We didn’t improve the quality of life of one Pennsylvanian through this vote,” he said. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians are without a job and without health coverage. We as a Commonwealth should do something positive for those vulnerable citizens.

We should focus our priorities on those individuals and give them a hand up, rather than engage in a divisive issue that likely will not matter, since the federal law trumps state law.”

“We are likely going to have a health insurance exchange in Pennsylvania, whether through the state or the federal government,” Stack said. “We should be figuring out how to improve access to health insurance beSB 10 now heads to the cause when people are uninHouse of Representatives for “This smacks of an election- sured, taxpayers are footing the consideration. In order to year strategy to aid Republi- bill.” amend the Pennsylvania Concans. We need to refocus our More than 90% of Pennsyl- stitution, the legislation would priorities and stop the national vanians already have insurance need approval from the Senate Republican dog–and-pony and will not be affected by the and House during two consecshow.” personal responsibility provi- utive legislative sessions, folState Sen. Mike Stack (D- sions, according to the study. lowed by approval from Northeast) called yesterday’s These Pennsylvanians are pay- Pennsylvania voters.

Senate’s passage of SB 10, ing a health tax of $1,017 for 6|

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Brownlee Names March For Professional Social Work The House has unanimously adopted a resolution (HR 600) offered by State Rep. Michelle Brownlee (D-N. Phila.) designating March 2012 as “Professional Social Work Month” in Pennsylvania.

“Social workers have a tough and often emotional job,” said Brownlee. “They help abandoned and abused children find loving homes, they find ways for the disabled and mentally ill to live with dignity, and they help those struggling with addiction and substance abuse confront their

problems.

“They are compassionate professionals who dedicate their lives to ensuring everyone has access to the same basic rights, protections and opportunities,” Brownlee continued.

“They help people help themselves and often work under challenging and volatile circumstances with little thanks.

But the impact of their service extends far beyond those who they directly help; it makes our communities stronger, safer and a better place to live.”

Over 600,000 people in the United States hold degrees in social work, and social workers can be found in hospitals, prisons, mental health clinics, child welfare agencies, military facilities, adoption agencies, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, schools, corporations and countless other fields.

More information about social work in Pennsylvania is available at the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers website, www.nasw-pa.org.

‘Phenomenal’ Contribution

STATE REP. ANGER CRUZ donated $500 to Phenomenal Women Committee.

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Candidate Kane Sees Bully Movie In Philly Career prosecutor Kathleen Kane, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General, attended an advance screening last night of the Weinstein Co.’s buzzed-about new documentary by Lee Hirsch, titled Bully, an unflinching examination of the epidemic of childhood and adolescent bullying in America.

As a long-time Assistant DA in Lackawanna Co., Kathleen Kane worked directly with teachers, administrators, and police officers on the problems her assigned school was facing, including widespread bullying.

Kathleen frequently lectured and trained the teachers and ad-

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ministrators on signs to look 13 million American kids will for to identify bullies and their be bullied, making it the most common form of violence exvictims. perienced by our nation’s Kathleen was joined at young people. The new docuUnited Artists Riverview The- mentary film, directed by Sunater by local notables, includ- dance and Emmy-award ing Councilman James Kenney, winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, Councilwoman Blondell brings human scale to this starReynolds Brown, the Hamels tling statistic, offering an intiFoundation’s G-N Kang, and mate, unflinching look at how Safe Schools Advocate Kelly bullying has touched five kids Hodge, Esq. Invited screening and their families. attendees include members The film opens in Philadelfrom the Philadelphia Youth Commission, Girls Scouts of phia on Apr. 13 at the LandAmerica, City Year Greater mark Ritz at the Bourse and the Philadelphia, and the YMCA of Rave Showcase at the Ritz 16.

Philadelphia.

This year alone, more than

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Welch Will Keynote Delco Republican Dinner Steve Welch, the Republican endorsed US restore America’s economic prosperity.

Senate candidate, will give the keynote address The affair runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 4700 at the Delaware Co. Republican Golden EleDrexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill, Pa. Steve’s phant Dinner tonight. Steve’s address will focus on the pro-growth policies he would support to keynote address begins at 6:15 p.m.

