Ron Panepinto Jewelers 700 Sansom St. 215-923-1980
www.PanepintoJewelers.com We Buy Gold & Diamonds
Serving Citywide Political, Labor, Legal and School Communities of Philadelphia Vol. XII. No. 45 (Issue 563)
“The good things we do must be made a part of the public record”
Value 50¢
November 11, 2010
Honoring Our Veterans Special Salute Starts P. 9
GOP Cleans House Honoring Our Veterans Rep. Robert
Donatucci
FOLLOWING up on Republican City Committee’s request all GOP wards take down GOP Posters, this crew did just that in the 26th Ward in South Phila. From left are Anthony Rizzo, Mike Bruno, Mario Marchetti and Benny Tupas.
SATE SEN. LeAnna Washington hosted her annual Veterans Luncheon Program at Temptations yesterday attended by 200 Veterans, many receiving citations. With her are four members of original Tuskegee Airmen Greater Phila. Chapter. From left are Eugene Richardson, Henry Moore, Major John Harrison and Bert Levy.
Chop ’Em Down, Stick ’Em Back In ...dies, ending 30 years of public service. Page 2
DESPITE an arboreal snafu, City Commerce Dept. proceeded to mop up a streetscaping project on Point Breeze Avenue this week. A contractor’s error caused wrong trees, planted in August, to be removed in November – just in time to plant correct species in their place. Goal: spiffy new tree-shaded sidewalks for this business district. Story page 24.
Do you have An IPhone, an IPod, an ITouch, Or any other Media-Enabled Device? Then read our Daily Mobile Edition at: m.philadelphiadailyrecord.com
Committee Of 70 Flunks Nonprofit Tests Page 2
Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114 215-698-7000 JStevenson@ChapmanAutoGroup.com
Page 2 The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
Obituary Rep. Robert Donatucci Democrat State Rep. Robert C. Donatucci, chair of the House Liquor Control Committee and a 30-year veteran of the legislature, died in his sleep Tuesday. Donatucci, the brother of Register of Wills Ron Donatucci, had been a State Representative since 1980. His District, the 185th, covers part of South Philadelphia, most of Southwest Philadelphia and runs into portions of lower Delaware Co. Donatucci graduated from Bishop Neumann HS in 1970 and Temple University in 1974 and is survived by his wife Marie and two children. Funeral services will be Friday night at Pennsylvania Burial, Broad & Reed Streets, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday morning, 9:00 to 10:30, followed by funeral mass at 11:00 at St. Monica’s Church, 17th & Ritner Streets. Congressman Bob Brady and many other leaders paid tribute to Donatucci. House Speaker Keith R. McCall (D-Carbon) praised Donatucci’s service, saying, “For the past 30 years he fought tirelessly for the people of his District and was a quiet, resolute force in the Legislature.” “Rep. Donatucci’s service as Chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee is distinguished by a relentless effort to prevent underage drinking and make sure state law was always at the vanguard of consumer protection and customer service,” House Majority Leader Todd A. Eachus (DLuzerne) said. “Philadelphia has lost a great leader. Rep. Donatucci has spent the past 30 years representing his constituents in Harrisburg with honor and distinction. As chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, he struck a fair and reasonable balance between protecting the public and improving the customer experience.”
Committee Of 70 Fails Test by Tony West The Committee of 70 got its start as a good-government organization, dedicated to ensuring public and party workers dot their I’s and cross their t’s to run free and fair elections. But its mission has changed, and its habits as well. Today, the Committee of 70 itself fails to meet standards of basic transparency and trustworthiness commonly used by raters of nonprofit organizations. According to Pennsylvania Dept. of State data, the Committee of 70 spent only 61.76% of its total outlays on program services. The Better Business Bureau’s Standards for Charitable Accountability
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thirds – is spent on its staff. One-third of its total expenditures is for the salaries of its President Zack Stalberg and its VP Ellen Mattleman Kaplan. Neither the BBB nor Charity Navigator recommends specific standards for the portion of a nonprofit’s income that is consumed by its employees. But BBB does set standards for public disclosure. It recommends a nonprofit should “include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as … electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.” However, Seventy’s website does not reveal either its annual report or its IRS filing.
GuideStar, an online database widely used to track nonprofits, indicates 70’s latest IRS filing was on Mar. 4, 2010. But it was for the year 2008. As of Nov. 10, 2010, no information about 70’s IRS return for 2009 was available online. More than a century old, 70 lays claim to a long tradition of civic activism in Philadelphia politics. From the beginning it has been a top-down organization, funded largely by the region’s business elite. It will be hosting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at its annual Breakfast, Nov. 23, at the Grand Ballroom in the Hyatt at the Bellevue. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m.
PHA Gets New York Housing Veteran The Philadelphia Housing Authority has tapped publichousing veteran Michael P. Kelly as Interim Executive Director. Kelly comes to PHA
S.W. Cries For Justice Southwest Philadelphia has seen better days. Violent criminals have been stalking pockets of the once-proud neighborhood. But when the criminals attacked Marsha Moore in her home, cruelly beating her while she slept, they may have gone too far. Moore is a respected block captain who has doggedly reported drug houses and other illegal activities. Observers suspect she was targeted in retribution for her crimefighting successes. In response, civic leaders at the highest level joined ranks. From Mayor Michael Nutter, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and State Sen. Anthony Williams, on down, they swore not to rest until the perpetrators have been found. John Appeldorn of the Citizens’ Crime Commission announced an $11,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attacker. Of that money, $5,000 was volunteered by the Senator person-
state a nonprofit should “spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.” Seventy also spends aboveaverage amounts on internal housekeeping. Of its total income of $1,379,000 in 2008, 12.53% was pumped into fundraising and another 15.22% into administrative costs. Charity Navigator, a respected national rater of nonprofits’ financial activities, reports the average nonprofit’s spending on fundraising is only 7.3%; spending on administration is only 9.5%. Respectable nonprofits can vary widely in the ways they spend their money, according to their missions and their particular circumstances. Most of 70’s money – almost two-
VOWING swift and remorseless justice for savage beating of Southwest community activist Marsha Moore in her home, State Rep. Ron Waters and array of leaders announced $11,000 reward for assailant. ally. Confidential tips may be in the nation. But years of concalled into (215) 546-TIPS. centrated crackdown by the poThe attack triggered a fury lice and the community have unusual even in Southwest brought about a sharp drop in Philadelphia. One after an- the number of murders in that other, the leaders castigated District. Drug-related crime – the unknown attacker. “You which most of the violence is will be found,” Ramsey said, connected to – is being harried addressing the assailant. “If and driven from its bases. you turn yourself in to the poBy striking back at one of lice, you will be safe.” their pursuers, the gangsters “I can’t guarantee as much may have hoped to send an inif the community gets its timidating message to activists hands on him first,” said and to would-be snitches. Williams, seething. It’s a message community In dreadful irony, the at- leaders want to counter. “If tack on Moore may be a you are a man, you will tell measure of how much South- what you know,” said State west Philly has progressed, Rep. Ron Waters. thanks to her efforts and those The neighborhood waits to see of her fellow activists. if outrage, conscience or at least a Not long ago, Philadelphia’s wish to get set for Christmas will 12th Police Dist. was logging motivate someone to prove the one of the highest murder rates criminals wrong this time.
with over 25 years of publichousing experience, including nearly a decade as executive director of the Washington, D.C. Housing Authority. Most recently, he was the general manager of the New York City Housing Authority. He is taking leave from that position to serve in the interim PHA post. “Michael Kelly’s proven track record of handling dayto day operations for the nation’s largest housing authority makes him the perfect person to lead PHA into its new era,” said PHA Board Chairman John F. Street. “PHA and the residents of public housing will both benefit from his strong leadership and housing knowledge. I look forward to working with him.” Kelly was responsible for 178,000 residential units, overseeing 11,000 employees and managing a budget of $3.4 billion dollars in Federal, State and local assistance in New York. “My expectation is that should a contract be negotiated and approved by the PHA Board, Michael Kelly will be able to reestablish the faith and trust we all want to have in PHA. He is more than qualified to serve as interim executive director at PHA,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “He has both the creative ideas and the experience. He
will work with all the various stakeholders, the board and staff, our administration and HUD. And he’ll put the focus where it really should be, on the residents of public housing and the staff.” “This request from HUD is a tribute not only to Mike’s ability and expertise. But also a tribute to the superior management staff that we have in place here at NYCHA,” said New York Housing Authority Chairman John B. Rhea. “While we will miss Mike
during this period, we are confident our very strong team that he has helped put together will continue to operate at the top of their game.” “I share Chairman Rhea’s confidence in the staff at NYCHA. Drawing on my experience at NYCHA, coupled with my 20+ years managing large and complex housing authorities will allow me to quickly step in and provide temporary leadership at the Philadelphia Housing Authority,” said Kelly.
