Firing Challenged (Cont. from Page 6) the State Dept. of Education has always sided with the School District to protect its public image by covering up reports of violence. “There are some who believe embarrassing facts are a problem that should be suppressed,” said Butkovitz. “There are others who believe an independent source of facts is vital to the public.”
SCHOOL SAFETY Advocate Jack Stollsteimer, left, who was abruptly canned last week, was joined by State Reps. Bill Keller and John Taylor as Controller Alan Butkovitz pleads for importance of Advocate’s Office.
2300 block of Norris Street while working with a PHA weatherization and maintenance crew at Raymond Rosen Manor in North Philadelphia. He died Aug. 5. Greene hopes the increased reward will also provide increased incentive for someone with information to contact the Citizens Crime Commission. He said, “To date, there has been no response to either the reward for information or to the family’s call for conscience. At the same time, there has been an outpouring of generosity among our corporate and labor partners. “As a result, we are able to announce today that the reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case has grown to $53,000. We are hopeful that someone in the Rosen community who saw the crime occur will come forward.” John Dougherty, business manager for IBEW Local 98, said his union has often played a role in similar reward funds for members of the Philadelphia Police Dept., but also added it is a shocking development to have this type of violent crime touch the building-trades community. “Police Officers and firefighters go to work each day knowing they may be at risk,
but to have this type of crime touch the construction industry is shocking. We want to send the message that we must be able to do our work in safety and that the person who committed this murder must be taken off the streets,” Dougherty said. Dan Dirscherl, senior VP and general manager for Hunter-Roberts Construction Group, said his company felt compelled to contribute to the reward fund. “We have 90% working in the field on PHA projects right now. We want to send a clear message to them that we want the person who committed this crime found and removed from the street,” Dirscherl said. Mark Durkalec, of the Carpenters Union, indicated, “Workers everywhere need to know their safety is our utmost concern. We can’t stand by idly. This murderer must be caught.” Rodney Barnes was a member of the Carpenters Union since 1998 and had begun work as a member of PHA’s Maintenance WAVE (weatherization and value enhancement) crew this spring. Anyone with any information about the shooting is encouraged to call (215) 546-TIPS (8477). Their identity will be confidential.
MARK DURKALEC, Carpenters Union, is joined by Kirk Dorn and John Apeldorn of Citizens Crime Commission. Unions added to reward money.
The Public Record • August 20, 2009
PHA EXECUTIVE Carl Greene, left, announces $53,000 raised as reward for information leading to arrest of murderer Rodney Barnes is indication of increased efforts to get community response. With him at announcement is IBEW Local 98 Business Mgr. John Dougherty.
Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director Carl Greene has gotten the support of others in his efforts to find the murderer of PHA employee Rodney Barnes. Joining PHA in increasing the amount of money offered were Wachovia Bank, Carpenters Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Hunter Roberts Construction Company and Citizens Crime Commission. The reward was initially $10,000. Mr. Barnes, 46, was shot in the back of the head Saturday afternoon, Jul. 25, on the
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$53,000 Reward For PHA Killer
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