Despite Ladder Cuts, Fire Fatalities Down In ’09
HATS OFF TO our firefighters! Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers tips his hat to men and women of Philadelphia Fire Dept. for work in the community in 2009, which saw record low number of fires and fatalities in the region.
Vol. IV No. 2 (Issue 119)
What a difference a year makes. At the end of 2008, the Philadelphia Fire Dept. was dealing with the aftermath of one of the worst fires in Philadelphia history, a fire that devastated the Liberian community; a year later, fire fatalities are down in the City. The fire that killed 10 members of the Liberian community in Southwest Philadelphia in 2008 will never be forgotten; however, members from the Liberian community joined Mayor Nutter and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers on a more positive note Monday.
“Reporting South Philadelphia the way it deserves”
Mayor Nutter and Fire Commissioner Ayers announced Monday that there were 30 fire fatalities in 2009, a 23% reduction from the previous year. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell also joined them at Ladder 40 in Southwest Philadelphia. This is the fewest number of lives lost to fire in Philadelphia history. This amazing milestone was accomplished during a year that started with the deactivation of five engines and two ladders. The Philadelphia Fire Dept.’s “Freedom from Fire” campaign, an aggressive fire-safety (Cont. Page 2)
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January 14, 2010
Saluting The “Dreamer” South Philly Prepares For MLK Day Of Service Text Alerts The 4th Police Dist. wants you to sign up for its brand-new text-message alert service. The new, innovative services which started at the end of 2009, sends messages from the 4th Police Dist. right to your phone or computer. Alerts include information on Citywide alerts, traffic alerts and community meetings via email or text messaging, through RSAN (Roan Secure Alert Network). According to Capt. Anthony Clark, he wants more people to register their contact information for this service on www.readynotifypa.org. (Cont. Page 2)
by R. George Linton Over three-hundred seniors are expected to participate in a day of activities to salute the dreamer, Martin Luther King, Jr., this Monday. Sponsored by community organizers and volunteers, the 3rd Annual Senior & Youth Inter-Generational Expo at Scottish Rite Towers will highlight a Day of Services saluting the civil-rights leader. The inter-generational day of festive celebration will take place next Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1525 & 1530 Fitzwater Street. Activities include a complimentary meal, a youth talent showcase (Cont. Page 2)
Anthony H. Williams: Champion of Change
Mike Fera Public Servant Of The Year 2010 Come celebrate with us our Public Servant of the Year 2010. We will be honoring Cement Masons Local 592 President/Business Manager MIKE FERA. A Celebratory Supplement and dinner will be Feb. 4th, 2010. For more information call John David:
215-755-2000 or John@PhillyRecord.com
ANTHONY H. WILLIAMS ...remembering a great Philadelphian
by Tony West Martin Luther King drew his power from other people. When he came to Atlanta or Chicago or Birmingham, he came not just as himself, but as many. In Philadelphia, some say, he arrived as Hardy Williams. The former State Senator, a native son of West Philadelphia, was a pioneer in the Northern civil-rights movement. When he died on Jan. 7, 2010 at the age of 78, he left behind a City transformed by a massive social and political evolution he had helped usher in. Williams was one of a handful of brilliant African American tacticians who found one Philadelphia in the (Cont. Page 12)
Ron Panepinto Jewelers 700 Sansom St. 215-923-1980
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Rep. Bill Keller: Dredging River Creates Jobs by Maria Merlino Could we finally see the start of the dredging of the Delaware River in 2010? That’s the hope of local Rep. Bill Keller. The Port of Philadelphia is one of the nation’s 14 strategic ports. New York has dredged the Hudson River to 50 feet. Philadelphia last did a major dredge during WWII, when it was dredged to a depth of 34 feet. “Here it is in a nutshell,” said State Rep. Bill Keller. “This project has been around for 15 years. Look at every airport. In the last 15-20 years, airports have expanded to make more runways. Just as airplanes have gotten bigger, ships are getting bigger.” He does the math for me. “If a ship is 34 feet, it needs at least that much plus a safety. We need to (Cont. Page 18)
Bill Keller is fighting for jobs…
Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114 215-698-7000 JStevenson@ChapmanAutoGroup.com