Moore Needs Turkeys. Will Run Broad Street Philadelphia community activist Paul “Earthquake” Moore will again stage his annual Turkey Run down S. Broad Street in an effort to raise funds and donations to help feed needy families missing a Thanksgiving Dinner. He’ll start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 from City Hall down to Broad and Pattison. Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Johnson, a long-time Run supporter, will lead this 10th year’s trek with Tia Gray and her fellow employees at Nova Care. In addition, Moore will host his second annual 24hour food-a-thon drive the weekend before the run. Stop by, socialize and party while
you donate. The event will have live entertainment, a DJ and more in the parking lot at McDonald’s, Grays Ferry Avenue, beginning at noon on Saturday, Nov. 13 and ending at noon on Sunday, Nov. 14. He is asking for canned food donations of all kinds to be brought to McDonald’s parking lot to add to his Thanksgiving baskets for needy residents of Philadelphia and Delaware Cos. Monetary donations and turkeys and stuffing from those unable to run will gladly be accepted on the day of the event. Any well-wisher can mail a donation to P.O. Box 5323, Philadelphia, PA 19142 or email earth_quake1@hotmail.com.
ploying people there – which leads to confrontations with the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustments. “Essentially, Philadelphia has 150 years of zoning history without ever revamping its zoning code,” said Praveen Kosuri, executive director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic. “That creates 150 years worth of exceptions to the original zoning plan.” Another City regulation requires businesses to get permission to close. If they close before the City sanctions the decision, the business could be required to continue to operate.
Tony Radwanski, director of communications for the Philadelphia City Council, was surprised by the regulation and called it “ridiculous.” “That’s crazy,” he said. “I’m sure that hasn’t been taken up in City Council in the recent past. It sounds like some archaic thing … still on the books. In this economy, the last thing you want to do is put another problem on someone who’s losing a business.” Radwanski recommended asking the Mayor’s Office about the regulations, but the press secretary for the Mayor did not return requests for comment. The City’s website lists a license for the “privilege” of running a business and an outdoor advertising license followed by an A to Z list of licenses covering bar-
bers and bingo to motion pictures and pool tables. (See below) One industry regulated by the City of Philadelphia is taxi driving, with only 1,600 taxi drivers permitted at once. Philadelphia runs on a “medallion” system, similar to New York City, in which potential taxi drivers must first submit a “certificate of public convenience” to the City. With a cap on taxis, even with the correct paperwork, this means new drivers cannot get into the business – despite the US Federal Trade Commission’s determination entry restrictions do not help consumers. The IJ explains these restrictions as ways for established businesses to keep out the competition. One example is the requirement that new landscape architects must have either eight years’ experience in the trade – making new entry difficult – or have two years’ experience and a degree from an approved college
or school of landscape architecture. After that, the City requires landscape architects complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years. A similar story exists for would-be street vendors, tour guides, hair braiders and cosmetologists. One woman, former litigator Kate Carrara, found the City would not let her deliver pre-packaged cupcakes to pedestrians, similar to an ice-cream truck. The City would not let her do so
unless she installed a sink and a hot-water heater, despite her cupcakes’ being prepared in a government-approved kitchen outside the truck. “From what people tell me, and I experienced it myself, it all comes down to who’s reviewing you that day,” Kate said in the report. “Your whole business is going to turn on ‘Oh, we said a 12gallon tank, and you have a 13-gallon tank.’ That makes you feel like you’re at their mercy.”
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
by Darwyyn Deyo, from the Pa. Independent A report released by the Institute for Justice highlights how regulations and licenses block the creation –and closure – of businesses in the city of Philadelphia, which is suffering from 11.3% unemployment, compared to 8.9% statewide. The IJ, an Arlington, Va.based law firm, highlighted eight cities which impose layers of regulation and licenserequirements before entrepreneurs can start a new business, requiring everything from course certification for hair styling to paying thousands of dollars to install a sign. The problem the IJ focuses on in Philadelphia is the seeming automatic response to any request to start a small business – “no.” In Philadelphia, zoning laws impose the harshest restrictions. The IJ study illustrates the city’s ban on starting a home business – and em-
Page 3
Institute Finds City Harsh For Entrepreneurs
Some of Licenses You Need, From A To Z
Amusement Devices License Auto Wrecking Yard / Tire Storage License Automobile Sales & Showroom Automobile Sales Lot License Barber Shop License Beauty Shop License Bingo License
Blaster License Business Privilege License Annual Business Privilege License Carnival License Center City Vendor License Child Care Facility License Contractor’s License Curb Market License Curb Setter’s License Discontinued Licenses
Dry Cleaners License Dumpster License - Construction Dumpster License - Private Dumpster License – Public Right of Way Electrical Contractor Electrical Inspector License Electronic Scanners Licenses Engineer License Expediter’s License
Farmers’ Market License Finishing Shop License Fire Suppression Systems Apprentice License Fire Suppression Systems Worker License Food Establishment, Retail Non-Permanent Location Food Establishment, Retail Permanent Location (Cont. Page 29)
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Page 4 The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
NE Pushes Rubin In 10th An exploratory committee has been set up by Democrat activists in the Northeast to show Bill Rubin, supervisor of elections and vice chairman of the Philadelphia Pension Fund, why he should seek the Democrat nomination for the 10th Councilmanic Dist. Paul Kaplan, chairman of the committee, said, “It’s been over three decades since we have gotten real service for our far-flung District. My committee is composed of businessmen, community activists from both parties, and organized Democrats who want to end the reign of Councilman Brian O’Neill.” Kaplan, an accountant for a major firm, said, “The figures don’t add up. He’s been in office for so long, you would think he’s got a long history of achievements in the District. We’d like to see any of them.”
Councilman Wm.
Greenlee
Room 580 City Hall P. 215-686-3446/7 F. 215-686-1927
Councilman Brian O’Neil Kaplan added, “We searched around for a candidate and all roads point to Rubin. He’s a reformer on fiscal issues, a community guy connected to his Northeast roots, and is well known for being a coalition builder.” Rubin, in addition to his present posts, added Kaplan, has been a part of the District Attorney’s Youth Aid Panels for several years, mentored children through sports as an Athletic Director and Coach at St. Albert the Great parish and as a coach for Wissinoming Boys Club, and Fox-Rok A.A. Rubin, according to Kaplan, has been a strong union activist for over a quarter cenCouncilman Bill
Green Room 599 City Hall P. 215.686.3420/21 F. 215.686.1930
tury, and should be able “to get the endorsement of the City’s municipal unions.” Rubin has moved up to the vice chairmanship of the City’s Pension Fund and through that time has battled against the years of neglect that has caused its severe underfunding. Kaplan chided O’Neill, who recently submitted a resolution to look into the state of affairs with the Pension System. He said, “This shows how little he knows about what the Council does. Where was he when Councilman Bill Green’s Committee held its last two hearings on Pensions and Pension reform?” Evans Seen Targeted For Leadership Post
Long-time Philadelphia State House power broker House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans is reported to be facing opposition for the Chair of the same committee when the Democrat Caucus reforms for the next Assembly. Sparking the challenge to replace Evans with State Rep. Joseph Markosek, of Allegheny Co., is State Rep. Thomas Calt-
Bill Rubin agirone, of Berks Co. Evans has been the Democrat Chair of the House Appropriations Committee since 1990. Evans, who has indicated he would like to hold onto the chairmanship, may expect a sizeable vote from his own caucus. A key issue for Caltagirone was “Evans’ lack of accountability.” He noted Evans had secured $17 million in State funds for his District within the past few years for arts festivals, revitalization projects and charter schools. We Skipped Some Results Last Week
It was, as usual, an easy victory for long-time and popular incumbent State Rep. Bill Keller
State Rep.