Pentecostals Slam A Former Pick: Corbett The Pentecostal Clergy of the Republican-controlled legPhiladelphia & Vicinity an- islature in Harrisburg, and nounced a break from the Cor- quickly signed by him. bett administration last Bishop Goins, in making the weekend. announcement, stated the At its 12th Anniversary voter-identification law was a Prayer & Fellowship Breakfast blatant attempt to inhibit the on Mar. 24, Bishop Leonard C. voting access of minorities, Goins, the founder and execu- seniors, and lower-income intive director of the organiza- dividuals who reside in the tion, announced that in spite of larger metropolitan areas of the fact this was the only major Pennsylvania. This breaks the African American clerical promise the Governor made to group to support Gov. Tom 78 Pentecostal clergy on Sep. Corbett during his election bid, 17, 2011, when he claimed he it has now retained a civil- would be the Governor of all rights attorney to file suit chal- Pennsylvanians. lenging the voter-identification “We fought, suffered, and law that was recently passed by

were severely persecuted during our struggles to gain the right to vote,” said Bishop Goins. “Our children and our grandchildren can now freely exercise the voting rights that we struggled to obtain. It is now time we teach our children how to be vigilant and not lose our voting privileges. We had to deal with Bull Connors, we don’t want to now deal with Bull Corbett.”

In that meeting, PCPV also endorsed Sam Rohrer, United States senatorial Republican candidate in the Apr. 24, 2012 Pennsylvania primary. Bishop Goins described Rohrer as a

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“man of God.” Bishop Goins further described him as the person needed in Washington to represent Pennsylvania, and that this endorsement was for the man and not the party.

The Pentecostal Clergy also endorsed several candidates for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. These in-

cluded State Reps. Vanessa L. Brown (190th), Michelle Brownlee (195th) and Mark Cohen (202nd) as well as Harold James (Special Election 186th), Malik Boyd (198th), Will Mega (192nd) and Michael K. Ellis (201st). Also endorsed were Calvin Tucker and Lewis Harris, candidates for delegates to the Republican national con-

vention.

The Breakfast was a rousing success, with over165 Clergy in attendance. Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Phila.) was the keynote speaker. The service was held at the beautiful View, located at 800 N. Broad Street.

PGW Customers Get More Time For LIHEAP The Pennsylvania Dept. of Public Welfare has confirmed the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will accept applications through Apr. 13. LIHEAP was originally scheduled to close on Mar. 30.

Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so PGW urges its customers to act quickly, before the grant money runs out. Customers can visit www.pgworks.com/LIHEAP or go to any PGW customer service center to apply.

have a shut-off notice, should apply for a Crisis grant. If eligible, grants will help the customer pay all or a portion of the past due balance. Customers who wish to apply for Crisis must apply in person at the PGW customers can apply Philadelphia County Assisfor a LIHEAP grant to help pay tance Office at 1348 W. Sedgtheir gas bill, even if they are ley Avenue. not behind in their payments.

In February, Pennsylvania reFor assistance with LIHEAP applications, customers should ceived an additional $52.3 milvisit any one of PGW’s cus- lion in federal funding for tomer service centers and bring LIHEAP, which brought the 90 days proof- of income and Commonwealth’s total to social-security numbers for $209.5 million for the current everyone in the household. LIHEAP season, which began PGW representatives are avail- last Nov. 1. The average LIable 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at each HEAP grant is $240 and the maximum Crisis grant is $300. center. extension means more of the approximately 150,000 LIHEAP-eligible Philadelphia households can get the help they need, provided they apply now.”

“Despite a warmer-thanusual winter, people all over Philadelphia are still in need of this vital program,” noted Dan Customers, who have fallen Murray, PGW’s VP of customer affairs. “This program behind on their bill and now 10 |

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Black PR Leaders Receive Awards PHILA. BLACK Black Public Relations Society leadership team poses with recipient of Karin A. Phillips Excellence Award. Karen was the great reporter on KYW News Radio who passed too early last year and is missed by all. From left are Darisha Miller, VP of PBPRS; Dawn Roberts, board member of PBPRS; Loraine Ballard-Morrill, recipient of first KAPE Award; and Shalimar Blakely, President of PBPRS. Photos: Martin Regusters MILESTONES: A Celebration of African-American Women in the Media, presented

by PBPRS, was hosted by PECO in Energy Hall. Pictured standing, from left, are Blakely; Mellanie Lassiter, corporate contributions manager PECO; and LiRon Anderson-Bell, moderator for Milestones. Seated are this year’s honorees: Romona Riscoe Benson, president of African American Museum of Phila.; Ballard Morrill; Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown; and Linda Miller, deputy executive director for Phila. Parking Authority.

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