in the 184th. He easily beat back GOP entry Stephen Pico, with 79% of the total vote. Pamela DeLissio, who weathered a crowded primary field in the 194th, easily took down Republican Timothy Downey and Green Candidate Hugh Giordano, taking 61% of the total vote. She did this without any real support from the Democrat organization in the 21st Ward. Interesting here was the fact Green candidate Hugh Giordano campaigned as though he thought his Green candidacy could weather the straight ticket-pulling by Democrat and Republican voters to take the seat. However, he did come close to Republican Timothy Downey’s vote, 18% to 21%, actually beating him in the city. He has a future, but needs to ally with a major party if he hopes to continue being active in the political arena. A Salute to Rep. John Perzel
State Rep. John Perzel will go down in political history as one of the state’s top strate(Cont. Page 6) R EPRESENTATIVE
William Keller 184th District
Constituent Service Office
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Senator Tina State Sen.
Shirley M. Kitchen 3rd Sen. District 1701 W. Lehigh Ave.Ste 104 • Philadelphia, PA 19132 215-227-6161 • www.senatorkitchen.com
Tartaglione 2nd Dist. 127 W. Susquehanna Ave. 1063 Bridge St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 Philadelphia, PA 19124
215-291-4653
215-533-0440
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Larry Farnese First Senate District Tel. 215-952-3121 1802 S. Broad St.• Phila. PA 19145
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(Cont. From Page 4) gists when it comes to helping his peers win their District seats. His loss in this past election will definitely weaken the city’s muscles when it comes to getting its fair share of income from the State. He was responsible for maintaining a Republican majority in the House, which existed during his leadership in the House and lasted until the last presidential race, when Obama easily swept a majority into the State House with his long coattails. To his credit, he was able to get support from the City Administration and the State as well as the Philadelphia School District to create a good deal of funding for the School District while establishing the School Reform Commission to oversee its operations. He pushed through changes in the Philadelphia Parking Authority that have turned it into an efficient organization that successfully manages to control parking on streets, and changed a once-decrepit taxicab and limousine system into Traffic Court Candidate
Democrat Marnie AUMENT-LOUGHREY May, 2011 Paid for by Candidate
Straightening The Record Nutter Sure Winner one that actually serves its citizens well and is a pleasant experience for tourists. John will be pilloried during his trial. We wish him well and success in this, his most-difficult uphill battle. A Salute Also To The Brother Boyles
We were reminded by some of our readers we have failed to give due credit to the brothers Boyle – State Rep. Brendan Boyle and State Rep.-Elect Kevin Boyle. They are responsible for breaking down the Four Horsemen who dominated Northeast Philly politics for so long. It took Brendan three tries before he finally convinced Republican State Rep. George Kenney to retire, and then took the seat in the following General Election. Kevin Boyle did it the hard way as well. He beat back two other challengers in the Democrat primary. He had strong support from State Rep. Mike McGeehan and his brother Brendan, but faced a tough, hard-working street campaigner in Perzel, who also had support from Local 98, DC 21 and some long-time friends in the Democrat ranks. Over the past two years, the Boyles have put together a volunteer army of about 350, who knew what to do at the polls, and they beat back Perzel and
The deadline to apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebates is Dec. 31. The rebate program benefits Pennsylvanians who are 65 and older, people with disabilities 18 and older, and widows and widowers 50 and older you meet income requirements. To obtain Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000), information, and to check the status of already filed claims go online to www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com, call 1-888-222-9190, or call my office.
successfully bucked a Republican tidal wave that took in much of the State. Now the Four Horsemen are down to two: well-liked State Rep. Dennis O’Brien, a former Speaker, and State Rep. John Taylor, for long a formidable force in Kensington. Cruz And Youngblood Seek Leadership Roles
State Rep. Angel Cruz, starting his eighth term, will be seeking the leadership of the Democrat House Delegation from Philadelphia. State Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood is a candidate for the leadership position of Democratic Caucus secretary. Democrat House caucus members meet to reorganize on Nov. 16 to elect new leaders in preparation for the next two-year session of the House that begins in January. Two Challenge Canuso Leadership
Kevin Kelly and Al Schmidt have filed a appeal with Robert Gleason, head of the State GOP in Pennsylvania, challenging the decisions handed down by the Republican City Committee just after the Primary, contending decisions that disallowed the election of several ward leaders be reversed. They state City Party Chairman Vito F. Canuso, Jr., should be ordered to step down
from his seat as the GOP County Chairman. Dem City Committee Moving!
We had pledged to keep it a secret, until the news was officially declared by Party Chairman and Congressman Bob Brady. So we were scooped. It’s official the 1420 address that has been the home of the Democrat City Committee since the early ’50s is now being sold. It is reported the figure will be around $2 million, which is comparable to present market values. The new headquarters will open in January at 7 N. Columbus Boulevard. Tea Party Forum
The Tea Party movement gave birth to quite a few successful candidates in the General Election. Now following is an internet political forum, entitled VoxVerus.Com. If your Latin is rusty, the translation is “True Voice”. It’s “True Voice”. Its developer is Brent Regan, who says, “It will allow voters to get past the overloaded switchboard, the secretary and standard email form and directly engage in a civil discourse with their elected officials,” adding.” Brent is an inventor with 11 patents, a pilot, and a Mensa member. His number is (208) 676-1922.
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Sen.Mike Stack SERVING THE 5TH DISTRICT
by Joe Shaheeli There were five candidates who ran for Mayor of the City of Philadelphia in the primary four years ago ... with the winner being former Councilman and now Mayor Michael Nutter. What cinched the campaign for Nutter was his repetitive message he would do what needed to be done to make the City whole and financially sound. What humanized him was the cute television campaign that showed him picking up his daughter at school, and her remarks, which made her a temporary local star. Then came the major recession that settled on this country overnight. It broadsided his efforts to live up to many of his promises. That, plus the fact the outgoing Mayor had already committed what resources were left, left little available for the Nutter administration. Nutter’s efforts have won him acclaim from some quarters, but his tendency to distance himself from the political forces that normally impact on administrative policies earned him poor ratings from those charged with getting out the vote.
He seems to be a likely winner again, if more than one candidate enters the race to oppose them. That’s why potential candidates – especially those who tried in the last Mayor’s primary – have been talking with the purpose of reducing primary competition. As a result, so far, Tom Knox and Sam Katz have agreed both will not enter the race; only one of them will, at most. This week, Katz announced he would not be running for the seat. He said, “I have talked candidly with many community leaders about my making another run for the Office of Mayor and received much encouragement and support. Philadelphians vest a great deal of hope for our city in our Mayor and the kind of leadership that he or she can provide. As someone who has run for that office on three prior occasions, I understand the potential that a strong and visionary Mayor can create for the people of this city. Many of those I discussed my possible candidacy with feel leadership and vision are lacking at this critical time. Philadelphia needs a City gov(Cont. Page 22) State Representative
STATE SENATOR
LEANNA M. WASHINGTON DISTRICT OFFICE
1555-D Wadsworth Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 (215) 242-0472 Fax: (215) 753-4538 WEB SITE www.senatorwashington.com
Parkwood Shopping Center 12361 Academy Road, Phila., PA 19154, 215-281-2539
In Crowded Field
State Senator
Anthony Hardy Williams 8th Senatorial District
6630 Lindbergh Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19142 (215) 492-2980 Fax: (215) 492-2990 Always Hard Working .. . for You!
]|ÅÅç W|Çà|ÇÉ GOP
RONALD G. WATERS 191st Leg. District 6027 Ludlow Street, Unit A
(215) 468-2300
215-748-6712
STATE REP. JOHN
State Rep.
SABATINA JR.
Frank Oliver
174th District 8100 Castor Ave Phila, PA 19152 T: 215-342-6204
195th District 2839 W. Girard Ave. Phila. PA 19130
215-684-3738
NAPOLEON, TABUTEAU & TAUBENBERGER Part One
In politics, there was NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, emperor of France, and in music, there was French born super star, MARCEL TABUTEAU, master of the oboe and principle of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1915-1954. In Philadelphia politics, there was AL TAUBENBERGER who ran against MICHAEL NUTTER in the mayoral election of 2007. --The Philadelphia Oboe Sound System
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The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
Page 8
the backdrop of the Art of the American Soldier exhibition. Museum admission will be free for veterans all day.
Gloucester County’s Loss in Vietnam. In homage to our nation’s servicemen and women, visitors are invited
At 12:00 p.m., guests can enjoy a performance by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, part of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment
Silent Drill Team will perform its unique silent precision exhibition drill, which includes a rifle-inspection sequence demon-
Chance To Talk To Servicemen In Middle East From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., veterans will share their experiences in the Armed Forces and on the home front in the “Domestic Tranquility” section of the Center’s core exhibition, The Story of We the People. Speakers include local Vietnam veteran John Campbell, author of They Were Ours:
to participate in a moment of silence and a wreathlaying ceremony on the Grand Hall Overlook at 11:00 a.m., featuring the Drexel University Color Guard, a performance of “Taps” by the Bugle Corps, and a performance by the 28th Division Band. The event will conclude with an Army flyover.
and the only unit of its kind in the Armed Forces. The performance will evoke the days of the American Revolution as musicians perform in uniforms patterned after those worn by the musicians of Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army. From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Coast Guard
strating elaborate rifle spins and tosses. Throughout the day, children and their families can participate in military muster drills, flag-folding demonstrations, soldierprotocol workshops, and more. At activity stations in the Grand Hall Lobby, visitors also can write letters to soldiers and visit in-
formation tables from veterans’ service organizations from across the country, including Big Brothers-In-Arms, Drumhike, Operation Bedding, Warriors’ Watch Riders, The American Warriors Watch Coalition, and The Wounded Warrior Riders Project. In addition, visitors can join in interactive shows, including A Day in the Life of a Soldier, which demonstrates soldier life during the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War I; The African American Soldier’s Story, (Cont. Page 11)
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
The National Constitution Center will pay special tribute to our nation’s servicemen and women on Veterans Day today starting at 10:00 a.m. Highlighting the Center’s celebration: visitors will have the chance to thank soldiers stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait via live videoconferencing technology provided by Telikin. The USO of Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey also has coordinated opportunities for military families to chat with their loved ones overseas. The event takes place against
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Free For All Veterans— Everyone Should Attend Veterans Day Celebration At National Constitution Center
The Utmost Sacrifice Is To Give One’s Life For Other. We Thank Our Veterans On This
VETERANS DAY Congressman 1st District Paid for by Committee to Elect Bob Brady
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Robert Brady
Page 10 The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
Our Opinion ... He Was Always There
The City’s political community, including the residents in the 185th House Dist., lost a true leader with the death of State Rep. Robert Donatucci. The brother of Register of Wills Ron Donatucci, the 58-year-old legislator died in his sleep this week. He will be missed for his refusal to be a knee-jerk politician, reacting to the wild swings of public opinion over imagined or real crises. He knew what had to be done and did it. He was a mostreceptive legislator, dedicated to helping the families in his District.
Veterans Day
Our marking the dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces personnel and those who have swelled the ranks of its retired on this one special day is well and good. But, if you watch the news, you need to understand many of us know every day is Veterans Day; our fe3llow-citizens in uniform are not far from our minds. Cognizant of this has been State Sen. Larry Farnese, who has been campaigning for months to send gifts to our Armed Forces personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has sent them recreational equipment, phone cards and other personal necessities with the help of his constituents and friends. The other day, he and the local USO Director thanked the seniors of Fels Center, in South Philadelphia, for amassing $1,200 in pre-paid phone cards to be sent overseas. That’s the year-round effort we wish more people would join. Our servicemen and women need and appreciate it.
Another Opinion
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Daily News Is Off Base
by Bob Lee Voter Registration Administrator Office of City Commissioners A Nov. 3 Daily News editorial mentions the Committee of 70’s recommendations for improving elections locally repeating 70’s complaint that “citizens have to link through to a State website to find their polling locations, and that location changes were not always posted.” Understanding why the City Commissioners office has voters connecting to a State website’s online polling-place locator requires basic knowledge about Federal and State law, mandated computer systems and procedures, and budget justifications. Not only do we have voters connect to a Commonwealth database, but our election personnel must
use the same Commonwealth of Pennsylvania computer system, connecting to a Harrisburg database to perform daily work on all voter registration and election records. Federal law requires States use a statewide voter registration system as the official database for voter registration. Pennsylvania law requires a central statewide system that includes election information, including polling-place files. While the State paid for and runs the system, the County election personnel are required to maintain County records on the system. Poll locations in this database are updated by our personnel as soon as a change occurs. The state also established, and maintains at State expense, a pollingplace locator application on
its voter-information website, www.VotesPA.com, that uses the County data in the State database. The City Commissioners find no “common sense” in spending City taxpayers’ money to develop, deploy, and maintain a County database and application to locate polls that would merely duplicate the services already provided voters by the Commonwealth at State expense. Use of a direct link to the State’s polling-place locator provides City voters an online process to find the location of their polling place at no additional local taxpayer cost. Ironically, 70’s website makes numerous references to the Commonwealth’s VOTESPA website as a source for election information and forms, including locating polling places. I would suggest that the Daily News and others fully research 70’s claims and recommendations instead of merely assuming they make sense. The editorial also called for other changes, for which additional responses will be forthcoming.
Nov. 11- Fundraiser for Homeless Veterans Outreach at Swanky Bubbles, 10 S. Front St., 6-8 p.m. $20. For info Joe Eastman (609) 2908803. Nov. 11- Thanks to $1.2 million contribution from Kal & Lucille Rudman, Temple’s new TV station TUTV goes online today following recep-
tion starting 5:30 p.m. at Joe First Media Ctr. in Annenberg Hall, 22 N. 13th St. Nov. 12- Nat’l Society of Colonial Dames of America hosts James Logan Award Gala honoring Gail Harrity, black tie, at 1630 Latimer St., 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12- Scorpio Birthday Bash hosted by Damon “Le KeiMillion” Williams at Champagne Cafe, 21 E. Chelten Ave., 9:30 p.m. $10 after 10:30 p.m. Nov. 13- Show Me The Money workshop on personal
financial management hosted by State Sen. Vincent Hughes at Phila. Hilton, 4200 City Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For info (215) 879-2452. Nov. 14- Comey Inst., St. Joe’s University’s labor education program, sponsors talk by journalist Steve Early, noted labor journalist, “New Strategies for Labor: Bargaining , Organizing And Strikes in Challenging Times” at Dist. 1199C AFSCME, 1319 Locust St., 7-9 p.m. Free and open to public. (Cont. Page 26)
LETTERS • LETTERS Don’t Settle For War
Harry Patch, a British World War I veteran who died in 2009 at age 111, described war as the “calculated and condoned slaughter of human beings” and said, “War isn’t worth one life.” He urged disputes be settled by discussion and compromise rather than fighting. The governing institutions that we devise are extremely influential in determining whether contentious issues can be resolved by legal and judicial means, rather than by military conflict. For example, Germans and French were at war during the time of
Napoleon, then again in 1871, again in 1914 and once more in 1939. But today, as part of the European Union, these countries participate in a shared currency, enjoy open borders, and elect representatives to a common European Parliament. The threat of a general European War has receded to practically nil. On the international scene, we can similarly start building the institutions and consciousness of a global community by supporting the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations (detailed at www.unpacampaign.org). Building the next generation of governing institutions
would be a much wiser focus for our resources and intelligence than a fatalistic resignation to violence, and a never-ending search for ever more-destructive warfare. Larry Kazdan (Cont. Page 26)
Correction In last week’s edition, the letter entitled “Record’s Wrong” was written by Eric Hamell. The letter entitled “Mr. Mayor, Where Are You?” was written by Anthony P. Johnson. Our correspondents’ names were inadvertently left off, to our regret.
performances at 3:00 p.m. by the Marine Corps Band, Silent Drill Platoon, 28th Div. Army Reserve Band, and a drum and bugle corps. A special commissioning ceremony will also take place on the Center’s Grand Hall Overlook. All visitors will have access to Art of the American Soldier, the highly acclaimed exhibition created by the National Constitution Center in conjunction with the US Army Center of Military History and the National Museum of the United States Army. Art of the American Soldier unveils powerful works of art created by American soldiers in the line of duty. Drawn from the Army’s rarely seen collection of over 15,000 paintings and
sketches, the exhibition showcases the artistic response of soldiers from World War I through the present day. The Center has also launched a special online gallery at www.constitutioncenter.org/artoftheamericansoldier, where active military and veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces can submit artwork reflecting their time of service. Selected works from the online gallery are currently displayed on a monitor inside the Art of the American Soldier exhibition. Veterans also are invited to share their experiences with visitors inside the exhibition and can sign up to participate in gallery talks at www.signupgenius.com/go/veteran. Admission to Art of the
American Soldier is free with regular museum admission of $12 for adults, $11 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $8 for children ages 4-12. On Veterans Day, admission is free for
veterans. Admission is always free for active military personnel, career military retirees, and children ages three and under. Military families receive $2 off admission. Group
rates are also available. iPod audio tours cost an additional $5. The Art of the American Soldier iPod tour has been generously underwritten by Team (Cont. Page 15)
State Senator
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
(Cont. Frm Page 9) hosted by the African American Museum in Philadelphia; and A Soldier’s Life for Me, during which a reenactor from the American Revolution provides a detailed account of the lives of Revolutionary soldiers, from their weapons and attire to their rations and supplies. During Letters Home: Soldiers’ Voices Through American History, an actor will perform a dramatic reading of letters written by soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the present day in the “Domestic Tranquility” section of the Center’s core exhibition, The Story of We the People. To conclude the Center’s Veterans Day celebration, visitors can enjoy
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Center Devotes Full Day To This Day
Christine M. Tartaglione Proudly Salutes All Active and Retired Members Of Our Armed Forces On Veterans Day Proudly serving the 2nd Senatorial District 1061 Bridge St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (215) 533-0440
127 W. Susquehanna Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19122 (215) 291-4653
Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5, John McNesby, President Salutes all those who risk their lives for our freedom. Thank you.
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Page 12 The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
Honoring Men Killed In Beirut
LEFT, MAJOR Arthur Czapka, USMC, XO 3rd Battalion 14 Marines, with Chaplain LCDR Barry J Baughman NSN seated, addresses commemorative services of Delaware Valley Marines lost on Sunday, Oct. 23, 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon. Ceremonies were held at Marine Beirut Memorial at Dock & Delaware. RIGHT, FAMILIES and friends of fallen Marines at memorial service. Photos by John J. Kline
Ringside With The Shadowboxer
Union’s Fight For Vets
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FLOOR LAYER Doug Baron and Operating Engineer Tom Dooley, who both organized “Union Fight Night”, welcome members of numerous Philadelphia unions to pre-fight meeting at Juniata Golf Course. Today is Veterans Day and SHADOWBOXER joins in the salute to our great veterans who have given us all the freedoms that we enjoy today. Organized labor will once again show their commitment to our veterans on Saturday, Nov. 20. This time, though, it won’t be in the form of a clean up or a food drive or any other of the traditional ways the men and women of our city’s unions have contributed in the past. Instead, union members who also have boxing backgrounds will slug it out with each other in what is being billed as “Union Fight Night”. The proceeds from these bouts will go to the Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House. “The veterans have been fighting for us, and now we are going to fight for them,” said Tom Dooley of the Operating Engineers Local
542, who is one of the show’s organizers. Just how committed are union members to supporting charitable events? Well, let’s take Carpenter Monte Sherrick as an example. That same evening in Port Richmond, another charity boxing match will take place to support the Front Street Gym Scholarship Fund. Sherrick wanted to support both charitable events and couldn’t pick one over the other. So he will actually box twice in one night. Sherrick will be the opening bout at the Union Fight card; then he will drive to Port Richmond and will be the last bout on the Front Street Gym Scholarship Fund card. “Union Fight Night” will be held at the National Guard Armory on Roosevelt Boulevard, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased at the door.
instruction and specialized caregiver programs such as polytrauma and traumatic brain injury, spinal-cord injury/disorders, and blind rehabilitation. VA has a caregiver assistance healthy living center Web page on My HealtheVet, ww.myhealth. va.gov, as well as caregiver information on the
VA's main web page health site. Both websites include information on VA and community resources and caregiver health and wellness. Family support services: These support services can be face to face or on the telephone. They include family counseling, spiritual and pastoral care. Polytrauma
Centers also offer family leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses. Other benefits: VA provides durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with home modification to improve access and mobil-
ity, and transportation assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments. Caregivers should contact their nearest VA medical center for caregiver activities in the local area. Facility locators and contact information can be found at www.va.gov.
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older is expected to increase from 37.4% to 44.8% by the year 2020. VA is also treating a new era of younger, severely injured Servicemembers. Many veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan will need lifetime care. VA recognizes the support of their caregivers is vital for these veterans. On May 5, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. Passed by Congress, this law will allow VA to care for those who provide supplemental help to family caregivers of the most severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. VA has been consulting with veterans organizations, as well as individual veterans and their family members, to ensure these new programs are implemented to provide the best possible support for those who have sacrificed so much. These benefits will add to the wide range of compassionate and practical programs for veteran caregivers that are already available from VA: In-Home and Community Based Care: This includes skilled home health care, homemaker home health aide services, community adult day health care and home based primary care. Respite care: Designed to temporarily relieve the family caregiver from caring for a chronically ill, injured or disabled Veteran at home, respite services can include in-home care, a short stay in a VA community living center or other institutional setting or adult day health care. Caregiver education and training programs: VA provides multiple training opportunities which include pre-discharge care
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs is marking National Family Caregiver Month by honoring the service of family members and friends who have dedicated their lives to caring for chronically ill, injured, or disabled veterans. “Caregivers are the family members and loved ones who take care of the severely injured Veterans who need assistance on a daily basis,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “These mothers, wives, fathers, husbands and other loved ones make tremendous sacrifices to be there every day for the veterans who served this nation. They are our partners in veteran health care and they deserve our support.” November is National Family Caregivers Month, and VA medical centers nationwide will offer locally sponsored events for caregivers. Because caregivers often experience stress, burnout, or feel overwhelmed by the caregiving experience, planned activities will provide useful information about VA and community resources that offer support and assistance to caregivers and veterans. Caregivers provide a valuable service to V\veterans by assisting them beyond the walls of VA medical facilities with support such as accessing the health-care system, providing emotional and physical support, and allowing injured veterans to stay in their homes rather than living their lives in an institutional setting. Caregivers help veterans maintain a better quality of life and gain more independence. As the V\veteran population ages and continues to increase, the role of caregivers as partners in supporting veterans is even more prevalent. The veteran population aged 65 and
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VA Celebrates National Family Caregiver Month For Service Families
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And We Salute Those Who Are Serving In All Branches Of Our Armed Forces We Salute You and Thank You.
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Remembering All Those Heroes Who Gave Their Lives For Our Freedom We Are Forever Grateful For Their Sacrifice
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Page 22 The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
One On One Could Spell Trouble For Nutter (Cont From Page 6) ernment that matches the growing optimism that has defined the nascent citizen-led renaissance of recent years. “While I believe new leadership is needed, I have decided not to enter the 2011 Democratic Primary for Mayor. This was not an easy choice for me. Political and personal factors weighed most Mayor Michael Nutter looks heavily in my decision.” Now, we’ll wait to hear strongest in crowded Prifrom Knox. mary field.
Congressman and Party Chairman Bob Brady has indicated he will not seek the Mayor’s seat; he’s needed now more than ever in Congress. The same with Congressman Chaka Fattah. Reluctant to consider a primary contest is State Sen. Anthony Williams, who admits he is being pressured by a host of supporters who believe, one on one, Williams will tilt the scale in his favor. The question is whether the other for-
mer primary losers will stay out of it and throw their support to Williams as well. Unsurprisingly, there is a push within the Latino voting community to get State Rep. Angel Cruz to consider making a run. He’s withstood a lot of opposition in past primaries and now holds the title of being the longest-reigning Latino in the State House. He will begin his eight term in January and can freely run without worrying about hav-
UT O B A ASK ULL OUR F R A 30 YE TEE AN GUAR
ing to resign or losing the support of his 180th Dist. voters. As a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the Philadelphia Elected Black Officials, as well as a number of Latino organizations, he could conceivably be able to siphon enough of the African American community support Nutter would expect Katz or Knox would enter the race. As it stands today, Nutter
remains the only individual planning to enter the 2011 primary for Mayor seeking his second, and final term, for Mayor. His smart strategy is to convince as many potential opponents as possible a crowded would be to their advantage. Odds are that is what he is now doing.
School District Taps Fraser The School District of Philadelphia has named Jamilah Fraser as new Chief Communications Officer. Fraser comes to the School District after a distinguished career in broadcast journalism and strategic and disaster communications. “This is a wonderful time to join the Philadelphia team,” stated Fraser. “Dr. Ackerman has just been named the top urban school superintendent in the country by the Council of Great City Schools and we have a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the students along with the important work of this district and its leader.” In her role as Chief of Communications, Fraser’s immediate goals will be to establish a three-pronged approach to public relations: strategic communications, community engagement and broadcast operations.
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(Cont. From Page 7) that could potentially stay in GOP hands for years to come. Well, it’s City Council time! My big, floppy ears keep picking up all sorts of names. Top-tier potential members of Council are incumbent FRANK RIZZO, attorney DAVID OH and State Rep. Denny O’Brien. The middle tier of potential candidates consists of perennial candidate AL TAUBENBERGER, former Democrat
and former DA candidate MIKE UNTERMEYER and former controller candidate AL SCHMIDT. The bottom tier is peppered with various names such as long-time candidate ELMER MONEY, ADAM LANG, MARIA DELANEY and many others. O’Brien has long been rumored as a candidate. He told the Daily News months ago he’d run if he didn’t have a shot at being elected Speaker of the House again. Trunk Man expects to hear from the legislator soon.
(Cont. From Page 7) Corp. Yo, the strip’s first Asian character; Dr. Bonkus, Camp Swampy’s loopy staff psychiatrist; Specialist Chip Gizmo, Camp Swampy’s res-
ident computer geek; Sgt. 1st Class Louise Lugg, Sarge’s wannabe girlfriend; Bella, Sgt. Louise Lugg’s cat; Chigger Bailey, Beetle’s younger brother. There was a whole bunch of other characters that have been retired from the strip and another group that
were seen only once. King Features Syndicate aired an animated cartoon that was first broadcast in 1963. Beetle was voiced by comic actor and director Howard Morris, with Allen Melvin as the voice of Sarge. Beetle Bailey also success-
fully appeared in comic books. I am not sure where you can view the Beetle Bailey comic strip, but with the memory of all those characters in it will always bring back many good memories to me. How about you?
College Access Program, which includes three community centers in addition to the in-school programs, said Carol Fixman, PEF’s executive director. For the kids who have gone through the program, exuberance about the experience, the counselors that helped them fill out applications, prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SATs to you and me), and find out where they want to go to college abounds. In fact, some of those kids have gone on to become adults who want to influence the lives of kids like themselves. If you want to go to the EDDY Awards to meet some of the great kids, counselors and others who are helping Philadelphia’s young people be all they can be through a college education, call (215) 665-1400, ext. 3307, or go to www.philaedfund.org/tickets.
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
Elephant Corner
Waffleman
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(Cont. From Page 7) me to go to school,” he said. “So I worked hard for it.” In other words, this kid is impressive. But he’s just one of the thousands of impressive kids with really good stories that you’ll be able to hear if you attend the Philadelphia Education Fund’s annual EDDY Awards on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Drexel University’s Edmund D. Bossone Research Enterprise Center. Among the honorees at this year’s event are Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame producer and architect of The Sound of Philadelphia Kenny Gamble, Citi, The Free Library of Philadelphia and Helen Cunningham and A. Morris Williams Jr., originators of the PEF’s Philadelphia Scholars program. The Philadelphia Education Fund is celebrating its 25th anniversary of helping students in Philadelphia’s high schools and in some cases their parents make their way down the path toward college through its College Access Program. About 2200 students are in getting assistance in applying for and paying for college through the
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA Sealed proposals will be received by the School Reform Commission at the School Administration Building located at 440 North Broad St., 3rd Floor, Office of Capital Programs, Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015, until 2:00 P.M., on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. A nonrefundable fee for each set of bid documents is as scheduled. The School District will only accept bids from companies that have been placed on its current Pre Qualified Contractors List as shown at psit.org. All School District Project require MBE/WBE participation as shown in the specifications. BUDGET FEE B-060 (C) of 2009/10 Electrical Contract Lewis Elkin ES $200,000.00 $ 100.00 Fire Alarm 3199 D Street *A pre-bid conference and site tour will be held at the project location, on November 12, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.
Information as to contract documents, etc., may be obtained at the above address, or telephone 215-400-5225. Make checks payable to the School District of Philadelphia. The School Reform Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and make the awards to the best interests of the School District of Philadelphia.
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Specifications and/or plans and contract documents may be examined and copies thereof obtained from the School Reform Commission, 440 North Broad Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
Page 24 The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
City Trees Fall Victim To Contractor Error
by Tony West Just as streets, sidewalks, public buildings and recreation centers are part of our city’s fabric, so are publicly owned trees. Trees are major capital assets and tree-lined streets cool and adorn much of Philadelphia. However, one small part of the city’s urban forest – the commercial corridor on Point Breeze Avenue – has had a bumpy ride this fall.
A dozen or so trees which were planted in August as part of a $2 million streetscape project by the Commerce Dept. between Reed and Tasker Streets were chopped down in November. Bemused Point Breeze residents watched as one work crew whacked down trees while, a couple of blocks away, another was unloading new trees off a flatbed for planting. It was all due to a con-
tractor’s error, said Roger Kern of Commerce’s neighborhood-markets and economic-development team. You can’t throw any old tree into a pit. City life is hard on trees, so species and sizes must be carefully selected. A precise shopping list for trees had been worked out following much planning with South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S., which had lobbied for the streetscaping.
But after Miniscalco Construction, LLC, a contractor with a long history in City capital projects, won the Point Breeze contract, it was bought by a larger firm, the H&K Group, which farmed out pieces of the job to its own subcontractors. One of them was a tree nursery. “The landscape-design team was supposed to be able to select and tag trees at the nursery, to make sure
those trees were viable,” explained Kern. But that never happened; and the nursery delivered the wrong trees. Some were species that would grow too short or too tall, and many were unsuited for life in a three-foot planting pit in a sidewalk. By autumn, many of the new trees had already died. Not so fast, said Kern. Miniscalco had guaranteed the trees for the first year of their life, so it was required to replace the trees at no additional cost to the taxpayer. These trees cost about $800 each. They are among 40 new trees that will spiff up the struggling Point Breeze business corridor,
which has seen better days. Greenery is only a small part of the beautification project, which has also installed new sidewalks and other improvements. The street improvements are a dream come true for community activists, who have pushed for them for years. By the time the City and its contractors break ground, though, community groups tend to slip out of the loop. So the disappearing trees caught them too by surprise. “I’m not sure quite what they’re doing at this time,” sighed South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S.’s Executive Director Claudia Sherrod. “But the end result will be worth it.”
Sheriff Green’s Important Steps to Saving Your Home Step 1: Assemble your current financial information, and call your lender.
Step 2:
Visit www.phillysheriff.com to learn more about borrowers’ rights, loss mitigation and abusive servicing practices. Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 215-686-3525 for more information
Step 3: If you feel uncomfortable handling mortgage negotiations, consult a professional housing Counselor
Step 4: Take time to carefully investigate the offers you receive to avoid becoming a fraud victim Sheriff John D. Green Philadelphia
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Laborers Grant To Fox Chase
The Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, donated $30,000 to Fox Chase Cancer Center to be used for Mesothelioma research. The funds are part of the $130,000 that was raised at the Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund’s 11th annual Charity Golf Classic on Jun. 1, 2010. The check was presented by Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund Trustee Samuel Staten, Sr. to Dr. Joseph R. Testa, PhD, researcher at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Attendees were treated to a tour of the laboratories where the actual cancer research takes place. Also in attendance were
Samuel Staten, Jr., business manager of Laborers’ Local 332; Walter Higgins, business manager of Laborers’ Local 57; Ryan Boyer, business manager of Laborers’ District Council; Juan Ramos, LECET administrator; Perry N. Blackman, CPA, Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund trustee; Lisa Perfidio, director of corporate & foundation relations at Fox Chase Cancer Center; and Robert G. Wilkens, Jr., senior VP and chief development officer at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is caused by first or second hand exposure to asbestos, a prevalent disease in the labor community. Ninety-
eight percent of mesothelioma patients die within two years and most within 12 months. This is why research into early detection, prevention and treatment is so important. “Thirty thousand dollars allows us to continue vital research while retaining trained staff and without losing ground,” said Dr. Testa. “The Laborers’ District Council Charity Fund has contributed to the Fox Chase Cancer Center for 11 years now,” said Samuel Staten, Sr. “I continue to be impressed and in awe of the work they do for mesothelioma and other cancer research.”
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
LABORERS DISTRICT Council’s Samuel Staten, Sr. presents $30,000 check to Dr. Joe Testa. In photo at left are Walter Higgins, Samuel Staten, Jr., Dr. Joe Testa, Samuel Staten Sr., Ryan Boyer, Juan Ramos, Robert Wilkins, and Lisa Perfidio. In photo at right, a researcher explains genetic markers to Samuel Staten, Sr. as Dr. Joe Testa and Dr. Mitchell Cheung look on. Photos by Blackman Brady Communication
Beech Marks Its 20th Year
BEECH COMPANIES marked their 20th anniversary as a positive business force in North Philadelophia by launching a scholarship program with $`100,000 dontion. In photo are Beech President Kenneth Scott, Temple senior Ken Lawrence, and Beech VP and Board Chairman Richard Bazelon Schools of Arts, Business, Engineering and Education, who will each receive $1,000 scholarships. The Beech accomplishments included participating in programs and plans that have resulted in more than $1 billion in investment in North Central Philadelphia, which included more than 1,000 single family homes, such as the Twins at Oxford Commons, several new commercial buildings in the Cecil B. Moore Avenue area, including the Beech Interna-
tional Apartments, Women’s Christian Alliance headquarters, the Alliance for Progress Charter School and the Beech Building. Other noted developments in the area, include, the Pearl Theatre and the Edge, a $100 million, movie theater and retail complex with student housing; and the $20 million redevelopment of the historic Progress Plaza Shopping Center, which features a new 40,000-square-foot Fresh Grocer supermarket.
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Beech Interplex, Inc. celebrated its 20th Anniversary last Friday at the historic and newly renovated Baptist Temple building at Broad & Berks Streets. There was a screening of The Beech Experiment, a look at the history of the Cecil B. Moore Ave. area, in the 1950s and 1960s and the revitalization that begin in 1990. Also, at the event, Beech Companies President Kenneth Scott announced the establishment of a $100,000 Beech scholarship fund for Temple University students. “We thought that it was time that we start a scholarship fund to recognize those people who really had the dedication, vision and courage to start this organization and really cared about North Central Philadelphia in 1990,” he said. Starting next year, four scholarships will be given in honor of Beech founders, Floyd W. Alston, John C. Hass, F. Otto Hass and Bernard C. Watson. They will go to students from Temple University’s
Center. It is a 100% fully refrigerated facility designed to prevent the cold chain from breaking from truck transport to loading docks to cold storage, as now takes place at the FDC. Making this possible is the steel, concrete, and insulated 5-inch-thick insulated panels. The new facility will also feature 228 enclosed and fully refrigerated 50-footwide dock areas with 4-foot ceilings. A skylight running the length and width of the facility will provide natural lighting. A central walking concourse will be open to the public. An additional 18,000square-foot auxiliary building for pallets and food will be open at the same time. Thirtytwo vendors will be relocated into the 68 units, each of which is 30 feet wide and 140 feet long. PRPA will be the landlord of the new Philadelphia Produce Center, which is PRPA’s first project of this scale outside the port district. PRPA, an independent agency
ALMOST ready to open its doors, new Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market sits waiting for few finishing touches. It’s expected to open in first two weeks of January. of the Commonwealth of pleased to be involved with impending grand opening – district. PRPA works with Pennsylvania, worked with this project, as the Port of visit the “news” section of its terminal operators to other agencies of the Com- Philadelphia is one of the PRPA’s web site, www.phi- modernize, expand, and immonwealth, the City of country’s prime movers of laport.com. prove its facilities, and to Philadelphia, various financial perishable products, includPRPA is an independent market those facilities to firms, and the city’s produce- ing winter fruit from Chile agency of the Common- prospective port users. Port industry interests to bring and bananas from Costa wealth of Pennsylvania cargoes and the activities about the financing, construc- Rica. The current Produce charged with the manage- they generate are responsible tion, and leasing agreements Center in South Philadelphia ment, maintenance, market- for thousands of direct and for the new facility. has been a critical compo- ing, and promotion of indirect jobs in the PhiladelSonny DiCrecchio, execu- nent of the port’s perishables publicly owned port facilities phia area and throughout tive director of the association operation for more than 30 along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, as well as nuof vendors in both the old and years and the new center in Philadelphia, as well as merous other economic bennew market, said, “We be- Southwest Philadelphia will strategic planning in the port efits. lieve this facility will be able continue in that tradition, to grow our businesses. We even more so due to the are less than five minutes closer working relationship it from three major interstates as will have with PRPA. well as the Philadelphia InterFor more information national Airport.” about PRPC – both how it PRPA is particularly came to be and updates on its
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
PROUDLY MANAGING PENNSYLVANIAʼS INTERNATIONAL SEAPORT SINCE 1990
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority A Promising Future By Championing the Channel-Deepening Project And Substantial Port Expansion
Once Again, We Thank Gov. Ed Rendell For Giving Our Port A Great Opportunity And
John H. Estey, Esq. Chairman
James T. McDermott, Jr. Executive Director
Robert C. Blackburn
Senior Deputy Executive Director
John F. Dempsey
Deputy Executive Director Administrative Offices: 3460 N. Delaware Ave. 2nd Fl., Phila., PA 19134 (215) 426-2600 • Fax (215) 426-6800 www.philaport.com
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Originally due to open last October, the nation’s largest completely refrigerated indoor produce center is now scheduled to be unveiled in mid-January. The new Center has been slowed by the late arrival of needed equipment and other construction needs. It is expected the old Food Distribution Center located adjacent to the Sports Complex will shutter on a weekend, with the opening for business at the new Center picking up the following Monday. As of last week, much of the infrastructure surrounding the new facility located on Essington Avenue across of the Airport Auto Mall complex is complete. Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s Project Engineer Brian Diehl, who has supervised the project from the ground up, has been on the scene daily to keep the schedule flowing. He reported this week all construction has been completed. Sonny DeCrecchio, executive director of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market and real-estate developer Brian O’Neill of O’Neill Properties Group have worked in tandem with the PRPA. The new PRPM will be home to the largest indoor freezer in the world, serving hundreds of regional produce vendors, and will retain for the city the famous produce operation. The impressive facility, remarked O’Neill, “if it were turned on its side and stood straight up, would be taller than the Empire State Building.” It is also a job producer. It is expected, in addition to the 1,500 current employees now working at the old center, an additional 35 new jobs will be added to the list by the requirements of the new facility. Thanks to the cooperation of the union locals on the job, the complex will come in at its projected cost of $218.5 million. Overseeing the entire project was PRPA, which facilitated the construction by purchasing 63 acres for the 667,000-square-foot facility. It is nearly twice the size of the original Food Distribution
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New Produce Center Opening Soon
Page 28
Genetically Modified Salmon Leaves Some Questions
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
The Food & Drug Administration recently completed
three days of hearings and public comment on the effort
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that have been genetically modified to grow twice as fast as normal salmon. If the FDA were to give its approval, it would be the first such scientifically altered animal food product to reach our dinner plates. The two primary issues are whether the salmon would be safe to eat, and would it be safe for the environment. FDA staff had previously is-
sued a report, finding the genetically-engineered salmon to be as safe to eat as normal salmon. But some critics of the report felt the safety tests should have included more data. One of the chief concerns is what would happen if these fastgrowing fish were to somehow escape into the ocean and breed with other “natural” salmon. The words “genetically modified” raise red flags for
by Michael A. Cibik, Esq. American Bankruptcy Board Certified Question: Bankruptcy planning: 5th dumb thing NOT to do. Answer: Don’t exhaust your savings to pay unsecured debt when your income drops. Note that I used the word “exhaust.” Most financial gurus will tell you you need an amount in savings equal to your monthly bills for several months (two to six, depending on the “expert”).
I’m not talking about a situation where you have enough savings to carry you for six months, and you are going to be out of work for surgery for two months. I’m talking about a situation where you’ve been laid off, and you’re facing an indefinite period without sufficient income to live on. Most of us would cross our fingers and try to keep paying everything for a month or two. But don’t continue to try to pay unsecured
many people—and when hormones are mentioned in connection with meat and dairy products, additional alarm bells go off for many. On the other hand, we’ve all heard about the dwindling numbers of Atlantic salmon and other species in the ocean today. Salmon that grow to maturity in half the time would likely help ease some of these overfishing issues. debt at the expense of paying the folks who can really hurt you, like your mortgage company. If you aren’t sure about which is which, and how you should prioritize the use of your savings, consult with an attorney, or with a financial counselor as to how you should set your priorities. What options you have depend on your individual situation, including your age, your assets and how much you owe. Next week’s question: Bankruptcy planning: 6th dumb thing NOT to do.
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Marking dedication of new low-cost homes for veterans are Mayor Michael Nutter, Sister Mary Scullion, Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller in whose district the building is located. Leigh and John Middleton.
Council Moving To Reduce BPT In advance of a public hearing on their Business Privilege Tax reform legislation, City Council members Bill Green and Maria Quiñones Sánchez have launched a website to provide the public with information about the bill, including an easy on-line tool for businesses to calculate the impact of the proposal on their BPT liability. The website address is http://www.forwardphiladelphia.com. “During our meetings over the past year with countless business-owners, as well as with accountants representing thousands of local businesses and local Chambers of Commerce, it was immensely
helpful to walk through the numbers with people and show them the impact of the legislation on their tax burden,” Green noted. “The feedback we’ve received on the bill has been overwhelmingly positive,” Sánchez continued. “While we continue to meet with businesses, this website allows folks to analyze the impact of the change,” Sánchez explained. The BPT reform legislation, which was co-sponsored by 15 members of City Council, would: Reduce the net income tax from 6.45% to 0% and increase the gross receipts tax to 0.5% (one half of 1%)
over a five-year period, while maintaining the projected BPT revenue level of $350M per year; charge no gross receipts tax on the first $100,000 of receipts earned by a business – by full implementation, over 50,000 of the 84,000 businesses that file BPT returns would have $0 BPT liability based on this change; modify the alternative rates already available to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to create a more viable “escape valve” for these typically low-margin businesses; and implement a new fresh food tax credit to help address the problem of “fresh food deserts” and help
ensure access to healthy food in all Philadelphia neighborhoods by easing the tax burden on fresh food retailers. “We look forward to the hearing on the bill and, as ever, remain open to making amendments to the legislation based on feedback from constituents,” Green said.
Pushcart Vendor License Real Estate or Seller Certificates Recycling Material Collectors License Retail Motor Fuel Dispenser License Rubbish Vehicle - Private Rubbish Vehicle-Public Sale of Firearms Sale of Spray Paint Containers and Indelible Markers License Sheet Metal Systems License Sidewalk Cafe License Sidewalk Sales License Small Games of Chance License Special Assembly Special Permit License Storage of Firearms Temporary Food Establishment Temporary Motor Vehicle Vendor License Temporary Pushcart Vendor License Temporary Sidewalk Sales License Temporary Vendor on Foot License Towing Vehicle License Valet Parking License Vendor on Foot License Vendor, Motor Vehicle License Warm Air Installer/Repairman License Waste Collection License, Private Weighing and Measuring Devices Commercial Licenses Weighing and Measuring Devices - Food Licensest
The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
CONGRATULATING State Sen. Michael O’Pake, 4th from left, on being honored by St. Joseph’s University Alumni Friday evening were Dick Smith, Al Tegler, Maureen Smith and Don DiJulio.
(Cont. From Page 3) Food Manufacturer, Wholesale Processed License Food Preparation-Killing of Animals Food Preparing and Serving Food Vending Machine Food Wholesale Pre-packaged Freezer Dessert Mix Garage Public License Garbage Collector - Private Handbill Distribution License High Rise License Home Inspector License Honor Boxes License Housing Inspection License Junk Shop License Laundry Self-Service License Limited Occasion License Massage Business Premise License Masseur/Masseuse Operator’s License Motion Picture License Motor Vehicle Repair Shop License Neighborhood Vending District License Newsstand License Outdoor Advertising Business License Outdoor Advertising Sign License PA State Professional Licensing Parking Lot Public License Plumber License Pool Room License Precious Metal Dealer License
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Dirty Thirty Forever! New Low-Cost Vets Homes City Licenses Needed
GOP Showed N.E. Strength strength in areas of the Northeast where they have long held power. All the wards reported below were led by long -time Republican City Committee ward leaders, under the leadership of Chairman Vito Canuso, Counsel Mike Meehan, and Executive Director Jim Dintino. In the 66th Ward, led by Republican City Commissioner Joe Duda, Corbett won over Onorato 6,370 to 5,873. In the 63rd Ward, Republican Leader Bob Barrilli also came out ahead, with a slim 3,942 Corbett win over Onorato. Though State Rep. John Perzel lost his 172nd House
seat to Kevin Boyle, his 64th Ward brought in a 2,202 to 2,196 victory over Onorato. Al Taubenbergerberger in the 5856h lost by only 60 votes to Onorato, 6,384 to 6,324. The big Corbett numbers got a smaller boost, for the most part, from the dissident Republican factions. Included in those groups were the Republican Party of Philadelphia coalition led by Executive Director Al Schmidt and members of the think tank the Loyal Opposition. The ward leaders belonging to this group, said Schmidt, were in the building stage and were not able to bring in big numbers.
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Republicans have come up with the best results in Philadelphia in recent memory for statewide offices. Though Allegheny Co. Executive Dan Onorato and Congressman Joe Sestak ran away with the Philadelphia results, the Republicans in the city made a fight of it. In the Governor’s race, Onorato topped Corbett, 343,325 to 70,592, while the race for US Senate saw Philadelphia Democrats brought out a bit more for Sestak. 350,805 to Pat Toomey’s 66,617. Despite this, the Republicans showed surprising
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The Public Record • Nov. 11, 2010
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t a e r G ls a e D
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